The Starting Line: Friends To Lovers

by Jennifer Hartley

  God, she doesn’t want to go out tonight.

  “Hailey?”

  “Hm?” she turns from staring out the window and looks back to him, his piercing blue eyes slanted in concern.

  “You’ve been really quiet. Are you okay?”

  If there’s one thing she’s good at, it’s being okay. Fine even. Nodding, she smiles, then pushes her thoughts away and focuses on the present, which is an engagement celebration party at a swanky wine bar. Although it’s wonderful to celebrate a friend’s impending marital bliss, it also reminds Hailey that she is behind the curve in most facets of her life, including marriage.

  “I know I’ve already told you this at least twice, but red is definitely your color,” Steve gives her a dimpled grin. She loves those damn dimples. His finger traces along the edge of the hem, a couple of inches above her knee, and lets out a whistle. “I’m almost afraid to take you out in public. You’re going to stop traffic with that dress! You can cause accidents! It’ll be mayhem.”

  She laughs at him, shaking her head as she playfully slaps him on the arm. “You’re incorrigible.”

  Steve parks his Volvo SUV at the valet stand and walks around to escort her inside. The weather is nice but still chilly and she wears her black coat to preserve body heat. She surveys the facade of their intended destination. The wine bar is lined with windows that open up in the summer, all warm golden light and lounge music. Unfortunately, it’s not warm enough yet; however, there is plenty of music to be heard. It’s definitely a yuppie romantic place, and it’s doing very well for itself.

  Just before they step inside, Steve grabs her hand and tugs her to him, stealing a lingering kiss before releasing her. Slowly opening her eyes, she raises an eyebrow. “What was that for?”

  “I’m not joking Hailey; you look absolutely gorgeous. And I know how you are about PDA, so I need to take advantage of this moment to get me through this evening.”

  She takes mercy on him and pushes up for a much longer kiss. When she pulls away, his eyes are still closed, and his jaw is clenched like a man in bittersweet torment. She reaches up to wipe off the lipstick and whispers, “Will that suffice?”

  He opens his eyes and nods. “Yeah, that’ll do.” He flashes her a thousand-watt smile and opens the door for her to pass through. Once inside, they remove their coats and are escorted to the main area where everyone is gathered. Oak barrels stacked high to the ceiling line the walls, custom lights, eclectic art, and high-top tables fill the space. The crowd is boisterous and bountiful, causing Hailey to tense slightly at the entrance.

  “Hey?” Steve grabs her hand, understanding her hesitation. She had to explain her slight introversion early on when they started dating. Like all things, he takes it like a saint. She thinks perhaps that he is too good for her. “Take a deep breath. I’ll cause interference when it gets to be too much. Sound good?”

  Exhaling, she glances up at him and nods, smiling at the hostess who has just recognized who Steve is and is trying not to panic.

  Jude’s clustered around a table with his girlfriend Laura, Jen, and a bunch of the guys he and Jen grew up with. They’ve all known each other since they could hold snowball fights and most attended primary school together. It’s been a while since everyone has had a reason to gather and it’s like a loud reunion with fancy clothes and overpriced wine.

  “I can’t believe you got Jude to wear a tie,” Jen pats Jude’s chest as she smiles at Laura. “This guy hates ties.”

  “Really? He wears them all the time at work. I just figured cocktail attire meant he should probably forgo the jersey tonight.”

  “You’re lucky I didn’t escort you here in the truck,” Jude replies as he glides his hand along her arm, squeezing her to him. She gives him a mock glare in reply.

  “Truck, as in fire-truck?” Jen asks as she scoops up an hor d’oeuvre and takes a bite.

  “Yes, Jude keeps threatening to show up with a fire-truck and take me out for a night on the town.”

  “Well, that’s one way to get free parking,” Jen says. “Laura, I absolutely love your shoes, did you get them…”

  They continue talking while Jude and his other buddies are comparing fantasy teams for the baseball season. Occasionally, he glances around for Hailey, knowing that she’ll be at least twenty minutes late because she hates being the first person at a party when she can get away with sliding in through a side door like she’s been there the whole time. Normally it works.

  Except tonight.

  His buddy stops talking mid-conversation when she enters because that’s what she does - halt very important fantasy sports discussions. Many heads turn her way, but she’s oblivious because she’s talking to the hostess and some guy, smiling at something, and looking mildly uncomfortable. The red dress she’s wearing is similar to the one she wore last year when they did the post-championship interview circuit. He remembers that one very well. However, this dress is cut differently with a slit, and it’s a little darker red, and her legs look great and damn, he’s staring.

  Now, Hailey is a beautiful girl. He forgets sometimes because he’s developed what he likes to think is immunity to her physical appearance. How else would he have survived being a teenager (and yes, an adult) with her? He likens it to a superhero power, which, unfortunately, has left him at this present moment. It’s like Hailey in red dresses is his kryptonite.

  “I’m sorry, did you just say kryptonite?” his buddy asks, blinking away from the bombshell that entered the room.

  “Maybe? I don’t know. Who’s that with Hailey?” Jude is immediately concerned because this is not some dorky kid she goes to school with. Of course not. Since when does Hailey date normal people? If he didn’t know any better, he’d swear that was Steve -.

  “That’s Steve Parks. He plays for the Otters,” Laura offers from beside him. “They’ve been dating since… I don’t know. January? I thought you knew that.”

  “She never mentioned his last name,” Jude sighs, trying to hide a scowl. “What is she doing with a football player? She hates football players.”

  “I think it has something to do with the fact that he’s the nicest person in the World,” his buddy offers. “He donated a ton of money to the cancer treatment center and is a big brother at the local YMCA.”

  “He helped me change a flat tire on my car last year after a game,” Laura states. “When we realized my spare was also flat, he arranged for a car to take me home that night. He’s super sweet.”

  “Apparently he still visits his grandmother for Sunday dinners when he’s in town,” Jen says. Jude frowns. Why do these people know this innocuous information about another person? Besides, none of this is helping. “Anyway, I’m going to say ‘hi’. Do you guys need anything?”

  Jude and the others shake their heads as Jen moves over to Hailey, squealing, “Damn Hailey, looking good!” Hailey is swept into a hug, squashed against Jen’s bountiful bosom.

  “That’s what I said,” Steve states in agreement. Jen pulls away and smiles big and wide, holding out her hand.

  “Jen, this is Steve,” Hailey says as she absently places her hand on his arm, while he shakes with the other, “Steve, this is Jen, the bride-to-be.”

  “Congratulations. This is a fantastic venue for a celebration like this,” he gives her his dimply thousand-watt smile, and Hailey spots the exact moment that Jen becomes smitten. If Hailey were more insecure about his affections, she’d be concerned about his ability to make women swoon. Instead, his hand falls comfortably to the small of her back, his thumb rubbing an area of exposed skin. She gives him a warning glance at which he promptly winks while Jen chatters on blithely, waving over her fiancé.

  Though she can’t see him, Hailey can feel Jude’s eyes. Not in a good way, though. Perhaps she should have told him she was dating Steve Parks. Jen laughs loudly as another couple and her fiancé join them, making jokes about riffraff and football players.

  Sighing inwardly, Hailey glances longingly at th
e bar on the opposite side of the room. This is going to be a long night.

  By the time she finally makes it over to a corner that seems somewhat tame, Hailey feels overwhelmed. How do people find so much to talk about? It’s all inane chatter and small talk. Why must they all encroach upon her space? Steve is a pro at it, and she’s passable (especially when she’s with Jude), but after the other evening’s dinner, she feels like she needs a break from humanity. And catty bitches.

  Scanning the room, she finds Steve in a long line getting them both a glass of wine. How she made it this long without one is -

  “Here,” a glass of chardonnay is plunked in front of her. “It’s going to be at least twenty minutes before he gets over here and you have yet to drink anything.”

  “Thank you,” Hailey replies as she glances at Jude. He’s wearing a gray suit with a tie that brings out the green in his hazel eyes. “I’ve always loved that suit on you. Very dapper.” She reaches out and smoothens a wrinkle in his tie. “Is this new?”

  “What?” Jude looks down at the silk, somewhat distracted. “Uh, yeah. I think Laura bought it for me? Or maybe I got it for Christmas. I forget.”

  His tone is too clipped to be as blasé as he’s attempting. She glances up at him and knows the look on his face. She should have anticipated this. “What?”

  “Steve Parks, the Otters? You’re dating a football player! You know the reputation they have.”

  She looks up to see his eyes trained on her. “I do, indeed.”

  “And you’re okay with that? With being associated with that?”

  “No one really knows we’re together, so I think I’m good.”

  “Laura already knew you were together. So if she does, you know other people are aware of it.”

  “Your girlfriend also hangs out in locker rooms and goes to most games. She’s seen me around before. Besides, she’s also not one to gossip.”

  Jude nods; this is true. For all her nosiness, she keeps her information to herself unless it provides a necessary advantage. She’s going places, that one.

  “So you know Laura?”

  “A bit.” Hailey nods, giving nothing away, as she takes a sip of her wine. It’s heavenly. She ignores Jude’s gaze on her, not wanting to see what it holds. “This one is good, which is it?”

  “Not on the menu. I went to the main part of the restaurant and got a real drink,” he holds up his Manhattan. “This one seemed more in line with your style.”

  She smiles in thanks and enjoys her drink, both surveying the crowd. “How long have you been with Laura?”

  “Officially?”

  “Sure.”

  “I don’t know, I guess since the end of January.”

  Hailey raises an eyebrow. “How do you not know?”

  “Oh, it was when we became exclusive,” Jude swirls the whiskey around in his drink. “She’s fun. It’s nice. I’m bringing her to mom and Aunt Suzanne’s birthday party.”

  Hailey merely nods, face studiously blank. “That’ll be fun. Introduce her to your brothers and their wives. See if she passes the test.”

  Jude laughs. “She’s a tough girl. I think she’ll be fine. Are you going to make it?”

  Hailey’s eyebrows draw together as she looks up at him. “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “I don’t know,” he rubs the back of his head with his hand, which is a sure sign that he’s anxious. “You haven’t come around lately, that’s all. My family hasn’t seen you in a while. I think they don’t know what you look like anymore.”

  Hailey rolls her eyes at his guilt trip. “That is untrue, and you know it. Also, I was at the last get-together; you were not. If I recall correctly, you bailed to go down to Corden for -”

  “Yeah, yeah. Okay. You got me. Fine.” Jude watches as Steve starts to make his way over, holding two glasses of not so great house wine. “But you’re coming though, right?”

  “Yes, I’m bringing my parents too.”

  “Good, good.” Jude grins as Steve draws up to the table, easily four inches taller than him. Steve raises his eyebrows at the glass Hailey’s holding to which she shrugs and taps the top of the table for him to set it down.

  “Jude, this is Steve,” Hailey makes the mandatory introductions even though both are very aware of who the other is. “Steve, this is Jude.”

  “Nice to meet you, finally,” Steve says as they shake each other’s hands firmly.

  Surprisingly, Jude and Steve hit it off, jumping straight into male bonding conversation: sports. They chat for five minutes straight before Jude catches Hailey moving to her second glass of wine, still quiet. She’s in a strange mood tonight, and he can’t figure out why. Maybe that’s why she dressed so attractively tonight, so people would be distracted by her appearance and less by her manner. He has a hypothesis that Hailey wears clothing and makeup like armor. Knowing her feelings about large, rowdy gatherings, it wouldn’t be unreasonable.

  “Oh man, great show last week,” Steve drums the table with his large hand. “I feel like you should have your own sports show. The pair of you had a bunch of us in stitches. You play off each other well.”

  Jude smiles, appreciating the compliment. “Yeah, it would be fun, but I’m not sure if I’m ready for a more permanent thing.”

  “Makes sense, Hailey says you’re a fire-fighter now? And about five other things?”

  Glancing at Hailey who gives him a warm smile, Jude continues. “I kind of bit off more than I could chew last fall, and the past few months have been crazy. I think I need a vacation.”

  “Tell me about it,” Steve replies. “I’ve been trying to talk this one,” he nudges Hailey, “into taking a weekend trip but she’s got school, and then she’s either busy with you at the dance floor or volunteering at the dance studio or out somewhere saving the world.”

  “Ha, that’s about right,” Jude smirks at Hailey who has placed her hand on Steve’s arm and is squeezing it. She’s already got Steve whipped. Of course, it works when she does it to Jude too.

  “Before both of you can gang up on me,” Hailey states, “I believe Laura is looking for you.” She points across the room to where Laura is standing with a bunch of people he doesn’t particularly care for, waving Jude over.

  He swears under his breath. There’s a woman standing in that group that he may or may not have hooked up with last Fall. He left before she woke up. This could get messy.

  Hailey catches his hesitation and knows exactly what his problem is. “What? Too many sharks in the water?”

  “Please, contain your excitement.” Giving her a dark look, he takes a deep breath and sets his glass on the table, nodding at Steve and squeezing Hailey on the shoulder as he passes. “If you see blood drawn or slaps given, don’t worry about it.”

  “Wasn’t going to,” Hailey quips, watching as he walks off. She leans forward on the table, rubbing her shoulder against Steve’s arm. “That went well.”

  “Did you think it wouldn’t?” Steve asks, peering at her over the rim of his wine glass.

  “A little bit. Jude knows I have an aversion to your kind.”

  “My kind?” Steve smirks. “You say it like we’re mutants or something.”

  “You kind of are,” Hailey turns to face him. “I mean… remember the other day during practice when Bo broke his ankle and then the trainer went ahead and reduced it while Bo was still sitting on the bench? Without pain medications?”

  “You watched that. I did not. I most definitely do not have the stomach for it.”

  “I almost threw up afterward. How do you even…” Hailey fans herself, getting queasy just thinking of it. “It worked though, I mean… Bo’s foot was turning blue.”

  “Yeah, apparently blood flow is helpful for your appendages,” Steve whispers as he runs his hand along her very exposed back. Hailey looks up at him through her lashes, giving him a coy smile. She’s about to say something when they’re interrupted by Eric and Camille, the couple who hosted the party in the fall.


  Later, when it’s time to depart, Hailey makes a trip to the ladies’ room. As she is returning from the restroom, Jude approaches and grabs her hand, pulling her back in that direction. They stop in a small alcove when he turns to face her.

  “What’s up?” Hailey’s concerned by the serious look on his face. “Is everything okay with you two? Laura seemed fine earlier when all of us were talking after the toasts were given.”

  “Don’t worry about that, we’re fine. What’s up with you? You’re acting strange. You’re doing that thing where you get stuck in your head, and I can’t figure you out.”

  Hailey gives him a quick smile, head tilting to the side for a second. “Don’t worry about it. I’m trying to work out something, and I think I just need a break from people for a little bit.”

  He nods, watching her closely. That’s all she’s going to give him. He learned a long time ago that when she’s ready for him to know something, she’ll say it. In the meantime, he has to take what she offers. They watch each other for a few moments as he debates whether he should push further. “Are you sure?”

  Steve calls for Hailey, holding up her coat. She waves in acknowledgment and looks back at Jude, placing her hand on his wrist as she passes him. He tries to ignore the sensation her touch sends up his arm, focusing on her response.

  “Positive. See you on Saturday.”

  When she starts walking away, Jude gets a full view of her backless dress and bites his lip, debating something.

  “Hailey?” He calls out before she reaches Steve. “You look beautiful tonight.”

  She ducks her head, tucks her hair behind her ear like she does when she’s uncomfortable, then glances back up at him and replies softly, “Thanks, Jude.”