Passion Overtime Page 21
“Terrence Franklin is just another rich, irresponsible athlete with no morals,” insisted Chairman Wagner. “It’s imperative that we distance ourselves from this man and his troubles immediately.”
Treasurer Browne addressed Kyra. “You took up with Mr. Franklin months ago, so I’m not surprised you’re judgment is skewed. Why don’t you go back to your office and iron out the details for the Winter Wonderland Ball, so we can conclude this meeting?”
Angered, she readied herself for a fight. If she was going to save Terrence’s job, she had to take drastic action. Producing a smile as fake as the man’s knockoff designer luxury watch, she very calmly said, “If you rescind the coaching offer to Terrence Franklin, there’ll be no Winter Wonderland Ball. At least not with Justice Kane as the celebrity guest.”
Eyes bugged, heads swiveled and lips parted mutely.
“I’ll resign from my position and take my celebrity contacts with me.” Kyra was bluffing, but she saw the look of fear that spread across her boss’ face. Justice Kane had already agreed to perform and although Kyra was angry at Mr. Morrow for calling this secret meeting, she’d never do anything to embarrass her alma mater.
“Calm down,” admonished Treasurer Browne. “There’s no need to make threats.”
The wind tapped against the windows, momentarily drawing her gaze away from the older man’s face. “My opinion has little to do with my relationship with Mr. Franklin. If another Hollington alum was in this predicament, I’d fight for them to keep their job, too. I’m doing this because it’s the right thing to do.”
Her boss gave a twitch of his moustache and smoothed out the curved ends. Like a game of pin ball, his eyes jumped back and forth between the board of directors. “You’ve certainly given us something to think about, Mrs. Dixon, but I’m sorry. We simply cannot allow Mr. Franklin to coach the team. What kind of message would we be sending the players if we did?”
“Did you ever pledge a fraternity, Mr. Morrow?” Kyra asked.
He scratched his cheek. “No, I was too busy with my studies.”
“Well, I’m Pi Beta Gamma and the sorority is built on three basic principles. Labor, love and loyalty. We don’t turn our backs on our sisters or our fellow man. It doesn’t matter how far they fall, we’re there to pick them up.”
“What do you expect us to do? Ignore his long, felonious past?” Mrs. Littleton huffed. “I’ve been reading the papers and watching the news, and Terrence Franklin is not the kind of man who should be coaching our kids.”
Dean Rudolph disagreed. “Who better to show our boys what not to do than a former NFL great? Six months ago, when we met to discuss hiring Terrence Franklin, you all could barely contain your excitement.” Dean Rudolph fixed his stare on Treasurer Browne. “You said Terrence was a living legend who you’d be honored to have coach the Hollington Lions.”
Kyra almost threw her arms around Dean Rudolph. She was still outnumbered, but it felt good knowing there was at least one person in the conference room on her side. “I’m going to leave you to your vote, but if you rescind your offer to Terrence, expect my resignation tomorrow.” Kyra turned to leave, but her boss called out to her.
“Wait. I have something that I’m sure will change your mind.” President Morrow flipped open his leather-bound case, and took out three sheets of paper. Pointing at them, he said, “This is your new five-year contract, Kyra. You can expect an eight-percent raise, an extra week of paid vacation, and your own personal secretary.” Smiling smugly, he leaned back in his chair. “Now, tell me. Do you still feel the same way?”
Kyra’s deepest desire was to be the managing director of the department, and this new contract would bring her one step closer to her dream. “Yes, sir. I do.”
Adamant that she would not support their decision, she asked the board of directors to be sympathetic toward the ex-NFL running back and thanked them for their time. Heart beating out of control, she crossed the room on unsteady legs. Stepping out into the hall, she slumped against the wall and released the breath she’d been holding.
“You drive a hard bargain, Miss. Dixon.”
Kyra whipped around, and her eyes widened in surprise. “Terrence? Oh, my God, what are you doing here?”
“We have some unfinished business to discuss,” he answered, stepping forward. Casually dressed in a chocolate-brown sweater and jeans, he looked relaxed and undeniably handsome. “Let’s get out of here.”
They strolled down the hall in silence, but Kyra was intimately aware of his presence, as she’d been that morning of their first meeting. When they reached her office, she quickly grabbed her things and flipped off the lights. Within seconds, they were walking out of the administrative building.
The fields that skimmed the dormitories were neatly trimmed, and the grounds were clean. Students hung out in the center square, and faculty members strode toward the parking lot. Kyra could feel the sharp bite of winter in the evening breeze and pulled her scarf tight around her.
“This is where it all started, remember?”
“Every time I passed the quad or ate in the cafeteria, I thought about you,” she confessed. “I couldn’t help wondering what could have been.”
He raised his eyebrows. “And all this time I thought you just wanted me for my body!”
His joke broke the tension and lightened the mood.
“Kyra, I really appreciate you fighting for my job, but that’s not why I’m here. I made a decision about my future long before news of the paternity scandal broke.”
“You did? What did you decide?”
“I’ll tell you all in good time, but first, we need to talk about what happened the night I came to see you.”
Staring up at him, her hands quivering slightly, she slowly blew the air out of her lungs. “Terrence, I owe you an apology,” she began. “You told me the truth and I didn’t believe you. But I want you to know it wasn’t you. It was me. I was battling demons from my past and projected my fears and insecurities onto you.”
He looked disappointed. “That’s it? That’s all you got? No hug, no kiss, no weepy declarations about me being your one true love?”
Kyra smiled despite herself. “Can you be serious for a minute?”
The corner of his lips twitched, and she knew he wanted to laugh.
“I should’ve believed you what you told me about Lourdes. I couldn’t see the truth, even though it was staring me in the face. You were right, Terrence. Everything the media reported was a bunch of lies.”
“Not all of them,” he said, with a soft chuckle. “I am still one of the best running backs to ever play football!”
“Humility never was one of your strong points,” she quipped, giggling.
A thoughtful expression came over his face. For a long moment, neither one of them spoke. “I talked with your dad. He told me how some of the mistakes he made deeply affected you. I wish you would have shared your feelings with me, but at the same time, I understand why you didn’t.”
“I’m so angry at myself for the way I’ve treated my dad. I’ve scrutinized everything he’s ever said and did, because I was convinced that he was still cheating on my mom, but he wasn’t.” Head lowered, she rubbed her hands over her face. Kyra struggled to break free of her thoughts, but her doubts persisted. Without warning, the truth tumbled out of her mouth. “I’ve always been afraid that the man I loved would end up doing what my dad did to my mom.”
“I’d never, ever cheat on you. You know that, right?” She nodded, but he cupped her chin to focus her gaze. His voice was passionate, his eyes ablaze. “Have I ever given you reason to believe that I wouldn’t be a hundred percent committed to you?”
“No, but sometimes I feel a little insecure.”
“Ky, no one in this world can ever take your place and nothing’s going to go wrong as long as we have each other.” Terrence reached into his pocket and unfolded a single sheet of paper. “I wasn’t going to say anything until I got the official report, but I’m n
ot the father of Lourdes’ baby.”
“Terrence, I don’t need to see that. I believe you,” she said softly. “And it didn’t matter how things turned out. I was going to call you and apologize. What we have is special, and definitely worth fighting for.”
They wore the same goofy smile.
“Your dad said you’re taking the family on a cruise Thanksgiving weekend.” Taking her hand, he twined his fingers with hers, gently caressing her flesh. “I came back to see you, but you’re leaving for three days.”
“I’ve wasted a lot of time being angry at my dad and I want to make it up to him,” she explained, relishing the feel of his soothing touch. “We’re going to sail the seas, eat some good food and do the limbo in Jamaica, mon!”
“Do you have room on this trip for one more?”
Masking a smile, she shook her head. “Nope, sorry, all the seats are fully booked. There’s nothing I can do.”
“Not even for your new fiancé?”
Kyra squealed. Eyes wide with glee, she jumped into his open arms. Feelings of unspeakable delight filled her as Terrence clasped her hand, tugged off her leather glove and slipped an enormous white solitaire diamond onto her finger. “Oh, my God, Terrence, it’s beautiful!” she shouted excitedly. “Yes! Yes! Of course, I’ll marry you!”
“Can you let me propose before you say yes?” Terrence chuckled when Kyra giggled and swatted him playfully in the arm. “What? I memorized my speech and I’d hate for it to go to waste. I don’t want to brag, Ky, but it’s one of my best.”
“Just shut up and kiss me!” she quipped, throwing her arms around him. Kyra pressed her lips against his and used her mouth to express just how much she loved him. She felt his hands on her neck, gently stroking her skin, then around her waist. His fragrant scent settled over her, reminding her of all the times they’d talked and laughed as they strolled around the Hollington campus. “I know the perfect place for us to get married,” she whispered, gazing at the student union building.
“It’ll be perfect as long as we’re together.” Terrence palmed her cheeks and she nuzzled her face against his hand. “Ky, there isn’t a thought I have that doesn’t include you. Wear this ring as a sign of my love, my loyalty and my commitment. You’re the only woman I desire, and I can’t wait for us to build a life together. It’s what I’ve dreamed of all these years.”
Kyra felt like whooping for joy. She was so happy she wanted to dance in the middle of the street. “I insulted my boss and all but lost my job, but none of it matters, Terrence, because I have you.”
He wore a rueful grin. “You always were a little firecracker,” he teased, gathering her to his chest. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Just love me unconditionally. That’s all I ask. Baby, I love you more than anything in this world and I promise to make you the happiest man alive.”
“Great,” he rasped, nibbling on her earlobe. “You can start tonight, Mrs. Franklin. How do you feel about spending the rest of the weekend at a nice hotel?” Winking, he added slyly, “We can practice for the honeymoon!”
Kyra reached up and kissed the man of her dreams with all the passion flowing through her. As they kissed, her heart inflated with joy and tears spilled down her cheeks.
“What do you say we get out of here and go share the good news with your parents?”
They stood, wrapped tightly in each other’s arms, wearing matching smiles. Their friendship had withstood the test of time and as they strolled past “the quad” Kyra knew their love would last forever.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4299-3
PASSION OVERTIME
Copyright © 2009 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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