Bradford's Orders Book Two The Legacy Series

Chapter 12

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Chapter 12

Bradford

"Stop thinking about Holly and think about the game," Blake reminded me once again as we walked through the tunnel into the locker room. "She's with the family. Your mom and dad have Tempy. They're safe and the cops are at the house. As soon as Zane shows up, he'll be arrested and this whole thing will be over."

I know he's right. He is always right. I have a job to do and I need to focus on that. But there's a part of me who knows we should have included Holly in this plan. Keeping her in the dark was a bad idea.

"Both of you can get back to your lives as soon as he's behind bars, no harm to anyone." Blake slapped me on the back and saw the look on my face and paused. "Unless you have had a change of heart and want this engagement to be real?"

I can't say that I love her. I'd be lying. I don't know if I'm capable of that kind of love but I do care about her and her kid. I wouldn't have agreed to this charade if I didn't. But I don't want to hurt Holly and I have a feeling if she finds out the truth about this she will be more than hurt.

"I don't want Holly hurt. Or the kid," I repeated my thoughts out loud. A colder version of what was in my head.

"I think she's going to be more angry that we didn't tell her than hurt. Be grateful for that, it's easier to deal with than a woman hurt." Blake reasoned. "It was the only way to make sure that Zane or anyone else didn't find out the truth. It was for Tempy and her safety. She'll understand that."

I'm not so sure about that. I have a feeling Holly is going to make this difficult either way.

"Get your head in the game, Bradford. The only people who know anything about this are you, Emma and me. As far as anyone else is concerned your engagement is real. If you decide to keep it going, we will keep that secret. Now start focusing on this game! I need your best out there tonight!"

Nodding, I know I'll have to put this aside for later. I'm good at compartmentalizing. It's one of the things that made me good at law. I could always keep my personal feelings out of a case. I have to do the same thing now.

Going to my locker, I strip down and get into uniform. I've got a game to think about. We had our team meeting, and our last minute huddle before we went out to the field to warm up. My mind zeroed in on what my purpose was for the next three hours - football - being the playmaker and winning this game.

Cooper and Brady came over to me as I threw balls across the sideline. The two looked like they were up to no good. They are good friends and as Brady is my cousin, I've known Cooper most of my life. Trouble does seem to come with the Bradford territory.

"You didn't tell us!" Brady said accusingly as he walked up. "You got engaged to Holly and said nothing to your teammates, your family!"

Shit! I didn't think about that!

"Grandpa wanted me to wait until after the game," I lied. He can take the heat for this. He and Emma did get me into it. "He wants us focused on winning the game."

"You don't think we would be more focused celebrating your engagement? Dude! You really have to learn what motivates a team. Come on," grabbing me by the back of the neck, he began to drag me toward the fifty yard line.

"Huddle up!" Coop yelled across the field. Waving his arms, he called all the players from around the field over and had the entire team gathered around me in seconds. "Bradford has something to say! Everyone listen up!"

Well shit!

Looking around, I looked at the people who have come to trust me. Who I have had to earn their trust and respect by working my ass off to prove I'm worthy of the Bradford name and the position I've been given. And I'm about to lie and betray them.

Swallowing hard, I make a decision that I have to make. I can't back out now. I can't lose their trust or Holly's. I'd lose everything I've worked so hard for.

"Brady found out something that wasn't supposed to be announced until after the game tonight," Frowning, I saw the concern on some faces. "Holly, she takes care of the house?"

"Bradford's Orders a few weeks ago?" Brady reminded everyone.

Getting nods and smiles from them, I knew they remembered who she was. "I asked her to marry me. She said yes."

"Dre's mouth dropped open, "you did what?"

"They're engaged!" Brady gave me a brotherly side hug and grinned up at the family suite as if he could see her watching us.

Turning, I looked up at the suite and searched for her. I found her but she wasn't smiling. She was sitting with two people. I don't know who she's talking to but she looks like she wants to escape out of there. Mom walks to them, her hand on Holly's shoulder as she speaks as if she's standing up for Holly. Is she?

Who are they?

"Drake! You gettin' married? To Holly?" Dre asked again, confused. "I thought you said you weren't interested in her?"

"I did?" I asked, realizing that I had indeed said that. "I did, I wasn't but I got to know her and we just hit it off right away so... yeah."

"That's... fast," Dre wasn't going to let this go. "Are you sure there isn't something else? Is she pregnant?"

Shit, that's the last thing we need floating around!

"Let's go! We got a game to win!" Blake yells out.

Ignoring what is happening everywhere but on that field, Blake keeps his head and focuses better than I do. I go over to the bench and grab my helmet as I do see Derrick goes to Blake.

Standing right behind them, I hear their discussion. "They're up there with Sawyer. She's handling it."

"And our friend?" Blake didn't even look up from his play sheet.

"In custody, but he's a screamer. Talking about a frame job and that Holly set him up. He wants representation," Derrick says sarcastically. "He heard the good news. Our boy is pissed."

"Good! Then let's be sure he gets exactly what he asks for," Blake looks up then and sees me listening to them. "Focus, Bradford! Do your damn job! Get out there!"

Turning to go out to the field, I had to wonder what else Grandpa had done to save this family that no one else knew about. How far is he really willing to go to keep this family together and out of trouble?

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