“Because he’s tight lipped, right?” He picks up a cheese puff appetizer thing and drops it in his mouth. Chews and swallows.
“He tends to keep to himself.”
Lee leans on the railing of the suite and the camera scans to him, putting his image on the Jumbotron. He doesn’t look uncomfortable at all. Just raises his hand and flashes a boyish grin that instantly wins over the crowd. Two brothers with two completely opposite personalities. One brother seems to hold the weight of the world on his shoulders, while the other acts as if he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“I’m gonna let him fill you in on what he wants you to know. But I’ll tell you this… if there is something there between you two, he holds a lot in. Don’t take it personally. He doesn’t let anyone in, but I hope one day he’ll find his person. If anyone deserves it, it’s my brother.”
“That’s very brotherly of you.”
He shrugs. “He raised me. The man will make one heck of a father someday. I hope he gets his chance.”
I open my mouth to say something—I’m not even sure what—but shut it when we get interrupted by one of the Fury front office staff.
Finishing my wine, I ponder Lee’s words and wonder about their mother. Where was she when this was all going down? It makes sense why Kane would want a family if his own family was dysfunctional—he wants a do-over. But a family is something I can’t give him. I’m not made to be a wife and a mother. I’m built for boardrooms and takeovers, not Band-Aids and PTA volunteering.
At the end of the third period, the score is 2–1 and the Fury are the victors.
“Want to head down with me?” I ask Lee. “Your brother and I have to do the press conference, then you two can get into whatever trouble you have planned.”
“Sure, I don’t mind seeing my brother sweat in front of reporters.” He laughs, and we walk down the hallway toward the elevators. After we step into the small space and I press the button for the ground floor, Lee touches my arm a bit hesitantly. “I just wanted to say, I probably misspoke earlier. I mean… Kane wouldn’t like it that I told you what I did, so could we maybe keep that between us?”
I smile. “Sure.”
“I just want the best for him, but I don’t want to push him any further away than he already is.”
I try to figure out what Lee’s talking about but can’t. “No worries. I won’t say a word.”
“Thanks.” He smiles at me as the elevator doors open. “Give me a tour?”
“Sure thing.”
I lead Lee around the training rooms and the locker rooms. Kane is already waiting outside the pressroom when we reach it.
“Hey, you two.” Kane smiles at me.
For a moment, I feel as though I’m his, but I’m not and I need to remember that’s a choice I made.
“Just giving your brother the tour. Is it weird? Like looking at a younger version of yourself?” I ask.
Kane shakes his head but seems amused. “He looks like my mom, and I look like my dad.”
“Plus, you have those little gray strands in your beard.” I point at the imaginary grays with a smile.
He runs his hand down his beard. “I do not.”
I shrug. “Let’s get this over with.”
Kane holds the door open for me and I walk behind the table, taking my seat. Kane sits next to me, and his knee touches mine, but neither one of us moves. In our past press conferences, we would have separated more, but it feels nice to know we’re more like a team now.
Lee leans along the wall. A few reporters obviously recognize him, looking over, then murmuring between themselves.
“Ted,” I call to the first reporter.
“Nice win tonight, Coach. My question is for Jana. Rumors are that you’re doing a team-building event during the next three-day break. Do you think it’s a bad idea rather than letting your players rest?”
I lean forward. “Team building is critical to our organization. Making sure all the players learn to lean on one another is and will remain a priority.”
“Wasn’t it your dad who demanded it happen? Another rumor says your dad’s stripped you of the owner position.”
Kane leans toward the microphone, but I grab it and glare at him. He doesn’t need to swoop in and save me. “I can say with certainty I am still the owner.” More hands go up. “Ahmed.”
“But aren’t you only the owner because you’re his daughter? You obviously failed at the job for the first few months. Doesn’t the team building usually happen before the season begins?”
“Kane and I didn’t think we could fit it in the schedule as quickly as we needed to with all the changes that had been made.”
“Because you were more concerned about retro uniforms.” Ahmed sits down as if it’s a statement.
“Listen, can we stay on topic and discuss tonight’s win?” I draw in a deep breath to ease the tension bunching my shoulders. I point at the last person I’m going to take a question from. “Tami.”
Kane groans next to me, but she never criticizes me.
“Thanks, Jana. I love your blouse.”
I smile. “Thank you.”
“So, Kane, I see your brother is in town. Hi, Lee.”
Lee gives her a small wave.
“Can you tell us where you’ll be tonight? Is Lee staying for a couple days? Is he interested in doing a bachelor auction?”
Kane leans forward, holding the microphone to his mouth, and clears his throat. “Tami, you know I’m not answering any of those questions.”
She sits down and grins but shakes her head at him good-naturedly.
I’m ready to get out of here, but Kane continues talking. “As for the rest of the reporters here… if you’re going to continue to take cheap shots at Jana or question what’s happening behind closed doors, then she will no longer be in these press conferences. We’re here to discuss the game, which we won, so you should be asking what made me switch out Warner for Tweetie or why’d I take McIntosh out in the third when the game was close. It shouldn’t involve you throwing stones at a woman who’s here every day, working her ass off to bring us the best team. This is the last time we’re going to have this conversation. Do you all understand?”
There are a few nods, but I’m so embarrassed, I want to drag him out of this room.
Lee is clearly trying not to laugh.
We stand from the chairs and exit the room. As soon as we’re out in the hallway, I whirl around.
“What the hell?” I shout at Kane. “You can’t do that.”
“What? They were being assholes and trying to bait you. They’d never say shit like that to a male owner.”
“I can stick up for myself.”
Aiden comes out of the locker room with Warner for their interviews, hair still damp. Lee says hello to them, and they stop to talk to him.
In the meantime, Kane drags me down the hallway. “I’m not gonna sit back and let them talk to you like that.”
“You’re not my prince,” I seethe through gritted teeth. “Now I look weak.”
“Jana, you could never look weak. You’re the toughest woman I know. I’m sorry if it bothers you, but I’ll never stand by and let them do that to you or any other woman. But especially not you.”