Playing to Win

the sidewalk.
    “Good morning,” she said.
    “Mornin’. Ready to pound some nails?”
    She was ready to pound something, but it had nothing to do with nails, unless she was going to nail him. Which wouldn’t be appropriate in front of all these people.
    Well. So much for her resolve, which was quickly melting in the morning heat. Thinking about business would help.
    “Before we get started,” she said, “I want to talk to you about the media.”
    “What about them?”
    “They’re going to be here to cover the house building today, but also because members of the team are here.”
    “Okay. So?”
    “Make this about the house and not you, okay?”
    “I will if they will.”
    He started to walk away, but she touched his arm to stop him. “You know they won’t. They’re going to want to dig at you. Don’t let them.”
    “So, what am I supposed to do, Peaches? Stand there and take the shit they dish out about me and my career?”
    “For the most part, yes. Talk about the house project and the Traders’ involvement in it. Tell them how happy you are to be participating. Concentrate on the positive aspects of you being with St. Louis and downplay all the negatives of your past.”
    “And what if that’s not what they want to talk about?”
    “Then keep directing them toward the project. It’ll make them look bad if they keep badgering you about your past. As long as you smile and you’re positive, they’ll have nothing to say.”
    He shook his head. “I’ll try, but I don’t think it’s going to play out like you think it will.”
    “As long as you don’t argue with them or start a fight, it’ll be fine. Trust me. The less you engage with the media in a negative way, the better.”
    “All I can tell you is I’ll do my best.”
    She smiled at him. “That’s good enough. Let’s go build a house.”
    Cole walked away and got started on the framing. Watching his body work was like visiting an art museum. He was all fluid motion, the play of muscles in his arms and back as he moved lumber and pounded nails a beautiful sight to behold. He worked alongside his teammates, something Savannah arranged for because this was also a team-building exercise as well as a charitable undertaking.
    It worked, too. And looked amazing with the team working together to raise the frame of the house alongside the other volunteers. The media took pictures, which Savannah knew would make the local papers.
    Good for the team. She grinned, put down her own hammer, and brought sandwiches and drinks to everyone as they stopped for lunch. She stayed out of Cole’s way because he was hanging out with Grant, Kenny, Jamarcus, and Lon as well as several members of the Traders’ offensive line. She wanted him to have that bonding time, so she ate her lunch with a few of the players’ wives who’d come along to help.
    She was deeply engaged in conversation with Missy Sandell, one of the linebackers’ wives, when she saw a couple reporters bearing down on Cole.
    “Excuse me, Missy,” she said, pushing back her chair to move closer to where the players were being interviewed as they ate lunch.
    “We never saw you doing any charity work while you were with Green Bay,” one of the reporters asked.
    “Maybe that’s because you’re a St. Louis reporter,” Cole answered.
    Savannah winced.
    “It would have made the national wire,” the reporter shot back. “You’re in the news a lot.”
    “Only the negative stuff.”
    One of the reporters laughed. “Well, face it, Riley. You do give us plenty to report on.”
    Cole took a long swallow of water, then caught Savannah’s sharp frown. “But I’m here now, and happy to be working on this house today. The Traders are an amazing organization who put a lot of time, effort, and money into charitable efforts. I’m honored to be a part of this one.”
    She exhaled. Good answer.
    “Does this mean you’re turning over a new leaf?” one of the national news outlets asked.
    Cole stood, wadded up his trash, and tossed it into the nearby bin. “Watch me and find out. In the meantime, we’re all headed back to work. Why don’t all of you drop those microphones, cameras, and recorders and put a little muscle into helping out this family?”
    He walked away with the rest of the players. Savannah grinned. The interview started out shaky, but it ended perfectly.
    There might be hope for Cole after all.
    COLE LOVED WORKING WITH HIS HANDS.
    Even in this brutal heat and