Game On! (Seaside Heat) (14 page)

“Let’s go to find the guys.” She tugged GiGi toward the steps.

“What’s the hurry, I need to hit the ladies room first.”

“Jesus, your guy just scored his first TD, hold your pee.” What was her problem?

Jordan rushed to the interior of the Sportsplex.

GiGi tried to keep up. “Stop, Jordan, I need to tell you—wait up.”

Intent on catching Heath, Jordan had already turned into a hallway leading to a back entrance of the locker room.

An older woman appeared as Jordan approach the door. Her pale pink suit reminded her of a Jackie O. outfit from the sixties. One of the coaches’ wives? They usually hung out in the luxury suite upstairs, not here waiting for the team. She barely glanced at Jordan.

Jesus! Richard’s wife. What in the hell was she doing here?

Adrenaline sent Jordan in to flight mode. She tried to escape, but Branscome crossed in front of her before she could flee.

“Ms. Walker.”

Jordan met her piercing, hazel glare. “Mrs. Branscome.” Panic nearly swamped her.

“I wanted to call you after the hearing, but my lawyer would have me drawn and quartered.”

Polite viper. Jordan’s mouth dried to cotton. “To gloat?”

“Honey, it was business. Did you really think it was personal?”

She cringed at the catty laugh. “And why wouldn’t I have? The only thing you didn’t resort to was video.”

“If I’d meant to ruin you, my dear, I would have. And I still have a video in my safe deposit box.”

Blood left Jordan’s face. Stars filled her vision. Where in the hell had she recorded her and Richard? She wished the floor would swallow her whole and save her from this nightmare.

“Don’t worry, only I have the password to open it.”

She was so fucked. “Why?”

“He’s finally out of my hair and my corporation. See, what you didn’t understand, hon, is you were my salvation. He’d actually asked for a divorce! Not that I cared.” She motioned nonchalantly. “You were just one of many. But I needed his shares of Bodies first so I could buy a half share of this team.”

Revelation dawned. She’d used Jordan as a pawn against her husband. Jordan’s knees buckled. Strong arms caught her, shoring her from behind. The swimming in her head subsided.

“Nice game, Lancaster.” Branscome regarded Jordan. “I’ll be sending you that item I mentioned.” She pivoted and marched down the hall.

Jordan’s mind played catch up until a squeak of Branscome’s high heels made her flinch.

The woman stopped at the door to the main lobby and gazed over her pink-clad shoulder. “Oh, and Jordan, what you have now”—she cast a demonic smile at Heath—“will serve you much better. Sorry you had to be the one. I realize now you really didn’t know Richard was married and a dick. No pun intended.” She stalked through the doorway.

Bile shot up the back of Jordan’s throat. She broke from Heath’s embrace and faced him with a death stare. “Did you know she owned the team?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I found out when you were on your cruise.”

“And you didn’t tell me?” She backed away willing away her damnable tears. “Why?”

He followed. “I’m sorry, Jordan. I thought you’d never see her. She’s a silent owner.”

Jordan stopped and fisted her hands wanting to punch his face. “She and Richard nearly ruined my life. I don’t want to be within a hundred miles of either of them.”

He crossed his arms. “Or anyone associated with them. Meaning me.”

“I wouldn’t put it past her to use you to fuck me over one more time.” She braced a hand against the wall. Goddamn him.

He went wide-eyed then frowned. “You think I’m capable of that, Jordan?”

“Doesn’t matter.” She glared. “Game over.”

She raced away without looking back.

Heath stood in the empty hallway. Numb. He’d just lost the most important game in his life. As much as he loved playing football, the NFL had been a fleeting dream. Jordan was real. Now he had neither.

He texted GiGi, warning her of the storm heading her way. Then he messaged Jordan, apologizing again.

No reply.

He should have just told her. She might not have come to his games, but maybe she wouldn’t have written him out of her life altogether.

“What’s with you?” Dugan tapped him in the ribs.

“Later.” He didn’t want to talk. Hoping to avoid the media and any lingering fans, Heath took his time changing.

In the parking lot, Dugan waited at his Jeep.

“She ran into Branscome?”

He nodded.

“Give her a couple of days. She’ll realize it has nothing to do with you two.”

“Doubt it.” He slid into his vehicle. He was off her roster. Forever.

* * * *

Jordan cried all the way to the car. Damn it, why had she ridden with GiGi? She wanted to be alone.

GiGi waited at the car. Her face said everything. She’d known. “I’m sorry, Jordan. It’s my fault.”

“Take me home.”

She slid behind the wheel. “I didn’t think you’d run into her. Heath was worried you’d dump him.

“He was right. I don’t believe you encouraged him to keep it a secret,” Jordan sank into the passenger seat. Could she trust no one?

GiGi started the engine and raced the Miata through the parking lot then double-clutched the car, pulling onto the highway.

Jordan’s head snapped back into the seat. Why was she so pissed? It wasn’t her guy who’d betrayed her.

“You’re acting like a prepubescent teen, Jordan.” The dash lights emphasized GiGi’s lips drawing to a tight line. She remained focused on the road.

Speared in the heart for the second time in an hour, Jordan fought the hot tears wetting her cheeks. “You’re my friend. Why are you taking his side?”

“What would you have done if he’d told you?” Her knuckles lost color gripping the wheel.

“Quit seeing him. As it is, I wonder if Cruella De Vil didn’t plant him here to meet me.”

GiGi slapped the wheel. “You sound like a drama queen on a reality show. She used you to get the corporation from Richard. It was just coincidence she’s partial owner in the team Heath and Dugan play on. Make that played on. Dammit, Jordan, you’re not that fucking important to the bitch.”

“Tell you what. Find some other bitch for your fashion show. I’m done with you both!”

The Miata banked a hard right into her neighborhood. Before the wheels stopped at her driveway, she climbed out and slammed the door.

“That’s right, Jordan, push everyone who cares about you out of your life! You’re good at that. You’re heading down the same friendless road as your mother.”

Tires screeched on the pavement as her only true friend left her in the dust.

* * * *

He’d almost called the realty company and given notice on the beach house when he’d received a call to substitute. Heath never imagined himself back in middle school. Students jogged around the track as he checked his watch. He blew his whistle to end the last period of physical education class at Blackwater Middle School.

Kids filed into the gym and headed for the locker rooms. After the end of the day buzzer and the students had left, he checked the boy’s locker room. He gathered a couple of discarded towels and tossed them in the bin outside the door.

The female PE teacher, Brook, exited the girl’s area. “I’ll wash them and put them in the dryer before I leave. You did them last night.”

“You sure?”

Petite and very pregnant, she’d taken him under her wing the first couple of days. “Yep. There’s only a few.”

“Thanks, for showing me the ropes. See you next week. I hope.”

“You’ll be here, but don’t know about me.” She patted her belly and laughed.

Heath stepped into the PE office to get his backpack.

“Lancaster.” The principal stood by one of the desks.

Shit, was he being canned already? He’d hoped to keep the position until he could consider his career alternatives. “Mr. Walston.”

The pale, graying man exhibited the slight paunch and slack muscle tone of an inside worker. “The teacher you’re subbing for also coached the football team. One of the assistant coaches at the high school has been helping with practices. Now that you’re here, I wondered if you’d be interested in the job. There’s a stipend, of course.”

Heath considered the offer for barely a moment and extended his hand. “Yes, sir, but I’ve never coached before.”

“You’ve played ball for years and kept these kids in check your first week.” He smiled. “It won’t take long for the rumor mill to spread about your stellar performance in the local pro division this past summer.”

Fame didn’t appeal to Heath, however, it might earn him some respect as a coach. “When do I start?”

“Tomorrow. Their first game is a week from Wednesday.” He reached in the pocket of his suit pants and handed him a key. “To get in the gym after hours.”

After the principal left, Heath checked his phone. He’d called Jordan a couple of times over the last two weeks, leaving an apology on her voicemail. He’d scored zip. Deep down, he found it hard to bear she’d cut all communication.

He said goodnight to the other PE teachers and headed home. He could really use some coaching advice from Jordan right now, but hell, if she’d cast her best friend, GiGi aside, what shot did he have?

* * * *

“Rerun the play,” Jordan shouted from the sidelines. The September sun baked her and her team with Indian summer heat.

Coaching field hockey and school had kept her busy. Heath remained in her head, and no amount of distraction or alcohol kept her from dreaming about him every night. He’d called a couple of times since she’d left him standing in the hallway of the Tritons’ sports complex. What did it matter? As soon as he got a call from Texas or another team and he’d leave anyway.

She’d called GiGi and apologized though she didn’t appreciate her friend’s too close to home psych evaluation.

“Come on, girls, let’s get this done.” She wiped away sweat rolling down her temple, envisioning a cool beer when she got home. “The middle school football team has the field after us.”

As the team scrimmaged a new play, Wendy stepped to her side. “Is that who I think it is?”

“The new middle school football coach, I guess. They have the field next.” The goalie blocked a shot on goal. “That’s it!”

Wendy let out a low whistle. “How come you didn’t tell me?”

“Guess the rumors are true.” Some of the teachers in her high school had remarked about the new hunky PE substitute who was also coaching the football team.

Her assistant let out a long exhale. “Ah-huh.”

“Run it through once more, ladies.” Jordan checked her phone for the time. Then she turned to Wendy. “I suppose I should go introduce myself.”

Wendy laughed. “You might want to glance his way before you get there.”

Jordan waved off Wendy’s remark. This guy might have the ladies all a-flutter, but she was anti-man at the moment.

He stood off from his players as they stretched outside of the end zone. His back was to her as she approached. “Coach.”

Turning, he readjusted his cap revealing ice blue eyes.

Her stomach dropped to her running shoes. Fuck. Clearing her throat, she tried making her tongue work “Ca-co-ach Lancaster.”

Heath’s half-smile and squint annoyed her. Her body, however, warmed with muscle memory.

He removed his hat and extended his hand. “Nice to see you, Coach Walker.”

His firm grip reminded her of his capable hands. She mentally slapped herself. “I hear the team is looking forward to an awesome season with you at the helm.”

“It’ll be because of their talent, not mine.” Sexy eyes appraised her.

She gripped her clipboard with both hands to keep them from shaking. “Thought you would be headed back to Texas by now.”

“They already have their practice squad for the season, unless someone gets injured. Besides, I’m pushing old man status.” He called out the next stretch move to his team.

“You never said you put an application in with the school division.” He’d been planning to stay all along?

He shrugged. “I was going to tell you at dinner after the last game.”

Would he have asked her to move in too? She still had clothes there, but refused to ask for them back. “Well, the school and the team are lucky to have you.”

“I’m sorry, Jordan. I made a poor decision. GiGi tried to keep you from running into her.”

“Why did you drag my friend into this?” She propped a hand on her hip annoyed.

“She found out. I told her I’d handle things.”

“I told you from the beginning I didn’t like people hiding things from me. It was a sign of distrust as well.” She couldn’t look at him or she might falter.

The girls cheered as they scored a goal.

“I wanted to tell you. Didn’t see the point if you never ran into her.” Heath glanced to his players.

“But I did.” Moisture gathered in her eyes. She lowered her sunglasses from the top of her head.

He stepped closer. “I didn’t want things to end.”

A boulder of hurt made it hard to speak. “They were going to, anyway.”

“I’m still here. But I guess that doesn’t matter.” He let out a hard exhale. “Your team looks good, coach. Have a good season.”

As hard as she tried, she couldn’t make her mouth move.

He started towards his players and turned. “What we had was good.” He brought the brim of his ball cap down and walked away.

“It was.” But could she trust him not to leave and break her heart again? She returned to her team and blew the whistle, motioning them off the field.

Some of the middle school boys eyed her girls.

“Alright guys, head in the game,” Heath said and then glanced to the field hockey girls. “You’re going to need to learn more skills before playing on that level.”

They chuckled and donned their helmets.

* * * *

Heath rubbed his temple then rolled his shoulders as he drove home after practice. That could have gone better. Jordan had lost weight. So had he. If only he’d listened to his gut and told her the truth. Sorry didn’t cut it with her. So be it then. He wouldn’t bother her anymore.

When he arrived, GiGi’s car and Dugan’s bike sat parked in the driveway. Damn. He wanted a shower and to collapse into the recliner. He stepped inside and the aroma of Italian spices made his stomach growl.