10. Cruz
10
CRUZ
I suck in a breath and wish for the hundredth time that I had my sister here. I told her over and over she couldn’t miss her test to be here, but I’m wishing I had someone with me. My agent is here, but he’s not happy with me right now. He thought for sure I had another season in me and was not happy with my decision.
I’ve already talked to the team and let them know. And yes, we’re all grown men, but I’d be lying if I said there weren’t a few tears. This is all I’ve known the last twelve seasons, and even though I’m ready for the next phase of my life—whatever that may be—I’m still sad to say goodbye to the past.
I peek into the room where the press conference is going to be held. My coach called it, and surprisingly, the reason has stayed under wraps. He said this is the best way to do it, get all the questions answered so nothing is implied. He says it’s going to help the next few months be more peaceful, but right now, I feel like I’m going to throw up.
I get a text, and I’m expecting it to be Lexi. She’s already sent me five messages this morning, but I’m surprised when I see a text from Tony, my friend who is a security guard at the stadium.
I open the text. “You know this one?” There is a picture of Tara.
I start typing, and my big thumbs mess it up, so instead I call Tony. “Hey, yeah, I know her. Can you walk her up here?”
“Sure thing, brother.”
I pace back and forth and stop when I see Tony and an embarrassed Tara come around the corner. “Thanks, Tony. I owe you, man.”
He shakes my hand. “You’re welcome. Good luck in there!” As he walks away, I look at a fidgeting Tara.
Her cheeks are a bright red. “I’m sorry. I did not want to be a distraction?—”
I cut her off. “You’re not.”
She juts her chin at me. “I just wanted to be here for you. I didn’t want you to do this… alone, but I’ll stay out of the way.”
The door opens, and Coach interrupts. “Payne, they’re ready when you are.”
I nod and take a deep breath.
Tara puts her hand on my arm. “You can do this, Cruz.”
I nod and take her hand in mine. “Come on.”
She shakes her head. “No, you go on in. I’ll sneak in the back.”
I laugh and pull her with me. “Nice try, honey. You’re here now, you’re stuck with me.”
I hold her hand, guiding her into the big conference room. The room is full of people from the press. They’re all talking at once, and the room quiets when we walk in. I don’t know why, and maybe it’s a mistake, but I hug Tara tightly, and it seems to calm me. “I’ll be right back,” I whisper, adding, “Stay right here.”
She nods, and I release her and walk up on the stage.
I have my speech ready, and I’ve practiced it a few times. I start by thanking everyone for coming, and then I make the announcement about my retirement. I take the time to thank my teammates, the coaching staff, my friends, and everyone that has helped me along the way. As soon as I’m done, I’m bombarded with questions.
I sort of knew what most of the questions would be, and I prepared myself with the answers.
I tell them about why I decided to retire and my future plans. I wasn’t ready for the last question, though.
I point at Robert Fox with the Gazette . “Robert.”
“Hey, Cruz. First, I want to tell you what a pleasure it’s been to watch you on and off the field. What you do for the community sets a great example for the league.”
“Thank you,” I tell him, starting to breathe a little easier.
And then he continues, “My question is, who is she?”
All eyes turn to Tara. She binds her hands together in front of her and rocks back and forth on her feet. I should have known that by her coming in here with me, there would be questions. Well, there’s no turning back now.
I smile at her and hope she forgives me for this. If I don’t give them the information, they’re going to get it somehow, and I’d rather it come from me. “That is Tara Brooks. She is my sister’s best friend, and… she’s my girlfriend.”
Everyone starts talking at once. I answer a few questions. “Yes, it’s a new relationship.” “Yes, she loves the Jasper Eagles.” After a few minutes, I hold my hand up. “Okay, thank you everyone for coming out today and for supporting me and the Jasper Eagles.”
I walk off the stage and straight to Tara. I put an arm around her shoulder and then take her through the tunnel to the private offices. As soon as we’re behind closed doors, I’m apologizing to her. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s my fault. I wasn’t thinking when I showed up… you did so good up there, Cruz. Are you okay?”
She’s not mad. I half expected her to throw a fit because I just threw her life into a tailspin. But maybe she doesn’t realize it yet. “Tara, I really am sorry. Most of them are good people and will leave you alone, but some of them are going to want to know more about us.”
She shrugs. “It’s fine, but seriously, Cruz. This was supposed to be one date.”
I nod. “One Valentine’s Day.”
She laughs. “Yeah, and so far it feels like we’ve been on a date every day since we’ve made this agreement.”
“Three days,” I mutter.
“What?” she asks, not making the connection.
“It’s only been three days since we’ve made this agreement.”
She reaches up on her tiptoes and brushes a piece of hair off my brow. “It feels like longer.”
“It does.”
She’s smiling, and then all of a sudden, she shakes her head and takes a step back. “But this is all fake, right? We need to remember that.”
I nod, but the truth is, none of this feels fake. If anything, this feels more real than anything I’ve ever felt. “Right. Fake.”
I hold my hand out to her, and she puts her hand in mine. She has to be the easiest, most laid-back woman I’ve ever met. I half expected her to freak out about all the attention, and the fact that she isn’t makes me happy. It makes me wonder if maybe she would be okay being in my life.
Her phone vibrates, and she holds it up. “It’s your sister. I bet she’s heard about the press conference.”
All I can hear is Tara’s side of the conversation as we walk through the stadium to the private car lot. “No, we’re not really dating.”
“Yes, of course, I’d tell you if we were.”
“Lexi, you do remember this was your idea.”
“Okay, I love you too.”
She hangs up and pockets her phone. “Your sister was a little excited.”
I grip her hand a little tighter. I figure I should gauge my sister’s reaction because I’m sure she’s going to be calling me soon. “Happy excited or mad excited?”
“Uh, you probably don’t want to know.”
We stop next to my car. “Oh no, you definitely have to tell me now. What did she say?”
Tara rolls her eyes. “You do know that she has this whole plan, right?”
I tense, wondering if I’m part of a game or something. “What plan?”
She releases my hand and steps backward. “She has this whole idea that you and I will get together.” She laughs and holds her hands up, palms out. “Don’t worry, though. I told her it was all fake.”
There’s that word again. Fake . Nothing that I feel right now is even remotely fake.
Tara looks around the parking lot. “Shoot, I should have paid attention. I think I parked on the other side of the stadium.”
I open the door to my car. “Get in. I’ll drive you around.”
She huffs but gets in. “You’re a regular knight in shining armor, Cruz Payne.”
I resist leaning in. “For you, I will be.”
I walk around to the driver’s side of the car and get in. I remind myself of all the reasons why this wouldn’t work. She’s too young for me. She’s my sister’s best friend. And I think she’s still in love with her ex-boyfriend.