Impossible To Resist (BWWM Romance Book 1)(35)

“I’m beginning to think you don’t like me very much, Gloria,” Jared half-teased. He flashed his 1,000-watt smile at her. “I’m just saying that some time away gave me perspective. It was different there than it is here and sometimes we all need that. Don’t you go away for vacation? Do you like your vacation spots better than L.A.? Does it mean you don’t love this great city? I love L.A., love everything this great city has given me, but I love my family in the Midwest town where I rediscovered my passion for the game and found a way to battle back from what could have been a career-ending injury. How could I not appreciate what they did for me? Don’t try to make my gratitude into something it isn’t.”

Gloria seemed unconvinced but the rest of the reporters seemed wowed by his speech.

Coach Smith coughed and intervened. “Alright everybody, Jump needs to get a bite to eat before afternoon reps. You’re all welcome to catch some of the action on the practice fields.” He led Jared out of the room and back toward the cafeteria in silence.

“Sorry, Coach, didn’t mean to lose my temper in there,” Jared apologized. He knew better than to let Gloria get to him.

Coach Smith stopped and stared at him. “Jump, that was one of the best interviews I’ve ever heard you give. You have absolutely nothing to apologize for. I don’t know what happened while you were away but you’ve clearly changed. Let Gloria try to run you down after that performance, she’ll be run out of the business if she does.”

“Thanks, Coach.” Jared exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

“Now, go eat something, you’re still a little on the thin side.” Coach dismissed him with a grin.

**

“Jump! Hey, Jump!” The assistant caught up to Jared on his wait out to the parking lot. Red-faced and breathless, the kid handed over a phone. “They said it’s all set for you.”

“Thanks, kid.” Jared patted him on the back. “I owe you one.”

He stuffed the phone in his pocket and headed for the car, more than ready to get home and call A.J. With the media still milling around he didn’t want to risk it now. Jared adjusted his duffel and stepped out of the building into the dwindling light. The parking lot was mostly empty but for a few cars. Media vans still lined the fence and Jared could already hear his name being whispered. He should have made arrangements to get out another way, he’d had enough media for the day.

“You might as well face the music, man.” Xander caught up to him. “They’re not gonna let up anytime soon.”

“I know.” Jared stopped and surveyed the lot. “I’m tired and I just want to sprawl on my couch right now.”

“I bet.” Xander studied him for a minute. “You still wanna talk?”

“Yeah, I do. To you and Trent, if you’re both willing,” Jared confirmed. “I’m ready for some changes.”

“Why don’t you let me give you a ride home?” Xander suggested. “Trent already left. He’s dealing with some stuff.”

“That’d be great, if it’s not too far out of your way.” Jared didn’t want to put the family man out.

“Actually, you’re on my way home,” Xander explained. “I’ll just text Alicia and let her know I’ll be a few minutes late. I can pick you up in the morning, too, if you want.”

“Yeah, that would be great. I forgot how intense the reporters can be.” Jared frowned. “It seems worse now, somehow.”

“You’re a story, Jared.” Xander led him toward a silver minivan. “And you’re going to be a story until something bigger comes along.”

They settled in the minivan. Jared noticed the car seats in the back and the Wet Ones in the cup holder, but also how clean it was for a guy with kids. “What if I don’t want to be the story anymore?”

Xander didn’t answer right away, as if he were considering the question. “Are you sure that’s what you want? I mean, it doesn’t take much to see that you are different than you were before your injury, but is this permanent or just a reaction? That’s what you need to figure out first.”

“I don’t need to figure that out,” Jared insisted. “I know what I want.”

“You just got back. You’ve been away for months, essentially living in another world. Of course it feels strange now that you’re back, but if you recall, you loved this life,” Xander reminded him. “Are you so certain that you won’t miss being the center of attention once you’re off the radar again?”

Jared hadn’t considered this. He thought of A.J. and how easy everything was with her. No acts, no posing, no preparing everything that came out of his mouth. “I think so.”

“You need to know so,” Xander said quietly. “I went through the same thing. Trust me, you need to be positive that you want out of the spotlight because once you’re gone, there’s no going back.”

“Don’t you get credit for your charity work?” Jared asked.

“It’s not the same, man,” Xander explained. “It’s a different world. My charity gets the attention, the people who benefit, not me. Sure, I shake hands and take pictures but I’m not the focus and I don’t want to be.”