“Amazing seats,” Anne says as she and Clarissa look down into the stadium. “I can’t wait for the half-time performance.”

“Neither can I. Last time I went to an Ibila show I was too high to enjoy it,” Clarissa says.

I chuckle, “When was that?”

“Last summer. She was doing a tour and made a stop in New York. I had to go. She’s quite the entertainer. I’m excited to see what her mind and her people have created for us tonight.” She pulls out a pair of binoculars.

“You don’t need those, Clarissa.” I point around the room, “All these televisions have all the angles and coverage.”

“I’m not using these things to check out plays. I doubt the networks will be covering what I’m trying to get a look at.” Clarissa winks

“Dirty, Clarissa.” Anne sniggers.

I look about uncertain. There are at least twenty other people sharing the box. Guests of the owners. I know Anne wants me to socialize with them. She thinks it would be good for my career and reputation, but I don’t care to. I’m not sure if I want to work for EAN after the way they treated me. On the other hand, if I do go back to them, they wouldn’t get rid of me so quickly. It’s been a wild week for EAN. After Brett went on Jimmy Schnell’s show, the public opinion has changed toward me. I’m no longer seen as a slut. Most websites have taken the trash down. I’ve gone on all my social media accounts and have received thousands of apologies and lots of love and support. In less than a week I went from America’s biggest pariah to America’s innocent victim. Steve emailed me not long after the interview asking me to come in—I haven’t written back.

Across the room, I can see Eddie Hirsch. He’s the Blazers’ owner. I’ve never met the guy, but I’ve seen him plenty of times on screen. He’s not one for interviews or discussing his team with the media. In the past five years, he has spoken at very few press conferences. His eyes meet mine from across the room. I begin to wish I hadn’t noticed him. He’s approaching me. I knew he’d want to talk at some point in the evening. I had hoped it would be toward the end.

“Hello, Miss Driver,” he says in a friendly tone. “How are you liking the box? Quite something, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. I haven’t gotten the chance to see what it has to offer, but the view is amazing.”

“Well it’s much more than comfy seats and television sets with every station’s coverage. There’s a full bar and menu options, too. Be sure to take advantage.”

I look down awkwardly. I decide to be direct, “You want to know if I’m going to interview him today, don’t you?”

He lets out a deep sigh, “I’m not going to lie. If you did, it would boost morale. But I can’t act as though you doing the interview is going to save the game. Either way, I’m proud of Brett and what he’s done for the team. This is the best we’ve done since I bought the team.”

“So, you’re saying you’re not sure that an interview would change anything? You wouldn’t be angry that I didn’t?”

He looks at me earnestly. “No. Say you did interview him and we didn’t win. Then what? I’m not going to base a Super Bowl win on the back of an interview that a star quarterback wants with a journalist. There are other factors involved, too: how well the Crusaders play, how well the Blazers work together, Coach Dietrick’s coaching ability. You and Brett are a highlight. A story with a little sparkle that the fans are intrigued by.”

“Thanks for not putting any pressure on me.”

“But, if you do change your mind and decide to do it not so much for Brett, but for the fans of New York. Please do let me know.” He smiles. “We are willing to do an interview at the sidelines.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Hirsch.”

As he walks back over to some of his guests, I wonder what fans will think of me not doing an interview with Brett. I imagine if I don’t, I may end up being the most hated woman in New York. My career as a sports journalist would be over. Ah, Lexi. You were coming to the end anyway; you’ll be thirty in a couple seasons. They don’t like thirty-something women doing interviews. I glance about the room and wonder if I should start networking. It may be a good way to find my next job.