Once Upon A Half-Time: A Sports Romance - Sosie Frost Page 0,56

work I did when he listed his house on the market. “God, you get sexier every day.”

Ah. Professionalism.

I stepped into his office, but I didn’t sit, even though the leather looked awfully comfy, especially to someone who just couldn’t shake her stomach bug.

“Thanks for seeing me,” I said. “I was hoping I could talk with you.”

“Gee, Elle. I’m kinda swamped today.” Adam rubbed his chin. “But if you wanted to meet tonight…”

Vomiting was more preferable. “This won’t take very long.”

“I don’t know what you’re used to, but nothing is really short with me.”

Oh god. That just meant his itty-bitty was definitely a teeny-weeny.

This would be the only time I’d admit the truth with a straight face. “Sorry. I’m…married.”

“Oh right. I heard about that.” He licked his lips. “Wish I could have been there to see the locker room reaction.”

All he had to do was ask Coach Thompson for the pictures . “So, I was concerned with something. I wanted to bring it to your attention.”

“I’m all ears, Elle.”

That was good, cause his eyes certainly didn’t stay on mine. They lingered on my chest. Probably shouldn’t have picked this particular tunic with my leggings, but it was the only shirt that sufficiently contained the girls. I’d caught more men today than just Adam staring at my breasts.

That included Lachlan, but at least he had stopped grabbing them during practice.

Adam gestured for me to continue.

How was I supposed to explain this?

“I just wanted to…make sure the whole organization was on the same page,” I said.

“Okay.”

“I was recently approached and asked to utilize my talents in an…unconventional manner.”

“I don’t understand.”

Now or never. I dug my fingers into the back of the leather chair. “I was asked to visit another team’s practice…to gather a bit of reconnaissance on the team.”

“And?”

“I was instructed to take photographs of offensive and defensive strategies for the teams we’d face in the upcoming season. Formations. Defensive installments. Trick plays. Anything in particular they’d be practicing during their final walk-throughs.”

“Oh.” Adam shrugged. “Yeah. That.”

My stomach twisted. “That?”

“Sure. Coach Thompson and I worked on that a year or two ago.”

Oh no.

I swallowed the biley panic rising in my throat. “So you knew?”

“Yeah. It’s not a big deal. Look, Elle.” Adam took too much pleasure in saying my name. “The league is tough. Everyone does what they have to do to survive. Just do as Peter tells you, enjoy your new raise, and everything will be fine.”

“But—”

“Elle, you’re a woman. You blend in better. You’re beautiful and a great photographer—plus you understand the game inside and out. Who better to help the team?”

That wasn’t it.

That wasn’t it at all.

They could say that it was some sort of twisted football honeypot, but I wasn’t an idiot.

Peter had handled everything until this season. But something had changed.

They were afraid of getting discovered. And they needed someone who could take the blame in case the league found out.

Who better to take the fall than the only other person on the team with access to the photography equipment, office, players? Someone who had intricate knowledge of the league?

Christ, they’d probably frame me for the team’s blackmail photos too.

Jesus. What had they done to me?

It didn’t matter. This went beyond protecting the players now. I had to take care of myself.

And they’d forever regret fucking with me.

“Okay.” I forced a smile. “Just so we’re clear.”

“No problems here, Elle. You’re doing a great job.”

“Thank you.”

“And if you ever decide the married life isn’t for you…” He winked. “You don’t need an appointment to see me.”

Ew. He had all the tact of Lachlan but none of the charm.

I turned from the office, but I didn’t make it to the doorway. Adam’s next visitor shadowed the room.

Coach Thompson crossed his arms, glaring at me with a cold stare I thought he only reserved for Lachlan.

“Elle.” He growled my name. “Little far from the field, aren’t you?”

My stomach heaved. “Just heading there now, Coach.”

“Everything okay, Adam?”

Adam practically licked his lips as he stared at me. “Oh yeah. We’re fine.”

Coach Thompson leered, baring his teeth in a wolf’s smile. “Good. I’d hate to think we’d have any problems with our little Elle.”

“Nope. All good. See you out there, big guy.”

Big guy? I should have slapped him on the ass as I left too. That might have been more suave.

The bile surged again. I hurried from the office, skipping the exit to the field and ducking back into the safety of the women’s bathroom.

My new home away from home.

I heaved again but nothing