Page 73 of Worth the Scandal
I wait until the team is finishing warm-down. Ted’s on the sideline, clipboard under one arm, chatting to Jace. I step in quickly, pulling him aside.
“Got a sec coach?”
He takes one look at my face and nods. “For you my daughter anything, walk Walker.”
We move away from the others, closer to the admin building out of ear shot. I hand him my phone with a photo I snapped of the pill bottle—label visible, dosage clear.
“Where’d this come from? What am I looking at?” he asks confused.
“Caleb’s bathroom,” I say. “I had to fake my way in, but it’s a match to the same drug from Asher’s tox report a year ago after that crash you know the one where he was supposedly on an injury ban. I know you’re smart coach and you know that was all bullshit.”
Ted’s face darkens. “Are you sure? You know what this means if, you are sure?” He sighs “You think you know a man; he’s been gunning for Asher since the day I signed him. I didn’t think he’d stoop this fucking low.” Ted has a dropped a ‘fucking’ that’s when you know he’s mad.
“I watched him lie through his teeth and spin a web about what happened that night,” I say. “He’s been playing us all, and Asher, well he almost ruined his life not just his football career.”
Ted exhales through his nose, fury simmering beneath his usually calmer coach exterior—well except on game day in his 4x4 metre coach’s box. He nods once and walks back onto the field. I know what that nod means. He’s not waiting for anything, he’s handling this Ted’s way and Caleb will wish he handled it the right way—the PR in me tells me to stop him, but I want to see this instant takedown.
“Farah!” he calls. Caleb jogs over, sweat still glistening on his forehead. He gives me a wide smile like a cat that caught the mouse. Asher isn’t at today’s practice as his manager I made sure—on purpose of course—he’s got the medical staff appointment inside the gym right now.
“Yeah, Coach?”
“Scarlett just showed me something I think you should explain.” He shifts his gaze to me for just a second then back to Ted.
Caleb stiffens, visibly confused. His mind racing to work out what on earth Ted could be talking about. Damn how many secrets does this man have. “Explain what?”
“The Stilnox in your drawer,” I say, stepping forward. I can’t contain myself, I’m the one to deliver the blow. “The same prescription that was laced in a lemonade you gave Asher before he crashed a car with your Darcy in it.”
His entire expression shifts. “You went through my stuff?” he snaps. Not even a denial.
“You drugged him, Caleb,” I say, loud enough for the nearby players to hear. “Because you couldn’t stand that he earned what you never could.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He stalks a step closer to me. Intimidation tactics.
“Don’t I?” I hold up the photo. “Because this looks pretty damn close to premeditated.”
He turns to Ted. “She’s making this personal, tell them all who’s bedroom you were in yesterday afternoon. She’s been obsessed with protecting him since the beginning—”
“Watch your tone,” Ted snaps. “You’re not talking to Scarlett right now. You’re talking to your coach. So help me son, if one more insinuation leaves that mouth of yours I’ll wipe it off your face.”
Caleb bristles. “This is insane, you’re all fucking nuts.”
“No,” Ted says coldly. “What’s insane is risking a man’s life and thinking you’d get away with it. I suggest you call your agent and probably your lawyer.”
The field has gone silent. Players have started to come forward to see what the fuck is going on.
Ted levels his voice for everyone to hear. “You’re done for the season.”
Caleb’s face flushes red, then pale. He looks at me one last time—like I’m the one who ruined his life. But I don’t flinch. Because I didn’t ruin it.
He did. He dug this hole the moment he committed attempted murder on a man over a spot on a team—a spot helostanyway. I’ve just been the one to close his coffin and fill the dirt in.
Chapter Thirty Four - Scarlett
It has been two weeks since Caleb made his abrupt and unexpected—especially for him—exit from the Dawson’s Ridge Ridgebacks. Lucky for him, Asher didn’t want to press charges and ruin Caleb’s life the same way he’d tried to ruin his. Asher said losing the contract and a year of eligibility was enough. Said the rest would catch up with him eventually.
And maybe it already has.
Caleb’s agent has been spinning damage control to the media, calling it a “mutual parting” due to “creative differences” and “seasonal rest,” like he’s a luxury car, not a guy who sabotaged his teammate.
