Page 77 of Thoroughly Innocent Intent

“Of course, I do. I know football is the most important thing in your life. The next phase of your career comes second to that, and only because you can’t play forever. You’ll do whatever you have to do to prepare for that next step. Improving your image falls under that category.”

“I would never use someone else to further my career.” I cross my arms in front of my chest.

“You’re using a foundation for that,” he counters.

I open my mouth to object, but nothing comes out. He’s right, at least as far as what set me on this path. It’s become more, but it didn’t start out that way.

“I got into it for the wrong reasons, you’re right. But I’m doing it for the right reasons. This isn’t just something I slapped my name on, it’s important to me. She’s important to me.”

“More important than football?” He cocks an eyebrow. When I don’t answer, his jaw drops open.

“How much groveling do I have to do?” I rub my forehead to relieve the building tension.

He snaps his mouth shut, pushes his glasses up his nose.

“Shit,” I grunt. “Where’d she go?”

He looks over his shoulder, in the direction of the coat room. By the time I get there it’s empty.

Samantha

Ireachformyphone on the nightstand and turn it off, knowing the calls won’t stop, although why he’d even bother is beyond me. His agent pretty much said it all.

“You two really pulled this off,” the stranger says as the room starts to applaud Colt’s speech. The comment isn’t made with any malice, more like astonishment, which is just as unsettling.

“That seems to surprise you, but I’m not sure why. This is a good cause and we’ve worked hard to make our potential supporters aware of that.”

“Oh, I’m not talking about the event. I knew you’d pull that off or I wouldn’t have recommended Colt work with you.”

“You recommended…are you Chase?” We’ve only ever spoken by phone, and he wasn’t on the guest list for this evening, unless Colt added him last minute. My eyes dart to the front of the room, where Colt is trying to work his way past a barrage of people who seem to be congratulating him, so I can’t make eye contact.

“I am. And I have to say, you’ve done a brilliant job with this foundation. I knew you’d find something that would resonate with him. Between the foundation and this thing you two have cooked up, he’s really softened his image. He comes off as more responsible, someone people can take seriously. He’s virtually guaranteed his choice of career after football, although a Super Bowl win would really seal the deal.”

Again, the words don’t hold any malice, but they cut just the same. What does that mean, this thing we’ve cooked up?

“What thing?”

“The dating thing. Being linked to someone with such a great track record of charitable success really boosts Colt’s visibility in that space. Whose idea was it? Colt didn’t get a chance to tell me before he had to give his speech.” He adjusts his glasses with a slender finger.

I stare at him blankly.

“Deny, deny, deny. Good plan,” he chuckles. “Has Colt explained what’s coming with the playoffs? If they go all the way, things will get very interesting. Invasive almost. The press is always hungry for news on the players, including their personal lives.”

The air gets caught in my lungs.

“I told Colt I can help run interference, so they don’t bother you too much. If you aren’t used to it, it can be pretty overwhelming, and I’m not sure how well your backstory will hold up to the extra scrutiny, so the more distance we can keep between you, the better. Of course, I’m sure you’re counting on the visibility to drive business. We can make you visible without subjecting you to the press.”

I open my mouth to respond, but the pain in my chest stretches to my limbs as well as my voice, rooting me in place. Speechless.

“Ah, you haven’t discussed it. Makes sense. These guys are notoriously superstitious. They wouldn’t want to hurt their chances by making plans that assume they’ll be in the big game. We can revisit this after the next round. It was lovely to meet you in person. Thanks again for all your hard work. Brilliant.” He turns to the bar and signals the bartender, dismissing me without actually dismissing me.

Things are a bit of a blur after that. I remember leaving the venue. I remember coming to the hotel so Colt couldn’t find me, although I’m not sure why I thought that step was necessary. Maybe some part of me didn’t want to give him a chance to justify the ruse, or try to convince me why it should continue. Maybe I’m afraid to have him confirm it.

My heart wants to deny what I heard. It wants to believe Chase’s words were wrong, even though he clearly believes them to be true. Surely the insightful man I’ve come to love, the one who’s always trying to learn from his faults, isn’t capable of such a deception. And I’d certainly never give someone my body or my heart under those pretenses.

Oh God! Is that what I’ve done? Did I fall for some sweet words and gestures designed only to gain my compliance? Did I give myself to a man who only wanted to boost his public image? If this was a ruse, did Colt pursue me on his own, or was I part of some bigger plan they cooked up together?

Delaney was right. She predicted Colt’s feelings could be boiled down to some carefully crafted words, not a genuine connection, and I was too naïve to see the truth. Not only that, I was offended by the truth I didn’t want to see, and got upset with her because of it. She had him pegged. I was a pawn, plain and simple. That’s why he didn’t tell his friends or his daughter about me until he had to. Or said he loves me.

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