The Story of E & A

12 YITF, Chapter 9: The Gala Pt. 2

Drew POV

I don't remember half the paintings we looked at. I don't remember two of the people I introduced him to. All I remember is watching him. Somehow Ev managed to make everyone he met like him. Somehow he molded himself to everyone's expectations and wants. It was kind of impressive and kind of creepy. As we walked away from the last sponsors, I nudged Ev in the arm and he gave me a 'What's wrong with you?' look.

"Did you always do that?" I questioned heading for an empty table and pulling another champagne glass off a passing server's tray.

"I'm not doing anything,"

"Yes you are! Your acting different for each person! It's weird!"

"It's nothing. It's just something I did. Well, do. We just spent so much time together you never noticed,"

I thought about high school, and our early childhood. I never thought about it too much, but he did seem different around different people. I brushed it off as knowing him inside and out, but maybe it's something else...

"Do you do the thing on me?"

"No. I never had to," The end was barely a whisper and had my jaw on the floor. I would have asked him to elaborate because you can't just say that and then stop talking. But the event coordinators chose that moment to begin the interview portion.

Don't I have amazing luck.

I looked at Ev for a moment but eventually walked to the interview area. The interview panel was made up of the overall head coach (Coach Clint Russel) , offensive coach (me), our defensive coach (Coach Aaron Preston-sorry to be immature, but eh. I hate that guy), our number twos, and a five hand picked players. There were twelve seats but only eleven people.

In the corner of my eye, I saw the event coordinator whisper something to Ev. A confused look slid onto his face, but disappeared as fast as it came. He schooled his face and walked over to the table and took the empty seat to my left as Steph came to stand at my right.

"Well you look gorgeous," I told Stephanie. She did a little turn and tried not to smile. She was wearing a dark blue suit with a white blouse and gold accessories. Her hair was in a fancy french braid that I had no clue how to do or even attempt.

"You don't look too bad yourself Garcia," She whispered as she sat looking over me and at Ev. She raised an eyebrow and I shrugged in response. I was just as clueless as she was. The event coordinator turned on the microphones in front of each of us signaling that it was time to start.

The first section was questions for the players. They answered well like we had practiced without a single mistake. Next were questions for the coaches.

I assumed that because Preston had seniority he would be asked the most questions. Maybe the reporters realized he was an ass too, because I got almost all the questions. I probably tied with Russel and Preston got barely five questions.

They then added Ev into the mix when they opened the entire table to answer questions.

Everyone was obviously interested to find out about the new and mysterious owner that came out of the blue. Before Ev could answer a question, another was screamed out.

"Everette, how did you buy so quickly?"

"Mr. O'Brien, are you married?"

"Mr. O'Brien, did you buy illegally?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

Ev slowly smiled and brought his mic closer. The crowd quieted and gave him there full attention, pointing the extra mics and cameras at him.

"First I hate Everette. I haven't been called Everette since Kindergarten and I don't want to start now. I prefer to go by Green. I got the stocks fast, because a friend of mine knew a guy who knew a guy. No one knew about the sale because it was supposed to be a closed deal until I decided to announce it to the public, but that clearly did not happen." Ev finished with a laugh.

"I went to Pennsylvania state, I'm 27, I played football since I was four and went all the way to varsity in high school. I was offered a football scholarship but turned it down to go to Penn state for business. I bought my share of the Giants, and I plan to be loyal to and active in the team."

He did well. Especially with no preparation time. I thought that the conversation would turn back to the players, but this is when the entire evening blew up in my face.

"Green, how do you feel about your contract being null and void?"

"What?" He was unable to hide the surprise and confusion written all over his face.

The reporter stood to continue and I asked immediately recognized him. He was a sports reporter. That part was normal. But he didn't report on injuries or journeys to stardom. No this guy would publish articles about your messy divorce with all the private details. No one knew where he got his information from, but he got it. If you had a secret that you wanted to stay hidden, you had to pray that Louis Stone did not find out. Unless you wanted your dirty laundry as tomorrow's headline.

Louis continued with a nonchalant tone, "Plus the war you're waging with the Eagles and the Cowboys."

Ev stayed silent but looked at me with a face that was hurt, confusion, embarrassment and anger. I wanted to explain but Louis had come to the same thought Ev had.

"You didn't know, did you?" He realized with a shit eating grin expanding on his smug face. Again, Ev looked at me but it was a lot less subtle and a lot more furious. More questions were thrown out, but a buzzing noise was filling my head and drowning out everything in my head.

"This interview is over." Ev stated, his voice cold and face a mask. He stood and walked away with reporters trying to regain his attention. By the time I stood up and got through the crowd of reporters, all I could see was his head exiting the Hall. I followed him into one of the back hallways expecting him to be gone. To my surprise he was pacing next to some tarps, glass cases, and random painting frames. The hallway was narrow and short so barely had space but he was making due.

"What was that?" Ev snapped and I flinched like he had thrown a punch.

"I was going to tel-"

He stopped pacing to stride right up to me and said, "You were going to tell me? About which? That we were at war or that I can be out bought now?"

"I didn't know you could be out bought." I whispered, shame coloring my face.

"I can if that greedy bastard Mike Ramos realizes he can squeeze more money out of me. Or that someone else is always willing to pay more and he is definitely willing to play dirty."

"I'm sor-"

"Sorry you got caught? Yeah. Sorry you lied? Not at all."

"You still don't trust me." It was a fact. Not a question. An obvious truth that I had tried to ignore.

"I don't trust you because you didn't change then and you won't change now." He told me coldly and pushed past me as I was frozen in my spot.

With one sentence, Ev had taken my mind back to the place it had all begun and I was stuck in some of the best and worst years of my life.

High school.

We know, very dramatic ending, but we wanted to go out with a bang. We will be taking a hiatus of two weeks to write a few more chapters so we can have a steady stream of updates unlike the last few weeks. Thank you to anyone who's reading and see you in two weeks! - Naomi, Valerie, and Ellie