“Do you think they followed me to Auckland?They must’ve since they had photos of me and Bryce together.Someone took those photos today.”
“Yes,” Henry said grimly.His phone rang.“Damn, can you get that for me?I’m waiting for confirmation of a job.”
“Henry’s phone,” she chirped and pushed the speaker button so Henry could hear.
“You like old, rich men?”a low voice growled.“Sugar daddies?”
Henry stiffened.“Who is this?”
“Setting yourself up for pain.She’ll find someone richer and move on.”
“Who is this?”Maia demanded.
A cackle sounded before the call ended.
“Fuck,” Henry said, stunned and uncomfortable at the caller’s insinuations.
Maia cursed under her breath.“Don’t you dare pay attention to what that…person said.Heck, I wasn’t sure if it was a male or a female.You know I don’t care how much money you have, right?Henry,” she snapped.“I’m with you because you’re attractive and sexy, and I have the hots for you.I’ve dated men my age, and they’ve all disappointed me.You don’t.Got that?Henry!”
“Yes,” he said.When he was with Maia, the years between them faded.It was rarer now for him to worry that he was taking advantage as he had at the start.However, this person had a problem and was intent on causing a rift.
“I wonder how they got your number.”
“It’s painted on the side of my vehicle.”
“Right.Could we trace their number?Laura, I mean,” Maia said.
“It’s probably a prepaid phone.We’ll talk to Laura, but I don’t like this call, or that someone was spying on us.When is your next game?”
“It’s a home game against the Southland team,” Maia said.
“We’ll make sure Laura or Charlie attends, and I’ll enlist other helpers to watch people on the sideline,” Henry said.What he didn’t say, but it worried him big time.What prevented the unsub from shooting Maia with a rifle from afar?
Henry reported the social media pictures, the nasty posts, and the phone call to Laura while Maia unpacked her suitcase.She’d purchased what Sam called a base wardrobe with pieces that worked together.
While she’d been with Henry, her anger had kept her level, but now that she was safe, a tremor racked her body, and tears burned her eyes.She was trying to hold it together, but these repeated attacks were getting to her.And now, someone was trying to drive a wedge between them.The last thing she wanted was for Henry to panic or get weird ideas in his brain, thinking he knew what was best for her, so she worried.
The only time she forgot was when she was playing rugby.Something about the game’s physical nature helped her to focus.
Her phone jangled, the intrusive sound making her start.Maia was unfamiliar with the number, and that made her hesitate.
“No, this is stupid.”She scooped it off the dresser and answered the call.
“Yes?”
“Maia Jacobs?”a man asked.
“Yes,” Maia said cautiously because she didn’t recognize the voice.
“This is Gary Hart.I’m a selector for the Black Ferns.This year, we’re choosing forty players, having a training camp, and picking our team from these women.Your skills have impressed us, and we’d like to include you in our training camp.What do you think?Are you willing to attend?”
Maia opened her mouth, but a croak emerged.
“Are you still there?”Gary asked.
“Yes!”Maia blurted.Her end goal was selection for the Black Ferns, but she hadn’t thought it would come this quickly.“Yes, I’d love to attend the training camp.”
“Excellent.”A trace of amusement filled Gary’s voice now.“If you give me your email address, I’ll forward the details.”
