Jaxon laughed. “I guess I won’t offer you a beer then.” One of the waitresses beckoned him, and he nodded. “Excuse me, guys. I’ll catch up with y’all in a bit.”
“I was sorry to hear about your injury,” Rennie said as her eyes traveled over his broad shoulders. He wore a charcoal-gray button-down shirt with decorative stitching in the same color. It was a slim fit, hugging his waist and powerful biceps. She didn’t realize she was staring until he caught her. “I… uh… didn’t catch the game, but Tyler told me what happened. Any idea how long you’ll be out?”
“Nothing definite yet.” He moved in closer when a waitress grabbed his waist, trying to get past him. “Maybe eight weeks.”
“Hey, handsome,” the pretty blonde whispered in his ear. “Nice to see you again.”
Color rose in Zach’s cheeks before his gaze landed on Rennie. He didn’t respond to the waitress. He simply muttered to Rennie, “Sorry about that.”
Rennie thought it odd he would apologize to her about another woman openly flirting with him in front of her. They weren’t a couple anymore. She was the mother of his child, but that didn’t give her a claim to him, did it? Her eyes followed the waitress, who put a little extra swing in her hips, no doubt for Zach’s benefit. “No problem. You must get that all the time.”
“I don’t really notice anymore,” he said, his voice low enough so only Rennie could hear him. He could have stepped back, but he stayed in her personal space. She could barely breathe. His cologne was subtle, but if the intent was to lure a woman in, it was working. “How’ve you been, Ren?” His hot breath fanned her hair.
“Okay.” She didn’t know what else to say. She was an emotional basket case, but she’d be a fool to tell him that. She was so afraid that her son would hate her when he learned the truth and would shut her out of his life in favor of building a new relationship with his dad.
“You look a little tired. Have you been sleeping all right?”
Rennie bit her lip, staring into his chest instead of those eyes that made it difficult to think straight. He was sending her mixed messages. He had seemed aloof, almost angry, but now he was… flirting with her? “Not really.” She hoped he wouldn’t see her admission as a sign of weakness.
“Me neither.”
She found that hard to believe. Not only did he look well-rested, he looked even more gorgeous than the last time she’d seen him. He’d gotten a haircut, and his tailored dress pants hugged him just right. They looked as though they were made for him. They probably were.
“I guess we have a lot to work through, don’t we?” she asked, finding the courage to mention the elephant in the room.
“We’ll get through it together.”
Rennie sucked in a breath. She hadn’t felt like part of a team, especially when that team included Zach Foster, in a long time. “I appreciate that.” She was glad Zach wasn’t harboring anger about their situation. Animosity, no matter how well hidden, could only hurt Tyler.
“We’re in this together, hon. As Tyler’s parents, we both want what’s best for him, right?”
Hon. He’d called her hon. Rennie tried to ignore the little flutter in her belly, but it wasn’t easy. Zach, her first love, the father of her son, was finally ready to step up and be the kind of father she’d always dreamed he would want to be to Tyler. “Yeah, we do.”
“I’m going to have a lot more time on my hands now, with the injury. Does Tyler have a game tomorrow night?”
He wanted to come to one of Tyler’s baseball games? Of course he did. Duh. She could only imagine the frenzy at the ballpark when the other parents, not to mention the kids, caught sight of him. Sure, a few of them had met him at the birthday party, but… No, she didn’t have a choice. She had to get used to it if Zach was going to be a part of Tyler’s life. “He does. I’m sure he’d love it if you could be there.”
He grinned, revealing straight white teeth that contrasted sharply with his dark tan. “That’d be awesome. Maybe we could grab a pizza after the game?”
“Um, I don’t know…” His face fell, and Rennie regretted her hesitation. If he was willing to meet her halfway, the least she could do was the same. “It’s just that he’s having take-out tonight, and I don’t like him to overdo it.”
“You’re not one of those moms are you?” he asked, chuckling.
She touched his forearm and pulled her hand back quickly, realizing it was a mistake to initiate physical contact with a man who still had the power to make her belly quiver. “Zach, Tyler has Juvenile Diabetes.”
His face fell. “What?”
“It’s okay,” she said softy, touched by his concern. “He sees a diabetic specialist four times a year, and we have the condition under control with the right amount of insulin and a strict diet.”
“My God,” he said, stepping back as he swiped a hand over his face. “I had no idea.”
“Why would you?” She could see how shaken he was by the news. “Tyler is just like every other kid. I’ve worked hard to make sure he understands that. This doesn’t have to define him unless he lets it. He may not be able to eat candy and cookies like all the other kids, and he has to eat regularly so his blood sugar doesn’t get too low, but—”
“I know,” he said, holding up his hand. “I get it. My father was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes last year.” A stricken look crossed his face. “Jesus, do you think that’s why Tyler has it, Rennie? Is it hereditary? Is it my fault, did I—”
Rennie reached up on her tippy-toes to give him a hug. She was wearing black leather ballerina flats, so the height discrepancy was huge, but if she’d ever seen a man in need of a hug, it was Zach. “It’s not your fault. Please don’t blame yourself.”
He picked her up with his good arm, burying his face in her hair. “I’d never forgive myself if I hurt him. Promise me you’ll help me with this, Ren. I really don’t wanna screw up.”
The way he held her reminded her of their celebratory hugs after a big tournament. His arm or shoulder was usually screaming in protest, but he would always pick her up with his good arm and hold her close while he whispered in her ear how much he loved her.
“I’ll do whatever I can to make it easier for both of you,” she said quietly, knowing that was the least she could do.”
“Excuse me, Rennie.”
Rennie blushed when she spotted the Griffins over Zach’s shoulder. Oh God, what they must think of her being caught up in an intimate embrace with Zach Foster? She was supposed to be hosting their fundraiser. She squeezed Zach’s bicep when he didn’t seem in a hurry to put her down. He finally acquiesced, and Rennie ran a hand over her black blazer, refolding the rolled cuff. “Hey guys, it’s great to see you.” She hugged Manny Griffin, then his wife, Shelley. “How’s Sheldon?”
“He’s having one of his better days,” Shelley said, smiling as she tried not to stare at Zach. “We were able to leave him with my parents tonight.”
“That’s nice,” Rennie said. She gestured to Zach. “Shelley, Manny, I’d like you to meet my friend, Zach Foster. Zach, these are Sheldon’s parents, the Griffins.” Friend. The non-descript word couldn’t explain a lifetime of history, but it was the only one that seemed appropriate under the circumstances.
“It’s great to meet you,” Zach said, smiling at the couple.
“Sorry about your injury,” Manny said, gesturing to Zach’s injured shoulder. “You think you’ll be back in the game by the playoffs?”
“That’s the hope, but it’s too soon to tell,” Zach said.
“It was so nice of you and your partners to offer to let us have the fundraiser here,” Shelley said. “It’s really lovely.”
Shelley was right about that. High Rollers didn’t look like any of the sports bars Rennie had ever been to. With muted neutral shades and lots of crystal and glass, it looked more like a high-end restaurant than a place where sports fans came together. They catered to a different clientele: professional athletes and successful business men. If
the rumors were true, they hosted weekly high stakes poker games in the back, and the winner often walked away with a new sports car or vacation home.
“It’s our pleasure.” Zach looked around at the crowd. “We put the word out, and it looks like a lot of our buddies came together to support the cause, so we should have no problem exceeding the goal for tonight.”
His buddies consisted of other professional athletes Rennie recognized from TV and a few well-dressed men she couldn’t identify. The flashy jewelry and expensive clothes reminded her that Zach wasn’t the same kid she’d fallen in love with, the boy hoping to play in the big leagues. He was running in circles she couldn’t mix in, not that she would want to. Just because she was the mother of his child didn’t mean they would ever have reason to socialize… except maybe with Tyler.
“I saw the list of auction items,” Manny said, gesturing to the covered tables. Burly men with black security shirts were on either end of the display to keep an eye on the merchandise, and Rennie was grateful. She didn’t want to see anything ruin the night for the Griffins. “Pretty impressive.”
“Zach deserves a lot of the credit,” Rennie said. “He and his friends really stepped up when they heard about what we wanted to do for Sheldon.”
“We can’t thank you enough.” Manny offered Zach his hand. “We know how busy you must be, how many requests you must get to help kids like our boy…”
Zach smiled and shook Manny’s hand. “Rennie and I go way back,” he said, winking at her. “If she needs something, she knows she can always count on me.”
That had been true once, but that seemed like a lifetime ago. Could she still count on Zach? Looking at him, she met his smile with one of her own. She hoped she could. In spite of the way their relationship had ended, she was beginning to like the new Zach.
Chapter Ten
“Great party, don’t you think?” Jaxon asked, leaning against the bar with a highball of scotch.
“Yeah, great.” The more time Zach spent with Rennie, the more he realized their time apart had been a mistake. Taking his eyes off her was a struggle. He still had feelings for her. Even though he wasn’t ready to define them, he knew he’d never felt that way about anyone else. He’d been angry with her, but countless hours on planes and in hotel rooms had given him a lot of time to think. He couldn’t blame her for doing what she felt was best for the person she loved the most. Their son.
“Man, you’re pathetic,” Jaxon said, rolling his eyes. “Could you be any more obvious?”
“About what?”
The cute little waitress who’d made a play for him earlier squeezed in next to Zach. “Can I get you a drink, Zach?”
He pointed at his ginger ale. “I have to stick with the soft stuff tonight, Annie. The doctors put me on some serious pain meds.” He’d only been taking half the recommended dose though. He hated the way that stuff made him feel, but he had to admit it took the edge off the pain.
“You don’t need pills,” Annie said, bumping his hip with her own. “You just need a good woman to take your mind off the pain.”
Zach smirked. Annie was a shameless flirt, which was part of the reason they kept her around. She was a knock-out, and their regulars loved her. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Too bad he’s already got somebody lined up, Annie,” Jaxon said, grinning.
Zach narrowed his eyes, hoping his friend would get the message and shut his mouth. Until he and Rennie re-established their friendship and were back on solid ground, he didn’t want to announce to anyone that he still had feelings for her.
“Who?” Annie asked, looking around.
“That hot little blonde talking to Andy.”
“Hmm.” Annie eyed Rennie up and down. “She doesn’t look like your type, Zach.”
Annie was right. Rennie was a natural beauty who didn’t have to try to be stunning; she just was. “I don’t have a type.” Zach shot daggers at Jaxon when he threw his head back and laughed.
“Man, you’ve been going for the B-rated version of Rennie ever since she left your sorry ass at the altar.”
Annie’s hazel eyes widened as she looked at Zach. “You were engaged to her? And she left you… on your wedding day? I thought shit like that only happened in the movies.”
“Yeah, me too,” Zach muttered.
“You poor guy.” Annie rubbed his back. “Trust me, she doesn’t deserve a second chance.”
“It’s a long and complicated story.” Zach wished he could give his friend a swift kick for bringing up the subject.
“Take it from someone who knows. If they hurt you once, they’ll do it over and over. Take my ex Fab. He was all sweet and nice ‘til he got what he wanted, then he was gone.”
“I thought you two we’re getting back together,” Jaxon said, winking at Zach over the rim of his glass.
Jaxon knew Zach hated it when he insinuated himself into their employees’ personal lives. If Zach’s father had taught him one thing about running a business, it was that the owner drew the line between employees and friends. Of course, his father had also advised him against going into business with his five best friends. Since they were getting ready to open their fiftieth bar, he was confident he’d proven the old man wrong on that front.
“That’s what I thought too,” Annie said, rolling her eyes. “But he stood me up again. Can you believe that?”
“Guy’s obviously an idiot.” Jaxon grinned as he took a moment to appreciate her obvious assets. “Sounds like you’re better off without him.”
“I know, right?” She flicked her long blond hair over her shoulder. “Since this guy’s already spoken for”—she inclined her head toward Zach—“you and I should hook up later.”
Jaxon was in the midst of swallowing a mouthful of scotch, and Zach enjoyed watching his eyes water as he tried to refrain from spraying it all over the bar. They were all used to aggressive women who wanted a go-round with a rich guy, but their employees had always drawn the line at harmless flirting.
“Uh, I’m busy later,” Jaxon said, smoothing a hand over the buttons lining his custom shirt. “Looks like that guy’s trying to get your attention, Annie. Maybe you should see about taking his order. He looks like a big tipper.” With a dramatic sigh, she spun on her heels, flattening her tray against her chest as she made her way through the crowd. “Man, what is it with some of these women? They think throwing themselves at a guy will turn him on?”
“Don’t know,” Zach said, lifting a shoulder. He didn’t much care about women at large. His attention was fixed on one woman. The one who got away. He wouldn’t let her make that mistake the second time around. His gut told him he and Rennie may have been too young before, but things were different. They were older and more mature. They shared a son; that had to count for something.
“So you and Rennie?” Jaxon propped his elbows on the bar and watched Zach’s ex. “You decided what you’re gonna do about the husband?”
“Don’t be an ass,” Zach said, insulted that his friend would even think he could stoop so low. “How’d you know she was married anyways?”
“She told me her last name is Alexander now. The gold band on her finger is a dead giveaway too.”
“And of course you always look for that before you—”
“I do now,” he said, laughing as they remembered the angry husband who came into the bar looking for Jaxon after his one-night stand with a woman who’d told him she was divorced.
“Yeah, well, Rennie’s husband was killed in a fire last year.”
“Jesus. That must have been rough on her.”
“Yeah, I guess it was.” Zach couldn’t think about Rennie’s husband without jealousy rearing its ugly head. He knew it wasn’t fair, but he couldn’t help the way he felt about the man who took his place in Rennie’s life, and in Tyler’s too.
“Zach, a year’s not that long. Maybe you should think twice about getting mixed up with Rennie again. I’d hate for you to be her rebound guy.”
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“Her rebound guy?” Zach could barely suppress his laughter. “Are you serious? Rennie and I were a part of each other’s lives for so long that—”
“Yeah, and then she moved on,” Jaxon said quietly. “I know that’s hard for you to accept, I’d feel the same way in your position, but that’s the way it is. She found someone who could obviously give her something you couldn’t.”
“I don’t need to hear that.”
“Too bad. I’m your best friend, so it’s my job to make you face reality whether you want to or not.”
“You don’t know the whole story.” Jaxon didn’t know about Tyler. The factor that changed everything. The bond that would always hold them together, that no one could break.
“Look, when a woman loses her husband like that, she romanticizes the way things were. She makes him out to be some hero when a lot of the time he was a big, fat zero.”
“Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.” Zach knew his friend was referring to his parents. His old man had killed himself when Jaxon was eleven. He’d been the one to find him hanging from a tree on their property, and it messed him up in ways Zach couldn’t imagine. Jaxon was guarded and jaded about love and relationships. He refused to let anyone outside of his circle of friends get too close. Zach knew telling Jaxon the truth would be the only way to make him understand that he had good reason for wanting to get back what he and Rennie had. “We have a son.”
“What did you say?” Jaxon shook his head as though to clear it. “’Cause I could’ve sworn you just told me—”
“I did. We do.”
“Oh my God. Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“When did you find out?” Jaxon asked.
“Just a few days ago.”
“Why the hell didn’t she tell you?”
Zach knew he would tell his friend the whole story over a beer one day, but that wasn’t the time or place to get into it. “Let’s just say she had her reasons.”
“Jesus, the kid must be—”
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