When I Need You (Need You #4)

Yeah, that footage would be worth a shit ton.

So in my mind this had to be someone on the inside, who had just enough “proof” to cause a problem for me, but not for The Rocket because the organization needed him.

Raina.

Maybe she had seen Jensen, Calder and me going to the Lund barbecue. Or maybe she’d heard about the LCCO camp since it’d been on the news and she’d asked around. Even if she’d hung around the school, the only day she would’ve seen anything inappropriate was that first day of camp that Jensen and I kissed. But a picture like that would’ve been splashed all over the place, months ago. Greed didn’t bide its time.

“Miss Michaels?”

I glanced at him. I remained outwardly calm even when inside I was seething. “Yes, I did attend Dallas Lund’s bon voyage party at the Lund estate. I was Dallas Lund’s cheerleading coach at the University of Minnesota for four years. Dallas also was the theater teacher at Camp Step-Up, and my son, Calder, was in her class. So Calder and I were invited to her party at her request. Since Jensen and I live in the same apartment complex and were going to the same place, we decided to carpool.” I smiled coldly. “Saving natural resources and all.”

“It appears you can explain away every example we present,” he said brusquely.

“Because the examples you’ve given are exactly as they appear. Jensen Lund and I are friends.”

Silence.

Breathe. This is a fishing expedition and they’re pulling up short with a still-baited hook.

“I have to admit, what you’re claiming doesn’t ring true. As if your . . . friendship with Jensen Lund is just a coincidence. But you subleased an apartment in the same building, directly across from Mr. Lund’s residence. A situation I’m sure you were fully aware of. Is it also a coincidence your son just happened to attend a camp sponsored by the Lund family? A camp run by Jensen Lund himself? And that Mr. Lund has been spotted on the University of Minnesota campus several times this summer, including in the training facility that houses your office?”

No excuses. No explanations. Do not even open your mouth.

“All of this together appears less coincidental and more along the lines of very shrewd planning on the part of someone who wanted to get much closer, much friendlier to a franchise football player than the distance she’s required to keep from him on the field.”

I knew what was coming next.

“So while we’re mounting a full investigation into these ‘coincidences’ as per your contract, you are suspended from the spirit squad without compensation and banned from any practices, performances and games. Any violation of this will bring legal ramifications.”

Other women might’ve had a Norma Rae speech going through their heads as they fumed and made plans to buck the system . . . not me. I just wanted to go home.

Jensen’s challenge that night I’d told him he had the power to ruin my career came back to me. I get that you are a list maker and a rule follower. What I don’t get? That you’re willing to blindly follow someone else’s rule even if it causes you to lose out on something that could have a positive impact on your life.

He’d been right. I loved that he’d been right because he was the best thing that had happened to me since the birth of my son.

But I’d also been right. My cheerleading career appeared to be over.

“Do you have any questions, Miss Michaels?”

“I trust that the media blackout on this investigation will continue as it is a confidential personnel matter.”

“Why is that relevant?” the woman demanded. “Are you asking if Jensen Lund is being suspended also?”

People actually laughed at that.

“No, it’s relevant because my livelihood is as an athletic trainer and a cheerleading coach with the University of Minnesota. Any unsubstantiated ‘coincidences’ that arise in the media may lead to questioning from my supervisors and my students, and even put my position with the school in jeopardy. None of what we’ve discussed today, or the time I spend as a part-time member of this organization, should be allowed to affect my actual career.”

Coach T leaned forward and spoke for the first time. “I guarantee nothing from this meeting will be discussed outside this room except for with the most essential personnel, Rowan. You have my word on that.”

“Thank you, Coach T.”

“You’re free to leave,” Brian said. “We’ll be in touch.”

No, you won’t.

As I left the building, I wondered if one of the assistant coaches had already cleaned out my locker.

“Rowan! Wait.”

Dante caught me right before I got into my car. “What the hell happened in there?”

I said nothing.

“Coach T threw a fucking chair at the wall after you left.”

“She did?”

“Yeah.” He considered me. “I overheard something.”

“Overheard?”

“Fine. I’m new enough as a full-time trainer that my job isn’t secure and I listen in whenever I can to conversations I’m not supposed to know about.”

“That’s why you’re always in the know. I figured you were sleeping with Izzy or something.”

He snorted. “I wouldn’t hit that for all the inside information in the organization.”

“What’d you hear, Dante?”

“You’re being suspended for violating the no-frat rule with Jensen Lund.”

“You heard right.”

“That’s just fucking stupid. He didn’t even know who the hell you were! And I know Lund, he’s not a cheater. He wouldn’t be stepping out with you, secretly or otherwise, when he’s already involved with someone else.”

I froze. “What are you talking about? Who is Jensen involved with?”

“This chick named Astrid. He told me about her months ago.” His jaw tightened. “Do you want me to go in there and tell them they’re absolutely wrong in suspending you? Because that sucks, Ro. Jens will come forward and tell them—”

“That they’re right because we’ve been fraternizing in a big way for months.”

Dante looked like he’d taken an actual physical hit. “What about Astrid?”

“Astrid is his assistant.”

“But—”

“Jensen was protecting me because he’s in love with me.” I exhaled. “I’m in love with him too.”

“Shit.”

“I broke the rules, Dante. I knew what was at stake.”

“It’s a stupid rule.”

“I won’t argue with that.”

His eyes searched mine. “Did you tell them that you and Jensen are . . . ?”

I shook my head. “I just reiterated that he and I are friends. Because we are that. Their proof or whatever they want to call it is pretty thin.”

“Did they indicate whether he’d face disciplinary action?”

“They kind of laughed and said, Yeah right, like we’re going to suspend a franchise player after a year and a half of being on IR.” I groaned. “You know how I tend to blurt things out? I almost said, Technically it’s not fraternization when he’s on the IR list, but I stopped myself.”

“Because you know that’s total bullshit, right?”