“And if the PI comes up empty?”

“There are still ways you can argue to the court that the child is better off with you.” The lawyer pauses. “Although, you do have the five years of abandonment you’ll have to overcome.”

“I just discovered the kid,” Chip claims. My jaw drops open in outrage over the explicit lie. “Had I known about her before, obviously I would not have ever left her in the care of a woman who is unstable and unsafe.”

He lies so easily. Objectively it’s impressive, but it makes me sick and angry.

The lawyer’s voice changes from cautious to mildly excited. “The fact that she lied about the parentage of her child, keeping your daughter from you is an entirely different story. The court would frown greatly upon that. A family law judge will want to award custody to the individual who is going to encourage both parties to participate fully in the raising of this child, and the fact that she’s prevented that from happening will reflect poorly on her. What does the birth certificate say?”

“Father unknown.”

My teeth grind together. He’d demanded that I keep his name off the document.

“That’s good. Very good. I’d still recommend a PI.”

Chip replies, “Oh, I will. I’m covering all my bases.”

Chip reaches over and taps on the screen, ending the recording. He folds his perfectly manicured fingers in front of him.

“Two years ago, I told you that it’s bad luck having you around the Mustangs. Nothing’s changed. Just because I quit, doesn’t mean that you get to come back.”

“I’ll pay back the money.”

“Bitch, it’s not about the money. It’s about me seeing your ugly face around here.”

My cheeks burn with hate and embarrassment.

“Nick’s a young quarterback, but I hear he’s got behavioral issues. I guess the one Super Bowl win has turned him into a diva. It’d be too bad if a promising player like him lost control of the locker room. Maybe the team would have to end up trading him, especially if there’s someone around who can do the job just as well.

I squint at him. “Are you saying you would unretire? You can do that?”

“I can do what I want.”

“His performance reflects on you,” I remind him coldly, but I can’t keep the quaver out of my voice. By the smirk on Chip’s face, I know he caught it. “If you help Nick win, you’ll move up the ladder quicker.”

“I’ll worry about my job,” he replies smugly.

“What do you want?”

“I want you to leave. Go back to Ashton and don’t show your face around here. In exchange, I’ll do everything I can to make young Nick’s experience as smooth and easy as possible, and I won’t hassle Charlie in any way, shape, or form.”

“And if I don’t?”

“If you don’t, then I ruin your life, along with Nick’s and Charlie’s. And you know I can. Because I’ve already started it.” He’s so confident. I want to punch him in his smug face.

“Nick and Charlie have money. You can’t ruin them.”

“The things Nick wants can’t be bought with money. As for Charlotte, my guess is she’d be pretty miserable if Nick fails and if it comes out that her best friend practically sold herself.”

I was seventeen! I scream inside. And you took advantage of me. I didn’t know those other people would be there. I didn’t know— I cut off that train of thought. There is no point in belaboring what I didn’t know and what I did. I got myself into this position so many years ago and now I’m paying for it. But I’m the only one who has to pay for it. Not my daughter, not Nick, not Charlotte.

“What assurance do I have you’ll follow through?”

Chip leans back with the all the confidence and good humor of a victor. “You’ll just have to trust me, won’t you?”

I stand up. “Someday, Chip, you’re gonna get yours.”

An ugly sneer covers his face. “I got mine. I’m just making sure everyone else is as miserable as I am.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Lainey

“May I help you?” says the cheery lady at the counter. Her long brown hair is swept up in a tight bun at the top of her head, but even the unattractive style doesn’t diminish the girl’s prettiness. I wonder how many of the players hit on her.

“I’m checking in.” I lay my driver’s license and credit card on the counter.

“Under Elaina Valdez?” she chirps. At my nod, she asks, “Do you want me to replace the credit card already attached to the file?”

“Yes, please.” This whole trip is more than I can afford, but it feels weird and wrong to be here on Nick’s dollar, especially since this is goodbye.

I might’ve stayed and fought if it was just me, but I’m not that selfish. After I read the sports blog that reported strife in the locker room, I knew I had to leave. But I’m going to have one last hurrah with Nick. One last beautiful moment. I deserve it.

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