“Cage, you edged Detroit out in overtime. Did you anticipate their defense rushing as much as they did today and how will you adjust for when they come to Minnesota next month?”
“We played the number two defense, but our offense practices against the number one, so we were ready. Of course we expected them to come hard, but my line did a great job of giving me a few extra seconds to find my receivers. One game at a time, but right now we’re three-and-oh, so the plan is to just keep practicing hard and bringing it on game day.”
Reporters spewed questions left and right, knowing damn well I’d only respond to the one from the network televising the game until I reached the locker room.
“What is your reaction to Lake Jones posing nude forBreaking Barriersmagazine?”
I turned. Flint and several security guys nudged me to keep going.
“Locker room,” Flint warned.
I glared at him for a moment then continued making my way off the field.
“What the fuck, Flint,” I gritted between my teeth.
“I don’t know.”
“How the hell do you not know? I pay you to know this shit.”
“You pay me to keep your reputation clean. Not hers. I can’t control her any more than you can.”
I turned before going into the locker room… “Find out.”
He chuckled. “You want me to call her?”
“No… yes… dammit!” I shook my head, trying to not make any more of a scene. “Never mind. I’ll handle it.”
LAKE
My bed.I missed my bed.
Cage didn’t reply to my message, but it was marked “read” so I knew he saw it. There was no doubt in my mind that he’d come straight to my apartment after he got off the plane—until he didn’t. Through my peephole I saw Everson arrive home. Two hours later… no Cage. No response. I had a monster headache from squinting into the peephole. I needed a new pastime.
I typed a text then deleted it, opting for a phone call since I knew he was off the plane. It went to his voice mail.
“Hey, um… congrats on your game. I guess you’re asleep by now, but if you’re not, call me. I’m sure I’ll be awake for another hour or more. So… bye.”
After brushing my teeth, I noticed my phone light up on my bed stand as I slipped off my leg.
Cage:Tell me about the nude photos.
He didn’t answer on purpose. How did he find out? I called his phone. Again, no answer.
Cage:Just tell me if it’s true.
I called again. Again, no answer. My eyes shifted from the call button to the time: 12:45 a.m.
Thirty minutes later I arrived at his door. The house was dark.
bang bang bang
The hall light illuminated, followed by the entry and the click of the door lock. He appeared in a pair of gray jogging shorts and nothing else, eyes squinted against the light.
“If you have more than ten pubic hairs attached to your balls, then you should have answered your phone like an adult.”
He stood resolute, blocking the doorway.
My eyes widened a fraction as I slid my hands up into the sleeves of my purple hoodie, then hugged myself to keep warm. “Wow. Really? The silent treatment. How mature of you.”
