Once Upon A Half-Time 1(93)
“This…” His words clipped. “This isn’t right. This can’t be…”
“They threatened Lachlan’s position if I didn’t cooperate,” Elle said. “After I took the photographs the demanded, Peter fired me. They must have thought I was a liability.”
The revelation stole most of Leah’s energy. She plunked onto the couch next to Jack. “I can’t believe they’d do this.”
“I can.” Cole couldn’t speak softly. He growled. “I knew they’d cheat. That’s the reason I’m here. Coach Thompson traded for me—made it clear that he expected me to hurt some people this season. He’ll break bones to win a football game, a few pictures aren’t gonna bother him.”
Piper shook her head, staring at the group. “If this gets out…”
“It’s a PR nightmare.” Leah groaned. “I have no idea how we can spin this. It’s a scandal wrapped in a nightmare all bundled up in a nuclear bomb just waiting to explode.” She paced the room, downing most of her coffee. The caffeine didn’t help to steady her hands. “This is worse than anything you’ve ever done, Jack.”
He shrugged. “I wish that were more comforting, Kiss.”
“We can’t hide this,” I said. “We have to come forward.”
“Good. The rookie volunteers to get crucified.” Cole laughed. “Go ahead. Let us know how that goes.”
Jack stood. I didn’t envy the pain he must have felt. My betrayal was nothing compared to his. The work he’d put into the team, the sacrifices he’d made, the way he had changed everything—his behavior, his habits, his entire life. Jack was a proud man, and he had a right to be. Not just because he had a beautiful family, but because he was the best quarterback in the league.
And now everyone would have the same thought.
Was it his talent that won games…or was it because the team cheated?
“Lachlan’s right,” Jack said. “We have to bring this to light. Everything we did…” He lowered his gaze. “My championship. Fuck. It’s all a lie.”
“No. Not a lie.” Leah took her husband’s hand. “You’ve worked your ass off, Jack. You carried this team. No one knew what the coaches were doing.”
Piper wasn’t convinced. “It won’t matter. These pictures influenced game plans and play calls. The league is going to get…involved.”
“Then there’s nothing we can do,” Jack said. “We have to reveal it before someone outside the organization does.”
Elle’s voice hardened. “No. This is why I didn’t tell you. We can’t say a thing about any of this.”
“It’s the right thing to do, Red.” I offered my hand. She didn’t take it. “It won’t come back on you. You have all the evidence—all the pictures and emails and testimony. We can end this.”
“There’s something I haven’t told you yet.”
Oh Jesus. I was getting really sick of secrets.
But Elle didn’t apologize. She opened a new file on her laptop.
Then looked away.
Ashamed.
My vision flashed in white-hot anger. “Son of a bitch.”
Coach Thompson and Peter, slime that they were, had something else on Elle.
Nude pictures, taken from inside the locker room—the day we’d inadvertently showered and renewed our vows.
I’d find the asshole who’d taken her picture and rip his fucking cock off.
Elle cleared her throat. “They’re blackmailing me. It’s a character assassination. If I come forward, they’ll drop these. I’ll lose my credibility the instant the story spins of the photographer who showers naked with the team.”
Cole lowered the lid of the laptop. The others stayed silent.
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me this happened?” I asked.
She raised a hand. “There’s more.”
“Jesus!”
Elle opened another file. “Jack…I’m sorry about this.”
If I knew we’d be seeing a slideshow, I’d have brought in some popcorn from my car.
Jack hissed as he scrolled through hundreds of pictures. Apparently, Elle wasn’t the only one with a file ready for blackmail. Our quarterback was featured in dozens of questionable and scandalous images. Most of the pictures were of him, drunk and partying, with women crawling over his lap, bare-assed and grinning.
Jack swallowed, his voice low. “Kiss…these are old pictures. You know I love you.”
Leah didn’t look too closely. “I know, Jack.”
Elle closed the laptop. Everyone quieted.