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"What do you mean?"
"You and Phoebe."
"She's an unusual lady."
"What have you told her about the candidates for the GM job?"
Despite the grip Dan had on him, Ronald's gaze was steady and disconcertingly confident. "I'll tell you what I haven't told her. I haven't told her Andy Carruthers is the best man for the job."
"You know he is."
"Not if he can't handle Phoebe."
Dan slowly released him, and his voice was dangerously quiet. "Exactly what are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying I've got your butt in a sling, Dan, because right now the only person she trusts who knows a damned thing about football is me. And I got fired."
"You deserved to be fired! You weren't doing your job."
"I got her to sign those contracts the first day, didn't I? From what I hear, nobody else has been able to do that much."
"You had time after Bert died to prove yourself, and you blew it. Nothing got done."
"I didn't have the authority to act because Phoebe wasn't returning my phone calls." He lit a fresh cigarette and had the nerve to smile. "But I'll guarantee she returns them now."
Dan's temper ignited, and he grabbed a fistful of Ronald's fancy European lapels. "You son of a bitch. You're sleeping with her, aren't you?"
He had to give the kid credit. His complexion went a little pale, but he held his ground. "That's none of your business."
"No more games. What are you after?"
"You're not stupid, Dan. Figure it out for yourself."
"You're not getting your job back."
"Then you're in big trouble because Phoebe won't do anything unless I tell her to."
Dan clenched his teeth. "I ought to beat the shit out of you."
Ronald swallowed hard. "I don't think she'd like that. She's crazy about my face."
Dan thought furiously, but he could only come to one conclusion. Ronald had him pinned behind the line of scrimmage and nobody was open. It went against his grain to fall on the ball, but he didn't seem to have a choice. Gradually, he let go of the kid's shirt. "All right, you've got your job back for now. But you'd better control her or I'll have your ass hanging inside out from the yard markers. Do you understand me?"
Ronald flicked his cigarette away and then lifted the collar of his sport coat with his thumbs. "I'll think about it."
Dumbfounded, Dan watched him walk away.
By the time Ronald reached his car, he had sweated right through his jacket. Dan! He'd called the coach Dan and he was still alive. Oh, God. Oh, Lord.
Between the cigarettes and a rapid heartbeat, he'd begun to hyperventilate. At the same time, he'd never felt better in his life. Settling into the driver's seat, he grabbed the phone. After he fumbled with the buttons for a few moments, Phoebe came on the line.
He gasped for breath and pushed the videotape of Risky Business she had given him out from beneath his hip.
"We did it, Phoebe."
"You're kidding!" He could envision her wide, generous smile.
"I did exactly what you said." He gasped. "And it worked. Except now I think I'm having a heart attack."
