“He’s not going to find out,” Coach Thompson said.
“You think I won’t go directly to Frank Bennett?”
“You won’t.”
“Try to stop me.”
“You will do as we ask, without complaint.”
I held my ground. “I refuse.”
He stared at me, his voice hard. “You will take the pictures…or we cut Lachlan Reed.”
I heaved, but nothing came out. Damn it. The one time I might have wielded morning sickness as a weapon. Even Lachlan’s baby tried to defend his father.
“You’d cut Lachlan?” I whispered.
“And for good reasons. He’s not performing. He can’t adjust to the demands of the league. He’s overwhelmed. Probably over-rated as well.”
“That’s not true.”
“But these pictures will help him,” Peter said. “Do this, and the coaches can guide Lachlan. They’ll better prepare him for the season opener. If we know the Monarch’s defensive schemes, we can create a game plan which will let Lachlan exploit weaknesses in their secondary. He’ll be a damn hero.”
“But—”
“Every team does this,” he said. “Football is played half on the field, and half in the espionage between clubhouses. Don’t you want Lachlan to be prepared for the most important game of his life?”
Coach Thompson shrugged. “Or I can just cut him now and find a replacement. It’s your choice, Elle. Both of you can stay…or both of you can go.”
I gritted my teeth. “You really are an asshole.”
“I’m giving you the opportunity to save his career and build one of your own.”
“I don’t need to cheat to advance my career.”
“This is a good opportunity,” Coach Thompson said. “Do this, and you’ll both succeed. Refuse, and Lachlan gets cut and never finds work in the league again. You’ll be disgraced and scandalized in the media, and nothing you say will be taken seriously by the reporters or Frank Bennett.” He snorted. “And your relationship? I don’t think a baby can hold together your rock-solid marriage.”
Peter agreed. “Especially if Lachlan realizes you could have saved his position with a few harmless pictures.”
“Are you really that selfish, Elle?” Coach Thompson asked. “Think of Lachlan. Think of the team. Think of your baby.”
“Don’t you dare.” I covered my belly with a hand. “I can’t believe you’d do this.”
“Can we take that as a yes?” Peter asked.
Damn it.
Maybe I’d never look my child in the eye, maybe I’d forever be ashamed of my actions, but I’d do whatever I could to make sure my baby had food on the table, a house over her head, and all the opportunities and love I never had growing up.
I’d be a fool to destroy a chance for my child to have such a stable, happy, and healthy life.
“I’ll do it,” I said, softly.
I reached for the nudes.
Coach Thompson pulled the photographs away. “I think I’ll keep these for myself.”
Sleaze.
Peter handed me a plane ticket, destination Atwood. “You’ll leave in ten days. Get as many pictures as you can. We’ll handle the analysis, and you’ll travel to the next city and team we play to start the reconnaissance.”
“For how long?”
“Cross your fingers,” Coach Thompson said. “With your help, we might reach the championship game again this year.”
“And you’ll keep Lachlan on the team?”
“That part is up to you, Elle.”
Yeah. It was.
And I’d do it to protect the man I loved…and the child he didn’t know we’d created.
18
Elle
Lachlan’s third date required an overnight bag, my slinkiest lingerie, and safety goggles.
But I hadn’t packed anything yet, and I wouldn’t.
I wasn’t leaving my apartment until I told Lachlan the truth—if not about the Rivets’ cheating, then at least about the baby. And even then…I wasn’t sure either of us were prepared for the trouble to come.
Lachlan didn’t knock. He conducted a drum solo against my door. I might have regretted letting him inside if he hadn’t spun me in his arms, kissed me, and grinned with those sweetheart dimples.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he said. “Wanna stay married to me?”
“We’ll see how you feel after today, Charming.”
“Nothing’s gonna change my mind.”
“Here’s hoping.”
It was the first time he had genuinely smiled in a week. The day off helped, especially after a tough exhibition game. He’d played better and looked more comfortable, but he looked happier getting off the field than stepping on it.