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“Is what they said true? If the media finds out, will the guys get in trouble?” I chew my lips because I already know the answer. Penny’s lips purse slightly as she considers me.
“I’m not going to lie to you. The press is a big deal, and this could be pretty bad. Ultimately, Hartwell and Clarke aren’t super high-profile guys, they kind of move through life a little different than the stars of the team.” Just as the pressure in my chest starts to release, she keeps going. “But, if the press does find out, then yeah, this could be a real shit show. And I don’t know what will happen.”
It’s hard to hear that you’re basically bad for the men you’re falling in love with. I nod slowly.
“Thanks for being honest with me,” I say softly.
“I meant what I said, Libby. We’re a team and a family. We stick together, while I can’t guarantee a jersey chaser playing house won’t try to sell you out for a quick buck, it’s unlikely. They all have to sign pretty ironclad NDAs. Just talk to the guys about it, okay? I’m sure y’all can make it work if you want to.”
She rubs my arm and then claps her hands together.
“Now let’s go watch some damn football. My hellions are probably stuffing their faces with crap since I’ve been gone for so long.” I laugh with her and wash my hands before letting myself back into the suite. Getting back to my seat and I try to watch the third quarter, but my heart hasn’t figured out how to make it back to my chest. It sits in my stomach getting heavier and heavier until I make my excuses and leave before the game ends.
Chapter 15 – Noah
Libby:Hey, wasn’t feeling well. I’m going to head back to my apartment for the night. Great game.
I sit in front of my locker and stare at my phone with a sense of foreboding. I glance over at Luka and he’s my mirror image.
Noah:Honey, I’m sorry you’re not feeling good. Text me your address and we’ll swing by to get you.
Luka looks up when he sees my text and I can tell he’s just as worried as me.
I stand and get dressed. Neither of us are team stars so we don’t have to do press. We work hard and we’re important, but our faces aren’t the ones outside of the stadium. Early in my career, I realized I didn’t have the star power and personality to capture the fans' attention. I’d convinced Luka to go in on a couple of franchises with me and that’s how we made our millions. I don’t need to be in an underwear commercial because I diversified my money and invested. We could both retire today and struggle to spend the money we’ve made.
I check my phone again and still no message from Libby. How have we basically been living with her for almost a month and a half without seeing her place? Fucking mistake.
Luka shoulders his bag, and we walk out of the locker room toward the family meeting area. I hate how much I was looking forward to seeing Libby’s face at the other end of this tunnel tonight. I’d played hard for her, taking more hits because I wanted to win. Show her, I don’t know, how serious I was about football. How serious I could be about her.
We enter the big lounge and try to skirt around the crowds of families waiting for their players. Penny Thomas taps my arm as I pass her, and I look down. Penny’s a good egg, the wife of our quarterback and the de facto leader of the wives.
“Hey Penny, had a good time?” She nods and gestures for us to keep walking. She walks next to me until we leave the lounge and both Luka and I stop to hear what she has to say.
“Hey, I noticed Libby left early and I just wanted to give y’all a heads up that some of the girls were saying some nasty crap about her that she overheard.”
Luka grumbles next to me, and I couldn’t agree more. Some guys don’t know how to be more discriminate about where they put their dick and invite girls that aren’t really interested in the long haul to the friends and family suite. It’s hard on the families, not being able to totally let their guard down when there might be a chick looking for their fifteen minutes of fame.
“What did they say?” I try to keep my tone polite because I sure as hell don’t want to piss off Thomas. We’d talked to a few of the leaders on our team about our family situation and asked for their support. While there had been some raised eyebrows, for the most part everyone had been chill about it.
“A few comments about her weight but I think what freaked her out was their gossip about the press. She asked me if y’all would get traded if the press made a big deal about y’all being a –” She hesitates and circles her hand in the air in front of me, “Throuple?”
I ignore that question. I don’t know what the fuck this is called. I love Libby and Luka loves Libby. We’re better together and that’s that.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know, Hartwell. She asked me if y’all would get in trouble. She seemed really worried about it. That was at halftime. She stuck it out for the third quarter then bolted.” Penny shrugs and I suck in a deep breath through my nose trying to tamp down the worry. Would it be a shit show? Sure. Do I give a fuck? Nope.
“Thanks, Penny,” Luka says, and she pats his shoulder.
“I wish y’all the best of luck. Love is love, we got your back for whatever.” She waves and walks back into the lounge.
“Why the hell didn’t we think to get Libby’s freaking address?” Luka growls and I clench my fists because I’m pissed about it too. If I’m honest, I’m pissed that someone made Libby feel uncomfortable and that she left. That she didn’t feel like she could tell us.
“I don’t know, man,” I reply walking down the hallway. Luka follows me and I scroll through my phone looking for the right contact. I worked with a PI last year on some background checks. When we get into Luka’s SUV, I can still smell Libby’s sweet perfume and I hit the call button.
“Hey, Sam? Can you find an address for me?”
Chapter 16 - Libby
