Page 76 of Provoking the Punter

“Do you really think that I wouldn’t have told you first?”

“I had to ask.”

“The photo of you two was taken before the release about the separation.”

“Can I ask who took it?”

“You can ask Garrett.”

Chester laughed; she knew his curiosity would get the better of him. “Well played.”

“So you’re in? Garrett is concerned that you wouldn’t be.”

He winced as the barb hit hard and sunk deep. Garrett didn’t need those doubts weighing on him. He shouldn’t have left him hanging. In part because the less that was said, the more people would fill in the blanks or go searching to fill in the blanks. Control the story. Give people enough that they backed off. “Of course I’m in. Did you think I wouldn’t be?”

“I didn’t, but only because you want to keep your involvement with the team. For someone who doesn’t want any football drama, you are well and truly entangled.”

“Next thing you know, I’ll be turning up at games and sitting with the wives.” Dear God, he didn’t know who he was anymore because the idea of sitting and watching Garrett play was almost tolerable, and he was only on the field for like ten minutes tops per game. He spent longer on the field warming up than he did playing. Meanwhile, he’d have to sit there and make nice with the other families.

Caitlin laughed. “I’ll make sure you have tickets in the family section for the next home game.”

He had friends who would appreciate those seats. If he went, he’d be checking out the other players’ asses and rating them against Garrett’s perfect ten, just so that he didn’t fall asleep and start snoring. “I was joking.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Would you like me to get on a plane for your next away game, too?” His tone came out a little sharp.

Caitlin scoffed. “You have a business to run. No one expects you to drop everything because you’re dating a player.”

No, but he needed to play the game they wanted him to play. “How long until this dies down?”

“I don’t know. I have been told Mrs. Harrison is livid.”

“Is that from inside sources?”

“Yes, however, I have also been told that she is now aware it was not an affair, but a series of infidelities.”

“Well, that makes it so much better, considering she led with the affair and her timing was immaculate.”

“Garrett said the same thing, so I followed up. I’ve just emailed you the list of photos.”

Chester sighed and opened the email. “You’re sending a photographer?”

“I know you don’t like this and that you’re not speaking to Garrett at the moment, but we’re all on the same team.”

“That’s why I haven’t called him. I didn’t want to make it worse. Plus, he has things to do. He said Mondays are a big day.” She made a noise and Chester pressed on. “I will call him, but I want to make sure that I’m not going to lose my shit. He doesn’t need that. I am on his side and trying to do what is best for him and the team. And don’t tell me that we’re family.”

She laughed. “I wouldn’t dare tell you that because I know you don’t want to be part of the football family. Call me if you have questions, or if you need anything, or if you see a post that is troubling.”

More troubling than what was currently out there? What was the benchmark for troubling? Troubling to him, troubling to Garrett, troubling to the team? Where were the lines?

“Sure. I’m assuming you’re going to speak to Garrett and tell him I’m on board. Can you tell him I don’t return calls when I’m…” He didn’t want to use the word furious because that wasn’t quite right. He was scared. “Just tell him I needed some time.”

“I will. Good luck.”

He wasn’t sure it was luck he needed. But if that’s all he was getting, he could do quite a lot with a little luck and a lot of charm.

CHAPTER

---