Page 24 of Caught Up In You (Indigo Royal Resort)
“Yes, I think he could really have a chance. It would take getting him into an academy somewhere and some hardcore dedication, but it’s not that much of a stretch,” he offered.
“An academy? You think an academy would take me?” Josef’s eyes got wide with excitement again.
“I’m sorry, a what?” Roberto asked.
“Sorry, sir, I figured the whole family knew all the technical terminology. An academy is a high-end youth team. Think of it like a pre-professional league. Most professional teams have an academy team they sponsor, using that arena to develop talent that they would want to bring up into their ranks as the kid got older,” he explained. “There are all sorts of rules that surround a kid who was developed at the academy level when it comes to a professional team, and each league is a little different, but it's a great way for kids to learn the ins and outs of the professional side of football and get some real, competitive experience under their belts.”
“That sounds expensive,” Leona noted.
“It’s all relative, but it doesn’t have to be.”
“Wow,” Josef said, still fixated on the idea that he could have a future in the game.
Cullen stopped briefly to think about the Atlanta offer and what that could mean. If they had an academy team plan, then it would be easy for him to get a kid like Josef set up on the team. Being born on St. Thomas meant that he was a United States citizen, so there wouldn’t be any extra visa paperwork involved. The biggest concern would be getting his parents to sign off on him moving away for such a plan, which right now seemed like a massive hurdle based on the looks they were giving each other. Maybe if he could sweet-talk Leona into it, she could convince their parents. What am I doing? he thought. I’m acting like the job is mine and making plans to bring the kid with me. Stop, just stop.
But the job was his, wasn’t it? Oliver had said that it was an offer, not just that they were interested in interviewing him. Not that he’d decided on taking it. For as much as he was enjoying working with the kids, he still wasn't sure that being a coach was really a good professional game plan. He wasn't sure it was worth the risk to tarnish his incredible playing career by potentially being a bad coach.
“How about dessert?” Anna asked abruptly, getting up from the table. She started to clear the plates, but Cullen stood up, holding out an arm.
“Here, I can do that,” he said, trying to be a gracious guest.
“No, no, you’re our guest, please sit,” she said. He could tell by her tone that she was trying her best to be polite, but that it was not an easy task. He had no idea why, but he could tell she was not a fan of his.
“Mama, I should really be getting back to the resort. I still have paperwork to do tonight,” Leona said, standing from the table to clear her place. Her flared skirt swayed rhythmically as she walked, drawing his gaze to her perfect ass. “Want me to grab your cane, Papa, before I go?”
“Sure, Leona, that’d save me a trip.”
She disappeared behind the door that Roberto had come through earlier, reappearing rather quickly with a dark wooden cane. She handed it to her father, kissing him on the top of his head as she did so.
Taking this as his cue, Cullen excused himself as well, offering to walk Leona out to her car, even though it was just in the drive. The only person in the house who seemed sad to see him go was Josef, and after that awkward meal they had just suffered through, that didn’t come as a shock.
Once the front door was fully closed and he was sure that none of the family inside could hear him, he turned to Leona with a smirk on his face and said, “Well, Menina, I think your mother likes me.”
“Go to hell, Cruz,” she snapped at him.
She stomped off toward her car, feeling the heat rising in her face. That had easily been one of the most uncomfortable dinners she had ever sat through. While no part of her blamed her mother, Leona had no idea why she had been so cold toward Cruz. At least according to Josef, having him over for dinner had been their mother’s idea. It was unlike her to be that cold to anyone, ever, much less someone she’d invited into their home. But it wasn’t something Leona could worry about right now.
Unlocking her car and climbing in, she slammed the driver side door shut as hard as she could, trying to put a barrier between her and Cruz. He always looked sexy, but sitting there with her family, there was a part of her that melted a bit at the sight. He looked so damn good sitting there next to Josef, and not just because he was hot. He looked comfortable with the little guy and when he talked about how good he was, his eyes even lit up a bit. It was equal parts amazing and infuriating that the two of them had taken to each other the way they had.
When she turned the key in her ignition, she was shocked to not hear the car turn on. Instead, she was met with a rapid clicking noise. No…no, no, no, she thought. Now was not the time to be having car trouble. She needed to make an escape—a quick one, at that—which was not going to be possible if the car wouldn’t turn over. She tried again and again, each time getting the same clicking noise. A tapping on the driver’s side window made her jump. Looking over, she found Cruz standing there, waiting for her to roll the window down.
Opening the door slightly rather than wasting battery on the power window, she just glared at him. “What?”
“Sounds like the alternator,” he offered.
“Are you suddenly a mechanic?”
“No, I’ve just had it happen to me.”
“Ugh, I don’t have time for this!” She banged both fists against the steering wheel. Truth be told, she didn’t have the time or money. While her dad could certainly do the repair himself, who knew what the cost of the parts would be. If she remembered correctly, alternators were not cheap, and she did not have the extra couple hundred dollars right now.
“Saul is on his way. You can ride back to the resort with me and then we can call for it to be towed tomorrow.”
“No, my dad is a mechanic,” she reminded him. “And I’m not riding back with you. I can borrow their car.”
“That is ridiculous. We are going to the same place, Menina.”
“I don’t care.”
