Advice she probably should have given herself before she signed up for the MBA program. Not that the education she’d received didn’t have merit and could help her in any job, but people think MBA is for stock brokers and Chief Financial Officers. She’d never be either. But maybe Esme had a point. The fashion, at times overwhelmed her, but the connection and helping others she thrived on. Even with her complaints about her phone blowing up at times, she enjoyed helping and guiding them.
“Maybe I should,” Dani said, coming out of her thoughts.
“Should what? Castrate the bastard for leading you on?”
“Huh?” Dani questioned. “The ring is fake.”
“It looks real to me.” Esme used her fingers to enlarge the phone on the screen. “Looks pretty real to me.”
Dani covered the screen with her hand and Esme turned her eyes to her. “What I meant is he didn’t give it to her.”
“How do you know?”
She didn’t know where she got the confidence, but Rome was in love with her. Dani would bet her future on it. “Because I know.”
Chapter Twelve
“You need to leave my daughter alone.” The voice of William Albright echoed in Rome’s brain as he saw the gap opening between Dalton and the guard, Tomlinson. As light burst through a small crack, Rome’s legs took off as if it weren’t a burst of sunshine, but a bright green light telling him to go. Short quick bursts as he powered through the small gap, angling his right shoulder down and through until he felt the open air on the side of his face. His eyes were wide as he visualized the field taking in the goal line eighty yards away with only five defenders crashing in on him.
The linemen yanked on his jersey and right arm. His left had the football tucked in tight against his rib cage. The injury from the day before ached, but he could block it out. Planting his foot again, he strained against the lineman who bench pressed more than Rome weighed, but still he didn’t give up. He never gave up. Even after the whistle blew, he’d keep pushing and once he no longer had negative resistance he was free. Extending his right arm, he blocked Marcum who ran at him full speed, then stumbled and tripped. No contact his ass.
With a turn and cut, he changed his route to the end zone shaking the safeties who’d stayed left. They angled themselves to intercept him, but he knew once they committed he only needed to juke left again and he was gone.
“What the hell kinda shit was that?” Coach Trundell, the defensive head coach, howled from the sideline. “This son-of-a-bitch just burnt you on a goddamn first and ten.”
The defense fell into a huddle, not that it helped with keeping the ass reaming from being public.
“Where the fuck are my captains? The motherfucking guy selling hot dogs in the third tier could see it was going to be a run play.” The fact that there were no hot dog vendors or a third tier since they were on the practice field aside, Rome had to agree it was a pretty obvious play. “Why the hell did you have them set up in three-four? Don’t answer me. That’s a rhetorical fucking question because you don’t do that when Jerome Speed is hanging out in the damn backfield. Hell, having Jerome Speed run on a first and ten is as likely as freezing your balls off mid-January if any of you ass hats could actually earn us a bid to the fucking playoffs with home field advantage.”
The rant continued for about ten minutes before Coach Trundell was satisfied enough to set up for another challenge. In that time Rome’s rage burned. Having down time wasn’t what he needed to settle himself. Running, sprinting, lifting, hitting. Especially hitting, that’s what would bring him back to center so he could address the issue at hand, but his wasn’t a position that got to block a lot and this was the no contact OTAs. Even with the new quarterback opening up the possibility for a throwing game. His job was and always would be the first down.
“Ain’t happening again,” Marcum challenged. “You aren’t as fast as they say you are.”
“I’ll beat you every time,” Rome assured.
“Wasn’t my forty time faster?”
“Could be.” Rome snapped his chin strap. “But I run faster scared than you ever could mad.”
Ten reps in a row and found his way to the water. Squeezing the bottle so the water rushed into his mouth, he swallowed once, then spit as the image of Candace with a ring on her finger shined in his mind. Right next to it was an image of Dani and him. Side by side with a question about Dani being a fool and worse yet, in the eyes of her father that she came from fools. Could he save her from a broken heart? No, no he couldn’t, for when you scrolled down you found the nail in Rome’s coffin. Dani, disheveled with empty glasses, half eaten appetizers, and her looking glassy eyed.
He told Rome in no uncertain terms until he was out of the tabloids, his daughter was off limits. He needed to walk away and not darken his door again. Mr. Albright assured him he’d discuss it with Danika. This was for her best interest as she entered the business world. The last thing a boss wanted was a girl who couldn’t handle a break up and would be in a bar already drunk by mid afternoon.
What pushed Rome to rage was Candi and her fucking games. This one was too far and her phone was no longer in service, which meant he’d have to hunt her down and until the weekend, he didn’t have the time to play circle the city looking for a ho. He hadn’t saved her mother’s number or he’d try to call her.
“Give me some,” Dalton said as he stood drenched in sweat holding his helmet by the facemask.
“I ain’t that easy,” Rome joked as he held the water bottle out away from his body. “Buy me dinner first.”
“That’s not what I heard,” Guthry said with his thick Southern drawl as he approached only to get a glare from both men.
“Rook, at what point did you get asked to come to the big boys table?” Dalton asked the rookie quarterback. “This is man speak.”
“Look.” Guthry held his hands up in surrender. “I may be new here, but I grew up on football. All through high school and college all I’ve ever heard about you was paternity suits.”
“I won a few rushing titles and a national championship,” Rome challenged.
“And there were the All-Star games,” Dalton pointed out. “Rookie of the year. Something you’ll be hard pressed to earn.”
“True that.” Rome pushed up on his toes, then back down to help stretch his calves as well as emphasize his accomplishments. “Are you watching ESPN or TMZ? One of them is for children growing up on football.”
“I know I saw the tweet about your girls today. A rich socialite slumming as you finally step up and marry your kid’s mother.”
Dalton punched his fist into his hand. “I love when they offer themselves up on a platter, don’t you, Rome?”
“It does brighten my day.” Rome stepped forward and Guthry found he was backing up into a fence. “Good luck on the next series. Something tells me you’re gonna learn there’s a lotta shit you can run your mouth about. And a few things you shouldn’t.”
With that, Rome and Dalton went in search of Marcum. He owed Rome anyway. Wasn’t the first time a rookie QB would see daylight. Sadly, it probably wouldn’t be the last. A little wheeling and dealing and it would be worth it.
“Adrian,” Rome called as Dalton and Tomlinson stood behind him. “You still want to run to the left?”
“My right?” He smiled back.
“Guthry needs to learn about brotherhood.”
“Does he now? And you’re all about me being the teacher.”
“How many bubble players you got over there?” Rome questioned, not about to get a man cut. Adrian had immunity. So did all involved. They’d be fined, but Rome would happily pay. “Look, I’m just saying there may just happen to be a little weakness on the left side once and I know when you get going, sometimes it’s hard to stop.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“Besides a sack outside of regular season?” Rome raised his eyebrow. “I’ll pay your fine.”
“Will you now?” Adrian pursed his lip
s at him. “Because Coach isn’t happy with how much contact I’ve had this week.”
Rome extended his hand and Adrian clutched it before pulling him in and bumping chests. “My word’s my bond.”
“Alright yo, but I can’t keep cleaning up offense’s messes.”
It took three snaps to finally have a pass play set up and in motion. Rome made sure to find Adrian and give him a nod before Guthry started his snap count. Tapping Dalton’s back three times while he stood in his three-point stance. He kept his head facing forward, but Rome heard him say brotherhood. When Guthry yelled hut-hut, Dalton drove left as if there were someone there to block and with Tomlinson charging so far right he ended up blocking the center, Yelsvinick, in the process. He stood up and watched as Adrian took the edge like he was on rails curving through the gap created by the two linemen and wrapping up Guthry, who still had the football in his hand. Since the only padding they had was their helmet, Marcum wrapping Guthry in a tight hug at full speed and had him tumbling backwards making the sideline ooh in unison. It was glorious and Rome basked in his triumph for the ten seconds allotted before Coach Marshall came over with a tirade. The recognition on Guthry’s face as he struggled to get up was worth every penny.
“What are you jackasses playing at? Either I should cut you for being the worst blocking O-line in the league or for trying to take out your QB two months before the damn season starts.”
Did he just say your QB? Guthry was a damn back up. He should be. Rome looked over at the red jersey wearing QBs standing off to the side. Matt Bishop, their starting QB for the last five years, was putting on a brave face. They couldn’t actually be thinking about bumping him to the second string. Rome thought they were just letting Guthry get reps to see if he could actually do it.
“And you,” Coach Marshall spit as he stood in Rome’s face, “don’t think I didn’t notice you taking in the show. You practically had a bag of popcorn when Marcum ran past you, which makes me think you’re the ring leader of this whole little lesson in what? What did the rookie do? You think I don’t know a lesson when I see it?”
Coach Marshall’s nostrils flared. A former lineman himself, he stood over Rome by three inches and Rome saw the anger in his gray eyes. The exposed parts of his skin had already tanned to a deep bronze from the days out in the sun for practice.
“Nothing huh,” Coach grumbled. “Not saying a word. Probably for the best. Now how about you line up and show me a reason to keep you on this team while I tally up your fines.”
“You got it, Coach.”
After practice, Rome went in search of Coach Marshall. He was a captain and crossed lines. If nothing else, he’d have to own up to his mistake.
“Hey, Coach, you got a minute?” Rome asked as he knocked on the open door to Coach Marshall’s office. It was a rhetorical question since the open door was Coach’s sign that he was available. Just because he was reviewing practice film with a sandwich in front of him didn’t mean he wouldn’t talk.
“What do you need, Speed?”
“Any fines from the light up on Guthry need to come to me.”
“I know, they’re already filed.” Coach Marshall took a bite of his sandwich and didn’t look away from the screen.
“Okay, I just didn’t want Marcum to get in trouble.”
“He’s been moved to the bubble.”
“What?” Rome questioned. Shit, the last thing he needed to do was cost a man a job because of his stupid gossip crap. “Guthry fell after that love tap. It wasn’t as hard as it seemed.”
“Well if anyone knows about a love tap it would be the Speed Demon of Love.”
“Jesus Christ,” Rome spat.
“I know everything,” Coach said and finally turned around. “Close the door.”
Rome did and then crossed the room to the cushioned chair across from Coach Marshall. Coach paused the playback on his TV and passed Rome the other half of his sandwich.
“You get lunch before you headed up here?”
“No,” Rome said as he took the sandwich. “Thanks.”
“I’m all for teaching lessons. Trust me, but we’re in a no contact time with only helmets to protect us. I’m assuming Marcum’s love tap from earlier this week was an accident too.”
Rome adjusted in his chair, then leaned his elbows on his knees.
“I’m assuming that’s how you knew you could get him to do something against the rules.”
“He’s a three time All-Pro. Most of the defense is new.”
“That’s why I can’t have him breaking rules. He does it and those damn puppies follow right behind him, then next thing you know we’ve got half our offense on Bucky’s short list.” Coach took a swig of his sports drink, then brought his hands together. “What you do in the off season isn’t my concern. Shit, I understand the partying, women, all good, but I can’t have a member of my team distracted by the extracurricular activities.”
“Understood,” Rome said humbly. “I’m trying to figure it out and get it settled.”
“Good, because William Albright’s a whale in this town. At one point he even considered buying the team. Messing with his daughter, probably wasn’t the best idea.”
“She’s not the problem,” Rome said defensively.
“Isn’t she?”
“No, the media isn’t because of her.”
“Last I checked it’s your fiancée.”
“I’ve never asked a woman to marry me,” Rome stated. “And if I ever do, Candace Powell would be the last one I’d choose.”
“Too bad, you make a good looking family.”
“All that glitters isn’t gold.”
“And the golden daughter? What about her?” he asked. “Another good choice.”
“I’ve got to fix some things.”
“As long as you’re here for mini-camp, I don’t care.” Coach started up the video again. “I am impressed you showed up for OTAs, most vets don’t do that.”
“I love the Grizzlies. I want to be here until I retire.”
“Stop lighting up QBs and I’ll see what I can do,” Coach said. “Is Guthry that big of a shit?”
“Guthry’s twenty-three and a millionaire after being raised in an upper class suburb.” Rome stood. “This is probably the first team his daddy couldn’t buy him the starting spot. He’s got skill, but he’s had too many people blowing sunshine up his ass when it comes to his ability.”
“What makes you say that?” Coach asked, leaning back in his chair.
“He has no respect for the men who keep the defense from killing him.”
Coach Marshall nodded his head as his lips pushed out. “You think you’ll have him in shape by the first pre-season game?”
“Marcum hits harder than most, but with him on the bubble…I don’t know.”
“Keep it off the field and never leave a mark.” Coach waved Rome out of the room, then casually added. “Last time I checked, you didn’t get fined for putting hot sauce in a man’s jock.”
Loading up her car on Saturday morning, Dani had never felt less sure of herself. Going into the city to the stores on Michigan Ave had been her weekly ritual long before she’d taken up personal shopping. Her mother had been her guide initially, then Tawny, and now she was the guide in a way. Back to Reguletti’s, she parked her car for the day and made her way through the early morning throngs of people. By the confused stares and jerking stops outside the shops, Saturdays tended to be more tourists than people going to work.
With a tug, she opened the glass doors and received the normal greetings from the clerks as she made her way to the fifth floor. Setting her off balance, Marco immediately pulled her into a tight hug as she exited the elevator.
“Is this a new sales technique?” she choked out trying to find her breath. “Personal touch does not mean personally touching.”
“Hush, you’re grieving. Why didn’t you tell me you’d gotten so close to him?”
“Who?” she asked as she attempted to e
xtricate herself from his arms only to be pulled in tighter.
“That Speed Demon of Love.”
“Oh dear Lord, not you too.” Dani physically pulled his arms from around her this time and held them in front of him. “Marco, it’s all a lie and twisted. I promise. I had been celebrating finishing a final with Esme.”
“You looked pretty lonely in that picture.”
“I was sobering up so I could drive home. Also sending you my order for today. Any chance you have that set up?” Dani proceeded to walk toward the suite set up for personal clients and getting back to business.
“Would I fail you?” he exclaimed with his hand to his chest. “Please, I even talked to management and got chocolates and champagne since we are entertaining the ladies today. Not that I blame you for—”
“Marco, I have no problem with men or Jerome Speed. We’re good.” Her voice wobbled a bit on that last statement because it was going on the third day with no contact. She knew he was busy with football since they would be going from OTAs to mini-camp, then a dozen other responsibilities including photo shoots in the new uniforms and all the promo required for the next season. Still, not even one response. She shook off the insecurity. You’re my woman. He said it, he meant it. He didn’t need a person pestering him. The last seventy-two hours she’d had enough of that from paparazzi trying to make more out of nothing. What did it matter who an athlete was with? As long as they didn’t make themselves an issue, they should stay hidden behind the scenes supporting their man. That Dani could do in spades, but she was starting to wonder why she was being ignored. He should be home today. Showing up at his brownstone wouldn’t seem desperate or weak. Would it?
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