The Risk: Scott's Story (Runaway Love Series Book 2) (10 page)

“Let’s do this.”

I walk into my room and open the closet door and put on some shorts and a T-shirt. I walk out of the room and see Andrew holding a card in his hand.

“So, I’m guessing the chick from last night is a fucking therapist?”

I snatch the card out of his hand so I can rip it up before tossing it on the floor.

“Come on, bro. Take me to buy another phone.”

Drew pats me on the back as we’re walking out. “Either Maxine did a number on you or you’re still thinking about American girl. Let’s go to practice and leave all the stress on the field.”

I’m glad Drew didn’t say her name. Right now I’m going to try and just say
her
instead of her real name.

I can’t even think straight as Drew helps me pick out a new phone. I try to give myself a pep talk on the way to practice. I have to get my head in the game if I’m going to make it through practice. It isn’t long before I get my ass kicked so badly that coach benches me for the rest of practice. I don’t know what has gotten into me, but I need to apologize to Grace. I need her to know that I’ll be there to support her with everything.

Practice goes by in a blur. I hit the shower and grab my things to meet Drew outside, but I see Maxine leaning on her Audi waiting for me instead.

“Hey, Max. I guess you’re giving me a ride?”

She looks around the parking lot and back at me with a smile.

“Well, Andrew did put up a fight, but I assured him I will get you home in one piece.”

She opens the door for me and I get in, tossing my bag in the back seat. I watch her walk around the car, and notice she’s wearing a low cut shirt so I can see
it
. She gets in and smiles at me.

“You like or love what you see?”

I turn my attention back out the window. I don’t reply to her as we speed out the parking lot. I’m not going to give her the satisfaction of thinking I approve of her tattoo. I need to get my car and clear my head. I probably should make things right with Maxine, though. I can’t be waiting around for a married woman. What about my child that she’s carrying? I close my eyes and count to ten.

“Well, we’re here. Do you need me to come upstairs?”

I turn and look at Maxine. She’s a beautiful woman. I lean in and kiss her on the cheek.

“Thank you, Ms. Rivers, but I can handle it on my own.”

“Why did you call me that? Don’t be funny!”

I laugh and reach in the back to grab my bag. I don’t even watch her leave as I walk into my building. I nod at my doorman and head for the elevator.

I get off at my floor and am surprised to find a note on my door.

Funny how we live in the same building. Xoxo Gloria

Oh hell. I don’t need to deal with another crazy women. I open my door and rip the note up. I plop on the sofa and turn the TV on. I look at my new phone. I need to speak with Grace.

Me: I’m sorry, Grace…

I sit the phone on the table, waiting for it to chime. There’s nothing. No response. I get up and cook myself a quick meal and sit at the table alone with only the TV in the background. My phone chimes and I jump up and pretty much run to see who texted me.

Grace: You’re always sorry, Scott. I hate that I love you, and if this baby is yours, I can’t…I mean WE can’t… tell Tony. I choose him, Scott. I will always be here for you. I’m your heart catcher.

I don’t know if I’m supposed to be upset or okay with her message. I can’t even respond; I just turn my phone off. I don’t even drink that night. I walk into my room and close my eyes.

I dream about Grace and how perfect our family would’ve been if I had just stayed behind. If I could change the past, I would’ve pushed myself to stay in contact with Grace.

I get up and feel refreshed. I look in the mirror and realize my eyes are puffy, like I’ve been crying in my sleep. I haven’t done that in a long time. I get myself together, and then I remember that I turned my phone off. The minute I turn my phone on, messages start coming through. They’re mostly from Maxine and a few from Drew wanting to check up on me.

I make myself a protein shake and grab my bag from the closet so I can get to practice early. I get in the elevator and who do I see? Gloria. I put my shades on so she won’t notice me.

“Fancy meeting you again. You can take the shades off, Scott. I know it’s you.” Like a good, obedient boy, I take the shades off.

“Nice seeing you, too. I hope this isn’t going to happen often.”

She gives me a hearty laugh. “Don’t worry, Scott. I won’t tell anyone how you pushed me on the floor when I discovered your little secret.” She says this with amusement in her voice.

“You know there isn’t any little secret here.” I can play her game also.

“Hmm… Men always think with their dicks.” They elevator door opens to the garage, and I eagerly walk to my parking space and she goes to hers. I watch her walk with a swagger to her car. She has on a nice, tight pencil skirt that’s a little shorter than it should be. She has on red fuck-me pumps and her calf muscles tell me she takes her workouts quite seriously.

I shake my head and walk to my Range Rover. I believe Gloria will be trouble, and right now, I’m in deep water with Maxine. I don’t need to add any more fuel to that fire. I sit in my truck and laugh out loud. Gloria lives in my building; this could be interesting.

I get to practice early and do a few laps around the track. I look up and notice Maxine sitting on the field talking with her dad. I’m tempted to walk over there, but I want to finish up my routine. Besides, I really don’t want to deal with Mr. Rivers right now. After about thirty minutes, Drew taps me on the shoulder.

“I guess you’re going to over work yourself before the real practice starts?”

I wipe the sweat from my forehead before responding, “I’ve been going through some things. I think I might be a dad,” I mention for the first time out loud.

“What?” Drew pulls me away toward the stands.

“Yep, Grace is pregnant.”

I watch as Drew begins to pace. I’m shockingly the calm person in this situation.

“What does she want from you? Money? I know you said she’s the love of your life, but how did she get pregnant?”

“Easy. The same way as millions of other women. I just didn’t use a condom. Hell, maybe I should’ve, but I didn’t. She doesn’t want any money from me. Besides, don’t forget that she’s married.”

As soon as the word
married
leaves my mouth, Drew looks at me with disgust in his eyes. I know how he feels about married women cheating because of his parents. He doesn’t know that we can both relate to similar circumstance. I know because I’m a product of my father cheating on his wife, and my love child is the product of the same.

“I know she’s married, but I just put it in the back of my mind. Maybe you need to get things straightened out with her for the baby’s sake, if it’s even yours.”

“I know I need to, but right now, we’re going through a rough patch. I’m going to give her some space for a little while longer.”

“I guess you know what’s best, but don’t wait too long. Come on, let’s practice.”

I follow Drew onto the field and we play a little. Coach tells us we have a scrimmage coming up next week, so he’s giving us a two day break. Just what I need! I’m going to relax and get my head on right before the game.

I walk to my car and check my phone and see I have no messages from Grace. I drive over to see my lawyer, the new one I acquired after I fired the one Mr. Rivers gave me. I need to change my will and add my unborn child to it. I already have Grace and her son on there. She doesn’t know, but I told my lawyer to contact her if something was to ever happen to me.

Of course my lawyer asks me several questions, but I just ignore him because I’m not going to change my mind. Afterward, I drive to my favorite low-key pub and find a private spot in the corner. I order a double Jack. The pub is not packed, surprisingly, so my usual waitress has extra time to flirt with me. I usually play along with her, but I’m not in the right mindset to take the bait.

I sit back and close my eyes for a few. I love Grace, and if this baby is mine, I want to raise the baby with her. That means I’d have to move to the States, and I’d need to find a way out of my contract. I’m willing to give up everything for Grace and the baby. Hell! I’ll even share her with Tony, if that means I can see my child. I know that’s a pretty fucked up idea on my part.

I hear someone clear their throat and pull out the chair across from me. I open my eyes and I’m looking at the red head again. I blink my eyes and realize it’s Gloria. What is she doing here? I sit up straight and look right at her.

“What can I do for you? I didn’t call you.”

She smiles her beautiful smile that shows off her dimples. “You don’t have to call me. I just so happened to stop by here for a drink, and I looked over and saw you sleeping.”

I don’t know why we keep bumping into each other like this. I’ve never seen her in our building or in this pub before, but now I’ve run into her twice in one day.

“I wasn’t sleeping, I was thinking.” I lean forward and look her in the eyes. “Why are you really here?”

She leans forward to challenge me. “I told you why I’m here. But if you want me here for another reason…” She licks her lips.

I might need to do some research on her because now I’m beginning to suspect something about her. I think I’m just going to head home. I start to stand up.

“Well, Gloria, it was nice seeing you here, but I have to leave now.” I pull some money out my wallet and lay it on the table next to my untouched Jack. I should give myself a pat on the back. Gloria grabs my wrist when I walk past her.

“What about your drink?” I look at the drink and back to her.

“Oh you can enjoy that one on me. I think I might need to stop drinking.”

She lets go and I walk out the pub toward my car. I drive back to my flat and walk inside to check my mailbox. I’m startled to see I have an envelope from Tony. Oh hell, what can it be about? I would’ve finished my drink had I known this was waiting on me.

I walk into my flat and walk straight to my office. I open the envelope and read the card several times. It’s a fucking invitation to Tony and Grace’s vow renewal ceremony! What shit is Tony trying to pull by sending me this? I should call Grace and tell her, but he handwrote a note that my presence is a special surprise for Grace. I have a bad feeling about this; I know Tony is up to something because there’s no way in hell any normal guy would invite his wife’s true love to their vow renewal. I know right away that I’m going to go, though. How can I pass up an excuse to see Grace again? It’s next week after my scrimmage, so the timing works out perfectly. I’m going to have to get Maxine to come with me to the wedding. If I go without a date, I don’t know what will come out my mouth. Besides, she’s my ticket to getting permission to leave the country.

Oh boy, I need to start sucking up to get back with Maxine. She’ll love that I’m back talking with her. I also have Gloria… But, I don’t want her to get mixed up in my life. I’m going to take Maxine out for lunch and offer to buy her a new dress for the ceremony. I need to get a new tailored suit so I look my best. I will show Grace that I’m happy for her when deep down inside I’m a mess.

I wake up, covered in sweat, from a crazy dream where Grace and I were together. I was trying to protect her from a crazy man, and I jumped in front of the gun and got shot in my chest. All I can remember is hearing sirens and Grace screaming for help. I jump out of my sleep and feel my body to make sure I’m not bleeding anywhere. I walk to get some water from the kitchen and down it and lean on the counter to clear my mind. What does this dream mean? It can’t be real. I want to pour a drink, but I’ve been doing well without it, so I’m not going to start. I walk back down to my room and lay across the bed until I drift back to sleep.

I don’t dream during my second attempt at sleep. I get up and take a nice, hot shower and send a text to Maxine telling her I’m coming to pick her up. Of course she says she’ll be ready. As much as I can’t get along with Maxine, she always seems to have my back. I’ll just accept the tattoo and let it be.

I put on a casual outfit to take her to lunch and make sure I have enough cash to give her so she can go buy a new outfit. I learned the hard way to never let Maxine have control of my black AMEX card. I take the elevator down to the garage and immediately look over to where Gloria parks. It’s empty. I assume she must be at work. I decide to drive my Audi hard drop top coupe. I know Maxine loves this car, and it won’t hurt to impress her a little more. She sends me a text telling me she’s at her dad’s house.

I drive across London to her dad’s place. I don’t even bother getting out – there’s no way in hell I want to make fake polite talk with the arrogant man. I blow the horn to let Maxine know I’m here and waiting for her. She comes out wearing a short, blue sundress with her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. She runs over to me and gives me a smile once she gets in the car.

“I’ve been dying to get out the house!”

I lean over and give her a kiss on the lips before I drop the top and I pull away. She smiles again.

“Why didn’t you just go for a drive?”

“Where was I going to go? You’ve been pushing me aside. I don’t have many friends, you know.”

I look at her out of the corner of my eye and watch her relax more into the seat. I see my name as clear as day near her boob. I have to force myself to not make an asshole-like comment.

“You have friends; but you’re picky and enjoy being under me.”

She laughs and rests her hand on my leg. “I’m not picky and I do enjoy your company above all. Let’s go to lunch.”

We pull up to Nobu in Mayfair. I know she loves sushi and this is all about her. I let the valet take the car after I walk around to help Maxine out. I notice some photographers outside taking pictures, and when they see us, they turn and snap pictures as I pull her in closer to me before we walk in. I look around and notice that a few other familiar celebrities are here. Luckily we’re able to get in without reservations.

“How did you know I love coming here to eat?”