Chapter Twenty-Five
Allison grabbed an apron from a hook in the kitchen when she arrived at work. She tied the strings around her waist but her mind wasn’t on her task. It was on Tony. He sent dozens of texts and voicemails between yesterday and today, but she simply couldn’t deal with him yet, so she deleted each message without opening it. She half-expected him to show up at her job yesterday, and she was relieved when he didn’t.
She kept hearing Tony’s voice in her head. “It just wasn’t something I wanted to talk about, okay?” The truth was, Allison sort of understood. To this day, it was hard for her to talk to anyone about her father. So, deep-down she could see wanting to keep certain things to yourself. But her anger at Tony right now was stronger than any empathy.
“Hey Al.”
Allison blinked and looked up at one of the other waitresses. “Oh hey, Jen.”
Jen was holding a tray with half a dozen glasses on it, some with water, some with soda pop. “You okay? You look upset.”
“I’m fine.” Allison shrugged. “Just a little tired I guess.”
“I heard on the news that the Barracudas lost their home opener. Bummer.” Allison merely nodded. “That’s gonna make Bob even more grouchy than usual. He hates it when his Alma Mater loses.”
“Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot,” Allison muttered without emotion. “I ran into him and his kids at the game yesterday.”
“Was he still bragging about how he scored free tickets?” Jen asked. “If he told me once, he told me a hundred times.”
“Hmm. Then I guess I’m the only one he didn’t brag to. Yesterday was the first I heard about it.” Allison shrugged with mild disinterest.
“Oh. That’s weird because he told everyone who’d listen. He got them directly from—” Jen looked at Allison and stopped mid-sentence. “Oh. Um. Never mind. I gotta go.” Jen turned and leaned against the double doors leading from the kitchen to the dining area of the restaurant. She started to push them open when Allison stopped her.
“Jen, wait. Please. You were gonna tell me somethin’. Who’d Bob get the tickets from?”
“Honestly, it’s not important. I have to get back out there, Al.” She rubbed her hand along the edge of the tray she was holding. “I have a whole section of tables waiting.”
“They can wait a minute longer,” Allison insisted. “Come on, Jen! Who did Bob get the tickets from?”
“Um. I think um… I think it may have possibly been your boyfriend,” Jen mumbled.
Allison’s brow knit. “Tony gave Bob free tickets? Why would he do that? And why didn’t he ever tell me?” Well, that’s a stupid question, she thought. There are apparently a lot of things Tony neglected to tell her.
“Far as I know, it was a couple months ago.”
“And?”
Jen shook her head from side to side. “Damn, I really shouldn’t be telling you this.”
“Tell me what?” When Jen hesitated, Allison took to begging. “Jen, please.”
Jen took a deep breath. “Okay, fine. Bob didn’t tell me outright, but it sounded like it was a bribe. Remember how Bob fired you after you dropped the tray last May? And how he called you the same day and unfired you?”
“Yeees,” she said drawing the word out. Then her jaw dropped as the light dawned. “Are you sayin’ I got my job back because Tony gave Bob tickets to a game?”
“Yeah. Look, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, no. I’m glad you did. Thank you, Jen.” If Jen wasn’t holding a tray full of glasses, Allison would have hugged her coworker. “Thanks for tellin’ me.”
»»•««
Allison spent the first two hours of her shift itching for her break. When she finally got one, she rushed outside to the parking lot where her colleagues always went out to smoke. Taking her phone out of her pocket, she clicked on the app for EFUsion, the online school newspaper. She navigated to the Bleacher Buzz section of the paper, looking for the sports news archives. She searched for Tony’s name and got about a hundred hits, so she narrowed the search to the last three months. She scrolled past an article about Philip Mason’s graduation, another about the team experimenting with play-by-play broadcasts over the public address system this fall, the team’s practice schedule, and dozens of other articles that didn’t matter until she finally found the one she was looking for—the one about Tony getting benched.
The journalism student who wrote the article claimed the coach was tired of Tony’s lackadaisical work habits. Ramos seemed to think the rules didn’t apply to him, the article said. “He’d shown up late for practice for the last time on May 27. A member of the coaching staff who wished to remain anonymous said Ramos maintained he was helping some waitress clean up after a mishap.” Allison’s eyes widened as she read the rest of the piece. “The coaches didn’t buy his story any more than they bought his previous fabrications, so they benched him, opting to give a shot to Matt Warner, who’d be transferring to EFU from Saint Peter’s College in Illinois and practicing with the team this summer.” Allison clicked the power button to turn off the phone.
She was dumbstruck. Tony got benched for being late after helping her clean up! He was the reason she got her job back. And she was the reason he lost his. No wonder he didn’t want to tell her. She knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t want her blaming herself. She held the phone to her chest, feeling her anger grow. The article was malicious and unfair. Sources say this, sources say that. No names, just hearsay. She’d be surprised if the journalism student who fancied himself a real reporter actually interviewed anyone. He probably made up most of it—except for the part about Tony helping the waitress. That part he got right.
Allison clicked “power” again to see what time it was. If she got out of work exactly on time, she might be able to make it to the coach’s dinner.
»»•««
Allison rushed home after work to shower and change into a nice blouse and skirt. She didn’t want to show up to the coach’s dinner wearing her waitress outfit and smelling like baby back ribs, although she might be more convincing pleading Tony’s case to the coach wearing her Old Smoky’s uniform. “Look, Coach, it’s me,” she imagined herself saying, “the waitress who spilled the tray—the one Tony Ramos rescued.”
She took a half-hour bus ride to the restaurant and got off at the stop about a block away. She was actually excited about surprising Tony. As far as he knew, she was still boiling mad at him. Heading toward Rusty’s, she grew teary-eyed thinking how Tony didn’t deserve the grief he got—not from her, not from the press, or the coaches or the girl who accused him of sexual assault. He always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was one of those people who tried to do what was right and ended up getting punished for it. Right now, all she wanted to do was hold him in her arms and tell him they were good.
If she learned anything about Tony over the past three months, it’s that his heart was absolutely in the right place. He was good to his grandmother, and to Allison, and he was taking steps to help improve the lives of kids who were growing up under less than desirable circumstances. He knew he’d been given opportunities in his life and, even if things didn’t always work out for him, he still wanted to help others.
She entered the restaurant and waited for her eyes adjust to the low lighting. When the Maitr’d approached her, she told him she was with the Barracudas and he directed her to a private room in the back of the restaurant. She headed in that direction but stopped when she passed the terrace door and spotted a man out on the veranda. She recognized him as Coach Fairchild. This might be her one and only shot.
»»•««
She hesitated before stepping onto the wooden deck overlooking the lake. It was a humid night in early September and she’d been ready to enjoy the restaurant’s air conditioning after her brisk walk from the bus stop. But creature comfort was secondary right now. She had a goal to accomplish, and reconciling with Tony was just one part of it.
The coach laughed, but it came out more like a grunt. “Ramos doesn’t have a girlfriend. Who are you really?”
Her eyes widened and her first instinct was to get snarky like she would with her mother, but she held back. This man had something she wanted, so it was important to keep a civil tongue. She watched him press some keys on his phone. Clearly, he wasn’t interested in anything she had to say, so she got to the point quickly. “I really am his girlfriend, sir, and no disrespect meant, but it seems to me you’re wrong about Tony on a lotta levels, startin’ with benchin’ him.”
He lifted an eyebrow, but stayed focused on his phone. “I appreciate your boldness, Miss—”
“Allison. My name is Allison Martin.”
“I don’t take advice from civilians.”
“I’m not offerin’ advice, sir. I’m statin’ a fact. You benched Tony ’cause he was late for practice that day.”
Looking askance at her, he gruffly said, “It wasn’t the first time. Now, you’ll excuse me.”
Allison blocked his way. “Maybe not, but it was his last time, right?” The coach looked over her shoulder toward the sliding glass doors leading toward the dining room. She figured he was planning his escape. Talk faster Allison. “See, the reason Tony was late was ’cause he was helpin’ me. I’m a waitress at Old Smoky’s and I dropped a tray of food that he helped me clean up. He didn’t even know me and he kept me from gettin’ fired, Mr. Fairchild. And he’s done me a hundred kindnesses since then.”
When he eyed her with skepticism, she continued. “Yeah, I think I know what you’re thinkin’ and it wasn’t ’cause he wanted anythin’ from me. Just the opposite. See, he’s given me so much,” including self-confidence, she thought to herself. “I just wanna return the favor and that’s why I needed to talk to you, to tell you he doesn’t deserve to be second string and to ask you to give him another chance.”
Without missing a beat, the coach asked, “Did he put you up to this?”
Oh my God. She expected resistance, but she didn’t expect this much mistrust. She forced herself to keep calm. “No, sir. I swear. I just got here and he has no idea I’m even talkin’ to you.”
Coach nodded. “Well, you’ve talked to me. You’ve done your good deed,” he responded coldly.
He walked around her and she grabbed his arm, surprising both of them. He glared at her hand and she let go. Think fast, Allison. “Coach, wait.” She stepped in front of him again. “I know you think you know all there is to know about Tony, but excuse me for sayin’, you’re wrong. Like, did you know he’s startin’ a program for disadvantaged youth in Bradenton?”
The coach scowled and folded his arms over his chest.
“It’s true. You can check it out for yourself. He’s workin’ with his high school coach Brad Samuels and the community relations folks and the parks department and people like that. He’s givin’ his free time, just so kids won’t have to grow up on the streets the way he did. He wants them to have a decent male role model, and before you say anythin’ about that, Tony is tryin’. He’s tryin’ to shake off the fact his parents abandoned him when he was little.” She paused to take a quick breath. “Look, he knows he was lucky to get the opportunities he got. Now, if you take those blinders off and throw away those prejudices you have about him, you’d give him another shot. He deserves it. Everyone deserves a second chance. Don’t they?” Allison paused and looked downward. She felt tears welling in her eyes and she didn’t want to cry right now. She looked back up at the coach who was staring toward the restaurant. “Won’t you give him another chance? Please, sir?”
The coach looked at her, then lifted his eyes at something that caught his attention behind her.
“Allie?” Tony called from the doorway that connected the restaurant to the veranda. Allison turned her head quickly, her eyes wide with surprise. Stepping closer, he took her in his arms. “I didn’t think you were coming.” He leaned away and looked from her to the coach, appearing a little confused by the scene. “You okay?”
Avoiding eye contact, Allison nodded. He put his arm around Allison. “Um. Coach Fairchild, did you meet my girlfriend, Allison?”
Coach nodded once. “We were just getting acquainted. You have good taste, Ramos.”
Tony smiled at Allison. “I agree.”
“Um. It’s a little hot out here,” she said, fanning herself with her hand. “Can we go inside?”
“Sure.” Tony waved and said, “See you inside, Coach.”
»»•««
Inside the restaurant, with his arm around her shoulder, Tony introduced Allison to his teammates and their dates. She felt a tingle every time he referred to her as his girlfriend. A couple of the guys good-naturedly joked that they were starting to think Tony made her up, since they never met her before. Sadly, the coaching staff’s lukewarm greeting didn’t surprise her.
The waiters squeezed an extra seat at the table and Tony held her chair as she sat down. He clasped her shoulders affectionately before taking his own seat. The group was elbow to elbow all through dinner, making Allison glad she wasn’t the one who had to wait on this demanding group.
Tony kept looking at her like he couldn’t believe she was really there, stroking her arm, her hair, kissing the side of her head. The thirty-six hours they spent apart had obviously been as hard on him as it was on her. He paid no attention to anyone else. But Allison did.
She noticed the coaches watching them, especially Coach Fairchild. She’d been glancing over at the coach when she felt Tony’s lips graze her cheek. He whispered in her ear, “I didn’t think you were coming.” Allison turned to look at him and got lost in the beauty of his unshaven face. God she’d missed those sexy bedroom eyes over the past day and a half. And those lips. How she longed to feel them feasting on her skin. “In fact, I thought I might never see you again at all,” he said.
Tears pooled in Allison’s eyes as she gazed at him. This incredible guy saved her job and, by doing that, he’d essentially lost his own job. Why was she the only one who could see what an amazing man Tony was? But even she faltered in her faith in him. She regretted treating him so poorly when all he’d been trying to do was protect her from the truth.
She briefly stroked his scruff, and curled her fingers around his hand on top of the table. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly, so only he could hear. “I said I believed in you, but I guess I didn’t believe hard enough.”
His brow knit. “What are you talking about?”
“You’re the reason I got my job back. And I’m the reason you lost yours.” Tony’s lips parted, but before he could respond, she added, “Don’t try denyin’ it either.”
“Uh. Okay. I won’t,” he said, running his hand down the back of her head. “I just didn’t want you feeling bad about it.”
“Why did you do it? You didn’t even know me then. I was a stranger.”
“You didn’t deserve to get fired, Allie.”
“Well neither did you.”
Tony briefly looked down at his plate of food. “I may have lost my starting quarterback job, but I got you.” He looked up at her and smiled. “I’d say that puts me in the win column.”
She blinked back her tears, overwhelmed by his heartfelt words. He leaned in and kissed her lips. She reached for his shoulder and drew him closer, deepening the kiss, completely forgetting the fact they were in public.
Their kiss was interrupted when Tony’s teammates began drumming on the table and clinking silverware on their glasses. The guys laughed and called out, “Get a room,” and “Allison’s not on the menu, ya know.” Tony grinned and threw his n
apkin across the table at one of the guys. Allison smiled and nervously pushed her hair behind her ear, but her eyes never left Tony. She longed to be alone with him, not only to show him how she feels, but to tell him as well. She didn’t get the chance yesterday to tell him she loves him, but he was definitely going to hear it tonight.
He put his arm around her and rubbed her back. “You okay?” he asked.
Nodding, she swallowed hard. “Never better.”
»»•««
The team bus pulled into the parking lot of EFU’s sports complex and the passengers filed out. Even though there was no alcohol served at dinner, the team was on a social high, having enjoyed a boisterous evening out. The night air echoed with “Thanks, Coach” and “See you tomorrow” as the group broke up and everyone headed toward their dorms.
Holding hands, Tony and Allison meandered through the parking lot in the direction of Tony’s dorm. “I still can’t get over you coming tonight.”
“I guess I got over myself,” Allison admitted.
“Huh?”
“I realized not everythin’ is about me and my feelings. Like I said in the restaurant, I get why you didn’t tell me about bein’ benched. I just wish I didn’t overreact like I did. I accused you of not knowin’ how to be in a relationship, but it goes both ways.”
Tony stopped walking and faced her. He shook his head from side to side as he looked at her. “You’re too good to be true, you know that?”
Allison shrugged and was about to reply when Tony grabbed her face and kissed her hard. The kiss was so spontaneous that she had to reach up and grip his shoulders to keep her balance. When the kiss broke, Tony rested his forehead against hers with his eyes half-closed. He opened his eyes and leaned away. “I got something in my room I need to show you.”
Allison giggled. “Oh really?” she asked suggestively.
“Not that,” Tony said, laughing. He took her hand and threaded their fingers together. “Come on, I’ll show you.”
Roughing the Passer (Quarterback Sneak Book 2) Page 17
