by RJ Nolan
“Marina and Leo are,” Sam said. “Rhonda’s a firefighter.”
Riley could easily picture Rhonda carrying someone from a burning building. She smiled at the spirited banter going back and forth, though she couldn’t imagine any of her colleagues speaking to each other in such a manner.
A chant erupted from another table. “Darcy. Darcy. Darcy.” Beer mugs slammed against the table.
Darcy chugged directly from a pitcher of beer as her teammates egged her on.
“We’re never going to hear the end of how she saved the game,” Karen said.
“She’s got every right to celebrate,” Sam said. “That was a great catch, and it did win the game.”
You’re a good sport. While there was obviously no love lost between Sam and Darcy, she was still giving credit where credit was due.
Talk turned from the game to food, and Diane and Barb offered to take everyone’s order to the bar.
As soon as they had left, Karen got up and took Diane’s chair, bringing her opposite Riley.
“How’s your shoulder?” Riley had noticed that Karen picked up her beer mug with her left hand.
“Got me good.” Karen tugged down the collar of her jersey to display the edge of a large bruise like a warrior baring a battle wound. “But it’s okay,” she added quickly when Riley frowned.
“Talk about someone who’s going to get their ass kicked,” Marina said. “Wait until Pam gets a look at that.”
Everyone laughed except Karen. She blanched.
Riley looked at Sam, hoping she’d fill in the blank.
Sam hesitated just long enough for it to be noticeable. “She’s Karen’s girlfriend.”
Why wouldn’t she want to tell me that? Is she worried how I’ll react to her friend being gay? Riley didn’t miss the irony in that but had no intention of outing herself in front of Sam’s friends.
Karen darted a glance at Sam, then smiled at Riley. “So, Doc, what’s your specialty?”
Riley resisted the urge to look at Sam. As far as she knew, none of the women had recognized her, and she really didn’t want to give them any information that would make the connection to Sam and the shooting. She was sure Sam wouldn’t want that either. “Please, it’s Riley, and I’m a surgeon.”
“A surgeon. Interesting. So how did you and Sam meet?”
Sam’s hand tightened around the handle of her beer mug. “What is this, Karen, twenty questions?”
“Just being friendly,” Karen said.
Riley wasn’t buying the innocent act for a moment. Just being nosy is what you mean. “It’s fine. I don’t mind.” This was nothing compared to the overly personal questions she fielded at the events she went to with her aunt and uncle.
While she focused her attention on Karen, she was well aware that everyone at the table seemed very interested in the conversation. It was pretty clear that Sam had never mentioned Riley to her friends. “We met in the hospital where I work. There’s this really beautiful arboretum in the hospital complex where I like to go for lunch. I ran into Sam there after her physical therapy session a few weeks ago. We got to talking…” Riley shrugged. “And here I am.” She chanced a glance at Sam.
The tense set of Sam’s jaw loosened, and she smiled.
Diane returned to the table and shooed Karen out of her seat. She set a pitcher of beer on the table. “Heads up, Sam. Incoming.”
Darcy strutted over, or at least she tried. It looked more like a stagger. She stopped at the end of the table and stared down at Sam with red-rimmed eyes. “Well. Well. If it isn’t the returning hero.” Darcy snickered. “Weren’t much of a hero today—were you?” She leaned on the table and belched.
The smell of sour sweat and beer made Riley’s nose wrinkle. Her gaze bounced back and forth between Sam and Darcy.
Sam’s jaw muscles flexed. “You made a great catch. Congratulations.”
Hearing the tension in Sam’s voice, Riley wanted to cover her hand with her own but didn’t dare.
“You can shove your congratulations. I want to hear you admit I…” Darcy stabbed a finger at her own chest, “…saved your screw-up.” She teetered backward and then regained her balance. “Me.”
“Go back to your own table, Darcy,” Marina said.
“Fuck you, Marina.” Darcy smirked. “Oh wait. That’s right. That’s Sam’s job.”
Riley gasped. What? Her head whipped around to Sam.
Sam looked as stunned as Riley felt. Then, like a fast-moving storm, her face clouded over.
Darcy threw back her head and laughed. “Shame on you, McKenna. You didn’t tell your little friend about your fuck-buddy.”
Riley’s gaze darted to Marina.
Two bright spots of color stained Marina’s cheeks despite her darker complexion.
The muscles in Sam’s neck stood out in sharp relief. “Get out of here, Darcy.” She gripped the edge of the table with white-knuckled intensity.
The air around them crackled with repressed violence.
Riley’s heart pounded. She felt as if she were trapped between two raging bulls just waiting for the signal to charge.
Darcy’s gaze raked her. “You must really be hard up, McKenna. Now you’re going after the boys.”
“Leave my friend out of this.” Sam’s voice held the whip of command.
“Friend?” Darcy sneered. “Don’t you mean your latest fuck toy?”
“Shut your mouth.” Sam bolted from her seat, sending her chair crashing to the floor. “Or I’ll shut it for you.” Her arm shot out toward Darcy.
No! Riley shoved her chair back and sprang up between them. “Sam. Don’t.” She grabbed Sam’s arm. It was like latching on to a granite statue.
Darcy stumbled back out of Sam’s reach.
Diane and Ann jumped from their chairs and converged on Darcy. Diane grabbed her arms and jerked them behind her back. “That’s enough out of you.”
Darcy struggled to free herself. “Get off me.” She locked gazes with Riley. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Don’t trust her. You’re just the latest in a long line of women she’s fucked. Once McKenna gets tired of you, she’ll kick you to the curb, just like she did them. You’re nothing special.”
Two women from Darcy’s table rushed over and took control of her. “Sorry,” one of them said. They hustled her out of the room.
Riley could feel the waves of anger radiating off Sam and hear the harsh cadence of her breathing. She let go of her arm. You did it again. You should’ve let Sam handle Darcy.
The reaction had been instinctive. She wouldn’t stand by and see Sam get into a fight while protecting her. Chancing a glance at Sam, she winced at the anger that still blazed across her face. Riley slumped into her chair and then looked around the table. Everyone avoided her gaze, except Rhonda, who gave her a rueful smile.
“Don’t listen to her. Darcy is a mean drunk.”
Sam righted her chair but didn’t sit down. She put her hand on Marina’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, mi amiga.”
“Not your fault,” Marina said.
Sam pulled out her wallet and handed several bills to Marina. “Pay for our food. And tell Louise I’ll settle up with her on Monday.”
Marina nodded.
“Come on, Riley,” Sam said. “Let’s get out of here.”
Riley stared at her. She had so many questions. Was anything Darcy had said true? Was Sam gay? From the look on Sam’s face, Riley didn’t think she would be getting any answers today.
“Wait, Sam.” Karen stood and came around the table. “Don’t go. Darcy’s an ass. We all know that. Stay and eat.” She put a hand on Sam’s arm.
Stone-faced, Sam stared down at the hand on her arm until Karen pulled it back.
Karen turned to Riley. “It was nice to meet you. Sorry about Darcy. She’s a real bitch when she drinks.” She offered her left hand. “Thanks again for checking out my shoulder. I promise I’ll get it looked at.”
Riley took Karen’s hand and smiled. “I
was happy to help.” Should I offer to stay? Her gaze darted to Sam. Her eyes were silver, and a muscle in her cheek twitched. Guess not. She waved at the women, then followed Sam toward the door. Keenly aware of all the eyes on them, she held her head high.
* * *
Sam slid into the driver’s seat and slammed the door. Unbelievable. She outed me. While her fury at Darcy raged, a portion of her anger was at herself. I should’ve told Riley before now. Sam wasn’t quite sure why she hadn’t; she had never been one to hide her sexual orientation. She shook her head as the rest of what Darcy had said reverberated through her head. The thought of how Riley and Marina had been treated made Sam’s anger flare anew. That fucking bitch! Her hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly it creaked. Get control of yourself and deal with this.
Sam glanced over at Riley to find her staring out the passenger side window. She could only see her face in profile, but there was no mistaking the slump of her shoulders. “I’m really sorry about what happened.” And that you had to find out like this.
Riley turned to face her, her expression unreadable.
“I should’ve said something before. I just…” Sam shrugged. Was this the end of their friendship?
Usually, she was quick to write off anyone who wasn’t comfortable with her sexuality. But the thought that Riley might not want her in her life anymore filled her with an unexpected tension. “I…ah…hope this doesn’t change things. I mean, you knowing I’m gay.”
“Sam—”
“I should’ve told you up front.” Sam focused on a spot beyond the windshield; she didn’t want to see the disapproval on Riley’s face if she rejected her. “It was just with everything—” Soft fingers pressed against her lips, stopping her mid-ramble.
“I’m gay too, Sam.”
What? Gay? Sam stared open-mouthed at Riley. It took her several moments to regain her composure. When she did, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind, “How can you be gay? You had a boyfriend.” She winced as soon as the words left her mouth.
“And no gay woman has ever had a boyfriend?”
“I just mean… I thought… You’re really gay?” She barely managed to keep from adding, “Are you sure?”
Riley nodded. “It’s a long story about Keith. But yes, I’m gay.” Then, as if she had heard the unspoken question, she added, “Yes. I’m sure.”
Sam flushed and scrubbed her hands over her face. A million questions were running through her head, but one thing kept repeating itself over and over: she’s gay! Why that bit of information sparked such a strong reaction she wasn’t willing to contemplate at the moment. “We need to talk.”
Riley put her hand on Sam’s arm. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll trade you my long story about Keith for your story about Darcy.”
Sam scowled at the mention of Darcy. She deserves an explanation after what Darcy said to her. “Okay. Deal.”
“Good. Your place or mine?”
What! The blush that had just begun to fade roared back. She didn’t mean it like that. But everything that Sam had assumed about Riley had changed with her admission. It was going to take some getting used to.
Riley laughed. “Do you want to talk at your place or mine? I’m not really up to going to a restaurant.”
“Okay.” A brief flash of Riley’s sterile condo passed through Sam’s mind, making the decision for her. “My place, then. How about Chinese? The place we went to before is near my apartment and has takeout.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Would you grab the takeout menu in the glove box, please? They’re fast. If we call now, it’ll be ready by the time we get there.”
Riley opened the glove box and rummaged for the menu. “Maybe we could get a bottle of wine too?”
“Chinese and wine. You’ve got it.” Sam started the car, then glanced at Riley from under half-lidded eyes. She’s gay. Shaking her head, she put the car in gear and proceeded out of the parking lot. The evening had certainly taken an unexpected turn.
Chapter 27
Sam put the key into the lock of her apartment door but didn’t turn it. “My place is nothing fancy.” She blew out a breath as she unlocked the door. “But it’s home.”
If she isn’t comfortable with me here, why didn’t she just pick my place when I gave her the choice? Riley wasn’t sure whether she should be insulted.
“I really hadn’t planned on having anyone over.” Sam pushed the door open. “Don’t mind the mess.”
Riley followed her inside and glanced around the apartment. In sharp contrast to her condo, Sam’s living room had a comfortable, lived-in look with a book and several magazines on the coffee table, a pair of cross trainers on the floor near the couch, and a very large dog bed in the corner. She never mentioned having a dog. Riley tensed, listening for any indication that a dog was present.
Sam took their food into what Riley assumed was the kitchen. She returned with two plates and set them on the small dinette table adjacent to the kitchen. “I’m going to grab a quick shower before we eat.” Sam’s nose wrinkled. “I stink. It’ll just take me a few minutes. Can I get you something to drink?”
“I’m fine. Thanks.”
“Okay. Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.” Sam strode toward the hallway.
“Uh, Sam,” Riley said before she disappeared from sight.
Sam stopped and turned back.
“Will your dog be okay with me here?”
“Dog?”
Riley pointed toward the dog bed.
“Oh. I don’t have a dog. That’s for Jess’s dog, Thor, when he visits.” Sam’s brow furrowed. “You don’t like dogs?”
“I do in theory. My folks were going to get me a dog for my tenth birthday, but then… Well, you know what happened with them. My aunt dislikes animals of any kind, so I’ve never been around dogs.”
“Well, then I’ll have to introduce you to Thor. He’s a great dog.”
“Is he friendly?”
That little half smirk that Riley was becoming wary of made an appearance. “Oh, yeah. He’s just a big baby.”
What wasn’t she saying? Riley mentally shrugged. It didn’t matter. Knowing the way Jess felt about her, the chances of her ever meeting Jess’s dog were slim to none. “Get your shower.”
“Okay. I’ll be quick.” Sam motioned toward the couch. “Have a seat.”
Riley settled on the couch and sighed as she sank into the overstuffed cushions.
Instead of heading down the hall, Sam once again went into the kitchen and returned with a small plate and a bottle of water. Handing Riley the plate with an eggroll on it, she said, “I know you must be hungry. This will tide you over while I grab a shower.” She set the water down on the coffee table. “If you need to use the bathroom, it’s the first door on your left in the hall.”
“Thanks.” Alone in the living room, Riley nibbled on the eggroll and checked out her surroundings. The loveseat and couch sat catty-corner to each other. She slid her hand over the soft fabric of the sofa. A big screen television hung on the far wall. The stand below it held additional electronic equipment. She spotted two framed photographs on an end table. She set her eggroll down and leaned over the arm of the couch to get a better look.
One was a wedding photograph of Kim and Jess taken beneath a rose-covered arbor. The other couple in the photo with them was older. Must be Sam’s parents. Riley sighed wistfully at the bright smiles on their faces. They must be amazing people to accept having not one but two gay daughters. Her aunt and uncle were not going to take her coming out well.
She shoved the thought away and looked at the next photograph. Sam’s parents were in this photo as well. The other couple, a dark-haired man and a petite brunette woman, were at their own wedding, under the same rose-covered arbor. The younger man in the photo was a masculine version of Sam and Jess. That has to be Sam’s brother, Frank.
It was clear that all three siblings had gotten their looks from their tall, broad
-shouldered father. Although his hair was salt and pepper in the photo, Riley was willing to bet it had once been as dark as Sam’s. Her mother was blond and had striking blue eyes, the same shade as her children’s. An unexpected stab of envy struck as Riley wondered how it must have been to grow up with such loving parents and siblings.
She looked up at the sound of Sam’s approach. She had changed into clean jeans and a dark blue tank top that brought out the blue of her eyes. Her hair, wet from the shower, was combed back away from her face. She’s beautiful. And gay. I guess that fortune cookie wasn’t wrong after all.
“Come on,” Sam said. “Let’s eat.”
* * *
Riley pushed her plate away. I can’t believe how much I ate.
“Get enough to eat?” Sam asked.
“More than enough. The Kung Pao chicken was excellent.” Riley smiled. “Guess I worked up a big appetite being out in all that fresh air.”
“Would you like some dessert? I’ve got chocolate ice cream or German chocolate cake.”
Of course dessert is chocolate. Riley smothered a smile. Why am I not surprised? “No thanks. I’m stuffed. But you go ahead.”
“I’m good. Maybe later.” Sam stood and starting clearing the table.
Riley pushed back her chair and picked up her plate. “Let me help.”
“Okay. Why don’t you pour us some wine and take it into the living room while I clean up?” Sam had opened a bottle of wine, but they had both opted for water with dinner to rehydrate.
“Sure. I can do that.”
Sam took care of the dishes, then joined Riley in the living room, settling on the opposite end of the sofa. She picked up her wineglass and fiddled with it for a moment before taking a sip. “I wanted to apologize again for how you were treated at the bar.” A scowl marred her face. “I’m really sorry.”
“That wasn’t your fault. Darcy came over to our table and went off on you. You tried to be a good sport. You didn’t do or say anything to her.”
“No. Not tonight. But we have a history.”