X's and O's (A SECOND CHANCE SPORTS ROMANCE)

by Nikki Wild

  Sixteen

  Haley

  Why the hell won’t he answer?

  I looked at the other end of the newsroom as I freaked out.

  Come on, Toby. Don’t do this to me.

  “He’s not answering?” Billy asked. “I thought you two were getting along great.”

  “We were…I mean, we are. He must be busy or something.”

  I ended the call without leaving a message.

  “Are you sure it’s her?”

  “She made a point to tell me who she was while asking about you. The film crew following her around would have tipped me off, even if I didn’t recognize her. She looks a lot smaller in person.”

  “Why would she ask about me?” I asked.

  “I have no idea. Has Toby said anything to you about her?”

  “No, not much at all.” Toby hadn’t talked about Jessica much at all during our time together. Sure, we spent much of that time in bed, but still. It was odd she’d shown up at the newspaper asking about me out of the blue. If Toby would answer his phone, I might get some answers.

  “It doesn’t sound good to me. Maybe he’s not completely finished with her after all.”

  “He’s not like that, Billy.”

  Billy flashed me a weary look and I shook my head.

  “At least I don’t think so,” I mumbled under my breath.

  “Look, I’m sure it’s nothing, Haley. Don’t worry about it. She should be out of her meeting with Scott soon and he’ll fill you in. Oh, speak of the devil,” he said, nodding at Scott’s door. I turned and watched as a perfectly coiffed and manicured petite blonde sailed out of Scott’s office and focused her crystal-clear blue eyes directly on me.

  “She’s coming this way. I’m out of here. Smoke break!”

  Billy walked away, and I shot him a look of disapproval. I thought about running myself, but that wouldn’t solve anything.

  If Jessica wanted to talk to me for some reason, I would listen. Toby should have told me she was coming or at least that she knew about me, but I could handle myself just fine.

  She strode through the newsroom with Scott following behind like a puppy and a film crew following them both.

  I lifted my chin and flashed her my most confident smile. She grinned, looking me up and down.

  “Hello,” I said as they stopped at my cubicle.

  “So you’re the infamous Haley, huh?” she said, her top lip curling into an ugly snarl.

  I nodded slowly, still smiling.

  “You must be Jessica,” I said. “It’s nice to meet you.” I reached out a hand and she ignored it completely.

  “So, you’re the one fucking my husband?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me, tramp. You are fucking Toby, aren’t you?”

  “Look, I don’t know where you’re getting your information, but if I was fucking him it would be none of your business. He divorced you, and I can see why now.”

  “Haley!” Scott scolded me from behind her, but I ignored him.

  “He’s just slumming it right now, honey. Trust me, I know him better than you. Tramp.”

  I stepped forward, placing myself in her space.

  “Say that again.”

  “Hold on,” Scott said, touching my arm.

  I jerked my arm, not moving from my spot.

  “Go ahead, street trash. Hit me. I dare you. I spend more on lawyers than you do on your house, I bet.”

  “Why are you even here?” I asked. “You’re not married to him. What we do is none of your business.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure of that, tramp.”

  When the word came out of her mouth, I reacted instantly, shoving her. Scott stretched out his arm to stop me from walking forward as her eyes opened wide in surprise.

  “Did you see that?” she screamed. “I’m suing the paper!”

  “Let’s go,” Scott said, pulling on my arm.

  “Stop touching me,” I said, irritated.

  “I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately, Haley, but I don’t like it.”

  “My husband’s cock is what’s gotten into her.”

  I lunged at her with my hand, but Scott held me back.

  Jessica laughed, grinning at me like the best evil witch from any fairy tale.

  “Let’s see if he stays with you after the paper fires your ass,” she said.

  “Come with me,” Scott said sternly.

  I stared at her with fire and fury in my eyes, wanting so badly to reach out and slap her smug face. She knew nothing about Toby and me.

  Is that why he didn’t answer my call? I wondered as I followed Scott to the stairwell.

  “What are you doing?” he hissed. “She’s here to purchase a lot of advertising.”

  “What is she doing over here with us?”

  “We’re going to be taking photos for her ad campaign with the paper. Don’t you know who she is?”

  “Of course I do! That’s Toby’s ex-wife,” I said. “She’s just here to screw with me.”

  “She’s already written the newspaper a substantial check for our services.”

  “That’s bullshit,” I said. “Give it back.”

  “Haley!”

  “What?” I yelled back as loud as him.

  “What’s gotten into you? I remember the mild, meek Haley that started here two years ago. Where is she?”

  “I’m still me, Scott. Don’t be a jerk, okay? You didn’t even notice my work until recently.”

  “That’s not true,” he said, putting his hand on my arm again.

  I pulled away.

  “Look, you’re going to have to find another photographer to work with her. I’m not going to do it.”

  He laughed.

  “What?”

  “That’s not the way the work-world works, sweetheart.”

  “I’m not your sweetheart, okay? You’re edging closer and closer to sexual harassment.”

  He threw up his hands and took two steps back.

  “Hey, I’m only trying to do my job here.”

  “You’re not doing it very well. Or do you think taking her money is more important than one of your star employees?”

  “One, you’re not my star employee. That would be Billy. Two, without money coming in, how do you think the company can pay any of us?”

  I sighed, not liking the situation a bit.

  “Fine,” I said.

  “You’ll come out and talk with her?”

  “Not now. Let me cool down. Can’t you get what she wants and let me know?”

  “Sure, I guess.”

  “Thanks, Scott. I’m sorry about yelling, but I’m not going to let anyone talk to me like that.”

  “You’re fine,” he said, waving his hand through the air. “We’ll figure this out. We’re a team!”

  He lifted his fist up in the air and smiled. After no reaction from me, he turned and walked back into the newsroom to talk to Jessica.

  What a fucking bitch, I thought. No wonder he left her.

  As I stood on the landing, stairs leading up and down, I pulled out my phone and checked for any messages from Toby.

  Still Nothing. What the hell?

  Not wanting to talk to anyone else other than him, I hit send call and put the phone to my ear. Ring. Come on, Toby. Ring. Answer! Ring.

  He didn’t answer.

  Frustrated, I turned the phone off.

  Fuck him.

  I heard the door to the outside open and close downstairs. After a minute, Billy appeared.

  “There’s the coward,” I said.

  “Not my fight, but how did it go?”

  “Scott wants me to work for the bitch. I shoved her.”

  “Get out of here. You shoved her?”

  “Yeah. She’s so smug and was running her mouth. She called me a tramp! I couldn’t believe it. I can’t believe Scott is accepting her business. Unless…”

  “What?”

  “Well, I’m wondering if Toby is maybe playi
ng me. Are they both just fucking with me?”

  “You are way too paranoid,” he said.

  “But what if I’m right? It’s not like he’s going to come out and tell me. And he still hasn’t answered his phone!”

  “You should just dump his ass.”

  “That’s a bit harsh.”

  “It is, isn’t it? So maybe you should just give him a little time, huh, Haley? He’s a fucking grown man. Trust him.”

  “That’s really generous, coming from you.”

  “I’m trying to be an adult about all of this. If he makes you happy…”

  “Thanks, Billy. He really does.”

  “Well, that’s all that matters, right? Forget about Jessica. I’ll tell Scott to put me on her project.”

  “Thank you!” I said, shooting him a grateful look. “You really are my best friend, Billy. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “Yeah, yeah. You can owe me one.”

  “Deal.”

  He smiled and gave me a quick hug, before turning towards the door.

  “Call me later,” he said, opening the door to the newsroom.

  “I will.”

  The door closed behind him with a clank. I peeked out the tiny, glass window. Scott and Jessica and her entourage were nowhere in sight, so I opened the door cautiously and went back to my cubicle to plan my next move.

  Seventeen

  Toby

  When my phone rang as I sat in my living room relaxing, I grabbed it, hoping to see Haley’s face on the screen. Instead, I saw a number I didn’t recognize.

  “Hello?” I answered.

  “Is this Toby Jenkins?” a male voice asked.

  “Yeah. Who is this?”

  “It’s Billy.”

  “Billy! Hello,” I said slowly. “Is Haley okay?”

  “She’s fine,” he said. “But you need to quit playing games with her.”

  I stood up angrily.

  “Look, Billy, Haley and I can handle our relationship ourselves. I appreciate your friendship with her, but I don’t need you to interfere.”

  “We know what your so-called ex-wife is doing.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Jessica is harassing Haley, and it’s got to stop.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “It’s all over social media right now. Look it up.”

  “Social media? Do you mean Facebook?”

  “Of course I do, just google it.”

  “Wait! Billy! How well do you understand social media?” I asked.

  “Very well. Why?”

  “You interested in making some money on the side? Are you allowed to moonlight?”

  “Are you kidding?” Billy asked.

  “I’m serious. I need some help. Well, my father needs some help.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “My Pops needs some help with his restaurant, Chez Louie. You ever hear of it?”

  “Nope, sorry.”

  “See, that’s the problem. I’ll pay you to help get the word out about the place. They have great food, but nobody knows about it.”

  “I’m not sure. I called to yell at you and protect my friend, not to get hired for my dream job.”

  “Dream job? I thought you were a photographer.”

  “I’m working as a photographer, but I’d love to get paid to manage social media for people.”

  “There you go,” I said. “If you can help me, I’m sure I can find you other clients.”

  “Get out of here. Why would you do that for me?”

  “You’re a friend of Haley’s, right?”

  He laughed.

  “She’s my best friend. But why should I do anything for you?”

  “Money?”

  He paused and I took his silence as agreement.

  “Great, you’ll do it then.”

  “I didn’t say I would…”

  “I’ll give you five-thousand dollars to start. Spend four-grand and a keep one for yourself. We’ll go from there based on the results you get. Sound good?”

  “Okay” he said, sighing reluctantly.

  “Can you meet me at their restaurant this afternoon?”

  “Give me a time.”

  “Half-an-hour?”

  “See you there.”

  “Have you talked to Haley today, Billy?”

  “Yeah. She’s upset you didn’t answer her call earlier, but she’ll get over it. Your ex-wife showed up here today and caused a big scene.”

  “Shit,” I said, anger rushing over me. Jessica had no reason to be anywhere near Haley. “Alright, I’ll see you in half-an-hour at the restaurant.”

  I ended the call. It sounded like I might be able to solve at least one of my problems, but now I seemed to have another one.

  When Billy pulled into the parking lot of Chez Louie, he looked exactly the same as he had in high school. He walked over as I leaned against the Maserati, arms crossed over my chest.

  “Nice car,” he said as he tossed his head back, sending his long bangs flying.

  “Thanks.” He stopped in front of me.

  “You look exactly the same,” I said.

  “You look…older.”

  I smirked, and nodded.

  “Thanks for coming, Billy.”

  “I’m only here for the money.”

  “We’re going to need to be friends eventually.”

  “Are we?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “Nobody seems to be sure of your intentions.”

  “I’ll call Haley tonight. I didn’t mean to be unavailable.”

  “Whatever, it’s not my business,” he said, waving a dismissive hand in the air.

  “Sure it is. I get it. You’re protective of her.”

  “Haley can take care of herself.”

  “Is that why you called me?” I asked.

  He stopped short and shot me a look. I held up my hands, in mock surrender.

  “I’m a nice guy, I swear. I care about Haley. I’ll do right by her,” I said, pausing as I looked him over. He was well dressed and handsome, just as he’d always been. It seemed pretty obvious now and I wasn’t sure why I ever missed it before. The fact that I’d broken up with Haley and changed the course of my life because I didn’t see it seemed absolutely tragic now. “So you’re really gay, huh?”

  “Gayer than Ellen,” he responded.

  I laughed and nodded, “I never knew.”

  “I was good at hiding it back then,” he said.

  “I’m sorry you felt you had to,” I said.

  “It was a different time. It’s over now, he said, running a hand through his hair. “So what about this job?”

  “Right,” I nodded. “Here’s the deal. You need to make my father think he’s the one that came up with the idea for you to help him, okay?”

  “Huh?”

  “He’s a very proud man, and he won’t let me help. If he thinks I hired you to help him, he’s not going to work with you even if you show results. Can you befriend him and make him think it’s his idea to ask you to help him for free?”

  “Hold on,” he said. “This sounds a lot more complicated than what I signed up for earlier.”

  “I’ll throw an extra grand in.”

  “Deal.”

  “Let’s just keep this between us when it comes to everyone, including Haley. Understand?”

  He nodded.

  “Good. They’re both inside now with no customers. You can start today if you want. I’ve got to get going, but you can call me with any problems that come up. Are you sure you got this?”

  “Yeah, yeah,” he said in a less than confident voice.

  “Alright. Call me later, and let me know how it goes.”

  “Will do, boss,” he said, waving.

  I climbed into my car and headed to practice early. Coach Harris had not mentioned anything about my decision to try harder, so I wanted to put in a little extra effort.

  All the good –
like Haley – would have to wait just a little longer. ‘Work hard’ had to become my motto, at least until the end of the season if I had any chance of them renewing my contract.

  Eighteen

  Haley

  The entire night passed without hearing from Toby. I’d resisted calling him again, even though the waiting was excruciating and frankly, a bit frustrating. I wanted to talk to him about Jessica and I hated having all my questions left unanswered.

  Had he forgotten all about me?

  “You want to go get lunch?” I asked Billy as we sat next to each other in the newsroom the next day.

  He glanced over from his cubicle.

  “Like in the cafeteria?”

  “No, let’s get out of here. We haven’t hung out in a while.”

  “I see what this is…”

  “What?”

  “You still haven’t heard from Toby, have you?”

  “Who?” I asked, acting confused.

  “Sure,” he laughed. “Let’s go. I’ve got to get out of here anyway.”

  I pushed my chair back then stood up, stretching.

  “Yeah, let’s get out of here. That taco place is close.”

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?” he asked, pointing at my computer.

  “What?”

  “Your flash drive. That one has your personal files, doesn’t it?”

  “Yeah, but it will be fine. No one here cares about my photos.”

  “Or mine,” he said, laughing. “Let’s go. You’re treating, right?”

  “Sure. You still hurting for money?”

  We walked toward the stairs.

  “Actually, I got a freelance gig, so things are looking up.”

  “Nice. Doing what for whom?”

  “I can’t really talk about it.”

  He opened the door. I walked through and headed down the stairs.

  “Come on, you can tell me.”

  “No, I don’t want to mess this chance up right now. Maybe later.”

  “Fine,” I said, not really caring.

  I had my own problems to worry about.

  “Why don’t you think he’s called?” I asked as we reached the first floor.

  “He’s probably just busy. You two have been seeing a lot of each other, haven’t you?”

  “Well, yeah, but…I don’t know. Something seems off.”