Page 42 of Worth the Scandal
“He’s all hard exterior,” Ted says, settling into his leather armchair like he’s about to drop a truth bomb. “But soft inside. That boy’s been through hell. He keeps it locked up real tight, but I see it. He plays with everything he’s got because he’s carrying way too much on his back.”
“Best players the emotional baggage types” he adds, tipping his coffee toward me.
It lands heavier than I expect it to. I nod slowly, letting it sink in.
Shell glances at me sideways, then clears her throat. “Well… Caleb doesn’t agree.”
I snort. “Yeah. Caleb might have a different take.”
Ted chuckles low. “Caleb probably just wants to be signed so he has an excuse to be around you 24/7. Kid’s been in love with you since the first grade.”
“Oh my God,” I groan, burying my face in my hands. “Not this again, we are in our late twenties Dad, we haven’t seen each other in years, a boy’s got to let a crush go.”
Shell cackles, tipping her head all the way back and nearly knocking her coffee off the bench.
“He used to leave notes in your lunchbox when you weren’t looking,” Ted adds, a cheeky smirk on his face once he’s noticed how well his audience is responding to his jokes. AKA his very pretty auburn haired P.A.
“Dad!”
“‘Do you like me? Circle yes or no.’ I found one once. It had glitter stickers.”
I let my hair drop over my face in the shape of a curtain like it’ll save me from the embarrassment radiating through my whole body. As far as I’m aware Caleb’s just protective, and when we were little, I had a huge crush on him too, but I quickly came to realise he was nothing more than a brother to me.
“Okay, but like… do you think he still likes you?” Shell whispers, eyes wide.
“No,” I say firmly. “Absolutely not. We’re just… childhood friends who hug too long sometimes and have never, ever kissed. And will never.”
Shell raises her eyebrows. “Does he know that?”
Ted shrugs. “You could do worse, that Jason was a total wanker with a capital W. Worst football player I’ve ever seen too, how that fuckstick got a contract I’ll never know.”
“I’m not doing anyone…and you know how dad c’mon that last name of his really opened doors” I reply, then instantly regret my phrasing as Shell chokes on her coffee. “I mean I’m not dating anyone. It’s not even 9am and heads are already in gutters around here. HR would eat us alive.”
“And exactly, Jason did a number on me where football is concerned” I add for extra convincing.
“You sure about that?” Shell teases. “Because you blushed yesterday when Asher sent you that little fire emoji.”
Ted frowns. “What emoji?”
“Nothing,” I blurt. “Shell, shut up.”
Shell holds up her hands innocently. “I’m just saying… if the fire fits…”
I roll my eyes so hard they practically reset my brain. “You both need a cold shower.”
Ted chuckles. “Just don’t lose your head over a boy in boots again. Even a pretty one, you’ve worked too hard Scar.” He’s playing it smooth for someone who’s told those boys in boots they can’t go near me.
“Heisvery pretty, don’t you think he is very pretty Scarlett?” Shell says under her breath.
“I’m still stealing you,” I say to her, grabbing my laptop and changing the subject.
“Only if you buy me dinner in Sydney.”
“Deal. And maybe let’s not tell Coach about the full contents of my Instagram DMs, yeah?” I whisper before I turn to leave.
Ted waves me off. “As long as you keep my players alive and out of jail, you can flirt all you want. I know it’s just business. Just don’t poach all of them.”
I sling my bag over my shoulder and pause at the door, looking back at them.
