Whatever Happens

by Lyla Grace

  "I love it," Livie says. "You've got my support. Now, all we need are Landon's brains to get it up and running."

  “Did I just hear my wife say I was smart?” Landon says.

  “Don’t let it go to your head,” she teases.

  We sit around the rest of the night, spitballing ideas until we seemingly have a pretty solid plan in place.

  “Okay. The first thing we need to do is get an attorney to draw up the documents to get the foundation started and look into the logistics,” Landon says.

  “I could ask Ashlynn,” I reply.

  Landon freezes at the mention of his old friend in front of his new wife.

  “Carter can handle the legal aspects then,” Livie says firmly. “You stay on finances only. And game planning.”

  I'm not sure what transpired between the three of them. What I do know is that it resulted in Landon no longer speaking to Ashlynn. "We can find someone else," I suggest.

  “Don’t be silly,” Livie says. “Ashlynn is good at what she does. And with organizations like this, the more free help you can get, the better.” She pauses for a second. “Just keep her away from my husband.”

  “Will do,” I reply.

  That's it. One dinner with the best friends a guy could ask for, and we are as good as in business. Only one piece is missing. And that piece, I will handle personally.

  ∆ ∆ ∆

  I walk into Coach Masterson’s office.

  “You wanted to see me?” I say.

  "Carter, I would like you to meet Kaylee, your new physical therapist," he tells me.

  “I don’t want a new therapist. I want my old one back,” I reply.

  “Well, that’s not happening,” he begins.

  “I know. Thanks to you, she left. How’s your overprotective father routine working for you?”

  “She left?” he asks.

  I nod. I’m not giving him any more information. I had to beg and plead with Abbie to tell me as much as she did. No way am I giving it to him free and clear.

  “Where is she? Is she okay?” he asks.

  I know he loves his daughter; I know he's concerned for her. I would hope that he knew me well enough after these past few years to realize I am not that guy. I don't cheat; I don't go from woman to woman. I, for the most part, am a pretty stand up guy. The guy you bring home to mom and dad. Not the one that dad tries to keep away from you.

  “If she can come back as my therapist, I’ll tell you.”

  “Carter…”

  “Don’t Carter me. Lexie and I were doing just fine until you barged in,” I shout at him. “My arm is in the best condition that it has been since the accident, thanks to her.”

  “Maybe if you hadn’t fucked her she would still be here,” he yells back.

  I can see the new girl, Kaylee, out of the corner of my eye, a slight smile on her face. Not happening sweetheart. Lexie Masterson ruined me. There is no one else for me.

  “But your dick was more important than respecting my family,” he finishes.

  “Is that really what you think all this was? Just sex?” I shake my head. “I don’t know why it’s so hard for you to believe that I love your daughter. She means the world to me.” He does this laugh snort thing that infuriates me. “You don’t know anything about what went on between Lexie and me.”

  "You're right; I don't. You two kept it from me."

  “Is that what you're pissed about? That we didn’t tell you? I’m sorry, you’re right about that. We should have been upfront with you. But, if you hadn’t run her off, maybe we could have sat down and discussed this.”

  “Too little, too late, kid. Sessions with Kaylee start tomorrow at six in the morning.”

  I look from Coach to Kaylee. “Fine. But you're going to do what I tell you to do. I have a program that works. I’m not changing it.”

  Her mouth is open, and clearly, she doesn't know what to say or do.

  “Carter,” Coach says with a warning tone.

  “Take it, or bring Lexie back,” I reply. “Those are the options. Or maybe, I start looking for another team.”

  “No one is going to want you with that arm,” he tells me.

  “That’s what you think,” I tell him.

  Little does he know that even without Lexie I've continued my therapy, I've continued to improve. Let him think what he wants. I may love playing for the Knights, but if his attitude doesn't change, I may make the one change that I now know I can handle.

  Quit football and be with Lexie.

  I don't want to make a choice, but if it comes down to it, it's a no brainer. If only Lexie would let me tell her that.

  "See you tomorrow, Kaylee," I say. "Better get to studying this."

  I hand her a sheet of paper with the exercises that Lexie and I had been doing. I walk through the door and close it behind me. I may not be able to play, and at the moment, I may not have Lexie. But I sure as hell have a plan.

  I leave Coach’s office and head straight for Ashlynn’s place. I need to get her on board and get the ball officially rolling before I can make my proposal to Lexie.

  “Well, hello there handsome,” she says when she opens the door.

  “Hey, Ash,” I reply with a sheepish grin on my face.

  "To what do I owe this honor?" she asks, taking my hand and pulling me into the house.

  “I have a favor I need to ask.”

  “Oh?” Her eyes widen.

  “Not that kind of favor,” I reply.

  "Fine." She doesn't sound dejected, just disappointed. Maybe she too has hit a dry spell. I look at her as she bends to pick up the remote to turn the television off. Nope. No chance in hell that woman ever has a dry spell unless she wants one. "You know, I don't get it. You and Landon both. The minute you're not with me, you start doing all this kinky shit. Sex in public, sex tapes. It's not fair."

  “If it helps any, that damn tape is the reason I am no longer with her.”

  “Yeah, I saw that. Your Coach’s daughter, huh?”

  I nod. We're sitting on the couch now as I rehash the whole sordid affair, including Lexie's idea and why I need her help.

  "You know I would do anything for you," she tells me. "Give me a couple of days, and I should have a good start on this for you."

  “Seriously?”

  "Of course, Carter. You're a good friend, just do me a favor? Don't tell Lexie about us. I would rather not lose you the way I lost Landon."

  I agree though I don't know if it's a promise I can keep. I don't want anything to ever stand between Lexie and me again. No secrets. But, for now? For now, I am okay. Can't tell Lexie when she's not talking to me.

  “Stay for dinner?” Ashlynn asks.

  “Not if you’re cooking,” I tease her.

  She sticks out her tongue at me and heads toward the kitchen. “It’s Chinese. I ordered too much.”

  “I’m in.”

  Chapter 18 – Lexie

  It's been over a month since I left Carter. During that time, a woman came out of the woodwork, stating she was the one in the video with Carter. From what I've heard, it was Carter's idea. He wanted to dispel any rumors that it was me and hopefully save me from any comments or concerns with the Spartans.

  Unfortunately, it has not worked as well as he would have liked.

  The media planted the idea in their heads. There was no going back. I knew I was going to get shit for being a female therapist. I can handle their flirting. I can even manage them being misogynistic dicks and thinking I'm not qualified because I'm a woman. I've dealt with that before.

  What I can't deal with is the fact that they somehow think I can fuck them into recovery. It worked for Carter; it would work for them. Like I have a magical pussy or something. Idiots.

  Word on the street is Carter's shoulder is improving at a rapid pace. Maybe him staying out of fights is helping him heal, not my program. Either way, I'm just glad he's getting back to it and that he should be okay to play by mid-season.

  I thi
nk back to this woman that came forward, this Ashlynn. The name sounds familiar, but I can’t quite place it. Maybe it’s someone he knew, or worse, someone he’s with now. The idea of that literally has my stomach-churning.

  “Hey,” Abbie says as she comes into the living room as I collapse on the couch. “Rough day?”

  "Maybe I should just have sex with one of them already and suck at it. Lay there like a limp noodle and make weird sounds. That way, they can talk about how awful I am, and we can just move on from this shit."

  “Are there any worthwhile?” she teases.

  The thing is, there probably are. But ever since I met Carter, no man looks as appealing. No man captivates me the way he does.

  “Why don’t you just call him?” Abbie suggests.

  “I can’t. Things are better this way,” I tell her.

  "He's miserable. You're miserable. Yeah, I can see how that is so much better than telling your father to go to hell and date his player. Really, Lex? Do you think he would pull Carter's contract just because he's dating you? If he were going to do that, he would have done it already."

  Saved by the bell, the doorbell that is. Part of me thinks she's right. It's the same part of me that doesn't know how to tell him I'm sorry that I screwed up.

  It’s also the part of me that damn near melts into a puddle of mush when I see him on the other side of my door.

  "C-Carter?" I ask, surprised, and confused.

  “Hey, Princess,” he says.

  The sound of his voice washes away all the stress and frustration I’ve been feeling. Seeing him standing before me makes me feel like the part of me that’s been lost this past month is back. I’m whole again.

  His eyes must see Abbie standing behind me. She's the one behind this, I know it. No one else knows how to find me. "Hey, Abs," he casually says like they've bonded and become best friends.

  Traitor.

  "Hi, Carter. Oh. Um. I need to run to the store and grab something. I'll be right back."

  I grab her arm, stopping her. "What are you getting?"

  "Tampons. I need them badly," Abs says.

  “I have some in the bathroom,” I tell her.

  “Not my brand, sorry,” she says. She yanks her arm out of my grasp and rushes out the door leaving me alone with Carter.

  “You afraid to be alone with me?” he asks.

  "What? No. I just…" I sound like a babbling fool, so I stop talking.

  Carter steps into my personal space, and I back up. There is a smirk on his face, one that tells me he knows exactly what he's doing to me.

  “We need to talk,” he tells me as he brushes a piece of hair off my face and tucks it behind my ear.

  “There’s nothing to say.”

  “I disagree.”

  “Carter…”

  He places his finger over my lips. "I have a proposition for you. I think you'll like it." I vigorously shake my head no. "Don't say no until you've heard me out. Can we sit?"

  I sit on the couch. More because the sight of Carter has made me weak in the knees rather than because he asks too. He follows suit.

  “I’ve been thinking about what you said a lot.”

  "What I said?" I ask, confused. We haven't talked in weeks, so I have no clue what he's referring to.

  He nods. “About Luke and how he needs something to help him be like all the other kids.”

  “That’s not why I left Carter.”

  "I know that. And we will talk about that later. Right now, I need your help."

  “I’m sorry, I’m confused.” And horny because all I can think about is kissing him. My mind certainly isn’t stopping there either.

  "You were right Lexie. Your idea was great; I just couldn't see it because I'm so insanely protective of Luke. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized you were right. So, I got to work on it right away. I have an attorney working on the logistics, Landon is helping with funding, and even Chase is pitching in. All the program needs now, is you."

  “Me?”

  "It was your idea; it seems that you should be in on it. Besides a program like this needs someone to run it. Someone smart and capable and able to help discern what the kids can and cannot do. We have to be able to alter the sports to fit their needs. For that, I need you."

  “You’re offering me a job?”

  “To start, yes.”

  “What do you mean to start?”

  “We’ll worry about that later. So, what do you say?”

  “I… I don’t know. I would have to quit my job. I…”

  Seeing him, his offer, I’m floored. I didn’t expect any of this. I have no idea what to think or what to say.

  “I can take care of myself,” I tell him.

  His eyes widen at my statement. “Of course you can. You’re strong and smart. That’s why I think you're perfect for the job.”

  "Can I think about it?" I ask. I need to have a clear head to think, and to do that; I need some space from him.

  “Of course. You know how to find me.”

  He gets up from the couch and walks to the door.

  “That’s it?” I ask incredulously.

  “That’s it.” He gives me one of his mega-watt, panty wetting smiles. “I look forward to hearing from you, Princess.”

  And with that, he’s gone. Leaving me here, alone, horny, and confused. Somehow, I think that’s exactly what he intended to do.

  Though, the idea of getting away from the Spartans, having a job working with kids like Luke and Logan, a career with purpose, does sound amazing. But me having to work so closely with Carter? I don't know if I can handle that.

  Picking up my phone, I text Abbie.

  Me: You can come back ya little sneak. He’s gone.

  Abbie: A quickie? I didn’t think that was his style.

  Me: Haha. I’m going to kill you for this.

  Abbie: Me? What did I do?

  Me: Just get back here.

  I can almost hear her laughing.

  “So, what are you going to do?” she asks after I tell her about Carter’s proposition.

  “Honestly? I don’t know. I do hate working for the Spartans. And working with kids sounds so fulfilling, it’s just not what I had intended to do. Then there’s Carter.”

  “Mmm, Carter. That sounds like the best part of this deal.”

  “You’re not helping.”

  "Sorry, Lex. I don't see the whole dilemma here. You're an adult, and your dad can't control you. I got it when you wanted to work for him, but this solves your problem. A job and a guy all wrapped in one sexy ass looking package."

  ∆ ∆ ∆

  I've been thinking about Carter's offer for two days now, and I still haven't made up my mind. To my surprise, he hasn't been hounding me either — radio silence for the first time in weeks.

  So, he offers me a job and then ghosts me? It makes no sense. Though I did ask for time to think, and he is giving it to me. But, still. He hasn’t given me peace or space in weeks. Why all of a sudden now?

  After another day of advances and comments, I realize that I can't do this. Regardless of Carter covering for me, the idea is in their heads, and it's not going anywhere. Working for a football league isn't an option for me anymore. Not for a while at least.

  Maybe Carter is right, perhaps this job he's offering is the answer to my problem.

  With my decision made for me, I decide that it’s best to let Carter know in person. And maybe part of my reason was that I just wanted to see him.

  So I pack a small bag and head back home. My first stop is Carter's.

  A nervous wreck I stand on his front porch. I remember the first time we came here; I barely even noticed the house he drug me inside so fast. But the living room and the bedroom and his master bedroom are embedded in my brain. So much that I think I could make my way there with my eyes closed.

  Well, here goes nothing. I knock on the door. My heart races as I watch the door handle turn. I let out a breath, and when he swings the d
oor open, I make sure to have a massive smile on my face.

  “Lexie. What are you doing here?” The surprise in his voice is evident.

  “I was hoping we could talk. About the job.”

  “Yeah, of course. Come on in.” He opens the door for me, and I follow him into the familiar surroundings, memories of all the places we made love over those first couple of weeks flood my mind.

  We enter the living room and much to my surprise, there is a gorgeous woman curled up on the couch. There are documents spread out across the table, but she looks much too comfortable for this to be strictly work-related.

  I stop dead in my tracks upon laying eyes on her. I don’t have a right to be jealous or hurt, but I am. My brain may know one thing, but my heart? That sucker is hurting right now. Especially after our conversation, his innuendo that the job was just the start of something more.

  “You okay?” he asks.

  “I have to go,” I say. “I’m sorry for interrupting.”

  I rush out of the living room to the door.

  “Lexie, wait. Where are you going?” he asks as he pushes the door closed.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt your date. We can talk later.”

  "Date? No. Ashlynn is an attorney I hired. We are just going over some things. I'm not an idiot, but this shit is not my forte."

  Ashlynn. The woman that was supposedly in the video with Carter, no me. I turn and face him to see if he's telling me the truth.

  "She looks awful comfortable here."

  “It’s not like that,” he clarifies.

  “It’s none of my business.”

  "You're right. It's not. The thing is, I want it to be your business. So, for the record, Ashlynn and I never had feelings for each other. And nothing, except working on the foundation together, has happened since." His hand comes to my cheek and caresses it. "Come back to the living room, sit down with us. I want you to be a part of this."

  "You're sure?" I softly ask as I add embarrassed to the list of things that I am feeling.

  “I have never wanted anything more.”

  Either have I. Except maybe for Ashlynn to be gone.

  Chapter 19 – Carter

  I can't lie. Sitting here, looking at two gorgeous women on my couch, knowing how amazing each of them is in bed, my head is a little preoccupied. And not on the project. Don't get me wrong. I love Lexie, I do. But come on, the two of them. There is a damn fantasy come true, especially when they are both staring at me like that. As though they can read my mind.