Running Away With You (Running #3) (54 page)

“I’m okay, Dean.  I’ll be a hell of a lot better when all of this crap is behind us.”

Callie stands with her husband and assures me, “We’re here for you sweetie.  Anything you two need, just say the word.”  And I know she means it.

It’s a little over an hour’s drive to reach the stadium.  It gives us enough time to talk about everything that’s happened.  I never wanted anyone to know about David’s video, and I was willing to do absolutely anything to make sure that never happened.  Now it seems like every time I open my mouth, I’m telling someone else about my shame.

A strange thing begins to happen.  The more I bare my soul, the more love and support I seem to receive.  Callie isn’t my sister, she’s Evan’s, and I had no misconceptions about where her loyalty would lie.  Reaching out to her, confiding my deepest, darkest secrets, and expecting any form of comfort and acceptance was never on my radar. 

I guess I never really understood what it means to have a sister.  Growing up an only child, I learned early on to be self-reliant.  Friends come and go over the years, and other than Auggie, I’ve never felt secure enough with another person to completely open up and let anyone see the parts of me that frighten me the most. 

Callie understands me because she understands her brother.  She knows why I would want to shield him from this darkness, but she also knows his strengths, and she would have been able to help me to see them too.  I know that now.

It’s been my life experience that a strong woman doesn’t need a man, or anyone, for that matter, to get through life’s challenges.  Having no father or brothers, I saw little use in reaching out for protection.  Having no sisters, it never entered my mind to seek out sympathy or empathy from the one person whose insight would have actually helped.

Dr. Falkowski will have an earful during my next session.  I wonder if this is typical for only children, or if this is my own unique dysfunction.  Perhaps it’s a little of both.

Once we reach the stadium and our private parking garage, I begin to feel stronger.  I’m no longer afraid.  I don’t want to hide.  I feel a new, growing desire to step into the light and accept whatever happens next.

The suite is hopping by the time we arrive.  Shaun Marise and Carlo Rivera’s families are here, and the room is alive with excitement.  Winning a divisional round would be an incredible accomplishment.  Evan is trying to become the fifth rookie quarterback in NFL history to advance to a conference championship. He'd be the first rookie ever to play in a Super Bowl, if he makes it that far.  No one expected Evan to bring the team as far as he did, especially given the severity of his hand injuries during pre-season.

This man of mine has been underestimated professionally and personally for far too long.  I make myself a silent vow to never doubt his strength again.

Shaun’s new girlfriend Miranda is here, and this is the first time I’m meeting her.  She comes rushing up to introduce herself to me.

“Oh my God.  Juliette Fletcher.  I can’t believe I’m actually here in the same room with you.”  She fawns all over me.  “I’ve followed your story from the very beginning.  It’s so romantic.  Is Evan really as sweet as they say?  He’s so dreamy.  You’re so lucky.”

Willow, Carlo’s wife, comes to my rescue.  “Miranda, leave poor Juliette alone.  In this room, you’re not a fan and you’re not a groupie.  Just because you’ve seen her picture in the news doesn’t mean you actually know her.  If you pull out a camera and try to take a selfie with her, I’m booting you out.  Are we cool?”

She nods and backs off.  “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean ... it’s just that this is my first time ... I promise I won’t say a word about the baby or the homicide investigation.”  She gestures the universal symbol for locking her mouth closed and throwing the key away. 

Willow and I find a quiet corner away from the others where I can vent a little.  “Jeez.  I thought I wouldn’t have to deal with that shit here.  I guess you heard too?”

“Girl, it’s pretty hard to miss.  It’s all over the news, Facebook, and Twitter.  How are you holding up?” she asks.

“I’ve been better,” I admit honestly.  “But Evan and I will be fine.  We’ll get through this together and we’ll be stronger for it.”

Callie comes over with a glass of white wine.  “Here. It’s a Riesling from the Renault Winery just down the road.  I think you’ll enjoy it.”  There’s something magical about a nice glass of wine.  My relationship with wine is long and complicated, but one thing is for sure - sipping a glass of wine with friends and family is one of life's greatest pleasures.

Despite the cold January weather, we all bundle up and find a seat on the observation deck just as the Sentinels prepare to take the field.  The Jumbotron is showing ten second clips of some of this year’s most important players. 

Among the first is wide receiver Carlo Rivera.  Willow’s entire face lights up with pride and appreciation for her husband.  The crowd hoots and hollers when they see their favorite player. 

It’s not until the final and most important member of the team is shown that the stadium erupts into deafening cheers.  There, bigger than life, is the image of Evan “Big Mac” McGuire, smiling brightly for the camera.  Momentary glimpses of some plays from the season flash by and I get all warm inside just watching him with the football in his hand, muscles tense as he brings the ball back and releases it with incredible force and precision.  Callie squeezes my hand as we watch.

The final image shows previous footage of the team taking the field.  Once the announcer welcomes everyone to the game, his voice goes quiet and music fills the stadium.  Lil Jon’s voice booms echoes off the walls, daring the audience to “Turn Down For What” as the team bursts through the tunnel. 

The cheerleaders and Sentinels’ mascot lead the team onto the field, and my eyes follow #16 as he jogs across the field and takes his place on the sidelines.  Nervous energy takes hold, and everyone in the box stands and cheers enthusiastically.

Everyone is watching with bated breath as Evan prepares to face off against his former teammates.  When the score is tied 0-0 at the end of the first quarter, it becomes clear that it’s going to be a close game, with both teams fighting for every yard.

As the clock ticks down toward half time, Evan connects with Carlo.  “Run, run, run, baby, run!” Willow screams, jumping up and down.  Carlo advances the ball twenty-six yards, putting the Sentinels in scoring position.

There are mere seconds left on the clock, and only enough time for one last play.  The ball snaps and Evan scans the field for an opening, finding Running Back Xander Parish deep in the end zone and without cover.  Evan fires a rocket right into the deft hands of his teammate, and the Sentinels score the first touchdown of the game.  Raucous applause reverberates throughout the stadium. 

“Yes!” I jump, and scream, and laugh.  “Touchdown, baby!”  I watch in pure delight as Evan jogs toward the sidelines, high-fiving and fist-bumping his teammates.  I can’t seem to stop smiling.

Special teams take the field, led by place kicker Troy Duffy.  Troy lines up to kick the extra point and the kick sails wide right. The first half ends with the Sentinels in the lead, six-zero.

It’s not until half time that I finally get to see Adam.  He comes up to collect Evan’s phone.  “Um, Jette, do you think we could talk?” he asks.

“Sure, Sparky.  What’s going on?”

“I think you know what’s going on.”  He scans the room, which is full of prying eyes and eager ears.  “Let’s head down to one of the conference rooms.”

Adam leads me through the complex of hallways and locked doors, deep in the bowels of the stadium beneath the field and crowds.  We take a seat at a conference table in one of the many offices, and Adam looks completely defeated, like someone knocked the wind right out of his sails.

I take his hand in mine and ask, “How are you holding up?”

“Not too bad,” he admits. 

“I’m sorry about the police bringing you in for questioning.  I hope it wasn’t too bad.”

“No, not really.  We were done in less than an hour.”

“Does Evan know about the press leak?”

Adam shakes his head. “No.  There were a few close calls, but so far he’s been kept out of it.  But I have to tell you, my phone’s been blowing up with requests for statements and interviews.  There’s a lot of speculation about all of it.  How do you feel about going public?”

“Well, that would depend.  When?  Where?  And with who?”

“How about tomorrow, on Night After Night with Joey Griffin?  Evan hasn’t been on in a while, and with the history they have together, it should go smoothly.”

It does make sense, and frankly, I’m surprised I haven’t thought of it before.  “But aren’t you supposed to get the paternity test results tomorrow?” I ask. 

“That’s what we have Gavin for.”  Adam takes a deep breath, trying to push down the stress that’s creeping toward the surface. 

“Okay, then.  Do they want to interview Evan or both of us?”  Evan’s done this countless times before, but I’ve never been interviewed by anyone (other than the police).

“Both of you.  There are questions out there about David and why the police are questioning you that I’d like you to clear up.  How honest are you willing to get?  Are you ready to put yourself out there?”

If someone had asked me that question yesterday, they would have gotten a very different answer.  Without doubt or hesitation, I tell him, “Bring it on.”

Together we call Joey’s production manager and go over all the details.  There will be no drinking game like last time.  In fact, Evan will be Joey’s first guest of the night and I will be the second.  Since there are only two feature guests, his entire show will be dedicated to us. 

Once all the plans are solidified, Adam texts Joey to let him know it’s a done deal, but asks him not to reach out to Evan.  Not just yet, anyway. 

Adam delivers me back to the suite near the end of the fourth quarter.  I have to give Callie an immediate update, but other than that, the rest of the guests are far more interested in the game than in my mysterious disappearance.  I look up at the scoreboard and see that the score is now tied 6-6.  No wonder no one is paying any attention to me whatsoever.

I take my seat beside Callie and watch with the eyes of a die-hard fan as Evan and the offensive line take the field.  Even if there were no numbers on the uniforms, I would be able to spot Evan from a mile away.  The broad set of his shoulders, tight hips, and his confident stride make him unmistakable. 

The Sentinels struggle against the Texans’ aggressive defense.  Evan scrambles inside the pocket, looking for a receiver.  There are huge men who smell blood coming after him.  He drops back and tosses the ball away when one of the defensive ends takes him down. I hold my breath as I watch in absolute terror.  It feels like time stands still as I wait for the pack to clear and Evan to find his footing again. 

The next play isn’t much better, and Evan is tackled to the ground after throwing an incomplete pass.  They’re falling apart and I can see there’s nothing Evan can do to stop it.

After failing to make a first down, possession passes to the Texans.  Evan walks over to the sidelines and engages one of the coaches in a heated discussion.  He’s fighting hard for his team and he needs more protection out there if he’s going to make some plays. 

It gets nearer to the final whistle blow of the game, and as we prepare to enter overtime, the unthinkable happens.  The Houston Texans use their final play to score a field goal from the fifty-yard line, making the final score Houston 9, Sentinels 6.

Evan’s hopes of winning a conference title and making it to the big game have just evaporated before our eyes.

A Penny For Your Thoughts

A
dam is a magician.  Somehow he is able to sneak Evan out of the locker room, bypassing the ferocious and zealous desire of the reporters to get to him first.  The team shower room sits between two rooms – the locker room and the athletic training room.  Adam escorts him from the team showers directly to the privacy of the training room.  By the time I arrive, guided by a polite young intern, Evan is fully dressed and sitting calmly talking with Adam.

I bite my lip and take a few apprehensive steps toward them. Casually dressed in jeans and a black V-neck tee, Evan is freshly showered and looking surprisingly relaxed and at ease.

Evan turns and looks at me, locking his eyes with mine.  All I can think about is running across the room and throwing my arms around him in a protective embrace.

“Hey, there you are.”  He charges over to where I stand and wraps his arms around me, lifting me off the floor.

I look over at Adam, wondering if he’s broken the news yet.  Adam nods his head and gives me a thumbs up.

“Um, Evan, you’re in a surprisingly good mood.”

“Juliette, what’s not to be happy about?  As a rookie quarterback, I just took my team to the playoffs and brought home a two million dollar bonus.  You’re back home with me, where you belong, and very soon, one of us,” he looks over toward Adam, “will become a father.  I think we need to celebrate.”