Page 24 of Playing for Keeps
“Hmm.” I had just lied to my father for the first time; it wasn’t a feeling I liked, but I had no choice. Just his question alone, I knew he would put all the blame on Cameron for anything that had happened between us. “Good thing, he doesn’t need any more trouble.” With a smile, my father kissed me on the cheek, leaving me confused by his statement.
“What do you mean, any more trouble?” I asked, turning toward him before he could leave.
“His ex coming to the locker room, causing a commotion over them getting back together. Nothing for you to worry about, dear. She got the answer she wanted and left without incident. You know me with my no drama rule.” He smiled. “Safe travels.”
I turned toward Marty; confusion surely plastered across my face. The answer she wanted. What did that mean? Had I been fooled by his denial that he was in a relationship with someone? The entire ride home, it was all I could think about, the smallconversation he and I had about Sofia’s mother playing back like a record skip. I wanted to talk with him, ask him what had happened, why he hadn’t mentioned it, but how could I? I had his phone.
The following afternoon, I finished opening the bar, though my head just wasn’t in it. I hadn’t spoken to Cameron since the hotel, which left me with time to stew on what my father had insinuated, what I could only imagine as him getting back with his ex. This was precisely what I had feared about dating a player: the games. I told myself Cameron wasn’t like that, I hadn’t been fooled, and it was all a misunderstanding. Why would my father lie? It caused me to question a man, as far as he was concerned, with whom I had no connection.
Ready for my shift to end, and my relief to get there, I leaned against the counter, swiping through my phone. I had searched for any pictures from St. Louis a fan might have taken of Cameron and me, hoping to find some, but I found nothing. Not even the group pictures at the restaurant had been shared. Sighing, I turned to the customer who had taken a place at the bar, pushing my device into my pocket with a smile at the woman.
“Hey, what can I get ya?” She sat with this glare as if I had stolen her husband, pure and utter disgust. “Something wrong?” I asked.
“Yeah, there is.” She paused. “You need to stop fucking my boyfriend.”
Gasping at her command, her loud words drew the attention of many customers. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Playing the sweet innocent woman isn’t going to work with me. I know you for what you are. A homewrecker.” My brows furrowed, confused a second longer when I took in her features.
“You’re Cameron’s ex.” She laughed, a threatening laugh.
“I’m not his ex.” She declared. “We will always be in one another’s lives. We share something you don’t. A daughter.” Scoffing at her, I shook my head with a step back from the counter.
“He told me about you, how he dumped you because you were a head case.” I snapped back, anger swelling inside.
“He’s never done with me, honey, you’re a fool if you believe anything else.” I wanted to punch her; for the first time, I imagined committing violence against someone. “I’m here to tell you, stay the fuck away from Cameron. He’s mine, will always be mine. I’m only warning you once.” She gave me a smirk and, before I could say a single word, slid from the stool and left the bar.
My body felt hot, and I was enraged. Glancing back at Chad, I motioned to the back, where he just nodded his head with his palms up. With a swift movement, I moved to the office, grabbing my purse from the desk. Dialing Marty, I hurried from the bar without a word to Chad or even caring that I was leaving him alone. Marty answered after the third ring, and just as I hoped, she was with Easton.
“I need to speak with Easton,” I demanded, Marty giving over the phone without a rebuttal.
“Yo.”
“Where is your brother?” I asked, my tone stern.
“Probably at the stadium doing his training. Why?” Without a word of explanation, I climbed into my car and headed toward the stadium.
CHAPTER 22
CAMERON
It was my favorite time at the stadium, those moments where I could work out to my music, take an ice bath at my leisure, and sit in the steam shower if I wanted. There was no random chatter that I felt obligated to join in on. No stories of conquest, I believed, were lies half the time. No coach yelling, "I needed to do this or that." No trainer telling me I should be lifting this or interchanging this exercise with some new fab they had read about. It was my time; no text, no calls, not even my thoughts plagued me when I trained. I was free from it all.
I hadn’t spoken to Hannah since the hotel, and though I hated being away from her, I needed the time to decompress, get out of my head. I planned to visit her house that evening, surprise her with flowers, and have dinner, perhaps even watch a movie. We had grown closer while in St. Louis, and I wanted to keep the momentum going. It had been so long since I’d shared quality time with a woman who wasn’t my daughter or best friend that it felt nice.
As I finished my shower, I made my way toward my locker when the double doors flew open, bringing my attention there instantly. Nobody should have been there; everyone from security to the cleaning department knew it was my time.Stepping to the center of the room, I smiled as Hannah entered, though it quickly faded as I saw the angry expression on her face. She looked through me, her stride in my direction one of determination. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t put me off balance a little.
“Hey, babes.”
“Don’t you hey babes me, you shit.” Her tone was forceful.
“Um…what’s up?” Confused, I stood tall before her.
“Why don’t you tell me?” She demanded.
I waited for her to explain more, to add something, but she stood there with her arms crossed, a glare that could start a fire. Chuckling, I shrugged my shoulders. “I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about,” I admitted.
“I had a visitor today at work, someone who told me that you were taken and I’d do best to stay away from you.” My confusion faded, giving way to anger.
