Chapter 21
HANNAH
Istill couldn’t believe what we had done the night before, that I had allowed myself to lose all control, patience, and demeanor.
Though watching him on the field, knowing I would have him that night.
Seeing the power behind his plays, the aggressive way he moved, and dominated any play.
To a quick sneak in the hallway, the near catch of my father.
As he rubbed my skin under the table, surrounded by teammates and fans, I heard him turn down a beautiful woman and reveal he was with someone.
It built a fire in my loins that I couldn’t hold back.
What this man had done to me, I had lost all depth of caution.
Marty was right, the forbiddances fueled the excitement.
After returning to my hotel room, Cameron and I explored more of each other in ways I had only known about from steamy romance books or dirty movies.
He left marks on me that couldn’t be seen but would never fade.
I hated the idea of going back home. I wanted to stay in this bubble with him forever.
Our relationship had advanced so quickly that it was hard to wrap my head around, and yet I’d never been happier.
Lying in bed, him asleep next to me, I couldn’t help but stare at him, taken aback by the fact that I was falling in love with a football player.
The very type of man I’d sworn to stay clear of.
With Cameron, it was different; there was no without him. There was no falling in love with him. I had fallen.
After breakfast, Cameron and I said our goodbyes for now.
He had to travel back with the team, and I needed to get back to work.
Kissing him at the door, I returned to packing my things.
Popping in a piece of toast that remained from our room service, I saw his cell phone sitting on the nightstand.
With a smooth stride, I snatched it up, just when there was a knock on the door.
Hurrying to it, I pulled it open, ready to see him, shocked at my father being the one who stood before me.
“Dad, what are you doing here?” Sliding Cameron’s phone into my back pocket, I moved aside as he stepped in. Popping my head out into the hallway, I prayed Cameron didn’t show up for his phone while my father was there.
“Expecting someone?” He asked me, bringing my attention to him as I closed the door.
“Marty,” I answered. “We must get on the road. I open tomorrow.” I continued.
He nodded his head, moving his sights from me as he scanned the room: the single messed-up bed, the cart of food for two.
My heart began to beat like a loud drum.
I grew nervous. Had he seen more than I thought at the stadium?
Did he think about it all night and come here to catch me with Cameron?
Had we been fools to be so open the night before, and he saw everything, even our moment on the Sky Wheel?
“Did you enjoy the game yesterday?” He asked the question as he investigated the room further, glancing in the direction of the bathroom as if hoping to catch someone hiding.
“It was exciting,” I replied honestly, though his expression told me it wasn’t the answer he expected.
“I’m very pleased you’ve grown so into the game as of recent.
” He spoke with this tone that seemed sinister, as if he was probing, or knew more than he was saying.
“Your mother has noticed the change as well. How interactive you’ve gotten to be.
” He continued, his steps coming to a halt in the center of the room.
“I mean, it was bound to happen sooner or later, right?” I teased.
“Hmm.” I’d never seen those eyes before.
They were darker, unwelcoming. I had thought he’d love me to be more involved in the game, be like other coaches’ family members, but not my father.
Everything was suspicious. “Traveling with the team is new.” He added.
“I had hoped to see you after, perhaps have dinner.”
“I wish you had told me. I would have loved that.” I answered misleadingly.
“Would you have? I came by your room last night and you were not here, called and no answer, texted and silence.”
“I’m sorry, I must have forgotten to turn my phone on after the game.” I forced a smile to my lips, trying to read his expression. Did he believe me? Had he followed me?
“What did you do last night?” He asked.
I felt tightness in my chest; I had never been a good liar.
How would I get out of this? How could I have thought I could hide this from him?
My lips parted, my mind riddled with what answer I should say when the door flew open and Marty walked in with a wide grin.
“Oh, Mr. Marshall. Hey. What are you doing here?” She asked, her gaze shifted to me as she took a step forward.
“Wanted to make sure my daughter was okay, as she seemed to disappear last night.” He replied.
“That’s my fault. After the game, we left our phones here and went out to explore the town. Ate some Italian.” Marty moved past me, “The Sky Wheel was fun.” She added with a wink. I wanted to die, right there, knowing they must have seen us.
“Wonderful. Look…” he lowered his gaze and took a few steps in my direction to close the gap between us. “I’m going to be blunt. We’ve always been honest with one another, and I need to know, is there something going on between you and Walters?”
“What? Why would you ask me that?” My voice lifted as I pretended to be shocked that he would ask such a question.
“After seeing what I think I saw, your change in love for the sport, I need to know. Has he broken my rule? Made some advances with you?”
I could do this. I told myself repeatedly as I looked into my father’s eyes.
My palms were sweaty and shaky, so I closed them into fists for some form of steadiness.
“Course not, Dad. You know how I feel about players.” I answered, my tone shaky.
“It’s a long drive, and I didn’t want Marty traveling alone.
That’s the only reason I came. As for my love of the game, I’m just so proud of you and how far you have come.
” I hurried every word from my mouth before I lost the ability.
“Hmm.” I had just lied to my father for the first time; it wasn’t a feeling I liked, but I had no choice.
Just his question alone, I knew he would put all the blame on Cameron for anything that had happened between us.
“Good thing, he doesn’t need any more trouble.
” With a smile, my father kissed me on the cheek, leaving me confused by his statement.
“What do you mean, any more trouble?” I asked, turning toward him before he could leave.
“His ex coming to the locker room, causing a commotion over them getting back together. Nothing for you to worry about, dear. She got the answer she wanted and left without incident. You know me with my no drama rule.” He smiled. “Safe travels.”
I turned toward Marty; confusion surely plastered across my face.
The answer she wanted. What did that mean?
Had I been fooled by his denial that he was in a relationship with someone?
The entire ride home, it was all I could think about, the small conversation he and I had about Sofia’s mother playing back like a record skip.
I wanted to talk with him, ask him what had happened, why he hadn’t mentioned it, but how could I? I had his phone.
The following afternoon, I finished opening the bar, though my head just wasn’t in it.
I hadn’t spoken to Cameron since the hotel, which left me with time to stew on what my father had insinuated, what I could only imagine as him getting back with his ex.
This was precisely what I had feared about dating a player: the games.
I told myself Cameron wasn’t like that, I hadn’t been fooled, and it was all a misunderstanding.
Why would my father lie? It caused me to question a man, as far as he was concerned, with whom I had no connection.
Ready for my shift to end, and my relief to get there, I leaned against the counter, swiping through my phone.
I had searched for any pictures from St. Louis a fan might have taken of Cameron and me, hoping to find some, but I found nothing.
Not even the group pictures at the restaurant had been shared.
Sighing, I turned to the customer who had taken a place at the bar, pushing my device into my pocket with a smile at the woman.
“Hey, what can I get ya?” She sat with this glare as if I had stolen her husband, pure and utter disgust. “Something wrong?” I asked.
“Yeah, there is.” She paused. “You need to stop fucking my boyfriend.”
Gasping at her command, her loud words drew the attention of many customers. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Playing the sweet innocent woman isn’t going to work with me. I know you for what you are. A homewrecker.” My brows furrowed, confused a second longer when I took in her features.
“You’re Cameron’s ex.” She laughed, a threatening laugh.
“I’m not his ex.” She declared. “We will always be in one another’s lives. We share something you don’t. A daughter.” Scoffing at her, I shook my head with a step back from the counter.
“He told me about you, how he dumped you because you were a head case.” I snapped back, anger swelling inside.
“He’s never done with me, honey, you’re a fool if you believe anything else.
” I wanted to punch her; for the first time, I imagined committing violence against someone.
“I’m here to tell you, stay the fuck away from Cameron.
He’s mine, will always be mine. I’m only warning you once.
” She gave me a smirk and, before I could say a single word, slid from the stool and left the bar.
My body felt hot, and I was enraged. Glancing back at Chad, I motioned to the back, where he just nodded his head with his palms up.
With a swift movement, I moved to the office, grabbing my purse from the desk.
Dialing Marty, I hurried from the bar without a word to Chad or even caring that I was leaving him alone.
Marty answered after the third ring, and just as I hoped, she was with Easton.
“I need to speak with Easton,” I demanded, Marty giving over the phone without a rebuttal.
“Yo.”
“Where is your brother?” I asked, my tone stern.
“Probably at the stadium doing his training. Why?” Without a word of explanation, I climbed into my car and headed toward the stadium.