Page 42 of Stetson
Like I’d actually try and make a break for it.
Ten years ago I would have. Hell, the urge lingered now. This whole ordeal had brought up old feelings that I thought had been long buried.
It was a jealous teammate that broke the news about me and Levi. True, I’d gotten bold. I’d been traveling so much that we hadn’t seen each other, and I thought everyone had gone home for the evening. I swept Levi into a dark corner of the clubhouse to steal a kiss… or five, and what do you know—someone hid in the locker rooms. As luck would have it, that player thought I’d stolen his spot in the starting lineup, and he wanted revenge.
I don’t think we made it to the car before our phones were lighting up with news alerts. Levi, being the saint that he was, took complete control of the situation. I’ll admit that I didn’t react in the best way possible.Mysolution was to hunt down the asshole who did it and put my entire career on the line to retaliate.
Lucky for me, Levi could read me like a book from day one. He put a stop to that before I could make a single move. Within twenty-four hours, he approached me with a lawyer and a suggestion to terminate my contract, signing with another agent immediately. The paperwork would be backdated to a week before the incident, and both Levi and I would have to give official statements that no inappropriate relationship was in place before the end of my contract.
The player that sold us out was removed from his team, and blacklisted in the world of pro sports.
As I trudged behind Coach to the press room, every single one of those heightened emotions sizzled beneath my skin. It took a lot of recalling my breathing exercises to keep my temper at bay. Thankfully, no press had been allowed inside the clubhouse. Outside of the last few players, the place was desolate.
Just before he opened the door, Coach paused and lowered his voice to avoid listening ears. “Do you want me to stay? Help with damage control?”
I shook my head, though I was grateful for the offer. “Thanks, but I got it.” I took a deep breath, silenced my phone, and slid it into my pocket. I would call Stetson back after this. I promised myself. “Hopefully this is quick so I can get out of here.”
Without another word, he pushed the door open and shut it behind me once I’d entered. The click echoed throughout the quiet room. Britney sat at the large table in the midst of the space. Engrossed in her tablet, she paid me no mind. I hovered near the door and waited to be addressed. I’m sure I wasn’t standing there for hours, but it sure as hell felt like it.
Britney had been with the team for a few years now. When you spent so much time in the public eye, scandals were anticipated. Whether the rumors were true or not, it was up to her to build the perfect image for the team. Standing at five feet tall—withthe heels that I could hear clicking up and down the hall in my nightmares—you wouldn’t think much of her. Her blonde hair was always perfectly styled, and her makeup not a smudge out of place. The suits she wore were always impeccable. Then again, when you spend most of your career on camera, you invest in your appearance.
Though no one should have ever let Britney’s appearance fool them. Black widows envied the webs I’d seen her spin.
“Have a seat, Barrett,” she finally said, setting her tablet down. She removed her red-rimmed glasses, lightly dabbing at her eyes so as not to ruin her makeup. Then she surprised me, reaching behind her head and untwisting the tight bun at the nape of her neck. Soft, blonde waves fell over her shoulders. I could only watch as she combed through them with her fingers, breaking through the heap of product that glued the strands in place. She shifted, and the back-to-backthunksthat sounded under the table had to be her shoes hitting the floor.
“We could always do this tomorrow if you’re tired,” I said, hoping she’d take the bait but knowing all the same that she wouldn’t. As I thought, icy gray eyes met mine across the table. I forced a laugh, shrugging my shoulders. “Worth a shot.”
“Trust me,” she finally said. “The last thing I want to do is still be at this clubhouse. I think even a straight woman would get tired of seeing your faces all day.”
In spite of everything, I snickered. Britney slid the tablet across the table and flipped it around to show me the screen. I fought the urge to look away. That photo would haunt me for the rest of my life, and the thought wrecked me. The image wasn’t a bad one. In fact, under different circumstances, I’d have it printed and framed. I cupped Stetson’s chin in my hand, pulling him in for a kiss. The snapshot was taken the moment before our lips touched. My mouth was quirked into a satisfied grin. My stomach flipped.
“Put it away please,” I said, my voice hoarse. I cleared my throat and shoved the tablet across the table.
She obeyed, shutting the screen off and sliding the device to the side. “I’ve had a tech digging all day. We figured out who it was.”
“I don’t want to?—”
“It was Vicky.”
“What?” Nausea roiled my stomach. Every single blood cell drained from my face.
No, that wasn’t possible. Certainly I heard her wrong. It was late, and I was exhausted. I glanced at the clock on the wall. I’d been awake nearly twenty-four hours. Having Stetson in the bed meant that I wasn’t getting nearly as much sleep as I needed.
“Are you sure?” I asked, already knowing what the answer would be.
Britney nodded grimly. “I’m sorry, Barrett. Off the record, I went to the journalist who published the article. They said they received an anonymous text saying that you were at the rooftop restaurant with someone who wasn’t Levi, and it was clearly an intimate occasion. I had a friend in IT track the text, and it led back to Vicky. I’ve already informed PUBLIC. Vicky’s been fired and the hotel is accepting full liability.”
“What’s the point?” I spat, temper flaring. “The damage is already done.”
“I know.” Britney sat forward, folding her hands and resting her chin on her fingers. “I’ve been sitting here all night trying to figure out how to do this. We need you to put out an apology.”
Was she serious? “No.”
She scoffed. “What do you mean ‘no?’”
“Is there any other meaning of the word? I don’t know which way you want to spin this, Britney, but I’m not brandishing myself as a cheater.”
Confused, she tilted her head. “If that’s not the case then you have one hell of an explanation to make, Barrett. Because after the public scandal that was you and Levi Grant, you’ve now been caught kissing the most sought-after rookie in the entire league. It’s up to you to explain this, sooner rather than later.”
