He was almost to the locker when he spotted Megan and Cory pressed against a rope, amidst a mob of fans. The two were probably the only San Francisco fans not celebrating.
Derrick! Cory shouted to him. We need to see Aaron. Pleasethe security people wont let us in.
Derrick looked from the child to the woman. Aaron wouldve wanted to see them more than anyone else. He pursed his lips and took the lead. He spoke to the gatekeepers, and Megan and Cory were given temporary passes and allowed to cross the line. Derrick gave Megan a reassuring smile. Follow me.
When hed cleared them through another few security points and into a room where they could see Aaron, Derrick saw Coach Cameron signal him. Be ready, Anderson! A hundred reporters want a piece of you.
Derrick nodded. Hows Hill?
Groggy. His head hurts, but hes propped up in the locker room. Doctors say hell be fine.
Derrick pictured the hit again, the way it rocked Aaron and knocked him unconscious. Wicked hit, man. He met the coachs eyes. God was with him.
Coach Cameron smiled. He was with you too.
A smile started at the corners of Derricks lips and ran all the way through him. Tell the press Ill be there in a minute.
He jogged to his locker, acknowledging the congratulations along the way. He didnt need anything, but he wanted a moment alone before the crazy aftermath began, before speculation started and the media began reminding fans every hour that the odds were vastly against San Francisco for the big game in two weeks.
Before any of that, he needed this. He opened his locker, braced himself against it, and hung his head. God Almighty, todaytoday was for You. And it was from You. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and brushed it on his damp jersey. Hed given everything he had out there, and even now the ache in his knee was only a distant throb. He breathed hard, worn out from the exertion. So, I wondered if You could do me a favor, God? Tears stung his eyes and mixed with the sweat on his face. Could You tell my little boyhis daddys trying to keep his promise? Please, Godand kiss his face, okay? Because if he were here, thats what I would do. And Youre a better Dad than I could ever hope to be.
He sniffed and grabbed a towel from inside his locker. He scrunched it in a ball and pressed it to his face, drying the tears and grime and sweat. Oh, and also He dragged the towel across his cheeks and tossed it back in the locker. Tell Lee one more game. Just one more game. As he slammed the locker door shut, he willed himself to find control again. Thanks, God.
With that, he walked through the locker room to the waiting press, where for the next half hour he did something that came as natural to him as suiting up for a game. He hung with the reporters, fielding questions and smiling and giving entertaining answers, careful to give all credit for the unlikely win to God alone.
Where it would always belong.
Megans stomach had been in knots since Aaron took the hit, but even then, she couldnt let her fear show. Not with Cory sitting beside her. The only reason she hadnt tried to come down to the locker room sooner was because the announcer had given occasional updates on Aarons condition. He had a concussion, hed been taken to the hospital, his tests were negative, and now he was back at the stadium in the locker room. The last update said he was expected to make a full recovery, but his prognosis for the Super Bowl was uncertain.
With each announcement, Megan felt her fears ease, but still she wanted to see for herself. Even then, without Derrick, they never wouldve gotten through to see Aaron. Now, though, they waited in a room across the hall from the lockers. Ten minutes passed, and then the door opened and Aarons agent poked his head through. He stared at Megan and then at Cory and his expression changed from confused to irritated. What are you doing here?
Megan steeled herself against the mans disapproval. Aaron invited us.
Next to her, Cory started to say something, but Megan put her arm around his slim shoulders and gave him a squeeze. Cory took the hint and grew silent.
Bill sneered at her. Fans arent allowed behind security lines.
Cory took a step forward, his voice defiant. Derrick let us through. We want to see Aaron.
The agent steadied his gaze straight at Megan. Aaron doesnt have time for charity work during the season. Ill speak to him about this disruption. He held her eyes for a moment longer, then he was gone.
Megan realized shed been holding her breath. She exhaled hard and turned to Cory. Thank you.
Corys eyes blazed. That guys mean.
Yes, he is. But no one can know about you and Aaron until its time, okay?
Okay. Cory looked dejected, but not for long.
Before Megan could say anything else, a man with a shirt marked trainer wheeled Aaron into the room. The wheelchair mustve frightened Cory at first, because he hesitated, staying close to Megan. But his joy at seeing Aaron sitting up, his eyes open, mustve won out because Cory ran to Aarons side and gently touched his arm. Are you okay?
Im fine. His eyes were only half open, his voice groggy. But he smiled at Cory and then winced as he shifted his attention to Megan. Do you need a ride home?
Megan blinked. A ride home? She looked at the trainer, and the guy mouthed the word, concussion. Megan nodded, but her stomach churned with renewed fear. She pictured him on the field, unmoving, unconscious. At the time, she couldnt draw a breath, couldnt move or speak for all the horrible scenarios playing in her head. He couldve been paralyzed, or if his neck had broken in the exact wrong spot, he couldve died without ever getting up. By the end of the game, the announcer made it sound like Aaron was doing so well he was probably joking around with the trainers in the locker room.
The truth was far from that. Aaron rested his head in his hand and massaged his temples. Cory stood beside him, rubbing small gentle circles into his back. I prayed for you.
Aarons face twisted in pain. Me too. He tried to focus on Cory. I prayed on the beach.
Worry filled Corys eyes, and Megan gave him a calming look. Its okay. Hell be all right. But at the same time she shot another frantic look at the trainer.
The guy moved around Aaron and came close to Megan, so close Cory couldnt hear what he was saying. Hell hurt for a while. Hes dizzy and he cant see clear. Itll take some time.
Shouldnt he be in the hospital? She was shocked that medical professionals had seen Aarons condition and released him.
He has no bleeding in the brain; the tests were clear. The emergency room doctor wanted to hold him overnight for observation, but the team doctor promised someone would stay with him for a couple days. Make sure he doesnt develop any new symptoms. The trainer glanced at Aaron, and then back at Megan. Hes on pain meds too. So hes a little loopy.
Megan swallowed hard. Okay. Her knees trembled, and her hands shook so bad she could barely tuck her hair behind her ears. I shouldnt worry, then?
No. The trainers tone was reassuring. This happens in football.
Great,Megan wanted to say. But instead she moved past the trainer to Aarons other side. She put her hand on his shoulder and stooped down so her face was near his. Were here, Aaron. Youre going to be okay.
He squinted at her, and then he stretched his arm out. Megantake my hand.
A surge of hope welled inside her. He knew who she was! God, let him be okay. Please She reached out and gently took hold of his fingers. They were much larger than hers, but his touch was as gentle as the breeze off the bay. Youre in the Super Bowl! Can you believe it?
He looked like a person trapped in a room with too much noise. He made a face and stared at his knees. When the pain or whatever had passed, he bunched up his eyes and stared at her, as if he were trying to see through thick fog. He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them. The way hed done at the park that day. Youre so beautiful, Megan.
The trainer nodded at her, and stepped toward the door. Ill be out here when you need m
e.
Thank you. Megan wanted this time alone with Aaron, though she had no idea where it would lead. She didnt belong here, the woman linked with the teams star quarterback. Aarons agent was right. That role was reserved for the elite and famous, the actresses hinted about in the Chronicle. Which was something she wanted to ask him about, whether anything had come from his agents efforts. But Aaron had only stepped back into their lives a few days ago. And now
She looked at Cory. He was glued to every word, every move Aaron made. Youll be fine by tomorrow. The boy looked at her and nodded, probably trying to convince himself. Right, Megan? Hell be fine tomorrow?
He will. She wasnt sure, but it was the only answer for now. They stayed a few minutes longer, and all the while Megan could hardly think, hardly breathe for the feel of his hand against hers. She prided herself on being smart, on knowing when a situation wasnt good for her. But here, when all the signs told her to run, she was stretching out the moment as long as she could.
When she went to leave, she put her arm gingerly around Aarons shoulders and gave him a side hug. Well talk when were back home, okay?
For a few seconds he didnt look like he knew what to make of that. Then he dropped his voice to a whisper, his eyes clearer than theyd been since he came into the room. I love you.
Megans breath caught in her throat, and she took a step back. Wellwell talk, okay?
He held her eyes for a second or two, and then he let his head fall into his hand again. Megan shifted her attention to Cory, but he was bent over, tying his shoes. Megan was almost certain he hadnt heard Aarons statement. If he did, he was bound to have questions.
They were out of the stadium and in the Town Car on the way back to the hotel when Cory grinned at her. You should marry Aaron.
Megans heartbeat quickened, but she kept her composure. Im not marrying anyone. It was the safest answer she could give. If she wanted to keep what was important to her, if she wanted to protect herself from getting hurt, then shed stay in her apartment with Cory and their cat, Oreo, and nothing about her life would ever change.
Cory frowned at her. But you should. Then everything would be perfect. His features relaxed. You and Aaron could get married, and then Id have a mom and a dad! And we could eat dinner at Pier 39 every Friday night! He paused. Plus he loves you, Megan. His tone took on the familiar sing-song sound. I heard him tell you.
She brushed off the possibility. He didnt know what he was saying. Despite her alarm and the flush in her cheeks, Megan felt for the child. In his world, the answers really were that simple. She stared out the window and tried to think of something to add that would put the idea to rest, a sensible response.
But she had none to give, and a knowing came over her. The ride ahead was going to be difficult for her. Difficult and painful. Because Aaron didnt want to marry her, not if he was thinking clearly. But one day soon he would want to bring Cory home. The boy was Aarons son, Megan had no doubt. The resemblance between them was uncanny now that she knew the truth. Where would that leave her? Especially when all she could hear were his whispered words of love, words that had touched the most private places in her heart.
Whether he knew what he was saying or not.
TWENTY-EIGHT
A aron sat in the lobby of the clinic a few miles from Cardinals Stadium and closed his eyes. The injury had happened more than a week ago, but his head still hurt and that worried his doctors. Even so, he was getting a little better every day. The double vision was gone, and his short-term memory was almost back to normal. The day before the flight, the doctor had cleared him for certain tasksdriving and light workouts.
He was doubtful for Sundays game against the Chargers, but Coach wasnt sharing that with the press. Aaron was in his hotel room last night when he heard the coach interviewed on a special edition of Sports Center. Aaron Hills making a very fast recovery. The coaching staff expects him to be the starting quarterback this Sunday.
Aaron had stared at the TV screen, confused. Three doctors had weighed in with their opinion earlier that day. Only one of them thought he had even the slightest chance of playing in the big game. But then, Coach was praying for him. Coach and Megan and Cory and everyone in Derricks family. If he kept improving, anything was possible. For now, though, the game was not the first thing on his mind.
He leaned his forearms on his knees and clasped his hands. There was no reason to be nervous. Hed set up this meeting a week ago, arranged to take the blood test here in Phoenixso they wouldnt have to wait longer than necessary. Cory was his son, he had no doubt. But in case the issue ever was called into question, Aaron wanted the paperwork. When it was finished, he would frame it and set it where he would never forget, never go a single day without appreciating the gift hed been given in finding his son.
A nurse stepped into the waiting area and smiled. Mr. Hill?
The clinic was known for its high-end clients, and for its ability to be discreet, even keeping the information from his agent if necessary. Bill Bond had no idea his star client was about to take a paternity test. The news wouldve pushed him over the edge for sure. Bill was in town for the game, but Aaron had kept their time together to a minimum. His agent was upset by the presence of Megan and Cory at the conference championship in New Orleans. Just yesterday, Aaron met Bill in a private meeting room at the hotel to discuss offers for more endorsements. When the short meeting ended, Bill shook his head, clearly disappointed. Youre giving people the wrong impression, bringing that woman and her son to the game. Bill paused. When the seasons over, we need to talk, friend.
Yeah. Aaron hadnt wanted to get into it, but he could agree on that much. We definitely need to talk.
Now Aaron followed the nurse into a small room, and with little fanfare, she swabbed his arm and asked him if he was aware that the test was for a DNA paternity match, and he confirmed the fact. If she knew who he was, she didnt say so, and as she drew a vial of his blood, she didnt make small talk. When she was done, she slipped a small bandage across the needle mark and went about her business.
Aaron appreciated her silence. He couldnt risk having news of this visit in the press, not this week or ever. A minute later, when the nurse had labeled the vial and filled out a piece of paperwork, she gave him another polite smile. Thats all, Mr. Hill. The sample will be sent to the lab, and when the other one comes in, a test will be performed to see if theres a match. Youll be notified of the private results by courier. She checked her notes. If things go the way theyre set up, you should have results in a week. Next Wednesday.
Aaron thanked her. As he left he pictured Megan, who was taking Cory into a clinic in San Francisco this same afternoon. He didnt know if the boy was afraid of needles, but for a strong moment he wished he were there beside him. It wasnt Corys fault Aaron had walked away from the boys mother. But at least some of the blame belonged to Bill Bond. Bill, who had made Megan feel uncomfortable, and who had threatened Amy, warning her to stay away from Aaron at all costs.
On the drive back to the hotel, his frustration and anger toward his agent grew to a boiling point. For weeks hed been putting off the talk he wanted to have with Bill, all because he wanted to stay focused on the season. Because he didnt want a news story about him and his agent to take anything away from the team and its run at the title.
What did it matter now? Aaron wasnt likely to see a minute on the field, and the press was in such a frenzy about the pending game, they wouldnt run a story about Aarons agent until a week after the contest. At the earliest. He waited until he was back in his hotel room before he took a long breath and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. It was time to do what he shouldve done months ago. Years ago. He opened his phone and uttered a bitter sigh. His agent was one of his top speed dial choicesnot a friend or a wife or any family members. The others were all reserved for business contacts. Aarons heart felt heavy at the reali
zation and what it said about his life until now.
His agent picked up almost immediately. Hill, my friend. His laugh sounded phony and forced. Its about time. I was beginning to think youd forgotten about me. How bout dinner tonight down the street?
Aaron had wasted too much time for small talk. Where are you?
Uh Bill hesitated, all right, well forget the niceties. He kept his tone upbeat. Whatever Aaron wanted, Aaron got. Im in the lobby with a few financial guys. You can join us, in fact I was hoping youd
Get up here, Bill. Now. Aaron kept his tone even, otherwise his head would hurt too much. You know my room number.
Bill dropped his voice a notch. Everything okay?
No. Aaron massaged his temples. Just get up here.
Okay. He paused, his voice suddenly nervous. Give me five.
The call ended and Aarons head pounded from the pain. In less than five minutes there was a knock at the door. Aaron let his agent in, and he led the way to the living room of his suite. They sat facing each other. Bill sat deep against the corner of one sofa, and Aaron balanced on the edge of the other. He dug his elbows into his knees and fired an intense look straight at his agent.
Before he could talk, Bill started in. Hey, hows your head, by the way? I meant to ask, but you were, you knowhe tried a short laugh, but it didnt quite work out. He waved his hand arounddistracted by whatever this is. He grabbed a quick gulp of air. You still in pain or what?