Practice Makes Perfect

by Charlene Groome

  He tosses it at her. His lips come together tightly. Then he says, “I’ll be right back, I think Jane left some clothes here.” He walks out of his bedroom while Meghan tries on his shirt, which fits like a nightie. He comes in with a pair of black leggings. “These should fit.” He hands them to her.

  “Okay, well, I should go, it’s after midnight and you probably need sleep seeing as you need to be rested for the game tomorrow,” she says, putting on the leggings. “I can return your clothes tomorrow. I’ll just go grab my purse.”

  “Can’t you spend the night?” he asks.

  “I shouldn’t.” She’s going to fall for him and she’s going to get hurt. He’ll break her heart like Keri said.

  “Stay. I’ll drive you home in the morning.”

  “Isn’t it morning?”

  He looks at his alarm clock. “I guess it is.” Jared walks over to her, kisses her gently on the mouth, and then guides her to his bed. He puffs up the pillow for her and then crawls in. She decides to lie down beside him. Their noses are just about touching. They smile at each other. How many women has this happened to? She closes her eyes. She doesn’t want to think about that. Maybe she’ll stay only for a few hours and then she will go home to the life she knows and this will all be a dream. That is, one she won’t forget.

  Chapter 11

  Meghan opens her eyes, staring up at the ceiling. Her heart starts to race as she realizes she’s not in her own bed. This one is softer, and the pillow is firmer. She rolls over expecting to see Jared sleeping, but the bed is empty. She sits up, wipes the corner of her eyes, and combs her fingers through her messy, kinked hair. She still remembers everything about last night. There was no holding back for both of them. Did Jared get what he wanted? He’s probably waiting for her to leave. That’s why he’s not sleeping in. He wants her out of his house. Her time is up. She’s going to call a cab and be gone before he knows it.

  As she gets out of bed, the shirt she is wearing hangs on her like a maternity dress with lots of room in the middle. She notices her purse sitting on the night table. Did she put it there? She picks up Jane’s leggings from the floor and puts them on, taking her purse with her as she leaves.

  Meghan walks quietly out of the bedroom, down the hall and around the banister, making her way downstairs. Should she at least find Jared and tell him she is going? Does he care? Then it occurs to her that if she leaves out the front door, will the alarm go off?

  She gets to the bottom of the stairs where she hears some shuffling going on in the kitchen. It sounds like the clanking of dishes and drawers closing. Would he be unloading the dishwasher? She has to get downstairs to get her costume. It has to be returned Sunday, tomorrow . . . maybe she can just tell them she lost it . . . it would be better than returning it with two gaping holes.

  As she nears the kitchen, she watches for the perfect moment to dash past to get to the landing that leads downstairs. Tiptoeing as quickly as she can, she hurries past. Hearing someone come closer, she moves faster. As she turns around to smile and to explain to Jared that she’ll be out of his house in a few minutes, a lady with graying hair tied up in a bun and wearing a white apron comes into view. The maid shrieks at the sight of Meghan.

  Meghan freezes and yelps, covering her mouth.

  The lady slaps her chest and gasps. “I didn’t know Mr. Landry had company,” the lady says.

  “Sorry, Loretta,” Jared says, walking around the corner. “I should have told you I had a friend over.”

  Friend? Is that what we are?

  “You’re lucky I didn’t have a pan in my hand. Someone could have gotten hurt,” the housekeeper says.

  “Of course,” Jared says. “Sorry.” He runs his hand through his hair. His smile is more like a jaw-clenching gesture as though he thinks the situation is funny. Loretta is giving a displeasing eyebrow. Probably the same one she gave her kids when they were up to no good. Meghan bites her bottom lip.

  Loretta walks back into the kitchen muttering something under her breath.

  He snickers. “Did you sleep well?”

  “I did. Yes. Thank you.” She shuffles her feet. “I’m gonna go downstairs and grab my costume.” She takes a step forward. “Then I’ll leave.”

  “I put it upstairs, in my room, with your purse. You didn’t see it?”

  “I’ll go back and get it,” she says, staring at his fitted shirt and remembering how every indent of rock-hard muscle was pure pleasure. This won’t happen again, she reminds herself, disappointed.

  “Let me,” he says. “Do you want coffee? Loretta made a pot.”

  “I’m okay.”

  He eyes her swiftly. “Shirt looks good on you. Leggings fit?”

  Meghan looks down at her clothes. “Yeah, they do. I’ll wash them and return them to you tomorrow if you’re home.”

  “No rush. Whenever.”

  “Jane’s a lifesaver.”

  “Best not to tell her you’re borrowing them.”

  “Okay. Right. No problem.”

  “Something to eat? Loretta’s making me a huge breakfast. She makes the best omelet. I have to eat, prepare for the game tonight. Care to join me?”

  “I should really go.” She pouts. She loves being in his house. It’s a comfortable place to be. The high ceilings, tile floors, and new furniture. Her eyes wander taking in the décor. “Okay, I could use a cup of coffee,” she says, smelling something that is making her stomach growl. It’s going to be the last time, so why not take advantage of it?

  Meghan walks into the kitchen. The smell is floating through the air and into her nostrils, making her feel hungrier.

  “Have a seat,” Jared says, walking to a cupboard and taking out two mugs.

  She sits down at his long butcher-block table and watches him pour the coffee.

  “What do you take in it?” he asks.

  “Milk. Thank you.” She buckles her hands underneath her thighs. Does he do this with all the women he brings home? Is Loretta used to seeing a different woman here?

  He brings over their cups of coffee. “Do you want eggs and toast? Fruit cup?”

  “I don’t want to be a bother.” She realizes how formal she sounds. “What are you having?”

  “It’s no problem. Loretta’s got a skill for making eggs. Do you feel like some?”

  She wrinkles her nose. “Not really.”

  “Toast?”

  “Sure. That would be good. Thank you.”

  Meghan watches Jared take bread out of a bag while Loretta busily creates an omelet, picking up a large dinner plate and placing a heaping amount of scrambled eggs and arranging grilled veggies on top.

  “Are you sure you don’t want one?” Loretta calls out. “The pan’s hot.”

  “No, I’m okay, thanks.”

  Jared joins Meghan. They sip their coffees, making small talk. “Did you hear me get up? How did you sleep?” he asks.

  “No. I slept like a baby.” She takes a sip of coffee.

  “What am I making you?” Loretta interrupts, placing a plate in front of Jared.

  “I put toast on for her,” he says.

  Loretta spins around and goes over to the toaster.

  “Does she live here?” Meghan whispers.

  “No,” Loretta pipes up. “But someone has to look after him.”

  Meghan lowers her head and smirks. “Does she look after you?” she chuckles, and then reaches for her coffee cup.

  “She likes to think she does,” he teases back. “I do fine on my own.”

  “I find it hard to believe you’re a guy who needs help,” Meghan says. She looks at Jared’s breakfast. It’s a towering omelet. “You’re seriously going to eat all that?”

  “It’s my breakfast game starter. I always eat a big breakfast on game day.”

  “And lunch?”

  “That too.”

  Loretta puts down two pieces of buttered toast and a tray of jam, peanut butter, and honey.

  “Oh, my goodness. Thank you,”
Meghan says to Loretta. “I feel like I’m at a restaurant.”

  “Don’t get too comfortable,” Loretta says.

  “She might come for breakfast tomorrow,” he says.

  “That’s my day off. What will you make her?”

  Jared looks at Meghan’s plate. “Toast.” He laughs. Loretta makes a grumbling sound.

  Jared starts to eat while Meghan spreads strawberry jam on a piece of toast.

  “What do you have planned for today?” he asks.

  “I should probably return the costume, or at least call them to tell them it’s lost.”

  They hold a gaze and snicker.

  “Most expensive costume I’ve ever bought,” she says.

  “There’s more coffee in the pot,” Loretta calls out from across the room.

  “And I’ll give my friend Brie a call. The party was at her boyfriend’s place.”

  “Mike?”

  “Yeah, you met him!”

  “He offered me the bar,” Jared says.

  “Yup, he’s very accommodating. I wonder how Brie’s doing today. She got into the Jell-O shooters,” Meghan says.

  “Wicked. They go straight to your head.”

  “Tell me about it.” Meghan notices Loretta leave the room. “I guess it’s nice to have someone here. Do you get lonely? Living by yourself in a big house?” She swallows a gulp of coffee.

  “Sometimes. How about you?”

  “I’m busy enough,” she answers. Although living with someone would be better. “What are your plans today?”

  “I have practice in a bit,” he says.

  “And a game? Don’t you get tired? You know, being on the ice, then getting cleaned up and then a game . . .”

  “It’s what I do,” he says with a shrug. “Are you coming to the game tonight?”

  “No. I don’t have a ticket.”

  “You can get one, though?”

  “Not last minute.”

  He hangs his head as he forks his eggs.

  She finishes her coffee. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to call for a cab.”

  “I’ll drive you.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I want to.”

  “Why?”

  “I can drive. No sense in calling a cab. I’ll go get your things.” Jared runs up the stairs to get the cat costume and returns without breaking a sweat. He pats his leg to feel his wallet and leads her back into the kitchen and into the mudroom to get to the garage.

  “Are you sure you don’t mind driving me home?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Thanks.”

  It’s only a twenty-minute drive to her apartment from Jared’s house. They make small talk, but as Meghan looks out the window, she thinks about their time together and what if anything will come of them.

  “Thanks for breakfast,” Meghan says before opening her door.

  “Anytime.” He turns off the ignition and jumps out of his car and around the passenger side. He stands close to her, his hands at his side, noses almost touching. “I had a good time.”

  They need to say their good-byes. Does he want one last kiss before she goes? She hasn’t brushed her teeth, except for rinsing with mouthwash she found under his bathroom sink. Her hair is a mess, she’s wearing his T-shirt and his hoodie and Jane’s leggings. Her boots are tall. She’s embarrassed by the way she looks, feeling cheap, looking trashy, and falling for a guy she can’t have for the long-term.

  Jared brings his mouth to hers and gives her a peck on the lips.

  “You don’t want to get too close to me,” she says, smiling. “I need to get cleaned up.”

  “You look good to me.” He puts his arms around her.

  “You probably say that to all the girls.”

  “No. I’ve never had—” He stops himself. “This, this is new to me.”

  “What is?”

  “I don’t invite just anyone over to my house.”

  Meghan nods. Her toes curl. “You have to get to practice, don’t you?”

  “That’s what’s keeping me away from you. I have a schedule to maintain.” He wraps his arm around her another time and pulls her close. “We’ll have to pick up from where we left off. I’m on the road Monday. East Coast for a week and then back home.”

  It occurs to Meghan that he could have a girlfriend in Carolina and is going to see her.

  His arms are braced on both of her arms. Toe to toe, nose to nose. She stares into his eyes. They are full of possibilities, yet she knows this has to be good-bye. They can’t kid themselves. She has to get this over with.

  “About last night . . .” she says. “It was a onetime thing, right? And I know this is meaningless.”

  He steps back and drops his arms to his side. “I’d like to see you again. That’s not a onetime thing.”

  “Yeah, but—” Her head sways. “I don’t expect you to call me.”

  “I will.”

  “And I don’t expect to see you again—”

  “I plan to.”

  “Jared, you’re a great guy.” She reaches for his arm. “I . . . I’m not expecting much. You have a demanding career.”

  “That doesn’t have anything to do with us.”

  There’s an us?

  “Thanks for the clothes,” she says, looking down at herself.

  “No problem. I’ll see you soon. I’ll call you when I get back from the road.”

  He kisses her gently, making her heart beat faster. Meghan’s body is tingly all over again. Why does he make her feel this good? It’s going to be hard to put Jared out of her mind. She won’t forget him, or what they shared. It definitely felt like more than a onetime thing, but that’s wishful thinking. She doesn’t need to practice anymore, she needs to move on. If only she was capable of tossing out the memories of last night and begin new ones with someone else.

  “Don’t make promises,” she tells him. “I’m not looking for any. Thanks for driving me home.”

  As she walks to the front entrance, she turns around to see Jared standing at his car and then get into it when she steps inside the building.

  He doesn’t care, she thinks. He’s putting up a front. That’s why he’s so good at what he does.

  Chapter 12

  Two days later, Meghan walks into the party store with her Halloween costume.

  “Is it a return?” the purple-haired teen asks, taking the plastic bag from Meghan. “Do you have your slip?”

  Meghan reaches for her wallet and takes out the return slip, sliding it on the counter.

  “Cat costume,” the teen says, holding it up to examine the seams. “There’s a rip in it.”

  “It’s just a little tear.”

  “Are there two holes?” The girl brings the fabric to her face and runs her hand along the material.

  “What happened?”

  “I couldn’t get the costume off and the zipper got stuck.”

  “I see that. I’ll have to get my manager.”

  “I can pay for the damage. No need to get him.”

  “Her,” the girl corrects, eyeballing Meghan. “I have to. You might have to pay for it.”

  “You don’t have to bother, I’ll just pay for the costume,” Meghan says, opening her wallet.

  “We’ll see what my manager says,” she says, stepping away from the cash register. “Can I get another cashier!” the teen calls over to another employee.

  “What seems to be the problem?” a throaty voice asks, waltzing up behind the counter.

  “There’s no problem,” Meghan says, grinning. “I had a little accident with the costume.”

  The manager holds it up. It looks worse than it is. A piece of fabric is hanging off and the zipper isn’t even lined up evenly. “It looks like it’s been trashed,” the woman says, frowning.

  “I’ll pay for it,” Meghan interjects. “How much?”

  “Two hundred.”

  Meghan blinks. “For a cat costume?”

  “We have to order anothe
r one and pay for shipping . . .”

  “It can’t cost that much,” Meghan says.

  “We charge fifty dollars for late, lost, or damaged items.” The lady points to the return slip. “You’re late and damaged.”

  Meghan hands over her credit card. She should have told them she lost it to save her from humiliation. But it was worth it. Jared was worth it.

  Jared is still thinking about his night with Meghan. It’s been three days and he craves her. He wasn’t expecting to fall this hard for a woman so soon, let alone one who works for the same organization.

  Jared takes off his practice jersey. He’s in Carolina tonight and wonders how the crowd will react when he’s on the ice. Last season he was booed when he skated on wearing the Warriors jersey. The fans were upset that he made a trade. He could have stayed, but chose to go where the money and fans were. He was welcomed here. Vancouver made an offer and he and his teammate, Devin Miller, were a package deal. It is always strange when the call is made and a player is told he has a plane ticket and must leave with little notice because the new team is expecting him. The media has it covered before he puts on his new jersey. It always amazes him that a player can get new equipment with his name and number on it so quickly.

  Being back in Carolina is a mix of emotions for Jared. A little nervous, but then he’s always uneasy when he plays a home game in a city he used to live in. He wonders if the women he left behind will be in the stadium watching or if they have a plan to come to the players’ entrance after the game to meet the team.

  He left behind his girlfriend Chelsea. A pretty brunette with a constantly bubbly personality. She was more concerned about all the celebrity commitments and him as a hockey player than caring about him as a person. Once the trade came through, it was a good time to end the relationship. She had cried, thrown herself at him, telling him he broke her heart. He didn’t buy it. How could she love him in only the eight weeks they were together? When he told her he needed to focus on his career, she begged him to take her. Jared was glad when he arrived in Vancouver that he came alone. Chelsea wasn’t wife material, neither was his newly now-ex-girlfriend. If he had brought Chelsea, she would have driven him nuts and sponged off him to make her life as comfortable as possible.