Page 85 of Broken Play
The list isn't long. Eight people other than Sutton have access to the locker room. Marlon has a key. J.D. has a key, along with Coach Stricker, the defensive coordinator, Coach Padgett, two maintenance supervisors, two operations supervisors, and Sutton. Nine people, and none of them seem plausible.
Would a custodian or a person on the maintenance crew take photos? It's possible, but I talk to those guys all the time. I sign jerseys, balls, and programs for them nearly every day.
Everyone loves Sutton because she doesn't mind pitching in and moving tables or chairs. Whatever needs to be done, she doesn't mind getting her hands dirty. I've only been with one other team, and I know for sure she's different from other general managers. She's the kind who wants to know how everything in her organization runs. Two weeks ago, she bought a Lightning McQueen cake for one of our defensive ends. She overheard him say that he always wanted one growing up, but his mom couldn't afford a custom-made cake. I admit I was jealous when he squeezed her, and shesmiled so big. He said, "Thank you. I never thought to buy one for myself."
I walk into the film room, and Parker's there waiting. "Hey, shouldn't you be with the wide receivers?"
"No, Dad said I need to learn to think like a quarterback and understand how to read a defense like a quarterback. He's under the impression it will give me an edge over other receivers." He squints. "Are you okay?"
"You mean, am I upset that I'm on anything other than the first-string offense for the first time since I was nine? Yeah, it pisses me off."
I can't tell him that someone has been spying on Sutton and me.
"J.D. said you've pulled a lot of stunts in your time, but he can't recall you ever missing practice. Where were you?"
Blowing out a razored breath, I say, "He's the perfect one, and I can't live up to his standards."
"So, you're saying it's okay to miss practice, even as the leader of the whole team? Even when your brother's job rests on your arm and efficiency?" Parker asks like a true leader himself. He knows the answer, and leaders love to do that—ask questions when the answers are obvious and they already know the answer.
I growl inwardly. "Ha, you sound like a quarterback." I slap his shoulder. "No, what I did was wrong, but... no buts. J.D. is right to bench me. But one thing I've learned in my decade of being a professional football player is that sometimes other things are important too."
"Like Sutton?"
My head whips around. "What did you say?"
"Sutton. I see how you two look at each other when she's been over, and of course, you saved her from tennis dude."
A stare-off ensues. I calculate whether Parker was even at the game when Sutton and I had sex. Could he have been at the waterfall or at my house? Sure. But he's a good kid who wanted to come home because his girlfriend cheated on him.
"Parker, I..."
"Your secret is safe with me." He winks, and I swear he's my mini-me, just quieter and less confident.
Just then, Coach Stricker flips the lights. "Okay, let's get started. Since O'Ryan is out this week, QB two and three will be expected to answer the questions."
I stand up and apologize. "Sorry, guys. It's the first time I've fucked up in a decade. If you need any help, I'm available." Parker and I take our seats in the back. I explain the plays, what the defense is doing, and how it would affect him as a wide receiver.
On the way out, I ask, "Do you know how I could find out who entered the locker room on a certain night?"
Half-amused, he quirks a brow. "Are you kidding me? Don't the Armadillos have security?"
"We do, but this is top secret." Frustrated that Sutton's naked body could soon be floating around the internet, I rub the overgrown hair on my jaw.
"Ask Witt. He can hack into anything," Parker says, referring to our younger brother.
My chin drops, my mouth hanging open. "He's a hacker? I thought he was just a gamer."
Parker shakes his head. "Can I get a ride? Noelle had to go to class."
"Yeah, text everyone and tell them family dinner at my house. I need to tell our family about Sutton before anyone else does."
Parker gives me a real smile—one of those rare, genuineones that say we're family and we stick together, no matter how deep the shit gets. The weight in my chest lightens a little. For the first time all day, I can almost imagine things working out. Almost.
"This must beimportant to call a family meeting at the last minute," Noelle says, kissing me on the cheek. "Can I help?"
I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. "Sure, wrap the bacon around the peppers." Her eyes seem swollen. "Anything wrong?"
She shrugs, and her cardigan sweater falls off one shoulder. "Is Brooks coming?"
