The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella (77 page)

“Evan’s a big boy, Jette.  He makes his own decisions, he always has.”  Adam gets up from the table and politely pushes his chair in.  “Bark at me all you want, Jette, but you know I’m right.  He needs you, not some quack.”  And with that, Adam walks out the door, leaving me more confused than ever.

Could what he’s saying be true?  Is it possible that I am making things worse?  Am I doing more harm than good?  I suppose it’s a possibility I need to consider.  As I sit alone considering all my options, I’m startled when an unexpected guest joins me at my table.  “Ryker?  What are you doing here?  You scared me.”

“I’m sorry.  I hope you don’t mind.  I come in everyday around this time.”

“I didn’t even hear you come in.”

“I came in through the back.  I usually park my motorcycle behind the kitchen.  Marcus gave me a set of keys to let myself in a few weeks ago”.  He pulls out a chair and waits for me to invite him to sit. “May I?”

“Oh, I’m sorry.  Please, sit down.”  Ryker takes a seat across from me.  “I guess you heard most of that.”

“I did.  I hope you didn’t buy any of the bullshit that guy was trying to sell you.  Who the hell is he, anyway?”

“His name is Adam.  He’s Evan’s best friend and Emmy’s boyfriend.  He’s got a Sport Business degree from the University of Maryland.  That’s where he and Evan first met.  He follows Evan around from team to team.  I think his current title is Player Liaison for the Sentinels, but his duties are more like what a manager or an agent would do.  He brokers deals, acts as Evan’s gatekeeper, and oversees most of our public relations and business affairs.”

“He’s got his hands in a lot of pots, doesn’t he?”

“He sure does.”  Ryker is picking up on something that’s been on my mind for a while now.

“Do you trust him?” he asks.

“He’s saved Evan’s ass over and over again.  Every time Evan finds himself in a challenging situation, Adam is there to help him turn lemons into lemonade.  The public loves Evan and Adam’s got a lot to do with that.”

“That’s nice, but you didn’t answer my question.”  Ryker is looking at me, waiting for a response.

I answer as honestly as I can, “Evan trusts him implicitly.”

“And you?”

He’s not letting this one go.  “I do, yes.  I may not like him constantly in our personal business, but he’s always been there for Evan and I have no doubt that he’s just trying to help.”

“And what does this idiot know about PTSD?”

“I can’t imagine he knows the first thing about it,” I confess.

“Keep that in mind, Jette.  Evan is dangerous.  You’ve seen it with your own eyes.  Don’t forget that.  Not for one minute.”

Ryker excuses himself and returns to the kitchen, and I go sit in my office to crunch some numbers.  I stay away from the Internet, fearful of what the press might be writing about Evan.  I’m certain that if there were anything I need to know, Emmy would tell me right away. 

Before long, the rest of the staff arrives to start getting ready for Sunday lunch.  It’s the weekend before the Fourth of July and business is really starting to pick up.  Our hostess is away at a family wedding today, so I decide to take her place. 

As soon as I open the doors, we get slammed.  Every time there’s a break and things slow down, Emmy tries to give me advice on how to deal with Evan.  She keeps telling me how Evan refuses to leave the house and won’t let anyone except Adam into the house.  “I know he wants to talk to you, Jette.  Please go to him.  He needs you,” Emmy begs.

“What he needs is to deal with his anxiety, Emmy.  Suppose he freaks out again, but this time he seriously hurts someone?  Or worse, suppose he hurts himself?”  I have nightmares about both possibilities.  “Besides, he knows where I am.  He can come to me anytime.”

Arguing with Emmy no better than trying to reason with Evan.  We just keep going around and around, but get nowhere.  I’m grateful when Derek calls Emmy back behind the bar.  She’s trying to help, but all she’s doing is making me miserable.  I miss Evan so much I can hardly stand it.  I don’t know how much longer I can hold out.  Maybe my ‘tough love’ strategy isn’t working for either one of us as well as I had hoped.

Now that the lunch rush is over and things are quieting down, I try to find a quiet inconspicuous spot to sit alone and think.  The booth at the back is empty and it’s got a great view of the projector.  Images of Evan in his uniform flash by, mixed among other pictures.  There are photos of him in his Texans uniform, his Terps uniform, and my favorite, Evan in his red Sentinels jersey.  I grab a napkin to wipe the tears that fall and I sit quietly and allow them to come. 

A plate of chocolate chip cookies and a tall glass of milk is silently slid in front of me.  “Do you mind if I join you, boss?”  I look up and Ryker is standing in front of me.

“No, please.”  I scoot over to give him some room to join me.  “I wanted to ask how you’re doing.  I feel really badly about what happened on Wednesday.  I’m sorry I didn’t mention it sooner.”  I look more closely at Ryker, and I can see the shadow of what was a black eye.  His stubble hides any bruises that might remain on his jaw.  “I’m sorry I put you in that situation.”

“Don’t sweat it, Jette.  I’ve been in my fair share of scuffles over the years.  I can hold my own.”  He grabs one of the cookies and takes a big bite.  “I’m more worried about you.  I hear all these people who claim to be your friend giving you advice about how to help Evan through this.  But let me ask you this, who’s worried about what’s best for you?  Not Adam, that’s for damn sure.  Not Emmy.  If Evan really cared about what was best for you, he’d put your needs ahead of his own and get his shit sorted out.”  He slips out of the booth, leaving me the way he found me, alone and confused.  For the second time today, he’s given me something new to think about.

I
stop to pick up some deli sandwiches for Auggie and me.  He’s getting tired of hospital food and I can’t blame him one bit.  I look forward to our dinner routine.  It gives me a chance to escape my reality and think about someone else’s needs and troubles for a change.

That relief is short-lived because when I happily step into Auggie’s room, I find Evan sitting with him, smiling, laughing, and chatting.  Auggie is sitting up in bed and Evan is sitting beside him in the guest chair.  The smile on my face immediately fades and I don’t even try to hide my discomfort.

I walk over to Auggie, kiss him on the cheek, and place his dinner on the hospital bed tray table.  Evan watches me as I arrange the sandwiches, plates, and bottles of water with great care.  I glance over towards Evan, and his eyes haven’t left me.  He stands up, shakes Auggie’s hand, and walks right towards me.  “Juliette, can I speak to you for a moment?”

I look towards Auggie for help, and he just shrugs his shoulders, offering me no guidance what so ever.  I mutter, “Okay,” and follow Evan into the hallway.  He walks purposefully towards the family waiting room at the end of the hallway, which thankfully, is empty.  Always the gentleman, Evan holds the door for me, and then closes it behind us.  He turns off the television and takes a seat in one of the most uncomfortable looking chairs I’ve ever seen. 

He stares, waiting for me to sit down.  “Juliette, please, I won’t bite.  This won’t take long, I promise.”

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

“Yes, and no.  I was hoping to see you here tonight to ask you for a favor.  I know you don’t owe me anything, and I wouldn’t ask if I could help it, but I need your help.”  His voice is flat, and I cannot read his mood.  He seems to be in business mode, so I decide to treat this as a negotiation.

“What do you need?  If I can help, I will.”

“Adam just locked down my celebrity endorsement deal with Top Dog Sports Drink.  We start shooting commercials and print ads next week.”  He states this all very matter-of-factly, without any excitement or joy.

“That’s great news, congratulations.  But what does that have to do with me?” I wonder.

“Tomorrow, Adam and I will be driving into the city to sign the contracts.  There’s a morality clause.  It says that while I’m endorsing their product, I cannot, wait, let me read it,” he takes out his cell phone and pulls up a list, which he reads to me.  “It says I cannot become involved in any sort of public scandal, disrepute, widespread contempt, or public ridicule.  They have the right, at their own discretion, to terminate the contract at any time.”  He turns off the screen, and places the phone back in his pocket.

“And you’re worried?”

“Yes,” he states.

“About me?”

“Yes.”  He sits back in his chair and rubs his temple like he has a headache.  “We’re a celebrity couple now, Juliette.”  Images of gossip magazine headlines dubbing us
Evanette
flash in front of me.  “There are two major events coming up and if we are not together, the press will start speculating.  They may start asking questions.  I don’t want word of my temper tantrum getting out.”

“Temper tantrum?  Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“Juliette, please?”

“You’re right.  I’m sorry.  Go ahead, what were you saying?  What major events are coming up?”

“This Thursday is our Official Grand Opening at Rush.  Adam’s been distributing press releases and arranging for some news coverage.  I’ve been talking to Joey, and he’s going to try and make it, too.  We have to make it look like we’re still together.”

“So, let me get this straight – you want me to act like nothing’s wrong?  Pretend nothing has has changed?  Just so you don’t get any bad press?  I’m not that good of an actress, Evan.”

“I need you to try, Juliette.  It’s just for one night.  Don’t do it for me, do it for our business.  You want it to be a success, right?”

“You know I do.”

“Then I need you to try.  Please.”

“Okay, fine.  What else?  You said there were two events.  What’s the other?”

“The ESPYs are next Tuesday in Manhattan at Radio City Music Hall.  They all expect us to be there together on the red carpet.  I’ve been asked to present the Best Male College Athlete Award.”

“No.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said no.  I’ll put on a happy face for the sake of Rush, but I won’t do it for some silly award show, Evan.  I can’t.”

“If I show up alone, there’s going to be questions that I can’t answer, Juliette.  Please?”

“I’m sorry, but the answer is still ‘no’.  Make up an excuse.  Have Adam release a statement that I’m home caring for a friend recovering from surgery.  It will work because it’s the truth.  Bring your sister.  You’ll be fine.”

“All right.  As long as Callie agrees, that should work well enough.”  Evan gets up to leave.  “Thank you, Juliette.  I guess I’ll see you Thursday.”  He turns and walks towards the door.

“Evan?  One more thing?”

He stops and turns, “Yes?”

“I have an appointment tomorrow to see Dr. Falkowski myself.  I’d like you to join me, if you don’t have practice or anything, I mean.”

“The team has a two week break.  But like I said, Adam and I have an appointment in Manhattan tomorrow.  Sorry.”

“But you didn’t even ask me what time the appointment is.  Maybe you could –”

“Good night, Juliette.”

And just like that, he’s gone. 

I
’ve never been to a therapist before, so I have no idea what to expect.  When I pull up to his office, it looks more like a private home than a place of business or a medical office.  Nestled between homes right along picturesque tree lined West Lake Avenue, his office is a lovely Seashore Colonial with a wrap-around front porch complete with a matching pair of rocking chairs facing the lake.  There’s an engraved sign on the front door that says, “Offices of Dr. Walter Falkowski, Counselor, MS, LPC, NCC.”  At least I know I’m in the right place.

When I enter, I’m greeted by a lovely receptionist who offers me a hot or cold beverage and gives me several forms to fill out while I wait.  In no time at all, I’m ushered into Dr. Falkowski’s office. There’s a fireplace and a wide array of furniture – a couch, swivel chairs, and even a small table with matching chairs.  I sit in one of the leather chairs.  Dr. Falkowski is a middle-aged man in his late fifties with dark hair graying around his face.  He’s got a round face and a big smile.  I immediately feel at ease.