His Leading Lady (13 page)

He sat up then disappeared into the bathroom
to discard the condom. Penny stretched her arms above her head. Her
gaze swept over her lover as he returned to the bed. His mussed
hair, slight scruff, sexy grin, and gorgeous body made her
smile.

“I love you, Mark Davis,” she said, quietly.
“I don’t want to lose you. Will you wait for me?”

“Will you? I don’t want anyone else, but I
don’t want to hear how you’ve fallen in love with your leading
man.”

“That’ll never happen. You’re the best.”
Though he smiled, she sensed he didn’t believe her.

“Exotic places, playing love scenes…things
happen, Penny. I’m young, but I’m not stupid.”

“Never said you were. I know all about that.
And nights spent in bars, drinking with your teammates, groupies
throwing themselves at you. Would it even be possible for you to
wait?”

He propped himself up. “You think I’m a
man-whore? That I have no self-control?”

“It’s not that. I know how important sex is
to you.”

“Like it isn’t to you?”

“Not in the same way.”

“Oh? Really? Being a bit sexist here, aren’t
we?” His brows knitted.

“Mark, I don’t want to fight with you. What
I’m saying is I don’t want to ask you to be celibate while I’m
gone.”

“And I’m sure you want the same privilege,
right?”

“Wrong. I don’t expect I’ll sleep with anyone
in Spain. But I want you to be free…”

“Why?”

“Because I love you. I don’t want to set up a
commitment you can’t live with.”

“You’re treating me like a child.”

Damn! He just doesn’t get it.
“Child,
athlete…isn’t it the same thing?”

Mark launched himself out of bed and began to
pace. “That’s insulting. I’m not a child. I have self-control.”

“Mark, I…”

“You what? You think I can’t give up sex and
wait for you? You’re wrong.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Child…athlete…yes, you did.”

“I’m sorry. What I’ve been trying to say is
that I don’t want to put that on you. I don’t want you to hate me
because you feel guilty. I don’t want to know about it, but it’s
okay.”

He stopped. “Screw around, just don’t tell
you?”

“Something like that. Maybe not screw
around.”

“Why don’t you believe that I don’t want to
sleep with anyone but you?” He rested his hands on his hips.

“I do. While I’m here. But after a couple of
weeks, you’ll get…horny…and…”

“And run from bar to bar, looking to get
laid? Like a tom cat in an alley?”

“That’s a little crude.”

“What you’re suggesting is a little
crude.”

Penny pushed to her feet. But as she
approached, Mark stepped back. She continued until she’d back him
into a corner. She snaked her arms around him and put her cheek to
his heart. “I understand men have needs. That’s all.”

“And women don’t? You won’t miss me so much
you end up in the arms of another man?”

“I will miss you that much. I’ll be too
tired, too busy, too preoccupied to do anything about it, other
than think about you.”

He hugged her closer, and his tone softened.
“I wish you weren’t going.”

“So do I. But I have to.”

“I know. But, I don’t have to like it.”

She smiled. “No, you don’t.”

Mark yawned. “Early practice tomorrow.”

“Can I come?”

“Sure. I always do better when you’re there.
But I have to get up at six.”

“Then, we’d better get to bed.”

“Didn’t we already do that?” He snickered.
She slapped him playfully on the shoulder. “Food first. Never go to
bed on an empty stomach.”

“Do you mean go to sleep on an empty
stomach?” She cocked an eyebrow at him.

He laughed and took her hand. “Come on. Let’s
see what’s in the fridge.”

Penny pulled out leftover brisket. Mark found
potato salad and coleslaw. They made plates of the cold food and
chowed down. While Mark washed the dishes, Penny stretched her arms
above her head and yawned.

“Is that a hint?” he asked.

“Yeah. I’m exhausted.”

He dried his hands on a dishtowel and
followed her into the bedroom. After washing up, they dove into
bed. Penny cuddled up to him.
God I’m going to miss this.
Please, please, be here when I get back.

“I love you, Penny. Nothing can destroy
that.” Mark folded her into his arms.

“I hope you’re right,” she replied.

He switched out the light. “It’s a test. If
we make it, we’ll be solid.”

“Uh huh.”

“We belong together.”

“I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love
you. I hope you’ll be here when I get back.”

“I don’t know where I’ll be then. But I’ll
find you, and we’ll be together.”

“Hold me like it’s the last time,” she
whispered, blinking back tears.

Mark worked hard at practice. Having Penny in
the stands buoyed up his confidence. He played well, making
ninety-five per cent of his passes. Darvin shot daggers at him, but
they rolled off Mark’s back. He knew he was good, and it was time
to get attention. For the first time since he left college, he had
a plan.

When he’d graduated, he’d wanted a job on a
team and was thrilled to be hired by the Nevada Gamblers. He had
financial obligations and needed to make a good salary. At this
point, he knew he was ready for more. Step one was getting a
first-string job. Never had he been so sure of himself. It just
felt right. He’d danced around the subject with Meg on the phone,
but didn’t reveal his intentions. While he’d put forth his best
effort for the owner, he didn’t see his future in Nevada.

He didn’t know where his career in football
would take him, but the rumor of the scout coming got stronger
every week.
That’s my chance. I have to find a way to play when
he’s here.
Mark discussed it with Harley, but rejected Harley’s
schemes as too extreme.

“Just a small car accident. Minor injuries.”
Harley concealed a grin behind his hand.

“You’re in outer space, Harley. Hit the
showers, man.”

“What if he fell in front of a bus?”

Mark laughed as he shoved Harley into the
stall and turned on the cold water. “This ought to bring you back
to reality.”

Mark was taking Penny to a nice restaurant
for their last dinner before she left. He knew he had to tell her
about Darvin’s threat, but it was the last thing he wanted to
discuss over wine and candlelight. She met him at his apartment.
He’d donned a sports jacket and tie for the occasion. Penny was
wearing a low-cut, dark purple, silk dress. The shimmery color set
off her golden hair and blue eyes to perfection. He’d never seen
her look more beautiful.

They chatted about trivial topics while he
drove, avoiding talking about their true feelings. Nerves made Mark
sweat, and his hands were clammy. He stopped at the men’s room to
wash. Looking in the mirror, he put on a stern face. “Just tell her
the truth!”

“Yeah, buddy. Then duck,” said a man walking
by on his way out.

It’s not like that. It’s not my fault.
She’ll understand.

The champagne he had ordered arrived. He took
a hefty sip to bolster his courage. “Penny, I need to tell you
something.” The arrival of two jumbo shrimp cocktails interrupted
Mark.

“I love you, too, babe.”

“No, really. This is something else. Not so
nice.” He cleared his throat then spit out exactly what Darvin had
threatened to do.

Penny sat back, wide-eyed and stunned. “Why
would he want to hurt me?”

“He wants to hurt me, and he doesn’t give a
rat’s ass about you being collateral damage.”

“What a bad man!”

“He’s just desperate. Afraid he’s going to
get cut from the team. But he’s doing okay, so there’s no reason to
cut him, except maybe money. I’m sure he makes a ton, but the owner
isn’t going to dump him for me. Not with this winning season.”

“He’s a monster.”

“He’s a jerk, an evil jerk.”

The waiter removed the empty dishes and
brought their main course.

“Don’t do what he says, Mark. Please. I don’t
care about the pictures. I want you to have your chance.”

“Thanks. I wasn’t planning to. I don’t give
in to blackmailers.”

“Good. I’ll take my chances.”

Relief flooded Mark’s veins. Though he’d
never doubted what she’d say, it felt good to hear it from her
lips. He lifted his flute. “To you, Penny. Light of my life.” She
blushed and met his toast.
We’re invincible. That scumbag can’t
touch what we have, pictures or no pictures.

Mark dug into his steak with enthusiasm.
Penny nibbled on her lobster casserole. When the food was gone,
they held hands and talked about their dreams of the future.

“I know it sounds stupid, but when I was a
teen, all I wanted was a stable family and a paid-up house with a
white picket fence and a fireplace,” she said.

“Where did you live?”

“We had a small tract house, mortgaged to the
hilt.”

I wish I could give you that right now.
Someday, maybe someday.
“And now? What do you want now?”

“I want more—a loving husband, kids, a career
as a designer. But it’s funny, there’s a part of me that still
wants that house with the white picket fence.” She laughed.

“Some dreams never die.”

“Did you always want to play football?”

“Yeah. My dad and I tossed around a ball when
I was little. I grew up throwing and playing. I joined a peewee
league as soon as I was old enough. It’s been my life.”

“I bet your dad’d be proud to see you now.”
She moved her fingers closer to his.

“That dirt bag. He took a powder and never
contacted us again. Fuck him. Even though it’s been years, my mom’s
still bitter. Part of her died when he left that day. And I’ve been
picking up the slack ever since.”

Penny slid her hand over his. “It must have
been very hard.”

“Don’t know how I’d have done it all if I
didn’t have Meg.”

“You’re lucky. I’m an only child.”

“Megan is a life-saver.”

They split a piece of chocolate lava cake for
dessert. On the ride home, Penny rested her fingers on Mark’s thigh
and squeezed gently at every red light. He hit the accelerator
harder each time. They fairly flew home, ripped each other’s
clothes off on their way to the bedroom, and were making love in a
heartbeat.

The next day at the airport, they whispered
tearful goodbyes and promises of fidelity. The young lovers clung
to each other in a last embrace at the security line. Penny cried,
and Mark’s eyes watered. He stayed until her plane took off then
drove home. The apartment seemed empty without her. He wandered
around like the last kernel in a bag of popcorn.

Early bedtime made it easier to get up for
early practice the next morning. But lethargy and depression
weighed him down. In the locker room, Darvin took the opportunity
to jab Mark with words.

“Your little chippie flew the coup, eh? Are
we sad today? Awwww, is the widdle boy missing his ho?”

“Shut the fuck up, Sweetwater, before I make
you shut up.”

Fortunately, an assistant coach entered the
locker room before the conversation heated up. “Where the fuck have
you been, Sweetwater? Coach is having a shit fit out there. You,
too, Davis. Get your butts on the field.”

The two quarterbacks did as they were told.
Mark contained his rage.
Work it out on the field, son, work it
out on the field. That’s what dad used to say.
Mark grumbled to
himself for having a good thought about the father who had betrayed
him. Still, the advice was right on. Mark focused his anger on
running and warming up. His best revenge would be to play
brilliantly in front of the owner at the end of the week. He
hardened his resolve to focus on his game and not think about
Penny.

****

Meg flew in for a long weekend. She arrived
the night before the owner tryouts were to take place. Harley
joined them for dinner, hitting on Meg in front of Mark. They got
into an argument, but Megan refereed, calming them down.

“You know, you’re not the only one under the
microscope tomorrow,” Harley said.

“You’re our star running back. No danger for
you.” Mark cut off a piece of steak.

“You don’t know that.”

“Come on, Harley. You’re not gonna get
cut.”

“Guys! Can we please talk about something
else?”

“Like what?” Mark asked.

“Like my new haircut?” Megan replied.

“It looks great. I’d like to see it close
up…without all those clothes in the way,” Harley snickered, his
eyes glowing.

“Harley!” Megan slapped his shoulder and
laughed.

“That’s my sister. Watch it!” Mark
growled.

Meg stayed at Mark’s apartment in the spare
bedroom. She arose early and went with him to the practice that
would lead to team cuts, joining other family members in the
special section of the stands.

There was silence between Mark and Darvin in
the locker room. They were the last to leave.

Sweetwater leaned over and whispered, “I sent
the pictures to
Celebs ’R Us
yesterday because I knew you’d
show.”

“Blow it out your ass, Sweetwater,” Mark
said. But his temperature rose. He took some deep breaths to calm
himself. When he got on the field, Mark waved to his sister. She
waved back. He ran laps with the others and did warm-ups. One
glance and he recognized the owner, sitting in the stands with his
young wife and a few friends.

Mark sucked in a breath and focused his
attention on football. For a young man, he had a remarkable ability
to concentrate. Feeling invincible once he was in the zone helped
to make him so. His offensive linesmen did their job beautifully,
giving him the time he needed to zero in on an open man and make
the connection. His passing was outstanding, bullets hitting their
target almost every time. Sweetwater looked nervous, bobbling the
snap a couple of times and missing twenty per cent of his
passes.