The Rookie: Book 2 The Last Play Series Read Online Free

be a sport’s legend…Legend.” She winced. “Get used to it. I only did what any journalist looking for a break would do. Okay, yeah, I used your name. Yeah, I did. Should I call you a cheater when you see a hole in the defense and you throw the ball for a touch down? Should I? No, because that’s called playing the game. You think I care about all the princesses you’ve gone out with?” She frowned. “I don’t. But I saw a chance, I saw a hole in the defense, and I took it. I told them I could get them a story on you and I did.”
    “About what a ‘cold-hearted snake’ I am? You had to report it that way?” he shot back with disgust.
    Shaking her head, she let out a sigh. “Maybe I put my spin on it, but if you’d really read the article it was about someone that has commitment issues. About someone that keeps all women at arm’s length. About someone that clearly has abandonment issues.”
    That hit a nerve.
    “And about maybe the most talented quarterback to be recruited to the pro league.”
    Her compliment put him off balance.
    “But all that talent doesn’t matter a fig because you can’t get close to anyone. You have nothing in this world that you care about more than yourself. And, at the end of the day, Legend James, in my professional reporter opinion, the one that thanks to you no one will ever care about again, that’s precisely the definition of living a cold life. With no joy. No giving. No love.”
    Time slowed for a moment. She was right. The reason the article had ticked him off so much was because she was right.
    A loud telephone rang from the open door.
    Their eyes stayed connected in some sort of primal warfare. If she thought she would get an admission out of him, she’d be waiting a long, long time.
    The phone rang again, loud and blaring.
    Without warning, she dashed away from him, taking the steps two at a time. He watched her go. His breath was erratic. The ragged sound was unfamiliar and jarring. He should go. Scurry off like the dog he was. She’d asked him to comment, and he had refused. Not to mention the fact that she’d lost a job because of his statements. Guilt exploded inside his chest. Her football metaphor had actually been quite an effective one for him. He knew what she was talking about. She had found a way to break out. To get a story that would help her break away from the pack, get noticed, and get ahead. She was absolutely right. That is what he did every single game.
    “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Her voice had elevated in pitch, and she didn’t sound happy.
    Without thinking, he moved toward the entrance, glancing around cautiously as if someone might jump out at him any moment. He saw the cute black sign with Saint’s Bed and Breakfast written in a perfect white script.
    “What hospital is he going to?”
    He walked in and saw her hand shaking, holding the old time kind of dial phone that matched the old fashioned ring. She stood behind a little desk in the foyer.
    “Yes. Yes.” She pressed the phone closer to her head. “I’ll be coming. I…what else can you tell me?”
    He heard a door open down the back hall and saw an older woman wearing a bun and bright red lipstick move down the hall. She had a pleasant smile on her face. “Well, hello, have you been—”
    “A stroke? How did that happen? I just saw him yesterday at my mom’s wedding, and he was fine.”
    The bun woman stopped and put her hand to her mouth.
    “Yes. I’m coming. Thank you. Bye.” Charity slipped the phone into place and took in a long, shaky breath.
    Legend thought her face looked paler than before. Obviously, she was in shock at whatever news she’d just received.
    The bun lady put her hand on Charity’s shoulder. “What’s happened?”
    Drawing in a long breath, Charity looked from Legend and back to her. “It’s my grandpa. He’s had a stroke, and they’re taking him to the hospital in Park City right now.”
    Legend thought the crazy girl from earlier