Thrown by a Curve (20 page)

TWENTY-FOUR

ALICIA WASN’T ONE FOR DRESSING UP OR GOING TO
clubs. Not that Jenna’s club was fancy. She’d created it to be casual and welcoming, just like the original Riley’s bar.

But it was opening night, and this was a big damn deal, so she’d bought a new dress and some strappy high-heeled shoes that were expensive and sexy as hell, just like the thigh-skimming dress that showed off way more leg than Alicia typically did.

Riley’s Club was officially open, and there was already a line outside to get in. Jenna must be out of her mind with nerves and excitement. Alicia hadn’t even had a chance to talk to Jenna tonight, other than a quick hug when she’d come in an hour ago. Jenna had looked gorgeous in a skintight short black dress and knee-high black high-heeled boots, her hair in its customary spiked-up short cut with purple tips, her left ear adorned with a multitude of piercings, her body a tattooed map of her life experiences.

Jenna was a former wild child tamed by the love of her life, hockey-stud Ty Anderson, the smiling, calming influence standing by her side right now, his hand around her waist while she welcomed everyone into the club.

“They look stunning together, don’t they?”

Alicia nodded at Savannah Brooks, her brother Cole’s girlfriend—no, make that fiancée. When they’d returned from their extended vacation, Savannah had been sporting one hell of a sparkler on her ring finger and a glow on her face that told Alicia they’d had a very special, very romantic vacation.

“They look about as much in love as you and my brother.”

Savannah grinned. “That man melts my butter. Sorry, I know he’s your brother, but he’s more than I could have ever dreamed of.”

Alicia linked her fingers with Savannah’s. “I think he’s pretty lucky, too, Savannah. You saved his career.”

Savannah waved her hand. “He turned his own career around.”

“Oh, I think you were right behind him with those awesome high-heeled shoes of yours, giving him the kick in the ass he needed.”

Savannah’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Maybe now and then. He didn’t need as much of a butt kicking as everyone thought. Even as much as he thought. He’s a very special man.”

And that’s what love was all about. People who saw through the flaws and loved you anyway, who helped you when you needed it most, who would always be there for you, and who always had your back. Alicia wondered if she’d ever experience love like that.

She’d never been in love before. School and her career had kept her relationships mainly superficial.

Until Garrett. She’d let him in, let him wrap around her heart, and now she was afraid she’d made a huge mistake, because there was so much she still didn’t know about him.

Like why he was so reluctant to be around her family. He’d had no qualms about spending time with Gavin and Liz. Then again, that had been a more intimate gathering. Granted, her family en masse was nothing short of epically overwhelming. She understood that, but everyone was focused on Jenna as the center of attention tonight. She thought inviting Garrett would pull a little of the focus away from him.

She realized after that episode in the tunnels the other day that she likely had overreacted. No one from upper management had come running to tell her she was fired. None of the players had even looked at her funny. Garrett had either said something to them, or the only person freaked out about the whole thing was her.

She thought inviting Garrett to Jenna’s club opening would be a fun way for the two of them to hang out. It would be packed in here tonight, they could get lost in the crowd, and he would get a chance to meet her family at the same time.

So why had he balked at the invitation? Was it just the whole meeting-the-family thing? Had it been too much for him? Maybe that was too close to a relationship for him, and he just didn’t see the two of them that way.

She sighed and went to the beautifully distressed antique bar to order a glass of wine. Eric, one of the bartenders, had shaggy blond hair that fell over his forehead and searing blue eyes that seemed to look into your very soul. Eric poured her wine with a sexy smile. At the other end of the bar was Penny, built like a centerfold, with a slender waist, legs that went all the way to Ohio, and one hell of an impressive rack.

Jenna so knew how to choose bartenders. They were going to make a lot of tips, and they were going to sell a lot of booze.

“What do you think, Alicia?” her aunt Kathleen asked as Alicia wandered around to visit with family members.

“I think this is going to be another Riley success. This place is packed with both the curious and people wanting to sing tonight. Such a brilliant idea.”

Her uncle Jimmy beamed a wide smile. “I’m so proud of Jenna. She’s worked so hard to get this place in shape in time for the opening. There was even a write-up in the newspaper about it.”

“I saw that. You should be proud. And I’m excited. I can’t wait to hear Jenna sing. I’ve heard she’s incredible.”

“She’s amazing,” her aunt said, fighting back tears. She fished in her purse for a tissue. “I’m going to blubber all night.”

Alicia patted her aunt on the arm. “I think you deserve to.”

The music had already started up. The club featured a wide range of acts—anyone who wanted a chance to sing or play music could. Right now a guy had the mic and bellowed out a country-rock song that had people clamoring to get on the dance floor.

After visiting with her aunt and uncle for a few minutes, Alicia wandered off again, running into family members and friends of the family wherever she went. But it wasn’t only family members crowding into the club. There were people she didn’t know. Obviously, word had gotten out about the great new club, which was excellent news for the new business.

She decided she’d better elbow her way toward the front door so she could say a few words of congratulations to Jenna before her cousin got so busy she wouldn’t be able to talk to anyone the rest of the night.

The only problem with that was the solid wall of people standing in her path. Short of pushing and shoving, she was stuck where she was. Instead, she leaned against one of the wood beams and decided to sip her wine for a while. She’d catch up with Jenna later.

“Need a bodyguard to help you make your way through?”

She laughed and turned her head, shocked to see Garrett standing there.

And oh, did he look good in dark jeans and a white button-up shirt that hugged his lean, muscular body.

“What are you doing here?”

He cocked a brow. “I was invited, remember?”

“I do remember. You declined my invitation.”

“I was a prick. I’m sorry.”

She wanted to ask him why he had turned her down in the first place, but it was so noisy in there that their voices would have to be raised, and this wasn’t the venue for that particular conversation. “I’d like to know why, but how about we table that topic for another time?”

“Sounds good.”

He held a bottle of beer in his hands, and he looked so delicious she wanted to lean against him and not let go. “Thank you for coming tonight.”

“I’m glad to be here. Take me around and introduce me to your family.”

“Are you sure? There’s a lot going on around here. Chances are we could hide out in the back of the room and not be noticed.”

He slid his hand in hers. “Alicia. Introduce me to your family.”

Something melted inside her. “Okay.”

The whole introduction thing took awhile since the family was spread out and people were packed in the club like sardines. But she found her parents and her aunt and uncle together, so they were first.

Her mother grinned from ear to ear when Alicia introduced Garrett.

“So you’re the one Alicia’s been working on. How is your shoulder?”

Garrett graced her with his trademark smile. “It’s doing great. Your daughter is very good at her job. I’m hoping to be able to pitch soon.”

That made Alicia’s dad grin. “I’m glad to hear that. Scared the hell out of me when you got hurt last season.”

“Believe me, Mr. Riley, it scared the hell out of me, too.”

“I’m glad Alicia invited you,” her mother said. “And you and Gavin are friends, too?”

“We are.”

“I hope you have a good time,” her mother said. “Thank you for coming to support Jenna. And look—she’s about to take the stage.”

They all turned as Jenna grabbed a mic.

“I want to welcome you all to the club tonight. Thank you for making Riley’s Club’s opening night such a rousing success. I won’t stand here and give a long speech since that isn’t my thing. How about some music?”

Everyone cheered. The band started up, and Jenna began to sing. Alicia knew Jenna wrote a lot of her own music. This song was upbeat and fun, the kind of song everyone would want to dance to. She had people crowding the dance floor, clapping their hands, and shaking their hips as she gave it her all. By the end of the song, they were whistling and cheering for her.

“Your cousin has an amazing voice,” Garrett said.

Alicia grinned. “Yes, she does. I’m so proud of her. So thrilled for her. Not just for the club, but because she’s living her dream. Finally.”

Garrett cocked a brow.

“It’s a long story,” Alicia said. “I’ll tell you sometime.”

“Okay.” He turned to Alicia’s parents, and her aunt and uncle. “Congratulations. This place is going to do very well.”

Her aunt couldn’t possibly smile any wider. “We think so, too. Wasn’t Jenna wonderful?”

“I don’t know why she’s singing here when she’s better than half the people selling records right now.”

“That’s what I keep telling her,” Alicia’s uncle said. “But she insists this is the only place she wants to be.”

When they wandered off, Gavin turned to Alicia. “No grilling?”

“Oh, if I invited you over for Sunday dinner, there would be grilling. They’re cutting you some slack tonight because it’s crowded and noisy in here. They’re just being polite.”

“Lucky me, then,” he said, sweeping his knuckles across her cheek.

“At least where my parents are concerned,” she said as she saw her brother bearing down on her with a decided scowl on his face.

Garrett straightened as Cole approached. Garrett didn’t look at all threatened as he casually slipped his arm around Alicia’s waist.

“Been looking for you,” Cole said, his fingers linked with Savannah’s.

“I’ve been here for a while. I guess we kept missing each other in the crowd. Cole, this is Garrett Scott. Garrett, this is my brother, Cole, and his fiancée, Savannah Brooks.”

Savannah shook his hand. “Garrett, so nice to meet you. I’ve heard great things about you.”

Cole shook Garrett’s hand, too. “You’re the one she’s been working with. Shoulder injury.”

“Yeah.”

“Rehab finished yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Think you’ll pitch this year?”

“Hell yeah, I’ll pitch. And when I do, a lot of the credit for that will go to Alicia.”

She felt a tug in the vicinity of her heart at his statement and lifted her gaze to his. “Thank you, Garrett.”

Cole gave Garrett the kinds of looks a brother would give any guy she was . . . whatever it was she and Garrett were doing. She knew Cole was being protective, but really. Cole didn’t know what was going on, so he could stop being all Neanderthal about this.

“I’ve read your career history, Garrett,” Savannah said, obviously trying to defuse the tension. “I do image consulting, especially for athletes. So it’s kind of a specialty of mine to dissect you all. You’ve had an amazing career.”

“Thanks. I just hope I get to continue it.”

“Season will be starting soon,” Cole said.

Master of the obvious, wasn’t he?

“Yeah,” Garrett said. “Between Alicia and the coaches, they’re prepping me nonstop to get ready to pitch.”

“Yeah? And how’s that going?”

“The past few months have been living in hell. I’ve been under the goddamn microscope so long all I want to do is disappear.”

Something in Cole seemed to switch off at that point, and he relaxed. “Dude. Been there. Not that I got hurt—” Cole looked at Savannah. “But yeah. Been under that same microscope. I’ve never had an injury before. It must be a downer having to deal with all the uncertainty.”

“It sucks.”

Cole laughed. “Want to grab these ladies a seat? And I need a beer.”

“Me, too.” Garrett switched his gaze to Alicia. “Ready to sit down?”

Alicia was so relieved to feel the ice thaw between Garrett and her brother. She nodded at Garrett. “Like you wouldn’t believe. My feet are killing me in these shoes.”

He grabbed her hand. “Let’s go muscle up a table, then.”

“Good luck in this crowd.”

“Come on,” Cole said. “We’re VIP’s. We’ll get Jenna to find us one.”

Jenna did find them one, in a spot she’d reserved near the stage for family members. Which gave Alicia a chance to introduce Garrett to both Jenna and Ty, at least for the minute and a half Jenna spent with them before she dashed off to see to her customers and introduce new musicians to the crowd. But at least they had a table. And seats with the rest of the family. Tara was thrilled to have a night out without Sam, though she kept texting Nathan, her teenage son who was on babysitting duty. And despite Mick’s assurances that Nathan could capably handle the baby, who had been fed and was sound asleep, Tara kept staring at her phone.

Garrett seemed to be handling being surrounded by her family members well. He’d even bonded with Cole, the two of them talking golf of all things.

“He’s very hot,” Savannah said, keeping her voice low as the two of them huddled close.

Not that it would have mattered, since Garrett and Cole had their own huddle going on.

“Who? My brother? Too much information, Savannah.”

Savannah gave her a look. “Ha, ha. And you know I was talking about your smoldering new boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend. He’s . . .”

She had no idea how to describe him.

Savannah arched a brow. “Do go on. He’s what? Just the current athlete you’re working on that you decided to invite to a family event?”

The knowing look Savannah gave Alicia told her that her hesitation was ridiculous. “Okay, so we’re involved. I just don’t know how to describe it.”