No, what she’d been completely engrossed in was Jared. Watching him move, watching him play. Recognizing his frustration when his coach pulled him and sent Flynn out as a replacement. Even from so far up, she knew her husband was irritated. Saw it in the way he strode the sidelines, in the grim way he held himself.
And that’s why she knew she needed to see him. Make sure he was okay.
Damn it, every single one of those players was still on top of him. Despite the whistles being blown and the referees running out toward them. Despite the Hawks who ran toward the pile, looking ready to brawl.
A little cry of distress escaped her and Harvey was at her side immediately, settling a hand on her shoulder in a soothing gesture. “He’ll be fine,” he reassured. “This sort of thing happens all the time.”
Sheridan didn’t believe him, but she nodded in reply. She’d been to a handful of home games since the wedding, almost always bringing a few friends with her. That one time she’d brought her mom, it had turned into a fiasco, what with her trying to throw her imaginary weight around as Jared Quinn’s mother-in-law.
Yeah, that had gone over real well.
That day, though, she was 100 percent focused. And worried.
Terribly worried…
All the players picked themselves up off the ground, with the exception of Jared. His coach ran out onto the field, kneeling beside him, his head bent close to Jared’s as if he were listening to what Jared had to say. If he was even conscious…
“I need to see him,” Sheridan said, clutching Harvey’s arm.
“There’s nothing you can do for him right now. He’s in excellent hands. If he’s in trouble or hurt, the medics will come onto the field and take care of him. Let’s wait and see what happens,” Harvey explained.
She didn’t want to wait. She wanted to see Jared and make sure he was really all right. His old injury was a sensitive subject, something no one was allowed to talk about. And when she said no one, she meant no one. Not even Jared talked about it.
But it bothered him. She saw it in the way he stretched his arm. How he iced it. How he favored that arm, treating it with extra care.
Harvey told her he’d lost almost half the season last year to that shoulder. And if he didn’t watch it, it was going to happen again.
“He shouldn’t play.” She stepped closer to Harvey, not wanting anyone else to hear. “I don’t know how much he’s told you or anyone else, but his shoulder still bothers him. A lot.”
Harvey sighed, his gaze locked on the large glass window that overlooked the field. “We know. Everyone knows.”
“So none of you do anything to protect him, then? You just let him run out there and endanger himself every single week.” She was incredulous. Enraged. What sort of league did Jared play for? And what sort of coaches, teammates, owners let him do such a thing? Putting himself at such risk, week in and week out?
“It’s the name of the game, Sheridan. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league, if not the best. His old personal habits may have driven Monroe crazy, but he’s the Mighty freaking Jared Quinn. To most, he’s considered unstoppable,” Harvey said.
“But he’s…” Her voice fading, she shook her head, sighing with relief as she watched Jared stand and slowly walk off the field.
Hard to believe not a one of them realized that Jared was just a man. A man who seemingly carried the weight of the entire team on his—granted, very broad—shoulders. But that was incredibly unfair, putting that sort of pressure on him. Especially when he had a vulnerable spot.
Knowing that he cared so much, that he wanted to do right by his team despite his injury, his reputation, the scandals…it touched her. Far deeper than she cared to admit.
Frowning, she shook her head, her gaze never leaving Jared for a second. He settled his big body on the bench, shucking his helmet off and setting it beside him. His hair was a mess, the black lines beneath his eyes smudged, and he’d never looked more handsome. Rugged. Sexy.
Oh man, did she have it bad…
She was too busy pacing to realize how much time had passed, but when she saw Flynn Foley run out onto the field, she knew they’d pulled Jared from the remainder of the game. She fell into a chair with a big sigh, knowing how much that must’ve killed Jared.
“He’ll be angry after the game, you know,” Harvey said to her matter-of-factly when he sat in the chair beside hers. “He’s been grumpy for weeks and everyone’s wondering why since he should be a happily married man.” He sent her a measured look. “You’re failing on the job, Sheridan.”
“Stay out of our marriage, Harvey,” she said as she stood, angry as hell. How dare he say that to her? The man was constantly meddling, telling her how to handle Jared. She was sick of it. “I mean it. It’s none of your business.”
“It’s definitely my business, especially when Jared’s acting like an ass to everyone and no one gets why. Remember, I’m half the reason you two are together.” Harvey stood as well, glaring at her.
“What do you want, a medal? Or maybe you want me to tell Jared you’ve been harassing me?”
Finally, a reaction from the emotionless man. “You don’t need to bring him into this.”
“Fine, then keep your nose out of our business.” She crossed her arms in front of her. Just because their marriage was fake didn’t mean she’d let anyone interfere with it.