Chapter 8
How could this happen? Carson Thomas slammed his fist down onto the table. I was very clear about what had to take place here.
I flinched. I know. I mean, yes, sir, you were. I swallowed down a ball of nerves and anger. I dont know why he didnt show up. I also didnt know why Bam wasnt here, sharing the brunt of the team owners anger.
I called and texted, but got no reply. I did everything short of turning up at his door and knocking on it so hard I woke up the city.
Carson looked about ready to grind his teeth down to his gums. You didnt escort him to the gala.
No. I imagined the expression on Bams face if I even suggested I do that. Getting him to give in and wear a suit was hard enough.
In retrospect, he could have saved us both that whole conversation by agreeing to it. If he had no intention of showing up anyway, it didnt matter what hed agreed to.
We planned to meet there, at the event, I said finally. I wanted to point out Bam was a grown man, more or less capable of making his way around Storm Valley without me holding his hand.
I bit my tongue. Insulting a star player might not be a good stance for me to take, regardless how angry Carson was.
So Rubie tells me, Carson said. She probably told him all about Bam skipping the gala and leaving me standing there looking like an idiot. What else had she told him? Id tried to be diplomatic about everything we discussed. Hadnt I?
He sat back in his chair and propped his elbows on the desk. He gave you no indication he didnt plan on showing up?
I took a moment to respond. He said he would, but he wasnt happy about it. I believe he thought his reputation was fine without this help.
The side of Carsons mouth tightened. What do you believe?
What was I supposed to say to that? I could only help Bam if he wanted to be helped. If he didnt, wed end up back here again. Or he would anyway.
I think… It never hurts to work on being the best version of yourself you can be, I said carefully.
You dont think Bam is being his best self right now? From the expression on his face, Carson didnt think so.
I think if he was, I wouldnt be here, I said.
A smile flickered across Carsons face. Thats true. The problem is, youre here and hes not. He glanced toward the door. Practice finished half an hour ago.
I found myself defending Bam. I presume he wanted to get cleaned up first.
Turning up here all hot and glistening with sweat wouldnt be a good look.
Okay, it would, but it wouldnt give the boss a good impression of him. Even someone who apparently didnt care about appearances, wouldnt want to show up like that. Right? I mean, I wouldnt.
Yes, well, that gives us the chance to have a little chat first. Carson rested the tip of one finger against his lips.
That sounded ominous.
Yes, sir, I said. I tried not to look like I suddenly needed to pee my pants.
How do you feel the rest of the team are going? he asked. I havent seen any social media shit storms in a while. Any other ones, he corrected.
I assumed Rubie filled him in if anything popped up on hers. He didnt seem the kind to bother with any of the platforms out there. Smart man. They were a toilet bowl of shit at the best of times. Some days, all you could do was flush, and move on with your life.
Everyone moved on from Chases ex, Brandi, pretty quickly, I said. She slept with Ashleys boyfriend, then claimed Chase broke up with her for no reason. She got her fifteen minutes of fame, but it was over almost before it began.
Mostly, theyre talking about Hawk and Bec, and Chase and Ashley, and how cute they all are together. Apart from the trolls who hated that their crushes were happy with someone else in real life.
This was exactly why book boyfriends are safer than celebrity crushes. They never ran off with someone else.
Usually. In the books I read, they didnt.
Carson nodded. He looked happier knowing that. Great. Thats what I want to see. Positive stories about our guys. We could use a wedding or two right about now, to take the heat off.
I wasnt sure if he was serious or not. While Im sure theyd all love to get married just to save Bams reputation, I dont think thats in the cards yet, I said dryly. Maybe when the season is over.
Right, right. Carson nodded. No pressure. His brow creased in thought.
I was almost certain he was thinking of some way to use the romance angle to the teams advantage. I knew better than to suggest he get married for the fifth time. If nothing else, Rubie would be mad as hell at the idea. Of course, hed have to get divorced first anyway. That was exactly what we didnt need, even if it took the pressure off Bam.
Maybe one of the married players would consider renewing their vows after the season is over, I suggested. If the team paid for it, Id jump at the chance to do that, if I had someone to do it with.
Yes, that might be something to look into, Carson said, but his mind seemed to be on something else now. Judging by his frown, he might be thinking about how his holiday ended so abruptly.
I briefly wondered who she was, this woman who was younger than Rubie. I couldnt imagine wanting to get involved with a married man, but love was love. Or money was money. Either way, it was none of my business.
Carson lowered his hand and drummed his fingers on the table. He glanced at the door, over to the clock and back to the door.
Im sure hell be here soon, I assured him. I wish I felt so confident. He knows how important this is.
Does he? Carson asked.
I was wondering the same thing myself, to be honest. Im sure he does, I said. No doubt he has a good explanation for missing the event.
From the expression on Carsons face, it would have to be the explanation to beat all explanations. Bam better have been saving someones life, or dying in a fire while rescuing a basket of kittens.
Wait, if he was dead, he wouldnt be at practice. Well still, it better be really good.
I dont know what could possibly be more important than his future on the team, Carson said. If hes not dedicated enough…
Hes as dedicated as any of the guys, I said quickly. I was sticking my neck out here.
Hopefully I wouldnt lose it because of Bam. I was attached to my neck. Maybe even more so. He loves what he does. He worked his butt off to get here. He wouldnt just throw it away like a— I frowned.
Like a football? Carson suggested.
Yeah, that. I laughed softly. He wants to keep playing as long as he can. He… Why was I defending him anyway? I gave him a golden opportunity to put himself on track in the eyes of the boss, the team and the world, and hed wasted it. Threw it away like an unbeatable lead during the game before the Down Under Bowl.
Thats all I ask of any of my guys, Carson said. One hundred and twenty percent commitment. Thats what I give them. I have great faith in each and every one of them. When they let me down, its like one of my kids let me down.
I understand, sir. I nodded. Everything any of them does has an impact on everyone else.
Exactly. Rising water lifts us all. One small hole and well all go down.
I thought that might be a little dramatic, but I nodded again anyway. We dont want that.
No, we dont. Carson nodded firmly. But we wont let that happen. Well get to the bottom of this and sort Bam out. By the time weve finished, he and the Rapids are going to look like the boy scouts’ better behaved big brothers.
I wanted to laugh, but I bit it down. Comparing pro football players to boy scouts was funny at the best of times. Guys like Bam made it downright ridiculous.
Worse than that, I had the feeling Carson expected me and the publicity team to work miracles.
Well certainly do our best to make that happen, I said.
Of course you will, Carson said. Thats what I pay you for. He narrowed his eyes slightly.
I couldnt miss the veiled threat. If I didnt pull off all of these miracles, I could kiss my job goodbye.
No pressure.
I gave a nervous laugh. Ill do my best not to let you down.
He sighed. That brings me back to Bam Clinton. He glanced again at the door.
Should I go and find him? I offered.
Yes, do that, Carson said after a moment. I should have put a tracking collar on him.
I was almost certain he was joking this time, so I laughed. Hed only take it off.
I pictured him peeling a strip of leather off his neck, which glistened with sweat from a long workout. He tossed the collar aside and grinned. He wasnt wearing anything else.
O.
M.
G.
Carson snorted, which brought me back to earth with a damp thud. Yes, he probably would. I applaud independence, but when you cost others money and time, then you become a liability. He stopped to arch an eyebrow at me.
I arched one back.
You were going to find him, Carson said.
Oh, right. I jerked upright in my chair, then quickly stood. Sorry. Ill be back shortly. With any luck, I would anyway.
If I had a lasso, Id let you borrow it. Carson chuckled at his own joke.
Im sure that wont be necessary. I was almost certain it wasnt. The only way to get a guy like Bam to be somewhere he doesnt want to be, might be on a leash. Or with a trail of food.
I should have told him there would be pizza and burgers at the event. There werent, but he wouldnt have known that until he showed up. Then he would have had to stay, or risk the media making a fuss.
Great, now I was hungry for pizza or burgers.
Bec and Ashley were right when they said dealing with Bam would be like herding cats. He probably left much less fur around the place, but he was just as difficult. Was he even litter trained? Hopefully at his age, he was, but I wouldnt assume anything right now.
I nodded to Carson, grabbed my tablet off the desk and hurried out the door.
Bloody Abraham Bam Clinton better not be too far away, because he had a lot to answer for. I didnt want to burn up my anger while running around looking for him. Oh no, I wanted it red hot and ready to sear his ass where he stood. What was left after that, Carson could deal with. If there was anything left. I didnt intend to pull a single punch.
I might swing a few though.