Free Throwing Love #3 (The Throwing Love Romance Series - Book #3) by Nella Tyler Page B

wasn't going to take the chance that she would want me to put a
negative spin on the article. I was writing this one my way, and she would have
to deal with it.
    Once I logged in and got a Word document up, I looked to
Bennett for guidance. He had something to say and now that he had been proven
innocent, he should have the opportunity to tell his story. I was going to
write the story from his perspective so that he could say what he needed to his
fans.
    I typed away as he talked, getting in the moment. He was a
skilled athlete at the top of his game. He had been steps away from being
recruited to a number of teams and before he had the opportunity, scandal struck
out of nowhere. He was unprepared for it and believed the city and the world
would be behind him. He soon realized that things don't always work out like
that. Although he claimed his innocence on numerous occasions, he felt like
people had turned against him. H wasn't sure if the real story would ever come
to light. He still fought tooth and nail for his innocence, and that hard work
paid off. He had finally been proven innocent, and there was nothing anyone
could do to change that.
    Bennett gave me plenty of quotes to work with, and I knew I
would have the exclusive from him that no other paper would get. I guess there
was more than one benefit to dating a sexy baseball player. I would be able to
announce his innocence before anyone else got the scoop.
    The scandal would now turn on the real culprit who had put
the tar on the ball, and he would now have to face a suspension of his own. He
would also have to deal with the same kind of public scrutiny that Bennett had
to deal with, except in his case, it wouldn't end. He would not be exonerated
as Bennett had been. His career could very well be over. How tragic that he had
not come forward in the beginning to save Bennett, instead he had let him take
the fall for something he didn't do – not very honorable at all. That
would be something he would be attacked for in the media. The next few weeks
would not be easy for that guy.
    I needed to be able to back up my information; however, I
wasn't about to do the same thing that Rebecca had done. Bennett helped me find
the avenues I needed to get proof of his claims. It had been easier than I
thought with Bennett's help, and I had everything I needed to make sure the
article was accurate. It turned out I had more than I needed to write the best
article I could.
    “What I didn't tell you is that they gave me an official
letter that exonerates me. You can include it in the article and be that much
more amazing.”
    I laughed. “That would do it. It’s great they gave that to
you. No other paper will have that lead.”
    “I haven't even shown it to anyone; you will be the first to
see it.” He pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to me. I slowly read it
over and felt pride in what the administration had to say about Bennett and the
regret they had about accusing him. I was honored I was the first person he
showed it to. It really said a lot about what Bennett thought of me. I couldn't
have been happier that I would be the one that got to break the news of his
innocence before anyone else – especially since my articles since the
scandal broke had been terrible and only focused on his allegations. What was
better was that I had the inside scoop – I was telling the story from
Bennett's perspective; just like the features I used to do. People would really
know how he felt, and no other paper would get that vantage point. I couldn't
ask for a better source.
    I was able to finish the article that night, and I submitted
it immediately to my editor to ensure that it would be in the paper first thing
in the morning. Despite my editor's opinion of Bennett, she would be thrilled
to have a front page story and even better, be the first paper to print it. A
copy of the letter was included, as well as an announcement that Bennett Thomas
would be reinstated as the pitcher for