Beautiful Storm (San Francisco End Game #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Luke

O ur game is close coming into the final minutes. We may be sitting on twenty-five points against our opposition's twenty, but a stupid mistake means they have possession of the ball as the time ticks away. Miami needs a single touchdown to win the game, and they’ve been chasing our points every step of the way.

We’re currently on four wins and zero losses as we hit the fifth week of the season, so you’d think we’d be favorites coming into this game, but Miami is also four and zero. Not to mention they made the Super Bowl last year. I may be cocky, but I can admit we need to push ourselves to the limits to hold this lead.

I’m on edge as their quarterback throws his pass. I hate watching from the sidelines when the scores are close. I’m not built that way. I much prefer to be in the action. Even if we lose.

Their offense makes it three yards and then four before the first whistle blows and I have to stop myself from screaming at our defense. It’s too late in the game to be fucking around.

My heart pounds in my chest as play starts up again, and just when I think we’ve lost hope, our tackle, Levi, flattens their receiver to the ground, stopping him from making it another few yards.

“Yes. Go.”

Thomas curses with relief but I don’t dare look at him. We can’t celebrate yet, and if he’s smiling, I might get ahead of myself.

With less than a minute to go, I stop breathing, my eyes locked on the play. Come on. Come on. Come on.

Miami moves forward and either our home crowd goes quiet or I stop hearing them. This is it. They’ve done it, they’re going to win and… Holy shit! Levi again! Out of nowhere.

We won . We fucking won.

The clock hits zero and the crowd goes wild. As they should. “Thomas!” I yell, joining in on the celebration.

“Fucking Levi,” he cheers back at me before we both run onto the field.

You’d think it was the Super Bowl with the excitement coursing through me. But this win is more than just another point on the ladder. Miami is easily our biggest competition within this conference and they know it. But we won! We cemented what I’ve been saying since the pre-season began—this is our year.

When I reach the rest of our team, I dive into Levi’s arms, as Zane slams into him from behind. “You’re my hero,” I yell above the noise. “What a hit.”

Levi’s cocky grin lights up his face as the others join in and the volume increases.

We celebrate on the field until the crowd starts to clear, and it’s not until I stop cheering that I remember the cameras. And as I’m running toward the tunnel, shoulder to shoulder with Thomas, I spot Amelia and my smile widens on its own. How was that for your show?

I wait for her to turn away, like she’s been doing since her divorce went through earlier this week, but she shocks me by flashing me a genuine smile in return, and while my cocky nature wants to say the smile’s reserved for me, I know it’s for the team. She may not have been a Storm fan before working on her show, but her excitement has been showing, and today, I’d say we turned her. Not that I blame her. I imagine it’s hard not to get caught up in the hype when you work closely with the players. And considering it’s likely to lead to higher ratings for her show, even better.

For the first few weeks after our agreement, we managed to keep things purely professional, just like we planned, but after our moment in her office and then when her divorce was finalized, the vibe between us changed. And I’m not sure what contributed more to that change—the fact that I panicked when I saw her hurting and couldn’t keep my stupid hands to myself, or the fact that there’s now nothing stopping us from getting married. Either way, we stopped talking altogether and it wasn’t one-sided. It’s easy to pretend things are fine until they become a reality. And now that I’ve locked in our official nuptials for tomorrow, shit couldn’t get any more real.

After showering and a talk from the coaches, we’re called back onto the field for our postgame interviews, a change to our usual routine so that Amelia’s team has more room to film. Or maybe it’s for better aesthetics. I don’t know; I didn’t listen. I just did as I was told like the good professional guy that I am. But now that I’m here, it’s absolute chaos. What the hell were they thinking? The guys have no idea what cameras they’re supposed to be looking at and the media are not at all happy with the development. It would be comical if it wasn’t a pain in the ass. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been loving the spotlight, but sometimes the extra theatrics or changes in our day can be off-putting.

As I wait for my turn to be interviewed, I see Amelia talking to our coach and his daughter across the field, and my eyes drift over Amelia’s pregnant belly. She’s been making an effort to hide the evidence—wearing oversized tees or extra layers, even though it’s still warm outside, usually blaming the air conditioning—and it’s working. My lips curl into a smile as our little secret comes to mind, but it fades the second I remember she can’t hide it forever, and when the world finds out, things are going to get harder for her.

Because make no mistake, we have some very vocal players on this team.

“Don’t tell me you slept with Coach’s daughter?” Reed groans from beside me, and I internally jump since he came out of nowhere. I almost ask him “what the hell,” until I get it. He must have caught me staring in their direction—in Amelia’s direction—making me laugh.

“I’m not stupid.” I shove at his shoulder. “I’m fully aware that’s a one-way ticket out of here.”

“So, you’re what? Staring at her because you want to go there? Because she’s off-limits? Because—”

“I slept with Amelia.” My eyes widen and I curse under my breath. I didn’t mean for those words to come out of my mouth, but now that they have, a weight lifts.

Reed spits out his drink as his eyes flash toward me, and I’ve got to admit, I’m a little proud of that reaction—I always thought nothing I did shocked anyone—but despite smiling about it before, keeping this secret from some of my teammates has been hell. Especially when I’ve caught a number of the guys drooling over her.

Since Reed’s a rule follower, I wait a few seconds before saying something else and he panics right on cue. “Was it before or after we were told she’s a no-go zone?”

“Before.” I ease his mind, though it won’t be eased for long when the news drops.

Reed breathes out a sigh in relief. “Thank fuck. I like having you on the team.”

I laugh out loud, drawing the attention of the people around us before lowering my voice. The last thing I need is for Amelia to look my way. “You don’t actually think they’d drop one of us for sleeping with a member of the film crew, do you?” I lean in closer, my tone slightly louder than a whisper. “They’re more likely to fire the crew.”

“Maybe.” Reed shrugs, like he hasn’t thought this through, but I’ll bet all my money that he has…and I’m loaded. “I’d say we’re going to find out one way or another,” he adds with a frown, proving my thoughts. “Amelia aside, because you know, she’s…” He trails off, waving his hand as though that finishes his sentence while my heart pounds in my chest. Maybe people do know.

“She’s…what exactly?”

“She’s married.”

“She’s married ?” I fake ignorance while… Shit . I didn’t consider the possibility of people knowing that information. So, why isn’t he questioning me for sleeping with her? On that note, does Preston have social media? Someone needs to update his marital status to “divorced” before the baby news gets out. Do people announce that?

I mentally shake off my thoughts and smile. “Well, there you go,” I say casually, sneaking a quick glance in Amelia’s direction when Reed looks away. “How’d you find out?”

“By accident.”

“By accident ?”

“Yep. I was curious about what else she’d directed and…it doesn’t matter. Point is, we are a football team, full of players, and I don’t mean the football kind. Of course we’re going to find out the consequences of breaking the off-limits rule. It’s just a matter of when. I mean— Wait.” He cuts himself off as his eyes widen, his gaze bouncing between me and Amelia. Here it comes. “ She’s married .”

“Is she? Maybe she’s recently divorced.” I shrug, keeping my face straight.

“When exactly did you sleep with her?”

“About four months ago.”

“Four months? But—”

“I will not calm down!” a voice yells from behind us, cutting off Reed as we both spin to find Amelia’s douchebag colleague, Jake, storming toward where she’s now talking with Tom. “I told you she wasn’t the right person for the job,” he snaps into his phone and my body tenses. “I need to end this now. She should be fired.”

Reed’s eyes bore a hole in the side of my face, but I ignore it, my gaze locked on Jake as I listen in on his not-so-private conversation. I’m about to follow him when he hisses his next words, making me pause.

“She’s pregnant, Patrick. I’m not the one in the wrong.”

Jesus Christ . How the hell does he know?

My eyes scan the field to check if anyone else was listening, but other than a few random people that wouldn’t know who he was talking about, everyone else is distracted by the media. The media . Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. This is the worst possible time for him to be here.

My fists clench just as Reed grabs my arm, not that I acknowledge him, my eyes staying firmly locked on Jake as he moves toward Amelia.

“You slept with her four months ago?” he asks, putting two and two together.

“Yep.”

“Shit. That doesn’t mean anything. He might be wrong and—” I don’t wait for him to finish his sentence before taking off after Jake, an irrational anger welling up inside me as I push through the crowd. I knew this guy was a dick, but if he thinks he’s about to publicly humiliate Amelia, he’s got another think coming.

I reach out to grab the back of his shirt when someone pulls me to a stop, making me turn in anger. “Don’t,” Reed whisper-yells, his voice curt.

“Let go of me, Reed,” I grate, my teeth clenched as I try to subtly pull away from him.

“Wait,” he says, his gaze shifting over my shoulder.

If he thinks I’m going to let this play out—

Reed lets go of me and pushes me behind him before rushing to Amelia’s side. It takes me a second to register what he’s doing, but when I reach them he’s waving a hand in front of Tom’s face, trying to get his attention. “I’m aware that you barely know me,” he says, his voice low to avoid attention. “But I’m here to tell you that if you don’t silence what this asshole is about to announce, we’re all walking.”

“Excuse me? Who the… Jake?” Tom’s eyes find Jake’s and his brows furrow. “I thought I said you weren’t to come back here.”

“You did. But Tom, you’re going to want to hear this.”

Tom’s eyes flash to Reed as Jake opens his mouth. Reed stands tall with his arms folded over his chest, his bulging muscles clear through his shirt and his huge frame making him appear a lot more trouble than he is.

“Stop,” Tom yells, his tone so final that I jump. “Whatever you have to say, Jake, you say it in private.”

“But this affects everyone here and—” Reed spins around as I step in, pulling Jake back before getting in his face. I’m close enough to show him I mean business but not so close that I touch him. I wouldn’t put it past him to pin me for assault. “Say another word,” I grate, my anger rising now that I’m staring at his smug face. “I dare you.”

Jake freezes, his gaze lifting to find Tom over my shoulder. “Are you going to let this happen?”

“You need to leave, Jake.” Tom keeps his voice even but it’s obvious there’s no room for argument. “Meet me at the office. We’ll talk there.”

“Tom—”

“Go!”

Jake shakes his head before walking away with a huff, and it’s then that I register how tight the tension is coiled through my body. My muscles relax the farther he gets from Amelia, but I don’t unclench my fists until he’s reached the edge of the field. My body heaves as I turn to check on her, but when he calls out again, I freeze.

“Do you really think you’re going to finish this job with a—” My gaze snaps back, ready to chase after him when Easton beats me to it, shoving him through the gate and into the tunnel, cutting him off before he gets the last word out.

I stare shocked as Easton follows after Jake, and when they both disappear into the darkness, I snap out of it and shake off my disbelief.

As a team, we all have each other’s backs, but Easton is not the guy that gets involved in other people's business. Especially if there are cameras around.

Jesus . The cameras.

I frantically search the media chaos to find most of them resuming their interviews, but God knows what footage they have. When I finally glance back to Amelia, I’m met with her panicked gaze before she turns away, beelining straight for her assistant. And I hate that I can’t go to her. That doing so would make things worse.

My mind whirs as I contemplate what to do next, and I’m about to demand someone do something when I overhear Coach talking on his phone. “I need you to find Keeley. We need to make sure none of that gets seen.”

I release a held breath as his words work to ease some of my anger, but as I walkaway—hoping to lose myself in the crowd—I realize how much I’m still holding onto. I want to hurt that asshole. I want to chase after him and make him pay for what he tried to do. What he did. Who the fuck does he think he—

“Calm down,” Reed cuts into my throughs before grabbing my elbow and subtly dragging me away.

“Don’t tell me—”

“Play it cool then. Smile. I don’t care. Just do something to avoid attention.”

I pause and the second I do, I notice the eyes on us from around the space, including Thomas’s questioning expression. Jesus . Reed’s right. And here I was worried about Amelia.

“Thanks, man,” I whisper back, shaking his hands off me but following without protest.

When we’re once again out of earshot, Reed turns my way, his expression marred with concern. “So…” He hesitates before stepping closer. “It was never your brother, was it?”

“What?” I ask, taking a few seconds to catch up.

“The baby,” he whispers and I almost laugh. Oh right. I forgot I told him that little white lie.

“Oooh. No. It was me,” I confirm. “You’re looking at a soon-to-be DILF, right here.” I point to myself and huff out a laugh, bouncing my eyebrows as I throw out a joke like I’m expected to do, though my lack luster tone gives me away.

Reed’s eyes widen. “ Jesus . Aren’t you freaking out?”

“I was. I’m past that now. I’m goooood.” I am so far from good I don’t know what I am. And maybe if I wasn’t so distracted, I’d be able to have a proper conversation about it, but right now it’s not going to happen. Especially when Easton returns, moving into my line of sight and I have to hold back from rushing over to him.

“You’re acting weird,” Reed cuts into my thoughts. “Are you sure you’re not just telling yourself that you’re fine?”

“That’s exactly what I’m doing, Reed.” My voice rises before I cut myself off. “Sorry,” I say, softening my tone. “ But I’m going to need you to work with me here.”

Reed’s demeanor reverts back to caring mode before patting my back. “This is going to be amazing. You’ve got this. I know you do.”

My body deflates as I release a quick breath. “Thanks, man. I appreciate that.” I had no idea how much I needed to hear that until this very second.

We keep up the ‘everything’s fine’ charade for as long as possible, until Amelia passes by, refusing to meet my eyes while all I can think about is making sure she’s okay.

Reed laughs from beside me, cupping my shoulder with his palm. “I’m sorry, I tried. But man, you are fucked.”

I bark out a laugh, watching as Amelia walks away, my stomach twisted in knots. “Yep, I’m fucked,” I agree without looking his way.

So fucked.

I’ve been trying hard to pretend I’m good with the way things are between Amelia and me, but the truth is that I’m in this way deeper than I realized.

And it’s got nothing to do with our baby.