“Okay, here goes. Mitch Osborn and Drake Roberts are the other two athletes who’ll be on the show.” The words rushed out and he wasn’t sure he heard her correctly.
“Fuck. Seriously? This isn’t some type of joke you’re playing on me?” Brett raked a hand through his hair. He couldn’t believe it. While he and Mitch had been on the U.S. Swim team together, and had seen each other at competitions, they weren’t the best of friends. Hell, Mitch despised him because he thought Brett had hooked up with Julia.
It was amazing how one photo created a firestorm. Even though nothing had happened between them, he knew Julia had used the photo to her advantage, and because of his reputation, he hadn’t bothered to deny the allegations. At the recent Rio Games, Julia had apologized to him. He’d told her he understood her reasons for doing what she did and no apology was necessary.
“I’m sorry, Brett, it’s true. That’s why I’m calling you now. I don’t think it’s fair for you to go into this show blind. I wanted to warn you.”
Suspicion vied with the anger in him. “You knew, didn’t you? You knew all along who else was involved in the show.”
The sound of her breath whooshing out was the only confirmation he needed.
“I don’t like being played for a fool, Cassandra, and that’s how you’ve treated me since the day you presented the idea to Dan and me. Did Dan know about this? I can’t believe he’d agree to putting me in this situation.”
At least he hoped his agent hadn’t known and hadn’t decided to throw him to the wolves.
“I’m sorry, Brett, Dan knew, as well. He not only thinks this idea is a great way to improve your image but also a way to improve your relationship with Mitch. You guys were teammates and even though he’s retired, I know he’s going to mentor the up and coming swimmers on the U.S. team. Since you’re one of the senior swimmers, it wouldn’t be good for team moral if there’s discontent between the two of you.”
“How would you know about the effect of discontent between athletes?” He let out a harsh laugh. “You sit in your glass and steel office building creating illusions, trying to make the public think people have changed. All I can say is, you’ve picked the wrong sucker here.”
Brett disconnected the call and tossed his phone on the seat. He clenched his fists, wanting nothing more than to beat the shit out of the padded leather seat in front of him, but the car was pulling to a stop and he knew they’d reached their destination.
Shit, how was he going to get out of this car and smile like everything was okay? Like he was happy to be there and couldn’t wait to get started? What he really wanted to do was open the mini bar he knew this limo had and down a few scotches.
Boy, wouldn’t that make a great first impression to the network? He could roll out of the car drunk, acting exactly the way everyone expected him to. Brett Hunter, the bad boy who can’t go a day without causing a scandal. He could see the headlines on the internet gossip site: We knew it wouldn’t last! Brett Hunter-Good boy? Never! Bad boy all the way.
The privacy glass gently lowered and he got a view of what was waiting for him outside through the front windshield. A group of kids were running around excitedly. In that moment, his anger fizzled down to a slow, burning ember, not the wildfire it had been.
The kids.
He had to remember he was doing this for the kids. It wasn’t about him or Mitch or even Cassandra. It was about those kids, and giving them something safe and beautiful to look at and play on.
Brett closed his eyes and breathed deeply, holding the air in his lungs for a heartbeat, the same technique he used to calm his nerves before a race. He exhaled, opening his eyes as he reached for the car door, resolve thrumming through him. He would give the network the exact opposite of what they were expecting from him.
Watch out world, a new Brett Hunter was about to emerge. And he was going to be nothing like what you’d expect him to be.
“Good morning, Mr. Hunter. You’re right on time. I’m Terri, the show runner. Come this way and I’ll show you to the trailer that will be yours whenever we go on location.”
Brett followed the young woman, noticing the kids had stopped playing and were watching him. He raised a hand and waved. A couple of them responded with waves of their own.
Okay, that was a warm welcome. That’s a good start. Then again, maybe some of them had no idea who he was.
Terri stopped at the far corner of the lot they were on. Well, that told him how important they thought he was. Relegated to the corner. If they thought they were setting him up for failure, they had another think coming. He would do his damndest to make sure his team won the first prize. If they did or didn’t win, he planned to make an announcement saying he would match the prize and make a personal donation for the same amount to Build a Dream. That was his idea, not Cassandra’s.
“Here you go. I’ll come knock on the door when we need you on set. Make up should be here shortly.” Terri held out a small ring with a couple of keys on it.
He took it from her and climbed the two metal steps. Before he was able to insert the key in the lock, the door swung open. Cassandra stood in front of him.
“Hi.”
“What are you doing here?” He brushed past her and walked into the small trailer. A twinge of regret at his harsh words flared through him when her shoulders drooped and she closed her eyes. He was still annoyed with her for keeping the news she’d dropped on him ten minutes ago to herself.
“I deserve your anger, I’m not disputing it. However, I told you I would be with you for most of the shooting of the show. Here I am.”
“You’re here just to make sure I behave myself. You don’t have to worry. I’ve already promised I’ll be a good boy.”
“Brett, please, I’m sorry, okay? I wanted to tell you. I wanted the network to tell you. I even had Frank talk to them about it, but they were determined to keep everyone in the dark.”
He scoffed. “Oh please, don’t tell me that Mitch doesn’t know Drake will be a part of the show and vice versa. Those guys are tighter than high school girls. They tell each other everything.”
“Yes, they knew about each other. What they don’t know is that you’re here. That you’re the third person participating in the show. They’re going to be just as surprised to see you, believe me.”
“So that’s supposed to make me feel better? Having the inside track? Knowing those two guys will be there. Drake’s okay he’ll probably give me a chance. Mitch, on the other hand, wouldn’t dive in and rescue me if I was drowning. What the hell have you got me into, Cassandra?”
7
This was going to be a disaster. No two ways about it.
Cassandra knew this was going to happen. She’d told the producer that nothing good would come of keeping it a secret from Brett or the others. Knowing had kept her up at nights. In the end, she recognized she couldn’t do it to Brett. Over the past two weeks, he’d followed her every instruction. There hadn’t been one picture of him on a social media site. He’d kept his name out of the headlines. Had kept away from the nightclubs he normally frequented. The surprising thing about it all was, it seemed easy for Brett to do. It was like he didn’t miss the limelight at all. Which couldn’t possibly be true when his reputation seemed to indicate he always chased the headlines, and put himself into situations where trouble soon followed.
There was only one time when he’d refused to appear at a charity golf tournament. The event was to be held on a Sunday and Brett told her he didn’t do anything on that particular day. Sundays was his private day and he wasn’t changing that for anything or anyone. Curiosity almost had her asking what he did, but he’d given her a look, and she’d let the matter drop. Besides, she reasoned, even bad boys had to have a day off.
As she looked at him, anger shining in his aquamarine eyes, she wanted nothing more than to pull him close and kiss the hurt away. Which was totally absurd. She was his image consultant, not his girlfriend, even though the one searing kis
s they’d shared had never been far from her thoughts. Now, standing so near to him, the urge to relive the magic nearly overwhelmed her.
Cassandra dug deep within her well of professionalism and pushed thoughts of kisses to the far recesses of her mind. “What I’ve got you into is what I told you all about that day in the office. A worthwhile project that will not only help disadvantaged kids, but will also show the world a different side to you.” She lowered her voice and placed a hand on his arm, ignoring the sudden heat flaring between them. “I know there’s more to you than what you want everyone to see.”
He pulled away and ran a hand through his short hair. His eyes turned cold like a pool on a winter’s day. “You don’t know anything about me. If the producers want drama, then that’s what I’ll give them.”
A ball of dread grew to boulder-sized proportions in her stomach. This had disaster written all over it. There had to be a way she could calm him down, turn the situation around so he didn’t do something stupid and wreck the good start he’d made in turning his image around.
“Brett, don’t do anything rash. I know you’re angry, but, plea—”
“Stop, Cassandra. Just stop. Don’t pull any of that marketing, image bullshit on me.” His shoulders slumped, as the anger appeared to drain out of him. “Just don’t,” he finished quietly.
Damn being professional, Cassandra closed the small distance between them and put her arms around him. It was like hugging a tree, stiff and unrelenting. “You can do this. I know you can.” Her words whispered around them. “I believe in you, Brett.”
He relaxed as his arms closed around hers. An inappropriate shiver of desire swept through her. They were standing in his trailer on a piece of land miles from the nearest town. Anyone could walk in, but at that moment, Cassandra didn’t care. Brett needed to have someone on his side, and that someone was her.
After a few moments, she leaned back and looked up at him. Their gazes met and held. The words she’d been about to say stuck in her throat. Emotions swirled through the air between them.
Desire.
Confusion.
Hurt.
Desire.
Cassandra had no idea who moved first, but in the next instant, their lips were fused together. Her soft body flush against his hard one. This kiss was more intense than the one they’d shared in the office. Her mouth opened up beneath his, allowing his tongue inside. A moan escaped her when his hands trailed down her back to cup her ass. This shouldn’t be happening between them. It crossed every boundary, professional and personal, she shrouded herself in.
Brett was a client.
Brett was a professional athlete.
Brett was younger than her.
But with his lips and hands on her, she didn’t care. For the first time in too many years to count…she felt alive. Hell, she practically vibrated with it.
Slowly, she pulled her mouth away letting her hands drop from around his neck. “We shouldn’t be doing this. It’s wrong on so many levels.”
Just saying those words felt like a betrayal of what they’d just shared.
“Right.”
Awkwardness closed around them. “I’ll see you on set. I’m sure they’ll send someone to come and get you.”
“Fine.”
Great, one word responses. This day was going to be a disaster.
Without another word, Cassandra let herself out of the Brett’s trailer and hoped to God, she hadn’t made the biggest mistake of her career by signing Brett to this show.
* * *
Cassandra took a walk around the lot in attempt to force her thoughts off Brett. She had no idea why the producers wanted to film the beginning of the show in the middle of nowhere, California. It wasn’t anywhere near the Colorado schools the kids who were participating attended. Production had decided on Colorado seeing as three participants worked and lived in the state. Perhaps they chose this particular site for the beginning of the show for ambiance, creating the right image. Although it seemed unlikely, seeing as the landscape didn’t even really match Colorado’s. But it was what she did for a living, create images that appealed to the general public. Never before had she felt more disillusioned with her job than she did right now.
Normally, she loved the challenge of helping people re-brand themselves. Of course, in those circumstances they usually sought out Star Image’s expertise. This time, it was different. Brett hadn’t sought them out. His agent had. And only because Brett’s previous publicity firm had dropped him like a hot potato.
“I understand our mystery athlete has turned up.” The voice belonged to Ted, the show’s producer, and the main instigator in keeping Brett and the others in the dark.
Cassandra turned and faced the tall, thickset man. “Yes, did you have some doubts?”
“Well this is Brett Hunter we’re talking about. Anything is possible with him, even turning up drunk.”
Irrational anger boiled up inside of her, threatening to bubble over at the assumptions Ted was making. She supposed, given Brett’s track record, Ted had a right to make the comments, but the fact he had kept his nose clean for the last couple of weeks had to show he was changing. It became even more imperative for Brett to be his true self, not the one she was beginning to suspect he’d adopted.
“I can assure you he isn’t drunk. He’s here and ready to give his all to the kids to ensure his team wins.”
“I guess time will tell. The big reveal happens in about fifteen minutes. Here’s hoping for some good television. See you on set.” With a wave, he headed back toward the crewmembers who were checking cameras and sound equipment.
As much as she wanted to march back to his trailer and tell him about Ted’s expectations, she held back. She’d done enough damage by calling him and informing him about Mitch’s and Drake’s involvement.
For her sake, and definitely for Brett’s, she hoped he would decide to prove everyone wrong. But to be sure, she crossed her fingers and murmured a silent prayer.
8
Brett sat still in the chair in his trailer while Trixie, a perky young blond, flirted with him as she did his makeup. Three months ago, he’d have flirted back, but the only person he wanted to flirt with now had walked out and was probably already on her way to the airport to fly back to Colorado.
He wished he could fly back home, too. He already hated the mask of foundation covering his face. How on earth did women stand this? He glanced at himself in the mirror and groaned. He looked ridiculous.
“Does it have to be so thick?”
“Sweetie, of course it does. You’re going to be on camera. If I didn’t do it like this, you’d look like a ghost.”
“Fine.”
“I’ll be done in a few minutes and then you won’t even be able to tell you’ve got makeup on.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it.”
“I’m the best in the business, hon. Trust me.” She winked at him in the mirror and brushed her chest against his upper arm. The action left him cold. Now if it was Cassandra…
Stop.
She’d said it was all kinds of wrong. For him, it was all kinds of right. How stupid was that? Cassandra was the opposite of everything he was normally attracted to. She had a career. Most of the girls he hooked up with were only looking for a good time like he was. Cassandra seemed like the type of girl who went for a long-term relationship, one that ended up at the front of a church with her in a long, pretty dress. Problem was, the thought of her with any other guy didn’t sit well with him at all. How pathetic was that? Being jealous of a man and a situation that didn’t even exist. At least he hoped she wasn’t involved with someone. She wouldn’t kiss him like she had thirty minutes ago if she was in a serious relationship, would she? No, Cassandra wasn’t the type to play around.
“There you go. All done,” Trixie announced and with a flourish, removed the cape draped around his shoulders. “What do you think? I was right, wasn’t I?”
Brett allowed himself another lo
ok in the mirror and had to admit, with everything blended in, he didn’t look too ridiculous. It still felt heavy against his skin, though.
“I guess it doesn’t look too bad.”
She laughed and trailed her fingers down his arm, the signal of what she wanted to do loud and clear. “Applying makeup isn’t all that I’m good at.”
Brett removed her hand from her arm and stood. How the hell could he let her down without annoying her so that the next time she did his makeup, he wouldn’t come out looking like a clown. “I think I know what you’re trying to suggest, Trixie. But I’m here to do a job. And I plan on doing a good one. I’ve got people counting on me to do the right thing.” To soften the blow he leaned forward and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks for making me look good.”
She shrugged and smiled. “Oh, well, a girl’s gotta try. I do hope you win. You seem like a nice guy. Not what I expected, for sure.”
He didn’t know what to make of her response, but he was glad she’d taken it so well. Now for the next test of the day—facing Mitch Osborn.
Wasn’t that going to be fun?
* * *
“Brett, I need you to stand here. When our host announces your name, you walk around this trailer and out into the central area.” Ted pointed to an area about fifteen feet from where he stood.
“Gotcha.” He acted like he had no idea he was about to be thrown to the lions. He knew exactly what Ted expected. He wanted Brett to throw a tantrum at seeing Mitch and Drake. If Cassandra hadn’t warned him, he might have done just that.
“Great, I want to do this in one take, so make it good.”
“You can count on me.”
Brett bit back a laugh at the gleam of excitement in Ted’s face. The other man was probably mentally rubbing his hands in glee. Ted may not get the type of drama he was hoping for, but Brett was going to give him a damn good show, anyway. He knew Mitch well enough to know he wouldn’t react too negatively. He’d be damned surprised to see him, but Mitch wouldn’t stomp off the set or come out swinging. Drake, even though he was Mitch’s best friend, was a good guy. Everyone on the Olympic team loved him, so Brett knew Drake would be cool with him being on the show.
Fighting for Redemption (The Elite Book 4) Page 4