Chapter 9
What the hell happened?
The first clue I got that Grace was pissed was the look on her face. By the time she got close enough to me to speak, her face was pink. I suspected she would have shot bolts of lightning out her eyeballs if she could. Right at my face, probably. It was kinda hot. I wondered if she was feeling that chemistry too.
Hey, I said, my usual chill self.
Dont hey me, she said through gritted teeth. Yep, she had it bad. Where were you last night?
Real bad.
I shrugged with one shoulder. Kickin around. You know. Doin stuff.
No, I dont know. She grabbed my arm and pulled me off to one side. You were supposed to be at the gala last night. Remember the gala? The one I pulled a shit ton of strings to get you into? The important gala that was supposed to save your ass from getting turfed off the team?
Oh, that gala, I said lightly. Yeah, that wasnt my thing. Im not really a suit guy.
You wont be a football playing guy for long either if you think you can pick and choose, she snapped. The organisers waited for you. They asked where you were and if you were okay. They were sure youd been in an accident or something. One of them was about to call around the hospitals, but I talked them out of it. She huffed an angry breath out her nose.
Now I was starting to feel bad, and I didnt like it much.
Its nice to know they cared, I said. As you can see, Im perfectly fine. Very fine, if I said so myself. Thanks for worrying. I flashed her a brilliant smile.
I wasnt worried, she replied coldly. I was embarrassed. Humiliated. I was the one who told them youd turn up and have something worthwhile to say. I convinced them you were a good, articulate guy, and they should give you a chance.
I dont know what articulate means, but Im good at public speaking, I said. Of course I knew, but I couldnt resist teasing. If I tried hard enough, she might lighten up.
When I want to be. I cocked my head at her. Turns out, last night wasnt one of those nights.
Why not? She looked ready to chew rocks. Im trying to help you and your career here. You have to let me?—
Annoyed with her being on her soapbox, I interrupted.
Youre doing it because you get paid to. Thats why. You got paid to be there last night and drink champagne with a bunch of rich dudes. That doesnt sound like hard work.
She gave me a sarcastic smile. Youll never know, will you?
Yeah, I know, I said. Ive been to a hundred of those things. Theyre all the same.
You couldnt make it a hundred and one? she asked. She sighed and shook her head. You havent told me why you didnt turn up. If there was some kind of emergency, you could at least have texted me?—
I dont have to tell you why, I said, soft but firm. Its my business. You still got paid either way.
Youre right, she said after a moment of heavy silence. You dont have to tell me. But you will have to tell Carson Thomas. Hes angry enough to have you skinned and your hide used as a ball.
I laughed. Id still get to play if he did that.
She snorted. Do you ever take anything seriously?
I thought for a moment. Sure I do. Stuff that interests me. Rubbing knees at some black tie thing isnt one of them. I tried to tell you that.
I think the expression is rubbing elbows, she said. Was it a woman?
What? Her change of subject almost gave me whiplash.
Did you blow the event off because you were with a woman? Her eyes narrowed at me.
Jealous? I gave her a slow, teasing smile. The kind that was supposed to melt panties.
She snorted.
I guess she had cast iron panties.
No, I said after a moment, I was not with a woman. Well, not like that anyway. Women were present.
She groaned. Please tell me you werent out getting into more trouble.
I raised my hand. I pinkie swear I was not. You woulda seen it online if I had anyway, right?
Her mouth twisted to the side a little. It was a cute expression. Cuter than her laser eyes from a few minutes ago, but every bit as hot.
Yeah, I would have, she agreed. And Carson would have hunted you down himself and torn you a new one. From the look on her face, she thought he might do that anyway.
He might have waited until I was in the middle of the field and landed his helicopter on top of me. I nodded in the direction of the roof, where the machine was parked.
That would only damage the turf, she pointed out. And leave a nasty stain.
I grinned. And the guys would nickname me Splat instead of Bam.
She almost smiled. Yeah, they would. It does have a certain ring to it. Splat Clinton.
Hey,” I protested. Dont sound so happy about it.
After you ditched the event and made me look like an idiot, dont expect me to have any sympathy for whatever Carson does to your sorry ass. She paused for a moment. Im not sure I can call it that. You dont seem to be sorry at all.
Call it a mighty fine ass, I said and wiggled my eyebrows. That would be accurate.
Id rather kick you in it than praise it right now, she said dryly. I suppose you should go in and see Carson. You kept him waiting long enough.
Id be in there now if you hadnt sidetracked me, I said. I have that effect on women.
You make them angry? she asked.
I chuckled. Sometimes, but things always work out in the end. I gave her a speculative look up and down.
You wish. She took a few steps away. Were not done here.
Not by a long shot, were not, I agreed. I gave her a salute and swaggered into Carsons office.
Hey, boss, I said, with all the confidence of a guy who was sure I could talk my way out of anything.
Carson looked up from his computer screen and scowled.
Sorry, did I interrupt a game of solitaire again? I grinned.
Carson grimaced. I never play solitaire.
My grin widened. I heard that about you. Guys like us, amiright? I would have winked, but now probably wasnt the time, especially with Carson suddenly turning a particular shade of pink.
Im starting to suspect you dont understand the gravity of the situation. He sat back in his chair. He looked like he needed to shave, which wasnt like him at all.
Totally get it, I swear, I said. He didnt tell me to sit so I stood with my arms crossed over my burly chest. Im a good guy, and you want the world to see that.
His eyes narrowed. What do you call missing that event last night, without letting anyone know?
We both knew he meant Grace when he said anyone but apparently he was prepared to listen to my side of the story. Problem was, nothing he said so far was wrong.
I shifted from foot to foot and shrugged. I coulda called, I guess, but I was busy.
Carson looked past me and waved.
Grace, come in. Bam was just explaining his absence last night.
Oh, he was? Grace stepped beside me, then slid into a chair and sat judging me. Okay, looking at me, but it felt judgy.
I should have closed the door when I stepped into the office.
Go on, Bam, Carson said. You had somewhere better to be? He looked like he was about to blow his top.
Crap. I had no choice at this point but to tell the truth.
I was at the hospital, I said. I felt like theyd stuck a fishhook in my mouth and dragged out the words.
Carson sat up straighter.
Graces brow creased slightly with worry. Damn woman, she even looked cute doing that.
Are you okay? Carson asked. The team medics should?—
Im fine, I said quickly. I was visiting. I took a breath and blew it out my nose in frustration. Every second Tuesday I go to the kids cancer ward and say hi. Read them stories, let them beat me at computer games. Stuff like that. I forgot about it when Grace mentioned the gala, but I wasnt gonna let the kids down. They expect me to be there, you know?
I wished I could do more, but the smiles on their young faces made every moment I spent there worthwhile.
Why didnt you say something when you remembered? Grace asked. I would have… She looked uncertain.
What? I asked. You would have been pissed off. You would have insisted I wear a stupid suit and go to that bloody gala anyway.
She flushed slightly and I knew I was right.
Grace, Carson said softly. You didnt know about this?
She looked surprised. No, I didnt have a clue.
Its your job to know, Carson said coolly.
I heard Grace swallow.
Im sorry, I just…
No one really knows, I said firmly. Not even the guys. Okay, maybe Hawk. Other than that, I keep it on the down-low. I dont need reporters or fans showing up and ruining it by making a publicity thing. Its just a thing I do, yknow? The last thing I wanted was to have anyone make a fuss over it.
Everything you do is a publicity thing, Carson said. Every time you step out your front door. You might not like it, but its the price of fame. He sat back and looked from me to Grace.
I glanced at Grace. She looked nervous as hell.
I should have asked if you do anything like this, she said. Its my fault for not doing that.
What are you doing? I asked. I didnt need her to fall on her sword for me. I was a big boy, I could deal.
She stuck her chin out proudly and, you guessed it, she looked hotter than ever doing it.
Im taking responsibility, she said. I should have asked. It is my job to know stuff like this. Thats what Im here for. To show the public that a big, badass football player isnt a thug who goes around picking fights in bars.
You think Im a badass? I grinned.
She rolled her eyes. Thats not what youre supposed to take away from this.
Hey. I took the initiative and flopped down into a chair. I should have said something about it. Like I mentioned, I didnt want it to turn into a circus. Those kids are going through a hard time. The hardest in their lives. They dont need people and cameras in their faces. Its not about the team, its about them. I didnt want cameras in my face either. If anything, it gave me a night off from all of that. I didnt want to give that up for some suit event.
Carson didnt look convinced. I saw his mind turning over faster than the blades of his helicopter. That couldnt be good.
Its always about the team, he said finally. I appreciate that youre doing good, but clearly you need someone youre more comfortable working with and confiding in. He rubbed his chin. Ill put out feelers and find someone suitable. Maybe someone who has liaised with players on other teams in the past. The Storm Valley Smashers perhaps.
Grace and I get along just fine, I argued. I dont think Carson heard a word. Or he heard, but he didnt care.
Im sorry, Grace. He had that look on his face. The one that suggested he wasnt thinking about her as a person right now. This was all about business and money. I dont think you have a place here with the Rapids. I wish you all the best in the future. He looked back down at his computer and that was that.
A painful silence fell.
Grace muttered something that sounded like, Yes, sir, and slipped quietly out of the room.
I sat for a while longer, a little shell shocked. When I finally rose and walked out, I saw no sign of Grace.
Shit. I didnt feel much like a good guy now.