Garrett hesitated a moment, offering nothing more than a shrug to his interested teammates, before following.
They walked through the training area to the rooms at the back. TJ opened a door and peered in before motioning Garrett inside. The med room resembled the one he’d been in with Tyler over a month ago. Felt like eons.
Garrett propped his ass against the counter. He crossed and uncrossed his arms. He didn’t want to appear defensive, but damn if he didn’t want to get this over with.
TJ paced around the room, finally settling against the exam table in a stance that mirrored Garrett’s. “How you doing, son?”
Garrett offered him a passive smile. “Won the last five games. I’d say that’s pretty good. I’ve still got a lot to learn.”
“Don’t we all.” TJ pinned him with a stare. “I’m happy with your performance on the field, Garrett. I hadn’t expected any less from you. It’s not every day I personally recruit a player. You have a gift.” He sighed, his shoulders lowering the slightest bit. “But I’m not here to talk about that.”
Of course he wasn’t.
“My daughter hasn’t spoken a word to me since she left Tampa.”
Garrett held his tongue, content to let the silence surround them. If the man had something to say, he could come out with it, without Garrett’s help. TJ wasn’t the only one Jessa hadn’t talked to.
The last month had killed any guilt Garrett had over his relationship with Jessa, leaving only anger and resentment. At himself for allowing things to get this far out of control. At Jessa for not giving him a chance. At TJ for his damned rules.
If the man wanted sympathy, he’d come to the wrong clubhouse.
“I assume from that look on your face she hasn’t talked to you either.”
“Not a word,” he snapped, harsher than he’d intended.
TJ’s eyes narrowed, his scowl causing deep lines to form around his mouth. “I know you and Jessa got … close.”
Garrett adjusted the cap on his head and bit his tongue. He still didn’t know where this was going, but he figured it wouldn’t be productive to tell Jessa’s dad that he didn’t know shit. Close, his ass. He’d been buried so deep in the paradise of Jessa’s body that they’d practically been one person. Wouldn’t be productive to share that bit either.
“Feel free to speak your mind. You don’t have to hold back. I can see you’re angry. Probably hurt, too. You have the same look in your eyes that Jessa’s had every time she’s looked at me over the last month.” His expression turned sad as he shook his head. “I know my daughter, Garrett. And I know you. Why do you think I put the two of you together in the first place?”
“So, it’s true then?” Garrett’s heart picked up the pace, thrumming in his ears. The line between boss and man blurred as he saw red. He didn’t give a good goddamn who this man was. His boss, Jessa’s dad, the fucking pope. No one had the right to play with his life, with Jessa’s life. No one.
Fuck it. Let TJ trade him. He was damn good at his job. Garrett wouldn’t make it to his rental car before the offers started to pour in. He didn’t care anymore. He rubbed his shaking hands down his thighs in an effort not to wrap them around TJ’s neck.
“Relax, son, and let me explain.” His gaze implored him for understanding, but Garrett wasn’t feeling all that charitable at the moment.
“Talk.”