Page 26 of Deceit & Destruction

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hear great things.”

My brows knit together.

“Oh, yeah, from who?”

He brings his eyes back to me.

“When you didn’t answer my calls, I called Webber. Alex too. They both sang Cassie’s praise.” He pauses, shoving his hands into his pockets as he rocks back on his heels. “Do you think you can spare five minutes for me?”

It’s clear that I’m not going to get rid of him. If I dismiss him now, he’ll only come back until I hear him out. With that in mind I give him a curt nod and turn to Cassie. I tell her the girls are waiting for her in their apartment. That seems to perk her up and she goes to turn for the stairs, but I stop her, gently pulling her back to me. She lifts her head, confusion marring her pretty features as I lower my head and brush my lips across hers.

I don’t do it for show, I do it for me.

When I pull back she looks a little off kilter but she quickly pulls herself together and bids farewell to Coach Riley, telling him it was nice to meet him. I watch her meander to the stairs and when she disappears from my view, I turn back to Coach Riley.

“I didn’t know you had a girlfriend, much less a baby coming.”

I sigh. Coach Riley likes to think he knows everything about his players.

“Well, now you do.”

“She seems like a sweet girl.”

“She is.”

“Look, Mike, I know you’re bitter, but my hands were tied. Now, what happened to your arm is unfortunate, but it’s not the end. With proper rehabilitation, that arm will be good to go.”

“The season will be over by then. You and I both know the scouts are out there watching the games. I won’t make the draft.”

“You won’t make first draft. You might not even make second or third, but you’re record is amazing and to throw in the towel without even trying is completely ignorant. You got a baby coming, Mike. This is your shot to give her a great life.”

Little does he know, I’m not even sure I’ll be part of her life after she’s born.

“Webber told me Cassie is working with you to get your grades up.”

Fucking Webber.

Always putting his nose in other people’s business.

“Get the grade to passing, Robinson. I’ll lift the suspension and I give you my word I will do whatever it takes to get you to the big leagues. That little girl of yours is gonna watch her dad win a super bowl one day. You do your part, and I promise thatwillhappen.”

* * *

The doorto Cassie’s room opens and I sit up, leaning my back against the headboard of her bed. She slips into the room and flicks the light switch, jumping slightly when she sees me.

“Mike… you scared me.”

“Sorry,” I murmur.

She closes the door behind her and makes her way toward me.

“Webber said you were sleeping.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t in the mood for him,” I reply, patting the bed. “C’mere.” She takes a seat next on the edge of the bed. “Did you have a good time with the girls?”

She shrugs her shoulders.

“It was fine. Victoria made me start a baby registry.”

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