Page 60 of Quarterback Sneak

She paused and the astute lawyer caught her hesitation.

“But?”

The dam inside Ivy burst. “He refuses to talk about anything of importance and when I ask, he offers me some canned platitude about how everything will be ok. If he tells me not to worry one more time, I am going to bonk him over the head. I am not an idiot, nor am I naïve enough to think everything will be all right. I found out tonight, that his house is being foreclosed on. Can you guess how I found out? I drove up to his house and saw the sign. He didn’t even have the decency to tell me. I had to find out for myself.”

“Sam is your classic overachiever. Trust me. I talked about him enough with my shrink to recognize the traits. Before all this drama started to happen, he was at the top of his game. Despite the spectacle surrounding him, he’s still adored by millions of people. Not only is he perceived as a hero on the playing field, to many, he is a hero in true life.”

“And when you’re at the top, the only place you can go is down.” Ivy fiddled with the necklace and allowed the smoothness to sooth her. “Despite everything that has happened to him, it doesn’t make him any less a man in my eyes.”

“I can tell you love him.” Compassion marked Raina’s brow.

“I do. I’m just not sure if I can be with him.” She struggled with the uncertainty his comment had provoked. Wearied by indecision, she let out a long, audible sigh. “He asked me to marry him tonight, well, kind of. We had a big fight and he let it slip he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.”

“If there is even a small chance of a future between you, hold onto the hope with both hands. He’s a stubborn and prideful man but worth the risk. He and I would have never worked. We never had much in common other than football and contracts.”

“I am sick to death of hearing about that damn contract.” Ivy released a harsh laugh. “Miller has suspended negotiations. Or at least that’s what the news says. Per usual Sam has kept quiet on the subject.”

“The team has a gag clause on all extension contracts. He’s not at liberty to discuss any details about the contract with anyone but his agent and the legal department.”

And yet he never saw fit to inform her of the fact. That was one thing less she had to resent him over. Ivy palmed the pendant, gaining comfort from its weight. “Then for his sake, I wish his life would get back to normal.”

She dropped the stone and stood when the nurse pushed Beth by in a wheelchair. With Raina at her heels, she followed her friend back to her room. Was Raina right? Had she given up on Sam too soon? Her head screamed no but her heart begged for one last chance.

Sam entered the long, narrow cafeteria and with each stride, the tightness in his knee slackened. Hope shot through him, lessening the tension in his chest that he’d carried with him since the injury. He raised his cane and put more pressure on his leg. Over the past week, he’d been dogged by throbbing pain. Tonight it seemed to have eclipsed into a dull twinge. Yes! He flipped the cane over his shoulder and took a few more tentative steps.

“Good evening, Sam.” Cassandra Smith and her cameraman were positioned at the end of the hall. The camera was raised, red light flashing. Triumph lit her face as she clasped her microphone in one slender hand.

“Hi Cassandra. How are you doing?” Crap, she was the last person he wanted or expected to see. He’d managed to evade the media since his accident but he couldn’t avoid the inevitable.

“I’m doing fantastic.” She stepped aside to allow the cameraman to get his shot. “How are you? How is your knee?”

“I’ve been doing physical therapy and the swelling has gone down.”

“Excellent. You’ve definitely experienced some tragedy lately. The fans of Seattle are dying to find out if you’re going to sign. Can you comment on that?”

“Nope, I’m afraid he can’t,” Howler said, coming to stand between Sam and Cassandra. The woman’s eyes blazed fire at the newcomer and her slender shoulders tensed. “If you want an interview with Sam, you’ll need to contact my office and speak with the P.R. department.”

Cassandra shook her head, determination in the set of her jaw. “Sam is right here and the camera is rolling. Why not answer my question and get it over with?”

“No. Now, don’t you have an ambulance to chase?” Howler asked.

“That’s an attorney, you idiot.” Cassandra gave the kill signal to her cameraman.

Sam used the opportunity to grab two paper coffee cups. His fight with Ivy still sat utmost in his mind and he was grateful for Howler’s interference because he didn’t have the energy to field her questions. “Then what are you doing here with a cameraman? Obviously you’re after some news story.” Howler stared her down, the light of battle in his eyes. Cassandra appeared a worthy opponent. Perhaps his friend hadn’t given her enough of a chance.

“A drive by at a local bar. One person died and two more were wounded. They’re in surgery as we speak.” She glanced back at Sam. “What are you both doing here?”

“My friend was in a fender bender and hit her head.”

“Friend? As in Ivy Turin?” Cassandra asked.

“As in none of your business.” Howler grabbed Sam’s arm and pulled him away. “You’re not getting an interview, Cassandra, so give it up.”

“You’re such an asshole, Howler. I don’t have any idea what I ever saw in you.” Cassandra Smith mumbled before she disappeared down the hall, her cameraman following.

“That was fun,” Howler said. “Too bad that ship has sailed. She’s quick on her feet. Off her feet, well, she’s a bit boring. Sad, really, but oh well.”

“She’s right. You are an asshole.” Sam paid the cashier for the coffee and shoved the paper cup holder into Howler’s hand. Together, they walked toward the bank of elevators. “Did Raina come with you?”

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