“She drugs people. I told you that.”
“So?”
“So, she told me there’s a reason she does what she does. I think she’s being blackmailed and it’s the reason she’s drugging people to get them into precarious situations. Perhaps at Michelle’s request. Thanks to Birgetta, I’m now of public interest and maybe I was forced into a position I didn’t want to be in, like between her scrawny thighs.”
Cooper was horrified but was attempting to be thoughtful of her opinion, “Would you go public with that story?”
“If she continues writing about my family and you, yes I would. I’ll do anything to protect my family.”
“What if I don’t want you going public? Telling lies only ends in ruin.”
“Only the bad guys.”
“I’m the bad guy, don’t ever forget that.”
“You don’t know that and I intend to find out the truth.”
“How?”
Then Dani went and ruined her pledge to have no secrets between them by saying, “I don’t know yet.”
“Well don’t do me any favors. I’ve come to terms with it now.”
“You have a coronary seeing me naked. Is that coming to terms with it?” Dani snapped, “You’re stuck in that lie and until you know what really happened that night your life will always be dictated by it.”
Cooper rubbed his temples, “Have you ever, for one moment, thought it could be true? You didn’t know me before, you didn’t know what I was capable of. I hurt plenty of girls before . . . before I was accused of rape.”
Dani became still, “You mean you assaulted other girls?”
“What? No!” He turned away in disgust, “I could sweet talk anyone into bed with little effort. If I saw them again I ignored them, if they pushed it I said I couldn’t remember. See how lies come back to bite. If it had gone to court about the rape there would have been a queue out the door of women eager to tell a jury how I had sex with them then couldn’t remember. I liked it plenty rough too.”
“Oh, God.” Dani groaned, covering her face with her hands. “Have you ever been tested for STI’s?”
This really upset him, “I look so healthy because I’m full of sexual diseases.”
“It’s a relevant question, Cooper.”
“I was tested again when I accepted the job with your father. The lawyers and even my doctor insisted. Everyone thinks I’m a stupid whore.” At her silence he added angrily, “I always used condoms. Happy?”
Quietly, Dani said, “Except when you couldn’t remember.”
Cooper sneered, “I told you it was bad.”
“You did and now it’s too late.”
His bitterness was taking over, “If this is going to be too tough for you let’s just end it before you get hurt.”
“Is that what you want?” Her posture tightened. “To finish it just like that?”
“Perhaps it’s wise.”
She moved to stand in front of him, “At least look me in the eye while you tell me to fuck off.” He stepped back a pace at her fury.
“Calm down.”
Instead she continued, “I suppose you got what you wanted. You got your career back, even the media are leaving you alone so you can get back to whoring if you want. This is why I don’t get involved with rugby men, you’re all worthless, self-serving, egotistical freaks without the brains to pull off anything meaningful. Don’t tell me what’s wise, Cooper. I realize now how fucking stupid I’ve been.” She rammed her fists into her pockets instead of punching him then fled down the stairs before she embarrassed herself even more by crying.
Cooper followed, “Dani . . .”
She stopped on the creaky stairs, her back to him. “Right from the start this has been all about you. My life was simple and obscure until you came along.”
“I’m sorry.” Cooper muttered.
“Stop saying you’re sorry. I’m not scared of the media . . .”
Finally Cooper lost his cool and roared, “You’re not scared of anything and you fucking should be! Girls who get involved with assholes like me get hurt.”
“And you constantly pushing me away isn’t going to hurt?” At Cooper’s indifferent shrug she quietly added, “You need to decide right now if you want me because I’m sick of you hating yourself and acting like a victim. You were a bastard who got burned, too bad.”
“You make it sound so simple.” He said.
“The problem is that you liked being the fun guy. You were about to be the next captain for your country. You can’t deal with the fact that you didn’t get what you wanted and all your hero-worshippers disappeared.”
Coopers jaw was working, “You think you have all the answers, don’t you? You don’t know me and . . .” He paused before stupidly continuing, “I don’t want you to. Got it?”
Dani propped her hands on her hips and she knew Cooper saw the pain his words had caused. Even if he wanted to take them back Dani knew his endless pride wouldn’t allow it, instead he stared at her defiantly, fists clenched at his sides.
“Fine.” She quietly said, walking out of his house, Cooper still following. She turned back to say, “I’m not fighting your battles anymore. Have a miserable life, you worthless bag of shit.”
Then she stepped into her car and drove away, crying before she hit the corner.
◆◆◆
Cooper couldn’t believe what a fuck up he was and why he had gotten so angry over her interest in his health. If he were in her place he’d be asking the same questions but he hated her thinking badly of him. Now she hated him. He was soon tearing thick layers of moldering wallpaper from the walls, grimly satisfied when a non-weight bearing wall was so rotted he could take a sledgehammer to it and work out some anger and disappointment.
◆◆◆
Dani arrived at her parent’s house in tears.
Trisha was home and her daughter’s current rollercoaster of emotions was terrifying, reminding Trisha of a time when Dani had been so emotionally broken the family thought she was either a drug addict or having a break down.
“Dani, what happened?”
Hiccoughing and swiping at a runny nose, Dani replied, “Nothing.”
On a deep sigh Trisha found wine glasses and half-filled them with her favorite Pinot Gris. Some conversations needed more than tea.
Trisha didn’t pretend to know much about her daughter’s private life since Dani kept it to herself, for which Trisha was eternally grateful. The men Dani bought home led her parents to despair. A complete commitment-phobe, Dani clearly never liked any of them. Any fool could see that Cooper Graves was different, Dani was different, she was sparkling. Or she had been, now she was just soggy.
Trisha pushed the wine into Dani’s hand, “Want to talk about it?”
“Not really.”
“I imagine it has something to do with Cooper?”
“Not anymore.” Dani was so sad it hurt her mother, “He dumped me.”
Trisha said, “He’s probably not in the right place for a serious relationship.”
“Why?” Dani snapped, “He’s not a kid and I thought with everything he’s been through he would be . . .” Her eyes widened at what she had been about to admit.
Trisha wasn’t surprised, “You think he should be grateful you want him after what he’s been accused of?”
“I didn’t, but . . .” She cried again, “What can I do? This is so complicated.”
“Let him sort this out in his own time. It’s not your job to fix him.”
“But I want to.”
“Well you can’t.”
Dani thought about this while sipping her wine and relaxing into the couch. “You’re right.” She sullenly told her wine glass, “Maybe I did expect him to be grateful but I didn’t fake the attraction.”
Trisha smiled, grim with memory. “Are you sure? You clearly faked it with those other boys.”
“Great, you think I’m a bitch and a slapper.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. You liked Cooper
and he clearly liked you but it didn’t work. You’re not the first to get dumped, my darling. Suck it up.”
“That's lovely.” She mumbled. After a minutes silence she added, “Speaking of moving on . . .”
“No.” Trisha firmly interrupted.
“Just until I get a proper job.”
After what had happened at the bar she was desperate for Dani to finish working there and conceded, “Only for a few weeks, and I better see you jobhunting and you have to help around the house.”
“Thanks, Mum.” Dani enthused, relieved to escape her shitty studio. “Can you help me shift?” Dani stood, wanting to keep busy to forget Cooper.
“Now?” She glanced at her barely touched wine then her daughter.
“I hate that place, my lease is up, the rent is due and I don’t want to renew. It’ll only take a couple of trips in Dad’s car.”
“Your father has his car so it will be a couple of trips in your own car. I’ll help if you take me out to dinner, your father has a media bash so won’t be home till late.”
Dani asked, brow furrowed, “Don’t you get sick of the media stuff?”
“I mostly tolerate it, sometimes it’s fun. Your father loves what he does and this is just part of his career. Every job has a downside, if you stay in one long enough you’ll figure that out.”
Smiling, Dani hugged Trisha tightly. “Thank you for being my mum.”
“You and your brother are spoilt brats.”
“But we love you. Me the most because I’m your favorite.”
Trisha held her daughter. “I love you too, more than life itself but I’m not upset about Cooper. Now you won’t go chasing dangerous shadows.”
“What do you mean?” Dani was confused.
“Hunting down that girl that accused Cooper of rape? I’m sure she would not have given you the answers you wanted. No one ever changes their story that dramatically. She would be destroyed in the media and by those online bullies.”
Dani draped an arm around her mother. “You’re probably right.”
Andrew ambled in, nodding to his sister and mother on route to the fridge.
“Are we friends yet?” Dani called.
“Depends,” Andrew yelled back. “You still sleeping with my coach?”
“No, he dumped me.”
Andrew’s head popped back around the corner, “Want me to beat him up?” He clearly relished the idea.
Dani rolled her eyes, “Thanks but no thanks.” She grinned while Trisha looked on, “Don’t want that pretty face hurt. What would all the sponsors say?”
“Ha, ha, funny girl. I guess we’re friends then.”
“Good, I’m leaving my apartment. You and Mum can help me move.”
Andrew turned accusing eyes to his mother, just like when he was little and thought the world was unfair. “Why does she get to live at home?”
“Andrew, you’re a slob, you expect me to cook, endure your video games, movie nights and girls following you home like lost lambs.”
Andrew shrugged, “Yeah, but I can aim at the toilet now.”
Trisha groaned, secretly delighted.
◆◆◆
Angelina peered at the photo of Cooper online. It had been a shock seeing him again, so much had happened since that awful time two years ago, when her need for attention had destroyed her morals and ruined Cooper’s life.
If only someone would ask her. She would never feel whole again until she admitted the truth but she didn’t know how to accomplish it on her own. She craved to confess her sins and have them redeemed under the love of God.
She fell to her knees on a prayer, “Please let me fix what I have done.”
Her husband entered and smiled. “You are a good woman, Ang. How did I get so lucky to find you?”
“You dragged me out of the gutter if I remember.”
One of the triplets began crying, waking the other two and the new parents smiled and followed the noise to attend their miracle babies.
◆◆◆
Stacey collected the stack of morning papers. She thought they were old fashioned but Marcus liked to read through them all in hard print, no matter how often Stacey complained that it was aiding climate change. She straightened them out into a tidy pile, the top photo catching her attention. She froze. There in black and white was a photo of her best friend and husband locked together in an intimate moment.
It was an intense few minutes for the usually cool Stacey who was hardly rational after the recent birth and continued lack of sleep. She wondered who she should kill first, her wayward husband, her traitorous friend or herself.
Marcus wasn’t working from home today so Stacey called him. He didn’t answer which Stacey took as guilt. He had run, gone into hiding leaving her to raise his children all alone while he started a new family with Dani fucking Maxwell.
She pressed some more numbers, trying to sound normal, “Dani, I need to see you straight away.” She wondered if Marcus was with her, eyebrows rising, laughing at the stupid, fat wife at home with the kids while Marcus had all the fun.
“You sound weird. Are you alright?” Dani sounded so innocent, so concerned that Stacey almost believed she didn’t know.
“I need my best friend once and awhile but if you have something else to do then just forget it.”
She was about to hang up when Dani yelped, “I’m coming over right now.”
Stacey tried Marcus again. This time he answered and Stacey was certain this was proof he was with Dani, “You have to come home.” She said.
“I know. I’m on my way.” He sounded grim, angry, or just upset at being caught out.
Searching for the biggest knife Stacey was sidetracked when the baby started crying and her ballooned breasts leaked. She touched them, realizing the baby had napped for much longer than usual and her breasts were hard and hot. She felt hot and shaky too meaning she probably had a blocked milk duct. The baby needed to drain it fully which took ages. Luckily Dylan was at daycare so she had plenty of time.
As she left the kitchen she gazed longingly at the kitchen drawer, she would have to kill the others later.
She was still sitting in her chair when she heard Dani at the door. Marcus had messaged that he was almost home so she didn’t get up. The lovers could let each other in. Stacey tried crying, soon realizing she was too exhausted to be bothered. Marcus’s voice soon echoed through the quiet house and he sounded concerned. She looked down at her baby and sighed. He was only worried she had done something to his kid. She removed the baby from her breast, hoping the block had cleared, carrying her into the kitchen where Dani stood with the kettle in hand.
“Marcus let me in, thought you needed a cuppa.”
Just then Marcus entered, he stopped to analyze his wife’s mood before saying, “You know it’s not true.”
Stacey backed away as Dani said, “Do you guys want me to leave?” She watched Stacey with real concern that almost tipped Stacey over the edge.
“Why don’t you stay?” Stacey was calm, histrionics would get her nowhere. “You can have that kettle, have my husband, actually, here, take my baby too.” She stepped to Dani who backed away with equal haste.
“What the hell’s going on?” Dani asked as Marcus stepped between her and his wife. “I’m missing something here.”
“It’s the fucking Growler.” Marcus sounded furious and tired. Stacey figured it was all those late nights when he was sneaking out to meet his mistress.
“She wouldn’t dare.” Dani bit her lip and Stacey wanted to hit her.
She pointed to the newspaper on the table. “No one can fake that intimacy.”
Groaning, Dani studied the picture. After a moment of horror Dani’s expression changed. “Stacey, this was the day I met you and Marcus at the park. I played with Dylan. Look, you’re in the background with the kids, you’re watching us.”
Stacey snatched the paper and studied it again. The memory slowly returning. Marcus had only pecked Dani on the cheek.
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She gaped from her husband to her friend then passed the baby to Marcus and bolted.
Chapter Eighteen
Dani stood at the table while Marcus walked the baby around the kitchen, cooing gently while Stacey wept bitter tears upstairs.
“Do you think I should go up?” Dani asked.
“No,” Marcus jiggled and kissed his daughter’s precious face. “Wait until she calms down then I’ll go.”
They remained in morose silence until Marcus took a deep breath and handed the baby to Dani. Uncertain what to do with such a miniature person, Dani copied Marcus and paced the room, gently rocking her, staring into the tiny face, watching with rapt attention as the little eyes became droopy and she fell asleep. Delighted, Dani decided she was a natural at this baby stuff. Minutes later her back and arms were aching, this bundle may be small but it was awkward. She slowed down, realizing her mistake when the baby began wailing, heartfelt mewls that sent Dani’s blood pressure rocketing. She paced the room faster.
Her phone chose then to chirp in her pocket and she fumbled it out with one hand and hit the button. “What?” She hissed.
“It’s Cooper . . . what’s that noise?”
“I’m at Marcus and Stacey’s." She said in reply.
“I’m guessing you’re talking about the photo?”
“And talking my best friend off the ledge. Birgetta Growler is finished.” She said through clenched teeth. “What do you want?” She snapped, too nervous at Cooper’s unexpected call to be civil.
“I saw the photo and wanted to talk to you. I miss you.”
“Your timing is horrible. I can’t hear you over this racket. This kid is trying to drill a hole in my brain.”
“Can I call you back?”
“No. We said all that needs to be said, and for the record I apologize for thinking I could fix you and for expecting you to be grateful that I wanted you. You deserve better than that. Now, I can only take so much groveling, okay?”
The pause had Dani cursing her ended question, it was just delaying the inevitable. Marcus led Stacey into the kitchen and awkwardly took the baby from Dani’s aching arms. “Cooper, I have to go. See you around some time.”
Rules of her Game: A Contemporary Sports Romance Page 19
