Something squeezed at his heart because he knew just how over this could be. He’d make no compromises now, and he knew what he’d be demanding was unreasonable, but it was the only way things would ever work between him and Addison now. There was no way he’d be able to deal with that asshole in her life. No way.

Chapter 28

Addison

Addison stepped out of the private suite she’d been in, watching in horror as the events on the field played out. At first, she’d held out hope that the heated exchange between AJ and Fred—like the one earlier that season—was just coincidental. Sure she figured Fred might say or do something pissy like that first time weeks ago, which might result in some kind of scuffle, given AJ’s temper, but after seeing just how enraged AJ had become at whatever Fred kept yelling at him, her gut told her this was the nightmare she’d been dreading.

Even then when things calmed the first time, she’d held out hope again that maybe Fred had just pushed AJ’s buttons on some other issue. The game or something. But when AJ ignored the third base coach’s signal to stop at third, turned that corner with a purpose, then collided into him the way he had, she knew right then—he knew.

His name on her phone screen now had her heart at her throat. This was so bad. She really had decided to come clean. She’d just hadn’t wanted it to affect his playoff series. God damn it, she’d been so close. The worst thing was she knew this was all Fred’s doing. It was infuriating.

“Was Fred a code name?” he asked as soon as she answered. “Was it part of the cover-up, Addison?”

“Sort of, but not just from you,” she said calmly, hoping her tone might calm him because he still sounded as infuriated as he’d been on the field. “Winfred is his full name, but I’ve been calling him Fred since way back.”

She quickly explained how way back they’d both been afraid, since technically she was a minor, even if he were just a few years older than she was. He’d also been afraid of upsetting his mentor. She, too, thought it better if they kept in on the down low, at least for a while. Then she got pregnant and things soured. After that, she for sure would never chance anyone hearing her use the name people knew him by. Ever. She’d never been more relieved for that decision when she found out Clair had overheard her then told AJ.

“I can’t deal with this guy being a part of your life, Addison. I won’t.”

He hadn’t even finished his sentence when her other line clicked. It was Fred. She was sure he’d have demands of his own. Her head was spinning and her stomach roiled. This day had been an absolute nightmare, and it felt like it was still far from over.

AJ was still going on about how he didn’t even want her talking to Fred. She could fight him in court, and AJ was sure she would win full custody. They’d get the best lawyers on it. He said Fred didn’t have a leg to stand on. They could get his estranged wife to testify that he’d never even told her about the daughter he never wanted. They could get a third party to handle any negotiations without Addison having to speak with him directly. He’d heard of people doing that. The lawyers could handle all the negotiating without her ever having to speak with him. AJ was making it perfectly clear. It’d be the only way he’d put up with any kind of relationship she might have with Fred.

“I know it sounds unreasonable, but I’m just being honest with you. There’s ways of dealing with this fucker in your life.” Addison could hear the conviction in his voice. He was breathing hard, and she could almost picture him pacing madly. “We both know the only thing he wants, and it has nothing to do with Clair. He’s just using her, and I ain’t fucking having it.”

The other line had since stopped beeping, but she heard another beep and knew it was a text. Without telling AJ, she checked it.

I’ve agreed to be part of the post-game press conference. You know what they’ll be asking. Answer your phone unless you want me to tell them exactly why that fucking animal did what he did. You can’t seriously expect me to be okay with him around MY daughter.

When her other line beeped again, Addison refrained from gasping. She was afraid AJ would pick up on her anxiousness. How could this possibly be getting worse?

“I have another call,” she said, interrupting AJ. “I have to take it.”

“From who? Fred?”

His words were laced with such anger—such disgust—her response flew out before she could think about it. “My lawyer,” she said.

“Swear on Clair it’s not that fucker on the other line.” Addison’s silence was all it took.

“Why are you lying to me?” he asked, raising his voice. “What else have you lied about?”

“Nothing else,” she said anxiously. “I’m sorry. It is him, but you were already so upset—”

“You take his call; don’t call me back.”

Addison closed her eyes, feeling the hot tears burn her eyes. “I have to take it,” she whispered.

The line clicked and he was gone. She stood there, frozen, the tears dripping down her cheeks, as the stadium suddenly went wild. Someone scored or something big was happening on the field, and she had zero interest. With AJ off the phone now, her phone automatically clicked over to Fred.

“Addison?” he sounded worked up too, but nowhere near as worked up as AJ had been.

“We need to talk,” she said, squeezing her phone as hard as she did her eyes shut.

She hadn’t planned on having this conversation with Fred this soon, and she’d planned on telling AJ about this first, but under the circumstances, she had no choice. Addison needed to regain a little control of this situation that was so out of hand now.

“In person,” he said.

“Fine. But if you reveal anything about Clair or why you and AJ got into it on the field, other than it was something game-related, the only way you and I will ever communicate again is via our lawyers, understood?”

“Agreed. But I wanna see you tonight after the press conference.”

Taking a deep breath, she knew just how angry AJ would be about this and what taking Fred’s call alone might have already cost her. She’d be taking several risks, both with AJ and Fred. But they were risks she was willing to take for the sake of her daughter. Addison could only pray now that both the aces in her pocket would pay off in the end. The finality she heard in AJ’s voice tonight was like none she’d ever heard from him before. It was what scared her most. Even her ace might not be good enough to make him get over her ignoring his ultimatum and her going to meet with Fred on the very night of their epic public brawl, especially since she was certain those leaked pictures were all Fred’s doing.

Addison had every intention of telling AJ about this. If he ever forgave her for this, there’d be no more lies or even secrets between them. She just knew she had a better chance of being forgiven if he heard about it straight from her first. “I’ll meet with you tonight, Fred, but know this. If any photos of us meeting tonight get leaked, tonight will be the last time you hear my voice outside a courthouse. If I hear so much as a rumor that you and I met tonight, the next time you wanna talk to me about anything you’ll have to go through my lawyers. They’re already on standby; it’s all about how you decide to handle this.”

It was how she hoped things would be in the end, especially now that AJ had made it so clear that it’d be the only way he’d deal with this. She just needed Fred to think for now that if he behaved and didn’t pull any stunts after tonight he still had a chance to continue with his infuriating requests.

Her last requirement for agreeing to meet with him tonight, she also added with the same threat about her lawyers. “Cover up that ridiculous tattoo during the press conference, will you?”