The Final Score (20 page)

We talk and we listen to one another. Not all of our conversations are deep. After getting the worst over with first, we rekindle the most important part of our relationship, our friendship. Our friendship is what attracted me to her from the moment I met her. She looked at me in a way that no girl had ever looked at me. It didn’t matter to her if I played baseball or mowed lawns. She cared about me and thought of me as her friend. She listened to what I had to say and offered her advice. She made me feel important because she trusted me enough to be a part of her life, a life that she kept private from most people. We told each other things that we knew would only stay between us. It was instant, and I knew even then that it was too special to ever let go.

As the weeks pass, we now talk easily and playfully with one another like we used to. On this one particular night, I joke with her about the kiss we shared the night of the fundraiser.

“It was like the first time I kissed you all over again, remember the Fourth of July?” I ask.

“Yes, it was,” she adds sweetly.

“Yeah, but only this time, I think I could have gotten you to go to bed with me,” I tease.

“Oh please! No way! I knew that’s what you were thinking.” She starts laughing.

“Five more minutes… that’s all I needed, if only Mya didn’t show up.”

“Nope, never would have happened,” she denies. “Are you trying to say I’m easy or something?”

“Well, I know firsthand
you’re easy
.”

“Only with you,” she teases.

“I’ll keep that in mind when I get home.”

We’re looking forward to seeing each other. By the end of our five weeks apart, I know one thing for sure. We belong to each other.

Chapter 16

(Jesse)

I breeze through my last exam of the day, then head to my shift at the gallery. After tonight, my schedule is clear for the next several days and I’m excited to have the time off.

Frank and I remain friends, but nowadays, things are more business-like. The private lunches and dinners come to an end, but he continues to teach me the ins and outs of the business. He’s planning another showcasing event for me sometime in late winter. It means a lot to me, knowing that he respects my work.

In the beginning, it was somewhat awkward. One day, while Jazz and I were alone in the gallery, we were talking in the office together about Luke. We didn’t hear Frank enter from behind. He acted as if he didn’t hear, but it was embarrassing just the same.

The following week, he stopped by the gallery with a tall beautiful blonde on his way out for the evening. He’d left his wallet in his desk. He introduced her to Jazz and I. Jazz later told me that her father owned several hotels in the Tampa Bay area. I was happy for him, but couldn’t help thinking he brought her in to let me know he’s moved on. It was for the best, though. After that, the awkwardness seemed to fade away between us.

The Rays got swept their last three games, putting an end to their season. In the few short weeks Mikey played with the Rays, he managed six home runs, eleven RBI’s and was featured on ESPN top plays of the week on two different occasions. Mikey has gotten so much recognition for his performance during the series that it pretty much clinches his starting position with the team come spring.

While in Texas, Mikey was introduced to Lora Rae, one of the up and coming actresses from one of those hit teen shows on the CW channel. She lives in LA, but is originally from Texas. She was at the playoff games and asked a mutual friend to introduce her to him after the game. Luke told me she invited him to a club later that evening. He said it was the first time he’d ever heard Mikey sound nervous to meet a girl. Then again, it was his first time meeting a celebrity “it” girl.

Luke said that he wasn’t in the club with her for more than five minutes when she pulled him into a private area in the VIP lounge and had sex with him. Needless to say, they’ve been hot and heavy ever since. He’s barely been home, spending the last few weeks in LA. After all, it was a long season. I guess he was ready to chill and have some fun.

Since the paparazzi are known for following Lora Rae around, Mikey has been photographed with her numerous times. A couple of times they were spotted getting coffee in the morning at the local Starbucks. One night, they were photographed in a club, and twice holding hands in a park. Mikey has been eating it up. He loves the attention. Deanna, not so much.

I met Lora Rae briefly when he first began to see her. He flew in to pick up some of his things to bring out to LA. They stopped by The Blue for drinks. I thought she was just as beautiful up close as she is on TV. Only she seems a little full of herself, well for that matter, so is Mikey. Maybe I’m being hard on her because she’s famous. Or maybe, it has to do with my best friend freaking out. Mikey brought Lora Rae to Arizona to watch one of Luke’s games and Deanna was there, along with Jeffrey, the four of them watched the game together.

***

(Deanna
)

I can’t get over Mikey dating this celebrity girl. It’s making me crazy for some reason. I call JJ for the millionth time.

“JJ, can you believe this? I’m finally moving to Tampa and he’s leaving.”

“De, who said he’s leaving?” she asks, curious as to where I get my information. Obviously, I’m getting it from the tabloids, she’s everywhere I look.

“Oh, you had to see them. I spent the whole day with them and they were all over each other. It was disgusting, actually,” I complain while JJ laughs.

“It’s not funny. He’s going to leave. His contract will be up at the end of the season next year. He’s going to end up in LA, you watch. He loves that shit. You know him.”

“He’s not going to leave and go to LA. The Rays are going to give him a huge deal. Luke told me they’re not going to let him go,” she tries to convince me. “Besides, this is one of those whirlwind romance things, they won’t last another month.”

“I don’t know about that. Did you see him in the magazines? Just Google her, he’s all over the place with her… looking all smug. Ugh!”

“Yeah, I did see that.” She chuckles, agreeing with me. “But, you know him, he likes getting
all of the attention
. He’s probably already getting annoyed that she gets more attention than him.” I laugh, agreeing with her this time. “Besides, he can’t wait for you to get here, he’s so happy that you’re moving here.”

“
Was
so happy, before he met
her
,” I add dryly.

She tries to reassure me that he’ll be home soon for Thanksgiving and he’s just having some fun after coming off a long season.

I don’t know why I am so uptight about it. Jeffrey and I are together, despite him giving me an ultimatum about moving. I know he cares about me; he’s just worried that me moving away from him will put a strain on our relationship, but I try to dismiss his doubts. Some days, he seems willing to make a go of it and other times he seems annoyed with me for not changing my mind about leaving. I really do care about him, but I’m at the point where I think time away from each other is what we need to see if our relationship is going to progress.

***

(Jesse)

After finishing up my shift at the Gallery, I walk along the avenue, going in and out of my favorite boutiques, searching for something special to wear, along with something sexy for underneath. After all, it’s been a long, long time. I call Mikey on my way home for some advice.

“What’s up?” he answers without saying hello.

“Hi. Is this Mr. Hollywood?” I ask.

“Funny. What’s goin’ on?”

“Luke’s coming home tomorrow.”

“No shit, he’s mentioned it about a thousand times,” he says sarcastically.

“That’s why I’m calling, I want your advice. I’ve missed him and I want to do something special. Got any ideas?” The second the words escape my lips, I’m already regretting asking him of all people.

He instantly starts laughing. “You are coming to me for advice?” he says with arrogance. “Good move. Be waiting in bed…
naked
… God knows you made the poor guy wait long enough.”

“Why did I bother coming to you again? Never mind.” I feel my cheeks get hot. Although it’s not a bad idea, I know I’ll never do it.

“Don’t play innocent, JJ. I know you can be pretty crazy, I heard the stories… school storage closets… the stadium stands…” he says, laughing, about to rattle off a list.

“I can’t believe he told you!” I scream, cutting him off. “Alright, time to change the subject. Maybe I’ll make him dinner or something,” I think out loud. “More importantly, when will
you
be home?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t interrupt,” he says slyly. “I’ll be here till next week. The keys are in the same spot; on the back patio, behind the rain spout. You can have the whole condo to yourselves. Just to warn you
so you don’t get caught
, Celia, my cleaning lady, will be there on Monday morning by ten.”

“Thanks for the tip.” I laugh, especially since I have nowhere else to be until Tuesday. “So how are things going?”

“I’m havin’ a good time,” he answers coolly.

“I can see that,” I answer candidly. Trying to see what kind of reaction I get from him, I continue, “I can’t believe De will be moving here soon. She’s flying in to Jersey for Thanksgiving. I think Lucca and Maria would like to have us all home. Don’t say anything to Luke. I want to talk to him about it. You’ll be there, right?”

“Of course.”

“Are you bringing Lora Rae?”

“No way, not Thanksgiving.”

“Are you with her now?”

“She’s in the other room, why?”

“De’s freaking out.”

“She is? Why?” he asks, suddenly his voice perks up and he seems interested.

“She says you ignored her at
Luke’s game.”

“She’s full of shit. Why does she care, anyway?” he asks.

“Why do you think?”

“She only cares when she thinks I’m into someone besides her.”

“Funny. She says the same thing about you. What’s this about some bet that hasn’t been settled?” I can faintly hear him chuckle. “She thinks you forgot.”

“I didn’t forget,” he says as a matter of fact.

“Well, she thinks you did.”

***

(Mikey)

I hang up the phone and laugh to myself, thinking how Deanna is crazy to ever think that I’d forget anything that involves her. All I’ve thought about since we made that bet is making her pay up. I’m just biding my time until she moves to Florida. Hopefully, her jerk off boyfriend will be out of the way. I decided while I was in Arizona that I can’t stand him. He’s a big asshole who thinks he’s better than everyone else.

I actually spent most of that day pissed off that she was still with him. So in return, I did what I always do and pretended to be totally into Lora Rae, which I knew would get under her skin. I don’t know why we always feel the need to play this game with each other. Thinking about her, makes me want to hear her voice. Later that evening, I give her a call.

“Hello,” she answers.

“Hey, is this my favorite girl?” I whisper, not wanting Lora Rae to hear me on the phone.

“Yeah right,” De says sarcastically.

“You know you are,” I tease. She lets out a little chuckle. “What’s up?”

“Not much, where are you?”

“Still in LA.”

“Nice,” she replies, not sounding like she means it. “Will you be home for Thanksgiving?”

“Of course. Where else would I be?”

“Hmmm, let me think,” she answers sarcastically. “Are you bringing anyone?”

“Nope. Are you?”

“Nope.”

“Good, there are a few things I’d like to go over with you, outlining the terms of our bet.”

“You’re nuts.” She laughs.

“Uh oh, you didn’t think I forgot, did you?”

“Maybe…”

I’m suddenly interrupted by Lora Rae sneaking up from behind with two drinks in her hand. I’ve got the phone to my ear, but it doesn’t stop her from kissing along my neck as she talks, “Michael, sweetheart, who are you talking to? Hang up the phone. I’m patiently waiting for you,” She purrs seductively, practically into the phone.

“Okay, give me a sec. I’m almost done,” I answer, holding my hand over the mouthpiece as she makes her way outside in her little bikini, heading for the hot tub. “Hey…” I say, getting back to De.

“Is she there with you right now? Why did she sound like she was on the other line? And what is she waiting patiently for?” she drills me, sounding pissed once again.

I let out a little laugh. “Sorry, she snuck up from behind. She’s gone. Anyway, what were you saying?” I ask, somewhat distracted.

“Never mind.”

“Awe, c’mon. Don’t be mad. I miss ya, that’s why I called.” Lora Rae once again loudly calls out to me from the other room.

“You better go… She sounds like she might die if you don’t get to her soon,” she says sarcastically.

Before hanging up, I tell her once again how I’m looking forward to seeing her next week. I don’t want her to hang up with me angry, I would have preferred for Lora Rae to have not interrupted our call. I miss DeDe, and can’t stand being away from her. Sometimes, it feels as if we are drifting apart until once again we are alone together.