Page 89 of Roughing the Player
My mind travels back to the night I found her in the condo. She’d explained things so glibly. The movers parading my bed posts through the lobby, dropping a box of my toys. All true since the turd knew about it. She never explained the extent of her discussion with Marty. What if he asked her to do more than unpack my things? I’ve seen Marty in action. He’s a shark, about as cutthroat as they come. There’s nothing he won’t do for his clients.
And when he’d called about the trade, he’d warned me. No partying, no screwing around. I can only imagine what he thought when Ellie told him about the furniture fuck up. He probably saw his commission go up in smoke. He’s not the kind to allow that to happen. No, he would have done something about it. And that something would have included Ellie, because he knows how eager she is to succeed. What if he’d asked her to keep me in line? And in return, she would get a big, fat, bonus check.
Acid churns in my stomach. Money means a great deal to her. Look at the way she’d snapped at me when I turned down my father’s blood money. If Marty had asked her to go beyond the line of duty, she would have done everything he’d asked and more.
The sound of her car pulling into the driveway reaches me. Kaylee’s still at school so we’re alone for now. Good. We’ll need privacy for what’s about to go down.
Ellie rushes in, breathless from carrying totes filled with food. Sporting the gorgeous tan she got in Bora Bora, she’s beautiful enough to make a grown man weep.
“You need any help?” I fight to keep my tone light.
“Do you mind? There are more bags in the car.”
“Of course not.”
Once the groceries are put away, she pulls out a baking pan and pours some pungent liquid over chicken. “I’m making that dish you like, the one with the spicy sauce.”
Anything to keep me happy, right? “Can you stop that for a few minutes? We need to talk.”
Some other person would ask ‘What about?’ Not her, though. “Sure. Let me put this in the fridge to marinate.” After washing her hands, she walks toward me, wearing a happy grin. “What’s up?”
I wait until she’s seated next to me on the couch. “Marty called. The South Carolina Wolves want me as their starting quarterback.”
“Oh.” Her smile wobbles. “How wonderful. That’s what you wanted.”
“Their offer was too low. So he’s going to work on them.”
“Don’t worry. He’ll get it.” Glancing down, she clasps her hands on her lap, as if she’s struggling to contain some emotion.
“Yes, I expect he will.” Even to my own ears, I sound downright miserable.
She lifts her head and spends time scrutinizing me. “You don’t seem pleased. What’s wrong?”
I hold out the paper I’ve been holding in my hand. “What’s this all about?” I know damn well what it is and why she’s getting it, but I want to hear it from her lips.
“My bonus check. I was going to drop it off at the bank, but I forgot it in my rush out the door.” Her brow knits. “Did you open my mail, Brock?”
“It was right there on the coffee table.” Not a lie. It’s the truth. Just not the whole truth.
“Oh. I thought I’d put it back in the envelope.” She brushes fingers across her creased brow. “My mind’s all muddled. It’s still on Bora Bora time. Guess I’ll need to deposit it on the way to work.”
She reaches out, but I don’t give it to her. Instead, I point to the memo portion. “It says ‘For extraordinary services rendered.’ What does that mean?”
Her face heats up. That’s when I know everything I fear is true. She’d gladly spread her legs and fucked me. All for a few measly pieces of silver. God, I’ve been such a fool.
“You know why. I told you.” Her words sound hollow to me.
Unable to be near her, I jump to my feet and round the table. Anything to put distance between us. “Tell me again.” I grit out.
“After the furniture debacle, Marty asked me to move into the condo to provide cover for you. I argued against it, but he wouldn’t give in. It was supposed to be temporary. Until you got a new place.” She ends in a rush.
“Is that all you were required to do? Move in?”
She chews on her lip. “Yes.” Even a blind man would know she’s lying.
“Care to try that again?”
Her gaze bounces away from me. “No.”
