His Leading Lady (17 page)

Mark wanted to feel sorry for the guy, but he
was the cause of all the trouble between Penny and him. All Mark
could summon up was disgust for the father who had sucked the life
out of his own daughter and forced her to have those pictures
taken.

“Who’s this, Penny? Please, introduce
us.”

“Mark Davis, this is Irwin Wilson, my
father.” Mark took Irwin’s hand and shook it briefly. Afterward,
the quarterback had the overwhelming desire to wipe his fingers on
his pants. He resisted.

“What are you doing here? How did you find
me? I changed my last name to get away from you.” Penny inched
closer to Mark, who slung his arm around her shoulder.

“So, this is your young man, eh? Quite a
handsome fellow. Tall, too.”

“What do you want, Dad.” Penny shifted her
weight.

“Is there somewhere we can talk?”

“There’s a diner a few doors down,” Mark
said.

“But then you’ll have to carry this heavy
suitcase. Penny, you need to learn to travel light, my dear.”

“No problem.” Mark picked up the bag and took
Penny’s hand. Irwin followed along behind.

Once they were seated, Penny ordered a small
salad, Mark a beer, and Irwin a steak dinner.

“You’re looking well, Penny, darling.”

“What do you want?”

“A little rough around the edges, aren’t you?
Didn’t I teach you to be more polite than that?”

Mark could hardly contain his temper. He
stared daggers at Irwin, who appeared to be oblivious to the
disapproval.

“How did you find me?”

“Ah, you’re newsworthy these days, my
darling. Those pictures…” He shook his head. “Never should have
done that. Really. Wrecked your reputation.”

Penny placed her hand on Mark’s forearm,
stopping him from punching her father.

“You know all about those pictures and why I
had them taken. So, tell me what you want, now. Let’s get this over
with. I don’t want to waste my time listening to lies from
you.”

“Ouch! Is that any way to talk to your loving
father? I bounced you on my knee, and we sang Raffi songs together.
Let’s see if I can remember that one…the one about the whale?”

Water clouded Penny’s eyes. “Stop!” she
yelled at him, pushing the heels of her hands into her eyes to keep
tears from falling.

“Okay, okay. Don’t cry, baby girl.” Irwin
held up his hands.

“Just tell me, okay?” She sniffled, fishing a
tissue out of her purse.

“I’ve found a wonderful new rehab…”

“Again?”

“This one will work. Guaranteed.”

“That’s what you said last time. And the time
before. And the time before that.”

“It pains me to admit it, but I was wrong
before. This is it.”

“How much?” Penny dropped her hands and
stared directly into her father’s eyes.

“Prices are a little higher. It’s five years
later…you know how these things are.”

“How much?” Penny screamed. The clink of
glasses, knives, and forks of the other diner patrons stopped. Mark
folded his hands over hers. “How much?” she asked again, in a
tightly controlled voice.

“Twenty-five thousand. But this will be the
last time. I promise you.”

“You said that last time. Like your promises
are worth anything.”

“This time, I mean it. You have it. I know
you do. You’ve been saving for school, haven’t you? You’re young.
You can go to school anytime. This is life and death.”

“Life and death?” Penny cocked an
eyebrow.

“The doctor told me if I don’t give up
drinking, I’ll be dead in six months.”

“Like I almost believe you.”

“Do you have it?” He raised his eyebrows in
expectation.

“You know I do. That’ll almost wipe me
out.”

“You can make it back. You’re so gorgeous.
You’ll get another acting job.” He chewed on a piece of baked
potato.

“Not after those pictures have been
discovered. My career is in the dumper.”

He patted her hand. “You’re a survivor.
Always have been. I’ve always admired that about you. Do you
know…Mark, was it? Do you know that when she was only fourteen, she
got a job? Yeah, lied about her age, went out and got a job in a
diner, washing dishes. She graduated to waiting tables. And she
made a pretty penny, too." Irwin returned to cutting up his
steak.

Mark’s skin turned an angry red. He wanted to
beat this man to a pulp. His control was slipping. “You’re
disgusting. You make me sick. Living off your daughter. You’re the
lowest form of life on Earth,” Mark said in a low growl.

Penny shot him a loving look.

“How dare you talk to me that way? You’re
banging my daughter. Think I don’t know what goes on between you
two? Rutting like two junkyard dogs. Can’t wait to get your hands
on her, can you? Or your dick?”

Mark reached over and fisted Irwin’s shirt in
one hand. “For two cents, I’d send you to Hell right now. Go ahead.
Keep talking.” Fear flashed across Irwin’s face. Penny pulled on
Mark’s sleeve, and he let go. He faced her. “Go upstairs. I’ll
bring the suitcase. Let me settle a few things with your
father.”

“Mark, please. Your throwing hand. Don’t do
anything rash.”

“Throwing hand! Aha! Now I know why I
recognized you! You’re Mark Davis, brand spanking new quarterback
for that new team in the East somewhere.”

Mark glared at him before he turned to Penny.
“Go on, honey. I’ll take care of this.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“Don’t leave me here. Who knows what he’ll do
to me.” Irwin shrank back against his seat.

Mark saw relief on Penny’s face as she slid
out of the booth and left the restaurant without a word to her
father. Irwin turned frightened eyes to Mark. He reached into his
breast pocket and pulled out a checkbook. “Here’s the deal. Take
it, or leave it. I’m going to write you a check for fifteen
thousand dollars. Not twenty-five, because I don’t believe
you.”

“I have proof, a brochure right here.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’ll tell you when you can
talk, you fucking piece of shit.”

Irwin clamped his lips together.

“Like I said. I’m going to write you a check
for fifteen grand. You’re going to take it. And you’re never going
to speak to, or try to contact, your daughter again.” Mark was
writing numbers on the check as he spoke. “Hear me?”

“But what about on holidays and my
birthday?”

Mark slammed his big palm down on the table,
hard. “I said never, and I mean never. You have seen her for the
last time. If you choose to break this deal, you will face the
consequences. First, I’ll beat the shit out of you and tell the
police you were trying to break into my house. Second, Penny will
file a restraining order against you.”

“But, what if…”

“No buts. No what ifs. If I see you, even
just
see
you again, you will be hospitalized.”

“Are you threatening me?” Irwin stuck out his
chin.

“Most definitely. I am threatening you. Make
no mistake. And this isn’t an idle threat.”

“Can’t you make it twenty?”

“No. It’s written. Take it, or I’ll call the
police right now and make up a story.”

“They’ll never believe you. I’m her father.”
Irwin folded his arms across his chest.

“Really? Who would you believe? A broken down
drunk? Or a star, pro football player?”

Irwin snatched the check from Mark’s fingers
and left the restaurant. Mark stopped in the restroom to wash his
hands before he re-joined Penny.

****

Mark knocked on the door, and Megan opened
it.

“You should have seen the horror show at the
airport, Squirt. We were mobbed by reporters, asking every sleazy
question they could think of. I wanted to slug ’em.” He purposely
ignored the meeting with Irwin Wilson. Penny didn’t volunteer it,
either.
If I never see that man again, it’ll be too
soon.

“Glad you didn’t.” Penny related stories
about her movie shoot while Mark ordered pizza. Meg opened three
bottles of beer for them. At midnight, they retired. Meg slept in
the spare bedroom. Jetlag wiped Penny out so she could barely stay
awake. She slipped into bed naked and cuddled up to Mark. He drew
her close, and she was asleep before he could kiss her
goodnight.

Mark was up early and out to practice before
Penny awoke. She threw on his T-shirt and padded out to join Meg
for coffee.

“When is Mark planning to move?” Penny
asked.

“Right after playoffs.” Meg said, taking a
sip. “I’m packing up stuff he won’t need now, so we don’t have so
much to do later.”

“School’s out?”

“Christmas break.”

“Play-offs?”

“Yeah, we have to stay. It depends on if the
Gamblers win. The more they win, the longer we have to stay. So,
Mark’s rooting for an early loss.” She laughed.

“When do they start?”

“Sometime in early January. We’re going home
for Christmas. Can’t leave my mom on her own.”

Penny nodded.
Christmas. Shit!
She
moved toward the bedroom. “I’ve got to get back to my place.”

“Don’t go.”

“I have to. Gotta get my life in order.”
Penny’s cell rang.
Keith! That rat!
She picked it up, ready
to give him a piece of her mind, but he was talking too fast.

“I can’t believe it. It’s not out there yet,
but I have it from a good source. I can’t believe it. You’re in.
Really. I just can’t believe it.” He ran the words together into
one enormous, fast sentence.

“Keith!” Penny shouted into the phone. “Stop!
Slow down. You can’t believe what?”

“Well, it’s not official yet, but you’re way
ahead, so far. There’s only another week in the voting.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“You’ve been nominated for an
Academy
Award
for supporting actress for
The Natural Girl.
”

Speechless, Penny sank down cross-legged on
the floor. Meg was by her side immediately. “Bad news?” the
brunette asked. Penny shook her head, still unable to talk.

“Yeah. I know. I couldn’t believe it, either.
From porn star to Hollywood star in about five seconds. Biggest
comeback in history,” Keith said, after stopping to take a
breath.

“Are you sure?” Penny asked, finally finding
her voice.

“Hell, yeah. My best friend is sleeping with
a girl who works there tallying the votes.”

“Holy crap!” Penny stared at Meg.

“You can say that again. I’d better get off
the phone.”

“Are you kidding? A minute ago, I was dirt,
now I’m in demand?”

“In every interview, they’ll ask you what
your next project is. You can’t buy publicity like that. You’re
going to be a hot commodity in about another two weeks, baby. So,
rest up now because you’re going to be working your fucking tail
off.” He hung up.

Penny shook her head, stunned.

Meg grabbed her arm. “What?”

She explained to Mark’s sister what had just
happened. The phone buzzed.

“Oh, by the way, don’t tell anyone yet. It’s
not official.” And Keith hung up again.

“We have to keep it a secret, Meg. I can’t
believe it. One minute, I’m washed up and the next minute, I’m a
star. This is a crazy business.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Invite Mark to the
Academy Awards
,”
Penny said, grinning.

“I mean, about moving to Delaware?”

“This changes everything.”
Now, I don’t
have to go crawling to Delaware with my tail between my legs,
begging Mark to marry me.
She pushed to her feet. “I’ve got to
get home, get my life organized, and try to figure this all out.
I’m dizzy.”

“I hope you’ll come to Delaware. You’re not
going to dump Mark now, are you?” Megan blurted out.

“I love Mark. Nothing can change that.”

“Are you coming to Delaware?”

“I don’t know what I’m doing. Right now, I’m
going home. I need to think.”

Meg stepped back, a half-smile on her face.
“I hope you decide to come.”

I hope Mark offers marriage. Or do I? Do I
want to continue acting?
Penny’s head ached. She hauled her
suitcase to the street and climbed into a taxi. Sitting back
against the leather seat, she wondered what she should do and how
she was going to decide.

****

Since Mark had signed the contract with the
Delaware Demons and it had become public, Darvin Sweetwater had
left him alone. Their uneasy truce made practice and games easier
on Mark. Still, he was tired of being second-string. With his girl
and his new team, Mark’s confidence was at an all-time high. Not
exactly invincible, but close to it, he was better on the field
than ever.

Once Sweetwater didn’t see Mark as a threat
to his supremacy on the Gamblers, he took a bit more time off for
sore muscles, letting Mark take over.

Tension in the locker room eased a little,
now that there was a truce between Mark and Darvin. But the verbal
jousting never stopped.

“Hey, Davis, you gonna be here for the
playoffs?”

“Yeah.”

“The Super Bowl?” Darvin asked.

“You think we’re getting in the Super Bowl
this year? Fat chance.”

“I’m ready to lead the team to victory.”

“Blow it out your ass, Sweetwater.”

“You’ve got no team spirit, Davis. That’s
what’s wrong with you.”

“Sweetwater, you’re what’s wrong with me. I
play one-hundred fifty percent all the time.”

“Good luck on that whistle-stop, mini-team in
Delaware. Hey, is Delaware even a state? I thought it was a town.”
Sweetwater grinned.

“A town? Where’d you go to school, Dumbass
University?”

“Fuck you, Davis. Wish you were leaving
sooner.”

“I bet you do. I’m sure some rookie
quarterback has already been signed to replace me here. So, don’t
get too comfortable.” The smug smile fell off Darvin Sweetwater’s
face. Perspiration broke out on his forehead.