Make-Believe Husband

by Vivi Holt

  “I only mentioned it to the owners … oh.” She bit her lip. In hindsight it hadn’t been her best idea, but she’d been so excited to have her first client she’d gotten carried away.

  He shrugged. “I guess they couldn’t keep it to themselves. I just don’t understand what they want from me.”

  “You’re a big deal around here. They probably want to get a shot of you, maybe a sound bite for the local news.”

  He rubbed his face. “Ugh. This is just not something I want to deal with right now. When I’m in Atlanta, I expect some press, but usually they wait until we finish practice, or after a game. This is just ridiculous.”

  “You’re a star now. It goes with the territory.” She sighed and smiled weakly. “Want to take a look around the place?”

  He nodded. “But I can tell you right now, this won’t work. I need something out of the way – I can’t have press on my doorstep all the time. A bit of privacy …”

  “Maybe a gated community? We have a couple of new developments now.”

  “That would be perfect.”

  They looked around the house anyway. It was an older building and had been carefully restored with a modern kitchen, bathrooms and paintwork. Stacey loved old houses – they had so much character and history. And it gave her an opportunity to see what Jax liked and didn’t like before she wasted his time on anything else unsuitable. She was discovering that she knew more about real estate than she’d realized – all the things she’d learned when she first sat the realtor exam came back in a flash.

  And even though she’d fought the idea of becoming a realtor, houses were a passion of hers. Given her interest in engineering, she’d always paid attention to how they were built. Design, strength, precision and craftsmanship were things she could admire, and she’d spent many an hour wandering the streets of Ardensville and flipping through real estate advertisements dreaming of one day owning her own little patch of North Carolina. Or better yet, helping design a structure that would stand the test of time the way this house did.

  By the time they were done, she knew he liked modern kitchens. He loved the idea of a big backyard with a treehouse-ready tree and room for a rope swing. That he was already thinking about having children made her heart skip a beat – though, she kept reminding herself, it had absolutely nothing to do with her.

  As he opened the front door to leave and waved her through ahead of him, his arm brushed hers, sending goose pimples over her skin in a mad dash toward her heart. Her cheeks warmed and she stepped out with a smile.

  “Are you dating Jax Green?” shouted a young woman, a microphone in her hand which she shoved at Stacey’s face. The mic bore the logo of CW22, one of the local stations. Stacey grimaced and took a step backward.

  “No comment,” Jax responded behind her. He put a hand on the small of her back and gently pushed her forward again.

  She shook her head as other questions were fired her way and did her best not to step on anyone as she and Jax scurried for the car. She climbed in, started it up and, as soon as Jax’s seat belt was fastened, accelerated away from the curb. Only then did she release the breath she’d been holding and lean her head back against the headrest. “Wow. That was crazy. For Ardensville, that was really insane.” She laughed and glanced at Jax.

  He was staring at her, his eyes troubled. “I’m sorry about that. I know it’s not something you signed up for – you’re just trying to do your job.”

  She chuckled. “Oh please, it’s exciting. I never have this much fun. My days are usually so boring even a sneeze is a highlight.” He laughed out loud, and the unexpected sound cheered her. She grinned. “Don’t worry about me. I can handle a little media attention.”

  “You’re funny.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I can be, I guess.”

  “I didn’t know that about you.” He studied her as if seeing her for the first time.

  “Mr. Green, there are a lot of things you don’t know about me. The sum of your knowledge probably involves my playing with Barbie dolls, which by the way I have now given up for good – I was too old for them then and I’m definitely too old now. Although I may or may not have them packed away in one of the many boxes currently cluttering my brother’s spare room.”

  Jax chuckled. “Why are they cluttering Brad’s spare room?”

  “Oh, I’m living with him – at least for a little while. My landlady just up and decided to move to Florida to retire. The nerve of her – can you believe it? Mrs. Aggie Welling says she wants warm sunshine, beaches and to be nearby when her first great-grandchild is born. She’s going soft, I say.” She grinned and let her eyes leave the road for a moment to catch Jax’s beaming smile and sparkling eyes.

  “So you’re staying with Brad for …”

  “Not long. Just as soon as I get a few things sorted out and find somewhere to go, I’ll be out of his apartment and into something … well, likely smaller and much more disgusting, but it’ll be mine, all mine. And that’s what matters, right?”

  He laughed. “Absolutely. And now that you’re a realtor, you’ll have your pick of places to go.”

  “Yes, I hadn’t even thought of that. I’m still new at this realtor thing. But of course, I’ll make sure to get you the best possible deal on your dream home, whenever you find it. I may not be experienced, but I’m very determined.”

  He laughed. “Oh, I’m sure you are. I’m not worried about that at all.”

  Everywhere they went that day visiting houses, there were more and more people waiting for them. It seemed news of Jax’s house hunt had spread throughout Ardensville. By the time they reached the last one they were both exhausted, and as cars pulled up around them and folks climbed out and hurried toward their vehicle, Stacey sighed. “Are you sure you want to see this one? It’s the last on my list.”

  Jax’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, I want to see it. You went to the trouble of finding it for me and I’m not going to let a little crowd stop me. Besides, I still haven’t found one I love. I’m determined to discover the perfect place – I won’t settle for less.”

  Stacey’s eyes widened. Maybe that’s what made Jax successful and kept failure at her door – he wouldn’t accept anything less than what he’d set out to achieve. He wouldn’t stand for anything but success, whatever venture he was in. Had she accepted failure in her own life? Was it her own fault things didn’t happen the way she’d hoped and dreamed?

  She shook her head. But how could she have done any differently? She’d done her best in school, but had been forced to balance it with keeping Momma out of trouble and her own head on straight. Maybe without all that distraction, her grades would’ve been higher and perhaps she could’ve gotten that scholarship to Duke, or at least had the energy to develop a backup plan – N.C. State or Elon or East Carolina.

  Well, no point griping about it now. That was all behind her. Now she was a realtor and she had a celebrity client wanting to buy the perfect house for him. She just hoped this was it, since she had no more to show him and the crowd outside the car was getting out of control. There must be about thirty people following them at this point.

  She rolled down the window and leaned out to speak to the security guard seated in his little rectangular box just outside the gated community. “Hi, Stacey Murphy from Murphy Realty. I’m here to show 1272 Broughton. I called earlier …”

  “Lemme just check my list,” replied the guard, scratching the black beard crawling up his neck.

  She turned to Jax. “Maybe you should say something.”

  He frowned. “You mean to the security guy?”

  “No, the press. Smile, tell them it’s great to be home, sign something. I don’t know – you’re the celebrity. Give the people what they want.”

  He chuckled. “Okay, if you’re fine with it. I just didn’t want to hijack your plans.”

  “I’m fine with it.” She braced herself and climbed out of the car. Jax exited the other side of the vehicle and was immediately sur
rounded by noisy fans and media. Stacey noticed, not for the first time, that most of his fans seemed to be young women in their twenties. She frowned – there was definitely a theme. Jax gave the nearest camera pointed at him the spiel she’d suggested. Her heart swelled a little with pride – he’d taken her advice. Generally speaking, people didn’t listen to her. This was something new and she liked it.

  When he turned back toward the car, a young woman tugged his arm and pointed to Stacey. “Is she your girlfriend?”

  Jax frowned. “Uh, what?”

  The others joined in now. “Yeah, are you dating?” “Are you single?” “Would you go out with me?” Their staccato questions seemed to overwhelm Jax. He stumbled a few steps back as they descended on him.

  Stacey shook her head and hurried to help him. She looped her arm through his and shot the women as smug a look as she could muster. “Yes, of course we’re dating. He’s taken, ladies!” She opened the passenger door and helped him into the car, then hurried around to her side and jumped back in. She looked over her shoulder at the disappointed faces and empty stares and chuckled. “I think I’ve broken a few hearts. Sorry about that.”

  “No, that’s great. Look, they’re already leaving. I think that’s just what they needed to hear to leave us alone.”

  The guard opened the gate for them and Stacey drove through, leaving the dissipating crowd behind them.

  6

  “This is the one? Are you sure?”

  Jax nodded at Stacey, his smile widening. “Yep, I’m sure. It just feels like home, doesn’t it?”

  She grinned. “It’s not about what I think …”

  “I value your opinion.”

  “Well … I think it has a real warmth to it. I could imagine living here. Well, maybe in my wildest dreams. And only if I’d managed to steal it from its rightful owners and lock them in the basement.” She chuckled, then saw the concerned look on Jax’s face. “Sorry. I forget some people aren’t used to my twisted sense of humor.”

  He laughed. “I was just thinking that I’ve never met a woman with the same wacky sense of humor as me. I’m always trying to hold my tongue so I don’t offend people, but you just come out and say it. I can’t tell you how refreshing that is.”

  Stacey’s heart swelled. She didn’t usually get that response – most of the time people seemed put off by her humor. “So does this mean you want to make an offer? Er … on the house, I mean.”

  “Yes, it does. I don’t have much time before I have to get back to Atlanta and I want to have the purchase underway before I go.”

  Stacey called the owner and gave them Jax’s offer. By the time she was done, Jax had wandered into the backyard. The oak tree he’d wanted was there, remnants of an old rope swing still hanging from one of the long, low branches. He looked sad – and thin. Had he not been eating, or were all pro athletes thin in person? She couldn’t say, since he was the only professional athlete she knew.

  Nervously, she walked out to join him. Something about him drew her in like a moth to a flame, and she had to fight it. She was a professional and he was her first real client. She wasn’t about to throw herself at him – imagine what it would do to her reputation if it was discovered she dated her clients. “Are you doing okay?”

  He glanced at her with a sad smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”

  “How are you coping with everything?”

  He crossed his arms. “As well as I can, I guess. I just wish I could have a bit more space to mourn. Some privacy, you know?”

  She nodded. “I get it. It must be so hard to go through something personal while everyone’s clamoring for your attention.”

  “I think you were right about the press – they just wanted a sound bite. Maybe they’ll leave me alone now. But those women follow me everywhere. I’ve seen the same ones at the grocery store, in the street, around the house. They just won’t take no for an answer.”

  “Hey, does your mom still have that old cabin up in the mountains?” she asked suddenly.

  Jax studied her, looking thoughtful. “I guess. Why?”

  “Do you remember how we used to go up there sometimes in high school? We fished, swam, toasted marshmallows … it was great. And very private.”

  He smiled. “That’s true. I don’t know what kind of state it’s in – Dad inherited it from his dad, so it’s old as the hills. We haven’t been there in ages. In fact, Dad wanted to take me there last spring and I blew him off …”

  “Maybe you could go up there now – remember your dad, have some fun, get away from all the attention …”

  He laughed sardonically. “I don’t know. I hate to leave Mom on her own so soon after everything. But I’ll talk to her. See what she thinks.”

  “Okay. Well, just let me know.”

  Jax grabbed her arms, and Stacey tried to ignore that his touch sent her hormones into overdrive. Maybe it would be good for him to take a trip to the cabin, to let her clear her head.

  Brad and Jax sat at a small table in a café Brad frequented. “So Stacey helped you find a house, huh?” Brad sounded as though he wasn’t sure he believed it.

  Jax chuckled. “Yes, she did. You seem surprised.”

  Brad shook his head. “No, no … well, maybe a little. She’s got the ability to be a great realtor, but she’s always fought the idea. So here’s to new beginnings, new houses and sisters who finally begin to live up to their potential.” He raised his glass of sweet tea.

  Jax clinked his own against it. He couldn’t express how much Brad’s friendship meant to him, even if they hadn’t seen as much of each other in recent years. “What do you mean she’s fought the idea? Didn’t she want to be a realtor?”

  Brad almost choked on a mouthful of tea, and Jax patted him on the back. “No, she hated the idea. I asked her to join me, because I could see she was floundering after she didn’t get into Duke.”

  “I didn’t know she wanted to go there.”

  Brad nodded slowly. “Yep. Engineering. She doesn’t tell people because she’s afraid of what they’ll think. At least, that’s what I assume, since she keeps it all to herself. But she’s really smart and energetic.”

  “Why didn’t she go to another college?” Jax’s brow furrowed.

  “She had her heart set on Duke – there was no second option for her. But her grades as a senior weren’t high enough – Dad was gone, Mom started drinking most of the time, and I basically disappeared – I couldn’t cope with it all. Stacey was trying to take care of Mom and everything else. She should’ve kept applying, or just gone to community college. But after Duke turned her down she just gave up. No one except me ever told her she could do it, so I guess she didn’t really think she could.”

  Brad rubbed his face and sighed. “So I thought she should work with me, but to her that felt like abandoning her dreams, and she didn’t want to do that. I guess she’s finally ready to accept her life as it is. But I think she’ll do really well in real estate. Sometimes we have to take what’s in front of us and run with it.”

  Jax studied his glass. He hadn’t known that about Stacey. She’d taken care of the mother who, from what he’d seen, had never really taken care of her – and given up so much because of it. She hid all the pain, heartache, grief so well behind that bewitching smile of hers. He shook his head, realizing there was a depth to her he’d just begun to recognize. He scanned the room. The coffee shop wasn’t full, but busy enough that the faint swell of music and the din of conversation required him and Brad to raise their voices to be heard.

  A woman spied Jax and sashayed his way. He fixed his eyes on the glass in front of him and shook his head.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Brad.

  “I’ve been spotted.” Jax wasn’t usually so anxious about being seen. He knew what it meant to be a football star and had willingly embraced it. Back in Atlanta he’d pose for photographs with fans. When the team traveled for a game, he knew it meant the spotlight, interviews, attention from th
e crowd. But being in his hometown, mourning his dad’s sudden passing, he needed to be left alone. He wanted to take some time to remember his father, to be with his loved ones, to nurse his aching heart, not be chased by women looking for a date with a celebrity.

  “Hi,” said the woman with a red-lipped smile.

  Jax sighed and turned his chair and faced her, not returning the smile. “Hi.”

  “You’re Jax Green.”

  Brad arched an eyebrow and sipped his drink. Jax guessed he was on his own. “Uh, yes. I am.”

  “I’m Sandee. It’s nice to meet you.” He shook the hand she offered him, then dropped it. Disappointment flashed across her tanned face. Her denim miniskirt hovered dangerously close to his leg and she leaned forward, her eyes fixed on his. “Would you like to get my number?”

  It was amazing to him how his celebrity status drew people right out of their shells that way. And she was beautiful, but not his type. He preferred confident women who respected themselves enough not to give their digits to strangers. “Your number? Uh … no, thank you.”

  She was already reaching for a napkin, pen in hand, and froze. “What?”

  He hated to hurt people’s feelings. Still, she should have more respect for herself – and him. “I’m sorry, Sandee. It’s no reflection on you – I just need some time to myself right now.”

  Her blue eyes widened and she stiffened as if he’d insulted her. “Time to yourself? Well …”

  “And I’m actually taken,” he quickly added, trying to let Sandee down easy. “So there’s that as well.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Brad shift in his seat and stare at him in surprise.

  “You are?” She returned to being friendly as she stepped away. “Well, good for you. Hope it works out.” And off she went.

  Brad watched her go with his arms crossed and his head tipped to one side. “I can’t believe you just turned down Sandee Haverstrom. Every single male in the county hates you right now – me included.”