Page 61 of Quarterback Sneak

“Yep. She’s upstairs talking to Ivy. You’ve got some balls man.” Howler pressed the elevator button. “Hiring your ex to represent your current girlfriend’s friend is asking for trouble. I bet you they’re upstairs as we speak, comparing notes.”

“Ivy doesn’t need any assistance in that regard. Apparently, she already has a bad opinion of me. We had a fight tonight and I broke it off.”

Howler ran a hand through his dark hair and shook his head. “You broke up with her? Damn, I never saw that one coming.”

“Neither did I. She is mad because I didn’t tell her about the house and things kinda escalated.” Regret soured his stomach. A few simple words to Ivy about his situation and all of this could have been avoided. Except it wasn’t just about losing possessions, it was about disclosing an embarrassing truth, one he wasn’t too eager to reveal. “I didn’t think it important. I don’t even like that house. It was your idea to buy it, not mine.”

“Hey, don’t peg this on me. You’re the one who’s clueless. If you want to have a relationship, you have to share everything. Women dig that kind of shit. That’s why I told you to play the field. You may think you’re ready but you aren’t.”

At no point in his life had he been more ready to take the next step. “Are you kidding me? Of course I am. I even asked Ivy to marry me.”

“And she shot your ass down, I take it.”

The accuracy of his statement grated on his already raw nerves and he glared at Howler. “We were in the middle of a fight and I kind of blurted it out to prove my point. Not the most romantic thing I’ve ever done but I intend to ask her again. I love her and I’m not about to let her go,” he said with the sense of conviction.

His friend cleared his throat and leaned in close, a knowing gleam in his expression, which boded ill for Sam. “Listen. I want to let you in on a secret. You think I’m an asshole. Which I am. So you assume I am ignorant about women. I’m not. If you truly want to win Ivy back, you’re going to have to talk about your dad. You’re going to have to talk about your feelings about your dad. Women want to hear every gritty detail and if you can shed a tear or two, do it. They fall for it every time.”

“You really are a douche.” The elevator door opened and Sam stepped inside. “I’m not ignorant. I do have some experience with women. I haven’t lied to Ivy about my past.”

“Then why did she dump you?”

“She didn’t dump me.” Sam stared at the silver numbers inside the elevator and clenched his teeth, wishing his friend would drop the subject. He was smart enough not to ask for such a miracle. “We had a fight because she thinks I’m not genuine when I try to put a positive spin on a bad situation.”

Howler leaned against the stainless steel rail that ran the length of the elevator, arms crossed. “I told you the ‘blow sunshine up everyone’s ass’ routine sucked. Mr. Positive is annoying as hell. How many times have I told you that?”

Exasperated, he stabbed at the sixth floor button and looped the cane on the rail as the elevator began to ascend. Good or bad, it was an intricate part of his character, one that he never wanted to change. “And how many times have I told you I’m not going to?”

“Obviously, your way isn’t working. I’d suggest getting prepared for some serious sucking up. Tell her what she wants to hear and hope she doesn’t stomp on your heart again.”

“Gee, thanks for the pep talk.” A light ding heralded their destination and the silver doors slid open with a rough grinding noise. Howler meant well except his delivery needed a lot of work.

“Ivy is a good woman. She’s pretty and has a great ass. I’d do her.”

“I’ll break your fucking face if you try.” Sam stepped from the elevator. The thought of Ivy with anyone but him stung and he stormed across the hallway towards Beth’s room, more irritated by the comment than warranted.

“Hey douche, aren’t you forgetting something?” Howler twirled the cane in his hand and turned it toward Sam, handle out. “This afternoon you were Sir Gimpsalot, now you can walk? Did you see some faith healer you neglected to tell me about?”

Sam batted the handle away. “It stopped hurting about an hour ago. With all the activity I did tonight, it started to loosen up.” Sam tested the knee by putting his weight fully on it and only received a small twinge of discomfort in return.

Howler’s smile turned into a chuckle. “If I wasn’t afraid of being caught on camera, I’d kiss you now. I’m calling the team doctors tomorrow for another set of tests. If nothing else, it’ll get the ball in play.”

“Let’s not get too carried away. Healing takes time.” He prayed Ivy would give him the time to mind the rift between them. In a few short hours, dawn would approach. But the night was far from over. He couldn’t rest until he spoke with her. It wouldn’t be easy to bare his soul. His family and Howler were the only people conscious of Patrick’s true nature and the nature of his death. He’d made a vow to himself never to speak of it again. Except he’d also made a vow to Ivy that he’d do anything for her. Even more so, perhaps he needed to do it for himself.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ivy pulled her car into Sam’s driveway but left the ignition running. Exhaustion dogged her every move but she had to push through it. She had no choice. He’d ended their relationship, a sucker-punch every time she thought about it. Holding back tears, she stared straight ahead.

“Aren’t you coming in?” Sam asked.

She clenched the steering wheel and willed her voice to remain steady. “Why? You broke up with me.”

“I am sorry, I was being an ass. I didn’t mean it.” He shifted in his seat and removed his seat belt. “I love you.”

Tears welled in her eyes at his declaration, her throat closing. The wind had died down but the storm inside her still raged. While she wanted to melt, the basis of their breakup still sat at the forefront of her mind. If he didn’t open up to her, there was no reason to continue with their relationship.

Sam climbed out of the passenger seat and leaned against the open door. “Can we talk? Inside.”

“Talk.” The word sat heavy in the silence, her head spinning. Would he actually talk to her or simply offer more platitudes? If she left, she’d never find out. Biting her lip, she turned off the ignition and exited the vehicle.

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