Keeping Score

“Yes.” More than he thought possible. “But there’s nothing I can do about that right now. We need to wait until Andrea gets information about Jordan Hyatt’s background.”

“I wish you’d at least tell the media you’re not the father of that woman’s baby. Defend yourself.”

“It won’t do any good.” Warrick kneaded the knot at the base of his neck.

“We’re not talking about your father, who never listens to anyone but himself. At least try it.” Marilyn’s frustration was loud and clear.

“The press won’t listen. Instead they’ll try to goad me into a reaction they can feed to all of their outlets.” As frayed as his temper had been lately, it wouldn’t take much goading to get him to snap.

“Jordan Hyatt told all of New York that you cheated on me.” Marilyn’s voice was tight. “Our friends, neighbors, family, your teammates heard her. All that I’m asking is that you set the record straight.”

What could he say to convince her that waiting was the more prudent course? “It bothers me that there are people who will believe her lies. But you’re the only person I have to defend myself to and you already believe in me.”

Marilyn’s sigh was soft. “I don’t want people to think badly of you. You’re a good person, Rick. A great person. You don’t deserve this.”

Warrick’s heart twisted. God, he wished she were near him. Her words weren’t enough. He wanted to touch her. Hold her.

He sat on the edge of the bed, propping his elbow on his knee. “What you think is all that matters to me. Our marriage is about you and me. Don’t let what other people think about us affect that.”

Marilyn hesitated. “What is this really about, Rick?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you reluctant to talk with the press because of the Monarchs?”

He stiffened. “This has nothing to do with the team.”

A beat of silence traveled through the line. “Janet Crowley called.”

Warrick dreaded the reason behind Marilyn’s abrupt change of topic. “The clinic partner?”

“I’m not getting the partnership.” Her disappointment was audible. “Janet and Dionne believe our lifestyle is too disruptive for their practice.”

Warrick scrubbed a hand over his face. Son of a—“Mary, I’m so very sorry. I know how much you wanted a partnership with that clinic.”

“Your silence may be good for the team, Rick, but it’s hurting me. It’s hurting us.”

Warrick stood, hoping to soothe his agitation. “Mary, our choices are speaking up now and keeping her lies in the news or waiting until we have the proof we need to discredit her.”

“But we don’t know what we’re looking for or how long it will take for us to find this information.”

Warrick closed his eyes at the desperation in her voice. “It shouldn’t take that long.” He hoped.

“And in the meantime, you’ll stay quiet to avoid any media coverage that could distract the team and cost you the series.”

Guilt pricked him although the charge wasn’t completely true. “I have to consider how my actions will affect them.”

“What about me, Rick?” Her voice was tired. “I don’t want to take a backseat to the Monarchs.”

Marilyn ended the call. Warrick held on to his cell phone, prolonging their connection while the silence stretched and bore down around him. He couldn’t shake off the weight of her words or quiet the questions chasing each other in his mind.

Should he hold a press conference? Was he asking Marilyn to take a backseat to his team? Who was Jordan Hyatt and why in the hell had she chosen his life to ruin?

“Jordan Hyatt must be mentally unbalanced.” Less than half an hour later, Marilyn sat in the kitchen with Emma. She was nursing a second glass of ice water.

“Why do you say that?” Emma had barely touched her first glass.

Marilyn looked up in surprise. “Why else would she claim to be Rick’s lover? She must be delusional.”