Playing the Game (10 page)

“
Probably,” I muttered,
picking at the bagel. I took a sip of coffee and studied Kendra
over the rim of my mug. “How did you and Troy become
engaged?”

She laughed as her eyes drifted away. “I met
him because of Spanky. Oh, he annoyed the hell out of me at first
but I had issues and he had issues and we sort of came together,
helping each other out. He was the first man I trusted besides my
brother and I couldn’t help but fall in love with him.”

“
Is it hard for you two to
be apart during the season?” My mind was set to record her answer
so I could play it back to Jess.

“
Not really. I go with him
on road trips when I can. But I work at the shelter and he
understands how important it is to me.” She giggled as her cheeks
turned a lovely shade of pink. “Sometimes it sort of spices things
up when he’s been away for awhile.”

I nodded, especially remembering that little
tidbit of information. I was anxious to throw that in Jess’s
face.

She cocked her head as her lips turned down.
“Is there a problem with you and Jess?”

I barked out a bitter laugh. “There is no me
and Jess.” Sighing, I pushed my half eaten bagel away. “There was
in high school but that was it.”

“
Hmm,” she said
thoughtfully. “The way he talks about you I thought you two were an
item. I mean, every time I’m around him he’s saying stuff about you
and mooning over you. Hell, I don’t think he’s even looked at
another girl since you sang the Anthem.” Her lips spread into an
evil grin. “Maybe you two aren’t a couple now but trust me girly,
Jess ain’t letting you go any time soon.” She patted me on the head
as if I was one of her beloved pets. “Hey, how about you hang out
with me today? We can ride the horses and then come back in for the
game?”

I nodded, still gaping at her comments.

Chapter Eight

I returned home Saturday evening, fretting
over the day’s game. Jess had only lasted until the fifth inning.
After he'd walked the leadoff batter and the next two hitters, Lou
Harding had jaunted to the mound and relieved him of the ball.
Kendra and I had exchanged worried glances but neither of us formed
the words we both were thinking.

I had questioned Kendra about Jess’s
shoulder but she could only shake her head helplessly at me.

“
He’s never said a word,”
she assured me. But the concern in her eyes had mirrored mine and
it was a minor relief that I wasn’t the only one
worried.

“
How was your party?” my
mother asked in a cheerful voice.

“
Samantha is evil,” I
muttered as I stalked toward the stairs.

“
Samantha Roper? That nice
girl?” Reaching out, she took hold of my arm, smoothly preventing
my escape. “Did you argue with her?”

“
She’s not a nice girl,
Mother. She’s an evil, conniving wench.” I shook my arm loose and
charged up the stairs two at a time. Slamming my door shut, I
flopped on the bed. I snatched the remote for my television off the
night stand and flipped through the stations until I found a sports
channel. I watched faithfully with bated breath in hopes that some
news on Jess would flash across the screen. I had no idea what I
was waiting for, exactly, but I guess I thought I wanted one of the
announcers to say that he was okay.

When nothing happened, I groaned as I turned
off the television. Locating my phone, I scrolled through my
contacts. Only Jess could tell me how he felt and I’d be willing to
bet my entire savings account he’d lie through his teeth.

But I hoped maybe I could tell if he was in
pain by the tone of his voice. I dialed his number and waited
impatiently for him to answer. Of course he never did so I left him
a casual voice mail and asked him to please call me.

After filling the tub, I soaked leisurely,
my shoulders still a little sore. I kept my phone within easy reach
but Jess never called back. I puttered around my bedroom, cleaning
out the closet and sorting through my clothes until it grew late
enough for bed. My heart ached as I tossed and turned, fighting
tears of disappointment.

***

Kendra called the next morning, inviting me
over for lunch. I gladly accepted and informed my mother where I
was going. She scrunched her nose in confusion, trying to place
Kendra’s name but I let her ponder while I ran gleefully to my
car.

Kendra seemed as happy to see me as I was to
get away from my mother. We sat outside, enjoying the pleasant
summer weather, Spanky lounging at our feet. She poured us each a
glass of iced tea and I relaxed in the chaise, admiring the horses
grazing in the paddock.

“
I talked to Troy this
morning,” she began and a bubble of panic hovered in my throat.
“Jess flew home last night.”

“
What?” I asked, shooting
out of my chair so quickly I nearly dumped my iced tea all over my
t-shirt. “Why?”

She placed an arm on mine and stared
directly in my eyes. “Don’t panic. Troy said it wasn’t serious.
Jess’s shoulder has been bugging him so the team sent him home to
see his doctor. The one who performed his surgery.”

I nodded but my mind was a mile away
focusing on Jess and the pain I’d seen etched around his eyes. What
an idiot I was for not confronting him sooner. Not that I could
have convinced him to do anything but I would have tried. I would
have used every skill and tool at my disposal to make him seek
medical attention. I’d have even used my body.

The heat rushed to my cheeks at that
thought. I turned away from Kendra, hoping she wouldn’t notice.

“
I should go see him,” I
muttered, convincing myself as well as her.

“
You should,” she said,
surprising me. I thought for sure she’d tell me to give him time.
“Troy said he was supposed to have some x-rays and tests done this
morning so he should be home now.”

Nodding, I set my glass on the table.
“Thanks, Kendra.”

She gave me a quick hug. “Good luck.”

***

“
What the hell are you
doing here?” Jess groaned when he opened the door. He pushed the
screen and allowed me entrance. “I swear I’m going to kick Troy’s
ass.”

He continued grumbling under his breath as
he led me to the living room. He sat down on the sofa, throwing his
right arm over the back. I sat cautiously on the edge, studying his
face for any signs of pain. And I found them, carefully concealed
near his eyes.

“
I was worried, Jess,” I
whispered. He rolled his eyes and ducked his head. I placed a
tentative hand on his thigh. “How bad is it?”

“
I don’t know anything
yet, Aubrey. I had the tests done today and I’ll see the doctor
tomorrow.” His lips curled. “It’s nothing, really. Lou’s just all
in a huff because I haven’t been performing up to standard
lately.”

“
But you’re in pain,” I
said, quiet as a mouse. “I can tell.”

“
I’m not in pain,” he
said, jumping to his feet. “I’m fine.”

“
Why do you always have to
play tough guy?” I demanded, standing in front of him. Anger
erupted inside my body and spewed out of my mouth. “Why can’t you
just admit that you hurt, huh? Maybe someone can help you before it
gets too bad!”

He laughed sardonically. “Like you?”

I froze, taken aback. “Maybe. I’m no doctor
but…”

He leaned forward, his handsome face
wrenched into a sarcastic mask. “But what? You think you can sing
away my pain? Gonna call your mother and ask her to help? What in
the hell do you think you can do, Aubrey?”

I couldn’t stop the hot tears from spilling
out of my eyes. Yes, he was right but still, couldn’t he at least
accept whatever I had to offer?

“
You don’t need to suffer
alone,” I said in a shaky, soft voice.

He took a deep breath but didn’t move away
from me. His eyes narrowed but his jaw relaxed.

“
What happened to you
Friday night?” His voice was cool but I could see the anger in his
smoky eyes.

“
Don’t change the
subject,” I snapped. “We’re talking about you.”

“
And there’s nothing more
to talk about until I see the doctor,” he said. “So tell me what
happened Friday night.”

“
Nothing,” I said,
twisting my body away from him. His firm hand grabbed my shoulder
and a shot of pain bolted down my arm. Wincing, I ducked my
shoulder out of his clutch. “Let go.”

His brow furrowed as he grabbed my shoulder
again. The bruises were still tender to the touch and even though I
steeled myself, I still flinched.

“
What’s wrong with you?
You been pitching, too?”

I rolled my eyes at him, carefully removing
his hand. “Leave me alone.”

“
Kendra told me you got
drunk. Did some guy try something with you?” He was reasonably calm
until I turned my guilty eyes from his face. He took my chin and
lifted it, eyes blazing. “Who?”

“
Just a guy from the show
tried to kiss me, that’s all,” I stammered. “I stopped him and I
left.”

Clenching his jaw, he yanked my t-shirt off
my shoulder. His breath left him in a rush along with a string of
curses.

“
I will kill him,” he said
in a low tone. I tried to take a step back but he still had a
strong hold on my chin. “Did he hurt you anywhere else?”

“
No, Jess, please,” I
begged. My tears were now running down my face and over his hand.
He released me but the rage still burned in his eyes. “Don’t do
anything. You’ll hurt your shoulder or get in trouble.”

He ran his thumbs under my eyes and kissed
the corner of my mouth. “Not a chance in hell, sweetheart. He’ll
pay and he’ll learn to keep his hands off of you.”

I trembled visibly and he eased me gently
into his arms. My ear pressed against his chest and I counted the
beats of his heart until I managed to get my emotions under
control. He dropped a quick kiss on the top of my head before
edging me back. His voice was soft, almost tender.

“
I’ll be fine, Aubrey.
It’s just a little tightness in the shoulder. I’m thinking I’ll
have to do a round of physical therapy. I doubt I’ll make my next
start but I shouldn’t be out longer than that.”

I managed a weak smile, grateful that he’d
been honest. Leaning in, he kissed me, slowly at first, but the
pent up tension building in my body burst and before I knew what
was happening, I was pressed firmly against him while my hands shot
under his thin shirt and roamed his back. He groaned in my mouth
but didn’t break the kiss. Instead, he deepened it. Desire jolted
painfully down my thighs and I didn’t care that he didn’t want a
relationship. I didn’t care that I was inexperienced. I didn’t care
what my mother would think. I wanted him. I would take whatever
part of him he was willing to give.

I found the hem of his shirt and swept it up
his body and over his head. Our lips parted for a moment, long
enough for him to speak.

“
Think about what you’re
doing, Aubrey,” he warned, but his eyes were dark and hungry –
exactly what I imagined mine to look like. I forced his mouth to
mine and continued to convince him best I could. His hands, which
had been sitting dormant on my hips, awoke and moved slowly up my
sides. He cupped my face and ripped his mouth from mine. “Aubrey,
this isn’t necessary.”

“
I know,” I said, chest
heaving. “This is something
I
want to do – not something my mother wants me to
do or you want me to do or Gwen wants me to do.”

His slow, crooked smile brought a small
light back into his eyes as he eased my face forward to kiss me
again. He took control, not allowing me to deepen it. He steered me
backwards, down the hall and through an open door. He kicked it
closed then swooped down to lift me, dropping me carefully on his
bed.

My heart thundered as he crept over me, sexy
smirk adorning his face.

“
You asked for it,
sweetheart,” he mumbled as he bent to kiss my chin, my neck, my
throat. My mind surrendered to my body as each inch of my skin
burned pleasantly under his touch. He had my clothes off so fast,
all I could do is stutter incoherently with wide eyes. He drank in
my nude form as he placed a chaste kiss on my stomach.

“
Much more beautiful than
I imagined,” he murmured against my skin. His lips trailed from my
stomach up between my breasts and to the hollow at the base of my
throat. I closed my eyes and absorbed every touch; every caress. I
was well aware of the rustling of his jeans as he kicked them off
and his fumbling around for what I hoped was protection.

“
You sure about this?” he
whispered in my ear. An errant shiver tickled my spine and I opened
my eyes to smile at him.

“
Absolutely.”

His lips twisted into a wicked grin before
he kissed me. I expected his mouth to ravage mine but instead, he
pressed tiny, soft kisses on my lips. I felt a twinge of pressure
and pain in my nether regions and sucked in a breath. He whispered
softly in my ear, kissing the skin below it. I relaxed.

To say Jess was an amazing lover would be
weak. He was, true, but he was also totally aware of my every
emotion. He anticipated my needs perfectly like a well-tuned horse
and rider and though I’d had limited experience in the past, I
could tell he knew exactly what he was doing.

When it was over and I trembled in his arms,
he kissed my temple. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, too weak to talk. I nestled my
cheek against his bare chest, a smile too large to hide breaking
out across my face. His hands rubbed my back in small circles as
his breathing slowly returned to normal.