Far enough away from the other kids, Cassian stopped and placed his hands on Walker’s shoulders. “Yes, you did. First, you drew the other athletes away from their one and only opportunity to learn from one of the best football players in the league. Secondly, you disrespected your coach. If you don’t understand the purpose of his drills, you talk to him privately. You don’t walk away and do your own thing.” Holding Walker’s gaze, he asked, “What’s your goal?”
“To be rich like you so I can bang chicks.”
He knew Walker was just messing with him, but he remained impassive. Because it stung. It confirmed Xander’s assessment that Cassian was an embarrassment to the team, and it reminded him why Gigi didn’t trust him all the way.
She loves me. It bloomed inside him, spreading heat and happiness throughout his body.
But, if he didn’t gain control over his reputation, he could lose her.
He’d also lose his team. He’d worked his ass off to gain their respect and trust, and he dreaded starting over somewhere else.
And winning them over.
But I’m working on it. That’s the best I can do.
After a moment, the mischief left Walker’s eyes. “To play in the NFL.”
Cassian didn’t need to say anything. The kid was smart. He’d get there.
Walker let out a huff of exasperation. “To make my high school team.”
“Anyone else in your school going to football camp this summer?”
“No.”
“So, you have an advantage. That means you pay attention to your coaches. Trust that Xander knows the right drills—that’s how he became the backup quarterback for the Mavericks. Think you can do that?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Cassian started off. “And stop being so damn difficult.” He got about ten feet away when he heard, “Coach?”
He turned.
“Watch your language,” Walker said. “I’m an impressionable kid.”
Cassian grinned, but mostly he felt like he’d done something really important.
He’d helped a kid get on the right path. Paying it forward.
And, once Gigi came back to town, he’d bring up moving in with him again. Living across the country from each other wouldn’t work.
He’d build a studio in his penthouse.
Anything to make it work.
Chapter Seventeen
After dinner, Gigi curled up on the couch with a glass of wine. “How’d it go with the guys?” She’d wedged the phone between her shoulder and a throw pillow.
“Not well,” Cassian said. “I told them I needed to make some changes—for my career, sure, but also so I could start managing the story the press tells about me. Told told them about the plans Amie’d made with a local outfitter, but they just laughed. Thought it was a big joke. Why would they want to stand in a river for half the day when they could party in Monaco?”
“I’m sorry. That had to suck.” She knew he didn’t like disappointing them, when they’d done so much for him. “It’s not too late. You can charter a new yacht.”
“Hell, no. It might not be what I promised, but Amie will make it fun for the guys. She knows what they like.”
“Are you sure about this? I mean, the press is still going to do what they do—they’re going to look for moments to exploit.”
“I don’t want to go on the trip. I want to stay home with you and relax before the season starts.”
She dragged the throw off the back of the couch and spread it over her, snuggling in. “The pressure’s on. I better come up with some witty conversation, maybe buy some sexy lingerie.”
He chuckled. “You don’t need to do a damn thing to make hanging out with you more fun than hanging out with a bunch of my teammates. It might’ve been fun once, the parties, the constant travel, but it gets old. If I never hit up another club as long as I live, I won’t miss it.”
She played with the fringe on a pillow. “Is Xander coming?”
“I hope not. I don’t want him around.”
“I mean, I obviously don’t know him as well as you, but would he really go to these extremes? Planning, plotting…hiring a photographer?”
“Xander screws around as much as the other guys, and yet in the press he’s known as the family man. Anyone who can pull that off? You bet. You know how they say you can always tell someone’s cheating? That there are signs? Well, his wife has no clue. She’s always got that smug look, like she’s the lucky one. She scored the one player who’s so in love with his wife that he’d never cheat. She doesn’t know, because he’s that discreet. So, yeah, I think it could be him.”
“Or it could be just a random guy who happened to get the money shot in Aspen, and then wound up following you here.”
“He’s from LA.”
“Wait, you got him?”
“We got a name. Heard from the private investigator on the way home tonight.”
“Well, talk to me.”
“It’s Dustin Cade. He’s got a photography studio in Van Nuys. Now, we have to find out if he’s associated with Xander in any way.”
“And Amie. You can’t rule her out.”
“I’m not ruling anyone out, but the truth is, catching this one guy isn’t the answer. The only thing that’s going to stop it from happening again is changing my behavior. And I’m doing that, so the guy’s not going to be able to catch me in any more compromising positions. You can count on that.”
Every night, after the campers hit the sack, the coaches gathered in the faculty room. It had Barcaloungers and a big screen TV, gaming consoles, a kitchen, and poker tables. The dorms had security, so someone was always watching the kids’ activities.
Since it was the last night, Cassian had made dinner for the guys. His teammates had jumped on the food like a pack of coyotes. With the music blasting and everyone having a great time, he felt a little better about cancelling the big end-of-season trip.
The guys were being cool about it, but that didn’t mean they’d show up next year when he put out the call for volunteers. He’d have to come up with another gift. Couldn’t be something they’d buy for themselves, though.
In any event, he had a year to think about it.
“Can we talk to you a sec?”
In the middle of a poker game, Cassian looked over to see Dwayne, Andre, and Caleb. Glancing at his hand, he said, “Fold.” He followed the guys out of the room. “What’s up?” If they were pissed about the cancellation, he wouldn’t back down. They could just not come next year.
“Surprised to see you still around,” Caleb said. “You’re usually home by now.”
“Talking to your girl,” Dwayne said.
Cassian shot him a look of surprise. How’d they know? He thought he’d been so slick.
“Amie?” Caleb asked.
“No, the Lollipop.” Dwayne elbowed him.
Caleb looked confused. “I thought he was with Amie.”
“Hey. I’m not with Amie. Never have been.” He saw from their expressions that he’d taken them off guard with his serious tone. “Sorry, but it’s given me a lot of grief, and it pisses me off because I’ve never touched her.”