by Anna Albo
CHAPTER 4
Allie tapped her foot and waited. She checked her watch a few times. Cavallo was twenty minutes late. She hated late. Lateness was a sign of disrespect, and she didn’t want to be disrespected. Did Cavallo think it was a joke? She’d been one hundred percent serious, and standing her up wasn’t going to go over well. Not that there was a damn thing she could do about it. Proving herself didn’t include running to Eddie every time someone treated her like crap. If that was the case, she’d be calling him every hour.
She grabbed her purse and was about to get up and leave when Cavallo whisked into the seat across from her. He smiled, a coy who-cares-that-I’m-late smile, and picked up his menu. She waited for an apology, but he perused the menu either oblivious to her rage or ignoring it. She took a long look at him, trying to avert her eyes from the way his black polo shirt hugged his chest, or how the muscles in his biceps begged to be free of the confining sleeves. He had the beginnings of a five o’clock shadow, and his short raven-colored hair was disheveled in a sexy kind of way. She’d have to tell Cate about this one.
“Did you sleep in?”
He looked up from the menu, wide-eyed and innocent. “No. Do I look well rested?”
“I’m not sure about that, but I do know that you’re twenty minutes late.”
He checked his watch. “Oh, shit, sorry.” And back to the menu.
Allie stewed but couldn’t make a big deal about it. If she had to deal with Tiffani Baker, she needed all the friends she could get.
The server came around and barely gave Allie a look. She fawned over Cavallo.
“I’m a super fan of yours,” she said, blinking her eyes several times. “I hope you guys do really well this year.”
“Thanks,” he said with a toothy grin. “So do we.”
“What can I get you?”
“I’ll have the Sigmund Special, extra white cheddar and a side of fries. I’ll have a salad as well and black coffee.”
The server turned to Allie and didn’t look up from her pad.
“I’ll have the Denver and side salad. Iced tea to drink.”
The server left without another word.
“Those teeth all yours?” Allie asked out of nowhere. The question caught Cavallo off guard.
“All but one, and I just lost it last year. Puck right in the face. They tried to save it but capped it instead.”
Cavallo scanned the room like Allie bored him. He was getting under her skin but she had to keep her wits. She needed him.
“I thought we’d talk about the Falcon Foundation,” she said, wanting to snap her fingers to get his attention back. Fortunately, he pried his eyes away from a group of women staring back at him.
“Right. Let’s do that. I’m dying to hear your plan.”
She pursed her lips. She had a plan. Sort of. She hoped Cavallo wouldn’t notice that it wasn’t exactly a well-thought-out plan. “What did you think of all the charity events held last year?”
“Where were you? Just wondering what you did before you got here.”
“Finishing up my MBA at Yale.”
He smirked. “Right. You’re smart. I forgot that. How old are you, anyway?”
“How is that any of your business?”
“It’s not, but I’m curious. What were you doing before and after your MBA?”
“If you must know, I just turned twenty-eight. And before I started college, I took a gap year and worked for the Falcons for one year when I was nineteen. After I got my degree in marketing, I pursued my MBA at Yale. Is that good enough for you, Mr. Cavallo? Or do you want to know why I’m not married with kids? I’m going to guess that’s your next question.”
“Right. Okay. About the events,” he said, appearing to be unimpressed with her scholastic achievements, “let’s just say they were all pretty lame, at least from my perspective. I think it was an opportunity for the ladies to show off how pretty they are.”
“And isn’t your wife one of those ladies?”
“Not married,” he said, pointing to his unadorned ring finger.
Butterflies flew around inside her chest for only a second before she quelled them. He’d just tried to get under her skin, and she was not going to fawn over him. “Revenue was from the event ticket sales alone?”
“Pretty much. I suggested having some prizes, maybe auctioning off a date with a player. I thought that was cool, but it was shot down.”
Allie pulled her tablet out and made notes.
“Hey, are we talking or are you playing video games?”
“I’m making notes, smarty pants.”
He smirked again. “So, you like that idea.”
“I think it’s excellent. Why didn’t they like it?”
He rolled his eyes. “It reminded them of an escort service and they didn’t think it was appropriate.”
Laugher bubbled out of Allie. “What? There must be some very insecure Falcon wives out there.”
“Sounds that way, doesn’t it? I also suggested having a raffle at the gala. It wouldn’t be hard to get some pretty fancy prizes. I figured if every player threw in some money, we could get something cool and make a bundle of cash. They said it was a lot of work.”
“Oh boy. They’re lazy too.”
“You can say that again. My final suggestion was doing a phone drive in support of cancer research and I was told that they couldn’t get the volunteers. Every other bloody team does it, why can’t we? No overhead other than some damn phones. After that I gave up and shut my mouth. I was spinning my wheels.”
“Is that when you stopped going to meetings?”
“How’d you know that?”
“Kyle told me. Kyle tells me everything.”
“I’ve been the player rep since I got here. I was the only volunteer. Before that, when I was playing in Detroit, I was involved with a lot of different fundraising initiatives. They are a top-notch organization and know what they’re doing. When I realized what a gong show this foundation was, I stepped back and decided not to waste my time.”
“I can’t do this alone. Would you be willing to take an active role again?”
“If you think you can make some changes, I’ll give you all the time you need, but I’m not prepared to make waves unless it’s worthwhile.”
The server slapped down Allie’s drink and gently placed Cavallo’s coffee in front of him along with an overflowing bowl of creamers and a stack of sugar packets to put him on a two-day sugar high. She pranced off and he pushed away the bowl and sugar, cradling the coffee in his hands.
“I’m going to think of these ladies and this foundation as a challenge,” Allie said. “If you’re with me, we can turn this around. I love your ideas and we should do them all this year.”
He tilted his head to one side. “You are nuts. They can’t be bothered to do one of my ideas, let alone all of them.”
“I think I’m quite sane,” she said and grinned. “I’m someone who wants the foundation to make money. If the consensus of this committee is to get pretty for parties, then there are a ton of parties they can attend. In fact, I can come up with a list for them and they can go to every last one of them, but the Falcon Foundation is supposed to make money so that we can donate money. We don’t even have any charity partners anymore. The foundation randomly hands out what little is collected to whatever organization that asks. It’s ridiculous.”
“I agree,” he said, sipping his coffee. “But Tiffani takes over a room and does whatever she has to in order to get her way.”
“Here’s the rub: the committee has one vote, Kyle and I share a vote, and you have a vote. If you’re with me, we have enough votes.”
Cavallo’s eyebrows furrowed. “They only have one vote?”
“Yes, haven’t you read the bylaws? The committee as a whole has one vote.”
Will leaned back in his chair and let out a groan. “I thought they each had a vote.”
Allie smiled. If he had any doubts about her, they’d all jus
t evaporated. “Nope. I’m guessing they led you to believe that?”
“Yes,” he said, shaking his head in disgust. “Bylaws? Who’s even seen them?”
“I have, and I read them too. I’ll get you a copy. So, Mr. Cavallo, do we have a deal?”
That stare again, the one she hated, the one that made her feel small.
“I side with you and I’m in for a lot of hurt from Baker and some others.”
“How long will these guys care?”
“As long as their wives are on their cases. Basically, the whole season.”
“I’m prepared to be the bad cop. I want you to put yourself in a position where you have no other choice but to side with me.”
“And how am I going to do that?”
“All you need to do is show up to the meeting next Thursday afternoon. I’m assuming you can be there?”
“Sure.”
“I’m going to make the ladies see my point of view.”
Another stare down. Allie knew she had to get used to this. “There’s something I want,” he said.
“Okay, what is it?”
“I want us to partner with Kids CancerCare. It’s near and dear to my heart, and we haven’t been able to donate much in the past, but I’d love to give them a shitload of money this year.”
“Absolutely. I’m not familiar with them, though.”
“It’s a charity that supports children who’ve lost parents to cancer. I donate myself, but I’d like the foundation to get involved.”
“Let’s do it.”
The food arrived. Allie was about to dive into her sandwich when Cavallo stuck out his hand.
“What’s this?” she asked, shaking it.
“A new partnership. Let’s raise some money.”
“SO, HE’S HOT.”
“We work together. It’s not like he’s interested in me and even if he wanted to date me, Eddie would kill us both. Besides, it’s against Falcons policy.”
“You’re family, policy doesn’t count.”
Allie watched Cate fiddle with her screen. She loved the ability to talk to her friend through her computer screen, but the drawback was being able to see every last thing Cate was doing, including all the distractions.
“What are you doing? What are you looking up?”
“Will Cavallo, of course. I’m checking him out. Hmm, did you know his nickname is The Horse? That’s an interesting development,” she said with a hint of playfulness. “He got his nickname because his last name is Italian for horse. I wonder what kind of horsepower he has. I bet he’s one horse you’d like to ride. Maybe I shouldn’t beat a dead horse. Okay, I’ll stop horsing around.”
Allie blinked a few times. “Are you finished now?”
Cate burst into laughter. “I’m in a silly mood, and yes, I think I’m finished.”
“Like I said, I couldn’t chase after him even if I wanted to. And Cate, I’ve seen some of these wives hanging around. I don’t compare. Not even a little.”
“I think you’re gorgeous. I wish you’d date more often and wear some sexier clothes. Show off those assets of yours. Do I have to come over there and help you shop?”
“No, and my clothes are fine.”
“You’re way too conservative. You need to loosen up. You’re always trying too hard to be put together. It’s like you aspire to be uptight.”
“The minute I let go a little, I worry people will think I’m acting like my mother.”
“You’re nothing like her. In fact, I can’t believe you’re related. The two of you couldn’t be any more different.”
Allie watched as Cate became immersed in something else. “Did you know that his mom died when he was nine? Cancer.”
“No, I didn’t,” she said. It made sense, the charity he wanted to donate to. “Are you still cyberstalking Cavallo?”
“I need to know everything about him. His dad remarried when he was twelve and he has one older brother. Looks like Cavallo has never been married.”
“If you want to research him, do it later.”
“Oh, fine,” Cate said, sensing Allie’s annoyance. “So how are you going to deal with these wives?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’ll have to be delicate.”
“You can handle them.”
Allie rubbed at an imaginary smudge on her coffee table. “You know what would be nice? If these women accepted me. Even extended their friendship. So far this experience has been a lonely one.”
“You are not going to be a quitter,” Cate said, shaking her finger at Allie. “I’d kill for a job with the Falcons. Do you think I enjoy being junior, junior, junior counsel for a grocery chain? It’s boring shit.”
“I think there’s an opening with the Falcons,” Allie said, her mood lifting.
“I don’t think Andy’s interested in a move to St. Paul. He likes the action here in New York.”
“I’ve got to make friends, Cate.”
“You will. And before you know it, I’ll see you at Christmas.”
“I miss you.”
“I miss you too, but you’ll be fine. Things will get better, I promise.”
CHAPTER 5
Will got home in time for Graham and Jason to arrive. Graham had been Jason’s agent, negotiating his first few contracts before the booze and pain pills took hold. Graham had tried to get Jason back on track to no avail. He was an excellent agent with a shitty client. When Will made the big leagues, the choice to have Graham represent him was a no-brainer.
“You’re looking good,” Graham said, patting Will on the back.
“Well, even though I know I’ll make the team, there’s always that chance . . . So I made sure I was in excellent shape for training camp.”
The Cavallo family was big on giving people a chance when no one else would. Graham Stafford was green when he approached Sal and Ruth Cavallo, asking, well, begging them to represent Jason. He had no clients. He’d just started out at one of the agencies they were looking at. Only twenty-four, with little experience, he spouted off facts and his love for the game. He promised the Cavallos a lifetime of loyalty. So far, he’d kept that promise even though he’d brought Jason to St. Paul and dumped him on Will. Will surmised that Graham was just a little more loyal to his parents than he was to him.
“How are you?” Will asked his brother. Jason looked gaunter than the last time he’d seen him and that was only six weeks ago.
“Not bad.”
Will had made a deal with his parents, one he hoped he wouldn’t regret. He’d take Jason in for a few months, give his parents a break. It wasn’t the best plan they’d ever come up with, but at least no one knew Jason around town. And if he wanted to get into trouble, he’d have to start from scratch. But Will had to wonder how long that would take. Jason seemed to find the wrong crowd pretty fast.
“I thought tonight we could go out for dinner. Celebrate a new season,” Graham said, keeping a cheerful tone and trying to cut through the obvious tension between brothers.
“I’m game for that,” Jason said.
“Great. I have a potential client I want to meet with and then we can hit the town.” Graham glanced at his watch. “Yup, I better getting moving. I’ll see you guys in a couple of hours.”
The Cavallo brothers watched him leave, and Will couldn’t help but wonder how long this arrangement would last until Jason went on a bender. It wasn’t like Will could keep his eye on his brother 24/7. Hell, he’d be out of town half the time, leaving Jason to his own devices. He’d explained this to his parents more than once, but they were adamant that Jason just needed a change of scenery. A fresh start. Wishful thinking. Jason was on his fiftieth fresh start.
“Can I get you anything?” Will asked.
“You got any beer?” Jason asked, pulling up his baggy jeans.
Will remembered a time when his brother was an elite athlete, better than Will could ever dream of being. Disciplined, in control, the world at his feet, and then the back injury. Most people thou
ght it ended Jason’s career, but only a few people knew the truth. What ended Jason’s promising and lucrative career was what happened after the injury. Prescription after prescription of painkillers, then the alcohol, then mixing them together, followed by a few DUIs, the end of his marriage and finally, running out of money—at least, the money he could get his hands on. The final nail in the coffin of his hockey career were the failed drug tests. The league quietly kicked him out.
Graham had seen the signs first. He’d told Will and his parents, but they were all in denial. So Graham took Jason’s future ex-wife, Penny, aside and somehow they convinced Jason to put a large portion of his money in a few investments and a trust for the kids. Or, as Will liked to think, they locked it up. Perhaps it was the fog of painkillers and alcohol, but Jason signed his fortune away into a trust controlled by Penny and the Cavallos. He got small chunks of money here and there, but it never lasted long. Will had to admit it was the best thing Graham had ever done. Once again proving his loyalty to the family.
“You can’t drink in my home,” Will said. “Those are my rules. You know that.”
Jason’s dark brown eyes shot imaginary laser beams in Will’s direction. “You’re always so much fun,” he said sarcastically.
“The point of you being here is to get you back on your feet. Maybe find you a job. I said I’d help you do that, but you can’t show up places reeking of booze.”
“You make it sound like I’m going to drink the place dry.”
Will fought hard not to roll his eyes. “Why don’t you get settled in your room? You can shower and change.”
“Living here is going to be worse than living with Mom and Dad,” he muttered.
“Look, I’m not going to chase after you. If you don’t follow my rules, you’re out. It’s that simple. You’re where you are now because of things you did and choices you made. You’ll get no sympathy from me.”
“I know you don’t want me here. You think I want to be stuck with you?”
“You can leave, but let me remind you that you’re running out of chances.”
Jason crossed his arms over his bony chest. “What happened to the little brother I used to remember?”