Page 80 of Gridlocked on the Gridiron

When she picked up, Lucia said, “How did you get that?”

“The short version is that I went into the locker room during practice. Figured out his password—he’s so pathetic, it was the date Lincoln beat Crestview our junior year. Sent it to myself. Now you have it.”

Lucia sat on her couch, mouth open in shock. “That’s…” She didn’t know how to finish the thought.

“Brilliant? I know. I finally found a way to exact my revenge. Well, part of it at least. Anyway, get that to Tim and Coach Turner. And Colton. He needs his head clear if he’s gonna win.”

Lucia wasn’t sure she wanted to text the video to Colton. It was one of those things that needed to be shown to him in person. But she had no idea if she’d be given that opportunity before the game.

“Isa…I can’t even tell you how thankful I am for you. I really am.”

“Don’t you get sentimental on me now, osita. Get that to the Sabers so you can get cleared to work. I want to see you after the game on Sunday.”

She’d been so caught up in everything, she’d forgotten that her best friend would be in Charleston for the game. Vipers trainers always traveled with the team.

Isa clicked off the call before Lucia could say anything else. She forwarded the video to Tim and sat on the edge of her couch with bated breath.

Forty-five minutes later, Lucia’s ringer echoed around her house, breaking the silence that she’d been sitting in, staring blankly at the wall. She answered it on the second ring.

“Lucia Moretti speaking.”

Coach Turner’s kind voice answered. “Hi, Lucia. Glad I caught you. I just wanted to let you know that, as expected, you’ve been cleared to continue working. Legal will be in touch about a defamation suit in the case that The Richmond Herald doesn’t remove the article.”

She thought she’d be happier to hear the words, but she still felt the hole in her chest. She hadn’t heard anything from Colton, and she wasn’t sure if that was because he didn’t want to talk to her or because he wasn’t allowed to.

“Thank you so much. I’ll be in tomorrow morning before the game.”

She thought that would be the end of the conversation, but Coach Turner asked, “Do you know who might have leaked this information to the press?”

It seemed like the answer was obvious. Why was he asking something he knew the answer to?

Then, she realized. “No,” she lied.

A beat of silence. “You know that if you give me his name, it’ll make all of this go smoother. Legal action may be taken against him specifically, by us and the Vipers, and he’ll be formally reprimanded, potentially taking him out of the game.”

She shook her head despite knowing he couldn’t see the motion, certain of herself. Even if Colton had given up on her, she wouldn’t give up on him.

“Colton needs to beat him on the field Sunday. Anything else won’t be enough for him. He needs to prove to himself that he deserves to win. That he’s the best. I won’t take that from him.”

He sounded proud as he said, “See you tomorrow.”

She thanked him again. Just as she hit the sleep button, her phone buzzed.

Colton

I shouldn’t be texting you, but I can’t help myself. We should talk after the game.

She smiled softly, tension leaving her body. She knew it didn’t mean all was forgiven, but at least he was talking to her. Regardless of where their relationship stood, the last thing she wanted was for him to believe she would have done something that horrible.

Lucia

Whenever you want, I’ll be there.

And for good measure, she typed out one more.

Lucia

Good luck, Superstar. Kick his ass for me.

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