Page 20 of 4th and Goal
Faster than a drunk man should, Conner reaches out, wraps his hand around my arm, and pulls with all his strength. I stumble forward, then fall to my knee and then down to my elbow. Both burn and I know they’ve been scraped open, but it’s my shoulder that causes me to cry out in distress. There’s a scuffle and I glance up to see two security guards trying to wrestle Conner to the ground a couple feet away.
“POLICE!” I yell, a little grateful that there is already so much police presence here tonight because of the high-profile game and the stunt that was pulled right before half-time.
Someone helps me up and though my left arm is useless and hurts like a motherfucker, I push through and stand over Conneras he lays on his stomach, hands secured behind his back. “Your little girlfriends can’t help you sneak in, Conner, because they have quite a bit of legal trouble to contend with. And now, so do you.” An officer takes my statement and is happy to provide me with the proper contact information to send over the files of text messages, voicemails, and mail I’ve received over the months from Conner. Should be enough to add stalking and harassment to the assault charges he’s just earned. I smile like a loon when I think of siccing Haylee Dalton on his sorry ass. She’ll have him brought up on all kinds of charges that no one knew were still on the books, maybe invent a few new ones.
It's close to the end of the fourth quarter by the time the police are done with me. Cradling my arm, I limp back into the stadium and slowly make my way toward my office. “Lilly!” Brody comes running up to me, barely stopping before barreling into me. Now would not be a good time for a collision. “Lils, I’m so sorry, Mason just told me that Conner—”
“He’s been arrested.” His eyes darken as they drop over my body, lips pursing, and his jaw clenched, taking in my injuries.
“Jesus, Lilly, let me take you to the hospital.”
“No. Not right now. Have Lindsay and Jillian been taken into custody?” He nods, looking like he wants to argue with me. “Then we need to meet with Daya and Addy. But first, I need to change my clothes.”
“Your arm—”
“Isn’t going anywhere, Brody. It’ll still be there when we’re done reassuring Daya and Addy that we’re doing all we can to help them. I can’t imagine how violated they must feel. I want to be there for them. And I’ll need to start drafting all kinds of releases and talking points and scripts. Remind me to tell Beiler we’re cancelling his usual post-game press conference.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Ok.” I’m not going to debate this to death. The game is almost over, and I need clean clothes to hide my injuries. I don’t want to worry anyone, and right now everyone’s focus should be on Daya and Addy. I limp past Brody a few steps before he falls in line next to me, wrapping an arm around my waist to support me on the long trek to my office. On the way, Brody updates me on Lindsay and Jillian’s arrest, and what Glenn had to say.
In the elevator, I give Brody an unimpressed stare. “The number of people so easily bribed or conned is concerning. If I were a Nigerian prince in need of financial assistance I could probably clean house here.” The doors open and we step out. “So, Daya and Addy’s privacy is worth, what, $20?”
Brody shakes his head with a sigh. “No, more like 20 minutes on her knees.”
I huff in annoyance and disappointment. “God, the three of those walking used condoms are skanks.” I look up at Brody as we enter my office. “And men are dumb.” He just shrugs without an argument.
He insists on cleaning the bleeding wounds on my elbow and knee, then helps me pull dress pants over my legs. He slips the sleeve of a long sleeve blouse up my left arm, and buttons it for me.
“Your shoulder is probably dislocated.”
“The elbow might be too.” I close my eyes, give myself a second to accept the immense pain I’m in, then forcefully push it aside. By the time I’m walking out of my office, you’d never know I was ever hurt.
“I’m with you every step, baby girl.”
“I know, that’s why I love you.”
“I love you too,” he responds easily. This entire season has been painful in so many ways for so many people. I know the love several of us have found within these sacred walls has made all that we’ve endured a little more palatable, but so much needless agony, physically and mentally, truly puts the saying to the test. All you need is love. And body armor, a good lawyer, and a hardened heart. But right now, it feels like Brody is all I’ll ever need. “You know I’m gonna be looking at that footage later of you being a boss bitch and having him arrested.”
I chuckle, pressing the button for the elevator. The doors open and I toss over my shoulder as we enter, “We can watch it together while you fuck me doggy style.”
Brody 16.
Stubborn fucking woman! Lilly Geddes is a pain in my ass. I must be stupid to put up with her shit. Stupid in love, I guess. She’s elsewhere in the athletic complex, standing in solidarity with Edee as Ty and Lyndell hold a press conference. Is she wearing her sling? No. She doesn’t wear it at all while she’s here. It’s only in the comfort of our homes that she’ll admit she’s in any discomfort. I love that she feels safe enough with me to be vulnerable, but her arm was fucking dislocated, and she’s ignoring doctor’s orders and probably delaying her recovery or doing further damage. But there’s no convincing her otherwise. She doesn’t want to alarm anyone at work, knowing that so many of “her people” are still dealing with their own shit. She’s strong for everyone else, so like I told her before, I’ll be strong for her.
The home football season is over, but the athletic complex is the building that never sleeps on campus. It hosts many university teams, student gyms, athletic trainers, and so much more. Lilly oversees PR for every athlete, coach, and team for the university. She’s a busy woman. Football season takes up a lot of her time, but she likes getting a break to focus on all the other amazing talents on campus.
I glance up when someone knocks on my office door. Surprised, I greet Crue Pribula with a grin, standing to shake his hand.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, Mr. Offensive Tackle?” He smiles sadly as he takes a seat when I offer.
“My days as offensive tackle are numbered, Brody. I’m looking to the future. Which is why I’m here.” I lean forward in my seat, my elbows on the desk between us. “You should come to the Rose Bowl with us.”
I chuckle easily. “Thanks, but I think the stadium has their own security.”
“True. But the team could use it, I’m sure.” He continues before I can respond. “I’m gonna propose to Phia, then we’re all going to Vegas for our wedding.”
I’m blown away. Aside from the fact that he and Phia are getting married, he’s essentially inviting me to his wedding. It’s humbling to learn of your importance to other people. Both he and Phia are impressive individuals. Mature, driven, compassionate. I’m honored that he wants me to be there.
