* * *
As if things couldn’t get any worse, Joseph’s flight was delayed. He chartered a plane and apparently there was something going on with the engine, so he didn’t get here until today. Saturday. Saturday, as in the deadline that Bridgett gave me to publicly announce that it’s over between Em and me. Something I refuse to do. Consequences be damned.
The entire team is in the private dining area eating dinner. Today has been a lazy day as Coach calls it. We ran through tapes this morning, but other than that, it’s a chill day at the hotel, to get rested up for tomorrow’s game. I scarfed down some grilled chicken and vegetables, but I didn’t taste them.
My time is running out. She said midnight, and it’s already pushing eight. I don’t know if she was bluffing or telling the truth. Something tells me it was a bluff, but it’s risky to not take her seriously. I just hope Mr. Stamper can handle this quietly.
“Landon.” Coach Neil appears beside me. “Got a minute?” he asks.
“Sure, Coach.” I catch Case’s eye from across the table and he gives me a subtle nod. Trent does the same. I broke down and told him last night. It was driving me insane and since we’re rooming together, he knew something was up. I know they have my back, but at the end of the day, it’s Joseph Stamper I need in my corner. I just hope Coach Neil is right, and he’s going to be.
Silently, Coach Neil and I get in the elevator. Neither one of us speaks as it takes us to the top floor of the hotel. I follow behind him and wait as he knocks on the door. “Come on in,” Joseph says. “Have a seat.” I want to tell him that I’ll stand, but I don’t need to piss him off too. I want him on my side. “What’s going on, Neil?” he asks.
“I’ll let Landon tell you.”
So I tell the story again. I make sure to keep my anger in check, knowing I’m speaking about his wife. I look him in the eye as I recount her visit with me. By the time I’m finished, my hands are fisted at my sides, and he’s looking… guilty?
“I don’t care what she threatens to do, I’m not ending my relationship with Emma. If I have to give up my career, then so be it.”
“Wait, hold up.” He holds his hand in the air and stands from where he was sitting on the couch. We’re now standing eye-to-eye. “You’re not giving up your career and you’re not letting go of Emma.” Her name is spoken with reverence. “I know why she’s targeting you and I’m afraid it’s my fault.”
“Explain,” I say through gritted teeth. If he made a pass at her, I’ll kill him. Why didn’t she tell me? There are a million scenarios racing through my mind.
“Have a seat.”
“I’m good.” I cross my arms over my chest and square my feet. I’m not backing down to him. I don’t give a fuck who he is. “Explain,” I say again.
“After I saw you climb the wall, and the pictures of you and Emma were everywhere, I realized that she looked familiar to me.”
“You said that,” I say, remembering our conversation.
He nods. “You see, there was this woman. Beautiful dark hair, big green eyes, looked a lot like Emma back then. We met for a week when we were on spring break. We were inseparable that week, and I was going to ask her to try long-distance until we could work it out. She was amazing, vibrant, and full of life. In just six short days I fell hard. I knew she was the love of my life. I wanted to fight to make it work. Our last night together, it was… one I relive every single day of my life. The morning after, she was gone. Nothing but a note thanking me for the amazing week and that she would never forget me. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized I didn’t know her last name. I never gave her mine either. My father was the owner of the Hermosa Beach Trojans, and I was sick and tired of women coming onto me for what they thought they could get. I just wanted to be Joseph. That’s who I was with her. Just me.”
“What does this have to do with Emma? Other than the resemblance? Does Bridgett think you want to be with my girlfriend?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “Seeing Emma, that brought back all those feelings even more so. I mean it when I say not a single day has gone by that I didn’t think of her and our time together. I was crushed. When I got home, Dad informed me he was ill and it was time for me to take over running the team. He wanted me to be settled, a family man, and all I wanted was my beach girl. Bridgett was a family friend. We grew up together. Her parents and mine were best friends. One night while getting piss-ass drunk, thinking about my life, Bridgett showed up. We made a pact. A marriage of convenience. She’d be my wife, and in turn, would get to live a life of luxury that being married to a Stamper brings. As for me, I didn’t have to worry about falling in love again, something I knew that would never happen. I knew there wouldn’t be anyone else for me.”
“So your marriage is one of convenience?”
“Yes. I care about Bridgett, but I don’t love her, not like a man should love his wife. Not like you love Emma.”
“I still don’t understand,” Coach Neil
