Read Online The Deal with Love (One on One) by Jamie Wesley - Free Book Online Page A

when Mack walked into the office. And why his hand never shook while guiding the camera no matter how many times Mack glanced his way.
    He hadn’t considered the possibility of running into Mack during this assignment. He’d been too busy thinking of all the good he could do with the money Dale would give him and trying not to think about how being around Elise tested his resolve to leave their relationship as a one-night stand. Besides, why would he think about him? Ever since his sister had told him who their father was, he’d gotten very good at not thinking about Mack.
    But they couldn’t go on this way. He didn’t want to make Elise any more uncomfortable because of his drama. He was committed to this project. Mack was the Stampede head coach and would be hanging around, so at the end of the meeting, when Mack angled his head toward the hall, Christian gave a brief nod of acceptance.
    About thirty seconds after Mack left, Christian said, “I’ll be back. I need to go to the bathroom.”
    “Okay,” Elise said. “It’s down the hall to your left.”
    He exited the office and spotted Mack waiting up ahead. He followed him into a room—Mack’s office, obviously—and braced himself for what was to come.
    He didn’t feel angry. He’d been living in a state of numbness ever since he’d found out his father was living in the same town. He didn’t blame his sister for not calling Mack out for the bastard he was like she’d originally intended, but he couldn’t do the whole father-child reconciliation thing that Mack and Caitlin had engaged in. That just wasn’t him. He wasn’t interested in getting to know someone who’d shown his true colors long ago. Mack hadn’t ever wanted to get to know him. He’d made that blatantly obvious when he’d given Christian’s mother five thousand dollars, and told her to take a hike. People encouraged him to give Mack a second chance, but Mack had never given him a chance, so why should he?
    “Thanks for coming,” Mack said pleasantly.
    Christian just stared at him. He refused to see his resemblance to this man, though others had been quick to point it out once the news had hit.
    Mack cleared his throat. “How are you?”
    Christian’s jaw tightened. “I’m doing fine. I’m always fine.”
    “That’s good to hear. I have a few things to say.”
    “I’m not interested in hearing them.” Mack had had years to reach out and find out what happened to the children he’d abandoned. He never had until he was forced to. “I’m only here to tell you we can be polite and professional. That’s as far as it needs to go. That’s as far as it will go.”
    Mack straightened to his full six feet six inches, giving Christian a glimpse of the ultra-confident pro athlete he’d once been. “I’m glad you had your chance to speak, because that means I can talk without fear of interruption. I’ve tried to be cognizant of your feelings and not push too hard too fast, but you’re going to be here every day, and I know I’m not going anywhere.”
    Christian felt a begrudging sense of respect rise in him for Mack standing his ground. Before finding out Mack was his father, he’d never disliked the other man. He’d always liked him as a player. As a fan of the Stampede, he’d been excited when they hired Mack as head coach. He’d always admired his toughness, his assertiveness, and his leadership skills. It had been hard to reconcile that image of him to the man Christian learned he really was. Though he couldn’t match Mack in height, he was more than a match for him in toughness. He spoke clearly. “You’re right. I am going to be here, and I have no intention of not doing the job I was hired to do. Give your speech, and then I’ll leave and we won’t have to speak ever again.”
    Mack’s jaw tightened, but his gaze remained steadfast. “What I did to you, Caitlin, and your mother was shitty. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.”
    “Yet you’d still be