28. Amber
AMBER
T hree days later, the guilt of lying to Jeff almost had me throwing up.
I washed my face and used mouthwash, delaying the time until I went back into my bedroom where Jeff remained.
He had refused to go to classes the first day, but I’d gone with him earlier this morning and his mood hadn’t changed.
Angry. Rightfully slighted. Confused and lost. My heart broke for him and I couldn’t do anything about it until his coach reached out to me.
That was the deal to ensure the bastards were caught and Jeff’s future with baseball was secured.
It just sucked seeing him suffer when I knew it would be over soon.
And if he finds out I knew this whole time, he’ll never forgive me.
My phone buzzed with an unknown number and my pulse spiked. It has to be the coach. I ran downstairs as quietly as I could and went into the basement. “Hello?”
“Amber, it’s Coach. How’s he doing?”
“He’s a mess.”
Coach sighed and I knew we both cared about Jeff and what this was doing to him. “You getting the article ready? You got the photoshopped pictures I forwarded you?”
“Yes, I think focusing on the three players for baseball will be the best angle. The fake photos of Max, Cooper and Dillon playing on fake teams will have the most impact. I never got the emails you mentioned, though. The ones between the parents and Tony?”
“I’ll forward those over to you today once I can.
” He cleared his throat and spoke in a lower voice.
“Your proof of Martin and Tony being at those high schools was phenomenal. Joining an alumni association to search through hundreds, if not thousands of photos and articles… It’s admirable and thorough.
Sanders said he’s close to finding the money trail.
Days away, so just make sure our guy is doing well, all right? ”
“I’m trying, Coach.”
“Write the article even with the missing pieces. You can add those later. As soon as you can publish it, do it. Don’t wait for me—go ahead.”
“I know,” I replied, thankful he called but frustrated there was no new information.
I fought a wave of nausea and tiptoed back into my room.
Jeff had fallen asleep—which suited me well because I could get back to what I wanted.
That was writing the damn article and avoiding lying to him about how much I knew.
His coach had filled in the missing pieces and I had myself a full-blown piece that would showcase the illegal and shady transactions the athletics department had been doing for at least four years… I just couldn’t tell Jeff yet.
I didn’t have proof of the money but that was where Dean Sanders came in.
He could trace the dollar amounts and provide me more details for my article.
It would be easy to bask in the accomplishment that Jeff and I had uncovered more details regarding the activities than he had, but again, his focus was on the misuse of finances.
I fired up my laptop near my desk and eyed the rough outline of how I’d framed the story.
It wasn’t salacious or for show. If anything, it was one of the driest pieces I’d ever written and it didn’t worry me.
It was enlightening to find excitement and motivation in a piece that was so out of my wheelhouse and the high of finally getting to write it almost outweighed the worry I had over Jeff.
He sighed in his sleep and my heart tightened in my chest. He looked awful with large bags under his eyes and a vacant expression.
His teammates had tried cheering him up, assuring him the second drug test on Friday would show he was clean because they, too, assumed the results had been faked by the guys behind the scandal.
When he went on about his coaches framing him, it hurt to pretend I knew nothing, but it was what had to be done. I thought about curling up next to him and enjoying my time with him.
He rolled over and slowly opened his sleepy eyes. His voice was all husky and gruff when he asked, “You watching me sleep?”
Busted. “Maybe?”
“Join me.” He moved to the back of the bed and painted a perfect image with his messy hair, clear gray eyes and playful smirk.
The smile was new and I shut the laptop to move into his inviting arms. His body heat comforted me when he wrapped his large arms around me, snuggling his nose into my neck. “Mm, you smell good.”
“Thank you,” I said, hating how the longer the lie went on, the more it physically affected my insides. “I didn’t wake you, did I? You were sleeping so peacefully.”
“You didn’t, but I wouldn’t have minded you waking me up.” He began kissing along my neck and bit down on my earlobe. Goosebumps broke out all over my arms and he giggled, all low and deep. “I love your body’s reaction to me.”
“She betrays any resolve I have.” I squirmed when he moved his hands up my shirt and caressed my bare skin. It felt so damn good. “Are-are you sure you shouldn’t be sleeping?”
“Amber,” he said in a very serious tone. “You’re about the only thing in my life right now that is good. I want to enjoy you and forget about the shitstorm we started.”
Pain began in the back of my throat at the tender way he looked at me.
He meant those words and I forced myself to close my eyes to prevent tears leaking out.
I’m protecting him. That’s why I’m not telling him.
His lips parted and he looked like he was about to say something and I couldn’t handle hearing anything else.
I gripped the back of his neck and brought his face down to mine, capturing his lips in the most passionate kiss I could.
It was hard to try and apologize and show him I would do anything to protect him without words, but I gave it my all.
“Christ, Amber,” he moaned into my mouth and the soft touches turned harder, more possessive and animalistic.
I ripped his shirt off and dragged my hands over his muscles, enjoying the way they felt in my hands.
His frenzied pace matched mine when he pinched my pebbled nipples, bringing me to the desperate place where I lost all rational thoughts.
We scrambled to get each other naked, each using the other as an escape. I moaned when he used his tongue to cover every inch of my skin and let the feelings I bottled up explode when he slowed and held my gaze. “You’re amazing. I hope you know that.”
“You are, too,” I replied, hoping he didn’t hear the crack in my voice. It was too much—the way he took his time pleasuring me, the soft touches mixed with teasing that brought me over the edge and the controlled patience when he slid inside me. “ Jeff .”
“I feel it, too,” he mumbled into my hair.
There was nothing between our bodies. Our chests pressed tight against each other and every movement he made had my entire body trembling.
This wasn’t an escape of lust. It was making love and it was unlike any other experience I had ever had in my life.
Each look was precious, as though it could be the last, and each touch was like flames on my skin.
Jeff was in no hurry and he thrust in and out, making sure I felt every inch of him as he brought his lips to mine.
We found a rhythm we hadn’t had before and it was unparalleled.
My eyes stung when he switched positions so he could move his fingers to my clit.
The combined pressure of his cock and leisurely swirling thumb sparked the orgasm to start at my core, slowing spreading through my body and ending at my limbs.
I trembled from the force of it but Jeff held me tighter and squeezed his hold on my hips. “ Amber. ”
His chest heaved when he too was brought to orgasm, but the difference this time was the way he watched me the entire time.
It felt more intimate, more serious than anything before and I bit down on the side of my cheek to stop myself from saying something stupid.
“Thank you,” he said before pressing a kiss on my forehead.
“Thank you?” I repeated, unsure why he’d said those words.
“Yes.” He laughed and pushed himself up on the bed. “Thank you for it all. The past couple of weeks have been a combination of awful, new, exciting, and it all brought me you. So thank you.”
My throat swelled and I couldn’t hide the tears in my eyes. His face softened and he cupped one side of my face. My bottom lip trembled the longer he gave me that sweet face. “Jeff… everything will work out for you. I know it.”
“It’s out of my control at this point.” He shrugged and it was then I noticed the lack of tension around his eyes.
Maybe I can distract him with sex until everything unfolds.
“I was thinking today…I’m glad it’s me and not my teammates.
If I get benched half the season, it won’t affect my future like it would theirs. ”
“You’re a good leader.” I pulled the sheet up and snuggled deeper into my bed, hating everything about the secret I kept. “Not very many people would say they were glad it’s them.”
“It’s the truth.” He cleaned up and put on his boxers before joining me in the bed.
“This whole thing started when my buddy back home, Jaime Smith, didn’t get offered a spot on the team or financial help because these scammers took his spot.
Look at it now. It blew up and if I can find the silver lining in all of this, it’s knowing my teammates aren’t affected. ”
I leaned my head on his shoulder and wrapped an arm around him, squeezing. “You’re one of the best.”
He chuckled but stopped when my phone went off. I wasn’t late, about nine at night, but very few people actually called me. I stilled. If it’s his coach, I have no way of explaining. “I’ll uh, let it go to voicemail.”
Jeff frowned but let it go. I released a sigh of relief, but my phone rang again. This time, he reached over to the side table and handed it to me. “You should get it.”
“Why?” Shit. Shit. Shit!
“It’s your uncle.”
Oh god. Uncle Martin. Be chill. He doesn’t know what I know. “Shit. Okay, yeah. I should answer, huh?”
Jeff nodded and his gaze clouded.
“Hello?”
“Amber, my favorite family member. How are you doing?” His voice sounded the same, nothing off about it, but he spoke faster than normal. I sat up straighter in my bed and held eye contact with Jeff.
“Having a boring night, actually, but otherwise good. What about you? This is a random time to call.” I swallowed, hard, and felt confident I sounded normal to him. Jeff gave me a slight nod and I clutched the phone tighter against my ear.
“I wanted to ask you about…this article.”
Damn.
He knew I knew.
My pulse quickened and Jeff must’ve sensed the change. He moved closer to me and furrowed his dark brows. “What about it?”
“It’s for your senior class, you said?”
His voice changed now. It wasn’t friendly or upbeat like I was used to. He ended each syllable with a hardness I hadn’t heard before and for the first time since we’d started this thing, I was scared of my uncle. “It’s one of the reasons.”
“And the others?”
“Why don’t you ask me what’s really on your mind, Uncle?” I fired back.
“How did you find out?”
“Be more specific.”
“Me, Amber. How did you find out about me?”
I glanced at Jeff. The truth was all him.
There was no way this would’ve ever caught my attention or gotten on my radar if it weren’t for Jeff, but he’d already suffered enough.
It physically felt like my heart broke in half, one for betraying my own family and the other for lying to Jeff. “Why does it matter how I found out?”
“Because I can think of exactly one person who lives in the sports world. It isn’t you.” His words became sloppy and someone else was in the background. It was distinctively male, but I had no idea who the muffled voice belonged to.
“Uncle Martin…” I let my vulnerable side show. He was used to this Amber, a sad and low-confidence girl. He would underestimate this version and I wanted him to downplay how much I knew. “People were always going to find out.”
“How much do you know?”
“That doesn’t matter.”
“What proof do you have?”
“Again, that doesn’t matter.” I shifted uncomfortably and knew I had to speed up the process. The article had to be posted as soon as possible. “I sought the truth and discovered things on the way. This isn’t personal.”
“You’re going to publish an article that will hurt your family? The one person who supported you your entire life? The man who helped get you into this college when you had very little to offer?” he seethed, and I could almost imagine the spit flying from his mouth. “We need to talk. In person.”
My voice shook for real this time. “I don’t know if we do.”
“Yes, Amber. You wouldn’t want anything to happen to you or your friend , would you?”
“Did…did you threaten me?”
“I’ll be in town tomorrow.” He hung up and I sat there, mouth agape, disgusted, hurt and wanting to cry. Jeff ran his hand up and down my back and pulled me into his arms.
Everything felt wrong. My uncle threatening me, Jeff comforting me without knowing the entire truth and the weight of carrying the story that hurt so many people.
I had enough regrets in my life to have second thoughts about posting the article, but a part of me hated the damaged relationships.
My uncle and I, Jeff and Coach Tee, Dean Sanders and Assistant Dean Tony, and Jeff and I.
“I’ll be here with you tomorrow, so you won’t be alone. I won’t allow it,” Jeff said as I clung to him. “He’s trying to rile you up, Amber. Don’t listen to him, okay?”
I couldn’t be strong anymore. Tears fell and Jeff let me wet the entire part of his shirt. I was the worst and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it. “I just want to sleep and forget about all of this.”
“Then let’s do that. Come here, Henderson.” He moved us to lie side by side in my bed, his comforting arms holding me against his chest, and I had never felt safer. He ran his fingers through my hair for a good five minutes, helping me relax. “We’ll get through this together.”
I just hoped it was true.