He relaxed into his chair and gave me a look that reminded me of my dad so much that I had to force myself to focus on the face he was involved in this bullshit somehow. “Jeff, everyone changes and grows up. You’re a hell of a leader and you’re going to lead this team whether or not you continue after our season. If this was my last year coaching, would you take me any less seriously?”
“No.”
“Exactly. It’s the same thing. Go hit the gym or do something that’ll get relax you soon because I’m stressed just looking at you.” He hit the top of his desk and smiled. “Make sure you check in with Mac before practice. He wants to talk to you about something.”
“Will do.” I moved to leave his office and turned to give him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, Jeff. You know I got your back.” His eyes sparked when he said it, but I attributed it to excitement for the season. I wanted to see how much Amber heard and get her take on everything. Maybe she’d have good advice for me, but when I walked into the hallway, she was nowhere to be found.
22
AMBER
‘That I won’t be one of them anymore.’
Jeff’s words caused a pang in my chest and hearing him sound so vulnerable opened up feelings I’d shoved down deep.Like maybe I’m growing real feelings for him beyond lust.He wasn’t just the confident, good-looking guy who eased through life. He had his own insecurities and worries that plagued him just as I had mine. Maybe we weren’t so different after all.
Laughter traveled down the hallway and shoes clicked on the cement floor as two shadows danced on the wall nearing the office. One of the men said something, causing the other to respond and that voice sent a chill down my spine. I knew who that voice belonged to and the tiniest of hopes that I had to clear his name disappeared. My face tingled with fear.Uncle Martin.
He can’t see me here.
What do I do?
I darted down the hallway that we’d come in and tried every door I found, but they were all locked. Even with a hard jiggle, the handles wouldn’t budge and the chances of him not seeing me got lower and lower each second I wasted.Shit!Panic clawedat my throat and my heart beat so fast it physically hurt as each attempt at hiding failed. The voices got louder and I sprinted down the narrow pathway to the entrance and almost ran face-first into Brandon’s hard chest. He caught me, but I released a loudoomphat the contact.
“Amber?” he asked, a confused smile on his face as he eyed down the direction I can from. “Are you okay?”
“I need to-to go,” I panted, looking over my shoulder and trying to get out of his grip. I had a minute tops before they came into view. “The doors. Come on.”
“Seriously, what’s going on? You’re freaking out right now.” He moved a hand behind my back and gently pushed me in the direction I needed to be going. “Your face is flushed.”
“Yeah, I remembered something.” I started running when I saw the wide doors leading outside, but Brandon followed. “I’m good, I swear.”
“Hold the hell on.” He reached out to put his hand on my arm, holding me just outside the exit, and he spoke with an authority that surprised me. “I’m not the kind of guy who is going to let a girl run out of there looking like she saw a fucking ghost. Please, tell me what happened. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
I used my free hand to push my hair out of my face and sighed in semi-relief. We were outside, my uncle was not, and I was probably in the clear. I hopped down four more steps—to make a getaway easier if needed—and Brandon’s face was hard with concern. It warmed me to see him care, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. “I didn’t want someone to see me.”
“Why? Did they hurt you?” He looked back toward the building with a frown and I drew his attention back to me.
“No. No one hurt me. I promise.”
He released his hold on me and ran a hand through his hair. “Something’s not right. Why were you here? It’s Saturday and most of the guys aren’t here yet.”
I didn’t get time to answer. The doors swung open and my Uncle Martin walked out with his arm around the shoulders of a middle-aged man I hadn’t seen before. Every part in my body froze in place, unable to move or make a sound when his jovial face froze mid-laugh as his gaze landed on mine. Time stopped for ten seconds when we each stared at each other.What do I do? What is normal? Does he know?
No answer came to me. My mouth hung open and it wasn’t until Brandon cleared his throat that I snapped out of it. “Uncle Martin? What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing, Amber!” He transformed his face into a smile and closed the distance to give me a huge hug—like he always did. My spine tingled at his fake grin. It looked demonic. “It’s too damn cold for us to be talking out here.”
“Agreed. I was just finishing an interview with Brandon for one of my assignments. I’d love a cup of coffee to warm up if you have time?” I avoided Brandon’s curious stare as best I could, but with one quick glance, I saw him put some pieces together.
“Actually, I’m not sure I like my answer to the last question. Can we go over it again, if you don’t mind, sir? It’s my first year on the team and I really want to look good in her article,” Brandon said, moving closer to me and addressing my uncle.
“Of course. We have plans soon anyway.” He patted my cheeks and gave Brandon a nod before turning back to the man he walked out with. “Until next time, Tony.”
Tony, whoever he was, didn’t respond. He didn’t spare us a glance before marching back through the doors, leaving the two of us alone with the wind whipping around us. Brandon waited until the doors closed before eyeing me. “You didn’t want your uncle to see you. Why?”
“Notice how he didn’t say why he was here?”
