“Whatever history Moats and Coach McCoy have was a long time ago. They don’t have any issues. Coach McCoy was a driving force in getting Moats to play for us. Next question,” he said.

Apparently, one scandal per interview was enough because nobody asked the question the liaison prepared me for all morning. The rest of the conference went smoothly. There were even some laughs as we were winding down. Most of the journalists wished me well. I couldn’t look at Duane’s smug face. I exited the conference room and was immediately ushered into a private office. I wasn’t sure if it was for debriefing or just to get me away from the press. Terry, Bill, and the press liaison walked into the room. I waited for them to sit and braced myself for the onslaught of questions.

“Is there any truth to Duane’s question?” Terry asked.

I looked at them. “We were kids. I wouldn’t say we were girlfriends. It was a summer romance. And she wasn’t out so I don’t know how Duane dug that nugget up.” I knew that denying would only hurt my career here. “Her very religious parents didn’t like me and refused to allow us to be together. Did she move on and date Grayson? Yes. Did it hurt? Yes. But we’re all adults now. None of us are giving any thought to who we dated as teenagers.”

Bill dabbed at the sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief. “Did you and Grayson really discuss it?”

“Yes. The night we went to dinner to recruit him. He asked if it was going to be a problem. I told him no. That relationship was a lifetime ago,” I said.

Terry and Bill exchanged a look. “Find Grayson,” Terry said to Bill. Bill nodded and left the room. Terry folded his arms. “Do you think that’s something you should have disclosed when we brought up Grayson the day you started?”

I shook my head, refusing to allow his tone to get to me. “I didn’t. It was a long time ago. Grayson and I talked about it. It was a private moment between us. We’re good.”

He pressed his lips together tightly and nodded. “While we wait for them, let’s talk about your first press conference. How do you feel about it?”

Other than being completely derailed, it was okay. I leaned back in my chair. “I thought it went well. I’m glad nobody brought up the previous coach.”

“What’s going on, Coach?” Grayson entered the room followed closely by Bill.

“Have a seat, Moats,” Terry said.

Grayson’s eyes darted between the three of us. I kept my gaze steady and firm and gave him a very slight head nod. His shoulders lowered in relief.

“We were just informed by a journalist that you and Sutton have history. I understand from McCoy that it’s water under the bridge.”