The Trouble With Quarterbacks(82)

“I’ll bet the columnist told Candy exactly what we’ve been telling you: either call him again or move on. You’re the one who went off the deep end. Logan probably thinks you’re not worth all the trouble.”

“No!” I hiss. “She actually told Candy to go out and find better mates, the kind who will let her complain for as long as she wants about the guy who’s broken her heart!”

“Right, well, bring me my tea before you go find these new wonderful mates of yours.”

It’s utterly hopeless. I’m on my own. Neither of them seems to understand how desperate I’ve become. Logan and I can’t be over. We just can’t be. Had I known, I would have really savored the last time we were together, Sunday morning in his bed. When we had sex, it was quick and hard and we kissed like we were trying to bruise each other, but now I wish it’d been longer, sweeter…

I feel sick.

Wednesday is no better than Tuesday, but at least I’ve got a doctor’s appointment in the late morning to keep me distracted. When I arrive downstairs, prepared to head out onto the sidewalk toward my subway stop, a huge man steps away from his post against the brick and introduces himself to me.

“Candace Williams, I’m Ryan Kline. Mr. Matthews has employed me as part of your security team.”

“Security team?” I nearly bark out a laugh. “What are you on about?”

He tugs a wallet out of his black suit jacket to reveal a small certificate. I have no idea what it means, but I nod like I do. It’s got a gold seal, so that must count for something.

“So you’re…what?” I ask, peering up at him. I’ve got a long way to go before I meet his gaze. He’s quite a large bloke. “My bodyguard?”

“Yes ma’am.”

I nearly laugh. Me? With a bodyguard? It’s got to be a joke.

“How many others are there?”

He did mention a team.

“Three in total. We’ve been taking shifts outside your building since Sunday evening.”

“What?! How am I just hearing about this now?”

“We haven’t made contact because you haven’t left your building until now.”

Oh right. Okay, let’s not go into details. I’ve been a little busy, y’know, convalescing, not just being a lazy git.

“Mr. Matthews gave us strict instructions not to intrude on your privacy,” he continues, and I nod along, utterly baffled.

Logan hasn’t phoned me back, but he’s set up a security team for me? What in the world is he playing at?

“Right, well, it was nice to meet you. I’m off to the doctor now.”

“Of course. Lead the way.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“Mr. Matthews has instructed that we’re to remain with you, without breaching your personal space.”

What?!

I don’t even bother arguing with him; he’s only doing the job he’s been employed to do. Instead, I grab my mobile out of my purse and phone Logan.

This time, he answers.

I don’t bother with a greeting. This isn’t a friendly chat, after all. He could have had that if he’d ever bothered to phone me back in the previous three days. Now, he’ll get my temper.

“What on earth have you done hiring a team of people to follow me around the city?”

“Hello, Candace,” he says pointedly, sounding amused. “How are you feeling?”

“Now’s not the time for that. I’m still upset with you. Answer me, will you?”

“They’re highly qualified and trained to remain out of sight. I’ve used them myself on and off for the last few years. I assure you, you won’t even notice them.”

“Not bloody likely! They’re security guards!”

“Yes, and after Sunday, their presence is absolutely necessary. In fact, I should have done it when we first started dating.”

“But we aren’t dating anymore, so you can call them off.”

“That’s debatable.”

“Oh is it?!”

“Candace, are you on the way to the doctor?” he asks, sounding exasperated with me. Tough luck, bucko! I’m the one who’s exasperated!

“Yes, and how do you know that?”

“Because I’ve been in contact with your medical team, just to ensure everything is going well.”

“Isn’t that illegal?!”

“No. I was with you at the hospital. I’m listed as your emergency contact, and you signed papers to allow me access to your ongoing care information.”

“Right, well I must have been a bit out of it when I did that. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I can’t believe you’ve been in contact with them but not me!”

“I thought you needed some time to cool off.”

“Well you’re wrong. I’m not cooled off. Not in the least. In fact, I feel like I’m about to—”

Instead of giving him a piece of my mind like I want to, I pull the mobile away from my ear and end the call quickly. It feels good. So good, in fact, that I wish I could phone him again and hang up on him a second time.

I glance back at Ryan, who’s been following me on the sidewalk this whole time, and sure enough, he’s acting completely oblivious to the conversation he just overheard. Huh. So maybe he is good at his job.