Page 4 of Cupid Games

And yet, he would never have believed she would’ve gotten involved with a married man. What a stupid way to end a career.

People changed. And it had been five years since they graduated college, not speaking to one another. But soon there would be a reunion that he hoped he could somehow ruin for her.

Paybacks were a bitch.

CHAPTER2

As Emily Martin pulled into the teachers’ parking lot, she sighed. The roar of her Porsche seemed to draw attention from other people parking their cars.

Not exactly how she had planned her life, but sometimes you took a detour on your way to excellence. And this was most definitely an alternate route to where she wanted to go.

Professional ball was so different from what she expected, but she’d been happy until Michael Devans sent her packing.

A shiver rippled through her. Paybacks were hell and she was gathering information on Mr. Devans that she hoped one day would sendhimpacking. But until then, she felt fortunate to have found a small school in Texas that needed a coach.

From the glamorous life of a professional basketball player to a small town in central Texas, her life had taken a nose dive, but it wasn’t her fault. And someday she hoped to show the world what a monster Mr. Devans was. For the time being, the Cupid, Texas, girls’ team was in last place in their division and she would be fired if she didn’t turn this team around.

The biggest question she had was about the kind of players she had to work with.

With a sigh, she parked the car and started toward the gym. The first day would be the hardest, and she just wanted to learn what she would be dealing with.

Waiting for her at the door to the gym was Mr. Sidler, the superintendent. Why was he here? The school was small and she could see they only had one gym.

“Miss Martin,” he said, waving. “Welcome to Cupid High School. I’d like to talk to you for a moment.”

Oh no, she wondered if he’d learned about her reported affair with a married man.

“Of course,” she said. “Thank you for being here this morning.”

“Let me show you to your office,” he said, opening the door to the high school gym.

It was still early. School didn’t start for another thirty minutes, but already, there were students practicing drills on the basketball court. Male students. Not a single female among them. That would have to change.

He walked ahead of her toward a group of offices with windows that looked out onto the gym. They were at the back between the locker rooms.

“This is your office,” he said, walking in and closing the door. A moment of panic filled her as the memory of being shut in with Devans had her heart racing.

Sinking onto a chair, he pointed for her to take a seat behind the desk. Relief filled her that he was sitting, but still she was aware of his every move.

Why did she have a bad feeling about this supposed welcome visit? But if they were going to fire her, wouldn’t he have done it in the parking lot? Or called her?

“Our local newspaper learned about the reason you were fired from the Miners,” he said. “I had hoped that we wouldn’t have to deal with it here in Cupid, but we are. So I’m going to send them a statement. I’m asking you not to speak to the paper and hopefully this will die out in no time. But also realize that you cannot have any other marks against your morals or I will have parents screaming the place down.”

She’d been thinking the news media would find something or someone else to spread across their front pages for the last two months, but the story just kept popping up. What no one knew was that there were other victims just like herself.

Adultery, her ass. In his dreams, maybe.

“No problem. I’m sick of trying to defend myself. People will believe what they want regardless of the truth.”

Right now, she didn’t want to alert him that at some point, the attorney she’d hired would be making a statement about the case they were filing in court. But that wasn’t a topic of discussion for today.

“We’re just glad you’re here. And I can’t wait for you to turn this team around. Cupid needs to add the state championship trophy to its mantel.”

He wasn’t expecting a lot, was he? From last place to the state championship in one season. Sounded more like a miracle season than a realistic one.

She plastered a smile on her face. “We’ll do our best, sir.”

“Welcome to Cupid High School. Enjoy your first day. I know you’re going to be busy. When is the next game?”

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