Loved by the Linebacker (15 page)

Chapter 25

Camila

“He’s a fuckin’ liability, Camila! You handed me
trouble with no warning,” Kip screams at me, his face red and his eyes
bloodshot from having run interference all night.

He throws the newspaper in my lap as I lay on the
couch in his office. Lifting my head, I see two pictures of Evan. One in the
lobby after he broke Gregg’s jaw and the other of him with a blonde who has her
top down as they fall into the elevator. I swear the acid is eating away at my
stomach and I reach for the bottle of Tums Kip leaves in the drawer by the
couch.

“I’m sorry, Kip. I had no idea any of this would
happen.” I rub my forehead, chewing the chalky tablet, hoping I get relief
fast.

“Is Turner going to press charges?” Kip growls the
question, both of us knowing if he does then it’ll be a full-time job to clean
up Evan’s mess.

“No, he’s doing me a favor and I owe him big
time.” I fall back on the couch, closing my eyes.

After Evan shut me out, I came back to the gala to
find Mia had taken Gregg to the hospital. By the time I arrived, he was doped
up on painkillers, droning on to Mia about how much Evan needed me and how good
I am for him. He promised he wouldn’t press charges against Evan as long as I
promised to try to win him back. As I agreed, I wondered why I was chasing
after an asshole who called me a liar and not this gentleman whose face was
swelling as we spoke.

“Camila, I thought you handed him over to me
because you wanted to date him. Is that the truth or were you just trying to
shove a rookie off on me?”

I sigh and shake my head. “No, Kip, I swear it’s
not like that. More than anything I wanted, want to be with Evan but because I
didn’t tell him the truth about one thing in my past, he’s done with me.”

Kip shrugs, taking a seat beside me and patting my
leg. “Tough luck, Cam. I wish I could help you out more, but it sounds like his
mind is made up.”

A fat tear rolls out of my eye and I quickly wipe
it away. “I know, but it’s okay, I’ll move on.” I force a smile, trying to back
the words coming out of my mouth.

“There, that’s my girl,” Kip says, trying to
encourage me. “Now, not to make the day worse, but you gave me your hell child
so I’m passing one on to you.”

Good, a challenge, something to take my mind off
Evan. Perking up, I ask, “Oh, and who’s that?”

Kip sneers before he answers. “Jace Richards.”

I jump off the couch and flail my arms. “Jace
Richards? He’s banned from baseball so what does he even want?” Jace Richards
was a pitcher for the Washington Diplomats who preferred betting on his own
team than actually playing for them. All charges against him were dropped in
exchange for community service and a ban from the league.

“You know the Boss Man loves that guy and he did
bring in a lot of money for the firm. Jace is having a hard time adjusting to
life outside of the MLB so he just needs a little guidance and help setting up
his community service.” Kip doesn’t even try to hide the smirk on his face.

I shake my head. “So, basically, this is a pity
case because the boss wants it?”

Kip nods. “Yep.”

“Come on, Kip. You know I can’t work with Jace.
Colie and Grant will kill me.” Jace is also Colie’s ex-boyfriend and Grant’s
major rival, neither will be happy to learn about my new client.

Kip shrugs as he stands up. “I’m sure you’ll
figure it out. In the meantime, I’m going to try to clean up the mess
your
boyfriend
made last night.”

It’s days like these that I wonder why I never ran
back to Blake in the beginning.

Evan

Blow after blow, it feels good to be back on the
field and crushing my body against something. It helps to get out the
frustration that’s been building up all summer long. I still haven’t talked to
Camila since the incident a few weeks ago, but I know I should thank her since
Gregg Turner decided not to press charges even though I broke his jaw. The
incident also put my brother and I back on talking terms so that’s good… I
guess.

I pull my helmet off and jog to the water cooler,
pouring a cup and immediately downing it. Going for a refill, I hear someone
yell my name. When I turn around, I recognize the owner’s daughter, Molly
Feiser. She’s only five feet flat with blonde hair and dark highlights. The shortie
used to be on the Women’s Olympic Gymnastics team so her body is tight and
curvy in all the right places. I’ve only met her in passing a few times so I’m
shocked she even knows my name.

“Hey, Evan,” she says, extending her hand. “I was
wondering if you had a few minutes.”

I shake her hand then glance over my shoulder and
see my line is still on break. I shrug and follow her as she walks a few feet
away from the other guys and looks around. I follow her gaze, wondering who or
what we’re looking for. She seems satisfied in her findings as she turns her
attention to me.

“Look, I know we don’t really know each other, but
hear me out.” She takes a deep breath. “You need to give Camila another
chance.”

I scoff and shake my head, turning to walk away.
Now Camila has her friends working for her? This is ridiculous. Molly grabs my
hand, yanking on it. “Evan, please, listen!” Her voice is urgent, indicating
that she has something important to say.

“Fine. Two minutes.” I cross my arms and wait.

She looks around one more time then speaks in a
hushed tone. “I know you’re worried about Camila and Blake, but trust me, they
are long over. I know this because Blake and I have been dating off and on for
the past three years.”

My jaw drops at her admission. “But, I’ve never
seen you around. Hell, I lived with him for a year and never even heard your
name. I’m not buying it.”

“Think about who my father is, Evan. Do you think
it’d be a good idea for the two of us to be dating? That’s why Camila and Blake
handle all the publicity so no one knows about us. Blake was pushing to get
traded here, but my father was more interested in you. He thought you were the
better gamble in the long run and he’s probably right. Blake doesn’t plan on
playing forever.”

Her explanation makes sense, but there’s something
I have to know and I hope I’m not breaking the news to her. “So you know Cami
and Blake dated? Slept together and everything?”

She nods. “Yeah and I was pissed when I first
found out, probably like you, but that’s not the kind of relationship they have
now. They’re friends, best friends. Well, until Blake got drunk and spilled the
beans to you. Camila hasn’t talked to him since.”

“She hasn’t?” My stomach flips. Maybe I’m not a
pawn in her game, maybe she does want me and not Blake.

Molly shakes her head. “So, will you please give
her a second chance?”

Slowly, I let the words sink in and nod. “Yeah,
but tell me one more thing.”

She nods, her ponytail bobbing behind her.

With a grin, I ask, “What the hell do you see in
my brother?”

Chapter 26

Evan

First things first, I gotta talk to my brother.
It’s been a week since Molly filled me in on their little secret. I’ve sat on
it, not sure how to handle Camila or Blake, but tonight it’s a faceoff between
the Lancers and the Seawolves so I’ll be seeing both of them. The taxi pulls up
Blake’s long drive and I take a few seconds to stare at the house I once called
home before I pay the cabbie and get out.

I start to walk in the house like I’ve done so
many times before, but I hesitate. I don’t live here anymore. This isn't my
place to just barge in. I rap my knuckles against the door and wait… and wait…
and wait. Peeking in the garage, I see Blake’s car is home so he’s not at the
stadium yet. I slowly push open the door and let myself in.

“Blake?”

No answer. Slowly, I make my way through the
kitchen and living room then finally spot him drinking a beer on the pool deck
out back.

“Hey, man. It’s game day. What are you doing
drinking?”

Blake glances up. “What are you, the police? Gonna
report me?”

I hold my hands up. “Chill, dude. I’ve just never
seen you drink on game day before.”

He shrugs and takes a long pull from his bottle.
“Trying something new.”

Frowning, I take a seat on the lounge chair beside
him wondering if I should push the issue. Deciding it’s probably best to let it
go, I stare at the pristine pool water, not sure where to begin.

“So you and Molly Feiser, huh?”

He sneers and downs the rest of his beer. “What
about her? She’s a tease, worse than Camila Lemos.”

Fire burns in my belly when he speaks of Camila
that way. “What the hell does that mean?”

Blake stands up, walking to the mini fridge behind
the bar and grabs another beer. “It means, they’re both women who will do
whatever it takes to get what they want.”

“So you’re saying that you and Molly never dated?”

Blake pops the top off his bottle. “She say we
did?”

I shrug. “Did you?”

Half his bottle is emptied into his mouth before
he answers. “Doesn’t matter, Ev. I think you have the right idea with the
one-night stands. Maybe we can go out after the game.”

I stand up, taking the bottle away from him and
throwing it in the trash. “Yeah, whatever, Blake.” Thank god I told the cabbie
to wait. As always my brother isn’t worried about anyone but himself. Let us
get through the game tonight and then I need to get him help. Help that I never
offered my mother.

Camila

The trees breeze past as I speed to Blake’s.
Kickoff is only an hour away and he hasn’t reported to the stadium. The boy
won’t answer his phone and I’m already a nervous wreck knowing that I’m going
to have to face both Purser brothers. I hit the garage door opener to Blake’s
house and see both his cars inside. Something’s not right and my stomach is
flipping just wondering what I’m about to walk in to.

My heels click on the tile as I walk through the
foyer, calling out his name. I don’t have to look far before I see him passed
out on the couch. Relieved, I walk around the furniture and crouch beside it.
Blake is face down, beer bottles all around. I rub his back softly, lighting
kissing his cheek.

“Blake, come on, it’s time to wake up,” I whisper.

It takes a few minutes before he starts to rouse,
mumbling incoherently. His eyes adjusts and he looks at me surprised. “Cam,
what are you doing here?”

I bite my tongue, wanting to scream at him.
“Kickoff is in less than an hour, everyone’s worried.” Blake sits up, moving
his feet to the floor and I move between his knees. “You need to get to the
stadium. You aren’t going to play but it’ll avoid a higher fine.” I rub his
legs, trying to help him wake up. All the animosity toward him is gone. In this
moment, he isn’t Blake that ruined my relationship with Evan. He’s Blake, my
best friend that needs me.

“She left me,” Blake says so quietly that I barely
hear him.

“I’m sure you two will get back together, you
always do.” Molly and Blake are constantly breaking up and making up. It’s hard
enough to watch their relationship, I can’t even imagine being in it. Still,
Blake’s never reacted this way before so I’m slightly concerned.

“No, Cami, she’s gone. She told me she couldn’t
keep doing this. She’s serious this time.” Blake leans against my shoulder,
crying softly.

I pat his back and slowly stand up, making him do
the same. “Come on, Blake. We have to get to the stadium. Tell me on the way
there.”

Other than the alcohol on his breath, he’s at
least dressed and I can push him out the door. I hand him a few breath mints
and listen to his story as I drive. When we reach the stadium, I park in the
players’ lot and turn to him.

Taking his face in both my hands, I assure him,
“Blake, I’ll talk to her. I’ll fix it. Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

Blake nods, rubbing his bloodshot eyes. “Thank
you, Camila. God, what would I do without you? Evan’s a lucky guy.”

I shake my head as I open my door, walking around
to his side of the vehicle. “Don’t start with me on Evan.”

Blake kisses my forehead. “I fucked that up,
didn’t I?”

I shrug. “It’s fine.”

“I’ll take care of it, Cam. I’m sorry.”

I wrap my arms around his torso and bury my face
in his chest, not wanting to let the tears escape. This is what Blake and I do.
We take care of each other for better or worse and I’m not sure Evan will ever
understand that.