Page 121 of Stick Side
“Unbelievable,” he muttered. “It wasn’t enough forThe Chicago Voiceto print false news and upset my family. Now they’re taking another go at me?”
He glanced up to see Coach McGuire wince.
The article was brief, essentially summarizing what had taken place with Cynthia Hargraves before saying that rumor had it Ben and Melody had become involved prior to the scandal. The article then went on to question whether it had all been too much for Melody, and to suggest she’d chosen to cut the bait and fish in less complicated waters.
“Ms. McGuire, who readers might recall is the daughter of Chicago Challengers’ assistant coach, Drayton McGuire, was recently seen looking very cozy with an unknown man,” Ben read aloud.
The angle of the photograph showed Melody in profile. While Ben would bet money it was her and not some doppelgänger, her expression wasn’t clear. What was clear, however, was the handsome man leaning across the table, pressing his hand against Melody’s arm, and staring at her with what looked like considerable depth of feeling.
“Is there any chance this is Melody’s ex?” Ben asked hopefully, eager to find a simple explanation as to why another man would have been touching her and looking at her with such longing. At this point, Ben wouldn’t put it past reporters trying to make a buck to dig up an old photograph for no other reason than to stir up trouble and make a story out of it.
“I’m afraid not,” Coach McGuire said, dashing Ben’s hopes with just a few words. “I know Jeremy.” Coach McGuire used his head to gesture at the photograph. “And that isn’t him.”
“Then who . . . ?” Ben thought aloud, fearing he might already have the answer.
Ben saw regret register on Coach McGuire’s face.
“Captain Thom’s grandson?” Ben thought aloud.
Coach McGuire sucked in his cheeks. “If I had to guess,” he stated, surprising Ben with his answer. Ben knew Melody and her father were close, but were they so close that they discussed the particulars of her romantic life?
“When I spoke to my wife earlier today,” Coach McGuire went on, his tone hesitant, “she gave me the impression that Captain Thom’s matchmaking endeavors had panned out.” He paused, watching for Ben’s reaction before adding, “And that Melody has been seeing his grandson, Nolan, for a few weeks now.”
Ben’sheart beat a nervous rhythm in his chest even as he tried not to get ahead of himself and jump to conclusions.“I knew that Melody had met up with Nolan once,” Ben said carefully, the other man’s name tasting bitter on his tongue, “but . . . not more.”
Not since their first date. Not since their feelings had grown and they’d taken their relationship to the next level.
Ben kept his comments deliberately vague. Even if he’d been inclined to discuss the particulars—which he wasn’t—Coach McGuire certainly didn’t need the intimate details of Ben’s relationship with his daughter.
Coach McGuire cleared his throat. “I’m sorry,” he sympathized. “I don’t want to be having this conversation any more than you do, but your personal life affects both the team and your play. And lord knows Jimmy isn’t going to be the one to have this conversation. Especially not when my connection to both you and Melody has pulled me into the media fracas.”
Ben winced. He’d known that his involvement with Melody had the potential to cause some backlash for both the team in general and Coach McGuire in particular, but he’d felt so confident in their inevitability that he hadn’t given the potential consequences any real consideration. Maybe he should have.
Coach McGuire shifted uncomfortably on his feet. Clearly, the older man had more truth bombs to drop.
“Whatever it is you have to say, just say it,” Ben requested as he braced himself for impact.
Coach McGuire cleared his throat uncomfortably but did as Ben asked. “I don’t know when this photo was taken—or who this man definitively is—but I understand that not only has Melody been out with Captain Thom’s grandson, they have plans to go out again later this week.”
Ben’s fists clenched. He was grateful he kept his nails short. He could only imagine the damage he’d be doing to his palms otherwise.
“And you felt this was something I needed to know?” Ben asked, the question leaving his lips more briskly than he’d intended.
Coach McGuire’s lips twisted into what Ben could only think to call a grimace. “You need to be prepared for the media to keep publishing pictures of Melody and Nolan. As much as I would rather keep my nose out of my daughter’s romantic affairs, we still have a game to play, and this team needs you to give it your best.”
“And surprise revelations aren’t likely to do anything good for my play,” Ben acknowledged.
Coach McGuire nodded curtly. “Correct. The stories circulating in the media might still affect you, but they’re unlikely to have as great an impact if you see them coming.”
The room fell silent as Coach McGuire gave him a chance to digest what he’d just said.
Ben’s head was spinning. He knew that he and Melody were going through a rough patch, but how could she do this to him? To them? Was she really dating someone else while they were together? Melody had mentioned wanting to pursue a friendship with Nolan, but this picture made their relationship look more than chummy.
Ben paused. He’d referred to Melody as his girlfriend, but had she ever called him her boyfriend? A sick feeling overtook him. Had he just presumed a level of commitment that Melody had never consented to? Despite her claims not to want anyone but him, had she not considered their relationship exclusive?
Ben bristled at the thought. If Melody hadn’t been on the same page, he would like to think she would have had the decency to at least set him straight. Then again, he thought with a pang, if she had tried to tell him, would he have even heard her? Had she given him an indication that he’d jumped too far ahead, and he’d simply chosen not to see it or hear it?
“Can I give you a little bit of unsolicited advice?” Coach McGuire asked, breaking into his troubled thoughts.
