Defending Hayden (Second Chances #7)(41)

“What does that sign say?” the announcer asked. There were two sportscasters, former NFL stars from years back, Phil Harnett and Skip Bailey. Halftime had just started, but that didn’t stop the fans from lifting their signs and hollering at the cameras.

“Zoom in just a bit, cameraman. I want to see what it says,” Skip instructed.

Michael tapped my foot excitedly. “Are you seeing this?” There was a little girl around ten years old holding up a sign that said, HAYDEN, #59 SAYS HE’S SORRY.

At a loss for words, I sat there in shock as the cameras found multiple signs across the stands, all of them saying the same thing. Derek was number fifty-nine. Holy freaking shitballs.

“Number fifty-nine is Derek McLaughlin,” Phil said. “Looks like he’s trying to make a statement. We’ll have to ask him about it at the end of the game.” Then he pursed his lips. “Isn’t Hayden the woman he was with after last week’s game?”

Skip nodded. “I do believe you’re right, Phil. I’ve never seen him do anything like this for anyone, not even when he was dating former Cougar cheerleader Brianna Ward.”

Their smiles faded and Phil sighed. “And what a tragedy that was, but it’s good to have McLaughlin back. You can definitely see the energy he brings to the Cougars.”

The show went to commercial, and it was then that I realized I wasn’t breathing. Sucking in a breath, I sat back, my emotions warring inside me. Michael said, “That’s why he wanted you to watch the game. He’s trying to apologize to you on national TV.”

I had to hand it to Derek for making the effort to put it together, but my heart still hurt. “It’s just words,” I mumbled regretfully. “He may be sorry, but it’s going to take a lot more than that.”

The rest of the game went by quickly, earning the Cougars another touchdown. They pounded Atlanta with everything they had. If they played like that for the rest of the season, they were sure to go to the play-offs. Like a glutton for punishment, I watched while the reporters did their interviews, first with Cooper Davis, then Evan Townsend, then last with Derek.

“What an amazing win today, Derek. You played exceptionally well.”

Sweaty and covered in dirt, Derek smiled. “Thanks, Danny. I’m happy with what we’ve accomplished today. Atlanta put up a brutal fight.”

“That they did. Although I do have a question for you.” Derek’s grin grew wider, and I held my breath. I’d missed that smile. “What was going on with all the signs? Was that your doing?”

Derek nodded. “I wanted to send a message to someone back home. I’m hoping she saw it.”

“What if she didn’t?” Danny asked.

“Then I’m going to hope like hell she listens to me when I get back. I know one thing, I’m not going to stop until she does. I’m a determined man, Danny.”

Danny barked out a laugh. “Yes, you are, and we saw that on the field today. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us.” Derek smiled at the camera one last time and rushed off the field. If he was as determined as he said, I was going to be in serious trouble.

“What are you going to do now?” Michael asked.

“I have no clue.”





Chapter 18





Hayden


To be on the safe side, I kept my phone off for the rest of the weekend. I wasn’t ready to see Derek again; I didn’t know when or if I ever would be. It was bad enough seeing him on TV. Sure enough, when I walked into the clinic this morning, Amanda and Jessica looked at me curiously. Even Jeremiah had a concerned look on his face. Wilford waved at me and smiled before following Margerie to one of his exam rooms, clearly not aware of what was going on.

“Good morning,” I announced. To Amanda, I said, “Is everything prepped and ready to go for Lady?”

She nodded. “Yes, Dr. Hunter.”

“Good,” I said, walking past them to Michael’s office so I could drop off his scone. He wasn’t set to come in until later, but very soon I wasn’t going to be able to buy him breakfast. When I retreated to my office, I had to get my head in the game: I was about to operate on Lady to remove the tumor. Sighing, I set my purse down and finished my pumpkin latte. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Jeremiah at my door.

“Hayden,” he murmured.

After he had hugged and kissed me the other night, I hadn’t known what to say. I’d stood there like an idiot and then told him good night before hurrying off. Even if I could have a relationship with him, I wasn’t ready, not when my heart belonged to another man.

“Good morning, Jeremiah. How was your weekend?”

He walked into my office and shut the door. “It was okay. I tried calling you yesterday to see if you wanted to do something together, but I kept getting your voicemail.”

“Sorry about that,” I replied in all seriousness. “I kept my phone off all day.”

“Avoiding someone?” he asked.

I snorted. “How’d ya guess?”

He moved closer. “I watched the game Saturday.”

“Unfortunately, I did, too.”

Leaning against my desk, he looked down at me and crossed his arms over his chest. “What did McLaughlin do to you, Hayden? For him to make such a huge statement, it had to be something bad.”