by Nella Tyler
“Look, Emmi, I have to go.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Something came up and I have to go.” He got up from the table, leaving his coffee untouched.
“Bennett, what's wrong?” I was following him to the door, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Everything was so great when we left the bedroom and now he wasn't even responding to me. “What happened? Who was on the phone and why are you so upset?”
He turned to me. “Emmi, I'm sorry. I have to go.” He turned from me and opened my front door, leaving my apartment.
Chapter Ten
I stood there shell shocked, unable to process what had just happened in the last 10 minutes. Had I done something wrong? Had he done something wrong? What had he meant when he said it wasn't his fault? My mind was swimming again, but this time it wasn't with images of sex and Bennett. I was now plagued with a million thoughts on what that phone call could have been about.
I returned to the table and sat down in front of my coffee. I stared across the table at the mug he had left behind. He had just gotten up so quickly and without a care about what I was feeling or thinking. What could have upset him so much that he would behave in that manner, especially after what happened between us in the bedroom?
Still hungry, I sipped at my coffee, perplexed by my afternoon. I had a meeting at the paper later on that I would have to fit into my now absent schedule. I had expected to spend the day with Bennett and that totally blew up in my face.
I looked at my phone and considered sending Bennett a message. Shouldn't I see if he was all right and ask him what was going on? We were so fresh that I wasn't sure if I would be stepping over any lines. Maybe I wasn't the one that he wanted to talk to about this. Maybe he had someone else in his life that he felt more comfortable talking to when he was upset. Could I really blame him? We had just met. But I knew if I were in trouble, I would go to him and at least seek his opinion. Well, Connie, too...but that was a given. Guys were different, though, and I had no idea if he was in trouble or not. It could be nothing, right? Right?!
I took a deep breath and released it slowly. There was no point in hashing it out in my head; I needed to get on with the rest of my day. I might as well get ready for the meeting.
I wouldn't message Bennett – I would wait until he contacted me first. I had no idea what was going on, but I would find out eventually when he was ready to tell me. If I pushed him too hard, I could end up pushing him away. He clearly didn't want to talk about it at that moment since he literally walked out of my apartment without so much as an explanation. I wasn't even sure if I should be mad at him because of that. He had seemed so upset and distraught that it was hard to think badly of his behavior. I just wished I knew why he felt that way. I had no idea what had happened, so it was impossible for me to help him.
I would have to give him his space and let him come to me with an explanation for his behavior. He was pretty upset with the phone call, so he certainly didn't need me meddling in his personal affairs when we had basically just started dating a week ago. Sometimes when people tried to help others, it just made the situation worse. That would be likely in my case, so it was best to just leave him alone for a bit. Hopefully it wouldn't be long before he contacted me and explained.
I just wanted to focus on the time we had spent together and not have to worry about anything else. Everything between us was fine and we were going to be okay, despite whatever was going on during that conversation – I just had to have faith. He had been so happy to see me and so genuine about wanting to work things out, I couldn't let anything get in the way of that – including my overactive imagination. I was certain that his call had nothing to do with our relationship, but in the wake of the article it just left me feeling uneasy.
That was why I had to start focusing on only the good things instead of worrying about the bad. We were more than okay.
We had certainly been more than okay in my bedroom. Wow, just thinking about how he had made love to me made me want to do it all over again. My cheeks grew hot as I remembered the way he touched me. There were gentle moments, as well as the rougher, aggressive moments and both were very appealing. Then when he entered me, it was like the rest of the world disappeared and that feeling was amazing. In that moment, just having him there with me had been incredible. I wanted many more years of moments just like that one.
We had left my bedroom in such bliss; the feelings had just been so amazing and incredible.
I finished off the rest of my coffee and headed to the shower. I had the quickest shower of my life and then tied my damp hair in a bun. I dressed quickly and went back to the kitchen. I grabbed a bottle of water and a protein bar and headed out the door. I needed to get to the meeting for the paper and see what my next assignment was. I hoped there was no more drama in my future – that was all I asked. Whatever the paper had in store for me surely would be something that would keep my mind off of Bennett for a while. Focusing on something else was exactly what I needed.
Chapter Eleven
I was planning on getting something scrumptious after my meeting. The protein bar just wasn't cutting it and I didn't get the chance to grab food with Bennett. Thinking about food with Bennett made me a little sad.
I parked at the college and headed towards the building doors. The meetings were always in the office. I walked into the room and saw I was the last to arrive – probably not the best thing. Ahhh, well.
“Emmi, welcome. How was your day?”
I thought it was an odd question and the way she said it sounded loaded. She had a weird look on her face that I couldn't quite read. Something was up, and I hoped it had nothing to do with me.
“My day was okay...and yours?”
“Have you heard the news?”
“News? What news?” I asked, alarmed. It was clear that something had happened recently that I had totally missed. I hated missing the latest gossip, and I didn't like the fact that everyone knew but me. This was my job after all, and I hated being out of the loop.
“You seriously don't know? Isn't Bennett back in town?” Rebecca threw out.
“Rebecca, relax,” my editor, added.
I rolled my eyes at Rebecca. “Bennett being in town is hardly news.”
Rebecca smiled. “That's not the news, and I'm surprised that you don't know what's going on.”
I was becoming increasingly annoyed. Especially because Rebecca was implying that I had been with Bennett and was still clueless. Maybe I was. The news obviously involved Bennett in some way and I had no idea why he would be involved in “news.” And then it occurred to me.... the phone call. No. There was no way that they had any idea about that phone call, there was just no way. At least I hoped not.
I sighed deeply. “Okay, is someone going to tell me what is going on? Because I'm clearly out of the loop on something and I'm dying to know what it is.”
My editor spoke up next, “Bennett Thomas was suspended off of his team. He can no longer play for the Long Island Stingrays.”
My mouth dropped open. “What? What are you talking about? Why?”
“Well apparently there was an incident that happened in high school involving Bennett. It's quite the scandal, actually, and it was just announced today.”
“Well that's what I get for going home to rest.”
Rebecca snorted. What was her problem? She couldn't possibly be mad at me because she was stuck writing fluff pieces. Next time do your proper research, girl, and we won't have an issue.
“What incident?”
“He was caught cheating. The word is that he put tar on his baseball to get a better grip.”
The room was completely silent around me. You could have heard a pin drop. Everyone was waiting on edge to see my reaction. They knew that I was involved with Bennett despite the article that was printed about our relationship. They all couldn't believe I didn't know. Why didn't I know? That was clearly what the conversation had been about while he was on the
phone. So why hadn't he told me? Especially since he knew an announcement would be made. I would obviously find out about it, so why not tell me himself? It just didn't make sense and it annoyed me to no end. I didn't like coming in there and be made to look like a fool because everyone else seemed to know that the guy I was dating was suspended but me. It was ridiculous.
“That's impossible,” I said finally.
“Maybe not.”
“Bennett doesn't cheat.”
“Well, the league is looking into it now, but unfortunately, he will be suspended until the allegation is either proven correct or not.”
“Oh my God, I can't believe this. It's just so awful.”
“Well, that's the news anyways. We will have to wait and see what happens. Obviously we hope that the allegations aren't true, but that's where Bennett is at for now.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I felt so terrible for Bennett. He must be losing his mind right now. But I was also a little pissed because I couldn't believe he didn't tell me. Did he not trust me or was I just someone he felt like he couldn't talk to me about these things. If anyone, I would be the one person that could understand what he was going through. If I lost my career in sports, I would be devastated. It's something a player covets and wants to keep forever. He must be devastated at the fact that he was suspended, and for how long? What would he do?
I felt my heart plummet to my chest. I was at a loss for words – it was all just so much to take in.
I suddenly looked at the editor. “I hope you don't expect me to cover the story because I won't.”
“I'm sorry, Emmi, but you do have to cover the story. You don't have a choice and for the record, you don't get a say in the articles you write. I'm the editor and right now you are the sports writer. I understand you have some conflict here, but you are a professional, after all, and you are the one that chose to date Bennett.”
“You can't be serious? Why can't you get someone else to write it? I don't care if you even have Rebecca write it, just not me.”
Rebecca's eyebrows rose. She looked hopefully at the editor.
“Rebecca is being punished and her punishment stays. You will write the story, Emmi, and it better be unbiased.”
“I think that's very unfair. You are putting me in a very difficult situation.”
“No, Emmi, you did that all on your own. I have a paper to run here and I need the best writer on this story and that happens to be you. It's nothing personal.”
“It's not personal? You have to be kidding me.”
I wasn't sure if I was being attacked because I was in a relationship with Bennett or if she was just warning me, but I didn't like it either way. I was being put in a situation I really didn't like. I wasn't going to bother clarifying the situation, I obviously didn't have a say in the matter. I couldn't have been more upset, but this was my job. I might as well get used to having to do difficult projects. I wasn't sure how I was going to do this one, especially since Bennett hadn't even talked to me about it, but I would have to do my best.
“Fine, I'll do it.” I turned on my heel and walked out of the meeting without another word.
Chapter Twelve
That night, I had a full pot of coffee brewing. I hated the fact that I was writing the story and I wanted it over with as soon as possible. The entire time I was writing it, I felt sick to my stomach. I was drinking coffee by the cup, trying to stay focused on the project, and it wasn't helping the fact that I felt ill. But I needed it at that moment.
I started off the project by doing some research. I wanted to see what the league and Bennett's coach were saying about the situation and whether Bennett had given a quote at that time. Everything I read was so negative and it made me feel that much more terrible for Bennett and what he was going through. I couldn't imagine going through the same thing, and I wondered what my dad would say about the whole thing. He surely would have heard about the incident and I wondered if I should call him for his opinion.
I wanted to get as much information in the story as I possibly could before I had to call Bennett. I hated bothering him, and I was sure he was going to be equally unimpressed that I was writing the story. I had still not heard from him, which I thought was pretty weird, all things considered. I would have to talk to him about the story and I wasn't sure how that conversation was going to go. I hoped it wasn't going to jeopardize the growing relationship that had been going so well just that afternoon.
I worked on the article tirelessly for hours, trying to tweak things as best I could. I hoped I could finish it without ever having to contact Bennett, but I just didn't have enough information. I also had to continuously correct paragraphs as I found I was being biased. How could I not be? I couldn't imagine that the story was true, but yet here we were. I had to remain neutral and found that very difficult to do.
In the end, I knew I had to call him. It was only fair. I wasn't sure how he would react to hearing about my article, knowing that I had written about his situation without even discussing it with him first. That would probably be worse for him than finding out I knew and was being forced to write about it.
I needed to get Bennett's side of the story, that was the only fair thing to do and I hoped that he would appreciate my effort.
I made the call and listened to the phone ring. I wondered if he was screening his calls and whether he just was not going to talk to me. It made my heart sting painfully at the thought of him ignoring my calls. Just when I was about to hang up, he answered.
“Bennett, hi.”
“Emmi, hi, how are you? I guess I should have called you.”
“You guess?” I chuckled. “Yeah, maybe.”
“Did you hear the news?”
“Yes I did. Embarrassingly enough I had to hear it from my editor and the entire staff at the paper. Everyone was super surprised that I didn't already know. Weird, right?”
“I guess I should have stayed around and explained things to you.”
“You say guess a lot. Yes, Bennett, I would think that would have been obvious. I thought we had a great time and you bolted after a very unusual conversation. Instead of clueing me in, I had to find out from someone else. We really aren't off to a very good start here.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line. I wasn't even sure if he was even still there. The fact that he wasn't saying anything to me wasn't helping my annoyance level.
“Anyways, if you want some even better news, I am being forced to write the story about it.”
“What? No way. What the hell?”
“My thoughts exactly. Unfortunately, I don't have a choice in the matter, big surprise there. For some reason, they think it's okay to have me write something so personal and damaging to you. I'm calling, Bennett, because I need to get your side of the story.”
“This is ridiculous.” His voice was angry and a little gruff. He didn't sound like the same man I had spent time with in my bed.
“This isn't my fault, Bennett. I don't want to write about it. But story or not, were you never planning on calling me and telling me? Don't you think that is a little rude, to say the least.”
“Yeah, I get that, Emmi, but I have had a lot on my plate since that call. Telling you wasn't first on my priority list.”
Shocked I said, “Noted.”
There was another silence on the other end and I hoped that he was realizing that he wasn't winning any points with me at that point. His behavior needed to change immediately because I wasn't the enemy and he didn't need to talk angrily with me. I wasn't the one who did anything to him.
I knew he was under a lot of stress, but all I had wanted to do was help him. I was in a difficult position, but at the end of the day, I was still there for him and he was pushing me away. It wasn't right. Just because he was under stress didn't mean he could treat me poorly.
“Are you going to tell me what happened, Bennett? If not for the story, at least for me? That is, if you even care about us anymore.
”
He sighed, “What's the point? I already feel like I'm dead in the water. This was my whole life and now I'm suspended. I can't even concentrate on life, I'm so depressed.”
“Bennett, please just tell me.”
“I didn't do it, Emmi,” he said sadly.
“I never said you did. In fact, I told my editor that I thought you cheating were impossible. I believe in you, but I need to know what happened.”
“The ball wasn't mine.”
“What do you mean?”
I have no idea how the ball ended up with tar on it, all I know is that I wasn't the one that did it. If someone put tar on that ball, it wasn't me.”
“Who could it has been? And why would they do that?”
“Seriously? I have no idea! But it wasn't me, okay!”
He was getting defensive, so I said, “Bennett, please, I believe you. I'm just asking questions.”
“Yeah...I get it. I have to go.”
I heard a click on the other end and Bennett was gone. It didn't seem to matter to him that I believed him. I had my quote, but not much else. I would have to finish the article with what he gave me and hope for the best.
I wasn't sure what he meant by the tar not being on his ball. Whose ball was he using and why? Who would put tar on a baseball to begin with? Was there a chance that someone was trying to frame Bennett? Did someone purposely put tar on the baseball to get Bennett suspended? If so, who would do such a thing?
Chapter Thirteen
The next week was brutal on my mind and spirit. Things just seemed to get progressively worse when it came to Bennett's allegations. When I had completed the article and submitted it, I instantly received a call from my editor asking me why I put in a quote from Bennett about his innocence. I laughed it off and told her that was part of the story and that it better be printed in full.