Perfect Timing (14 page)

A
s far as Christopher was concerned, this had to be the longest week of his life. After being out of the office for the past seven days, he was too deep in correspondence he needed to answer, phone calls needing to be returned, and faxes needing to be read, to have his mind on anything but business. Yet Maxi and the offer he had made to her were never far from his thoughts.

That night after he'd made the offer, they had left the cabin. Deciding not to rejoin the others at the banquet, they had walked along the deck holding hands, enjoying the beauty of the moon-kissed ocean. They had sat at a table in a restaurant and over a cup of cappuccino, they had talked about a lot of things—other than the offer he'd made earlier. It had been close to three in the morning before they'd finally left the restaurant to return to the cabin. He had gone back on deck to visit the casinos to give her the private time she needed to prepare for bed. He had deliberately stayed away, not returning until he'd known she'd be asleep. And just as deliberately, he had purposely been packed and gone when she had awakened the next morning, leaving her a note that simply said, “The decision is yours,” along with his business card on how to reach him.

Christopher pushed away from the conference table and walked to the window when the other four men in the room began an intense debate about something he couldn't remember. He was in the middle of an important board meeting, yet his mind wasn't focused on the business at hand.

“So what do you think about that proposal, Mr. Chandler?”

He slanted a thoughtful glance across the room at the man who had asked him a question. “What proposal, Crawford?” He didn't miss the looks that passed between the men. There had never been a time they'd not had his absolute attention when discussing business. Even Gabe was looking at him strangely.

“He was asking about the land that might interest you at the North Pole, Chris,” Gabe said, amazingly straight-faced.

But still, Christopher caught on, especially when the other three men at the table tried hiding their smiles. “How about if we meet on this again in the morning. It's been a rather long day,” he said, glaring at Gabe.

Less than five minutes later the room had cleared of everyone except Gabe. At first Christopher tried ignoring his presence, but after a few annoying minutes he turned his head toward his best friend and caught him staring at him with those dark, curious eyes of his. “Is there a problem, Blackwell?”

“Evidently there is, Chandler. Do you want to tell me about it?”

“No.”

Gabe glanced down at his watch. “All right.” But he remained sitting at the table and watched as Christopher threw items into his briefcase. He stared at him for what seemed like ages, when in fact it had only been a few seconds when Christopher gave in—just like Gabe knew he eventually would. Christopher was not one to let anything interfere with business. Yet today he had. In fact, Gabe had noticed him being rather preoccupied since returning from the cruise. He had encouraged him to go on the cruise to relax, not to come back dense.

Christopher's gaze, which had been staring blankly at a document he'd picked up off the table, shifted abruptly to Gabe's. “I saw her on the cruise.”

Gabe wasn't sure who he meant, although it was obvious Christopher thought he should. “Who did you see?”

“Maxi.”

Gabe lifted a brow. “Your Maxi?”

Christopher smiled. He remembered the time when he and Gabe had first met and become close friends that he'd told him all about Maxi. “Yeah, my Maxi.”

“Was her husband with her?”

There was a lifting of Christopher's eyebrows before he also remembered he'd mentioned to Gabe a while back, after he'd received the news from Mr. Thompson, that Maxi was getting married. “No, she never married. Her fiancé was killed in a car accident the week before the wedding.”

“How tragic.”

“Yes, it was.”

Gabe waited a beat for Christopher to go on. When he didn't, he took the initiative and asked. “So, did the two of you spend any time together?” He watched as Christopher smiled. It was a slow smile and as far as Gabe was concerned a dead giveaway.

“Yeah, you could say that. Due to a computer glitch, we got assigned to the same cabin. Since there weren't any other available cabins, we were cabinmates for a week.”

Now it was Gabe's time to smile, a slow smile, as a vivid picture entered his mind, given Christopher's reputation with women. “Must have been interesting,” he drawled. “Real cozy, too.”

Christopher frowned. “Not the way you think, so wipe that stupid-looking grin off your face, Blackwell.”

“Losing your touch, Chandler?”

Christopher's gaze narrowed. “No. You know how I feel about Maxi.”

Gabe shook his head. “I know how you used to feel about her but that's been over five years ago.”

“I still think she's a very special lady.”

Gabe gave Christopher a smirky grin across the space of the long walnut table. “Should I tell Mama to get out her best dress because there might be a wedding in the near future?” he asked jokingly.

Christopher frowned. “No, that's not a possibility.” He leaned back in his chair to watch Gabe's reaction to his next words. “However, she may want to get out your old pair of booties since I did offer to be the father of Maxi's child.”

“H
i, Garrett.”

Garrett smiled at the woman who had spoken to him. “Hi, Paige. I see you've survived your first week of practice.”

She returned his smile. “So have you, although I'm sure yours have been a lot more rigorous than mine.” She glanced down at the car keys in his hand. “Going home already?”

“Yes. I always go home directly after practice. If I don't then I'd never get to see my sons since they're still sleep when I leave in the mornings and are in bed by eight o'clock every night.”

“I heard you had two darling twin boys. I'd like to meet them one day.”

“I'm sure you will. Mya brings them to practice every once in a while.”

Paige's lips curved slowly. “And how is Mya? I understand she has a job that requires her to travel quite a bit. That must be exciting.” She didn't miss the frown that appeared in Garrett's features. It was a frown he discarded but not quick enough.

“Mya is doing fine and yes, she does travel a lot for now but hopefully that will be changing soon,” he said as if convincing himself that would be the case.

Paige nodded. “Every once in a while some of the other cheerleaders and I whip up a good home cooked meal for any of the players who want to come over and join us. You're welcome to join in anytime.”

Garrett chuckled. “Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.” As she walked off Garrett couldn't help but admire the skimpy shorts and tank top she was wearing. His last thought as he headed out toward the parking lot was that she looked pretty damn good in them.

 

Mya looked across the dinner table at Garrett. He was in the same mood he'd been in for the past three weeks and she'd just about had it. Things had never been this tense between them and she was having a hard time handling it.

The boys had eaten earlier and were now in bed. Garrett had come home from practice, taken a shower and had spent time with them.
At least he'd been in a real good mood for Daniel and David
, she thought to herself. “Garrett, can we talk?” she asked quietly.

He lifted his face from his meal and looked at her. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Us.”

“What about us?”

It took Mya a long time to get the words out. The lump felt deep in her throat. “Do you still want there to be an
us
?”

She could tell by the expression on his face that her question had startled him. “What kind of foolish question is that, Mya?”

“It's one a wife would ask her husband who'd been totally ignoring her for the past several weeks. And it's not fair, Garrett. You have been unfair to me.”

“And do you think you've been fair to me? What about the boys? Does your job mean that much to you?”

“Yes, it means a lot to me but you and the boys mean more. Do you want me to choose, Garrett? Is that it? Well, if you do, then fine, I'll choose, if that will make you happy.” She stood. “I'll call Mr. Lee now and tell him that I quit because there's no competition when it comes to what's first in my life. You and my sons have always been it.” She turned to leave the room.

“Mya!”

She turned back around. Garrett stood and came around the table. He walked over to her.

“No, I don't want you to quit your job. I know I haven't been the easiest person to live with the past couple of weeks but I'm trying. I'm trying to deal with a lot of things right now. It's not just your job, it's my job as well.”

Mya pulled back out of his arms. “What about your job?”

Garrett sighed. “You know how things are this time of the year. A lot of players are getting cut from the team, and I can't help but have that on my mind now.”

“But you're good and they know it, Garrett,” she said reassuringly. “You're a good player and the team can't afford to lose you. You did a super job last year.”

“Yeah, but this is another year and with it I'm also a year older. There're always younger and better players out there. There's no one who can't be replaced.”

Mya nodded. Although she knew that was true, she really didn't think Garrett had anything to worry about. The Cowboys, although they hadn't made it to the Super Bowl in the past few years, had had a rather good season last year. They had made it to the playoffs. And Garrett had been cited in the papers as being one of the key players who had helped to get them there.

“I don't like it when we're at odds with each other, Garrett, and not getting along for any reason. You and the boys are my life, you have to believe that.”

“And I do, Mya. I know I can be an ass sometimes, but you and the boys are my life, too. Just give me some time to deal with some things, okay?”

She looked up at him, knowing her job was one of the things he was still trying hard to deal with. “Okay.” He leaned down and kissed her and she hadn't known how much she'd missed the intimate contact until his mouth met hers. The kiss was everything she wanted and needed. She almost melted in the knees with the way his tongue was mating with hers. It was evident that he had missed her as much as she had missed him this way. She couldn't wait until they made it to the bedroom. He had slept too many nights with his back to her and was glad that tonight he would pull her into his arms and make love to her.

They reluctantly pulled apart when the phone rang. “I guess one of us should answer that before it wakes the boys,” he whispered close to her moist lips after breaking off the kiss.

“Yeah, I guess one of us should,” she said, removing her arms from around his neck. She walked over to the phone. “Yes?”

A surprised expression covered her features. “Yes, Mr. Lee, this is Mya.” After a few moments she said, while glancing over at Garrett. “No sir, that shouldn't be a problem. I'll make all the necessary arrangements. All right. Goodnight.” She then hung up the phone and looked across the room at Garrett. “That was my boss, Mr. Lee.”

Garrett frowned. “I gathered as much. What did he want?”

Mya could tell that Garrett was angry about the call and what she had to tell him might make him angrier. “He was wondering if I could leave for Orlando a week earlier than planned. Our client's schedule has changed and he's leaving the country in two weeks.”

“And of course you told him it wouldn't be a problem to go a week earlier,” he said glaring at her.

“Well, yes, I didn't see a reason why I couldn't.”

“Evidently you didn't,” Garrett said harshly. He crossed the room heading for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Out.”

Mya lifted a surprised brow. Once Garrett came in from practice he never went back out, especially if he had to get up early the next morning for practice. “Out?”

“Yes, Mya, out. I'll be back later,” he said, slamming the door behind him.

Mya sank into a nearby chair and closed her eyes. So much for her attempt at repairing what was wrong with their marriage.

 

“I see you twice in one day, I don't believe it.”

Garrett glanced up from looking into his drink while sitting at a bar that was a popular hangout for the players. “You're out late aren't you, Paige?”

She slid onto the stool beside him, making sure the skirt she wore showed an ample amount of her thigh. She inwardly smiled when she saw him looking at the smooth creamy flesh. “I couldn't sleep and thought I'd drop by for a beer. How about buying me one?”

“Sure.” He then motioned to the bartender to bring her a beer.

“Thanks.”

“You're welcome.”

She studied his features. “You're out pretty late yourself. Don't you have practice before five in the morning?”

“Yeah, but I'm used to getting up early. There won't be a problem.”

Paige nodded. “So, do you think you'll get a Super Bowl ring this season?”

“We're going to try our best.”

“I've watched you practice a few times. Boy, you're awesome.” She knew every man liked his ego stroked.

“Thanks.”

“And that play you did today at practice; that pass you made to Mayhews was great.”

Garrett smiled, pleased with himself. “Yeah, the coach thought so too.” He looked over at Paige and again thought she was a good-looking woman who fitted her clothes nicely. “I didn't know you were at practice today.”

“Yeah, I go sometimes and stand on the sidelines and watch the team practice. I'm always amazed at how much energy you all have. I especially like to see you make your moves. They're always slick, smooth and easy. You are one confident man on the field. You're a man who knows what he wants and doesn't hesitate going after it.”

Garrett thought about her words. She was so right. He was a man who liked getting results. As he studied her further he felt a tightening in his gut when she took the tip of her tongue and licked beer suds from her lips. He sucked in a deep breath and couldn't help imagining…

He suddenly knew he had to leave. “I guess I'd best be going,” he said sliding off the stool.

“Are you sure you don't want to hang around and have another beer and keep me company?”

“Nah, I better be going. I'll see you later.”

“All right, Garrett, see ya.” She smiled as she sipped her beer. Her body felt hot. A few more chance meetings and he would be eating out of her hand and then sliding between her legs in no time.

 

Mya awoke when she heard the sound of Garrett returning. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand next to the bed. It was past midnight. She remained awake while he went into the bathroom to shower. Later, when he came to bed, just like the nights before, he turned his back to her, a clear indication he was still angry.

 

The next day since she didn't have much to do at work, Mya decided to take the day off and go to the football field and watch the Cowboys practice. She hadn't done that in quite a while, at least not since her job had begun taking up most of her time.

“Mya, long time no see, girl!”

Mya smiled as she hugged Danielle Hughes. Like Garrett, Danielle's husband Mark was a member of the team, and he and Garrett were good friends. Mya sat down next to Danielle on the bleachers. “How's the girls?” she asked. Danielle and Mark had two daughters, ages six and eight.

“You mean how are the women? Those two are something else and keep me pretty busy. And Mark had the nerve to tell me the other night that he wants another child. I looked at him like he was out of his friggin' mind. Rachel and Michelle are enough for me.”

Mya smiled. Danielle's statement reminded her that Garrett wanted another child as well. “Boy, time flies. I remember when Mark first joined the Cowboys, Michelle was only five.”

“Yeah, it's been three years,” Danielle said smiling. “It's hard to believe it's been that long.” She chuckled. “I can't believe Mark has played on the same team for that length of time. With Mark three years is usually the max. That's usually all the time a coach can handle him and his attitude.”

Mya nodded. She knew from listening to Garrett that although Mark was an excellent player, he was also something of a hothead. Last season he had cost the team a number of penalties for taking out his frustrations on members of the opposing team. “So, how do they look?” she asked glancing out at the men on the field.

“Umm, they look okay but I wouldn't count on that Super Bowl ring just yet. I've seen too many fumbles and interceptions today. They still have a lot of work to do before the season starts.”

“Garrett mentioned a number of players have gotten cut already.”

“Yes, which makes everyone antsy. But I don't think Mark and Garrett have anything to worry about.”

Mya smiled. “Neither do I.” She then moved her eyes over to the sidelines where a group of other women were standing. Mya immediately recognized the woman she had met at the party a few months back by the name of Paige Duvall. Usually the cheerleaders didn't make it a habit to come out and watch the guys practice. She wondered if Paige was dating someone on the team. She started to ask Danielle then decided not to.

It was a good hour or so later before Garrett looked up and saw her sitting in the stands. As soon as the coach gave them a break he jogged her way. Excusing herself from Danielle and a few other wives who'd joined them, Mya walked down the bleachers to meet him. She could tell from Garrett's smile that he was glad to see her. He had already left for practice when she had awakened that morning and she'd hoped he wasn't still angry that she would be leaving town sooner than expected.

“Hi. This is a pleasant surprise.”

Mya studied the features of the man she loved with all her heart. “I wanted to see you practice. I hadn't been out in a while and thought it would be nice.”

“It is nice. How long do you plan on staying?”

“For another hour or so. Why?”

“Do you want to grab something to eat with me later?”

Mya tilted her head to the side and gazed up at him. Sweat was pouring off him from all the physical activity of his practice, but she thought sweat or no sweat, Garrett Rivers was a total turn-on. “I'd love to, but I thought you had a long practice session today.”

“No, practice will be short today. In another couple of hours we'll shower and leave.”

Mya smiled. “Okay, I'll wait until practice is over.”

He smiled and gave her a quick kiss before jogging back to rejoin his teammates. Mya turned to rejoin Danielle and the others. She glanced over to where she had seen Paige Duvall earlier. The woman was still there and for some reason she was staring at her with an odd, unreadable expression on her face.

Later, at the café when they went to get something to eat, Mya asked, “That new cheerleader, Paige Duvall, is she dating someone on the team?”