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The next few days were a blur of activity. Dani and Cooper spent as much time as possible together but with the All Blacks imminent arrival and the ongoing renovations on the old house Cooper’s time was severely restricted. He found her things to do around the house to keep her close. Dani enjoyed being busy and every time she arrived something major had occurred to transform it. It was still hideous, especially with half its old bones showing. She had no attachment to the place although was often found gazing out the corner window over the park. The cushions had gone so she usually stood, watching the world go by.
Work at the bar was busy but dull, the personal training sessions restricting but too well paid to give up. She found herself counting the hours until she got back to Cooper. She had only returned to her parent’s house to collect a few things since the world changing conversation at the river. The media were still in a frenzy over Birgetta but Dani felt removed from the ongoing saga. Marcus was frantic and thankfully Stacey was back to herself and keeping her husband grounded.
It was a message from Cooper that drew her to Birgetta’s fate. She instantly called Marcus, “Is it true? Is Birgetta out of a job?”
“It’s official. She’ll be blackballed, who would hire her now?”
“What about Michelle Brink?”
“Not a word.”
“But she had just as much to do with this. How does she get away free?”
“I guess Michelle had a choice to make, save herself or Birgetta. Who do you think she would pick?”
“Doesn’t feel right. Michelle will just find another sucker like Birgetta?”
“Don’t worry about it.” Marcus sounded smug.
“You have information on Michelle too?”
“I’m emailing the police right now as several celebrities, male and female are willing to make complaints against Michelle. I’m guessing she had a thing for Cooper that wasn’t reciprocated.”
“What was she doing to them, the celebrities?” Dani knew what had happened between Michelle and Cooper, what else was the witch capable of?
“I don’t want to say over the phone but make sure you and Cooper watch ‘The Whole Truth’ tonight.”
“Why?” Dani cringed, ‘The Whole Truth’ was a serious, current affairs show.
“Angelina Forlong wants to confess, to clear Cooper’s name.”
“Why would she do that? Won’t it be damn her?”
“She thinks it’s the right thing to do.”
“It is the right thing to do but nobody does it.”
“Well, just wait to hear what she says, it may not be what you expect.”
“Do you know what she’s going to say?”
“Yep.”
“And?”
“And, you’ll just have to wait and watch with everyone else.”
“Party pooper. Anything else to tell me?”
“Just be aware that by tomorrow there will be new information out there about Michelle. The police have complaints of indecent assault, stupefying . . .”
“What does that mean?”
“She drugged people to do what she wanted.”
“Why? What did she want?” It was horrifying to imagine other people had endured Coopers fate.
“She wanted to control people, especially those that turned her down. She would get them drunk or spike their drinks and get salacious photographs or video footage then blackmail them onto her shows. But that’s just my opinion. How would you prove that unless she confesses or I can find evidence? I imagine there are many more, and to be honest, if it were me before I met Stacey, I wouldn’t want it coming out either.”
“Did anything happen before you met Stacey?”
“I never claimed to be a virgin but I’m fairly clean, which must be driving Michelle crazy.”
“What does Michelle’s husband have to say?”
“That’s another mystery, Mike Michaels has been silent. He’s not returning calls and his secretary gives a bland ‘no comment’ if you do manage to get through. I don’t know what he’ll do, probably wait it out, although he runs a big company and can’t keep quiet indefinitely. His own current affairs shows are running with the story which means they haven’t been told to stay quiet. They couldn’t anyway, not with a story like this. We’re all waiting to hear what the illustrious Mike has to say. He hates the spotlight but when forced into it he’s blunt and to the point.”
“You’re having a great time, Marcus.”
“This is the most fun I’ve had since wrangling Stacey into my bed.”
“I’m going.” She hung up on him. Dani loved that he was never offended. Most reporters had rhino hide egos to protect them.
Surprisingly he called back, not giving her a chance to speak, “One more thing. Rumor has it you’re going to the game on Saturday? Come sit with me.”
“There is no way I’m sitting with you pack of hyenas. I already know what you'll all ask.” She grimaced.
“This must be serious with Cooper, if he could talk you into going to a game.”
“I have several reasons for going.”
“Do tell?” She imagined him sharpening a pencil in anticipation of a story. “My brother plays and my father is the head coach. I'm being supportive.”
“And Cooper?” Marcus prodded.
“Okay, and Cooper.” There was a pause that Marcus knew exactly how to exploit. Dani caved in, barking, “Fine, I’ve got a job interview.”
“What type of job interview happens at an international rugby match?”
“You’re a reporter, Marcus. Work it out.” She laughed imagining his changing shades of red. “Kiss Stacey and the kids for me.”
Interested now she went online where the press conference from days ago was still being rehashed. A new photo of Birgetta sitting in a car while Michelle talked to her through the window had emerged and it felt all wrong. Michelle was leaning into the car, smiling like a wolf while Birgetta looked destroyed. Dani understood that photos were hardly proof, look at what had happened to her. A picture may say a thousand words but it was anyone’s guess if they were true.
Michelle had been brutal online, especially on her personal social media. She claimed Birgetta had masterminded it all without Michelle’s prompting. Birgetta was paid to find people willing and suitable for Michelle’s reality shows, a finder’s fee. She insisted Birgetta should be condemned. She also said that the public must accept responsibility for buying Birgetta’s trashy column. Dani knew this was where Michelle had lost public favor. She was attractive, intelligent and easy to believe but as soon as she demanded the public blame itself for the bullshit she had been peddling she was done. As public and media attention moved on from Birgetta it was turning fully toward the younger Michelle who had it all, and everything to lose.
And why was Michelle’s own husband not publicly supporting his wife?
With a night off work, Dani and Cooper watched ‘The Whole Truth.’ The story was great and awful in equal measures. Great because Angelina, clinging to her angelic husband’s hand, explained how she came to accuse Cooper and that it was all lies. And awful because the girl was still agonized by it. She had baby triplets and a wonderful husband yet she was tortured with regret and Michelle’s enduring threats to publish awful, intimate pictures that Angelina could not remember from a night she could not forget.
Angelina was interviewed from New Zealand and tearfully explained how she had met Michelle in a bar. The woman had gushingly told the young girl that she would make her famous. The next morning Angelina awoke sick to her stomach and naked. Michelle had photos which she would return if Angelina agreed to a little job. Michelle wanted some information on Cooper Graves, a rugby player Angelina had never heard of. Michelle would pay Angelina for her troubles, she had little pills to make him do whatever she wanted and she might even get Angelina on one of her new reality shows. That could lead to all sorts of opportunities.
But things hadn’t been so simple. Angelina had a
boyfriend who had dumped her when the story broke, refusing to be involved. She had been horrified at the media frenzy over Cooper and his eventual downfall. The media had dug hard into his life and found only a few disgruntled girlfriends. Then to discover Cooper had no family, that he was alone and jobless, pushed out of his own country. What had she done? This was when she tried to change her story, intending to tell the police the truth, that with the help of Michelle Brink, Angelina had spiked Cooper’s drink and dragged him to where he had been found. Before that he had been a gentleman, annoyingly so.
Angelina admitted to her suspicions of the night she met Michelle, that she had been drugged too, but she had pushed it away with the hope of fame.
She had confronted Michelle who had promptly demanded her money back. Angelina had spent it and now couldn’t get a job as nobody wanted to work with her. Her reputation was destroyed as was her confidence. In despair her parents had taken her home and back to their church. Relieved to escape, Angelina had cut her hair short, covered the peroxide and returned to taking children’s bible studies. At the classes she had fallen in love with a young teacher called Bruce. She confessed all to him and he had encouraged her to tell the truth so everyone could move on and heal.
Angelina and Bruce were soon married and now had triplets. She thought of Cooper Graves often and promised her husband that if anyone asked for the truth she would tell them. Finally Marcus Gold called, she had found her savior, her angel on earth. He made things simple, explained what the outcome might be. Angelina had piously claimed that nothing was worse than burning in a fiery hell over a life of lies.
There was a quick segment showing Cooper at a rugby press conference where a reporter asked if he wanted to comment about Angelina. He politely refused, saying it was in the past and that the ones that mattered never believed he had been capable of such a crime in the first place.
Dani liked that, felt it was directed at her and probably Jacob since her father had hired Cooper when no one else would touch him.
At the end of the interview Angelina was asked if there was anything she wanted to say to Cooper.
“I’m sorry and I hope he finds it in his heart to forgive that selfish girl.”
“And Michelle Brink?” The reported prodded.
“She must beg God’s forgiveness to save her soul.”
Dani flicked the television off and turned to Cooper who was deep in thought.
“What are you thinking?” She asked.
“I’m thinking it’s time we go to bed.”
“I mean about the show?”
He shrugged, “The media might lay off me but in the end it doesn’t change anything does it? I got you and that’s all that matters to me.”
Dani launched herself across the couch and he caught her easily, “Cooper Graves, you know all the right things to say.”
“Are you looking forward to the game?”
“No.”
“Will you come and see me and your father?”
“No.”
“What about after the game?”
“Only when we get home.”
He paused, “Is this is your home now?”
“You know what I meant.”
“You meant that this is your home.”
“It was a slip of the tongue.”
He sighed, pulling her to stand. “Do you really want to keep up the charade?”
Changing the subject was easy. “Are you sure you want to live in such a big house by yourself?”
“I won’t be by myself, you’re coming with me.”
“This is so fast, Cooper.”
“It’s perfect. Unless you think we should spend nights apart?”
She tried to conjure the energy to disagree with him, “No, I don’t want to hang out with my parents, I want to hang out with you.”
“Then either shift your things in here tomorrow or wait until the house is ready. Whatever you’re most comfortable with. But for now . . .” He peered at her lips, “Let’s go to bed.”
“You realize your just making up for lost time.” Dani huffed as he pushed her to the bedroom.
“Absolutely.”
“What about when you get bored?”
They were standing before the bed now and he rubbed her head like she was a frustrating puppy. “How could anyone ever get bored with you, Dani Maxwell? You are looking seriously overdressed right now.”
Before they fell on each other, Dani said, “Will you come talk to my folk's with me tomorrow?”
Cooper froze, “Jesus, if you tell Jacob before a game that you’re going to live in sin he'll kick my ass. How will I explain my black eyes?”
“No, I’m going to tell my family about my plans for the future.”
Wrapping his big arms around her, Cooper chuckled, “What will Jacob think?”
“It's what I want to do. I haven’t got it yet, but if I don’t I’ll try elsewhere.”
“In London?”
“Hopefully.”
Cooper muttered something then said, “I think you’ll be terrific.”
“Thanks, Cooper. I hope you’re right.”
Then they fell on each other.
Chapter Twenty
Early the next morning Dani and Cooper were waiting for Dani’s parents at the family kitchen table. Trisha rolled her eyes but found it hard to be too annoyed when she saw how happy Cooper made her daughter. Dani was sparkling again and the change in Cooper was sensational. He had lost that nervous anxiety and now appeared at ease in his body again, like Trisha remembered when he was young. The way he looked at Dani was another matter, one Jacob refused to discuss, no matter how much she asked his opinion.
“To what do we owe this visit?” She looked pointedly at Dani.
“I’ve got something to tell you and Dad.”
Trisha blew out a breath, “Your brother’s here too. I’ll go get them.” She paused at the door, raising a finger to make a prediction before changing her mind.
Her father soon strode in and pointed at Cooper, “You better marry her, you hairy scrotum.”
Cooper held his hands up, “This has nothing to do with me, Jacob.”
Andrew sauntered in wearing only rugby shorts. “What’s up, sis? Pregnant, married, ditching the beefcake for another computer nerd?”
“You’re an international sportsman, Andrew,” Dani dryly commented, “Try and remember all your media training and go for some tact and diplomacy.”
Grinning, Andrew said, “Was that English?”
“Enough.” Trisha snapped, “What’s going on?”
Dani began pacing. Seeing she couldn’t find the words Cooper helped her out. “Dani applied for a job.”
Trisha was delighted Dani would be out of that bar. “Great, which school? I thought you’d have to wait till New Year when all the teachers changed around.”
“I didn’t apply for the job I expected. This one kind of found me and I think it’s what I’ve been running away from all this time. Times have changed and I think that I've changed too.”
She looked at her father who was clearly bored before comprehending his daughter’s agitation. His face creased into a huge grin. “Coaching.” He husked reverentially. “You’re going to be coaching.”
“Coaching what?” Andrew asked, biting an apple.
“Rugby you dunce!” His father bellowed.
“No one wants to take on a chick.”
“Thanks for the support, Andrew.” She looked to her father again, “It’s Central Girls Grammar.”
Jacob whistled, “They won the female division this year under Walter Gee. You’d be the first female, are you ready for the grief you’re going to get?”
“Probably not, but I’m going to try anyway. I’ll start as Sports Administrator since Walter has another two years on his contract but he already told me he isn’t renewing and is keen to teach me all he knows. He’s got four daughters who are all players and he is really pushing for equality. I’ll probably go for his job then.
I know I’ll be good at it.”
“Her pedigree is impeccable.” Trisha sniffed.
“Yes,” Jacob said, “But she hasn’t played since she was a kid and she’s never coached. She’d be getting in on her family name. Is that what you want, Dani?”
“I’m volunteering as a coach next season, junior grade to get myself going again. I’ve been a trainer for years and I’ll be good at this, Dad. I want to do it.”
Jacob turned to Cooper who was watching with interest. “Is this your doing?”
“Not in the slightest, but I do think she’ll be good. She’s tough and if she can survive being bought up by you she’ll be fine.”
“Smart prick.” Jacob said with little anger, a grin glued to his grizzled face. “Good girl.” He added, patting Dani on the shoulder and stalking out.
Andrew laughed, “That was like a blessing from the pope. For what it’s worth, I think you’ll be great too. Those kids will eat you alive. Teenagers are stupider than a sack of potatoes.”
“You would know since you still try to date them.”
“Exactly.” He winked then kissed her cheek, “Good luck. You’re sure going to need plenty of it. And those poor kids . . .” He whistled again.
Trisha hugged her daughter. “Don’t listen to him, you’ll be wonderful.”
“Thanks, Mum. I’m going to the game tomorrow night with Walter and the principle Katherine Salisbury. It’s an informal interview.”
Trisha’s eyes widened, “This must be serious, I never thought we’d see you at a game ever again.”
Dani found Cooper’s gaze, “Time to move on.”
“Wonderful. Now more importantly, it’s also time you moved out.”
Cooper was delighted, “Exactly what I was trying to tell her but she doesn’t want to share with me.”
“Jacob and I don’t want to share with her and unless she gets that job she’s out on the street next week.”
On a triumphant grin, Cooper said, “What do you think, Dani? Do you want to share a place with me? I’ve got a spare room.”
“Mum, how could you?”
Rules of her Game: A Contemporary Sports Romance Page 22