The Ex Project by Nia Arthurs

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“What did you say?”Duane exploded from the chair in his small office.

“The suit is legit.”

Duane blinked rapidly. A few days ago, he got an official-looking letter in the mail. It said he was in violation of some kind of venue license and that he was being banned from using the stadium.

At first, he assumed it was a prank. He’d gotten full permission from the stadium’s owners to use the venue for his practices and future tournaments. He’d put down a sizable down payment to confirm that agreement as well. There shouldn’t have been a problem.

“The sanction is an old one that’s barely enacted.”

“Translation, Tank.”

“This is personal. Who did you piss off to get this kind of violation charge?”

Duane ran a hand over his face.

“The punishment is way more severe than the situation calls for. They’re saying you can’t host any more games on private or public property.”

“Is that legal?”

“It’s permissible. You do technically need a vendor license if you’re going to sell tickets. Even if the venue is private, once the public is involved, the government can step in.” Tank blew out a breath. “And it seems they’ve stepped in with guns blazing.”

Duane massaged his temple. The tournament had been receiving a ton of great press. The day’s events and his vision for the future of football in Belize had traveled out of the country.

It made a ripple with his fans around the world. He’d received tons of new followers on social media, along with a promising email from the Caribbean Football Association.

The CFA wanted to fly him out and talk about forming a partnership. If they could come to an agreement, he’d be able to receive financial and training support from their organization.

It was a great start, but all the effort would flush down the toilet if he couldn’t legally host competitions in Belize.

“How do I fix this, Tank?”

“I’ll make some calls. See if we can appeal the decision. But I don’t know if we’ll get much luck. Right now, it seems like you need to know somebody who knows somebody before you can get in front of the right people.”

“I don’t have that kind of clout.”

“Yolanda Walsh’s son is a part of your team. I heard she’s a big deal and her family knows everyone. Maybe you can try—”

“I’m not running to Yolanda to fix my problems,” he snapped.

Tank went quiet.

Duane really didn’t mind that Yolanda was a rich heiress or that she’d gone to school with many of the influential men and women in Belize. He loved that she was strong, independent and capable of fending for herself. He probably wouldn’t have looked twice at her if she was the shy, ditzy type. Her strong personality was an asset, but he drew the line at using her money or connections to open any doors for him.

“Give me something else, Tank. Give me something I can work with.”

“The way the law stands, politicians can pretty much do what they want. But…”

“But?”

“I’ll see what I can do. Maybe there’s another way.”

“Thank you.” Duane hung up with his friend and massaged the bridge of his nose. There was a tight clamp forming around his skull and he wondered if he should take an aspirin.

“Why did crap have to hit the fan now of all times?” He moaned.

In hindsight, he probably should have kept his comments about the National Sports Federation to himself. Azueta had the power to end him. A power he was using by way of this ridiculous ban.

“I can fix it,” Duane pressed his palms on his desk and pushed up. “I can fix the problem if I talk to him.”

Hopeful, Duane drove to the government building and tried to make an appointment with Azueta.

“He’s not in,” the grumpy-looking secretary said, frowning into a computer screen.

“That’s fine. I can make an appointment whenever he’s free.”

“He won’t be free right now,” she snapped, as if he’d done her a personal grievance.

Duane gritted his teeth. “This matter is in regards to an unfair violation charge. I believe I have the right to an audience with Mr. Azueta and a right to appeal.”

“Let me be frank, sir. You’re wasting your time.”

“By right—”

“You have a right to stand there and waste your breath. But that’s about it.”

Duane’s eyes flashed. “Thank you for your time, ma’am.”

She mumbled a reply.

He stormed out of the building and stood on the stoop, struggling to catch his breath and push away the anger. The secretary wasn’t at fault, even if she could have been less rude.

Hauling out his phone, he called Tank. “How do I get in a room with Azueta?”

“He denied you at the office?”

“Yes.”

“I’m hitting a road block on my end too. This feels really, really personal, Duane. Maybe you should apologize to him for whatever imagined grievance you committed?”

“That’s not happening.” Azueta had been in power for years and the football leagues, stadiums and programs had faltered under his legislation.

If Duane fell in line and said nothing, the football standards in the country would continue to decline.

“I’m going to keep trying, buddy.”

“Thanks.”

Tank chuckled. “All these years and you still choose the harder path over the paved one.”

“What can I say? I’m a consistent guy.”

“Yeah, yeah. Save the speech. I’m out.”

“Later, Tank.”

Duane strode back to his car and sat in the silence for a bit. The ramifications of this cease order went much further than the tournaments. It affected his coaching too. Without a venue, he had no possible course of action.

Should I go back to the schools?

He shuddered at the thought. When he first started coaching, he’d been using the local high schools. It got cumbersome to organize his practices around the school’s events. The administration always made it clear that education was more important than his one-hour practices. Though he understood, it had been disheartening.

Renting the private stadium had been such a relief. If he lost that…

Duane forced himself to type out a message and send a mass text to the parents. Until he figured this out, it was best not to send the boys to practice.

He apologized for the late notice, feeling like a jerk and wishing like hell that he didn’t have to admit defeat, but he had to lose a couple battles if he had a chance of winning the war.

Immediately, his phone started ringing with replies from the parents and players alike. Duane ignored all the phone calls and drove home to sulk.

By the time he got there, he spotted another vehicle in his driveway. Yolanda was leaning against it. She wore a shiny blouse and a tight pair of jeans that showed off all her curves. Her long legs were crossed at the ankles and a pair of sexy heels adorned her feet.

She looked like all his fantasies come to life and Duane wished he were in a better mood so he could focus all his attention on her.

He shut the engine and jogged to her side. “This is a nice surprise. How did you know where I lived?”

“I did a background check, remember?”

“Right.” He tilted his head and smiled despite his current circumstances. “And you call me the creep?”

She stepped into him and slipped her hands into his back pocket. Craning her neck, she spoke low and calm. “Why did you cancel practice?”

“I’m working on something,” he said, his gaze shifting away from hers.

She narrowed her eyes. “Something like what?”

The lie rolled to the edge of his tongue, begging to be free. Duane took a breath and thought of how his father was always transparent with his mother, no matter how awkward or uneasy it made him.

He couldn’t tell Yolanda the full truth, but he didn’t want to hide too much from her. “There’s been a complication with some permits and licenses…” He waved a hand dismissively. “I need to sort it out.”

“Do you need my help?”

“I have it handled.”

“You sure?”

He pursed his lips. “Actually, there is something you can do to help me.”

“What?” she asked eagerly.

“I have a horrible headache.” He leaned down further and tapped his temple. “I need some medicine right here.”

She laughed. “What kind of medicine?”

“A kiss. It has medical-grade healing properties.”

Yolanda rolled her eyes but obediently placed a kiss on his forehead.

Duane savored the soft press of her lips. Strangely, it did make the headache go away.

“That good?”

“Ah,” he pretended to wince, “I think I need one right here.” He pointed to his cheek. “And here.” His other cheek.

She folded her arms over her chest. “Duane.”

“Hurry.”

Locking her hands behind his neck, Yolanda kissed his cheeks and then smirked at him. “Not even Tay-Tay acts like this.”

“He’ll learn when he’s older.” He scrunched his nose. “And when it’s not his mom that’s doing the kissing.”

She laughed. The sound of her joy made his heart take wings and fly straight into the clouds. Duane hugged her tightly, soaking in all the strength and warmth that he could.

“Duane,” her voice sounded muffled, trapped beneath his shoulder, “what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He straightened and gave her a once-over. “How much time do you have?”

“Why?”

“Want to come inside? Have a drink?”

“As tempting as that sounds,” she pressed her palm into his chest, “I have to pick up Tay-Tay and explain to him why he’s not going to practice this evening.”

Duane lost his smile. “Right.” He stepped back. “Tell him I’m sorry and that I’ll make it up to him.”

“Before I go, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

He held her hand, tilting his head as he waited.

“I’m looking for Zaka.”

“Looking? As in she’s gone missing?” His shoulders stiffened.

“No. I mean, I’m not sure. She hasn’t been answering my calls. When I went to her house, someone else was living there.”

“I’ll contact her landlord.” Duane went fishing for his phone.

“I already did. The landlord said Zaka came rushing to her work and asked for her security deposit back. It seemed like she was in a hurry to get the money.”

Worry gnawed at his gut. “Zaka’s brother reached out to me recently. Their parent’s debt got transferred to some bad people. He got beat pretty badly.”

“Oh no.”

“I helped him out, but it was just to tide them over. They still owe the interest.” He blew out a troubled breath. “I haven’t heard anything from Casey since then.”

“Why didn’t Zaka just come to me?” Yolanda whispered, a worried crease between her eyebrows.

“She’s a smart girl. She knows she can trust you.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “She’ll reach out to you when she needs to.”

Yolanda sighed and he swooped in to kiss her.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “What was that for?”

“For having such a big heart.” He caressed her cheek.

“I’m actually very selfish. I only act like this with my friends.”

“It still counts.”

She chuckled.

His expression softened. “I’ve never felt this safe with anyone. I trust you with my life, Yol.”

She swallowed hard and glanced away.

He lifted her chin. “What are you doing later? I could come over. Play a little ball with Tay-Tay. And then when he goes to bed,” he slipped closer, “You and I can—”

“I can’t tonight.” She stepped back.

Duane studied her in confusion. Had he pushed too hard? Was something going on that he wasn’t aware of?

Her expression shifted quickly and she forced a bright smile. “I’ll call you.”

“Yeah.” He held on to her hand for as long as possible, but her fingers slipped away from his when she strode to her car.

Duane watched Yolanda’s vehicle get smaller and smaller, fighting a foreboding feeling in his chest that would not go away.