Playing For Keeps (5 page)

“My girlfriend Kay is working at a summer
camp. We could check it out for Tyler.”

“Super.” Mike faced Jacelyn. “This all right
with you?”

“Yes, it is.” She gripped the strap of a navy
purse she carried. “When does Tyler arrive?”

“Two days from now. I can’t wait. I’m just
finishin’ his room in my house.”

“You’re not living in the dorms with the
players?”

“No, I rented a house because of him.” And
took a lot of grief from the team’s management because of it.
Still, he’d held out for Tyler. His son was first and foremost in
his life these days.

“What are you doing to his room?” Kyle
asked.

Mike rolled his eyes. “He wants it blue and
white.”

“The team’s colors.” The boy’s eyes sparkled.
“Need some help?”

“What?”

“I could help you paint. Move in stuff.”

“I’d be downright happy for the help.”

Kyle looked at his mother. “It’s okay, Mom,
isn’t it?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks, Coach.” Kyle held out his hand.

“You’re welcome.”

The boy turned to his mother. “Do I have time
to run over to the Cyber Café and tell Kay? She’s waiting there to
hear how the interview went.”

“You can call her on your cell.”

“Mo-om.”

“Okay. Meet me at the car in ten
minutes.”

“Fifteen,” he called out as he jogged
away.

“Nice kid.” Mike looked after Kyle. “He
doesn’t drive? He’d need to for this job.”

“My car’s in the shop. He’s driving
me
today.”

“I like him.”

She drew herself up. “He means everything to
me. I wouldn’t want to see him hurt.” Hell, Ms. Frigid was
back.

“You mean his hands?”

“Partly. If he injures his hands doing
something athletic and can’t play the piano, he’ll miss out on all
the concerts and music activities he’s got planned this summer.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. The jacket she wore had two
strategically placed buttons. Closed. Some little navy thing peeked
out from beneath. “I’m not sure your influence...” She seemed to
think better about completing the statement.

Mike felt his temper heat. Deadly calm, he
crossed his arms over his chest, too. “You don’t like me much, do
you?”

“Excuse me? I hardly know you.”

“That’s what I was thinkin’. So I don’t get
why the temperature drops fifty degrees when you have to say a few
words to me. If it’s because of the comments I made outside the
Sports Studies office that day...”

“It’s not that.”

“Is it because you lost the office? President
Cavanaugh said we ousted you.”

She smoothed back her hair. It was pulled off
her face, and tied up in some fancy do at her neck. It looked nice.
“I can deal with the new one. Other things have happened to me
that--”

“Jacelyn, is that you down there?” Mike
glanced at the raised path. On it was good old Professor Hal
walking a beautiful black Lab.

She waved to him. “Hi, Hal. Just waiting for
Kyle.”

Hal frowned at Mike, who gave him a little
salute. The professor called out, “Well, I’ll see you tonight at
eight.”

“Yes, of course.”

When Jacelyn turned back around, her face was
flushed. Not from the sun. He was reminded of a couple of smart
girls he’d tried dating in school. There was one in particular whom
he’d really liked. Oftentimes, when she was out with Mike, she
avoided being at places where her
other
—read
smarter—friends frequented. With more slice in his voice than he’d
intended, he asked, “You embarrassed to be seen with me, Dr.
Ross?”

“No, of course not. You’re team liaison to
the Sports Studies program, which is part of my department. We have
reason to be together.”

Mike stared hard at her, offended by her
attitude. “Well, in case you are, we could always meet in your
office to take care of business.”

Jacelyn raised her chin. “Honestly, I’m not
ashamed. And we do need to discuss some issues,” she said a little
stiffly.

“It’ll have to be soon.” He checked his watch
for the date. “Tyler comes day after tomorrow and practice starts
at the end of the week.”

“We certainly wouldn’t want to interfere with
practice.”

Hell, the woman was prickly. “You don’t want
us here, do you?”

“Us?”

“The team.”

She faced him fully. “No. I’m sorry, I don’t
mean to offend you, but I have to be straight with you.”

“Why?”

“
It totally disrupts the campus. The
second semester of summer school was canceled because of the camp.”
She nodded to the tent. “The whole place transforms into a
circus.”

Something made him ask, “What about the
Sports Studies program? You like that any better?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t.”

“Well, that’s bein’ straight with me.”

“I haven’t made a secret of my views. But the
college went ahead and did this...” she indicated the stadium and
field house with a sweep of her arm “...so I’m making the best of
it.”

He nodded in the direction Kyle had gone. His
tone softened. “Doesn’t help to have your nose rubbed in it, does
it?”

“Because he loves it all?”

“Uh-huh.”

“It comes second to music, of course, but
still...” She rolled her eyes. “I won’t let what I think of all
this interfere with any communication you and I have.”

“It already—”

“Coach, heads up.”

Mike was used to balls flying at his face. So
when he looked up and saw one coming right at them, he didn’t
panic. Until he heard an “Oh, my God!” from Jacelyn Ross and saw
the ball take a slight spin. Being all too acquainted with that
kind of spin, he knew it was headed right for her.

He leapt up. His body blocked the ball; it
glanced off his shoulder—hurting like hell as the point jutted into
a tendon—and upset his balance. But he’d already reached out to
protect Jacelyn, so he took her down with him into the gravel
path.

Jacelyn saw the big dark thing flying through
the air and thought it was a bird. She cried out as it came right
for her head. Suddenly Mike’s body was there, blocking hers. She
tried to grab his shoulders just as he grasped her.

She hit the ground hard, and the world
dimmed. Her breathing was cut off.

“Jacelyn. Oh, God.”

She opened her eyes; spots swam before her in
the sun.

“Are you all right?”

“I—I can’t...breathe.”

“Got the wind knocked out of you.”

She nodded. “Heavy. You,” she managed.

“What? Oh, damn.” He rolled off her.

She drew in ragged breaths.

Kneeling over her, Mike rubbed her arms. “Can
you sit up?” His voice was gruff.

“I think so.” She started to rise and the
world spun. “Oh.”

“Wait. Don’t try and get up, darlin’. You’re
dizzy.”

Jacelyn stayed where she was for a few
seconds. Her vision cleared and she took the opportunity to study
Mike up close. His eyes were gray with a thin band of black around
them, which matched his pupils. Right now they were filled with
concern. A beard bristled along his chin and jaw, around a frowning
mouth. “Better?”

“Yes. Let me try to get up again.” With his
arm supporting her back, she eased to a sitting position. Her
stomach pitched but she stayed upright. “I’m all right.”

“Jeez, Coach, we’re sorry.”

A vein pulsed in Mike’s neck. He looked past
her to find the boys who’d thrown the ball. “You shouldn’t be
tossin’ that willy-nilly, guys.”

“I know,” the youngest one, about twelve,
said. “I overthrew. Sorry, lady.”

“It’s okay. Be more careful next time.”

Mike picked up the ball next to him and threw
it to them. They rushed off.

He transferred his gaze back to her and gave
her a wry smile. “Along with the autograph thing, this gives
‘starting off on the wrong foot’ new meaning.”

Jacelyn chuckled. “I’m fine.” She glanced
down. Her stockings were ripped, and a big bruise had already begun
to form on one of her knees. “I’m a mess, though.” He was staring
at her hair. She reached up to it. “I must look awful.”

“No, mussed is all.” His eyes darkened a bit.
“Let me help you up.” Standing, he reached out a hand and took
hers. His was warm, solid and strong. Bending her knees, tucking
her feet under her, she started to rise. When she put weight on her
left ankle, she faltered and would have fallen if he hadn’t grabbed
her. “Oh... ah...damn.”

He glanced down. “Hell. Your ankle.”

She could feel it swelling and already
bulging.

“Kick off the shoe.”

“What?”

“That heel. Take it off.” Under his breath he
mumbled, “Silly things.”

She raised her foot to remove her shoe and
cried out.

He scowled. “Let’s get you to the bleachers.”
Before she realized his intent, he scooped her off her feet.
Jacelyn couldn’t remember a time anyone had carried her
anywhere.

“Wait, Mike, I--”

“Hush, now.” He covered the few yards to the
bleachers. Her face was brushing his chest, and she caught his
scent again, as she had the first time they met. This time, it
combined with sweat. He still smelled good. Really good. She must
have taken a hard knock on the head if she was noticing that and
not her throbbing foot. When he set her gently on the first bench
seat, she groaned. His gaze was downcast. She tracked it. Her skirt
had ridden up and a navy-blue garter belt peeked out. “Oh, dear.”
She tugged the hem down.

A smile claimed his lips. “Hmm,” was all he
said and knelt in front of her.

He removed her shoe, making her moan
again.

“I’ve got more training than most nurses in
this kind of thing. All right if I see what’s going on here?”

“Yes, sure.”

“Um, it’d help if you could take off the
stockings.” He fought back a grin. “Seein’ as how they’d be right
easy to remove.”

She felt her face flush and swallowed hard.
She hated wearing panty hose in the summer so she indulged in other
lingerie. Reaching under her skirt Jacelyn undid the front of the
garter belt. Awkwardly, she slid her hand beneath her leg, and
released the back. Bending over, she tried to unroll the stocking,
but the angle was difficult.

“Let me finish.” Big, masculine hands grasped
the nylon at her calf. With a touch gentle enough for babies—or
lovers—he rolled the stocking the rest of the way down. As Mike
drew it off, he cleared his throat.

With just as much care, he began palpating
her foot. She gasped. “Sorry.” Still he examined it and sighed. “It
looks and feels like a sprain. Nothing broken would be my guess.”
Kneeling before her, he raised his eyes to her. “Wanna go to the
doctor?”

“I’d rather not. Especially if you think it’s
only sprained.”

“I do, but you should check this out. The
infirmary here might be a good choice.”

“They were open for the first summer session.
They’re closed now.”

“Hmm.” Mike thought a minute. “Our trainer
might still be around. I know he came up yesterday. Where’s your
cell phone?” When she told him, he retrieved her purse, she got her
phone and he punched in a number. “Susan, is Gage still in?” He
shook his head. “Catch him, will you?” A pause. “Yeah, hey. I got
somebody with a sprained ankle here I’d like you to look at. Oh.
Listen, as a favor to me, could you hold on a piece? No, I’ll bring
her there. My guess is we’ll need ice.” Another pause and a very
male smile. “Yeah, stuff it, Garrison.” He clicked off.

“What?”

“He said to come over.” He nodded across the
campus. “He’s in the Sports Office in Basil Hall.”

Biting her lip, Jacelyn sighed. “I don’t
think I can walk that far.”

“No need. I’ll carry you.”

“Oh, Mike, no. I’m too heavy.”

He scoffed. “You’re kiddin’, right? You ever
see our drills? Us jocks are strong, ma’am.” He leaned over. “And I
can still sprint the length of a football field.”

“It’s quite a ways to Basil.”

Deep male laughter. “Hey, it’s a tough job,
but somebody’s got to do it.”

She laughed, too. Once again she was picked
up and nestled against his chest. “Hmm,” he said starting toward
the faculty building. “I could get used to this.”

Without her mind’s conscious consent Jacelyn
buried her face into his chest

He took a few steps then gripped her tighter.
“Uh-oh,” he said. “Second team’s coming in.”

“What?”

He nodded across the field.

Jacelyn followed his gaze. Heading toward
them were Kyle with Kay...and Hal with his dog.

As they got nearer, she could see the scowl
on Hal’s face and the stunned expression on Kyle’s.

When they reached each other, Kyle said,
“Mom, what
happened?”

Hal gave Mike a furious look, then
transferred it to her. “What the hell are you doing with this man,
Jacelyn?”

Mike’s heart beat a touch faster as he
watched his dad’s car pull up to the little house on Canal Drive.
He could just make out the tip of his son’s head. The
seven-year-old was belted into the back seat of Jim Kingston’s
sedan.

Quickly Mike strode from the garage to the
car. He whipped open the door and barely gave Tyler enough time to
free himself and climb out before Mike crouched down and had him in
a bear hug. “Hey, Champ. Man, I missed you.” It was true. Having
been with Tyler continuously for several weeks, Mike had found the
seven-day separation very long. It was hard to believe he’d gone
months at a time without seeing the kid. No way could he tolerate
that now.

Tyler held on and nosed into Mike’s chest.
Though shy and reserved, he took affection easily. Trudy had done
some things right. “Hi, Daddy.”

Instead of letting him go, Mike stood, hefted
the boy up and held him on his hip. Ty was small for his age and
easy to lift. Circling the car, he hugged his dad with his free
arm. “Thanks for bringin’ him, Pa. And for keeping him this
week.”