Page 22 of Provoking the Punter

“It’s not great. I’m paddling like a duck on this one, so I do not need Stevens exploding behind me.”

He wanted to reassure her, but he wouldn’t break Garrett’s trust. And he couldn’t exactly call up and ask for permission. “Did you talk to the PR people at the Copperheads?”

“Do I look like an amateur? That’s why I’m sure something is up, even they recited the same lines.”

“I don’t have any contacts in Oklahoma City.” That wasn’t completely true, but he doubted the people he knew could be much help. “None that would be useful, anyway.”

“I know you are in it for the charity and connections, not the football players.”

That had been true until last night. Now he was interested in one football player.

Chester put his hand over his heart as though offended. “I love a man in tight pants as much as the next straight woman or gay man. However, I couldn’t care less about the pigskin being thrown around.” He woke up his laptop and turned the screen. “The final amount going to the charity. I think we can safely say that the people with money are not sick of the dinners. Also, Stevens made more than the standard donation recommended.”

“I should be thrilled, and yet I’m suspicious.”

“Because he’s not the troublemaker you were expecting?”

Her pause was enough of an answer. “I shouldn’t judge when I don’t actually know him, especially when half the stories told are fake.”

Chester lifted one eyebrow. “Only half?”

“And you’ll never be sure which half if I’m doing my job.”

“Go and finish saving Grayson’s marriage.”

Caitlin shook her head. “I’m prolonging it until the end of the season.”

“That’s grim.”

“That’s business.”

CHAPTER

TEN

“I can see what you’re doing,” James said as he dried off.

Garrett shot him a glance. “Dressing?”

“Trying to look as though you fit in.”

Garrett pulled on shorts and a T-shirt. For the last couple of days, it felt as though cocksucker was stamped across his forehead. He was sure everyone would find out. His vow of celibacy hadn’t lasted very long. Although did it count if he hadn’t come? He had later. And every day since.

It had been years since he’d gotten on his knees. It was one of the things he’d let go of because he didn’t need those kinds of rumors. Sure there were outliers, but they were bigger than he was. And they didn’t have any kind of drama attached to their name. There was far too much speculation, especially as he hadn’t taken a spot on the bench yet.

“Mate, I turn up and train the same as you. That’s what I’m paid to do. That’s what Oliviera brought me here to do.” It was the media who expected James to retire.

They were speculating on which one of them would be cut.

Which one of them would play next year?

If it all went to shit, neither of them would be playing for the Troopers next year. If it went to shit, he’d be putting his degree to use. Something he wasn’t ready to do.

At least James had enough years behind him to have a nice nest egg, so he never needed to work again. That’s what Garrett wanted. He wanted a big enough sum in his savings account so he could decide his next move. He wasn’t going to retire with tens of millions the way star quarterbacks did, but four million American dollars, yeah, he could live on that for the rest of his life if he returned home. He didn’t need to live the highlife.

But he was a good bit short of his goal.

He needed at least another five years of playing.

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