CHAPTER 49

CAL WALKED BACK TOWARD THE MEDIA TENT and called Kelly.

“Are you still here?” Cal asked as she answered.

“You made it?”

“Not until it was over, but I’m here now.”

“Wasn’t that amazing?! I still can’t believe it!”

“I know. Absolutely incredible. I’ll have to tell you the rest of the story some time.”

“OK. It’ll have to be tomorrow. I’m sure you have work to do and I’ve got a party to go to.”

Cal was silent.

“Cal, are you OK? You’re acting a little funny.”

“Well, it’s just that I miss you. I can’t thank you enough for what you did in Mexico. I think I’d be dead. And you? You saved a little boy’s life.”

“I’m no hero, Cal. I just did what needed to be done.”

“I know, but I couldn’t help but think how things could have gone differently—and gone really wrong.”

“Yeah, let’s not talk about that, OK? They didn’t, so we’re good. All right?”

“It’s just that I wouldn’t ever want anything to happen to you, Kelly.”

“Are you getting all soft on me, Cal Murphy?”

Cal took a deep breath. “I just really care about you.”

“I know you do. I care about you, too. I’m glad you’re safe.”

“Me too.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Tuesday at noon. It was the earliest flight out of here I could get.”

“Same here.”

“Want to meet me for breakfast on Tuesday?”

“Sure. I’ll call you and we can make plans.”

“Sounds great. Take care.”

Cal hung up. He immediately began to regret his failing courage. He wanted to tell Kelly how he really felt, that he saw their relationship as more than just friends. But he couldn’t. And he couldn’t figure out why either.

* * *

CAL ARRIVED AT THE MEDIA TENT and scanned the area for Josh. He spotted him in the far corner, pecking away on his keyboard. He walked up to Josh, out of his line of sight.

“What are you writing about, rookie?” Cal asked close to Josh’s ear.

Josh turned around, startled.

“I’m writing a sidebar on the fake field goal. How are you? I see you made it back in one piece. What’d the other guy look like?”

Cal just now realized that his appearance was disheveled, not to mention his face held several visible cuts and bruises. “You don’t want to know. But I’m here and all accounted for.”

“That’s good. How did your little assignment with the FBI go? I’m assuming that’s where you got your little scratches from.”

Cal smiled. “It ended well.”

“That’s good.” Josh pounded away on his laptop for a few more seconds before speaking again. “By the way, were you trying to reach me near the end of the game? What was so important that you couldn’t wait?”

“Why didn’t you pick up?”

“I was down on the field and had my phone in my pocket. It was deafening down there. I guess I didn’t hear it ring. What did you want?”

“Oh, nothing now. It all worked out.”

“Good. Well, let’s talk later after I’m off of deadline, OK?”

“Sounds good.”

Just then Cal’s phone rang.

It was Agent Anderson.