In bed, about to put on true crime and go to sleep.
K-Brad
You sleep to true crime?
Melody
I let it play while I sleep.
K-Brad
That can’t be good for you.
Melody
Insomnia is worse.
My phone falls silent, and I wonder if he’s decided he can’t keep talking to a lunatic who can’t sleep without the dulcet tones ofCity Confidentiallulling me to sleep.
But Keith David has such a soothing voice, even if he is the Shadow Man.
K-Brad
I know you’re going to talk to that guy. Just don’t dogpile me.
My lips press, and my brow furrows. I slide my finger over the gray oval containing his words.
Melody
I hate a dogpile. It’s the lowest form of discourse.
K-Brad
It also sucks when you’re underneath it.
Doesn’t suck to be underneath you…
I don’t send that. I push down the knot in my throat and squeeze my eyes shut. I scrub my fingers over my forehead and do my best to refocus my thinking. He’s not my boyfriend. I’m a professional journalist.
Melody
I’ll be the same as always.
He doesn’t reply. We don’t say goodnight, and I put the phone away angry that I feel guilty.
Turning away from the nightstand, I hug my knees closer. I’m not falling for Knox Bradford, and I won’t show favoritism. My job is to call it like I see it. That’s what I do. It’s what I’ve always done. Nothing is going to change.
Still, anxiety creeps up my shoulders like silent crabs across the ocean floor.
* * *
“They’re playing a stellar game tonight.”Chet is in his leather chair positioned in front of a massive flatscreen television broadcasting the game. “I expect the wagers are pouring in on FanDuel—Saints win the ring?”
“I’m not a betting gal, Chet.” I’m beside him in a matching chair, watching it all happen in realtime. “It would go against my journalistic ethics.”
“I’m starting to wish I had ethics.” Disappointment is in his tone, and I don’t believe him for a second.
Chet Arnold invited me here for one reason, an unofficial roast of Knox Bradford. I’d been preparing to remain neutral, keep my comments to what they always are. I’m seriously glad Knox hasn’t made a single mistake… yet.