I headed back down the same steps I ran up, taking two at a time. Thankfully for them, no one tried to stop me or got in between me and the door. When I reached my car, I pulled out my phone and dialed my coach’s number.
“Tyler?” he answered, sounding confused.
“Just so you know, I’ll gladly take this suspension and the fine. I’ll even throw in another hundred thousand to donate to charity.”
“Wha—” he asked, but I’d already hung up on him.
I was too charged up to explain, but I’d seen the cell phone cameras out by a number of people who were present. Hell, at this point, I wouldn’t put it past Riggs to post this online himself. Within a few hours everyone would know how I tried to take his damn head off. My only regret was that I hadn’t been successful, if I were being honest.
The only person whose opinion I cared for had called three times since I’d left her place. I knew she wouldn’t be happy about how all of this went down, but those bruises on her arm …
I shook my head.
No way in hell was I going to let that fly.
****
Destiny
“I cannot believe this,” I growled, staring down into my phone, reading the latest gossip blog that was reporting on Tyler’s suspension. More importantly, they were reporting on the reason behind his suspension. A video, in which you can clearly make out Tyler lunging and yelling at Leonard Riggs, proceeded the all-out brawl in Riggs’ home.
“Watching it again, huh?”
I jumped, startled, and turned to look over my shoulder as Brenda stared down at the screen of the phone in my hand.
“I can’t believe him.” I shook my head and sighed.
“Believe it. Proof’s right there.” She tilted her head in the direction of the phone. “Rumor has it, that display was over you.” She raised a brunette eyebrow at me.
I closed my eyes before peeling them back open. While the video footage was out, there were many rumors swirling as to why Tyler and Leonard got into a fight. Some blogs were reporting that Tyler was pissed that Riggs wasn’t showing up to practice on time and possibly dragging the team down. Others stated it was over an incident that happened at practice. One blog even mentioned that the woman who had snuck into bed with Tyler months prior was now with Leonard and that’s what caused the fight. I’d grown irrationally pissed when I saw that particular blog.
“You don’t listen to rumors, Brenda.”
She grinned. “So, I lied.” She tossed up her hands, shrugging with a grin on her face. “My gut tells me it was over you. You want to tell me I’m wrong?”
“You’re wrong.”
“And you’re a liar.”
I laughed out loud at her accuracy.
“Whatever his reasoning, I’m sure Tyler had a legitimate excuse. Anyway, let’s get down to why we’re here, shall we?”
“Please,” I answered. We were at the Portuguese restaurant where I’d met Brenda and the rest of the team at the end of their training camp. It was also the night of the first time Tyler and I kissed, so this place held a special place in my heart. Even though I was still pissed at him, I couldn’t help but smile at the memory.
“Will called me and said he’s running a little late but he’s on his way.”
“Good,” I replied as we settled into our table that sat right next to the window looking out into the parking lot. We would know exactly when Will arrived.
We ordered our drinks—a seltzer water with lemon for me, and a diet cola for Brenda—before we began talking about the issue at hand. I went over again with Brenda why I didn’t trust this Phillip Morris, finally confessing to her that I’d gone to meet with him in person under a fake name. Brenda was just about to let me have it when she noticed Will pull up.
“After this meeting, I’m going to kick your butt,” she stated low enough for me to hear as Will approached our table.
We stood as Brenda made the introductions. Will towered over both Brenda and I by at least a foot. As it turns out, they’d known each other since college, when Will and Mike played football together.
“So, Ms. McDonald, tell me what you’ve got.”
“Destiny, please.”
