After All These Years (One Pass Away #2) (3 page)

Breathing hard, Riley opened her arms, ready to tell Sean
not to be sorry. She wasn’t. She was mortified to find out he wasn’t speaking
to her.

“I don’t blame you, Sean.” Football bored her mother to
tears. Corrine Preston knew who the Knights’ players were because she liked
handsome young men. When she batted her eyes at Sean, Riley was mortified. “Riley
is immature for her age. I’m sure she mistook your kindness for something else.”

“Mrs. Preston—”

“Corrine.” Her mother smiled, placing her manicured hand on
Sean’s chest. “Oh, my.” She squeezed, smiling slowly.

This couldn’t be happening. Riley felt rooted to the spot.
She wanted to run, really she did. However, between the one-sided kiss and her
mother’s outrageous behavior, Riley didn’t know if she would ever be able to
move.

“I need to be going.” With less care than he showed Riley,
Sean removed her mother’s hand. “Are you okay?”

After making certain he was speaking to her, Riley nodded.

“I’ll see you soon.”

Sean sprinted to his car, obviously anxious to leave behind
two forms of crazy. A grabby young woman and a would-be Mrs. Robinson.

“Thanks for the ride, Sean,” Riley managed to call out
before he slammed the door.

Instead of a verbal response, Sean waved from his open car
window. He pulled out of the driveway like a man being chased by demons.
Glancing at her mother, Riley didn’t think the description was too far off.

“That was embarrassing.” Corrine practically shoved Riley
into the house.

“I agree. You groped my friend. Are you out of your mind?”

“I don’t appreciate you speaking to me that way, young lady.”
Corrine fluffed her hair in the mirror. The house was filled with them. Her
mother hated to be more than five feet away from her own image. “And I was the
one embarrassed. Throwing yourself at a man is bad enough. What would possess
you to kiss Sean McBride?”

“How do you know
he
didn’t initiate the kiss?”

Corrine didn’t laugh. Riley would have preferred it to the look
of abject pity.

“A man like that is out of your league.”

“You think he’s in yours?”

“I could have him in a second.” Corrine’s lips curved into a
knowing smile. “If I weren’t a married woman.”

“When did that ever stop you?”

She knew she shouldn’t have said it, even if it were true.
The sting of her mother’s hand across her face stunned Riley. Corrine never
lifted a finger to do anything. If she had called the maid in and instructed
her to perform the slap for her, Riley would have been less surprised.

“Never again,” She whispered.

“You have a smart mouth, Riley,” Corrine said with a haughty
look. “I should have done it years ago.”

“Not the slap. I couldn’t care less about that. You pack all
the punch of an anemic gnat.” Riley stepped toward her mother, feeling immense
satisfaction when Corrine flinched.

“I’m your mother.”

“It’s a little late to play that card.” Riley shook her head
at Corrine’s pathetic tactic. “I’m not going to hit you. Unless…”

“Unless what?” Corrine looked down her nose at Riley. It hadn’t
taken her long to regain her poise.

“Unless you ever touch Sean again.”

RILEY DIDN’T KNOW what Sean would say the next time they met.

She parked her car outside the Knights’ headquarters. Gaige
had called a tow truck after she and Sean left, texting her the details.
Because it was an easy fix, the garage called early the next morning and she
took a taxi to pick up her car.

There was an easy way out of this situation. She could stay
away from Sean for the next few weeks. When they saw each other again, the
awkwardness would dissipate quickly and they could pretend nothing had
happened. Except, Riley didn’t want to pretend. About the kiss, that is. Riley
hoped Sean never mentioned her mother. Ever.

Giving her lip-gloss a quick check, Riley exited the car.
She wasn’t trying to be something she wasn’t. A short skirt, tight top, and
heels would have made her look as ridiculous as she would have felt. Different
clothing wasn’t going to make Sean look at her in a new way. That would take a
change in attitude—from both of them.

How could Sean think of her as an exciting, interesting
woman, if she didn’t let him see that was who she was? Time to stop being
tongue-tied. She was intelligent. Top of her class at business school. She kept
up on current events and knew the Knights’ playbook backward and forward. Riley
could converse on almost any subject, and if he were willing to teach her, she
would be an eager student when it came to sex. There was no reason for Sean to
be bored—in or out of the bedroom.

She climbed into the stands, keeping out of sight so she
could watch the end of practice. Harry Coleman didn’t like distractions of any
kind. She stayed in the shadows, waiting for Sean to do something. Anything.

As fate would have it, Riley was given a welcome and
unexpected treat. Sean ran a slant route, his footwork fast and sure. The
defensive end tried to keep up, but the rookie was no match for Sean’s superior
speed and experience.

Faking left, he dodged behind another member of the defense.
A reverse screen. By the time the rookie figured out what was happening, Sean
had caught the laser shot from Gaige, tucked the ball under his arm, and was
halfway to the end zone.

Silently, Riley applauded. Sean was wonderful. One of the
best in the game. However, it wasn’t the play that made her heartbeat race. It
was Sean’s joy over a simple practice play. His laughter reached into the
stands, wrapping itself around her like a warm hug. His smile was infectious.
He didn’t know she was there, yet it felt like he smiled just for her.

“You need to stop this, Riley.”

Closing her eyes, Riley took a deep breath. Straightening
her shoulders, she turned to her father.

“Stop watching the Knights? We both know that will never
happen.”

“Don’t be coy. It doesn’t suit you.”

“Define coy,” Riley said, tongue firmly in cheek.

“God, you are so much like your grandfather.” One side of
Gerald Preston’s mouth curled into a sneer.

“Thank you.”

“It wasn’t meant as a compliment.”

“I know. Yet that’s how I choose to take it.”

Gerald Preston was a handsome man. Tall, lean. His dark hair
was still thick with only a touch of gray beginning to show. He kept himself
fit. His personal trainer visited the house three times a week and he ran five
miles every day. At fifty-three, he had the body of a much younger man.

Some people had commented on the resemblance between father
and daughter. The same slender build. The blue eyes. The dark hair. Riley
supposed it was true. When asked, she said she looked like her grandfather.

Riley felt a twinge of regret. It didn’t happen often. Not
anymore. There had been a time, just after her grandfather’s death, when she
wished for a closer relationship with her father. For twelve years, she had
been blessed with a strong, loving male figure in her life. She felt the loss
greatly.

Until then, she hadn’t worried about the ice that dripped
from her father’s every word. She had Grandpa. However, without Douglas Preston’s
warm presence, Riley naturally looked to the man who had given her life. The
man who had never shown an ounce of interest in her. She wasn’t surprised to
find out that hadn’t changed. Disappointed, but not surprised.

“You hide up here in the stands, watching Sean McBride,
thinking you’re invisible. Trust me,
little girl
, he is the only one who
doesn’t know how you feel.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Riley lifted her chin, trying to put on a brave face. Was
her father right? Did everyone know? It was hard to know for certain. Her
father didn’t speak to her often, but when he did, it was never a pleasant
experience. Where her grandfather had been full of laughter and good humor, her
father was much more of a doom and gloom personality.

“That’s a good poker face. Another of your grandfather’s
traits.” Gerald casually picked a tiny piece of lint from his perfectly
tailored suit. Flicking it away, his eyes met Riley’s. The gesture wasn’t
random. Without words, he told her she was as insignificant as that piece of
lint. And as easily taken care of.

If her father had spent any time getting to know her, he would
have known Riley couldn’t be intimidated that easily. Push her, she pushed
back. That, too, was something she inherited from her grandfather.

“I have every right to be here.” Riley refused to break eye
contact. She felt a small thrill of accomplishment when he was the first to
look away.

“You’ll own the team someday.” As always, Gerald had trouble
saying the words. “It doesn’t give you rights to the players.”

“I repeat, I don’t know what you mean.”

“What is the appeal?” Gerald continued as though Riley hadn’t
spoken. “Sean McBride draws women like moths to a flame. I suppose he’s
attractive enough.”

Riley snorted.
Attractive enough
? The man was a God!

“He’s an outstanding athlete. An asset to the team. That is
my only interest.”

It sounded lame, even to her. Riley might not fool her
father, but she wouldn’t discuss her feelings about Sean. Not with him.

“Even your mother has commented on your unhealthy obsession.”

That was interesting. Her mother and father rarely spoke.
They led separate lives. It seemed unlikely they would break that precedent to
discuss her.

The image of her mother touching Sean popped into Riley’s
head. Perhaps she wasn’t the only Preston obsessed with the star wide receiver.
The idea of Corrine making a move on Sean made Riley sick to her stomach. Would
Sean turn her mother down? She was a beautiful woman. Sean was… Well, Sean was
Sean. Riley wanted to believe he had some sexual line he wouldn’t cross. A
married woman? The owner’s wife? If presented with the temptation, Riley had no
idea which way Sean would leap.

For a brief moment, Riley considered mentioning how
touchy-feely Corrine had been with Sean. Unfortunately, it would hurt Sean more
than her mother. Gerald didn’t care what his wife did, as long as she was
discreet. Her parents had an open marriage, sleeping with other people whenever
the impulse struck. The world saw them as a power couple. He was the powerful
businessman, she the society hostess. They smiled for the cameras, looking
happy and content.

She had no power on that front. So she kept her mouth shut.
As far as she was concerned, her mother had never dipped her adulterous toe
into the Knights’ locker room. However, Riley knew the score. Corrine would
walk away scot-free. Sean would be the one to pay.

“Is there a point to this conversation?” Riley wanted her
father to leave. Practice was breaking up and she needed to speak with Sean.
Without her father as a witness.

“Those men represent money.” Gerald gestured toward the
field. “You said it yourself. Sean McBride is an asset.”

“So?”

“Here’s a piece of advice they won’t teach in any of your
business classes. You can screw around with anyone you want.” Gerald’s cool
eyes stayed on the field. “But never, ever, screw an asset. Especially one as
valuable as Sean McBride.”

Gerald didn’t wait for Riley’s response. She watched him
head out of the exit. Her father’s words didn’t bother her. She took them in
the spirit they were intended. Petty and cruel. This had been the longest
conversation she could remember having with him in months. Had he asked about
school or her health? Or anything a normal father would ask his daughter? No.
Gerald Preston had no interest in her unless it was to leave the proverbial
turd in her punch bowl.

“SHE’S UP THERE again.”

Gaige didn’t need to look at the stands. He knew who Sol
meant.

“Riley loves this team.”

“True,” Sol nodded, stretching out his hamstring. “If push
came to shove, which do you think she would choose? The team? Or Sean?”

“It’s a moot point, so stop speculating. Now!”

“
Moot point
,” Sol laughed. “Your fancy ass school
roots are showing, QB.”

“Says the man with a degree from Stanford.” Gaige punched
the linebacker in the arm. Hard. “They don’t give those scholarships to
dummies.”

“Shh,” Sol looked around in mock horror. “You’ll ruin my
reputation. My wife married me for my body, not my brains.”

“What’s the joke?” Sean asked, joining them on the
sidelines. “After yesterday, I could use a chuckle.”

“Did Mrs. Preston leave a mark on your baby-soft skin?” Sol’s
ham-like fist crashed into Sean’s bicep. He wanted to hit Gaige back. However,
his QB’s arm was the team’s bread and butter. That meant he had to take his
revenge out on the unsuspecting running back.

“What the hell, Bellows?” Sean didn’t rub his arm. That was
the pussy thing to do. But, damn, it hurt.

“Watch the language.”

“What? Where?” Sean looked around. He had told his teammates
about Mrs. Preston. He had kept the kiss to himself. If it weren’t for her
mother, he would have spoken to Riley right away.He wanted to clear the air and
this would be as good a time as any.

“Up in the stands.”

“Sol!” Gaige warned.

“How long has she been up there?” Sean searched the seats.
If Riley were there, he couldn’t see her.

“You mean how often? Don’t give me that look, Gaige. Some of
the guys are starting to talk.”

“Which ones?” Gaige would put a stop to that.

“It’s innocent teasing,” Sol assured Gaige. “For now. Sean
needs to nip it in the bud before it escalates.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“The guys are making cracks about Riley?” Sean felt his blood
begin to simmer. “Why?”

“Because of you.”

“Me?” Sean gave Gaige an amazed look. “She’s like a little
sister. Everybody knows that.”

“Riley doesn’t.”

The kiss. Sean thought it had been a spur of the moment
impulse. If he were to believe Gaige and Sol, there was much more to it.

“How long?”

“Now that you know there’s a problem? Ask her.” Sean nodded,
getting up. “Don’t mess with her, Sean. She’s not as confident as she acts.”

“Jesus, Gaige.” Sean spiked his helmet. If he weren’t
worried about the Riley situation, he would have enjoyed Sol’s yelp when it
bounced off the back of his head. “Do you think I would take her to bed?”

“Sex is always the first thing that pops into your head. Why
is that?” Not expecting an answer, Gaige continued. “That’s right. Manwhore.”

“Fuck you.”

“Do you deny it?” Gaige challenged.

“No.”

Sean had no problem with the label. He liked sex. A lot. And
he liked variety. Tall. Short. Curvy. Thin. Give him a big, heaping helping of
it all. What he didn’t like was the implication he would touch Riley in
anything but a brotherly fashion.

Gaige pushed to his feet. He was sympathetic to Sean’s
dilemma. However, he wanted him to understand what had to be done.

“Hope, Sean. It can keep the tiniest of flames flickering.
Don’t let Riley walk away thinking there’s a chance you’ll change your mind. Be
brutal.”

Agitated, Sean ran a hand through his hair.

“I’ve never broken anyone’s heart before.” When Sol snorted,
Sean shot him a dirty look. “Not on purpose.”

“A manwhore with a heart of gold.” Sol stood beside Gaige,
watching Sean leave the field. “Hey. Don’t look so glum. You did good.”

Gaige shrugged. He had been in the league for eleven years.
Sometimes it was hard to remember what it was like to be Sean’s age. Hell. Had
he
ever
been twenty-five? His old man used to accuse him of being too
serious.

Forget the fucking football
, Larry Benson would yell
out when he was sober enough to speak coherently.
It’s a fucking pipe dream,
stupid
. Then he would hurl an empty vodka bottle at Gaige’s head. He became
adept at dodging the projectiles. Practice for a life spent evading determined
defensive ends.

It was ironic that a man who had grown up with that warped
example would now be giving fatherly advice.

“Need to get home right away?”

“Nope.” Sol slung a companionable arm over Gaige’s
shoulders. “The wife and kids are having dinner with her mother.”

“How did you get out of that?” Sol’s contentious
relationship with his mother-in-law was the stuff of legend.

“Big game on Sunday. I need to study my playbook.”

“Racine fell for that?”

“Hell, no,” Sol laughed. “She knows all my tricks.”

“So she let you get away with one?” Gaige and Sol grabbed
their helmets. Without a second thought, Gaige picked up Sean’s.

“Mmm. I love my wife.”

“Me too.” Racine Bellows was one of the good ones. A
football wife who supported her husband and wasn’t obsessed with pursuing her
own fame on his coattails.

“My woman, Benson.” Sol pounded his chest, caveman style.

“You have to admit, my taste is impeccable.”

Sol laughed. “Yes, it is.” He held the door for Gaige. “Beer
at
The Extra Point
?”