by Anna Sugden
Bullet sighed. “It’s been a rough week. My head’s bothering me worse than usual.”
One of the problems with concussion, especially in the long term, was the accompanying depression. Scott was no expert, but his friend didn’t sound good. “What does the doctor say?”
“Everyone has times like this. I’ll get through it.”
The mechanical parroting of the medic’s opinion didn’t ease Scott’s concern. “Can’t he give you something for when your head’s bad?” He was careful not to specify antidepressants, knowing Cam would consider them a sign of weakness.
“Yeah. I have some other pills. But they make me feel like crap.”
Scott felt helpless. “Have you spoken with Grey yet? He said he’d been trying to get hold of you, too.”
“Nah. I’ve been kinda tied up with the whole Seattle thing. I’ll reach out to him now things are settling down.”
“You’ll feel better once you’re in Jersey, where you belong, instead of out there with the weird Left Coasters.”
“For sure. Laurel will be glad to move back.”
“There’s no rush to start. Take some time to rest, then let me know when you’re ready to get motoring.”
“I’ll talk to the boss lady and we’ll figure out a plan. Sooner would be better for me, but I don’t have to organize the logistics.” His dry laugh was an improvement but still lacked the buoyancy Cam usually had.
“Any help she needs, we can give. We use a firm, Making Your Move, who can look after all that for her.”
“I’ll tell her to call you.”
By the time he hung up, Cam had started to sound more normal. But that didn’t ease Scott’s concern, so he dialed Grey’s number. When his friend answered, Scott updated him on the conversation and his worries. “There’s something in Bullet’s voice I don’t like. I’m worried he’s worse than he’s letting on.”
“Damn, I should have called him.” Grey sighed. “I’ve been busy and haven’t had a chance to track him down. I’ll try again tomorrow. Maybe if we exchange war stories, I can get him to open up. I’ll let you know how I make out.”
“Thanks, man. At least we’ll get him back in the fold soon and we can keep a closer eye on him.”
After the call was over, Scott made a note to follow up with Bullet within a few days.
As Scott got into the elevator, the sound of heels clicking on the marble floor of the foyer caught his attention. Although he knew Sapphie wasn’t coming in until later, he tried not to be disappointed when Morgan joined him.
“Going my way, Scotty?” she joked. She now had the office next to him.
It had felt strange the first few days after Sapphie had gone. He’d missed her enough without the empty office as a constant reminder that her stint with the Ice Cats was done. The number of times he’d looked up, even started to rise from his chair to share something with her, only to remember she was gone, was ridiculous. Especially since she’d been there only a short while. He’d missed talking to her, sharing stuff with her, even arguing with her.
One night after everyone had gone, he’d sat in her office, in her chair, thinking about how to solve a particularly thorny problem. The air, still faintly scented with her perfume, had seemed to clear his head, enabling him to see a solution. The next day when Doreen had moved Morgan into that office, he’d felt a crazy sense of betrayal. Then he’d gotten over himself. It was just an office, not a freaking shrine.
Still, it took some getting used to, seeing Morgan at that desk, in that chair.
He paused in front of his office to confirm a detail for tonight’s program with Morgan, then turned and stopped in the doorway.
“Sapphie?” It took a moment for him to realize she really was seated behind his desk. “I wasn’t expecting you until later.”
“That’s a warm greeting,” she teased, looking up from her laptop. “I finished up quicker than expected and caught an earlier flight.”
“What a nice surprise.” He walked around the desk to lean down to kiss her. “Hi.”
The second kiss was longer, deeper. “Welcome back.”
The third kiss practically blew his socks off and made him forget he was in an office with glass walls. He wanted to take her right there on his desk.
From her uneven breathing and the fluttering pulse at the base of her throat, it seemed she had similar needs.
Scott wanted to take her home and lose himself in her. It had been a long, lonely week. The too-brief calls each evening hadn’t been nearly enough.
Unfortunately, there was too much to do before tonight to play hooky.
He lifted his head. He should probably have eased her out of his arms, but a minute more couldn’t hurt. “I’m afraid I need a couple more hours here. But then I’m all yours. For the whole weekend.”
“I can’t wait.” Her smile said she planned to take advantage of that promise. “In the meantime, I’m going to see Issy and Sophia. We’ll all come to the game together. So should I meet you here or at the arena?”
“The arena is probably best. Call me when you get there and I’ll find you.”
She stood, bringing her body flush against his. She tilted her head, pressed a quick, hard kiss to his lips, then stepped back. “Don’t take too long.”
He laughed, his heart lighter than it had been all week. “That’s the pot calling the kettle black. I don’t suppose you were playing computer games on your laptop.”
Sapphie shut her machine down and slipped it into her case. “Not just now, but I might have indulged on the flight.”
“Yeah, right. You worked the whole way.” There was no rancor in his voice. It was what she did. Who she was. Even if he’d wanted to—and he didn’t—he couldn’t change her. As long as there was time for him, too, what did it matter?
“Busted.” She grinned unrepentantly. “But only so I’d be free for the weekend.” She slung her purse over her shoulder. “I assume you have grand plans for us.”
“I do. Starting with the game tonight, obviously.” He walked her to the elevator. “If you’re up for it, I thought we could have dinner with the guys later.”
Her eyes widened. “Go to one of the famous postgame dinners? Won’t I be intruding?”
“They all know you and you’re part of the bigger circle of family and friends.” He added honestly, “Taylor suggested it, if that makes you feel more comfortable.”
“All right.” She fist-pumped. “I’d love to come. I promise not to be too much of a fan girl.”
He leaned forward and kissed her. “As long as you don’t forget who your favorite player is.”
She sighed theatrically, hand to her heart. “Dinner with Bad Boy. A dream come true.”
“Hmm, forget the invitation.” He tweaked her cute nose.
“I’m kidding. You know you’re my number-one guy.” She waggled her fingers, then blew him a kiss as the elevator doors slid closed.
Scott sauntered to his desk, hands in his pockets, fighting a broad, cocky smile. Well, that was one for the books.
Sapphie had missed him.
* * *
“I CAN COOK well enough. I just choose not to most of the time.”
Sapphie hefted the paper bag of groceries onto her hip and followed Scotty, who carried his own bags, into his house. “I’m happy to contribute salads to our meal.”
He laughed, leading the way into the impressive kitchen filled with state-of-the-art appliances. “Hey, opening bags and taking lids off pots is cooking in my eyes.”
“I recall your offer of dinner included something about relaxing on your deck with a nice glass of wine. And being your personal cheering section as you grill the steaks to unsurpassed perfection.”
“Mock all you want, but you’ll be weeping tears of thanks from the first
delicious mouthful.” He put his bags on the butcher-block table and removed two bottles of wine, which he put in a separate beverage refrigerator. “Of course, other forms of gratitude will also be accepted.” He held his arms out for her to walk into, which she did.
“Consider this a down payment.”
The banter helped dispel the awkwardness of walking into his house. She knew his ex-wife hadn’t called it home for over a year, but his children stayed here during college vacations. So it was still the family home, and invited or not, she felt like an interloper.
She hated the feeling of not belonging. It was often accompanied by the sense of not being good enough. Though she’d left the poverty of her childhood behind long ago, times like this made her feel like the kid in the mended thrift-store clothes. The long-past—but not forgotten—feeling of being trapped by her circumstances and responsibilities bubbled up from the back of her mind, where she’d ruthlessly shoved it.
You’ve come a long way, baby. As Sapphie emptied the groceries onto the counter, she wiggled her toes in her cute suede Charlotte Olympia flats. No more hand-me-downs. Look who’s riding high on the wave now.
The mini pep talk gave her a boost of confidence. She could hold her own with the best in the business, as well as the best dressed. She could afford her own mansion, if she wanted one, complete with fancy kitchen. As for not belonging, Scotty had invited her and she’d agreed to come. She had nothing to feel uneasy about.
And she was damned if she’d allow her normally well-hidden insecurities to spoil what had been another near-perfect weekend.
Then she noticed a red stain on her blouse—something in the grocery bag had leaked. Sighing, she dampened a paper towel and patted at the mark. “I look like I’ve been stabbed in the stomach.”
“You can wash it here.” Scott led the way to the laundry room.
He plucked a clean Ice Cats T-shirt from the pile in the basket and handed it to her. “In case you want to preserve your modesty, though don’t feel you have to on my account.”
“That’s most generous of you.” Sapphie laughed as she stripped off the blouse and tossed it in the machine, then put on the soft, faded T-shirt.
It felt strangely intimate to be wearing something that belonged to him, surrounded by the clean, fresh scent she associated with him. She shoved back the unsettling thought.
In the kitchen, she accepted a glass of wine and perched on a stool at the granite breakfast bar to watch him perform his magic.
“The secret’s in the marinade.” Scotty put the steaks in a red-wine concoction, then covered them with foil. “While we let them do their thing, we can sit outside.”
He led her out to the deck. The evening was surprisingly warm for mid-October, though the sun was already setting. A light breeze brought the scent of autumn leaves and cut grass. For a few moments, they stood at the rail, sipping their wine. Sapphie leaned her head against his shoulder and he rested his temple against the top of her head as they let the peace of the evening wash over them.
Any remaining stress seeped away, leaving Sapphie feeling relaxed. This was nice. Comfortable. A lovely ending to a lovely weekend.
It had kicked off with the Ice Cats’ resounding win against Philly, followed by an enormously fun dinner with the team. She’d enjoyed being treated as one of the gang and she’d managed to avoid squealing like a fan girl as she was surrounded by her favorite players.
She hadn’t been so reserved with their lovemaking that night. The hunger that had engulfed them both the minute her door had closed behind them hadn’t abated until this morning. Plans to spend the day exploring the city had been abandoned as they’d explored each other in her bed...and other parts of the apartment. She didn’t know about absence making the heart grow fonder, but it was clear Scotty had missed her as much as she had him.
Sapphie hated to admit that she wasn’t looking forward to heading to Chicago, then Minneapolis, and another week’s separation. She’d never felt this way about a man she’d been seeing before and it made her uncomfortable and wary. She kept telling herself it was probably because they’d been in each other’s company so intensely for the past month. As she returned to her normal life and got used to not seeing and speaking to him all the time, she was sure it would wear off.
Nonetheless, earlier she’d delayed her Sunday-evening flight to early tomorrow morning so they could have this night together. Scotty’s pleasure at the unexpected change had matched her own and they’d celebrated in style.
“Your seat, my lady.” Scotty indicated the teak lounger. “I need to get the grill fired up.”
Sapphie made herself comfortable while Scotty prepared the charcoal. “I thought you’d have a gas super-grill to match your restaurant-quality kitchen.”
“You can’t beat the flavor from charcoal.” He lit the briquettes and tended the flames. “Besides, I like stuff to be simple. The kitchen was for Celine. She had to put up with crappy appliances until I started earning big money. So when we moved here, she remodeled and put in top-of-the-line everything. Hell, I’m not even sure what some of those appliances are for.”
“I’m glad you said that, because I’m not sure I recognized all of them either.”
Scotty sighed. “This whole house was for Celine. Pretty much everything about it is by her design. I often feel like I’m the one thing in it that doesn’t come up to spec.”
Relieved she wasn’t the only one who felt like that, she was also curious. “So how come you’re the one living here?”
“After we split up, she wanted to travel, so she preferred a low-maintenance place that she could lock up and leave. I didn’t care where I lived and I didn’t want the kids to lose their home, so I kept it for them.” He shrugged. “The things we do to make sure our children don’t suffer in a divorce.”
“I guess.” Since her parents hadn’t cared how their actions impacted their children, Sapphie found it a little hard to comprehend. “I’m sure if you moved to somewhere you actually liked and felt comfortable in, they’d get over it.”
“I’m thinking about it. My son doesn’t mind where I live, so once my daughter graduates next summer, I’ll probably sell.”
“What kind of house would you like?” She was curious to see if she’d pegged him right.
“Something smaller—I don’t need eight bedrooms and six baths—and also less...modern. Definitely older, more traditional. With a wraparound porch and a yard meant for enjoying with big trees and lots of color.”
Pleased to have nailed it, she couldn’t help feeling a little sad that she wouldn’t get to see him in that house. Their relationship would be long over by next summer. Although, if they remained friends... No. Somehow she didn’t see that happening.
And yet an image of the two of them sitting on that wraparound porch, watching the sunset over the old oak trees and mature garden, insisted on floating through her brain.
“Sounds lovely.” She tried to ignore the hint of wistfulness in her voice. Not appropriate. Not right.
Scotty looked at her thoughtfully. “Based on your apartment, I’d have thought this—” he waved a hand to indicate the house “—would have been your taste.”
“Nope. I’ve always preferred traditional and vintage. But my place is conveniently located, has a great view, is fully serviced and reasonably priced. It’s a rental, so I don’t have to like the style as long as it delivers what I need it to.”
“I guess. If you were to buy a place, what would you go for?”
“An apartment like Issy’s. It’s cute and homey, with nice features—wood floors and painted cabinets. Also a balcony or a patio. I love being able to sit out in the evening and enjoy the view. It doesn’t have to be of the city—Issy’s apartment overlooks a pretty lake.”
He nodded. “Somewhere that feels like a home, not just a place to live.
”
Interesting that he’d zeroed in on the thing that bothered her about both their current abodes. They were both living somewhere they weren’t happy with.
Despite the panicky feeling of being tied down, the idea of buying Issy’s apartment hadn’t gone away. Over the past few weeks, Sapphie had thought about it several times. But she wasn’t prepared to admit that to Issy, let alone Scotty.
She gave him the same line she’d been giving everyone for years, even though this time it sounded a little hollow. “I don’t have the time to look for a place, let alone buy one, decorate it, furnish it and then take care of it. I know there are people who can sort all that out for me, and maybe someday I’ll get around to talking with them. But right now, I’m happy as I am.”
“It doesn’t bother you that you don’t own your home?”
She shook her head, though the answer didn’t seem so clear anymore. “That would be too much of a commitment. I like not being tied down.”
Scotty frowned. Her answer obviously didn’t sit right with him.
Then it occurred to her that his ex had wanted somewhere with less commitment, too.
She changed the topic. “How’s the grill coming along? I’m starving.”
He grinned. “It’s about ready. All it needs are the steaks, which should be tender by now. I’ll get them.”
“I’ll start dishing out the salads and sides.” She gathered their empty glasses. “And top these off.”
“Good idea.”
Sapphie almost ran into him when he stopped abruptly in the doorway. He swore under his breath.
Startled, she took a step back. “Is something wr—”
A young blonde woman threw her arms around Scotty.
“I could smell the grill firing up halfway down the block, Dad. I hope you have two more steaks for me and Sean.”
“Hey, sweetheart.” His voice was strained. “I wasn’t expecting you until next weekend.”
His daughter? Sapphie’s stomach twisted sharply, her earlier misgivings flaring.
Scotty stood stiffly, seemingly unable to move. Meanwhile, the bubbly blonde, wearing cutoff shorts, a college T-shirt and cute sandals, turned and headed toward the refrigerator. Clearly, she hadn’t seen that Scotty had a visitor.