Chapter 49
Teagan
I’m going to kill him.
It hasn’t even been three hours since he left for their away games in Florida, and there’s been delivery after delivery of food, coloring books, and markers.
That isn’t what’s me riled up. In fact, it’s very thoughtful.
No, it’s the large imposing man at the door who has a scar running through his eyebrow and is telling me Quentin asked him to come here.
“I’m Idris. I know he’s mentioned me before to you. It’s nice to meet you.” He holds out his hand to me, which I take cautiously.
“Nice to meet you. He’s not here. Did you need something?”
I chide myself because if this man isn’t a good guy, I just gave away that I’m home alone. Idiot.
“He wants me to stay with you while he’s gone since you’re supposed to be taking it easy,” he says, completely professional as if he’s done this before.
“He’s ridiculous.” I scoff as I cross my arms. “I’ll be fine. Sorry you came all this way.”
“I also have some information you might like to talk about,” he speaks up, making me pause halfway to the door that I was about to close.
That piques my interest because while I thought he’d want to talk while Quentin is here, I’m glad to have it now.
The sooner I can take that asshole down, the better. He doesn’t deserve to gloat around the gymnastics world the way he is.
“Fine. I’ll let you in for that, but then you’re gone,” I say as I step back from the doorway to let him in.
He’s quiet as he takes off his shoes, and we make our way into the kitchen. I take a seat at the dining room table, and Idris sits across from me. He sets his briefcase on the table and flicks it open, with the inside full of documents and papers.
A swallow works its way down my throat. This is it. I’m going to find out exactly what that scum of a coach has really been up to.
What if he’s been up to nothing? I wonder. If he’s really done nothing wrong besides blackmail me.
Either way, I’m going through with this. Whether there’s incriminating information on him or not. I need to lead by example, and my daughter is going to know that I didn’t let people in power silence me.
At least not anymore.
“Quentin wanted to be here for this, of course, and I know this is a heavy subject. Are you sure you want to do this right now? Otherwise, we can wait,” Idris offers, his voice kinder than one would expect.
“No, let’s do it,” my tone is final. No going back.
“To start, I was able to obtain footage from the hallway you had your last discussion with your coach in, the one he wrongfully dismissed you in. Whoever he paid to bury the information wasn’t very good at their job,” he says in disgust, as if the lack of a job well done offends him.
Even though it’s helping us in this situation.
“This alone you could release to the public and explain how you’ve been blackmailed.
The news outlets and social media will devour that.
He’ll never see a gymnastics building again in his life.
Unless you prefer to give him a taste of his own medicine and blackmail him with that video.
You could tell him you want back on the team or else—”
“No, I want him gone. I won’t compete for him,” I cut him off, needing Idris to know that I want to bury Coach Samuels. Not literally, of course.
“Before I suggest a plan, you should know that you’re not the first gymnast of his that this has happened to. Does Anna Tanner ring a bell?” Idris asks, folding his hands together.
“Yeah, she was on track to be an Olympic champion when she pulled out a few months before due to family reasons…” I trail off, connecting the dots. “I’m assuming there wasn’t a family issue?”
Idris shakes his head. “No, there wasn’t. Samuels has an older daughter who was competing the same time as Anna and—”
“He wanted his daughter to qualify. Without Anna there, it would’ve given her a fighting chance.”
My world comes to a halt as the pieces start to come together. Samuels also has a daughter a few years younger than me. He was likely getting rid of me to get her ready to take my spot. I never considered it before, because I never thought he’d stooped that low to ensure his daughter’s success.
A sinking feeling fills my stomach. “Let me guess, he’s trying to do the same thing to me?”
“Perscisely. Now it’s up to you if you want to reach out to her, see if she’s willing to speak up against him, or you can do this solo.”
“I’ll reach out to her and see if she’d be willing to share her story. I think it’s important,” I say, knowing that we’re stronger together and the world deserves to know what a scumbag Coach Samuels is.
“I’m really sorry about all of this,” Idris’s tone is contrite.
“It’s not like you did it. Don’t worry about it.”
“Still doesn’t make it okay. I’ve got two daughters and a wife, and if anyone did this to them, I’d make sure they paid the price.” He cracks his knuckles, and I get the feeling that he’s referring to rather violent methods based on the scar on his forehead.
Idris and I chat for a little longer. He shares stories of Quentin growing up, all of which make me smile.
It seems like he really was a bit of a wild child back in his days, but as he got older, he changed to take care of Camille and himself when he left the country.
“He seems happier,” Idris remarks as he stands from his seat at the dining room table.
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” I say humbly.
“I do. I’ve known him for years, and he’s never been like this.”
“Like what?”
“Himself. Of course he’s never going to be that rambunctious teenager again, at least I hope for your sake, but it’s nice to hear that he’s happy.” He smiles at me, and it nearly startles me because I didn’t think the man was capable of doing so.
“I’m glad to hear that.” I dip my chin and then stand, leading him to the door.
“You’re sure you don’t need me to stay?” he asks once more once he’s on the front steps.
“Positive. Thank you, though, for everything. Quentin mentioned you are sort of retired, so I appreciate you digging into this.”
“Not a problem. I may be retired, but if my family ever needs anything, I’m there.” He nods, then heads down the steps to his blacked-out Audi.
Later that night, once I’m showered and in bed, I get a phone call from Quentin.
“Hi,” I answer, wincing as I adjust myself.
“What’s wrong?” His voice is panicked.
“Nothing,” I reassure him. “My back’s just been sore, same as usual. Me and the baby are great.”
“Okay.” He blows out a breath of relief. “Tonight sucked.”
He’s referring to their third World Series game in Florida, as they lost, getting beat three to two. I watched from our bed, yelling at the umpires for what seemed like stupid calls tonight.
“You win some, you lose some. Go back out there tomorrow and kick some ass.”
“Thanks, mon coeur. We’ll do our best.” His chuckle vibrates through the phone, and I wish he were here so I could feel it with my head on his chest.
I may or may not be a big cuddler now. Never did I think I could be so soft, and yet, I guess that’s what love does to you. It makes you feel safe enough to step back from being on all the time and simply exist while someone takes care of you.
“I miss you.”
“I miss you too. Two more days,” he says, sounding disappointed about the length of time. “How did it go with Idris?”
“Yeah, about that. I don’t need a babysitter,” I say sarcastically.
“I knew you wouldn’t let him stay. But I figured it would be good to have someone check up on you, and he had information to give you. How did that go?”
“Well…” I take a deep breath, then say, “It appears Coach Samuels has a thing for blackmailing a gymnast for his daughter’s personal gain.
It happened to Anna Tanner, and it’s what he’s trying to do to me.
I’m going to reach out to her, see if she’d be willing to speak about what happened to her.
If so, Nina is going to get us a platform to expose him on, outing Coach Samuels.
He’ll get fired immediately once the story picks up national news. At least, that’s the goal.”
Worry pokes at me that somehow people won’t believe us.
That they will think we’re two athletes looking for our moment of fame again.
On my call with Nina, though, she reassured me that will likely not happen, but that if it does, then we take legal action, because we have the video proof of him threatening to silence me.
“Fuck him,” Quentin curses, his inhale sharp. “I wish I were there to hold you and comfort you. How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay. Of course it’s unsettling to learn what he was trying to do, and that it’s happened before, but oddly enough, I find some comfort in it knowing I’m not alone.
And hopefully she’s willing to take him down with me.
Men like him don’t deserve to flourish in power while they silence the women who brought him that status.
Without his gymnasts winning medals at competitions, he’d be nothing. ”
“He’s going to be nothing by the time you’re done with him.” Quentin’s voice is crisp and cutthroat. It sends a shiver down my spine, because there’s something about a man being protective and pissed off.
“Let’s hope so,” I say wistfully as a yawn escapes me.
“Go get some sleep,” he urges.
“No, I haven’t talked to you all day.”
“Sounds clingy if you ask me.” He chuckles, making me laugh with him.
It’s crazy to think that was only six months ago when he toppled me to the ground and we flirted all night before we fucked in the back seat of his car.
I thought it would be a one-off. Just a one-night stand and I’d never see him again. But now? The thought of never seeing him again feels like a hot blade sliding through my chest.
“That’s right, I forgot we’re platonic.” I snicker.
“So platonic.”
We stay on the phone for a bit longer, talking about our days and whatnot, which we always do when he’s away. And when we get off the phone and I’m alone in our bed, I can’t help but wish he were here to cuddle up against.
But I’ll never admit it.