[chapter one]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
A/N: Comments, emails, and guestbook signings are my favorite thing! Lemme
know what you think of this story - I'm continuing my quest to make you all
Jeffy lovers. :-D
**
~Madelyn's POV~
I so don't want to make this phone call.
And yet.
Here I am, dialing the number and drumming my fingernails on my desk, waiting for someone to pick up.
"Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon's office."
"Hi, may I speak to Jeff, please?" I say in my most uppity, professional voice.
"May I ask who's calling, please?"
"It's Madelyn Ray."
"Miss Ray … "
"Dammit Charlie, we've known each other for how many years? Eight? Don't 'Miss Ray' me and just put Jeff on the phone."
"Madelyn, I'm sorry … " Charlie says, barely able to hide his mirth, " … but I just don't think Jeff wants to talk to you after … "
"Charlie?" I say, my voice low. "Put him on the phone."
"Your funeral." Charlie says, and I can hear the grin in his voice as he connects me to Jeff's office.
So don't want to make this phone call.
"This is Jeff."
"Hi, Jeff. It's Madelyn Ray." I say, wincing slightly.
"Oh. Hi."
Great.
"Hi. Listen, before you start going off … "
"How could you do that to me, Madelyn?" He asks angrily.
So much for 'before you start going off'.
"I was gonna say … I had nothing to do with that. My article rocked but my editor cut the hell out of it and totally made you … "
"Looks like an unscrupulous, greedy bastard. Thanks, Madelyn."
"I just SAID … "
"Whatever. Why are you calling me?" Jeff asks, his voice sullen, quiet. "Want to write another scathing article about me so everyone hates me?"
Well, not the hate part, but about another article …
"Um … " I stutter before pulling it together. Honesty is going to be the only way here. Honesty, with a side helping of complete lack of pride.
"It's like this, Jeff. My editor is on my ass big time - I have to write a feature article about you, and it has to be better than awesome, or I'm fired. So, um … "
"Nice ultimatum."
Really not loving this phone call.
"Welcome to the world of journalism." I say bitterly. "Listen, I know after the last article … "
"Two articles." He corrects and I wince.
"Okay, two articles, I have no right to ask you for help, but … please, let me interview you. Again. I'll make you look like a saint this time. Trust me."