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)
“Don’t,” he said, burying his face against her shoulder.
His heart was going too fast, so he focused on the beat of hers against his skin and counted himself back to the safety of their kitchen. It felt an eternity before he could relax his grip on her, and Cat was slow to let go after. She pressed a lingering kiss to his jaw before backing out of his space.
She tapped Renee’s cross, which now sat lower on his chest, and cleared her throat before saying, “Laila says the chain is yours to keep, if you like. If you’re not happy with the length, we can pick a better one out next time we’re shopping.”
“Thank you,” he said. “It is good like this.”
Cat nodded and glanced between them. “Are you ready to come back? Jeremy needs to get ahold of Coach. It’s probably going to take a few calls,” she warned him with an apologetic grimace. “We haven’t gotten the final cut that’s airing, but once we know how she’s spinning everything we’ll have to revisit the game plan.”
Staying here with Kevin was almost as miserable an option as hashing this out again from the top, but putting off the latter would only save him for so long. Jean motioned an okay toward the doorway, so Cat stepped aside. Rather than follow him into the hall, she gave his back a quick pat and went to distract Kevin. Andrew was missing when Jean made it to the living room, and Jeremy had moved to the couch. Laila got up at Jean’s approach, gave his hand a brief squeeze, and left. Jean sank onto the cushion at Jeremy’s side and stared at the dark TV.
“Do you want me to do the talking?” Jeremy asked. “You’ll have to answer any follow-up questions, but if you’re not comfortable saying these things to Coach I can repeat what you’ve told me. Just correct me if I get it wrong,” he added, and waited for Jean’s short nod. “Okay.”
Maybe Jeremy had messaged Rhemann a warning they needed to talk, or perhaps the coach just had his phone handy in case the interview went poorly. Either way, he picked up halfway through the first ring. Jeremy put the phone on speaker but held it near his face, and Jean let his gaze wander the room as Jeremy laid it out for Rhemann. He started a few steps from the actual problem, commenting on her pursuit of Grayson’s story and her ugly speculation regarding Zane, before finally making his way to the subject of Jean’s family.
Rhemann didn’t say a word the whole time Jeremy was speaking. Jean could only imagine how furious he was, finding out Kevin and Wymack had dumped such a mess on his hands without warning. The smart thing for USC to do was transfer him to a different school before his worsening reputation dirtied theirs, but perhaps they would save face and money by keeping him as a sub. They could present themselves as tolerant and supportive while ensuring he didn’t sully their name further. Either way—
“Moreau,” Rhemann said.
“Yes, Coach.”
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, Coach.”
“It’s a rare honest day for you,” Rhemann said, sounding weary. “Attempt not to break the streak, please. I asked if you’re all right.”
Jean squeezed his hands together so hard his knuckles ached. “Yes, Coach.” At the pained look Jeremy sent him, Jean added a, “Thank you, Coach.” It still wasn’t the answer Jeremy was looking for, judging by his quiet sigh, but Jeremy only reached out and tugged lightly at his wrist until Jean relaxed his grip. Jean tried again with, “I’m sorry, Coach.”
Rhemann didn’t push it. “I’m not sure if you had plans for the afternoon, what with Kevin being in town, but it’s probably best to stick close to home while this makes the rounds. Any idea when you’re supposed to get a final copy?”
“It’s supposed to air at twelve-thirty, so I think she promised to have it to us by noon,” Jeremy said, and tipped his phone so he and Jean could see the clock. It was just past eleven now. “Want me to forward it to you when it arrives?”
“The second it does,” Rhemann confirmed. “I’ll get a conversation started with my team and the board. In the meantime, I need the four of you to contact your teammates. I don’t think you want to be fielding calls the rest of the day, so what details you give them are up to you, but they at least need a warning that we’re going to be getting a lot of attention for a while so they know to keep their heads down. You and I can touch base after we’ve seen how much she gives away.”
Jeremy nodded. “I’ll let you know when we’ve heard from Neil, too.”
“Good. If anyone tries to get a statement, smile and send them on their way. Direct them to the authorities if they want to keep pressing but keep them away from Jean at all costs.” He waited for an affirmative before saying, “There’s a lot more to say on the matter, but let’s get the ball rolling while we can. Let me know if any of you need anything.”