CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Leave it all on the field.
Ana sat in bed, stared at her iPad, and decided the Google alert she’d received couldn’t be digested until she had coffee. It was too much drama for eight in the morning and the only way to handle it was to be fully caffeinated.
Pulling on a pair of shorts, she made her way into the kitchen and hoped like hell what the woman was saying wasn’t true. She started the coffee pot and knew what the morning needed was donuts, preferably chocolate ones. As she debated running out to grab some, she heard the doorbell ring.
Not expecting anyone, she prayed it wasn’t reporters stopping by to ask if her boyfriend had a child with the woman in the news. Sighing heavily, she remembered asking him about this specifically, and his flat-out vehement denial.
She peeked through the window and couldn’t have been happier with the sight that greeted her. Opening her door, she gave Ella a huge smile and grabbed the box of donuts out of her hand before giving her a hug. “This is why we’re best friends.”
“What a shit show. You’ve seen what’s out there…right?”
“Yes, I scanned it and then decided I needed coffee to deal with it.”
“Caffeine and sugar—the answers to most questions in life. Let’s go get ourselves medicated before taking this thing on.”
“Agreed.” They walked into the kitchen, and Ana poured Ella a big cup of coffee and got out plates for donuts. “After we crash from the coffee and sugar, I’ll make us omelets.” Taking a bite of her donut, she closed her eyes and hoped the sugar and chocolate would be enough. “Has Clark called you?”
“Yes, and who the fuck cares. We have an elephant on the internet and need to come up with a reasonable response.”
“I’m warming up to it and need a second donut before I can deal with what I think is out there.”
“I’ve made a couple of initial phone calls and have some options.”
“Is anyone maimed in any of these options?”
Snorting, Ella picked up another donut. “Would I call them options if that wasn’t involved?” Inhaling a donut, she shook her head. “I’m not some damn amateur. I’m a proper southern woman and know what needs to be done when someone lies, cheats, and otherwise misbehaves.”
Ana patted her hand and nodded. “And I appreciate that, but let’s hold off on the wet work from any of the people you contacted.”
Shrugging, she brushed the crumbs off the table. “For now.”
Draining her coffee cup, Ana stood and picked up her iPad. “Should we take a look and see what this woman is really saying?”
“It’s your basic nightmare. Big busty blonde claims Jack fathered her child and abandoned them. Isn’t this what every girl deals with?”
Glancing at the donut box, she contemplated a third donut and then pulled herself together. No woman was going to make her stress-eat her way into the next size. Shoving her iPad at Ella, she closed her eyes. “What else?”
“I already read everything. Why do you think I showed up at your door with a dozen donuts?”
“My God, is this a twelve-donut problem?”
“Of course, it is. But to be fair, we need to talk to Ronnie first and get one of her investigators on it, so we’re dealing in facts and not conjecture.”
“I don’t want to deal in either one when the man I’m dating is involved. We can’t call her yet anyway because she went on that date last night with the head coach from Jacksonville.”
“That’s right. Hopefully, they’re having wild morning sex, followed by pancakes and then more wild sex.”
“I always prefer waffles.”
“Which was important to point out,” Ella commented as she refilled their coffee cups.
“I’m grabbing at non-existent straws, so I don’t have to think about Jack and the many baby mamas he has all over the great state of Florida. I would rather think about anything else than the many unclaimed children he’s likely fathered. Because if I do, I’ll lose my shit and reconsider every absurd suggestion you’ve ever made about revenge and will end up in jail. Which is totally not acceptable since I just finished my education and got into the working world. I’m not wasting all of that on one moment of complete satisfaction, no matter what you say.”
“It’s good to see you’re keeping things in perspective.”
“Fuck perspective. My dumb-ass boyfriend is all over the news because a woman thinks he’s her kid’s dad. What if this is the first of many?”
“To be fair, he’s not a total dumb-ass, he’s just a man who…”
Ana held her hand up and shook her head. “Please, don’t make excuses.”
“You’re right,” Ella responded. “Do you think Jack’s seen any of this?”
“I have no idea. His game is at ten in Massachusetts, and I’m guessing he hasn’t. Which is better, since he doesn’t need to be dealing with it when he is about to play.”
“Said like a real football girlfriend. I never thought you’d really fall for him, but I see that you have.”
“Neither did I, but if any of this nonsense is true, then I’m going to un-fall very quickly. I’m not the sort of woman who can get over something like this.” Looking at the donut box again, she fiddled with the lid. “What if he’s the type of man who would not live up to his responsibilities? I don’t think he is, but what if I’m wrong?”
“I don’t think you’re necessarily wrong about him, but I don’t see you becoming a stepmother to that woman’s child. From what I’ve read, she’s as crazy as a Mad Hatter, and no one needs that in their life.”
“I asked him about this sort of thing several times, and he always gave me an unequivocal no.” Staring at Ella, she waited. “I know you have something to share with the class.”
“Part of me hates him for putting you through this and another part of me wonders if this isn’t just a cheap ploy at a shakedown.” Holding up her hands, she shook her head. “We all know that I’m not one to give anyone the benefit of the doubt, but there’s a part of this woman’s story that just doesn’t ring true. I have a strong feeling that if she’d approached Jack, he would’ve handed it over to his attorney and had a paternity test done and then did whatever was necessary.”
“That’s what I was thinking, but I don’t know if it’s wishful thinking on my part.”
“Let’s see what develops. If we need something from my contacts, then we can go down that road, but in the meantime, you need to speak with Jack and hear his side of the story.”
“Who the hell are you and what have you done with Ella? A minute ago, you were telling me we had options and now you’re all: let’s hear him out.”
“I know,” she replied as she pushed her hair over her shoulder. “I hardly recognize myself. Do you think I’m maturing?”
“Possibly.”
Leaning her face against her hand, she sighed. “I guess it was inevitable.”
Ana stood, walked over to the fridge, and started pulling out ingredients for their omelets. “You’ve never told me exactly how you came to have these contacts?”
“Do you remember meeting my Uncle Willy when you were visiting for the holidays a couple of years ago?”
“Not really since I met about four dozen relatives.”
“He’s technically my great uncle on my father’s side, and he was known to have a fairly loose relationship with the law. He had a pawn shop and what came in and what went out weren't always viewed as totally within the boundaries of the law, so he had to spend a few years in the state penitentiary. And while there, he made some interesting friends. Evidently, he’s owed a bunch of favors, and wanted me to have options in the event I ever needed them.”
“Because every woman needs that when she’s an economist.”
Ella snorted. “A woman needs friends no matter what she does, and if those friends can settle certain situations, then it’s all the better.”
Ana set everything on the counter and knew no matter what happened with Jack, she’d be okay. Not only because she was a strong person, but because her friends would allow nothing else.
***
Jack stood in the locker room after one of his best games and felt his happiness leak away, despite the fact that he’d managed a touchdown during the game.
A rare thing for a defensive end.
Unfortunately, no one was interested in his amazing play since the bigger story was about a woman who was making a ton of false claims against him.
As best as he could recall, they’d only been on one group date, one regular date, and nothing more. He sure as hell didn’t have sex with her and the only woman he’d ever gone bareback with was Ana. And that was because she was going to be his wife in the near future.
At least he hoped that was still possible.
His mind was churning, his gut was burning, and he knew none of it was going to change until they spoke. He was worried like hell that she was going to believe the woman’s allegations and he wouldn’t be able to change her mind.
In light of the fact that she hadn’t been all that excited about dating a professional athlete, this was just the sort of bullshit that could devastate their new relationship.
Hearing his phone buzz, he pulled it out of his locker and felt his heart slow down when he saw a picture of Ana screaming with his game on the TV. He took a deep breath and read the text. “Ronnie got a picture of me losing my mind when you made the touchdown and Ella explained how rare it was. I couldn’t be prouder. Stay strong, and I’ll see you when you get home. Xoxo.”
Letting out a silent shout, he rested his head against the locker and knew he couldn’t have asked for anything better. Looked like the blessing he’d been praying for had been given, and she wasn’t going to drop his ass before they spoke.
Which was all he could ask.
Seeing his agent motioning him over, he nodded and then walked toward the horde of jackals, or as they like to call themselves – reporters – and made his way to the center. “I’ll take a couple of questions.”
“Jack, is any of this true?”
“Ron, I’m surprised you asked me that after all these years. The woman’s claims are completely false, and it will be proven at the earliest possible date.”
“We’ve seen pictures of you with a woman around town in the last couple of weeks. Do you want to tell us anything about her?”
“No! But I will say that I’m one lucky son of a bitch because I’ve finally met the woman I’m going to marry and spend the rest of my life with. I just have to clean up this mess and make sure she knows that I’m worth the hassle. I have some work to do, but I’m confident that I’m going to be a married man by this time next year.”
“That’s a bold statement,” Ron replied.
“You guys know me. I go after what I want and don’t give up until I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. And this is no different.”
“How does she feel about all of this?”
“Like I said, I have some work to do. So, if you guys can make me seem like a good guy, I’d sure appreciate it.” He stared into the camera and smiled. “See you soon, honey.”
Stepping away from the reporters, he sent up a prayer that his bold statements would let Ana know how serious he was, and the declaration wouldn’t eventually blow up in his face.
***
Ana stood next to Alex and watched their friends frolic in the pool. “Sorry you missed your run at the Series.”
“Me too,” he replied as he leaned against the wall. “We got damn close, though.”
Sliding her sunglasses off, she studied her friend and wondered what the underlying malaise was all about. “What are you going to do in the off-season?”
“I’ll probably stick around for another month and then head home. Your cousin still needs some help with his pitching, and I told him I’d hang out for a while and make sure he was on the right track.”
Turning, she crossed her arms. “My sixteen-year-old cousin doesn’t need a world-class athlete coaching him; what’s really going on? And don’t tell me it’s about how your season ended.” She bumped her shoulder against his and smiled. “I can tell there’s something more, and I’ll let you brood for a little longer, then I’m calling you on it.”
“That’s the problem,” he replied with a huff. “I can’t quite figure out what it is yet because it seems like it’s more than just the usual post-season let-down.”
“I think getting everything you ever dreamed of is hard sometimes. Maybe it’s time you started figuring out what you want beyond your professional glory.” Alex put his hand out, and she took it, giving him a squeeze.
“You’re my sister from another mister, and I appreciate you caring about me.”
“Always and we still might be related. We never really figured that out and since our mothers are carbon copies, we could be long lost third cousins for all we know.”
“We probably are and, when one of us has a free moment, we should figure it out.”
“Are we due for a marathon movie night?”
“Probably,” he replied as he pushed his sunglasses on his head. “We’ve only made it halfway through the Bond movies, so we still have a bunch to get through. Is your new boyfriend going to give you a night off, though?”
Punching his arm lightly, she let out a laugh. “I can do whatever I want, whenever I want since Jack is not the boss of me.”
“Does he know that? Because he just declared he’s marrying you on national television and may be on a different track than you.”
Sliding her glasses back on, she stared straight ahead. “Why the heck did he do that, Alex? Do you think he’s crazy? We’ve only been dating for a couple of weeks and had just one real date that ended up with me in the ER. I don’t see how that adds up to marriage and can’t see how he could either.”
“You got to him, and I think that’s how it happens for guys. We go through life unaware and oblivious, and then one day we meet someone, and that’s it. It’s like getting hit in the head with no hope of recovery.”
“So, who is it, Alex? Who hit you in the head?”
He crossed his arms across his chest and clamped his mouth shut. “No one.”
“Liar, liar, pants on fire.”
“Very mature.”
Giving him her best glare, she lifted an eyebrow. “I can outlast you, and you know it, so just spill.”
“I don’t care what look you give me. I have nothing to share with the class, and you can’t make me.”
“Oh, my God! You’ve fallen for my cousin Lourdes, and that’s why you're coaching her little brother.”
“How in the hell do you do that? Every freaking time you figure it out by just staring at me. I hate your brain.”
She laughed and sat in the chair. “You realize that she’s never going to give you a chance. You represent everything she’s trying to get away from. Her dream man has blond hair and can trace his roots back to the Mayflower.”
“I’m well aware of that since she’s told me enough times. I think the fact that we’re both Cuban would be a plus, but she’s not changing her mind any time soon.” Crossing his arms, he kicked the ground with his shoe. “We’re destined to be together, and it’s going to be a struggle to get there, but maybe that’s exactly what I need since most things in life have come too easily. I guess this is my chance to work my ass off for something I want. I just hope we both come out of it in one piece because it’s going to happen one way or another.”
“How can you know?”
“I kissed her, and she got inside of me.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah, pretty much. Men are simple creatures, and when it happens, that’s it. We don’t need to question it like women do and analyze it to death, discussing it with our friends for six months to be sure.”
“Well, if this is what you want, then I wish you luck because you’re going to need it. You know she’s not going to marry you until she’s done with her residency.”
“I know and am prepared for it. I think marrying a pediatrician is going to prove to be one of my best decisions since a lot of people tell me that I’m still a kid in a lot of ways.” He pushed himself out of his chair and stood as their friends got out of the pool. “I’m going to get the steaks and start the bar-b-que.”
“I’ll be in to help in a minute.”
“Perfect,” he replied before kissing her head.
“Perfect,” she repeated quietly as she thought about what she and Jack had in front of them. The speculation and gossip weren’t going to stop any time soon, and how much of a problem that was going to pose wasn’t clear.
Sighing, she twisted her hair up and hoped with everything in her heart that the woman’s story didn’t have a shred of truth in it because letting go of Jack would be damn near impossible.