“No,” he asserts. “I don’t even think I know her.”
“Then why would she accuse you of such a thing?”
Kam shrugs. “A payout, maybe? I wouldn’t be the first athlete it’s happened to.”
“Despicable.”
“Whatever the reason, it’s destroying my reputation.” He scrubs his face with his hands. “Which, in turn, is destroying my career.”
“Her accusation doesn’t affect the way you play football,” I argue.
“No, but reputation is everything when you’re being drafted. No one wants to recruit a bad seed.”
“Anyone who knows you knows that you would never hurt or disrespect a woman. And if you don’t get drafted because some stupid girl looking for attention cried rape, the NFL needs to seriously re-examine itself.”
Kam smiles wearily. “Thanks, Laney.” He puts his hand on my bare knee and heat races across my skin. “How is it every time my career is in jeopardy, you always know the right thing to say?”
“I’m a genius.” I laugh nervously.
Kam laughs, too, pushing my knee playfully. He’s so cute when he’s just Kam. Not Mr. All-Star or Mr. Popularity. Just Kam. We stare quietly at each other for a long while. The energy in the room heavy, suppressive almost.
Dangerous, emotional, heated door that warns Enter At Your Own Risk.
“It’s getting late. You should probably get some rest.” I move to stand, but he snatches my wrist.
“Can you stay with me?”
I crease my eyebrows. “Kam, I don’t think—”
“Come on, Laney. This is probably the worst day of my life. I don’t want to be alone.” He looks at me with raw emotion.
I know it took a lot for Kam to admit that. And he must really be hurting if his defenses are down.
“Okay.” I give in. How can I say no to such a bleeding plea? “Lie down.”
Kam situates himself on the three-cushioned couch so I can slide up next to him. I rest my head on his chest as he wraps both arms around me. He smells like rain. We’re scrunched pretty tightly, but somehow we make it work. We lie there just listening to the storm. Thunder cracking and lightning brightening the room every now and again.
After a while, I start to drift off, warm and secure in Kam’s embrace.
“Hey, Lemon,” Kam says just before I fall asleep.
“Yeah?” I murmur.
“Nice shirt.”
