Page 113 of Try Hard

“Being aware doesn’t make comments like she’s receiving acceptable, and I’m not going to stay quiet on that.”

Andra hummed. “You realise any statement will be taken as confirmation of your relationship?”

I gritted my teeth. It wasn’t Andra I was annoyed with. This type of thing was what I paid her for. “I’m aware. I’ll be checking with Ophelia first for what she’s comfortable with, but whether I’m putting out a statement that confirms our relationship or denies it, I’m putting one out.”

“Understood. I’ll draft a press release to send out to—”

“No. This was an invasion of my private life. I’ll be putting it out myself. On my socials. It can hit the news cycles or not. The pictures were sold to an online gossip column, they’re doing the rounds online. That’s where I’m going to address it.”

“You’re sure that’s how you want to do it?”

“Yes.”

Andra was quiet for a moment before she replied, a smile audible in her words. “I know this isn’t the way you’d been planning to do this, but she’s good for you. I’m happy for you both.”

I froze in the middle of checking again for a reply from Ophelia still that wasn’t coming. “What?”

“You’ve had people say all kinds of things about you in the past. You put out a press release if you have to. Otherwise, you address things indirectly. This is the first time you’re just telling me what we’re doing—and calling out the betrayal directly.”

I laughed in surprise. “Shouldn’t you be telling me to do what’s best for my career?”

“We’ve done that. And, if you weren’t at the point you are now, maybe I would have taken you through some other options, but you’re not a kid anymore, Eve. You’ve found something you care about more than rugby and you’re doing what you have to in order to protect that. It’s your decision at the end of the day. Doesn’t really matter what I think.”

We both knew that wasn’t strictly true, but she was right. I never charged in already decided on these things. But I wasn’t changing my mind when it was Ophelia getting targeted and hurt. I’d gotten used to what people said about me, but she hadn’t chosen this life.

I sighed. “I should conference Row in. Most of the people we work with probably aren’t following gossip about my love life, but I should at least warn her about the statement.”

“Go ahead.”

I dialed Row, adding her to the call.

She sounded breathless when she answered.

“Row,” I said seriously, “you’re on with me and Andra.”

“Ah,” she replied. “The crisis management team.”

“Indeed.”

Row laughed. “You finally getting with Fia doesn’t feel much like a crisis, mind.”

It was only as I hummed in agreement that I realised I’d called her Ophelia in front of others. Whatever. That was who she was to me. My Ophelia. And I was going to protect her. “That bit isn’t. Some party guest selling pictures and information about her is.”

“Ooh, you’re so protective. I like this version of you.”

“Agreed,” Andra replied smugly, right as Row barely stifled a squeal.

“I’m sorry,” I said to Row, amused despite the situation, “are we interrupting something?”

“Not at all,” she said while trying to shush someone with her.

I barked a laugh. “Yeah, right. I like this version of you, too, for the record.”

“Nothing to like,” she replied far too quickly. She cleared her throat. “So, what do you need from me?”

“Nothing. It’s just a warning that I’m putting out a statement on my socials—wording to be determined—calling out the situation and the commentary Ophelia is getting.”

“Both of you are getting it.”