Impossible To Resist (BWWM Romance Book 1)(25)
“Thanks.” Jared’s voice caught in his throat. He felt like this might be the last time he’d see her for some reason. He didn’t like it. Jared pulled her into him and kissed her like it was their last kiss. She tasted of vanilla and mint and something he couldn’t begin to describe and Jared wanted to remember her this way.
A.J. pulled away and apologized breathlessly. “I’m sorry, I have to go before somebody else shows up. I’ll see you soon!”
**
“You were brilliant, Jump!” Derek followed up his publicity stunt with another unexpected visit, this time accompanied by a reporter from Sports Illustrated and a member of his team’s front office. It wasn’t serious enough to warrant a visit from the GM but any front office interference meant Jared wasn’t getting to see A.J. any time soon.
Jared couldn’t even remember the guy’s name, the one with the weasel face and the ill-fitting suits. The guys joked about him all the time, someone from PR, which was ironic given his poor presentation. He always got pushed to the back of photos – if not completely out of them.
Jared’s mood plummeted when the limos pulled up in his driveway not two hours after A.J.’s departure. He’d taken the time to shower and dress in the event that more paparazzi showed but he’d not expected this type of company. Jared had good rapport with the reporter, Jessica Klein, so that was a plus but that seemed to be all he had going in his favor.
“So, Jump, are you back to form or do you still have a ways to go?” Jessica crossed her legs and leaned forward so her voice recorder could pick up more of his answer and less of the background chatter from the suits in the room.
“I’m in pretty good shape,” Jared grinned lazily, then added, “but I could be in better shape with a few more weeks of solid work outs and PT.”
“I see. So, it’s been a lot of PT.” Jessica seemed to be working up for something.
“Yes, I’ve had a great PT here at Amherst,” Jared bared his teeth for a thousand-watt smile, “and Dr. Radlinski has kept tabs on me to make sure I didn’t overdo it.”
“What about medication? You been taking anything for the pain?” Jessica probed, her expression far more serious than Jared was accustomed to.
“No,” Jared answered firmly. He did not like where this was headed. “I can assure you that I’ve been clean since the day or so after my surgery. I don’t like pain meds, I never have. Everything I’ve done here has been due to my hard work and the hard work of those around me. I will not sit here and let anybody tear down what I’ve worked so hard to come back from, not even you, Jess.”
“I’m not accusing you, Jump.” Jessica jumped to the defensive, her eyes flashed toward Derek and back to Jared, almost imperceptibly.
“Did somebody suggest I’d been using?” Jared asked politely. So much for a good working relationship, who shit in her cornflakes?
“Um, what? No. Nobody suggested that, it’s just something that happens.” Jessica struggled to cover her blunder. “So just PT and a good orthopedic program? That’s it?”
“Yes,” Jared answered evenly. “I worked hard to get back in shape. I won’t say I did it all on my own because I didn’t, I had an amazing team around me and the quiet solitude of this small town. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with a little privacy and fewer distractions.”
“I see. So the rumors about you ignoring your teammates and coaches are unfounded? You’re returning to your team?” Jessica pressed, her eyebrow arched as if she’d caught something juicy.
Jared had prepared for this. “Actually, Jess, I haven’t been ignoring anybody. My phone died and I lost the charging cord somewhere. I have one on order but it hasn’t arrived yet. Have people been calling me?”
“So, you’re set to return to L.A. soon,” Jessica continued, her lips pursed together in annoyance. She knew he lied but not the extent of the lie.
“That’s my plan,” Jared confirmed.
“When?” Jessica challenged.
“I don’t have a plane ticket yet, but obviously before the season starts,” Jared answered smoothly.
“He’s going back this evening, actually,” Derek interjected. “I’ve got the tickets, must have missed that message when his phone died.”
Jessica beamed at Derek. “I see. We’d best make sure Jump has a good charger for that phone so he doesn’t miss any more important calls or emails.”
“I’ll get right on it, Jess.” Jared forced another grin. This did not sound good.
“I’d like to arrange a photo shoot back in L.A. and get some time with you back at camp if that’s possible.” Jessica stood and smoothed her skirt. “This is going to be a big story, Jump.”
“Thanks, Jess.” Derek extended his hand and offered up his Ken-doll smile. “Call my assistant to set it up.”
“Alright, Derek.” Jessica shook Derek’s hand as if he had the plague. Jared realized it must have been something with his agent, not him, that set the reporter off. Great.
“Hey, Jess,” Jared smiled as warmly as he could, “feel free to call me with any questions you have. I’m sure I’ll get my phone charged soon enough and you know I’m more than happy to help you out. We’ve always had a good working relationship, right?”