Impossible To Resist (BWWM Romance Book 1)(23)

“Actually,” Jared slid into the chair across from her, “this is my dad’s recipe. He made breakfast for everyone on Sunday mornings. It was tradition.”

“Wow. You had, like, the perfect family, didn’t you?” A.J. watched him over the rim of her coffee mug.

“Yeah, I guess.” Jared shrugged. “My parents were really great together. They still are.”

“Sounds like it,” A.J. said softly. She sipped at her coffee and toyed with his legs under the table, running her foot up and down his calf, relishing the feel of his muscles and the fine hairs along her toes. “So, how did you end up the prima donna playboy if you were raised by the Cleavers?”

“Har, har,” Jared answered through a mouthful of pancakes. He swallowed and chased them with a gulp of orange juice. “My childhood wasn’t that perfect. Sure, Dad made breakfast on Sunday mornings but it was generally because he spent every Friday and Saturday night drinking with his buddies.”

“Ah, a chink in the armor of the perfect life,” A.J. mocked lightly.

“My mother put up with a lot. He never hit her but there were rumors of infidelity and for a long time I think he abused her emotionally. Then, I got attention for football and things changed.” Jared reminisced, recalling his father’s reaction after his first ball game. “I was a quarterback then for our JV team. Mom dragged Dad to the game but by the end of the first half, he was on his feet yelling for me. I threw for over 3,000 yards that game.

“By mid-season, I was moved up to varsity. It suddenly became more important for Dad to attend my games than the local bar. So, football sort of saved my family. Dad stopped drinking and devoted all of his time to my career.”

“Wow,” A.J. gasped. “So football means everything to you. You really can’t just walk away, Jared, you can’t.”

Jared contemplated this. He hadn’t thought about how he started in football or what it did for his family in years. “I know. There’s a lot on the line. But,” he paused, “what if I go back and my heart isn’t in it anymore?”

A.J. considered this. When she spoke, she did so carefully. “Leaving something you love should never be a rash choice. It should never be forced, should never be made in a fit of passion. I love you, Jared, and I would love nothing more than to welcome you to stay with open arms.” She paused and exhaled loudly. “But, because I love you, I cannot let you make the mistakes I made. You have to go back and play your best.”

“Come with me.” Jared regarded her carefully. “I mean, would you bring Jaida and come to L.A. with me?”

A.J. frowned. “I can’t do that. You know I can’t.”

“Why not?” Jared gaped, he’d never asked something like this of somebody, never dreamed he would need somebody with him.

“My life is here, Jared,” A.J. said evenly. “Jaida’s life is here. We can’t just up and move for you. And what happens when the media sees us? What will that do for you? For us? This is exactly what I meant by thinking things through before making a rash decision.”

“How is it rash? We have time to plan and you don’t have to move out right away. I can look into schools for Jaida.” Jared grasped at ideas to refute any of her possible objections. “I will arrange everything. All I know is that I need you there. If you are with me, I can do this.”

“You can do this without me,” A.J. assured him. “You’ve done it without me all these years.”

“Fine, I want you there. I want you with me.” Jared stood so that he towered over her. “Come with me.”

A.J. set her coffee mug down and drew up to her full height. “No.”

“Yes,” Jared growled at her. “You will see, it will be perfect.”

“No,” A.J. said again, firmly, not breaking eye contact. “I am not leaving, Jared. I am staying here and you are not going to bully me into this. It is not who you are and I’m not going to let you make this ugly.”

Jared softened slightly, clenched and unclenched his fist in frustration. He challenged her silently but she did not back down. The tension was palpable, their noses just inches apart. Jared moved to kiss her, to force her submission to his will but just before their lips touched, something hit his front window. They both startled and rushed into the other room. Their argument forgotten, Jared waved A.J. back and peeked around the curtain into the front yard. He quickly leaped away from the window and ushered A.J. back to the kitchen.

“Derek did this.” Jared stalked the room like a caged animal, fuming and muttering. “That motherfucker exposed me. He fucking led them right to me.”

“Who is it? What’s going on?” A.J. tried to decode Jared’s rantings, her own frustrations forgotten as the banging continued out front.

“The press,” Jared snapped. “Derek mustn’t have liked what he saw last night and took matters into his own hands.”

“Shit.” A.J. flopped into her chair and hung her head. “How many?”

“I don’t know, half dozen or so?” Jared muttered. “Does it matter? They found me. I’m fucked.”

“No, you aren’t,” A.J. assured him. “We will figure this out.”

“I wanted to do this on my terms. I told him that. I’m not ready to go back.”