Total pages in book: 177
Estimated words: 163209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 816(@200wpm)___ 653(@250wpm)___ 544(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 816(@200wpm)___ 653(@250wpm)___ 544(@300wpm)
“It might work in our favor in the long run.” Cat went to Jean’s side and gently pressed her cold glass to his bruised cheek. “The official story is still that you left the Ravens mid-championships because you sprained your LCL. That Edgar Allan let you go when you would’ve healed up for summer practices raised a few questions, but no one knows what you really went through or what the Ravens are capable of. This is the first real proof we have that they’re nasty pieces of work both on and off the court.”
“It will backfire on us,” Laila predicted. “Their loudest fans were happy to jump onto the hate train this spring. They don’t care that Jean transferred for an injury; they care that Jean left when his team needed him. Riko killed himself when he lost to the Foxes, and two others followed his lead. Their more enthusiastic fans need someone to blame for this absolute disaster. They won’t look at Jean’s injuries and see what the Ravens are capable of. They’ll think Grayson was justified in turning on him, and they’ll pin his death on Jean no matter what.”
Jeremy thought of how vile spring had gotten. “I’m inclined to agree with Laila. It’s twice as likely to work against you until people have a chance to get to know you.”
“I do not care what people think of me,” Jean said. “Their opinion has no bearing on my performance.”
Jeremy drummed his thumbs on his hips as he thought. At last he relented with, “It’s not our reputation at stake, so we can’t make the decision for you. If you want to see how it plays out, that’s your call. We’ll support you all the way either way and do what we can to put out the fires. Do you still want to go for a run?”
“Yes,” Jean said without hesitation.
Jeremy glanced at the girls in silent invitation, but Cat answered with a pitying look. “Listen, love you both, but absolutely not.” She put her hands up as if they were scales and weighed her options for him: “Go for a run or take advantage of an empty house. Easiest choice we’ve made all year, right babe?”
“Make it a very long run,” Laila said. Jeremy saluted as he pushed away from the island and started for the door. He was nearly there when Laila somehow noticed the newest décor in her kitchen. He felt her stare boring holes in the back of his head as she demanded, “Why is there a Foster rose on my windowsill, Jeremy?”
Jeremy smiled over his shoulder but didn’t slow. “You always said you liked them!”
He put on his shoes while Jean changed into something easier to run in. It didn’t take long for Jean to catch up with him, and Jeremy grabbed his keys while Jean knotted his laces. Neither girl came to see them off, likely content to listen for the lock, and Jeremy led Jean down the stairs to the street.
“Rock paper scissors,” he said, holding out his hand. Jean frowned but did as he was told, and Jeremy nodded satisfaction. “North it is! Want to see where the Dodgers play?”
“Summer team?” Jean asked as he fell in alongside Jeremy.
“Baseball,” Jeremy corrected him. “I’ll take you to a game one day.”
Jean’s lip curled in disdain. “There is no value in watching other sports.”
“I’m telling Derrick you said that when the Kings’ season starts.”
“Now you are making teams up,” Jean decided, and Jeremy could only laugh.
For the first time all day—all week, perhaps?—their luck finally held. Jeremy saw no one he recognized, no strangers jumped in their path at the sight of Jean’s numbered face, and the only two police cars they spotted turned off before Jeremy and Jean passed them. For now, Jean was safe. The rest they would deal with one day at a time.
CHAPTER FOUR
Jean
The weekend was oddly peaceful, at least for Jean. On Saturday the press approached Lucas in San Diego with prying questions and eager demands, but his parents weren’t beholden to USC’s tedious rules. They reacted so poorly to the intrusion that the reporters had no choice but to retreat. Rhemann and Jeremy bought the Johnsons some peace by making a joint statement a few hours later. Laila advised Jean not to watch it, seeing how they would have to be achingly diplomatic about the whole thing, but Jean waved aside her concern as misplaced. He propped his shoulder against the living room doorframe and listened as Jeremy performed.
Jeremy was significantly better at this than Riko or Kevin ever were, perhaps because he had real pain to lean back on. Whatever Jeremy’s honest opinion of Grayson, he truly regretted the effect it would have on the struggling Raven lineup and he ached for the men whose lives Grayson had upended. Anyone who listened to him speak would believe Jeremy was one invitation away from attending Grayson’s funeral himself. This spring Jean had found his press face too annoying to stand. Today the act was almost calming, since Jeremy was acting as the first line of defense for Jean.