The Risk: Scott's Story (Runaway Love Series Book 2) (17 page)

My phone chimes:

Drew: Luckily for you Danielle said she’ll work on it. You have to pay her, but she’ll give you the family rate. I’ll be there tomorrow along with the rest of the team for support.

I smile.

Me: Thanks, bro. I know I can count on you. I’m leaving after the press conference for New York. I need to get away from here.

I look up at Maria and smile. “I’m going upstairs to change for a swim. We’re leaving tomorrow for New York.”

I see the shock on her face as I’m leaving to go inside. “Stop telling me things so late, Scott.”

“Hire someone to come pack for you, Hell, I’ll need someone also.”

I go upstairs and change into my swimming trunks. A few laps in the pool will relax me. When I return back downstairs, Maria has already cleaned her mess and is on the phone, probably calling someone to pack up our clothes. I dive into the water. Once the cold, refreshing water hits my body I feel cleansed. I’m going to miss this place, but tomorrow starts a new beginning, and I’m ready for it.

I wake up the following morning to a loud noise near my room. I jump out of bed,
grab my bat from behind my door
, and go downstairs. I look in the living room and discover Drew, a few of my teammates, and Danielle are in there setting up some things.

“What time is it, and what the fuck is going on?”

Everyone starts laughing and Danielle turns to walk outside. “First, go upstairs and put some briefs on because your cock is out.”

I look down and mumble
fuck you
while I run upstairs to put on my boxer briefs and shorts. I can still hear Drew and the fellas laughing. I look at my phone and it’s eight o’clock. Really? What time is the damn press conference?

I go back downstairs and sit in the living room. “So, Drew, what time is the press conference?”

“Ten o’clock. We came here early because you said you’re leaving after the press conference. We wanted to spend a little bit of time with you before you go.”

Diego pats me on the back and shakes his head. “You really think you were going to leave without telling us?”

I run my fingers through my hair. “I was going to send out a massive text.”

“Really, bro?”

Thank God Maria comes out with a breakfast style buffet for us to eat. I smile at her, and she whispers that while I’m holding the press conference, our things will be packed. After we finish eating, I excuse myself to go upstairs to shower and get ready.

I put on my jersey with some shorts and sneakers. I run my fingers through my hair to have the wild caveman look that all my fans love about me.

I walk downstairs and discover everyone is ready. I catch Danielle and Drew kissing and I smile.

“All right fellas, let’s go do this”

We all walk outside and I see two limousines outside.

“We’re taking limos?”

“Duh, Scott. We’re going to relax.”

I sigh deeply and get in the limo. I sit back and listen to Danielle and Drew chat about whatever. I’m just looking out the window, wondering if I’m really doing the right thing. Soccer is my life, my passion. It’s what got me on the right path. Without soccer, I don’t know what I would’ve done with my life. I close my eyes and lean my head on the headrest. I have to keep reminding myself of one thing: I’m not doing this for Grace or the baby. I’m doing this for me.

“Scott, we’re here, buddy.”

I open my eyes and look at all the press that’s here. Damn, they really want to know what I have to say!

Danielle looks at me and smiles. “You can do it, unless you’re having cold feet?”

I look back out to the crowd and back at Danielle and Drew. “Nope, I’m ready. Let’s go”

Danielle gets out, and Drew and I follow behind her. I hear the crowd screaming our names. Part of me is going to miss all this attention. We walk up to the stage, and I see Mr. and Mrs. Rivers are already up there. I shake his hand and smile for the camera before I give Mrs. Rivers a hug. I take seat in the middle. To my right are Drew and Diego and on my left are Mr. and Mrs. Rivers. Maxine is nowhere to be found, thank God. I clear my throat and take a deep breath.

“
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. The lovely Danielle here put this last minute press conference together because I have a major announcement to make. I’ll no longer be playing soccer. I’m not retiring; I’m just taking a break from the sport to focus on other things that are going on in my life. I want to travel the world and do some reflecting on my life. I want to better myself so I can be a man who’s worthy of your support. I’d love to thank everyone who supports my decision, especially Mr. and Mrs. Rivers and my teammates. I’ll probably take one or two questions before I leave.”

I take a deep breath and lean back away from the mic. Drew claps me on my back and smiles. Danielle points to a reporter who stands up to address me.

“Hey Scott, there are rumors that you’re going back to New York.”

“They’re only rumors, of course. We shouldn’t believe everything we hear.”

“I have a very credible source that there’s more to this conference. Is there?”

“Your source is mistaken. One more question before I leave.”

A gentleman stands up. “What about all your endorsements? Are they going to drop you?”

“No, all my endorsements are fine and taken care of. They also support my decision. That’s all the questions I’m answering today. Take it easy.”

I stand up and shake Mr. Rivers’ hand again and hug Mrs. Rivers before I walk off the stage with my teammates behind me. I hear the members of the press still trying to ask questions, but I don’t care. I have an idea who the
credible source
is who leaked my personal information, but again, I don’t care. I hug all my teammates who came out to show support on such short notice before I get in the limo with Drew. Danielle stays behind to finish up with everything there.

Drew pulls out a flask. “Man, I couldn’t wait to pull this out.”

I laugh at Drew and take the flask from him to enjoy a few sips.

“They were trying throw you under the bus or something. You know who leaked the information, right?”

“Oh, of course. Daddy’s little girl.” We start to laugh.

“Drew, I’m really leaving when I get back to the house.”

Drew puts the flask away and looks at me. “You’re serious, man. Shit, I’m riding with you to the airport.”

“Okay. That’s fine with me but none of that sad shit.” I start laughing as we pull up to my house, and I see Henry helping Maria put some things in the trunk.

I get out of the limo and walk over to Henry to thank him. I thank Maria, too, before I enter the house and do a walk through. I go upstairs and change my clothes into a pair of ripped jeans, T-shirt, and hoodie jacket so I can get straight on the plane without being recognized. I walk to my office. I already had Maria pack all my personal files up and make sure they went with us. I look at the envelope that’s been haunting me the past few days. I grab it and lock the office door behind me and go downstairs. I see Drew and Maria hug.

“Okay, break it up. You’ll get some of Maria cooking soon. Relax.” We start laughing and I give Drew the keys to my Spyder to keep at his house. He looks at me and smile that evil smile.

“I’m going to follow behind you guys in this.”

I shake my head and walk down the walkway to get in the car. Henry holds the door open as I look back at the house and whisper, “See you soon.”

I get in the car, and we head to the airport. I look out the windows and close my eyes, not realizing that I end up falling asleep.

“Wake up, Scott, we’re here. I had Henry pull around to the private entrance.”

“Okay. That’s fine with me.” I rub my eyes and grab my carry-on bag and check to make sure the letter is still in my pocket. I get out to unload the luggage from the trunk as Drew comes jogging up beside me to help.

Henry pushes the cart inside, and I follow behind him. It’s just our luck that they’re boarding now. I walk over to check in and give Drew a big hug and thank him for everything he’s done for me.

“Without you, Andrew, I’d have never stayed here as long as I did. I truly appreciate you. I hope you come to realize how important family is. You have a little girl to think about and an incredible woman who obviously loves you.”

“I know, man. I promise you I’ll do the right thing by her. You allowing Danielle to run the press conference by herself was enough right there. Take it easy, brother, and I hope you find everything you’re looking for.”

We hug one more time and I walk toward the boarding station. I look back at Drew and wave to him and Henry. I know he’ll look after my house for me. I go through the process of boarding the plane before I walk to business class and see Maria’s already in her seat. I take my seat and close my eyes to say a silent prayer.

“Maria, are you ready for a new beginning?”

“I’m ready if you’re ready.”

“I’m definitely ready. New York, we’re ready for you!”

Maria laughs and I lean back in my seat and put my head phones on. Once we take off, I pull out the letter my father wrote to me.

Dear Son,

I know you don’t know me, but I’ve tried to know about you. I’ve stopped communicating with your mother lately because I’ve been dealing with personal problems in my life. You deserve to know the truth about me, especially since I don’t know if your mom will ever tell you.

I’m a music producer for a major record label, and I met your mom when she was singing at a local bar. I introduced myself to her because she had the most amazing voice that I had ever heard. She was also the most beautiful woman I ever laid my eyes on. I invited her to my studio and let her record a few songs with a band I was working with at the time. I signed her to my label, and I fixed her up with her own place and everything. At the time, I was married and had a family of my own that I didn’t tell your mother about at first. I started spending more and more time with your mother until I realized that she ran away from home and was only seventeen years old. If I’d known that she was a run away, I would’ve sent her home to her mother. Your mother saved up enough money and bought a house. I was very proud of her, but I didn’t know she was keeping a secret from me. I finally had to tell her that I was married because I noticed we both were becoming too attached to each other. I began to feel guilty about leaving my wife and child behind and neglecting them.

The day I told your mother I was married was the day that I lost her forever. She wasn’t the sweet, innocent angel I once met. She told me she was pregnant with you, and she wouldn’t even consider an abortion (I did not ask her to terminate her pregnancy). She informed me she was keeping our child, and if I didn’t want to leave my family, then I’d never be able to see you. I wasn’t there when you were born, but your mother eventually let me see you. You were way too young to remember me. I tried to spend as much time as I could between you and my other family. I loved seeing you and being with you! But, your mother began to demand more, and I wasn’t willing to offer her more. So, she told me I had to stop coming around. I felt badly about not being able to see you or watch you grow up.

I noticed your mom stopped cashing the checks I was sending her to take care of you. I hope and pray every day that everything is okay. My name is Richard Scott Fordham if you ever want to look for me. I hope you do because I know you’ll have lots of questions, and I’d love to answer them for you. You also have a sister name Ashley Fordham. She doesn’t know about you yet, but I will talk with her. I love you, son. Always remember I do love you no matter what the circumstances are. I’m here to help you if you need help.

Love always,

Your Father

I read over the letter a few times before the plane starts to shake. I blink as I realize I was so involved in the letter that I’d completely blocked out what’s going on around me. I look at Maria and notice she looks like she’s having a panic attack.

“Are you okay, Maria?”

“No, Scott, something is terribly wrong here!” The desperation in Maria’s voice forces to me to finally acknowledge we are in danger.

I hear the flight attendant say something over the loudspeaker about putting our seatbelts on, but at this point, the noise of the plane is too loud to really be able to understand anything. I look out the window and see we’re over water; I don’t think there’s a place to land. The plane’s shaking more as the oxygen masks drop down. The flight attendants are shaking as they show us how to place it on our faces. I ignore their instructions as I listen to some passengers begin to cry out in prayer while others are yelling their last “I love you’s.” The first thing that comes to mind is that I must text Grace; I have to let her know how I feel.

Grace, I’m on the plane and something is wrong. I love you. Even if the baby isn’t mine, I’ll always love you. Don’t forget our promise.

I’ve just hit SEND when I’m thrust forward into the seat in front of me as the plane takes a deep nose dive. “Grace… You were worth the risk…” I whisper for the last time before I feel the impact of the plane crashing. A kaleidoscope of red hair, grey eyes, and sweet lips float through my mind until my world goes black.