Intercepting Love (Second Chances #5)(62)

Now we were on our way to the University of Phoenix Stadium in hopes of winning our third game for the season. However, Cooper could tell I was a little on edge. Saturday’s weren’t exactly my favorite day, considering it’d been the choice day for Marianne Easton to wreak her havoc. I was just waiting on something to blow up in my face.

“Relax, Kate, it’s going to be fine. Nothing’s going to happen out here,” Cooper promised.

Evan was the one driving us around in one of the Cadillac Escalades that was rented for us while in Arizona. The only people in the vehicle were: Evan, Derek, Brianna, Cooper, and me. My brother already knew what was going on, but I explained it to Derek and Brianna so they wouldn’t be lost.

“Please tell me you’re not honestly scared of this woman?” Derek teased. “I thought you were more badass than that, Kate.”

Since he was in the front seat, I smacked him on the head. “I’m not afraid of her, jackass. I’m afraid of what she’s capable of. The woman’s lost her mind. What if she followed us out here?”

“Then you kick her ass,” he explained incredulously. “It’s very simple.”

Cooper smacked him on the head this time. “Derek, shut the hell up.”

Sadly, Brianna sighed and squeezed my shoulder. “I’m sorry you have to go through this, Kate. I know it can’t be easy on you. I’m sure the police will find her soon, though. There are only so many places you can hide.”

I truly hope so.

When we got to the stadium, everyone filed out of the cars and headed inside. It was hot as hell in Arizona, and it actually made me miss the humidity in North Carolina. I didn’t think that would ever be possible.

“All right, love, you better cheer me on today. Why don’t you get out there and dance with the girls,” he teased, smacking my ass. “I think you’d be sexy as hell in those little skirts.”

“I tell you what,” I began sarcastically, “how about I borrow Brianna’s outfit and wear it for you behind closed doors. The last thing anyone is going to want to see is my uncoordinated ass dancing around on the field.”

Cooper chuckled and put his arm around me, pulling me close so he could whisper in my ear, “Well, that may be so, but I have to say you’re pretty damn coordinated in the bedroom. You can’t be all that bad shaking your ass on a dance floor.”

“Kate, let’s go,” Brianna called, waving at me. “I need you to check my ankle before we go out there. It’s been swelling off and on.”

Taking my chin, Cooper kissed me gently on the lips and then on the cheek. “Get going, love. I’ll see you out there.”

“Okay, but make sure you play hard.”

Turning on my heel, I sauntered off toward Brianna, who rolled her eyes at us. Unfortunately, Cooper wasn’t done. “What’s my reward if I do?” he asked, drawing the attention of everyone around. His grin was so contagious that it was hard not to smile back.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you win the game and find out?” Winking, I turned around and continued on my way. The place we were staying at was one of the most beautiful resorts in the Phoenix area. I was pretty sure I could figure out something to reward him with. Our private hot tub would be a good place to start … or better yet, I had another idea that would work just fine.





As soon as I sat down on the bench, Joel came over and sat beside me. “Are you all right, Kate? Over the past week you’ve been a little on edge. Do you need to take some time off? I’m sure Andrew wouldn’t mind taking on your players as soon as he gets back from vacation. Thankfully, no one has had any problems other than Cooper with his shoulder.”

“No,” I blurted out, eyes wide. “With everything going on it’s just been a little stressful. I promise I’m fine.”

Frowning, he nodded and patted my shoulder. “Okay, I believe you. If you feel you need your space, will you let me know?”

“I will,” I told him honestly.

When the time came for the players to come out, I got to my feet and cheered for Cooper when he came into view. He winked at me and smiled, full of confidence and power. The guys all looked to him for guidance, even my brother, and Evan was a natural born leader.

Before the first play even began, my phone vibrated in my pocket. As soon as I looked down and saw that it was the detective, my stomach twisted up in knots. Hopefully, they found Scott’s mother.

“Hello,” I answered, raising my voice so he could hear me above the screams all around me from the fans.

“Ms. Townsend, I wanted to call and give you the good news. Marianne Easton turned herself in today. She admitted to vandalizing Cooper’s car and breaking into Luke’s truck to steal his knife.”

“Really?” I asked skeptically. “Why do I feel like I’m missing something here?”

“Well, she says she’s tired of running away from her problems. She’ll be charged with a felony, breaking and entering, and slapped with a few fines along with paying to have Cooper’s car fixed. That’s all we can get her with at the moment. She’s not going to serve any jail time, but she is heading back to Ohio tomorrow afternoon. I know you have to be excited that she’s getting out of our town.”

“So it’s all over?”