The Risk: Scott's Story (Runaway Love Series Book 2) (16 page)

I run my fingers through my hair and sigh in frustration. “Maxine, we go through this every time we get close. Lucky for you there isn’t a Grace anymore to compare yourself to, not that you ever should’ve done so to begin with. I’m going to tell you this so you can move the fuck on: I’m quitting soccer and moving back to New York. I don’t plan on ever seeing you again. I’m done with the games, with the arguing, with the tantrums… I’m done with YOU, with US. Now please leave my house and don’t return.”

Maxine is shocked and bewildered. She picks up her things and walks out the door.

I slump back down into the chair and pick up my whiskey glass and throw it on the ground. The shattered glass does nothing to make me feel better; it just reminds me of what my heart must look like. I just want to scream. I didn’t think I’d ever hear myself saying out loud that I was really going to quit soccer. This isn’t even about Grace anymore, it’s about me getting back with myself. Getting out from Mr. Rivers’ claws is my first step.

My phone chimes.

Grace: I promise you, Scott, and I wish you were here so we could talk.

I look at the text and read it several times before I delete it. Grace can’t keep doing this to me. Maria walks outside and laughs.

“Okay, Scott, don’t break anything else in the house. I believe that was a nice show, but I would’ve let them fight some more. You should’ve heard them outside arguing if Maxine was going to give Gloria a ride or not. She did, by the way, so you’re safe now.”

I laugh. I forgot I had picked Gloria up.

“Maria, how do you feel about coming to New York with me?”

She stops sweeping and looks at me. “Is this an invitation or a demand?”

“Invitation, Maria.” I laugh at the absurdity of me being able to tell Maria what to do.

“In that case, I would love to go see the Big Apple! I hope this is considered a vacation, Scott.”

I stand up and start to walk back inside the house. “Oh please, lady, like you do a lot of work around here.”

I run inside before she can say anything back. She always has a quick comeback.

I grab my keys from the kitchen drawer and head upstairs to my office. I look and see my letter sitting neatly in the same spot where I left it. I set it aside and open my laptop to check my stocks. Things are still looking good. That makes me feel better about what I have planned to do tomorrow.

I pick up the phone and call my financial advisor to give him a heads up of my plans. He’s shocked by my decision, but he knew it was coming soon. We hang up and I contact my realtor to set me up with an agent in New York who can help me look for a place to rent there until I make my final decision.

I look at the letter again and want to read it, but I’m going to wait until the right time. I get up and walk out of the office and head downstairs. I hear Maria and Drew laughing in the living room. Either he’s here to visit or Maxine called her dad already.

“Are you laughing at me or is there a joke I missed?” I smile and have a seat on the couch with Maria.

“Maria was telling me about all the fun I missed. Why didn’t you call me? I love a good girl fight.”

I laugh. “I figured you would, but I didn’t want to bother you since you have such a wonderful family.” Why did I have to be such an ass for that last comment?

Maria looks at Drew. “What? You didn’t tell me anything, Andrew. Don’t you start keeping secrets from me.”

Drew laughs it off. “Scott is being a dick like usual, but yes, I have a family that I haven’t told anyone about. But since we’re going to be asses, why the fuck are you quitting soccer?”

Okay, it’s too late to change my mind now. Maxine didn’t waste any time telling her daddy. Mr. Rivers knows Drew’s my best friend so he needed confirmation. Maria’s looking at me confused because I didn’t tell her either.

“Is this why you said we’re going to New York?”

I take a deep breath. Why are they making things complicated when they don’t have to be?

“Does this have anything to do with Grace? Please tell me it’s not.” I can hear a hint of anger in Drew’s voice.

“Maria, would you please get us some whiskey? Drew, no. This has nothing to do with Grace, I promise.”

“Thank God. So what’s going on, brother? Because taking jabs at me isn’t cool.”

“Sorry man, I’m just thinking about so much at once. I have a letter from my father that’s upstairs waiting for me to read. My dad wrote a letter to my mother and was sending her five thousand dollars every month. As my past has finally caught up with me, I’m realizing what a douchebag I’ve been. I’m not proud of how I’ve been treating people, especially women. I’m not proud that I’ve been allowing my wants and desires to be more important to me than anything else. I’m tired of blaming everyone else for me being such a fuck up when I’m the only one to blame. Everything is so overwhelming, and I need to take the time to focus on myself to become the best man I can be. I’m even starting to think maybe Grace’s daughter might not even be mine.” I take a deep breath and Maria places two full glasses of whiskey in front of us. I down mine in one gulp.

“Thank you, Maria. Would you please just bring us the bottle?”

Drew’s looking at me like I’m another person. I watch him finish off his glass of whiskey and sit back in his chair.

“Why don’t we go upstairs and read the letter together?”

That would be okay to do, but I’d rather read it to myself. I know Drew completely understands my decision.

“No, it’s okay. I’m going to wait and read it when I’m ready to open that door.”

“No problem, you need to do what you feel is right. So, you really quitting soccer?”

“Yeah, I’m going to take a break and maybe play in the States. They have good soccer teams out there also.”

“Yeah they do, but I never thought I’d see you leaving the team. Hell, I thought I was going to leave before you.” He starts to laugh.

“Yeah well, you have enough money in investment like I do, so you probably could.”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind opening up a restaurant for Danielle. Maybe one day… You never know what the future may hold.”

His phone rings, and I watch him answer it. I see how his face lights up. I’m glad that he’s starting to be more open with me about Danielle. I drink some more and realize I definitely have to speak with Mr. Rivers tomorrow since Maxine didn’t waste any time in spreading my good news. I look at my watch and realize it’s getting late. I’m quite worn out from the day’s activities.

“That was Danielle. She cooked and wants me home. It’s pretty late anyway, so I’m going to head home. Call me before you leave for New York, okay?”

We get up and I walk him to the door. “Don’t worry. I’ll call you the day of.” I laugh.

He turns around and gives me a serious look. “Really, man, call me before you leave.”

“Okay, I will. Don’t get your knickers in a bunch.”

He laughs, and I watch him get into his truck and leave. I close the door and head upstairs. I take off my clothes and open my drawer and put on my shorts before I lie down on my bed and go straight to sleep.

I wake up feeling groggy. I look at my phone and it’s six o’clock. I get up and go in the shower. I feel more refreshed afterward, so I go downstairs and make some breakfast. I fix enough for me and Maria. I’m shocked she isn’t up yet. She must be taking this vacation idea pretty seriously! I don’t go to her room to bother her, I just go in the living room to see what’s on television. I doze off again for some reason, and when I wake back up, I grab my phone off the table and I send Mr. Rivers a text:

I’ll be at your office in an hour.

I get up, and I see Maria sitting down in the dining room eating. On my way upstairs I hear her say,
thank you,
and I yell that she’s welcome.

I decide to put on my Tom Ford business suit. I look in the mirror to check myself out. Damn, I look sexy. I smile and put on my Aviators. I walk downstairs and I’m thankful that Maria already has my driver here to drive me to Mr. Rivers’ office.

“Good morning, Mr. Scott.”

“Good morning, Henry. Thanks for coming to drive me.” I laugh and get in the Bentley. He smiles back.

On the way to the office, my phone chimes.

Rivers: Come to the office at the stadium

“Change of plans, Henry. Drive to the stadium, please.”

I sit back and relax because I’m ready to face the cocky bastard and see what bullshit he’s going to toss my way. We pull up to the stadium, and I’m very relieved that there are no photographers waiting around. Maybe he’s waiting for the right moment. I tell Henry to wait for me here. I get out of the car and walk into the stadium and go right upstairs to Mr. Rivers’ office that overlooks the field.

I look to see if his secretary’s there but she isn’t, so I knock on his door.

“Come in, Scott”

I open the door and he’s seated at his desk, talking on the phone. He wants people to think he’s a big, powerful man, but I always ignore him when he wants to be asshole. I take a seat across from him and listen in to his phone call.

“We’ll be needing a new forward on the team soon. Yes. I won’t be surprise if we’re looking for a new goalie, too. You know they go hand and hand.” He starts to laugh.

I wonder who the fuck he’s talking to as I’m sitting right in front of him. What an asshole! I clear my throat so he’ll look at me and know I’m impatient to get this over with.

“Let me call you back, darling. Scott wants my full attention. I’ll tell him you said hi.”

Darling? I give him a puzzled look, and he smiles back at me.

“My wife says to tell you hi, and she wishes you’d stay on the team.”

I chuckle because I was always fond of Charlotte Rivers. She was like a mother to me.

“Please tell her I wish I could, but other things have come up back home.”

He nods his head with his smug grin.

I don’t waste anymore of my time and get down to business. “I take it Maxine told you the minute I told her. So, yes, it’s true. I’m leaving soccer and going to New York. I have some business out there I need to attend to.”

“Is this about that pretty redhead named Grace and her pregnant belly?” He leans back in his chair like he knows so much.

I smile at him and cross my arms. “I figured you’d mention Grace’s name even though I told you before to never mention her, and now you’re bringing an unborn baby into the picture. It just shows what a dick you really are. Nice play, but this isn’t about her. It’s about me getting my life back together, and being part of this team isn’t going to work for me anymore.”

“You’re our best forward on the team, but if you really want to cut your contract short now, that means you won’t receive anything more from the team.”

I laugh. “Thank you so much for reminding me, but don’t worry, I’ll live without it. Thanks. It makes me happy to know that you won’t be getting anything either. Anyway, I’m going to set up a press conference tomorrow to announce that I’m leaving the team. I’d love for you to be there for the support.”

“I see you have everything planned out, huh? You think she’ll leave her husband for you?”

I stand up and walk toward the tall windows looking out onto the field. “I can only say so much and do so much, but you still won’t understand. I don’t think you ever will. Just be at the press conference and we’ll never see each other again after that.” I turn around and start walking out the door before I pause.

“Oh…I forgot to mention that you might want to tell your little princess that laser removal of a tattoo is a bitch.” I laugh and close the door behind me.

I notice his secretary is back at her desk. I turn to give her a kiss on both cheeks and watch her blush.

“What was that for, Scott?”

“Oh, no reason, Kat. Enjoy your day.”

I head downstairs with a fresh spring in my step. I see Henry waiting for me with a smile on his face.

“Let’s go back to the house because I have to plan for a press conference.”

He laughs, and we head back to the house. I loosen up my tie and unbutton my shirt. I think I’m going to go for a swim. I wonder if Drew can get Danielle to put together the press conference.

Me: Drew can you ask Danielle if she can put together a quick press conference, please? Thank you.

We pull up to the house. I thank Henry and go inside to find Maria.

“Maria!”

I walk into the living room and she isn’t there. I check the dining room and still no Maria. I walk outside and find her outside drinking tea.

“I thought you left.”

“Where would I go? I’m enjoying tea time. Do you want some?”

I take a seat next to her. “No, thank you. I’m going to hold a press conference to announce I’m leaving the team tomorrow. I texted Drew so he can get Danielle to set it up. Mr. Rivers said, which I already knew, that I won’t be getting any money from the team. I think he thinks I’m going to come crawling back when I run out of money, but he doesn’t know about the investments.”

“Why won’t you get any money from the team?”

“The contract he tricked me into signing was like selling my soul to the devil. I was pretty much spending advanced money, and the money I was making was small in comparison to what I was supposed to make because Mr. Rivers took half of it for himself. But don’t worry, we’ll have money. I’m still filthy rich.”