THAT RING

by Dodd, Jillian

  The man squints his eyes at me.

  “This is the pilot who flew the plane,” I add, pointing toward the driver. “He was kind enough to bring me here.”

  “That true?” the security guard asks.

  “Yes, sir,” he says with a straight face.

  “Tell you what. I’ll call the workout facility. See if he’s in there.”

  “Thank you.”

  The man goes into a little booth and shuts the door. He’s talking and gesturing and probably telling Danny that I look like a crazy woman. He hangs up the phone and repeats the process.

  Twice.

  Finally, he comes out of his little office and says, “Found him. Proceed to the second floor.” He hands the pilot a pass.

  The pilot hangs it in his window and then says, “Is it okay if I just drop you off? I need to get home to meet my family for church.”

  “Yes, of course,” I say.

  He parks, and I thank him profusely, then get out of the car, and walk toward an entrance.

  I realize after he’s left that I can’t get inside. The door is locked.

  I lean against a concrete column, letting my body slide down it until I end up in a heap on the ground, crying. All the anger I was carrying around that was keeping me pumped up suddenly seems to have left my body. I’m now exhausted. Frustrated.

  Sad.

  And, honestly, I’m mad at myself for going.

  Danny hasn’t called me. He hasn’t texted me. He didn’t ask me how Troy was.

  He probably hates me.

  He’s probably done with me.

  He probably has been since the moment I walked out of the restaurant last night.

  I close my eyes and sob into my hands.

  A few moments later, I feel someone sit down next to me.

  “What are you doing here?” Danny asks. “And why are you crying?”

  I look up at him. Try to gauge what his expression might mean.

  “I came straight from the airport.”

  “Why didn’t you text me last night? Or call?”

  “I didn’t want to wake you. And I was … emotional.”

  “Jennifer, maybe that’s how you and Troy operated in your relationship, but around here, we care about each other, and when one of us leaves a dinner and their friends offer them their plane and everyone is worried about both them and the situation they are in, it’s customary—polite even—to let the people who love you and helped you know how you’re doing. That you’re not dead on the side of the road or something. Because when you go radio silent, the people who love you get worried and assume the worst. Then, when you do show up, it makes them kind of mad to know that they wasted hours worrying about you. That they finally got up at four in the morning and came to the stadium to work out because they couldn’t sleep. Because they worry that you’re rushing back to your ex means that you care about him more than you say you do. It’s all really inconsiderate.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m not used to checking in—with anyone. I never want to make you worry. I was so pissed off when I left the hospital that I just—”

  “That’s exactly the point when you should have called me. So that I could have shared that burden with you.”

  “Shared the burden?” I ask, looking into his eyes, the thought of it seeming so foreign.

  “Yeah, if we’re going to be a team, that’s what we’ll do. It’s like my offensive line. When I get sacked, it really doesn’t matter who missed the guy that got through. The whole line considers it their fault. They take it personally. An insult to their territory. One of them allowed penetration, which means the whole protection system is at fault. I want to share those burdens with you. I want to support you. But you have to let me. You were texting my children but not me. Why?”

  “Because I knew you were mad. And I didn’t know how to explain why I had to go. It wasn’t rational, more like a gut instinct.”

  Danny wraps his arms around me. “You should have told me how you felt. If you really do love me, you have to share how you are feeling with me.”

  “I must be messed up and not even know it,” I tell him. “I’ve never had someone to share stuff like that with. Maybe a few friends in my past, but it was a long time ago.”

  Danny hugs me. Just holds me for a really long time. He gently runs his hand across my hair, and eventually, I feel the stress leave my body, like he’s absorbing it somehow.

  “See, I can feel you relaxing already.” He holds me at arm’s length. “Tell me what happened.”

  “Obviously, when I left, I believed the situation to be pretty dire based on the news reports. And, before I took off, I called Jason. He told me that he found Troy unresponsive with a suicide note addressed to me on his desk. That his lips were blue. I felt incredibly guilty. Like, if he killed himself because of me—”

  “It’s okay,” Danny says. “Keep going.”

  “When I got to the hospital, paparazzi were everywhere. I went inside and was sent down to his room. Where—get this—I find him sitting up in bed, playing cards with Jason. And laughing. Freaking laughing! I was so mad! Jason left the room, so we could talk, but I know he could see how pissed I was.”

  “And he probably wanted you to talk to Troy alone.”

  “Yeah, that, too. As soon as Jason left, Troy told me that he wrote me a suicide note, that he’s never done that before, and that he truly wanted his life to be over. He gave me the note and asked me to read it.”

  “What did it say?” Danny whispers.

  “No idea. I was so angry that I ripped the damn note up. Told him to do what he wanted to with his life or not. That I wasn’t going to be a part of it anymore.”

  “I’m not sure if saying that to someone suicidal is a good thing,” Danny says cautiously.

  “I don’t know. I got the feeling he and Jason might have orchestrated the whole thing. The good news though is that when I was leaving, Jason told me that Troy is going straight from the hospital to rehab. All Jason really cares about is that Troy is out in time for the Vegas New Year’s Eve gig. Troy has been his cash cow, and I think he’s afraid of it drying up. Honestly, I have told Troy for years that I don’t think Jason has his best interests in mind anymore and that he should consider finding a new manager, but he disagrees.”

  “One, I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself,” Danny says. “Two, I’m sorry they put you through that. And, three, I’m glad you are back home.”

  “I promise I’ll call next time,” I tell him.

  “I thought there wasn’t going to be a next time?” he says.

  “Not with him. I just mean anytime I’m gone. I don’t want you to worry. I’m so sorry I made you worry.”

  “I love you, Jennifer. I’m going to worry about you because I care.”

  “And I love that about you.”

  November 20th

  Jennifer

  I think we all know that I’m really not an early riser. But Danny told me last night that he had to drop the kids off early at school today and would then be coming up to see me before he had to go to practice. Needless to say, I was up and getting ready before six without my alarm.

  Getting alone time with Danny is totally worth waking up for.

  I’m now back in my bed, looking sexy, my makeup purposefully natural and my hair artfully arranged to look like I just woke up, looking this gorgeous. I’m wearing nothing but a skimpy silk robe. I’m positioned on the bed in a way that both highlights my long legs and strategically shows off my cleavage. I’ve posed like this many times before for movies or photo shoots.

  But this is different because instead of pretending to be waiting for the person I most desire to join me, it’s actually happening.

  They say anticipation is half the fun, and I will admit, I’m dreaming of his reaction, hoping he will be so overwhelmed by my sexiness that he will just pounce on me.

  I hear the door to the office open and footsteps approaching.

  The do
or slides open.

  My heart is beating wildly.

  “Wow,” Danny says, his voice catching. “You look”—he strolls around the bed, observing me—“like you got up early.” He leans a knee on the bed and puts a finger under my chin. “Your makeup is very artfully applied. But the false eyelashes are a bit of a giveaway.”

  I bat them. “We didn’t get any alone time last night.”

  “Oh, I see,” he says with a smirk. “Were you thinking of having an illicit rendezvous this morning?”

  “Well, I was hoping maybe so.” Why isn’t he naked yet?

  “Hmm,” he says, glancing at his watch. “Boy, I don’t know if there’s enough time.”

  I grasp his shirt and pull him forcefully toward me. “I want you, Danny Diamond. Now. I set the scene. You were supposed shed your clothing the moment you saw me lying here.”

  “I guess I didn’t get the script.” He rolls his eyes. “And, I mean, I have workouts and practice this morning. I need to save my strength.”

  He says all of this with a straight face, and I’m not sure what’s going on until I notice the bulge in his pants.

  I realize he’s playing with me. It’s cute. And fun—now that I understand.

  It’s also different. Troy and I never teased each other. Our relationship was playful at first because that was always my personality. I liked to have fun, joke around, laugh. But Troy didn’t like it. For him, sex wasn’t about the emotional connection; it was more about the act.

  And maybe that’s why he was able to tell me with sincerity that when he slept with other girls, it didn’t mean anything to him. I’m not sure sex ever does to him. It’s just sex.

  I also think back to what Danny said. About how, with his wife, sex was orchestrated. Here I am, setting the stage. I roll my eyes at myself.

  I shrug purposefully, causing the robe to slip off my shoulder, revealing one of my breasts. “You’re completely right, Danny. And just so you know, the reason I’m awake and made up is because Jadyn asked me when I got home last night if I could meet your plumber this morning. Apparently, he’s a fan.” I lean toward him, the robe coming fully open now. “I would like a kiss though before you leave. Providing it’s not too strenuous. I mean, I might have to save my strength for the plumber. What does he look like anyway? Hot? Buff? The kind you don’t mind seeing the plumber’s crack?”

  Danny narrows his eyes at me and then pounces on the bed.

  “I’ll show you hot and buff,” he says, his lips landing forcefully on mine.

  After forty minutes of pure bliss, Danny is lying on his back, breathing heavily.

  I leap on top of him, straddling him. “We need to talk.”

  “About how amazing we are together?” he murmurs.

  “No, about me and sex.”

  He arches an eyebrow at me and smirks. “My favorite topic.”

  “I lied to you this morning. I didn’t get ready because of the plumber.”

  “I think I might have known that.”

  “Did it bother you that I got ready for you? Like that I scripted or, um, orchestrated it in my mind?”

  “Oh,” he says. “I told you that about Lori, right?”

  “Uh-huh.” I lean down to kiss his lips, my hair cascading around us. “Is that why you didn’t want to at first?”

  “I asked you to wake up early because I knew we’d have exactly an hour and a half of uninterrupted time together.”

  “Like, you wanted to talk?” I tease as I grind against him.

  “I’m going to have no stamina at practice today if you keep that up,” he says at the same time he grips my hips in his hands, guiding me. “To answer your question, you are nothing like her. Orchestrate, script, dream, plan away. This morning, when I opened the door and saw you lying there, all dolled up, it was straight out of one of my fantasies.”

  “Let’s try to fulfill another one before you leave.”

  I’m pretty sure Danny got to practice a little late this morning.

  Worth it.

  I shower off, get dressed, and go down to the kitchen. Jadyn is sitting at the island, sipping a cup of coffee.

  “What time are we supposed to meet the plumber?”

  “He won’t be around until about nine thirty. You have time for breakfast.”

  “Awesome. What are you up to today?” I ask as I open the fridge, surveying its contents. A bowl of fresh strawberries captures my attention.

  “I was hoping you might want to help me. We’re moving all the new furniture into Danny’s house today, and although I have a few key accessories, I thought you might like to help me choose some things.”

  “Oh, that would be really fun. I can’t wait to see it all come together.”

  Jadyn lets out a little chuckle.

  “Why are you laughing?”

  “You just said come together. I have a dirty mind. And I’m glad the children were gone by the time, uh, you and Danny did.”

  “Oh. My. Gosh. You could hear us?”

  “Just a little,” she says, still smirking. “Don’t worry; I turned the TV up louder. It’s funny actually. When I did the renovations on his house, I put extra soundproofing insulation in the walls of his suite. I teased him at the time that I hoped, someday, he would test it out.”

  I raise my hand. “I volunteer as tribute.”

  “I’ll let you tell him that.” Jadyn smiles at me over her cup. “If you’re done eating, let’s get a move on. Phillip has the puppies with him at work today and will be picking up the kids this afternoon. We need everything done before they get home, and all heck breaks loose!”

  We make our way over to Danny’s house just as a moving van pulls up, and four beefy men jump out. She shows them the home’s layout and then stands at the door, instructing them where to put each piece of furniture.

  “Miss Jadyn,” one of the men says, “would you like the usual setup for the boxed goods?”

  “Yes, Darrell. Thank you,” she says. “I had the garage floor cleaned early this morning, so go ahead and set the tables up there.”

  I’m standing up at the kitchen bar when a guy pops up from the other side, scaring me half to death.

  “Ah!” I screech.

  “Jennifer Edwards,” the man says. “I didn’t know you were here already, or I would have gotten my ass out from under the sink. I’m Melvin Martin.”

  He leans across the island, holding his hand out. I follow suit, and he gives my hand a firm shake.

  He gestures toward the modern, burnished gold faucet that’s he’s added to the island. “Whatcha think? Reckon my favorite quarterback will approve?”

  “It’s gorgeous,” I say. “Like jewelry for the kitchen.”

  Melvin pretend swoons. “I love that. Gonna use that from now on when I’m trying to upsell faucets. It’s not just something to bring water in, so you can wash your dishes; it’s like jewelry for your kitchen. I knew I was gonna like you. We best friends now?”

  “Of course,” I say with a laugh.

  “I know it ain’t none of my business, but are you here for Danny?”

  “Uh,” I stutter. “I’m here, helping Jadyn, um, decorate. The puppies will be back soon, so she needed me to pitch in. I’m staying with the Mackenzies.”

  “Yep. I know. Haven’t said a word about that to no one. Not even my wife. She’s a big fan, and she would be over here in a heartbeat. After what you’ve been through, you deserve a place to hide out. I gotta admit though, I believed that was all it was. You hiding out. Until I saw Danny this morning before he left for practice.”

  “What did he say?”

  “It’s what he didn’t say. It was the look of satisfaction on his face. I’m just gonna toss this out there. I got two K on his team winning the big game this year. If they do, I’ll be forty grand richer. Wife will be happy because, when I lose, it comes out of my allowance. When I win, we split it. Not exactly a fair trade-off, but it’s never been with that woman. What can I say? Been thirty-eight yea
rs, and I’m still smitten. Anywho, if there’s something satisfying going on between you and my favorite quarterback, make sure you keep him happy until after the championship game. Don’t go wrecking what he’s got going this season. For my wife’s sake. She wants new furniture for the family room, and that includes a new wall-mounted big screen for me.” He gives me a grin. “I might be smitten, but I can still negotiate.”

  I want to deny what he said is true. But the fact that he noticed Danny’s demeanor change after being with me makes me so happy that I have to bite my lip to keep from grinning like a maniac. “I’m a big fan of Danny’s, too. Was in the stands when he won his first ring. After getting to know him, I’d love to see him win a third.”

  “You and me both.”

  “That looks gorgeous,” Jadyn says to Melvin, stepping into the room to admire the new faucet. “You do good work!”

  “Thank you, ma’am. My work here is officially done. Looks like you’re about done with this project, too.”

  “Yes, Jennifer is using that artistic flair of hers to help me style it before everyone gets home. Give Mary a hug for me. I just sent her another bid request for a commercial facility here in town.”

  “Will do,” he says, heading out the front door, dodging movers along the way.

  “That big sectional goes in the family room, facing the fireplace,” she says to a couple of the movers and then turns to me just as a black streak comes barreling toward me.

  “Angel!” I coo.

  The puppy jumps up onto my leg and wants to be picked up. I oblige and let her cover my face with kisses as Phillip walks into the house with Winger on his heels. You can tell which one is already better trained. Although I have to give Angel a break. She is younger.

  “What are you doing here?” Jadyn asks Phillip.

  He responds by flexing a bicep. “Thought you might need some extra muscle.”