“My dad. He restored it and gave it to me for my high school graduation.”
“But...but you don’t even like cars.”
“I like cars. I’m just not all gaga over them like some people,” she said, giving him a pointed look. For the life of her, she’d never understand the fascination with cars. They were a mode of transportation. A way to get from point A to point B. No more, no less.
“This is a classic.” Matt skimmed his palm over the roof as if he were caressing a lover. Gently. Reverently. “Do you know how hard it is to get one of these babies?”
“I’m vaguely aware of the difficulty.” She tossed her purse behind the blue leather bucket seat and then climbed inside. Leaning to her right, she unlocked the passenger door. Matt slid inside, holding his wrapped gift for Lily, and pulled the door closed. His large body took up a lot of space, but that didn’t stop him from shifting in his seat to check out the back.
“This is sweet,” he said with a hint of awe in his voice. “Your dad does good work. It’s pristine.”
“Hey, give me a little credit. I may not be as nuts about cars as Dad and Kayla are, but I take care of it.” After sliding the key into the ignition, she closed her door. “Do you want to know the best thing about this car?” she asked him with a sly smile.
“What?”
“It goes really fast.”
His eyes widened with wariness. “Don’t tell me you’ve got a lead foot?”
“Let’s just say I know my way around traffic court.” Kelly turned the key and as the powerful engine roared to life, she grinned. “Fasten your seat belt.”
* * *
The Richmond district was closer to the ocean and therefore was cooler and, frequently, much foggier than the SoMa district. This evening there was no fog, just a slight chill in the air that made Kelly grateful she’d chosen to wear her favorite brown suede knee-high boots and a short trench coat over her skirt and blouse. She and Matt had just walked three blocks. Street parking was difficult to find in San Francisco, which meant she’d had to circle the area four times before she’d found an open space.
“Have you considered a career in racing?” Matt asked as they climbed the brick steps to Dorie and Lily’s house near the corner of California and 21st Ave. “You’re like Speed Racer, or something.”
“Who’s Speed Racer?” she asked, unfamiliar with the odd name. “Is he a professional driver?”
Matt chuckled. “No. He’s a character from a cartoon I watched when I was a kid. He drove a cool car, had a girlfriend named Trixie, and a chimp for a pet.”
“I was a Scooby Doo fan, myself,” she said as they reached the porch. “I didn’t scare you, did I? My driving sometimes has that effect on people.”
“Oh, no.” He shook his head. “I’ve always enjoyed that chase scene in Bullet. You gave Steve McQueen a run for his money.”
Kelly smiled, tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and tried not to notice his spicy cologne. Earlier, in the close confines of her car, awareness of him had filled every pore in her body. And it didn’t help her equilibrium any that he looked absolutely delicious in his dark-wash jeans, gray pullover and black sport coat.
As Matt shifted Lily’s gift to his other hand and reached for the doorbell, Kelly admired the oval stained-glass inlay in the door as the bell chimed inside the house. She glanced at Matt and noted his somber expression.
“Everything okay?” Just seconds ago he was laughing, now he seemed apprehensive.
“I hope Lily likes the jacket.”
“She’ll love it. I think what matters most is that you’re—” She broke off as the door opened. An elderly woman with beautiful silver hair and blue eyes that were moist and red-rimmed stared at them with a somber expression on her lined face.
Were they at the right house? There didn’t seem to be a birthday party going on at this address.
“Are you Kelly?” the woman asked in a low raspy voice.
“Yes.” She looked past the woman into the large living room. Save for an orange tabby cat sitting regally on a floral love seat, the room was empty. The hairs on her arms stood up—something was terribly wrong. “This is Dorie and Lily’s house, isn’t it?”
The woman nodded and swung her gaze to Matt. “You’re Matt Scanlon. Lily was so excited...” Her voice choked as tears filled her eyes.
“What happened to Lily?” Dread closed around Kelly’s heart like a vise. She forced herself to remain calm as she cast a glance at Matt. He stood stiffly beside her, his mouth pressed into a taut line. “Is she okay?”
“The ambulance took her to the hospital about fifteen minutes ago.” The woman put a gnarled hand to her mouth and shook her head. A tear spilled down her cheek, followed by another. Her shoulders shook and then she bowed her head and let out a subdued sob.
Kelly stepped forward and put her hand gently on the woman’s thin arm. “Ma’am, can you tell us what happened?”
After several seconds, the woman lifted her head. She wiped her eyes and then reached into the pocket of her black cardigan and pulled out a crumpled tissue. After dabbing at her nose, she nodded. “Lily had an episode.”
“Was it a heart attack?” Matt asked in a bleak voice from behind her.
“I’m not sure. It all happened so fast.” The woman paused. “This isn’t the first time. Lily was in the hospital a few months ago.”
“Are you Lily’s grandmother?” Kelly squeezed the woman’s arm gently.
“No. I’m Frances Limer, a neighbor. I’ve known Lily her whole life.” Frances’s smile was tremulous. “She’s a fighter, that one.”
“What hospital did they take her to?”
“UCSF Medical Center.” Frances stuffed the tissue back into her pocket. “Dorie asked me to stay here and let you know what happened. She said she’ll call you and give you an update as soon as she can.”
“Are you going to be all right?” Kelly asked, concerned that Frances was too upset to be alone. “Would you like us to stay with you for a while?”
Frances shook her head. “I’ll be fine.” She patted Kelly’s hand. “But thank you for the offer. It’s very kind of you.” She looked at Matt, her lips, feathered with fine lines, curved in a tremulous smile. “You’re all she’s talked about since that charity game. She was beside herself with joy when you agreed to come to her party. Lily’s your biggest fan.”
“I know.” Matt’s voice was strained. “And I’m hers. She’s a special little girl.”
“That she is.” Frances’s voice cracked and she reached for the tissue again. “I hope she’s got a little more fight left in her.”
* * *
After pulling the Trans Am into her designated parking space, Kelly turned off the ignition. “You haven’t said a word since we left Lily’s house. Are you okay?”
Matt stared straight ahead. His view was a gray concrete wall with a Reserved for Tenant sign posted prominently. “I’m fine.”
Shifting in her seat, she studied his tense profile, noticing a slight tick in his jaw. He wasn’t fine—not even close. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“About what?”
“About Lily. I know you’re worried. So am I.”
“Talking about it won’t change anything.”
“It might make you feel better.” Or would it make her feel better? She hadn’t been able to get Lily out of her mind since they’d left Dorie’s house.
After an imperceptible shake of his head, he said, “I doubt it.”
“Why don’t you give it a try,” Kelly suggested.
“No. Talking only makes it worse. Trust me. I know that from firsthand experience.” He turned to look at her then, the lights of the garage spilled into the car, illuminating his face. His narrow gaze sharpened on her. She shivered. Again, he reminded her of a pirate—dark, brooding and dangerous. “The best you can do is to find something to make you forget.”
Call it a hunch, or maybe a gut feeling, but what had happened with Lily had
triggered something painful for Matt. On the drive back from the Richmond district tension had emanated off of him in waves.
“Is that what you’ve been doing for the past year?”
His brows lowered and his eyes turned to granite. “What are you talking about?”
“You were the poster boy for good behavior until just over a year ago. And then, all of a sudden, you started getting into fights on the field, partying it up with strippers and porn stars and—”
“I’ve never partied or done anything else with porn stars,” Matt said, a scowl darkening his face.
“Sorry, my bad. Just strippers, right?” She lifted her chin and met his angry gaze. “And let’s not forget groupies like Tiffany. I bet she knew all the right moves to take your mind off of whatever the hell you’ve been trying to forget.”
“Are you jealous?” His mouth twisted into a smirk.
Outraged, Kelly was left speechless. For about five seconds. “Jealous? Are you kidding me?” She pulled the key out of the ignition and opened her door. “Like I would ever be jealous of a...a bimbo like her.” With quick movements, she unlatched her seat belt, grabbed her purse and climbed out of the car. After slamming the door, she stalked toward the elevator, fuming. The nerve of the man. Jealous? Of a cleat chaser who’d undoubtedly screwed dozens of ballplayers? Not likely.
When she reached the elevator, she jabbed at the call button furiously. She heard footsteps, but didn’t turn around. Matt Scanlon could go to hell for all she cared.
“Punching that thing won’t make the elevator come any faster.” The amusement in his voice only fueled her anger.
“Shut up.” She hit the button again, for good measure and as if in answer to her silent prayer, the doors slid open. Not sparing him a glance, she stepped inside and automatically hit the button for her floor. Matt slipped in as the doors began to close. With casual grace, he leaned against the stainless-steel panel opposite her as the elevator ascended. The elevator was roomier than the interior of her car, but still, his larger-than-life presence filled it.
As upset as she was, she was affected by his powerful body, his scent, and those dark bedroom eyes of his. Damn it all. She really hated that he could get to her like no man ever had. Kelly hit the lobby button but it was too late, they’d bypassed the lobby and were heading to the sixth floor.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she leveled her gaze at Matt. “You can take the elevator back down once we get to my floor.” She paused. “And for the record, I’m not jealous of your little plaything.”
“Could have fooled me.” His cocky grin ticked her off even more. She opened her mouth to fling a doozy of a curse word at him and then it dawned on her what he was doing. Oh, he was good. He was real good. But she was better.
“Don’t think I don’t know what this is about. I’m on to you, Matt.”
His brows rose. “On to me?”
“That’s right. I was getting a little too close for comfort and it scared you.”
“I’m not scared of anything.”
“Yes, you are. You’re afraid Lily’s going to die.” She tilted her head and, seeing his suddenly stricken face, softened. Why was she picking a fight with Matt when Lily was fighting for her life? “I’m scared too,” she admitted.
Matt averted his eyes, concentrating on the elevator’s safety certificate above the red emergency button. The chime sounded, indicating they’d reached the sixth floor. The doors opened but neither of them moved.
“I’m afraid I’ll go to bed tonight and wake up in the morning and hear that Lily...” she whispered as unexpected tears welled in her eyes. Mortified at losing her composure in front of him, she fled the elevator and practically ran down the softly lit hallway. When she reached her door, her keys slipped from her shaky fingers and hit the carpeted floor with a dull thud. “Damn it,” she muttered and bent to pick them up. When she straightened she found Matt standing next to her.
For one insane second she longed for him to take her in his strong arms and comfort her. She wasn’t a woman who needed comforting often, but Lily Lovett had touched her too, and the thought that Lily could be dying right now had shaken her more than she’d realized.
“Are you all right?” Matt’s gentle tone was almost her undoing.
“No.” With a trembling hand, Kelly unlocked the door, stepped inside and hit the wall switch. Light flooded the living room, illuminating the sleek furniture that had come with the sublet. It wasn’t her style. Too stark and modern. “I could use a beer,” she said, turning toward Matt, who was still standing at the threshold. “Do you want one?”
“Sounds good,” he said, then entered the apartment and closed the door behind him.
She motioned toward the couch. “Have a seat, I’ll be right back.”
When she returned from the kitchen, Matt had taken off his sport coat and draped it over a side chair. He sat on the couch, his large frame almost dwarfing it. Kelly couldn’t help but notice the gray pullover sweater emphasized his broad shoulders and powerful arms. Rounding the couch, she handed him a beer and then moved to the gas fireplace opposite where he was sitting and turned the silver key next to the mantel. Flames spurted and danced merrily behind fake logs. Staring at the fire, she sipped her beer and then turned to find Matt’s eyes on her.
“I didn’t mean to fall apart like that in the elevator.” Moving toward the coffee table, she set her beer down and unbelted her trench coat. After shrugging out of it, she tossed it on the black leather chair next to the couch.
“It happens.” He shrugged, lifted his bottle to his lips and took a long pull of his beer. He searched her face and then his gaze traveled quickly down her body before he turned his attention to the fire.
“Not to me.” Moving past the chair she sank down on the couch next to him. “Being too soft in this business is a weakness.” With a mirthless laugh, she quoted the famous movie phrase, “There’s no crying in baseball.”
“This isn’t baseball. This is life...and death.” His words had been quietly spoken, but the dark pain in his eyes pierced her soul and at the same time triggered something else. Something she’d been wondering about even before she’d met him—the reason for his yearlong meltdown.
“That’s it, isn’t it? Someone you loved died.” The words slipped out before she could stop them and by the tightening of his jaw, it was evident she’d struck a nerve.
Maybe she was way off base, but it would explain his sudden change of behavior on and off the baseball field. The loss of a loved one could send anyone over the deep end—even someone as strong as Matt. The only thing was she hadn’t heard of any tragedy surrounding him. If someone close to him had died, it would have been all over the media—he was that big of a sports star. But there had been nothing. Not one word.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” He averted his eyes, staring at the fireplace as he took another long draw on his beer.
“You don’t have to.” She plucked at the hem of her skirt. “Lord knows I’ve been through a few things in my life that I don’t care to share with anyone.”
“Then I guess we have that in common.” He leaned forward to set his bottle on the glass coffee table. He looked around the room, and not with a lot of appreciation. “Did you pick out this furniture?”
“Hell no.” She smiled, sharing his distaste for the modern decor. “We’re subletting the place from Stacia’s godfather. He furnished it.”
“Where is Stacia?”
“On her way back from Tokyo. I think the flight she’s working gets in sometime this evening.” Kelly froze at the sound of her cell phone ringing in the kitchen. “That could be Dorie,” she said, and quickly rose from the couch. She rushed into the kitchen and reached for her purse sitting atop the counter. Frantically, she rummaged through it and finally found her phone in the inside pocket. “Hello,” she said, breathless with worry.
“Kelly, it’s me, Dorie.”
Turning, Kelly nodded at Matt, who had followed he
r into the kitchen. “Dorie, what’s going on? How’s Lily?”
“She’s stable.”
Kelly let out a relieved breath. “That’s good news. What happened?”
“Lily had some chest pain and dizziness. This has happened before so I called an ambulance. She fainted right before they arrived.”
“Was it a heart attack?” She lifted her hand and rubbed her temple as Matt moved to stand next to her.
“Part of Lily’s heart is enlarged. They’ve been treating it with medication but her doctor is recommending surgery to remove the enlargement.”
“Surgery?” she whispered, lowering her hand to Matt’s forearm and squeezing tightly. The thought of Lily having heart surgery was frightening. “When?”
“In about a month.” Dorie paused and then continued in a steady voice, “This has always been a possibility. Is it okay if I call you tomorrow? I need to get back to Lily.”
“Yes...call me tomorrow. Lily is your most important concern right now.”
“Thanks, Kelly. Tell Matt he was the first person Lily asked about when she woke up.”
“I will.”
“How is she?” Matt asked as she put the phone on the counter.
“Dorie said she’s stable, and awake.” She let go of his arm and turned toward the counter, bracing her palms on the rounded edge to try to gather her roiling emotions. “Lily asked for you when she woke up.”
“You said surgery,” he said from behind her. “Is it a heart transplant?”
“No. A part of her heart is enlarged. They’re going to remove that part.”
“That sounds serious.”
Kelly nodded and imagined a fragile Lily on the operating table. She squeezed her eyes shut as if that could block out the awful image. It didn’t work. Soon that sweet little girl would have her chest cut open and a part of her heart would be removed. People died every day from even the simplest of surgeries. This wasn’t even close to simple.
“I’m scared,” she whispered as a tear slid down her cheek. “I’m afraid for Lily, and for Dorie. But she was so calm on the phone just now.” She lifted her hand to wipe the wetness from her cheek. “How can that be? I barely know Lily and I’m a damn basket case right now.”
The Winning Season Page 12