‘I really don’t think you truly understand the gravity of this situation. I’m serious. You’re in deep shit this time, serious shit. This is not a good look—’

‘It was just a fight. It’s not like I haven’t been in any before.’

Bernie snorted. ‘That’s how you’re justifying this? That you’ve been in fights before? OK, maybe yes, you have. On the ice. During a game. Or a boozy night out. Not on the red carpet in front of two hundred cameras. With a fellow pro athlete who is going to sue you from here to eternity.’

‘That asshat hit me first,’ spat Ward.

‘And so you pummelled him? The ass-whooping you gave him, do you think that was justified? You look unhinged.’ Again, Bernie pointed at the TV.

Ward glanced over and took a deep breath. He had to admit, that footage wasn’t awesome, especially since it appeared that Kendrick wasn’t fighting back – or certainly not with the same intensity that Ward was delivering. Which had been kinda disappointing at the time too, to be honest. Loser.

‘Look, Bernie,’ he continued, ‘that guy—’ he jerked his chin toward the screen ‘—is a prick. He was grabbing Hannah, gripping hard on her arm. And she was pulling away. I saw it. I didn’t like it. That’s why I went over – and told him to get his hands off of her. Everything after that is on him.’

Bernie sighed and collapsed heavily into his office chair, dragging his hands through his hair, and leaving behind little spikes. He looked like he hadn’t slept last night, which, of course, he hadn’t since he was once again in damage-control mode. He threw his head back and looked at the ceiling for a moment.

‘So, you were just being a knight in shining armour, then? Is that what it was?’ he asked, sarcasm clear in his voice. ‘Did it ever occur to you that maybe that was an issue best left for your publicist? That maybe it was a lovers’ quarrel that was none of your business?’

Ward looked away, purposefully avoiding his agent’s gaze.

Of course, it had occurred to him that it wasn’t any of his business. But he also realized that he had developed a serious blind spot when it came to Hannah. He wanted her business to be his business.

When he remained silent, Bernie pressed on.

‘And speaking of Hannah, what does she have to say about all of this? Huh? Did she ask you to butt in like that? I’m pretty certain she wouldn’t thank you for it – not for making such a public spectacle of her private life.’

Ward felt like he was under a microscope, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

‘She quit, OK? She said she can’t work with me anymore.’