Perfectly Ms. Matched(59)

He’d apologize? That was just a load of BS. Rick should lose his job over it. A guy could only take so much.

But he needed to win his spot back.

His mind scrambled for a solution. “I’d be glad to do whatever it takes, Coach, but there might be just one problem down the road, if we go with that plan. The police know Rick’s daughter also helped my ex-wife remove my son from my custody without my knowledge. I worry the team would look bad, if the police subpoena my computer and the records become public knowledge. But I’m willing to do whatever you think best.”

Rick’s face whipped Chad’s direction. “What do you mean you called the police on Heather? She was only following the child’s mother’s orders.”

“And was paid in jewelry from my ex to help kidnap him. You know what your role was in this too, Rick. If I were you, I’d tell the coach the whole story before it comes out and causes the team some major embarrassment. We all need to put the team first”—he turned toward his boss—“right, Coach?”

“Yes. Thanks, Jenks.” He glanced Rick’s way and then back at Chad. “Good to have you back, but after hearing this, maybe it’d be best if the media didn’t see you at the game today. Lay low from the press. I’m sure Rick will fill me in on the rest. See you next week.”

“Yes, sir. Glad to be back.” Chad turned and walked out the door. He’d given Rick just enough rope to hang himself. The ball was back in his court now.

Chad couldn’t get to his beach house fast enough to soak his aching knee and watch the game on TV. Jo had been right about that too. The rest of his playing days were probably going to be filled with excruciating pain. But he’d gotten what he’d wanted. Another chance at the ring.





15

AN ULTIMATUM TODAY MIGHT KEEP YOUR BOYFRIEND AWAY.

Chad waited until the cab driver pulled away, then

picked up his day pack and headed for the gate. He tapped in his code and waited as the large metal doors parted. After he passed through, he waited again until the doors closed completely behind him. His coach’s orders were to lay low, so that was what he’d do. Couldn’t have nosy paparazzi sneak in behind him. They knew where he lived.

He swung one strap of his leather backpack over his shoulder and started toward his home perched on a cliff, overlooking the ocean. The gardeners had been doing their job, the vegetation, much of it newer low-water usage because of the drought, looked tidy and neat. He approached the six-car garage and punched in the code to roll up one of the bays. Then he hurried to the alarm pad on the wall and typed in his security code.

The housekeeper said she’d left some food in the fridge, so Chad headed there first. His stomach was still upset, but maybe he’d make himself a sandwich or something to celebrate being back on the roster again. He wanted to text Jo, to tell her all their hard work the past few weeks had paid off, and to thank her for her help, but reconsidered. She’d laid down the law. Her or football. It wasn’t fair. But it was what it was.

Tugging on the large commercial fridge’s handle, Chad found some covered casserole dishes, turkey and avocado wraps, and a bowl of cut-up fruit inside the almost empty fridge. He grabbed a wrap and the container of fruit and sat down at the kitchen island to eat. The ten thousand-square-foot house suddenly felt like twenty thousand, cavernous and quiet without Ryan running around. He’d kind of gotten used to the smaller condo in Denver that had begun to feel more like home.

After he finished off his lunch, he went downstairs to the pool and switched on the game. Then he stripped down and climbed in the jet tub to help soothe his knee. Sitting in the jets reminded him of that first time Jo had showed up for rehab, when he’d been soaking too, and he smiled. No other PT would tap him on the head with her sneaker and tell him to get out because she wasn’t being paid to watch him lounge. Unfortunately, after his earlier workout, his knee now pained him just about as much as it did then. That workout wasn’t nearly as intense as a real game would be. Could be a long few years ahead.

He needed to quit feeling sorry for himself and watch the game. There was no rush to get back home to Denver anymore since Ryan wasn’t back yet, so maybe he’d change the plane reservations and spend the night. He could watch the sunset over the ocean later. He missed that. Too bad Jo wasn’t going to watch it with him. She would’ve liked that.

Shaking off his gloom, he turned his attention back to the game. His team needed to keep their winning streak going so they could get to the playoffs. He wanted to text his mom with the good news about being back on the roster, but then she’d ask about Jo, and he wasn’t ready to go there yet. He’d just revel in his success by himself. He didn’t need anyone else to validate his accomplishments. That’d be stupid.