“You applied for another job,” he finally says. If I thought there was tension in the room before, it thickened my one hundred percent with those words. I open my mouth to say something, but words fail. Leon sets the piece of paper he’s holding down. I crane my neck to see what it is and find that it’s blank.
What in the hell!
“I get it,” he says. “National TV. It makes sense. But I have one question.”
“Okay?” My question comes out meekly, and I have to clear my throat.
“What is wrong here?”
“Nothing,” I tell him instantly. “Absolutely nothing, Mr. Woolworth. The only reason I applied was to see if they’d even consider me. I love my job, the crew, everything. I simply had to appease my own curiosity.”
“Do you need more money?”
I feel like when someone asks you this question—there is only one possible answer: yes!
“I will never decline more money, but my application wasn’t about that. National has always been my goal, and when the opportunity presented itself, I submitted my resume. Nothing more. I honestly thought they’d skim over me for someone more seasoned.”
Leon frowns. “Clearly, you don’t know your worth. Let’s work on that, okay?”
I nod, not clear on what’s happening here.
“Anyway, they want to do a live interview.”
“A live interview? What does that mean?”
“They’d like you to come on location with them. It seems Mr. Camden Porter requested to have you shadow him. Normally, with these types of interviews, you’d fill in for someone who is going on vacation or leave, so this one seems out of the ordinary. I’m inclined to tell them no because I don’t want to lose you, but I’ve never been the type of person to hold people back. I’m here to help you grow, Ms. LaRosa.” Leon pauses and folds his hands together. “However, I’m not letting you go without a fight. You are a valuable asset to my station, and I want to keep you. So, I suggest you go on this assignment, fail and come back where you are loved, cherished, and needed. Am I clear?”
His words sink in slowly. From the mention of Cam’s name to Leon’s love for me, I find myself stumbling over my thoughts. What is going on in my world right now?
“Are you just going to sit there?” Leon asks.
“I’m sorry, I’m just confused.”
Leon smiles brightly. “Go home and pack, Ms. LaRosa. You’re going on assignment.”
I leave Leon’s office and head to mine. I’m not going home because I have work to do, and I need to ask Camden what the hell is going on. By the time I reach my dressing room, my phone chimes with an incoming text. It’s from the Weather Channel with my itinerary and flight information.
“How is this my life right now?”
The next chime is a text from Peyton: Are you on your way?
Shit. I forgot about lunch. I text her that I’m running late but will be there shortly. It’s a good thing I’m going to see her because I need some advice.
The drive toward the restaurant takes a bit longer than GPS tells me because of traffic and because I thought I could find the restaurant myself. I’m directionally challenged when it comes to driving, and I usually walk. As luck would have it, which seems to be on my side today, there’s a parking spot across from where Peyton and I are meeting. Since moving to Portland, I’ve mastered the art of parallel parking and zip my car in without any issues.
“I’m meeting someone,” I say as I pass the hostess station. Peyton sees me and raises her hand. “I’m so sorry. Leon called me into his office first thing this morning.”
“What’s going on?”
Before I can tell her, the server is at our table taking our order. Once he leaves, I spill everything to Peyton, who listens to what I have to say without interruption.
“Wow.”
“I know. I’m nervous, scared, and honestly don’t know what to do.”
“What did Julius say?”
“Honestly, I don’t know what’s going on with him. One minute we’re great, the next, he’s absent, and then when I think we’re finally on the same page, Elena’s back, and I don’t know where I fit.”
“Yeah, Noah mentioned something about Elena returning.”
“Do you like her?” I ask.
Peyton shakes her head. “Not really. My sister calls her a stage five clinger. We see them a lot in California during the off-season, and we’ve had them over when my family is there. She’s like static to my dad, Liam, or my brother. She likes to name drop, which really bothers me. But, I don’t say anything because Noah and Julius are best friends.”
“Elena definitely acted like she and Julius are not headed to Divorce Court. She just made me feel so icky for being there.”
“Are you going to talk to Julius?”
I shrug. “I know I should, but I have a feeling he’ll tell me nothing has changed, and I don’t know what to do with that.” Peyton and I continue to discuss my love life over lunch. She tells me she’s excited about my opportunity and asks me to text her when I’m about to go live so she can tune in.
When I get home, Julius is waiting outside my apartment door with a bouquet of roses. He sees me and straightens. “I got tired of you not responding, so I thought I’d wait here until you came back.”
“You could’ve been here for days.”
“It’s a risk I was willing to take.”
I laugh and open my door. Julius follows me in and into the kitchen with the roses. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”
“They’re not enough,” he says. “I know Elena was nasty to you the other night, and I figure that is why you’re ignoring me. I’m sorry about what she said.”
My lips go into a thin line. I don’t know what to say. The way she acts isn’t his fault, but I can’t help but feel like the situation is. “You guys have a lot to work out.”
He grimaces. “Not really. She’s in a panic because the finality of her actions is closing in on her. I think she thought I wouldn’t file, and when she received the notice, she saw the money start to disappear. As long as she’s my wife, I’m responsible for things like the house and her car. Once we’re divorced, she’s on the hook, and I think she freaked out.”
“Did she go back to L.A.?”
Julius shakes his head. “No, she’s moving back apparently, which is good for the kids. She’s out looking for a place right now.”
“Oh.” I turn my back and start to clean my kitchen a bit. I can feel his presence when he steps closer. Does he think I’m going to carry on a relationship with him? That I’m going to be the other woman? He’s right. The children need their mother, but I don’t need Elena and her volatile disposition when it comes to me, and I have a feeling she’s not going away quietly.
“The divorce is going to happen, Autumn. Elena knows this.”
I turn to face him and can see the pain in his eyes. “That’s good. I, uh…” I swallow my words. I don’t know what to say to him. “I should probably get ready and head to the station. I have a ton of work to do.”
Julius’s expression falls. He wanted me to say something else, but I just don’t have it in me. I need time to think about what I want. I’m too young to be mixed up with a messy divorce. He steps forward and kisses me on my cheek. “I’ll watch your broadcast tonight,” he tells me. “Let me know when you get home?”
I nod, and he backs away. When he gets to the door, he says, “Nothing has to change between us, Autumn. You’re the one I want to be with.” Julius closes the door quietly behind him.
“Things have already changed,” I say into my empty apartment.
Thirty-Two
Julius
It’s been two days since I’ve seen Autumn, and the empty feeling I have growing in my gut is very unsettling. We’ve texted a couple of times. Short, to-the-point words that leave me with a lot of questions. The flirting conversations I’ve grown accustomed to are missing, and I have an overall sense of dread that things aren’t the way
I want them. The gap I feel between us is my fault, and I can accept responsibility for my actions, especially when I dragged my feet when it came to filing for divorce. The minute I realized Autumn was someone I wanted to spend all my time with, I should’ve been in the lawyer’s office. Hell, the second I found out Elena had an affair was when I should’ve done something. I procrastinated, and now I think I’m going to end up paying in the long run.
After our forty-five-minute weight training session, we make our way to the cafeteria to grab breakfast before our nine a.m. team meeting. Because we won on Sunday, Coach had our breakfast catered this morning. It’s a reward and one we strive for each week. It’s Coach’s way of showing appreciation, and since we’re football players who like to eat, he goes all out for us. After I get a couple of plates of food, I take a spot next to Noah. Alex Moore and Chase Montgomery are already seated and stuffing their faces. I can’t say I blame them. I’m starving.
“Hey,” Alex says as I sit down. He looks forlorn, an unusual sight for Alex. He’s the happiest guy I know, aside from Noah.
“What’s eating you?” I ask him.
He shrugs, and I glance to Noah and Chase, who offer no help at all. Alex sighs heavily and then emits some low groan, which is so exaggerated you’d think he’s spent time with Roxy and asked how to get what she wants from me.
“Dude, you’re acting like my kid. Spill.”
“Maggie was offered a job in England.” Maggie is Alex’s girlfriend or, more aptly known around the team as the perfect woman because she not only puts up with Alex but makes sure the Pioneers are included in the best events to give us optimum publicity. Unbeknownst to the fans, the sports teams fight for the spotlight. Professional athletes get a bad rap because, let’s be honest, we do some stupid shit. That stupid shit can make it so businesses don’t want us around even though we can bring many people. Maggie, though, she always turns a blind eye and wants us at all her events. She runs the Children’s Museum, and when she took the job, it was some rinky-dink playroom. Now, it’s this fantastic, interactive experience for children, and it’s all because of her. So, I’m not surprised other organizations want her.
“Is she going to take it?” Chase asks.
Alex shrugs.
“It’s what? An eight-hour time difference?” Noah asks.
“Yeah, something like that. I don’t know.” He shakes his head. “I feel like I’m losing her.”
“Maybe she’s ready to settle down, and this is your wake-up call,” Chase, the perpetual bachelor adds.
“There aren’t many times in life when I will agree with Montgomery, but this is one of them,” I say to Alex. “You and Maggie have been together for as long as I’ve known you. She probably wants to get married and have children.”
“So, I should ask her to marry me?”
“Is that what you want?” Noah asks. “Do you see yourself married to Maggie?”
Alex shrugs. “I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it. I thought we were content with owning a house and just living life.”
“Content is not a good thing,” Noah tells us. “Content means you stopped trying. I’m happily married. I love my wife more than my own life, but nothing brings me more pleasure than knowing I did something to make her day better or made her smile. I work hard to make sure she knows how much she means to me. I plan dates and fly her mom up here when I think Peyton needs her and buy her flowers because I walked by the florist when I was out. It’s the little things just to remind her that she’s the love of my life.”
“You and Peyton don’t count in this mess,” Alex says. “You have like this once-in-a-lifetime love affair.”
Noah laughs, but I happen to agree with Alex.
“That may be true, but it doesn’t work unless we work. No one should count on love carrying their relationship. You can fall out of love with someone because no one is putting in an effort.”
“Or you end up like me,” I say. “With a looming divorce and a woman who won’t return your text messages because your ex-wife said some shit she shouldn’t have.”
“Your life has too much drama for me,” Chase says. “It’s why I date.”
“You date because no one wants to put up with your ass after a week,” Alex says to Chase. “What dating app are you currently using to troll for women?”
Chase throws his napkin at Alex. Chase is constantly on the hunt for someone who doesn’t know who he is. Usually, he finds someone, but once he tells them, they accuse him of lying. It’s an endless battle for him. There are times when I feel sorry for him, but he brings a lot of drama to himself. We’ve told him time and time again there is nothing wrong with dating someone who knows you’re a professional football player.
“I’ve decided to give up on dating during the season. I’m in bed by nine most nights, and these women I met want to text until midnight, and I’m not up for that.”
“Make sense,” Noah says. “A lot of people don’t understand the schedule we keep during the season, and according to some fans, we need more practice.”
The three of us laugh. If we listened to half the stuff we saw on social media, we’d either be out of a job or the best team ever to grace a football field.
“Look, I can’t give you any advice,” I say, “because I’m dealing with my own drama. All I can say is, don’t wait. If Maggie is who you want to be with, then show her. Dragging your feet digs you a hole, and some holes are too deep to get out of.” With that said, I pick up my fork and start eating. The others follow, and the conversation changes from relationships to sports. Chase is excited for the upcoming college basketball season, while Noah says he’s heard scuttle that Portland is looking at adding a Major League Baseball team. This sparks a more in-depth conversation on whether the owners would build a stadium or see about piggybacking with ours, much like the Oakland A’s and Raiders used to do. Regardless, adding more revenue to the city is always a good thing, and making Portland a professional sports hotspot would put Oregon truly on the map as a place to be.
After breakfast, we head into our team meeting. Noah and I sit down next to each other, and I study him for a bit while he looks at his wife. Her cheeks blush when they make eye contact, and it makes me realize this is the type of reaction I want from Autumn when I look at her. It also makes me wonder what the hell she’s thinking or what he did to cause her response. Damn, to have a love like theirs would be a blessing.
Every so often, during the meeting, I catch Noah and Peyton staring at each other. It’s like they’re carrying on a secret conversation with their eyes. Something tells me if I tried this with Elena, she’d get extremely irritated with me, and if I tried it with Autumn, confusion would set in. It’s a hard slap in the face when you realize you don’t know either of the women in your life, past and present. If I’m going to make things with Autumn work, I need to be better at communicating. And I need to convince Noah to write a book for us clueless guys.
* * *
I’m beat when I get home from practice, and thankful the house is quiet. Elena moved into an apartment a few floors down. It’s not what she wants, but I’m honestly tired of being the one who caves to her demands. She walked out and left this life behind. I know I told her I’d give up my apartment to her, but I don’t want to. Elena called me childish, and she’s right, but damn it if I haven’t earned the right to be. I’m not the one who fucked up. She is. However, having her in town gives the kids a chance to spend some time with her, and I think that’s important for them. They’re not staying over but are with her until dinner, and then they’ll be home. The few hours from practice until they come home, is time for me to relax.
I startle awake when the sound of my A.I. alerts me that someone has used my elevator code. As much as I hope it’s Autumn, I know it’s the kids returning from their mom’s. Miss Meghan walks in with her hands full of book bags and art projects. My son is behind her, not carrying a damn thing.
“Why aren’t you carrying your bag?�
�� I ask Reggie.
He shrugs. “Mom says it’s Miss Meghan’s job.”
I look at Meghan and then back at my son. Irritation fills me. “Miss Meghan is responsible for taking care of you and your sister when I’m not around. She’s not your servant. You carry your own things unless she volunteers. Do I make myself clear?” My voice is stern. I give him and Meghan a pointed look.
“Yes, sir,” Reggie says. He takes his stuff from Meghan’s hand and then heads to his bedroom. Once his door closes, I peer down at Roxy with her jutted lip. It’s hard for me to punish her because she’s three and only doing what her mother tells her. Reggie knows better.
“Miss Meghan can only carry your stuff if she offers, okay?”
She nods. “Okay, Daddy.”
“Take your backpack to your room, please.” Roxy turns, hugs Meghan, and then runs to her room with her bag dragging on the ground. “I’m sorry about Elena. Don’t let her bully you.”
“I won’t. I’ll stand my ground next time.”
“How was everything?”
“It was fine. The kids mostly watched television.”
“Where was Elena?”
“On her phone.”
The earlier irritation has increased to a boiling point. I can’t tell Elena how to parent, but her lack of interest proves that I’m a much better fit for custody than she is.
After the kids have their bath and shower, I snuggle with Roxy in bed and read Rugby and Rosie to her. “Daddy, can we has a doggie?”
“I’d love to, but we live in an apartment. Dogs need a place to run.”
“Can we moob to a house?”
A house would be ideal. I haven’t thought about leaving the apartment life and getting a home with a yard. Everything is so convenient where we live now, but having a yard and some pets would be nice. “Maybe,” I tell her. I kiss her nose. “I’ll think about it.” We finish the story, and I tuck her in. When I get to Reggie’s room, he’s already asleep. I make sure he’s tucked in and tell him I love him.
Fourth Down: A Beaumont Series Next Generation Spin-off Page 23
