Dare to Touch (Dare to Love 3)

“Actually, I did see him.”

“Are you sure it was him?”

“Positive. Because another man met up with him at the car. Yelled out his name.”

Olivia narrowed her gaze. “Did you see what the other man looked like?” she asked.

“Sorry. They argued a bit and then climbed into the car. I was busy and didn’t get a look at him,” the concierge said.

“How long ago?”

“About forty minutes?”

“Thank you.” Late but on his way.

Olivia pulled out her cell and was about to check in with Dylan when she caught sight of Marcus just inside the tent.

She rushed to catch up with him, pushing through the crowd. Thanks to his size, she was able to spot him easily and called out, “Marcus!”

He turned toward her, and her stomach plummeted. His white dress shirt was rumpled and half untucked, and there was no tie to be found. Worse, his eyes were red and glassy, and he didn’t look anywhere near ready to talk to reporters, let alone play football.

She strode up to him and clasped his arm. “Marcus!”

“Miss Olivia!” He stepped toward her, but his gait was unsteady.

“Where have you been?” she asked in a low voice.

“Trying to be good. I really was. But—”

“Can I get your autograph?” a young boy asked.

“Sure.” Marcus grinned at the kid. Olivia waited for him to sign his name on the boy’s piece of paper, then grabbed his massive arm and pulled him away from people.

“Where are we going?” he asked, genuinely confused.

>

“To talk where we can’t be overheard or interrupted. Come on. Over here.” She led him to an empty picnic table. “Have you been drinking?”

“No, but I’m not feeling well. I think I have a virus or something. I’m dizzy.”

She blew out a breath. “Can you play today?”

He shrugged. “Not sure.” The big football player turned blue eyes on her. “Wendell said it would pass, but I think I’m getting worse.”

“Wendell?” Olivia asked, her voice rising.

The other man cringed. “Well, yeah. He’s here in Arizona,” he said, dropping his head. “That day you saw me, Wendell called and asked me to meet him. I did it, only to tell him he couldn’t stay.”

Olivia blew out a breath. “What happened?”

“He said he understood. We talked and he left.” Marcus ran a hand through his blond hair. “Then he showed up at my room this morning. Said he wanted to wish me luck before the game. Said he wasn’t going to cause trouble. He just wanted to have breakfast with me and he’d go. He’s my cousin. I couldn’t say no.” His worried, glassy eyes begged her to believe.

Olivia nodded. “So what happened? Are you sure you didn’t drink with him?”

“We ate. I had bacon and eggs, and I just drank orange juice, I swear. But my stomach started to bother me soon after. So Wendell rode here in the limo with me in case I didn’t feel well.”

So Wendell was here at the event. That was trouble nobody needed, and Olivia’s stomach plummeted. At least he couldn’t get inside the event without a press pass or ticket, and the Thunder hadn’t issued him one of those.