by Mary Smith
He’d grown used to Hamilton’s serious demeanor, but this was a new level. He stood taller. His voice stronger and determination oozed off him. Shade studied the plays and was impressed by what he showed. Hamilton had been around long enough, and he knew the game. Anyone looking in from the outside would think he’d been a coach for years.
A couple of hours passed before Hamilton dismissed them to go to the media room. He told them all to be suited up for tomorrow’s practice. Shade mentally prepared himself because he knew they would be wanting to talk to him.
“Damn, this season is going to be off the chain,” Zerrick said next to Shade and Jarvis.
“Did you use the term off the chain?” Jarvis had to stop walking to ask his question.
“Yes. How else would you say it?” Zerrick asked.
“Something besides off the chain,” Jarvis mumbled and started walking again.
Shade chuckled at the two of them. Just before they were about to reach the media room, his name was called out from behind him.
“Hi, Kian,” he greeted the PR director.
“Congratulations on the new title.” Kian Wick grinned.
“Thanks.” He would need to stop feeling weird when people commented on his new position.
“I want you to meet Cat.” Kian turned slightly to the young female standing behind him. “She’s our new PR assistant.”
The blonde with big blue eyes held out her hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Same.” Shade gave her hand a simple, firm shake and released it.
“She’s going to help you navigate your interviews this afternoon,” Kian explained.
“Okay.” He nodded. “Lead the way.” He gave her a small smile. He thought he noticed her cheeks flush but ignored it.
“You’re going to be bombarded today with questions about your trade rumors and becoming captain,” Cat stated as they walked. “It would be best to keep your answers short and sweet.”
He listened as she continued to talk about what he should and shouldn’t say.
“You act as if you’ve been doing this for a while,” he commented as they reached the door of the media room.
“I worked for the Tigers for the past three years,” she told him.
“You look like you’re barely out of high school.”
Cat giggled and touched his arm. “I’m twenty-six. I just look young.”
She gave his arm a slight squeeze and bit her bottom lip. Dropping her hand, she opened the door for him. Inside the small room, the reporters began asking questions all at once. It took him a second to get his bearings.
The voices seemed to be rapid firing at him. Normally, Shade would be perfectly fine with the media, but he never had this many coming at him all at once. When he completed his media session, Cat escorted him to what the players would call the ‘photograph room’.
Here he was given his new jersey with a bright C on its chest. He hadn’t been too emotional about being captain until that moment. He wished Jenessa was here with him because they would always do a family photo. Again, Edgar’s words came back to haunt him. As he tried to remain focused Jenessa continued to float in his thoughts.
Finally, he managed to get away from everyone and out to his car before anyone could grab at him again. He wanted to call Jenessa. There was nothing else he wanted to do but tell her about his day. Staring at her name on his cell phone screen, he wanted to tap it, but he stopped himself. By now, someone at her office would have told her about him staying in New Hampshire, yet she still hasn’t reached out to him.
Setting the phone down, he started his truck and made his way to Jarvis’s condo.
Opening the door, Shade realized he’d need to find his own place and soon. Especially since he’ll be here for another season. He figured he’d lease a small apartment, nothing overly expensive.
“Jarvis?”
“It’s me, Joy,” Shade answered Jarvis’s younger sister.
She came into the kitchen where he was grabbing something to drink. “Hey, Shade. Or should I say Captain?” she joked.
He gave her a smile. “Shade is fine.”
“The Bears have been the talk of the day and not just on sports sites,” she informed him.
“Janan and Nova like to make it big.” He chuckled. “How are you doing?”
She shrugged. “The defense asked for another continuance.”
“Why?” Shade’s disbelief had to be known. Joy’s rapist, a serial rapist, had been in jail for the past few months.
“They gave some lame reason about needing more time to prepare.” She appeared as if she may cry.
“Is he still in jail?”
The asshole was the governor’s son and they all worried he’d receive bail. Thankfully, the judge refused any bail and kept him in jail.
“Yes, for now.”
“I know you’re tired of hearing people say not to worry, but he is still in jail.”
Again, she nodded. “True.”
Deciding to change the topic he asked how she liked being Jarvis’s assistant.
“It’s not too bad.” She gave him an actual smile. “However, the DMs are filled with females throwing themselves at him. Even though he’s with Mikayla and everyone knows it.”
“Yeah, that’s why I don’t answer or look at any of my DMs.” He made the mistake many years ago and quickly learned to never ever do it again. Then again, he doesn’t do much social media posting. Some of the guys couldn’t stay away from it, others never touch it.
“I guess since you’re staying here, the homelife is still on the rocks.”
“Yes.”
“Have you talked to her?”
This question seemed to be the most asked of him. Right behind ‘how are you doing?’.
“No.”
“Are you going to?”
Normally, he wouldn’t answer but something inside him told him to.
“I want to. I just don’t think she wants to hear from me.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because for the past three years, I’ve done everything I can think of to get us to some sort of normalcy, but nothing has worked.”
Joy took in his words before saying, “Then I wouldn’t call her.”
This made him freeze. Everyone had been telling him to call and talk to her. Joy had been the first not to say it.
“Seriously,” she continued. “You’re one of the nicest guys on this planet. Most husbands wouldn’t have stayed as long as you did. But you love her. If she can’t see everything you’ve done or are doing to make your marriage work, then you need to leave. It’ll be hard and painful, but life is too short not to be happy. And if anyone deserves happiness, it’s you.”
Shade leaned against the counter, letting everything sink in. Her words made sense; even he knew it. He thought back to all the things he tried to do for his marriage and Jenessa. All the love he showed her with nothing in return. All the pain he endured without a shoulder to lean on when he needed it. He went through his heartache alone. When he and Jenessa committed themselves to each other, he thought they would go through their trials and tribulations together.
But he was alone.
“Thanks, Joy.”
He pushed himself off the counter and went into the bedroom. As he shut the door, he pulled out his cell phone. He had saved a number in his contacts and hoped he would never use it. Today, he knew the inevitable was happening.
Waiting for the woman on the other end of the phone to finish the greeting, he said, “My name is Shade Wooten, and I need a divorce attorney.”
Chapter Eight
Jenessa
At six-thirty a.m., Jenessa’s ears were ringing as her boss expressed his disappointment with her since she was taking yet another day off from work. She knew there were a million and one things to do in the office, but she brushed it off anyway and didn’t care about the consequences because today would be different…she had plans. She had made the choice to have a day for
herself. She used to do this years ago but having a job kept her busier than she ever imagined. Never having time for herself. Instead of arguing with him, she simply listened and then hung up when he finished.
Then she went back to sleep.
For the first time—probably in her entire life—Jenessa slept in. Almost to noon. There had been no real explanation as to why she slept so late, but once her eyes were open, she felt rested. She hadn’t felt that way in years.
First on her list: a run.
As her feet rhythmically hit the pavement on the park trail, she thought about Shade. Jenessa really never was a runner, but Shade had gotten her into the activity. Now, she loved it. But like yoga, she never had time.
Her stride hit about the second mile as did memories of Shade. When she followed him to Manchester, she didn’t have a large paycheck coming in. Even though they were married, she wanted to contribute to the finances as much as possible. It didn’t take long for her to figure out they were a team, and it didn’t matter who made what. He never made her feel as if he were better than her because he made more. She remembered house hunting with him. He hadn’t had a real budget in mind, but Jenessa had a steno pad of wants and a budget lined out for each option. Shade never commented on anything and just let her do her thing.
When she finished her run and went back home, she really looked at the place. It was a beautiful house, with four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and every room larger than the next. But without Shade in it with her, it wasn’t home. Just a place to live.
Strolling up the stairs to the bedroom, she ran her hand along the varnished wood, wondering if Shade cared about the finishing of the wood as much as she did. Already knowing the answer to be no, she went into the bedroom and opened her side of the closet. Designer outfits, shoes, and purses for every event, occasion, or just everyday attire stared back at her.
Opening Shade’s side, she knew it would be empty but remembered everything in it. Five suits, none of which were high-end designer suits. Three would be black, one gray, and one navy blue. Five crisp white dress shirts and eight ties. His everyday clothing consisted of three pairs of jeans and less than ten shirts. His shoes were a couple of pairs of gym shoes, a pair of loafers and one pair of dress shoes. She would always buy him clothes but learned early on, it was a waste because he wouldn’t wear fancy named clothing. It made him uncomfortable so she stopped doing it. She wondered if after nine years, did she really know him. Pushing the thought away, she grabbed some clean clothes and jumped in the shower.
The warm shower calmed her muscles and cleaned away the sweat and grime from running outside. She let her towel-dried hair hang as she slipped into a pair of skinny jeans and a T-shirt. She left her face natural only putting on a swipe of nude gloss.
Stepping out of the bedroom, she stopped and glanced down the hallway. She avoided looking down there more than anything. Where happy memories should be, only held pain. She hadn’t been in that room since the day before she went to the hospital. Everything felt fine. Nothing was wrong.
Then it all went to hell.
Grabbing her keys and purse, she knew exactly where to go to hide away. Even if only for a few hours.
Jenessa pushed the button to ensure every kernel had butter on it. Picking up the massive container of popcorn, she managed to get in the correct theater. Settling in her seat, she glanced around, seeing hardly anyone there. Then again, it was the afternoon on a work day.
The lights dimmed as the bright screen illuminated the theater. Jenessa focused on nothing but her popcorn and the romantic comedy in front of her. The outside world and the pain she had didn’t exist. Nothing beyond those movie theater doors were important to her.
Until the end credits rolled and the lights grew brighter then she had to face it again.
As she drove home, she remembered all the times her stress levels were extremely high, and she’d hide in a movie theater. Especially if the library wasn’t open. Like books, movies helped her relax and shut the world away. Any other time, she’d have a little more perspective when she walked out. Now, she felt the same as when she entered.
Not paying attention to which way she headed home, she ended up in traffic around the arena. Jenessa’s eyes scanned the large crowd of fans crossing the street decked out in Bears’ gear. Banners hung from the lamp posts and on buildings. One caught her attention:
New Coach. New Captain. New Season.
Blinking hard to fight the tears, it had been over three weeks since the announcement was made about Shade’s new contract and captain status. Desperately she wanted to call and congratulate him but always stopped herself. He didn’t want to hear from her. His life was moving on and without her in it. Hell, apparently for the better. He didn’t need—or want—her to be bothering him. Elation had filled her as she heard the news on the radio while driving home from work. She almost had to pull over as the tears fell from her eyes. He deserved it.
Once she managed her way through the traffic and made it home, she turned on the TV in the den. The Bears’ opener came onto the screen in front of her. Jenessa had stopped going to games after Clay passed away. She tried to go to some events but feared seeing Nova and her baby. Even though Nova had to be the nicest person in the world, she couldn’t bear to see the beautiful little girl because the reminder was too hard.
Since she wouldn’t go to the arena, Jenessa watched the games on TV. She never told Shade she saw the games because…well, she didn’t know why she never said anything. Nonetheless, she stretched out on the sectional, intently watching the Bears’ warm-ups. The sports reporters were saying how outstanding the Bears were going to be this season. The camera panned to the goalie, Liam. Last year, he sat at the top of the PHL ratings, has played in several championship games, and was an overall powerhouse in the net.
The camera found Janan and Nova in the owner’s box. The discussion carried on for a few moments evaluating the changes and what were they thinking. Cabel came into the frame and the conversation moved to him and what their takes were on the topic. Jenessa understood the change and thought overall it was good for the Bears. She really enjoyed the part where Shade stayed.
On cue, her husband’s face came onto the screen, causing her heart to race. His stunning brown eyes were bright even through the TV. Sitting a bit forward she hung on his every word.
“Shade, how are you enjoying being a captain?” the reporter asked.
“I’m very honored to be named captain to one of the greatest teams in the PHL,” he answered confidently.
“How is the team dealing with the changes?” the reporter continued.
“We all figured there was going to be an adjustment, but now that Blake Naylor is here, the team has really come together.” Again, Shade’s strong voice gave the assurance the Bears were going all the way this season.
“Thanks, Shade. I’m sure your family will be cheering loud for you tonight.”
Jenessa saw the pain wash over his face.
“Thanks,” had been the only word he said before skating off.
She knew Mikayla and the fans would cheer for Shade, but he didn’t have any true family. When he had told her about his past it almost broke her. They hadn’t been dating long before Jenessa wanted to have him meet her family. At the time, she and Mikayla were practically inseparable. When she first introduced him to her, they became instant best friends. And they’ve been that way ever since.
When the time came to meet her parents, she had warned him about how he could possibly be treated. To this point, she never really asked about his family life because he would simply say he had no family and changed the topic. She assumed there had been a rift in his homelife dynamics. She never imagined how it truly had been.
Her parents had chosen to take them to “The Club”. Jenessa and Mikayla hated going to the country club. Her sister expressed it more than Jenessa but agreed with the rants. She tried to convince her parents to go somewhere else, but she lost the argument
.
However, Shade didn’t seem phased by “The Club” one bit. Not even with his ill-fitting suit. He walked in, self-assured of himself, holding her hand. She saw her parents’ expression of disdain as they laid eyes on him. A surge of protection washed over Jenessa. She didn’t want her parents to hurt his feelings.
Shade stood proudly next to her as she introduced him to her parents. He extended his hand, and she studied her parents as they reluctantly returned the handshake. He pulled out Jenessa’s chair for her to sit down, and he seemed to not even blink at all the judgmental glares on him.
After they ordered their drinks, an awkward silence fell over the table. Mikayla had been the one to start talking to Shade about hockey. This seemed to please him, and he began talking to her. Again, Jenessa saw the disgust on her parents’ faces.
“What kind of name is Shade?” Her mother’s lip curled as if his name left a bad taste in her mouth.
He shrugged. “It’s the one on the birth certificate.”
“How did your parents come up with it?” she asked.
“I’m not sure.”
“Did you not question your mother about it?” her mother continued.
“Not that I recall,” he answered. “How did you create such beautiful names for your daughters?” He turned it around on them.
“We wanted something memorable. So men would remember them.” Her father finally spoke.
“And we’re pretty enough to be offered two goats and two cows,” Mikayla joked sarcastically about their non-existent dowry.
Shade and Jenessa both had to cover up their laughter when her parents shot daggers across the table.
The waitress came by and took their order. When she left, her father continued the questioning.
“Are you from Buffalo?”
“Yes, born and raised.”
“And what does your family do?”
Jenessa grew angry by the question. Not to mention embarrassed as well. Nothing bothered her more than her parents need to be at the top of some invisible social circle.
“I don’t have any family,” Shade answered.
