Happily Ever All-Star: A Secret Baby Romance - Sosie Frost Page 0,264

forced us into the shadow of our goal posts. We ran the ball once with no problem, but on second down, Tim dropped back to pass. Unfortunately, his chosen target was manhandled along the sideline. The ball whizzed by the receiver and the defender launched at his head. The receiver tumbled into the Monarchs’ bench

A fight almost broke out.

More penalties.

Tim couldn’t get a pass off on third down and flipped out on his way to the sidelines.

Annie rubbed her temples. “I’m going to need a stronger drink for this.”

So was I. After a punt, the defense took the field.

And I knew right away it was going to be a bad game.

The Knights boasted the league’s best rushing game, built around All-Star running-back Jude Owens. The Monarchs were regarded as having the strongest defense in the league, and Cole acted as the lynchpin. It was the showdown of showdowns, made worse because I actually liked Jude.

Jude had been Dad’s biggest client for the past seven years, and he was one of the few players who had always treated me with respect.

“Wow.” Annie sucked in a breath. “That offensive guard is holding Cole. Bad.”

“He won’t take it well,” I said.

“Never does.”

Couldn’t deny the truth. The referees weren’t calling the Knights’ offensive linemen for holding penalties, and they cheated by grabbing Cole, illegally using their hands to twist his jersey and haul him around. He broke through as best he could, but even he could only do so much.

By the end of the first half, Cole was enraged. He slammed his helmet against the bench, nearly cracking it as he paced the sidelines.

I couldn’t handle this. I envied Rose, bouncing around the booth and regaling Annie with her rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. She had no idea the score was tied and the time ticked away.

The third quarter went a little better. The Knights had decent field position, but they hadn’t progressed far. Third down and long sent the stadium into a frenzy, and even Rose looked around with wide-eyes and hands over her ears.

Everyone in the stadium stood as the Monarchs mounted their defense. The Knights went into shotgun formation.

Cole rushed the line but immediately backed off. The quarterback pointed at him. My gaze darted between the live action on the field and our television feed.

Cole read the play. I could feel it.

The ball snapped, and he was off, switching lanes and breaking through the weak side of the line. The quarterback pitched the ball to Jude.

But Jude didn’t see Cole.

He tucked the ball. Took a step.

And Cole obliterated him in a single, gruesome hit.

Jude hit the ground. Limp.

The ball tumbled from his arms. Cole fell with Jude, driving him into the grass. The defense recovered the fumble, but the whistles blew, the referees rushed in, and the stadium went silent.

Jude Owens didn’t move.

Cole leapt to his feet amid the penalty flags. He wasn’t celebrating the hit. He shouted to the Knights’ sidelines for help.

“Oh no…” I whispered.

Rose looked at me, nibbled her cookie, and muttered with me. “Uh-oh.”

The teams scattered off the field as trainers from both teams rushed to Jude’s aid.

It took a full minute before he moved. Even then, the trainers didn’t let him sit up. They rushed a cart onto the field to help, but after a long, tense ten minutes, they called for an ambulance instead.

And Cole watched them work, kneeling on the sidelines. Alone.

Jude Owens was rushed off the field and taken to a hospital. I didn’t need to hear the penalty or watch as Cole was escorted to the tunnels.

His ejection from the game was the least of our worries.

After a hit like that, I had no idea how I’d defend Cole from getting expelled from the league.

18

Piper

“He’s out.”

Frank Bennett didn’t bother looking at Cole. He didn’t speak to him, and he didn’t care for anything he might have said.

The words reigned like a final decree, and the conference room silenced.

It was rare enough for Frank Bennett to venture outside of the New York league headquarters, but to come specifically to Atwood for a meeting with the Monarchs?

It meant he wanted Cole expelled from the game.

The table creaked as the Monarchs’ management shifted in their seats. I stared at my water bottle—thirsty, but not willing to take a drink. A drip of condensation rolled down the side.

At least it could sweat with no consequence. I wasn’t so lucky.

I prepared Cole as best I could, but facing the Monarchs’ staff, representatives from the league’s legal

readonlinefreenovel.com Copyright 2016 - 2024