Happily Ever All-Star: A Secret Baby Romance - Sosie Frost Page 0,288

easier, but I trusted the quarterback to take care of his tight-end.

In the parking lot. Tripped. Hit head.

I tucked the phone in Lachlan’s hand. “Okay, Jack’s coming to help.”

“Who?”

“Please be joking.”

“Okay?”

I eased Lachlan up and sat him on the curb. It seemed to help clear his head.

“Remember,” I said. “I was never here.”

“Never where?”

“Exactly.”

“What?”

“I’ll explain…well, I probably won’t,” I said. “I’m sorry I can’t stay, but if I don’t get out of here…”

They’d know I was the thief. I’d get fired.

And there’d be absolutely no way I could protect the players from the trouble Peter had caused.

“You’re leaving?” Lachlan asked. “No kiss goodbye?”

“That first one was a freebie.”

“You didn’t say goodbye last time either.”

I froze. Did he remember? Was he lucid?

His eyes widened, but he hadn’t said my name. Hadn’t mentioned Vegas. Then again, even Lachlan Reed must have realized how big of a mistake that weekend was. Anything that redefined the word debauchery was best forgotten barring any sort of public indecency charges.

I flinched as someone called his name from the entrance of the practice facility.

“Stay here.” I stood. “They’re gonna help you.”

Lachlan couldn’t have followed if he wanted. He held his head in his hands and hissed. Pain was probably a good sign. So was his swearing.

Time to bolt.

I rushed across the sidewalk and gathered my camera bag—praying I hadn’t smashed the lens on a camera worth more than my car and apartment. I dove behind a half-wall and crouched next to an unfortunately placed evergreen shrub. I gave a peek just to make sure Lachlan wasn’t alone.

Jack Carson jogged to Lachlan’s side. He whistled for the hulking linebacker behind him. Cole Hawthorne wasn’t as eager to find the rookie.

“Charming, you okay?” Jack offered Lachlan his hand. “It’s a little early in the day to black out. Learn from the best. You gotta pace yourself.”

He blinked, staring at Jack’s hand. He didn’t take it, instead looking up as Cole approached. Lachlan bent his neck back to gaze at the linebacker. Too much. He almost tumbled backward.

I didn’t let the blonde ponytail fool me, Cole was an absolute beast of a man. He grabbed Lachlan’s shoulder and hauled him to his feet.

“What the hell happened?” Cole asked.

“A girl…” Lachlan rubbed his head. “Rescued me.”

Cole glanced at Jack. “Don’t make me call Piper.”

“I’m serious. She tackled me.”

“Well, that bodes well for my offense.” Jack grinned. “Tackled by a girl?”

“Where did she…?” Lachlan searched the parking lot. I ducked before he saw me. “The fuck. She was here.”

“And she tackled you?” Cole said.

“Yeah. There was a car…it almost hit me.”

Jack shrugged. “Where’s the car?”

Lachlan blinked hard. “Where’s the girl?”

Jack and Cole steadied him. Neither looked happy.

“What do you think?” Cole frowned.

“Hell if I know,” Jack said. “I’ve never had to hallucinate a woman before, I always woke up to one in the bed with me.”

“Let’s get him inside to a trainer. Piper will flip shit if he’s hurt.”

“Not just Piper.” Jack slapped Lachlan’s shoulder. “Leah has him scheduled for an interview tomorrow. He’ll get my ass in trouble.”

“You? Piper’s pregnant and sleep-deprived. I’m not going to tell her that her only other client was playing in traffic. She’ll kick me out of bed and give my spot to the toddler.”

Lachlan wasn’t paying attention. He fumbled with the Tinkerbell book bag Cole pushed into his arms. “You really didn’t see a girl?”

“No,” Jack said.

“But she was fucking beautiful.”

“Most imaginary women are.”

Lachlan grinned. “I’m gonna marry that woman.”

Jack’s eyes widened. “Let’s get him a trainer.”

Cole agreed. “Immediately.”

Lachlan didn’t fight, but he searched the parking lot until the guys took him inside.

I hid behind the wall and sunk into the dirt. I wished I could breathe easier.

The SD card was safe, and Lachlan hadn’t been lobotomized by a speeding car.

So far, the day was looking up.

Except that my pocket now housed the biggest scandal to rock the league since Cole Hawthorne knocked-out Jude Owens. Maybe even since Jack Carson gave the league his middle finger and changed his image with a smile, wife, and new baby.

And while the SD card and the damning photos should have worried me most, I nearly rushed inside to ensure Lachlan was okay.

And that would be the biggest mistake of my life, even worse than stealing incriminating property from the team offices.

Whatever I felt for Lachlan, whatever thrill or fantasy I found in his arms, was over. I couldn’t get involved with a player on the team, and I certainly couldn’t fall for a man like him.

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