Earning a Ring (More Than a Game Series Book 4)

by Kristina Mathews

  Bryce waved him back to the seat next to him.

  “Everything okay?” he asked when Ryan slumped into the seat.

  “It’s all fucked up.” Ryan leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

  “Do you need a lawyer?” Bryce kept his voice low, so the others couldn’t hear. Hopefully. Most of them had their headphones on, so there was a good chance they wouldn’t be overheard even in a normal speaking voice. “I’d be willing to help you find someone if you do.”

  “I don’t know man. The whole thing is just crazy. I mean, you were there.”

  “I was at the bar. I know how the night started.” Bryce looked the other man in the eye. “But how did it end?”

  “Just like I told the cop. Nothing happened.” Ryan held his gaze. “At least not once we got to the room. I went to the bathroom to get a condom and when I came back, she was passed out naked on the bed. I pulled the blanket over her and slept in the chair. I’ve still got the kink in my neck to prove it.”

  “If only that was enough,” Bryce said. “You sure nothing happened?”

  “Nothing happened to her.” Ryan looked around before adding, “She went down on me in the elevator. One minute we’re kissing, and the next, she’s on her knees.”

  “You do know there are security camera in those elevators.”

  “Shit.”

  “No. That could be a good thing. If it comes down to it, the tape could prove that she went willingly to your room with the intention to engage in sexual activity.”

  “Man, I didn’t want all this. I was just looking for a good time, you know?”

  He knew all too well.

  “I mean, I wanted to blow off some steam. I’m sure a lot of people think I’ve got nothing to worry about. I get paid to watch baseball. I don’t even have to play and I still make more money than most people.”

  “Yeah.” Bryce could understand the frustration of the kid. He finally made a major league roster—a dream come true—only to sit on the bench, watching.

  “Do you think that’s what this is about? She wants me to buy her off? I ain’t got that much money.” Ryan leaned back in the seat, frustrated. “Maybe that’s why she went after you first.”

  “Could be.” Bryce leaned forward as the bus took the off-ramp to the airport. “Or maybe she was just someone who was also looking for a good time and got carried away. She had too much to drink and when she couldn’t remember what happened, assumed the worst.”

  “Even if that’s the case, I’ve still disgraced the team. The fans.” The rookie sounded discouraged. “I’ve disgraced my family, my hometown.”

  “Hey, don’t worry. Once we get on a hot streak, no one will care.”

  “Easy for you to say. You’ve got it all. A ring. A big fat contract.” Ryan sighed, his envy showing. “A beautiful wife. You’re lucky you don’t have to deal with this kind of shit anymore.”

  “Yeah.” Yet he’d spent twenty minutes talking to a Philly cop that afternoon. And somehow he was going to have to explain it to Rachel. Hopefully he’d get to her before the news did.

  Chapter 16

  An hour before the Goliaths’ flight was due to land in San Francisco, the reports started coming in that Bryce Baxter and several other players had been questioned by Philadelphia police regarding a sexual assault that occurred at the team’s hotel. Allegedly occurred. No charges had been filed, but speculation was flying all over the Internet.

  Rachel searched for the official reports, but they were entirely too vague. The only fact she could find was that a woman contacted the police after waking up naked in a player’s hotel room. Bryce was the only player named, although it didn’t come right out and say it was his hotel room. Other Goliaths players were also questioned before being released to catch their flight home.

  With few facts to go on, the Internet exploded with allegations. There were plenty of angry outbursts claiming over-privileged jocks once again getting away with breaking the law and abusing women. Cynicism about special treatment was balanced by those questioning the woman’s motives. More than once, Bryce’s contract was brought up along with speculation that the woman was hoping for a big payout.

  Many were publically calling for the Goliaths to release Bryce from his contract. Others wondered whatever happened to the concept of innocent until proven guilty.

  Rachel didn’t know what to believe. In her heart, she knew Bryce wasn’t the kind of man to force someone into having sex against her will. But if there was alcohol involved, consent was a tricky thing.

  She needed to hear the true story from Bryce. Have him look her in the eye and tell her what happened in that hotel room in Philly. Then she would… The problem was, she wasn’t sure what she was going to do. The obvious choice was to move out. But where would she go? Her apartment had been leased already.

  By the time she got to the airport, Rachel’s stomach was a mess. Only she couldn’t blame it on the baby. Not this time. This time it was all on Bryce. And the worst part of it was that she was just starting to believe that they could be happy. That they could make this work.

  What a fool. She only got to report on others’ successes.

  Bryce was the first one out of baggage claim. Damn the man. He looked good. A little ragged, but good. He saw her and dropped his bags, rushing to her side.

  “I missed you.” He pulled her into his arms and her stupid body responded as it always did. With longing. Desire. Need.

  Rachel wrestled free from his embrace. She couldn’t give in to the man. Not anymore.

  “Rachel, what’s wrong?” He looked alarmed. “Is the baby okay?”

  He spoke those last words in a panicked whisper as his hand slid protectively over her belly.

  “The baby’s fine.” Would she have to come right out and say it? Tears pricked her eyes but she fought them back.

  “How could you?” Her voiced cracked as her throat tightened; it felt as if she’d swallowed seawater.

  Understanding dawned on his face.

  “Oh, baby, I didn’t do anything.” He reached for her hand. “I swear.”

  She wanted to believe him. But if the police were involved, something had to have happened.

  “So what did you hear?” He gave her hand a squeeze. Was he trying to reassure her or was he trying to keep her from pulling away?

  “You were questioned by the police, involving a…a sexual assault.” She had a hard time even saying the words, at least in connection with her husband.

  “As a witness.” He pulled her closer. Still holding her right hand, he tilted her chin with his left hand. “They questioned me as a witness, only I didn’t see anything. I had gone to bed. Alone.”

  “So what happened?” Hope sprung in her heart.

  “As far as I can tell, nothing. I mean, yeah these girls showed up in the bar looking for a good time.” He let go of her hand and dragged his own through his hair. “I was there having a couple beers with the guys. But I wasn’t interested in hanging out with those girls, so I paid for everyone’s drinks and left. I guess one of the women hooked up with one of the guys and went up to his room, but she passed out before anything could happen.”

  “Are you sure?” Rachel hoped that was the case. Even though she now knew it wasn’t Bryce, she still didn’t want any of the other Goliaths to have committed a sexual assault.

  “Like I said, I wasn’t there, but I think he’s telling the truth.” He let out a ragged breath. “I’ve been in his shoes, before. Not long after my divorce. I took this girl up to my room, but she’d had too much to drink and nothing happened. Only instead of accusing me of sexual assault, she tried to name me in a paternity suit a year later.”

  “Wait, if nothing happened, how could she claim paternity?”

  “I took the test, knowing it would come up negative. I don’t know, maybe she thought she had a chance. Even my first contract was worth more than your average guy would make.”

  Rachel’s heart sank. She’d known about his
ex-wife. But were there others? Women who hadn’t come forward? How many half siblings would her child have?

  “Maybe this gal’s just looking to cash in. She went after me first, but then she had to settle for one of the guys least likely to keep her in the lap of luxury.”

  “Who did she pick?” Now her curiosity was getting the better of her.

  “Ah, there’s my reporter. Always wanting the scoop.” Bryce smiled and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

  “So who was it?”

  He shook his head. “Look, I don’t really know everything that happened after I left the bar. And I’m sure you wouldn’t want to run with a story based on speculation and rumors.”

  “The Internet is full of speculation and rumors.” She shook her head, frustrated, yet somewhat pleased he wouldn’t sell out a teammate. Especially if what he’d said was true. “Most of them about you.”

  “Rachel. Look at me.” He reached up to cup her face in both of his big, strong, yet incredibly gentle hands. “I would never do anything like that. Even when I was single and…playing the field. But now that we’re married… Oh, Rachel, I could never hurt you like that. I swear.”

  The sincere look in his eyes had her wanting so desperately to believe him. Sure, she believed he wouldn’t ever take advantage of a woman who wasn’t one hundred percent willing. The problem was that there were still many women who were more than willing to hook up with a guy like him.

  “So you met this woman, the one making the accusations? And she tried to hook up with you?”

  He flinched. “Yeah, she came after me, but I blew her off.”

  “So what was she like?”

  “Look. I know you’re not supposed to think that a woman dressed in tight jeans and a low-cut blouse is necessarily looking for sex.” He let out an exasperated sigh. “It shouldn’t matter what she’s wearing, ‘no means no’ and all that. But when she’s shaking her ass and rubbing her tits in a guy’s face...”

  He clenched his fists, frustration clearly getting the best of him.

  “I mean, when a guy has to say ‘no thanks, I’m married’ three times before she removes her damn hand from his thigh.”

  “She had her hand on your thigh?” Rachel’s possessive instincts rose. “She shook her tits in your face?”

  “I tried to be civil, but when she didn’t take no for an answer, I left.” He raked his hands through his hair. “I should have taken the kid with me.”

  At this point, she didn’t need to ask who he was talking about. There were two or three rookies who could have been at that bar with him. Didn’t matter, at least not if charges weren’t filed.

  “I can’t help but think that she went after him to get back at me.” His statement would have sounded conceited if not for the utter despair in his voice. “I don’t know… It was like she walked into that bar with an agenda. And when she didn’t get what she was after, she went all psycho bitch the next day. Or maybe it was the day after. We were at the bar on Thursday night. The cops didn’t show up in the locker room until Sunday afternoon.”

  “Well, hopefully, the truth will prevail.”

  “Even if it does, the damage is done.” He smoothed her hair back off her face. “I’m sorry you had to spend even one second doubting me. And I’m sure you’ll have to defend me, defend us, to a few people who will believe the worst even without the facts.”

  “Hey, I knew what I was getting into. I know you’re a public figure. People will say things about you, most of which isn’t true.” She tried to keep a positive front. “They say stuff about me, too. It comes with the territory.”

  “Yeah, but it’s one thing to have to put up with fans complaining about my on-field performance, or lack thereof. It’s another to be accused of a sexual assault. Especially when it’s her word against ours. Some have even said it was a group thing. That we were all involved. The fact that no charges were filed doesn’t mean some people won’t believe the worst.”

  “True.” Her heart ached for Bryce, and the as yet unnamed player who had taken the woman to his room. It ached even more for true victims. The ones who had to defend their choices in clothing, refreshments, and whether or not they were looking for it when they walked into a bar or party or even a date.

  “But you believe me?” He reached for her, tenderly, but with a hint of doubt. “As long as you believe in me, that’s all that matters.”

  “Yes. I believe in you.” And she did. He may have been a bad boy, but he was a good man. She knew that, deep down.

  * * * *

  It killed Bryce to see the doubt in Rachel’s eyes. Even though she’d accepted his version of the story, he hated that she’d even wondered if any of it was true. Hated even more that she’d thought he was involved.

  He now realized that everything he did—and even things he didn’t do—would affect Rachel. And their baby.

  He’d spent the last several years not caring what people thought about him, off the field. He prided himself in his performance on the diamond. He was paid to be good. Very good. An All-Star. His fans expected his best when he slipped on his glove.

  Just like they’d come to expect his worst off the field. He’d somehow fallen into the stereotypical player role. The bad boy who could charm the ladies out of their panties with little more than a smile. And a multi-million dollar salary.

  It had been a part he played. And it had served him well. No one expected anything more of him. No one got too close.

  Not even his wife.

  “Let’s go home.” He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

  “I’ll drive.” She gave him a weak smile. While he was chilling out on the flight from Philadelphia, she’d been inundated with accusations about her husband. The most harmful kind. The kind that would have jeopardized their marriage, his career, and freedom, had they been true.

  How could he make this up to her? Buying her things wasn’t enough. Sure, he was happy to do it. Would buy her more if she’d let him. He smiled as he got in the new Range Rover he’d picked out for her. It was a sweet ride.

  “So how’s the car?” he asked as she slid behind the wheel. “Do you like driving it?”

  “It took me a little while to get used to being so high off the ground, but I actually do like it.” She turned to him, her smile this time a little more genuine. “Thank you. I know you were just trying to take care of me and the baby. I guess I’ll have to get used to it.”

  “The car?”

  “No. Being taken care of.” She let out a soft chuckle. “I’ve worked hard for everything I have. My car was no exception.”

  “Yeah, I guess that’s why Marco Santiago still drives that old Mustang.” He knew a thing or two about working to get somewhere. “That’ll change when Hunter gets pregnant, though. You’ll see.”

  Rachel let out a sign, and turned the key to start the ignition. “So you’re saying it’s a guy thing?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Bring on a debate. “Totally a protective instinct. You’re carrying my baby. You get to nurture, grow, and protect our baby inside your…body.”

  “What? Does the word uterus make you uncomfortable?” She was fully engaged now. “What about vagina? Does vagina make you uncomfortable?”

  “Oh, hell no. I’ve found quite a bit of comfort in your vagina.” She had no idea how much.

  “Is that so?”

  “Yeah, babe. And I had a rough couple of weeks. I could use some comfort.”

  “You are such a guy.” She laughed as she merged onto the freeway, heading toward the apartment they now shared. Home.

  “You seem to like my guy parts.”

  “Yeah, except those guy parts got me knocked up.”

  “And now I need to protect you. And the little peanut inside you.” He leaned back against the plush leather seat. How the hell was he going to pull this off? He not only needed to keep her safe with half a dozen air bags, antilock brakes, and stability control, but it was also up to him to protect her from his re
putation, his past and future mistakes. And the media. Only she was the media. Or part of it.

  “You sound like such a caveman.”

  “Yeah. Well, you’ve got protective instincts, too.” He glanced over at her and smiled. “Every time we talk about the baby, you move one hand over your uterus. Although, if you had really good instincts, you would have run as far and as fast from me as possible.”

  “How can you say that?” She placed both hands on the wheel and stared straight ahead. “If anyone should have run, it would be you. I mean, you weren’t expecting this. All of this.”

  She waved her arm around the interior of the vehicle before resting briefly on her stomach.

  “No. I certainly wasn’t. There’s nothing quite as frightening as being told you’re going to be a father.” He stared out the passenger window. He hadn’t wanted to tell her how scared he was. But he couldn’t protect her by keeping it to himself, either.

  “What are you afraid of?” Unspoken worries carried in her tone of voice.

  “What if it’s a boy?” He turned toward her. “What if he’s just like me? I was quite a handful when I was younger.”

  “I hate to break it to you, but you’re still quite a handful.” She smiled as she stared into his lap. “Oh, yeah, you’re quite the handful.”

  Now, he couldn’t think about anything other than getting her home. Into his bed.

  “You can handle me.” He grew hard just thinking about how well she handled him. “You’re the only woman who can handle me.”

  “I better be.” She accelerated, moving into the HOV lane, driving them closer to their bed.

  The traffic wasn’t too bad, but it still felt like forever before they pulled into the parking garage of their building. He gathered up his luggage and followed Rachel to the elevator. He dropped his bags, and glancing up at the security camera, settled for taking her hand instead of taking her right there in the elevator.

  When the finally made it inside their apartment, he tossed his luggage aside and pulled her against him. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I missed you too.” She barely got the words out before he covered her mouth with his.