Free Catching Cameron: A Love and Football Novel by Julie Brannagh Page A

on.”
    C AMERON SETTLED INTO the chair opposite Zach and tried to concentrate on the notecards in her lap. The production group was waiting for her cue. They would start counting when she indicated she was ready to start. She took another sip of water and tried to compose herself. She’d memorized the questions. She had cue cards for the introduction. This was no different than a thousand other interviews she’d ever done in her life, but she couldn’t seem to signal the production group. She licked her lips again.
    Zach locked eyes with her. She saw his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed hard. He leaned forward in his chair, reached across, and took her hands in his much bigger ones. The notecards she’d been holding dropped into her lap. He stroked his thumbs across her skin.
    “What happened to us, Cameron?” His voice was raspy. He held her hands in his, scooting onto the edge of his chair, surrounding her.
    “I—I,” she stammered. He waited. The laughing, carefree Zach wasn’t there anymore. His typical smile faded as pain etched his face. The makeshift TV studio was silent as they fought for words.
    Cameron hauled breath into her lungs. Her lips quivered as tears rose in her eyes. The words tumbled out before she could stop them.
    “Why did you leave me?” she said.

 
    Chapter Seven
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    A FEW SECONDS later, Zach heard some shuffling and gasps from the group standing behind the camera and TV lights. He knew the production staff had skin in the game on the successful taping of this interview, too. Their bosses would expect something worth a ratings bonanza. He also noticed the red light over the lens was on. He realized that maybe he should ask how long they’d been filming, but right now, he was too busy getting frozen out by his ex-wife. He’d spent every day of the past ten years trying to forget her.
    She’d dropped her guard for approximately five seconds, and he watched the wall of ice in her eyes re-form in milliseconds. She let go of his hands. She didn’t answer his question, but he didn’t answer hers, either.
    “I might need a touch-up,” she called out to the group behind the camera. Sure enough, a slender brunette attired in black and sporting an eyebrow piercing advanced on Cameron with brushes, makeup, and a clear tube that looked like Visine. She hip-checked Zach back into his chair.
    “What the hell was that?” he snapped. Cameron didn’t even glance at him. “Talk to me, Cameron.”
    The makeup person ignored him and bent over Cameron. “We can fix this,” she soothed. She bent to administer eye drops, dabbed carefully around Cameron’s eyes with a tissue, and repaired her makeup. “Okay. You’re all set. Do you need more water?”
    “No, I’m fine, thank you. Are you all ready?” Cameron said. She wouldn’t meet his eyes. She straightened the cards in her lap, sat up in her chair, and turned toward the camera. “Let’s do this.” She nodded at the production group.
    “Starting in five, four,” and the woman holding the cue cards counted off “three, two, one” with fingers instead of aloud.
    “I’m Cameron Ondine, and this is a special edition of NFL Confidential . My guest this evening is defensive tackle Zach Anderson of the Seattle Sharks. Zach was drafted in the first round by the Sharks in 2002 and has played his entire career with them. He was selected to the Pro Bowl five times. He is a three-time All-Pro. He is considered one of the preeminent DT’s in the league. We’re happy to have him with us today. Welcome, Zach.”
    She turned toward him. Her smile was completely insincere.
    “Well, thanks, Ms. Ondine.” He gave her a grin to equal hers. “It’s an honor.”
    He saw her nostrils flare a little. He caught a lightning-fast glimpse of hurt and anger lurking in her dark-chocolate eyes.
    “Zach, let’s talk a little about this season’s training camp. How do you feel about the changes the Sharks defensive line coach made through the draft