Page 354 of Playing Dirty

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“Reed,” he called after practice. “Inside.”

I followed him into the office.

He shut the door.

No chairs this time.

Just standing.

“That assignment,” he said.

I didn’t pretend not to know.

“Yeah.”

He nodded once.

“Careful.”

That surprised me.

I frowned. “Careful how?”

Coach crossed his arms.

“Media creates stories. Athletes live inside them.”

A pause.

“She’s going to write what she sees.”

I didn’t answer.

Because I already knew that too.

Coach continued:

“And you’re not great at being seen when you’re not in control.”

That one hit harder than the others.

Because it was accurate.

ROWAN

Mia didn’t talk much during lunch.

Which meant she was thinking.

Which meant I should be nervous.

“You’re going to have to write about him objectively,” she said finally.

“I know.”

“You don’t sound like you know.”

“I do.”

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