by Ann Everett
You change your life by changing your heart.
~ Dr. Gary Smalley
On Saturday, Maggie worked the day shift and arranged to meet Jared at his office at four-thirty. Still in scrubs, she freshened her makeup, brushed her teeth and undid her ponytail to let her hair fall loose. She kept telling herself it wasn’t a date. But no reason to be a total wreck.
Thirty minutes later, she wheeled into the parking lot and chose a space near the front door. Taking one last look in the rearview mirror to check her appearance, she continued to listen to the game on the radio. Jace made a first down and Tech was on a roll. With one minute and twenty seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Raiders trailed by six.
The commentator called the play. Grant takes the snap; fakes a handoff. Looks downfield, but nobody’s open. He’s going to run with it and gets tackled at the thirty, but it’ll be first and ten Texas Tech. The clock stops while they move the chains.
She clapped and yelled, then remembered where she was. She scanned the area to make sure no one saw her outburst, then got out of her car and walked to the door.
Once inside, she heard the game being broadcast. “Jared? It’s Maggie.”
~~*~~
He poked his head from a door in the hallway. “Hey, come on in. I’ve got the TV on. We can finish watching the game.”
She sat in one of the leather seats facing his desk. He reclaimed his and held up a bottle. “You want a beer or a soda? I have both.”
“Sure, but I can get it. Tell me where they are.”
“Down the hall and to the right.”
Watching her leave, his mind went back to the dance recital and those sexy costumes. His heart accelerated. She was a beautiful woman and didn’t seem to know it. He wondered if any man had ever told her. If Jace had.
She returned just as play resumed. When Jace ran his route, she scooted to the edge of her seat. He leaped into the air and got tackled hard. Pass incomplete. She inched forward more and rested her arms on Jared’s desk. The announcer continued.
It looked like Kansas was going to put this one away in the fourth when Waters hit Brett Stanford in the end zone and the Red Raiders answered with a three and out. But a fumble by Waters got the Raiders back in the game and now they have a first and ten at the thirty-five.
She laced fingers together and squeezed until her nails dug into skin. Jared studied her expression. Green eyes wide with excitement. Lips taut with tension. He thought how he’d like to kiss them until they were swollen from passion. She released a heavy sigh and brought him back to the game.
Kansas still in the lead, but it’ll be first and ten Texas Tech, when we come back.
“Oh my God, this is nerve-racking.” She wrung her hands.
Jared smiled. “We’ll win. Tech plays best under pressure.”
Welcome back, folks and if you’ve just tuned in, you missed a heck of a catch by Texas Tech’s All American wide receiver, Jace Sloan. And right there, the cameraman has a good shot of his parents. Next to them are Quarterback Kyle Grant’s mom and dad.
Maggie squealed. “Hi John! Hi Elizabeth!” She waved as if they could see her and Jared loved the delight in her eyes. She looked like a kid on Christmas morning seeing a new bike for the first time.
Play resumed.
It’s first down on K-State’s fourteen yard line. Grant takes the snap. K-State blitzes! Ooohh, and Grant gets slammed. Flag on the play and this is against K-State. Looked like the big linebacker Rodney Decker got Grant’s face mask and that’s a big break for Texas Tech. Ball is reset at the seven. Clock continues to tick. Grant’s in shotgun formation. Kansas is coming, he stays on his feet, pitches back to Perry and he runs it in for a touchdown! The game is tied 20-20.
Maggie jumped up and yelled.
Jared laughed again. “You get into these games, don’t you?”
“Sorry. I get excited.”
“Don’t apologize. I love your energy and wish you’d been here from the start.”
Kicker Todd Williams comes onto the field. Interesting story about Williams. He was among competitors who attempted a fifty yard field goal during half-time at Tech’s first home game. Not only did he make it and win a thousand dollar prize, he got a tryout with the team and as they say, the rest is history. So far this season, he’s not missed a field goal or extra point. Boyd takes the snap, Williams kicks it away, and it is GOOD! Red Raiders take the lead twenty-one to twenty. K-State has only seventeen seconds to score.
“That’s a crazy story,” Jared said.
“Yeah. Were you at that game?”
“Of course. I never miss a home game. Got to support my little brother.”
She focused back on the screen. “The quarterback will throw a hail Mary, right?”
“That’s all he can do. He’ll send the ball into the air along with a prayer.”
Offense is coming on the field. Official sets the ball. Wildcats get into position. Quarterback Don Waters takes the snap, drops back, pumps his arm a couple of times and fires it down field to his number one receiver Garrett Long, who has no opportunity to make the catch among Tech’s defenders. Texas Tech wins in a close one, 21-20.
She jumped from her seat, threw her hands in the air and yelled.
Jared grinned. It’d been a long time since he’d been around a girl with so much enthusiasm. Most of the women he dated lately were uptight ladder climbers, more interested in social status. “I love watching games with you. It’s like having my own personal cheerleader.”
She giggled. “Now, where are those plans?”
“I have them spread out in the conference room. Oh, and by the way, you look beautiful. I like your hair that way.”
“Really? Jace prefers it curly.”
Twenty minutes later, she relaxed in a big upholstered chair, while Jared finished his notes, logging her suggestions.
“You want to go to Joe’s and get a burger before you leave?” he asked.
“A burger? I would love a burger—and fries—and a milkshake.”
“I appreciate a woman with a healthy appetite.”
“If I told you what I had for supper last night, you’d understand.”
They walked across the street to the Café and slid into a corner booth. The waitress took their order, then retreated to the kitchen. “Thanks for your input with the hospital plans. Your suggestion to move the supply closet was perfect,” Jared said. The way the late evening sun beamed through the window and cast a golden glow on her face caused his heart to race.
“You’re welcome. Why are you staring at me like that?”
“I waited too long, didn’t I?”
She tilted her head. “For what?”
“For a chance of becoming more than friends.”
Her cheeks reddened. Clearly she wasn’t used to a man being so open in his attraction to her.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Does Jace know?”
“Know what?”
“That you’re crazy about him.”
She lost her breath and clutched her throat. “How…”
“The way you looked at him on TV. And when I mentioned your hair, you brought up how he liked for you to wear it. It’s pretty obvious.”
She shook her head. “Maybe to you, but not him.”
“He’s an idiot. Are you going to tell him?”
“No. He and I are wrong for each other and he knows that. Since I’ve been studying with him, I’ve been thinking more about what family means. I don’t have one and I want the kind you and Jace have. He isn’t ready for that. He’s still sowing his wild oats. Truth is—he may never be ready. We only have a few more meetings, then I won’t have to see him anymore and I’ll get past it. The feelings he has for me aren’t romantic, and if he knows about my attraction, it’ll make things awkward. So please promise me you won’t say anything.”
“I will if you make me a promise.”
“What?”
&nbs
p; “If you do get over your interest in him, you’ll give me a chance.”
You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.
~Sam Keen
Six more times. Twelve more hours. Maggie sat in the middle of the bed and focused on the words in her journal. She tried to convince herself she could suffer through a half dozen more meetings, but wasn’t sure she could sit in that warm, wonderful kitchen that held a thousand cherished Sloan family memories, and survive the effect Jace had on her heart.
Six more times. After that, she’d never have to see him again. And then what? Knock it off, she told the small voice in the back of her brain. However, it had a point.
Just a few more weeks before graduation. Until a couple of months ago, her future seemed in place. Now, it stretched out like a lonesome highway, taut with repressed feelings, and strained by a stupid attraction.
She’d given more thought to Zach Roberts’ offer. Although not interested in an administrative position or a relationship, there would be a job opportunity in Temple and she should consider moving. She still had her mother’s house, so relocating would be easy.
Placing her laptop across her legs, she googled the medical center. Scott-White, ranked one of the top one hundred facilities and one of the top fifteen teaching hospitals in the United States.
Maybe she’d been too hasty in her refusal. When she got to work the next day, she’d tell Zach she still wasn’t interested in the directorial situation, but was willing to consider a nursing opportunity. He could put in a good word for her and perhaps secure a straight day-shift.
She glanced at the clock. Nine-forty-five. Jace and his family were back in town by now. Jared mentioned their plane arrived at nine. Jared. Hmm. Why couldn’t Jace be more like him? She doubted the older brother had ever been a man-whore. He seemed to be like his dad—a one woman man.
“I could have been that woman,” she said to Aphrodite, as the cat snuggled against her.
Maggie didn’t want to put it off any longer. She picked up her phone and called Elizabeth to cancel the weekly dinners. She didn’t want to lie, but she didn’t want to spend any more time than necessary with Jace. Better to get it over while she had the courage.
After a conversation about the game and excitement of seeing John and Elizabeth on TV, Maggie begged off on the suppers. She managed not to lie by telling Elizabeth she needed to study for finals.
Logging off the computer, she closed her journal, crossed the room to the bureau and removed red silk pajamas. The fabric slid against smooth skin and the color red made her feel sexy. A glass of wine was a good idea, so she went into the kitchen, took a stemmed goblet from the cupboard and a bottle of Cabernet from the wine rack, then walked into the bathroom.
After a relaxing bubble bath, she dressed in pj’s and headed to the laundry room with bottle and glass in hand. Even sexy women had to fold clothes.
She poured more wine and recalled her conversation with Zach over dinner as he explained all the foods and drinks he didn’t consume. Compared to him, she was a food floozy. She laughed out loud and sipped. He’d probably want me to give up wine along with sodas, tea, lemons, meat. Lord, the list is endless.
She set down the bottle and her drink, then opened the dryer door. Like the kitchen, the laundry room was bigger than most. Whoever designed the house knew where a woman spent the greatest amount of time. If she did move, she’d miss this place. It contained more wonderful memories than the Abilene house. She could go ahead with the sale and buy something else. A new home. A new start. A new job.
Taking out the garments, she dumped them into a basket and laid the bottle of wine and glass on top. She balanced the hamper on her hip and side-stepped through the door into the living room, then plopped onto the sofa.
Even though Elizabeth had been gracious about the cancelled dinners, Maggie was ashamed. The wine eased some of that guilt. She finished off the glass and poured another. Silk pajamas, wine—music. That’s what she needed. Music.
The second shelf of the bookcase was dedicated to compact discs. She ran her finger along the titles and considered the choices. No love songs for sure. Maybe Miranda Lambert, a Texas girl with attitude. Maggie put the CD in the player and thought how she should invest in modern technology, but her old Bose system still sounded wonderful. Once the music started, she danced, sipped and sang along with Gun Powder and Lead.
When the tune ended, a slower selection started and she returned to the couch to catch her breath.
She lolled back her head and closed her eyes. She didn’t know if it was the alcohol or Miranda’s boldness rubbing off, but it felt pretty damn good. She downed another glass and noticed the bottle almost empty. There came a tap-tap-tap at the front door. Did Sarah forget her key?
Maggie looked through the peep-hole and gasped. She straightened, gathered her wits and yanked open the door. There on the porch, in the moonlight, grinning like he’d come to claim her soul, stood Jace.
She scowled. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have some crops to sow?”
“Why the hell won’t you answer my texts?” He pushed passed her.
She closed the door and twirled to face him. “Won’t you come in?” To hell with him. She felt wonderful. Sexy from the silk, warm from the wine and powerful from Miranda. “My phone is in the other room. I turned it off, so I didn’t know you were sexting—I mean texting. “Or were you sexting?” She giggled.
He tightened his jaw. “Are you drunk?”
Her tongue, thick in her mouth, worked hard to push out the words. “No, I’m fine. I’m fine as wine—that rhymed—rhymed rhymes too!” She threw her head back and laughed. “That’s funny. I crack me up.”
“Oh my God. You are drunk.”
She ignored him, walked back to the sofa and resumed folding.
Without invitation, he followed and sat next to her. “Did you see the game or have you been drunk all day?”
“I’m not drunk. I barely have a buzz. I saw some of the game. A little here and a little there,” she singsonged, pointing her finger first to one side of the room and then the other. “You made a great catch. Oh! And I saw your mom and dad on TV. I waved to them.”
He focused on the stack of clothes, then picked up a pair of bikini panties and swung them from his finger. “Are these yours?”
She snatched them away. “What’s wrong? You think lacey underwear is only for sluts?” She wagged a finger in his face. “FYI, smart girls like racy lingerie too.”
“I didn’t mean to insult you. I’m just surprised. I guess I didn’t figure you’d wear something so—skimpy.”
Her face burned. “Well, I do.” One by one, she dangled a pair in front of him and raised her voice an octave. “I have black and leopard. Hot pink and lime green. Zebra and turquoise. Oh, and let’s not forget the bras! Here’s a red one. And a black one. Please notice they’re French cups. You’ve seen plenty of those. Oui?”
He held the wine bottle up to the light. “Was this full when you started?”
“Yeah. You want some? I have more.”
He laughed. “Damn, this is a surprise. I’d been willing to bet you’d never been drunk in your life.”
“You think I’m little miss goody-two-shoes.” She poked his chest. “Well, I can drink and I can wear sexy panties and I can—I can—I can do all the other—stuff.” Her hand punctuated the air. “You’re pissing me off.” Unsteady on her feet, she straightened to full height and stomped into the bedroom.
He followed.
Lying on the bed, she stared into blank space. The room spun. She wanted to get rid of him. “Don’t you have curfew?”
“It’s Saturday. I just played a game. No, I don’t.”
Her lashes fluttered and she yawned. “Well, all of a sudden I’m tired. You need to leave.”
He sat on the opposite side of the bed, toed out of his boots, propped pillows behind his head and leaned back. “I’m not going until y
ou’re not mad anymore. I should have known after seeing you dance at the recital in those costumes you’d wear sexy underwear. Christmas is coming. Hell, I’ll even buy you some.”
Rolling up on an elbow, she rested her face in hand, then squinted. “Have you ever bought lingerie for a girl?”
“No.”
She flopped back against the pillow. “Good. Then buy me some.”
He laughed and scooted lower until flat against the mattress. “Tell me a secret while you’re drunk.”
She pulled the neck of her pajamas away from her body and peered inside the top. “I wish my boobs were bigger.”
He snorted a laugh so hard the bed shook. “Every woman wants bigger boobs. That’s not a secret.”
Her head spun like a balloon caught on a high-line. “Nuh-uh. Some women get reduction mammoplasty to make them smaller.”
“Focus, Maggie. Tell me a secret.”
“If I do, will you leave?”
“Yes.”
She remained silent for a minute, then sighed. “Since I’ve been studying with you, I’m insecure all the time. Maybe because you have such a wonderful family and I’m afraid I’ll never have one, or because you’re just so beautiful and perfect. I look at you and forget how to breathe. All I know is I’m miserable and I don’t know what to do about it.”
She waited for him to say something and when he didn’t she looked at him. His eyes were closed. “Jace? Did you hear me?”
“I’m beautiful and perfect,” he mumbled.
“Really? I bare my soul and all you get is the part about you being beautiful and perfect? Unbelievable.”
Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love.
~ Charles Maurice de Talleyrand
Maggie opened one eye. Her temples pounded. Her lungs constricted. She tried to raise her arms, but couldn’t. Opening the other eye, she lifted her head and peered at her torso. A hairy arm draped her upper body. A hand cupped her breast. She snapped around so fast, the motion wrenched her neck. On the pillow next to her, Jace slept like a baby.