Jacobe stood. He too was dressed and ready for the interviews. “What look?”
“The look I haven’t seen since the last game of high school or college. The ‘I’ll miss this’ look.”
“Nah, man, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jacobe hid his guilt behind a grin. Those were where his thoughts were going. A year ago he wouldn’t have cared if his teammates knew he was looking to sign elsewhere. A year ago he hadn’t cared much about what the guys thought. Now he did, and he didn’t want to give them a reason to doubt his commitment before the play-offs.
He’d texted Danielle earlier and asked her to hang around to wait for him. He pulled out his phone to text her again.
Shower done. Now postgame interviews. Can you still stick around?
A few seconds later, his phone chimed.
If you want me to I will.
You know I want you to. I’ll make it quick.
J
The smiley face she sent back made his lips curve upward. That was the other good thing about being in Jacksonville: having Danielle at the games. If he did make that move, what would she say? He’d left her once and she’d understood the reasons. Would she understand this, or would she just compare him to Luke? Both thoughts felt wrong.
The postgame interviews were full of the expected questions: “How do you feel?” and “Congratulations on making that shot.” The effort he took to not look at his watch and hurry things along was staggering. He wanted to get out of there with Danielle.
“Jacobe, not only are you conquering the court,” one reporter said, “but you’re also trying to conquer the environment. Are you turning into a tree hugger?”
Jacobe laughed and shook his head. “I’ve recently had my eyes opened to a lot of the challenges threatening the river. I live and work here. All I’m trying to do is make the world a better place where I can.”
“Does this have anything to do with Danielle Stewart? Are the reports that you two are dating true?”
His relationship with Danielle didn’t have a damn thing to do with the results of tonight’s game or the play-offs. He didn’t comment on his personal life and wouldn’t start now. “Danielle and I are cool. I’ve known and respected her for years. I’m just happy to work with her to protect the river.”
Another reporter caught his attention. “You’re a free agent next year. After leading the Gators to the play-offs, a lot of teams are going to be interested in you. There are rumors of the creation of a superteam in Phoenix and that you’re on the short list of possible recruits. Do you want to confirm or deny?”
His agent must be doing a good job talking him up to Phoenix. From the comments Jacobe had gotten tonight, the word was getting out that he was considering leaving. “Hey, man, I’m just trying to get through this season. I’ll worry about what happens in the off-season after we win the championship.”
His prediction earned few laughs. Many in the crowd didn’t look convinced. Let them wonder. Until he got through this season and thought things out, he wasn’t making any hard decisions.
The interviews finally ended and Jacobe hurried out of the pressroom and back to the court, where Danielle would be waiting for him. She didn’t like hanging out near the locker room, which he could understand. She also preferred to stay away from the media, which made him more comfortable, especially since the press were starting to ask questions about their relationship. His cell phone rang. One glance at his agent’s number and he stopped to take the call.
“Eric, what’s up?”
“What’s up is that you’re the number-one trend on Twitter right now.” Eric’s voice was excited.
“I don’t care about that.”
“You should. There are so many people sharing that final shot that I’m afraid the internet will implode, which is good for you and here’s why. I just got off the phone with the Phoenix front office.”
“I thought we were keeping that quiet. I’m getting asked questions about it. Questions I don’t need right now. I’m trying to get to the finals here.”
“As you should, but are you telling me you don’t want to hear what they have to say?”
He couldn’t say that. “What did they say?”
“They want you. Bad. They realize you’ve got to get through this season, but they’ve already secured Warren Hackley and Charles Johnson.”
“Shit, for real?” Warren and Charles were two of the best players in the league. Combined with himself, the league might as well give them the trophy every year.
“Would I call you with this if I were lying? Listen, they know you can’t promise anything yet, but they’re already throwing out offers.”
“How much?” Eric told him and Jacobe had to cock his head to the side and ask him to repeat. He’d been in the league for years and made his share of millions, but even this was an offer damn near impossible to refuse.
“Now, do you want me to tell them to shove off?”
“No. Tell them I’m interested. If that’s their offer and they’re willing to wait until this season is over, then we’ll talk more. I owe all of my focus to the Gators right now.”
“Of course. You’re a good man, but also a smart man. I’ll let you know if anything changes, okay.”
“Okay.”
“And good game.”
He thanked Eric and ended the call. The remainder of the walk to meet Danielle was a blur. He liked what he had here, but, damn, you didn’t just say no to millions of dollars because you liked an area. He’d have to put the offer out of his mind until the play-offs were over. But if they actually won the finals, Phoenix might want him even more, which would only make contract negotiations easier. He was finally getting what he wanted—to be recognized as an elite player on an elite team.
Danielle was sitting in an aisle seat right near the entrance into the stadium. She was scrolling through her phone with one hand and toying with the end of her hair with the other. No cute cardigan, but she was still sexy in her Gators T-shirt and tight jeans. She looked up when he came in. She jumped up from the chair and hurried over. He gripped her waist and hoisted her up for a kiss.
“You played awesome tonight. Congratulations on the game-winning shot.”
Her chocolate eyes shining like diamonds behind her glasses, warm delicious curves in his arms and the smile on her face made him never want to let her go. A crazy thought popped into his head. “Would you ever move away with me?”
Her smile changed into a look of confusion. Then she shook her head and grinned. “Stop playing.”
“What if I wasn’t? What if I wanted to move to Canada tomorrow? Would you go with me?”
“What if I wanted to move to Mexico tomorrow? Would you go with me?”
No. The answer was immediate. He wanted her in his life, but things were going the way he wanted. If Danielle left and asked him to uproot everything, he wouldn’t be able to leave this behind.
“Forget I brought it up.” He lowered her back to her feet and took her hand in his. Questions filled her eyes. She looked like she was going to question him more, then shook her head and smiled.
“Let’s go celebrate you making it to the play-offs.” She squeezed his hand.
“That sounds great.”
* * *
Danielle rushed from her office to the copy machine. There were no sounds of paper sliding from the machine. She swore silently. The board meeting was less than thirty minutes away and they were supposed to vote on the written comments Danielle had prepared concerning the Clear Water permit to submit to the county. They were similar to the ones she’d submitted to the state, but since Liberty was on council, she needed to make sure there weren’t any potential problems. She had made copies for each member to approve—or would have if the machine was working.
Lights flashed and s
omething beeped. She pulled out the paper tray on the front, but it was full. Frowning, she looked at the warning.
Out of toner. Seriously? She checked the shelf next to the machine. The toner shelf was empty. Danielle marched down the hall to the receptionist.
“Do we have any more toner?”
She shook her head. “Sorry, we’re out. I just sent one of the interns down to the office-supply store for more.”
“Crap. I need to make copies.”
“You can try the printer in the interns’ office. It might work today.”
“Might is the important word.”
She spun on her heels and marched toward her office. She pressed all the buttons to send the document to the printer in the interns’ office.
“What are you frowning about?” Debra asked from the door.
“The printer is out of toner and I’m sending this document to the interns’ printer.”
“Don’t bother,” Debra said. “It jammed earlier and there was the faintest of burning smells. That’s why I’m here—to get you to sign off on the purchase of a new one.”
“Damn! Does anything work around here?”
“Whoa, what’s all this?” She came farther into Danielle’s office and pushed the door shut. “What gives?”
Danielle let out a long breath and plopped down into the chair behind her desk. “I think I missed a hint or something with Jacobe.”
“How?”
Danielle gave Debra a brief rundown of Jacobe’s question about her moving away with him and her response.
Debra played with the blue-tipped end of her plait and considered Danielle’s story. “Do you think he was serious?”
“I didn’t at the time. I listened to the entire postgame interview later. A reporter asked about him going to Phoenix. Jacobe mentioned when we first reconnected about the opportunity to play for a better team. What if that’s really in the works? What if he asked me that because he wants me to go to Phoenix with him if he relocates?”
“Is this the same interview where he said you two were cool?” Debra made air quotes.
Danielle fought not to flinch. She readjusted her glasses and frowned. “You’re right. I’m reading too much into things.”
She barely saw Jacobe off the court or out of the bedroom. She had expected his schedule to be busy after his suspension ended and even more so when he made the play-offs. What she hadn’t expected was the feeling that she really was in a friends-with-benefits situation instead of a true relationship. He never stayed the night, never asked her to stay with him. She came to the games and cheered for him, but then he told the media that they’re cool. She was falling in love and he thought they were...cool?
“I think your response was perfect. You’re guarding your heart, which is smart with a guy like him. Don’t let him think you’ll drop everything and follow him if he’s not willing to do the same.”
“I wouldn’t drop everything and move away with him. I don’t really expect him to do the same.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I don’t know. I think he was hinting around at that, but I’m frustrated he would even consider that when he just told the world that we’re cool. He’s still guarded with me.”
“I don’t think the issue is if he asked you to move or not. The real issue is how Jacobe feels about you. I like Jacobe a lot, but you’ve got to look out for yourself first. Don’t let him have more of your heart than he deserves.”
Debra was right. Danielle had been in this situation before. She’d thought she and Luke were serious, but when he’d gotten the offer to play in Denver he’d taken it. She didn’t begrudge him for doing so, but it had stung to discover that he hadn’t believed they’re relationship would have survived the move. If Jacobe had hinted around at her going to Phoenix, why? Was it because he cared for her? She needed answers to that before making any decision.
Her desk phone rang before she could reply. Debra reached for the door handle. “Think about what I said.”
Danielle nodded, but didn’t answer. She picked up the phone. “Danielle Stewart, how may I help you?”
“Danielle,” her mom said. “Is it true? Are you dating that Jacobe Jenkins?”
Jacobe may have hedged with the media, but she wouldn’t with her mom. “Yes, I am.”
“Why?” her mom asked. Sounding as disgusted and disbelieving as she would if Danielle had said she didn’t give a damn about doing community service. “He’s not the right guy for you.”
“How do you know that?”
“I’m no sports reporter, but I follow them enough to know he’s a troublemaker in the league. Getting in fights and sleeping around with various women. You can’t trust a guy like that. Plus, what good does he do in the community? You know he’s only interested in the environment because he’s trying to butter you up.”
“Actually, he gives back a lot.” She started to go into the various charities and organizations he donated do, but her mom cut her off.
“Tax write-offs, nothing more. Now, why don’t you call up that sweet guy you dated in college? He was a pillar in the community and much better for you.”
“Mom, you and Dad haven’t come to Jacksonville to see me in over a year. Every time you say you’re going to visit, something more important comes up. When I try to get you to pick a good weekend for me to visit, you’re doing something else and the timing isn’t right. I doubt you know who or what is good for me.”
Her mom sputtered. “Danielle, that’s not fair. We love you.”
“I know you do, but that doesn’t mean I’m a priority for you, either. So please don’t comment on my personal life.” She glanced at the clock. Ten minutes until the board meeting. “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later. I love you.”
She hung up without waiting for an answer. Already the guilt for talking to her mother that way crept up her throat. She hadn’t been disrespectful, not really, but she’d never been so blunt with her mom before. She’d hear more about that later.
Her cell phone dinged with a new email. Danielle rubbed the bridge of her nose and sighed. She should ignore it—the way this day was going any email was probably bad news. It could also be something important.
She stood and grabbed the items she needed for the meeting. She had emailed the comments to the board earlier so they didn’t really need hard copies. She picked up her phone and opened the email while walking to the door. She froze right before exiting.
Speak of the devil and the devil will rise, she thought.
An email from Luke. He still did a lot of work in the community and occasionally would toss leads for new donors or projects her way. They had moved on. The romantic feelings from college were gone.
Danielle,
I just finished the details for a trip to Malawi with the Water for Kids Foundation. Me and a few other athletes are going as part of their initiative to install wells and water filters to some of the remote villages. They mentioned having a few environmental activists come along with us. When asked who to invite, I immediately thought of you. I know you’ve always admired their work.
Trip is in early summer. Late May or early June. Check your calendar.
Luke
PS: I’ll send the list of athletes later. I know you want to know who’s going.
She scanned the email again, and then a third time. The trip of a lifetime. The Water for Kids Foundation was the same group she’d told Jacobe about that day on the boat. Not only would the trip give her the opportunity to do something she’d always wanted to do, it would probably be highly publicized and would bring greater attention, and donors, to the River Watchers.
Her heart jumped with excitement. But concern made her chew her bottom lip. Leaving the country on a trip with Luke probably wouldn’t go over well with Jacobe.
>
Maybe Jacobe will want to go.
Luke did say athletes were going. There might be room for one more.
Except Jacobe hadn’t liked the idea of a service trip when they discussed it that day on his yacht.
The office door swung open. Danielle quickly stepped back to avoid being hit.
“Oops, sorry,” Debra said. “We’re ready to start. Wait, what’s wrong now?”
“I don’t have time to say,” she said, meeting Debra’s eyes, “but believe me we will need to be seated, at a bar, with drinks when I tell you.”
Chapter 13
The conversation with Debra was the only thing on Danielle’s mind when Jacobe called and asked if she’d like to have dinner at his house that evening. For her own sanity she needed to find out where they stood. She hated to be in this situation. She’d hoped they were on the road to seriously dating until she’d seen the interview.
She parked her Jeep right outside of the garage of his two-story brick home. His house was surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery. She couldn’t see the river from the front, but combined with the wooded surroundings, his place was a perfect escape from the bustle of the city.
Jacobe met her at the door wearing a blue gingham shirt and gray chinos. “Right on time.”
He took her hand and led her through the house. Soft jazz played in the background and candles were lit throughout the house.
“What’s all this for?”
“All what?” He glanced over his shoulder at her with a teasing smile.
On the back terrace overlooking the river, there was a table set with a white tablecloth, candles and silver-covered platters. Jacobe let go of her hand and crossed to a bottle of champagne chilling next to the table.
Danielle crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. “Okay, what’s going on?”
He twisted out the cork in the champagne. “It’s all an effort to bribe you.”
“Bribe me to do what?”
“Come with me to all the away games during the play-offs and, hopefully, the semi-finals and finals.” He poured champagne into two flutes and handed one to Danielle.
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