Sacking the Quarterback by Samantha Towle

downstairs bathroom. I fire off a text to Tyler telling him that everything is okay and that he should stay put at my place. I have a few things to do and then I’ll be home.
    My phone beeps with Tyler’s reply immediately: Cool. I’ve eaten the entire contents of your fridge—hope that was okay?☺
    Chuckling, I reply: No problem. I’ll be in touch soon.
    I climb into a cab and give the driver my address. I stare out of the window at Grayson’s house as the cab pulls away. I can still smell him all over me. The scent of him sends memories from the night screaming through my brain. My body shivers from those thoughts and then aches to be back with that man.
    Closing my eyes, I breathe through the moment. Then, I turn on my work brain and fish my cell out of my bag. It’s late, but I’m sure the person I need to call will be awake. I search through my contacts until I find his number. I press Call and put the phone to my ear.
    “Mel?”
    “Hey, Matt,” I say carefully, noting the surprise in his voice. I can’t say I blame him for it, since I haven’t called him in a long time.
    “Are you okay?” he asks with genuine concern in his voice. It makes me feel like a jerk for all the times I’ve been standoffish to him and for using him now. But, like I said, a man’s life is on the line.
    “I’m fine…but I need your help.”
    “I’m looking over some reports at the coffee shop near my place, the one we always used to go to.”
    “I’ll be there in five minutes,” I say, and end the call. Then I ask the driver to take me to the new location.
    Five minutes later, I’m walking into the shop. The scent of coffee sends my nerves into overdrive as soon as I push the door open. It feels weird to be here with Matt, but I push that aside, because I know I’m here for Grayson. He and Tyler need help, and Matt will be the one to provide it. He might be a pain in the ass at times, but he’s a damn good cop.
    I order my coffee and head to his table.
    “Hey,” I say, hanging my bag on the back of my chair.
    “Just like old times, being here with you,” he says with a smile, tipping his mug at me.
    I don’t chastise him for the comment, even though he knows better than to act like that’s the reason I’m here. I don’t want to get into a battle with him, especially since it’s best if I stay on his good side right now.
    “So, what can I do for you?”
    I glance around and my eyes catch on a guy sitting over by the back, who’s glued to his cell phone. I’m going to have to take my chances.
    The barista brings the coffee over. I wait for her to leave before I start talking in a low voice. I tell Matt everything about Grayson’s situation from start to finish—how he covered for his brother by holding the drugs, where those drugs came from, how Tyler was threatened by the cartel.
    Matt doesn’t say anything the whole time. He sits there and listens to me talk, taking it all in. When I’m done, I sit there staring at him, waiting for him to say something.
    “Well, that’s an absolute mess, Mel.”
    After everything I’ve just told him, that’s what he says. And he is right. It’s a huge disaster.
    “I know, and that’s why I need your help—Grayson and Tyler need your help. We’re talking about the cartel here, Matt. The minute they find out those drugs are missing…Tyler’s as good as dead. And Grayson…” I trail off, because I can’t bring myself to say the words.
    Matt blows out a breath. It’s a resigned sound and I’m not sure what it means. “I have a contact in the DEA,” he tells me. “I can call him, see what we can do to get them out of the mess they’ve got themselves in.” He reaches for his cell, and I reach over and put my hand on his arm. He pauses, his eyes meeting mine.
    “Thank you, Matt,” I say earnestly. I move my hand away and into my lap.
    “You don’t have to thank me, Mel. You need help, and I’m there.”

Chapter 23
    It’s late afternoon and I’m