Page 74 of The Keeper
“And that you were institutionalized for a mental disorder or something, which is why you left the team in Chicago.”
His head falls forward and he grabs the bridge of his nose.
“Anything else?” His words are small, his face morphed into a mixture of discomfort and frustration.
“He said you’ve only been in LA a few weeks and have already slept with a bunch of women.”
Mack releases his nose and grips his hands against the desk he is leaning on, his eyes looking back up to mine.
“And your honest reactions to those things?”
I let out an uncomfortable laugh, shifting on my feet. When I realize I have bitten my thumbnail down too far, I quickly pull it from my mouth and grip both hands behind me.
“Honestly?” He nods. “Your past doesn’t bother me, Mack. It’s your present and future that matter, and I just don’t see how I could ever fit into it.”
He looks surprised at my response, what with how he tilts his head to the side and begins to assess me as if I am a puzzle he can’t solve.
But before he can say anything to me, there’s a knock on his door. I turn quickly and open it, feeling slightly flustered at being interrupted at what feels like a critical moment for both of us.
“What areyoudoing answering the door?” Gina’s words are dripping with irritation.
“Gina, we were just finishing a meeting,” Mack’s firm response comes from behind me.
Slipping a sweet expression onto her face, she peers around me at Mack, who remains seated on the edge of his desk.
“Sorry, Coach. I’m a little early for our…,” she trails off, her eyes flying to mine. “…meeting.”
I look at Mack and have to do my best to not roll my eyes.
“I’m assuming we’re done here?” I say, the nervous energy on my skin beginning to build.
Mack looks at me for a beat, his gaze hard and focused.
“We’re finished for now, Ms. Jameson. But we’re definitely not done.”
I don’t even have a moment to digest his double-meaning before Gina pipes in from beside me.
“Piss off the coach, RJ?” she whispers. “That polished look you used to have just keeps wearing down further and further.”
This time I don’t try to hide the roll of my eyes.
“Have a good meeting, Gina,” I say clearly. “I hope you’re not here to talk to Coach about starting a new juice cleanse.” Her face blanches just slightly, her mouth going slack. “I hear those have been rough on you in the past.”
“Fucking bitch,” Gina mutters as I walk past her and down the hall.
Twenty minutes later, I’m opening my front door when a text comes through.
Mack: I meant what I said. We’re not done
Me: That’s very alpha-male of you and not really my style
Mack: I deserve a chance to tell you about my life frommyperspective
I play with my phone for a few minutes, unsure of how to respond. Yes, logically he does deserve a chance to tell me about his life.
I guess.
I wouldn’t want someone to go about their days assuming things about me without letting me separate fact from fiction. But what can he say that will change things?
