Holy crap. Had he just said what I think I heard?
“Come on, already,” he ordered. “I don’t have all day. I’ve got a bird that needs a hot oven and potatoes that need to be placed into salty water.”
Deciding that he most definitely hadn’t meant to say what she thought she heard, she lightly scratched his lower back before reaching down and cupping his cheeks. “Now, get back to making my dinner,” she teased.
“Your wish is my command.”
Promptly at the stroke of twelve, the doorbell announced her mother’s arrival, doubtless in all of her Lauren-like glory. Answering the door, she greeted her.
“Hello, Mother,” she said, moving in to hug her.
“Sheesh, Calleigh. Can’t you at least let me get into the house and out of this rain first?” Lauren reprimanded her as she stepped across the threshold and wiped her shoes on the inside rug.
“Sorry, Mother. I was simply excited to see you,” she apologized. Their first words and already they were at odds.
This was not the type of omen she was looking for as part of their reunion.
At that moment, David strolled into the living room from the kitchen, as big and as manly as she’d ever seen him. Faded jeans hugged him in all the right places, the knees so worn they were about to rip, while a white button-down rolled up at the sleeves revealed sleekly muscled forearms. Forearms that only hours before had supported his body as he’d jettisoned in and out of hers with the speed and force of an Amtrak train. She prayed to God to prevent her from blushing today while remembering all the acts she and David engaged in the prior night.
David’s broad smiled made Lauren perk up and preen like a teenager. “You must be the incomparable Lauren Stuart. David Shalvington. Thanks so much for coming over,” he said as he took her slicker and moved in to shake her hand. Thank God he hadn’t tried to kiss her on her lips or even her hand. Such familiar moves would have spelled disaster in about a million different ways.
“Thank you for inviting me,” Lauren said as she followed Calleigh’s lead to sit on the living room couch.
“What can I get you to drink?” he asked as mother and daughter settled in.
“Water would be fine.” Naturally, no excess calories particularly in the middle of the day.
“One water coming right up. Cal, you want a refill?” he asked, indicating her glass of white wine.
“I’d love one.” Let her mother chew on that. The new Calleigh drank wine in the middle of the day on holidays and weekends. Several glasses, in fact.
“This appears to be a very nice neighborhood,” Lauren said as her eyes carefully scrutinized the house. Thankfully David and his weekly housekeeper kept his house as immaculate as she maintained her own loft. No licks of dust anywhere, no stains on any of the furniture, the comforting smell of lemon Pledge lingering. She reminded herself to tell him to make sure he tipped his cleaning service well the next time.
“I think so too. David said that it’s full of a lot of families with kids of varying ages and a few older couples whose kids are in college or beyond who haven’t yet downsized.”
“You can tell the people in this neighborhood care about their property values. Including your David,” Lauren said as he came through delivering drinks to both. He seated himself next to Calleigh as she sipped her wine.
“I think they do for the most part. I mean, everyone around here is fairly conscientious about how their yards look, if there are too many cars littering driveways or clogging up the street. I like this neighborhood very much,” David said.
“So, I understand you manage the Tide?” Lauren asked demurely, sipping her water while Calleigh snuggled deeper into David’s side.
“I sure do.”
“That must be a fascinating position to be in. So many different moving parts to a football team. Draft selections. Trades. Injuries. Playoffs. Payroll and the salary cap. How do you manage it all?”
From what planet did her mother recently spring forth? Her mother, who had only ever demonstrated an interest in tennis and certainly nothing ever remotely resembling football, gain all this knowledge?
“You flatter me by thinking I handle it all myself. The Tide has a lot of personnel who work on all these issues year round, so my job isn’t that hard. In fact, the people who surround me make my job easy,” he said, stroking her arm, comforting her even though she was fairly content sipping her wine and watching the interplay between her mother and her boyfriend.
“You’re very gracious,” Lauren complimented, displaying the first real smile she’d shown in…Calleigh couldn’t remember the last time a smile truly lit up her mother’s face, a smile of pure, unadulterated joy absent of filter or pretense. No worry here about smiling adding years to her face, or concern that smiling too much would indicate that she wasn’t to be taken seriously.
“I’m speaking the God’s honest truth here, Ma’am,” he said. “Seriously. The owners hired me and I selected pretty much the front office team and had some input about the coaches who were ultimately hired. So, basically what I’m saying is that I recruited well,” he said as Calleigh caught a quick wink pass from him to Lauren.
It was probably a good thing he hadn’t been so charming when they’d first met. He would have charmed the panties right off her in about three seconds flat.
Maybe four.
“And it smells as though you are a fabulous cook to boot, David,” Lauren said.
“Your daughter and I didn’t do too bad on the bird.”
“Calleigh? As in, my child, Calleigh?” Turning towards her, Lauren said, “Calleigh, when did you learn to cook a turkey?”
“I didn’t, Mother. I merely assisted this morning.”
“Well, that’s fantastic. Turkey really is one of the best proteins you can make for yourself. Lean and low in calories.”
She couldn’t help herself. Calorie and fat content regarding any given food item rolled off her mother’s tongue the way greetings rolled off others’. While she couldn’t break her mother’s habit that had formed over the better part of fifty years, but she could control her reaction to it and not become distressed by it.
“David brined it in white wine and other spices last night. I think that’s what you’re smelling.”
Lauren’s eyes grew, but she stopped herself before she could say something offensive. “Of course. A wine brine. How…extraordinary.”
David shrugged. “Throughout the years, I’ve experimented with a variety of different brines. The trick with brines is that you want to infuse the turkey with enough liquid to keep it tender and juicy, while using enough spices to flavor it without overwhelming the natural flavor of the meat. I’ve used this one several times over the years and it’s the best.”
“Well, I’d love to have your recipe sometime,” Lauren said as she stood up. “I’m afraid I drank quite a bit of coffee this morning that’s now catching up with me. Where’s your bathroom?”
After her mother excused herself, she turned to him. “So, what do you think so far?”
He smiled at her, his smile so at odds with his harsh, austere face. “I think she’s been nothing but pleasant since she arrived. I also think she desperately wants to make amends with you. She couldn’t take her eyes off you. I mean, I can’t either, but for entirely different reasons,” he said, suggestively raising his eyebrows.
“Oh, please. She was probably mentally trying to calculate how many pounds I’ve gained since she last saw me.”
“Don’t do that, Calleigh. It’s a holiday. Don’t attribute ulterior motives or nasty thoughts to her today. Let’s have a nice time, alright?”
Taking a deep breath, she conceded the point. “You’re right. After a lifetime of her scrutiny, it’s hard for me to disconnect from it, know what I mean?”
He shook his head. “No, not really. I have a completely different relationship with my parents. But, I can imagine what it’s like to always feel as though you don’t measure up no matter how hard you try. That’s in th
e past, so let’s just try and enjoy our day today, okay?”
“Agreed,” she said as she leaned in to steal a quick kiss as her mother returned from the bathroom.
“Is there anything we need to do that I can help you with?” Lauren offered.
Calleigh and David simultaneously shook their heads then looked at each other, silently acknowledging their synchronization.
“I don’t think so, Lauren. I think everything’s under control. After I take the turkey out, it needs to sit for awhile before I can carve it. I’ll throw the rolls in the oven then and finish the potatoes. Until then, just relax. Visit with your daughter while I go do a few minor things,” he said as he rolled up off the couch and headed towards the kitchen.
Her mother smiled at her.
She smiled back.
“He seems very nice, Calleigh,” her mother offered.
“He is really nice. Very nice, in fact. I enjoy hanging out with him.”
“Hanging out? Whatever happened to simply dating?” her mother asked.
She laughed. “Sorry. We’re dating. Dating includes hanging out. I enjoy hanging out with him, so I enjoy dating him. What’s Gerald up to today? You know, you could have brought him.”
“Gerald is in Kansas visiting his oldest daughter’s family. She has two young toddlers, so it’s easier for him to travel to see them than vice versa.”
“How many kids does he have again?
“Three. Two girls and one son. They’re all scattered, but Gerald says that’s how you know you’ve done your job as a parent – when your kids are happy and successful away from the nest.”
“Where are his other two?”
“His other daughter is somewhere in Massachusetts, some small town whose name I always forget. And then his son lives in Miami. Interestingly enough, his other daughter, not the one in Kansas, is a successful architect. Her husband actually stays home and takes care of their kids.”
“Good for them.”
“I think it took Gerald a little while to get used to, but he says that if his child is happy, he’s happy even if it’s not the traditional family he would have expected.”
“Do you miss him?” Calleigh asked.
“No. He’s enjoying his daughter, and I’m enjoying mine.”
“I’m really happy you could come over, Mother,” Calleigh said.
“Me too.”
“So, what’s on the rest of your agenda for the weekend after today?” she asked.
“Well,” Lauren said fingering the amber necklace at her throat, “I think tomorrow I might try and hit a few of those Black Friday sales. Macy’s and Nordstrom have some really great things on sale.”
“You’re going to brave those crowds? My mother? The day after Thanksgiving? For real?”
Lauren laughed. “Yes, I am. It might be good to get an early start. Or what will qualify as an early start for me. I don’t really think the crowds will be that bad, particularly downtown where parking can be such a nightmare. Most folks will be out in Clackamas or Lloyd Center, but downtown should be fine. What are your plans? Are you spending the weekend with David?”
“Sort of. David actually is planning on working this weekend, but I’m not sure if he’s planning on working from here or if he’s going in. I think we’ll go see a movie tomorrow or tomorrow night, and then I’ll probably pull all the Christmas decorations out of storage and start decorating the loft.
“Speaking of Christmas, what do you want, Mother?”
“I’ve already received it, Calleigh,” Lauren said softly.
Chapter 15
December roared in with all the subtlety of a linebacker on third and long. David’s office on the second floor of the team’s facilities sprawled a gorgeous view of downtown Portland on one side with Mt. Hood on the other. The rain hadn’t abated since Thanksgiving, with each day dropping additional inches. Snow capped the mountain, no doubt pleasing all the skiers, snowboarders, and anyone lucky enough to play hooky during the week. A group that most definitely didn’t include him.
As he reviewed the recent injury report, he realized the Tide’s situation was direr than he’d previously thought for all three components of the team: offense, defense, and special teams. Two wide-outs were looking at a minimum of two to three weeks out due to hamstring and quad injuries.
The situation with their starting quarterback wasn’t much better. Johansen, while physically present for every game, was mentally vacant. Like a church parking lot on the day after Christmas. DiPalma threw out the suggestion of benching their starting quarterback in favor of the back-up. Johansen’s performance this coming week would determine whether that idea played itself out or not.
The outlook for defense wasn’t much better. Their veteran left defensive end was out for the season due to an ACL tear. A rookie started in his place and demonstrated some true talent. Unfortunately, that same rookie had cost the team fifty yards in penalties over the last few weeks. On the right side of the defense, it appeared that their prior MVP, Michael Santiago, the right defensive end, had broken his leg in the last game, thus ending his season prematurely. Special teams hadn’t escaped injuries, either. Two of the return specialists were injured, although they were still slated to play. Their injuries affected their speed and ability to make cuts, which meant it was even more important for the offense to realize first downs and move the ball down the field to the end zone.
The team was beat up physically and mentally as the final push showed itself. These last four weeks were critical if they wanted to ensure the post-season was a reality and not yet another missed opportunity. If they won each game, they would make it. But a couple of potential losses combined with how the other teams truly fared controlled the Tide’s destiny. Successful teams always attributed their success to hard work and flawless execution. The reality was that successful teams relied on sound management, hard work, flawless execution, and a little bit of luck. Luck that other teams lost. Luck that caused certain interceptions to be dropped by the opposing team in the fourth quarter. Luck where the referees spotted the ball on third down. Luck when sixth round draft picks transformed themselves into all-stars.
Tenacity, perseverance and hard work earned Super Bowl championships. Despite the Tide exhibiting all those traits, luck hadn’t been on the team’s side, and consequently, everyone was on edge. External and internal pressure coiled around the Tide’s offices like a box spring. Numerous publications picked the Tide as the likely NFC champion during the pre-season. Plus, their payroll teased the salary cap. In theory, you got what you paid for. Their payroll should guarantee a spot in the playoffs, but that wasn’t the case. At least, not yet. It was unlikely given the fact that their two starting defensive ends were out. Offense won games, but defense won championships. Without two starting defenders, they’d be lucky to make to it to the playoffs and out of the Wild Card game.
He was a pragmatist and knew they should win at least two of their remaining games. Pulling out all four was pretty much like asking a quarterback to not throw any interceptions all season long. An impossible request and an entirely unreasonable expectation. All in all, the season was bumping along, not entirely as expected, but the Tide remained in the hunt.
Despite the disappointing average of the season, a lightness permeated his disposition leaving him buoyant. Happy, even, most days despite the mess of shit that was the constant carousel of his professional life. What a difference a year makes. Last year, he’d steadfastly ignored every single one of Calliegh’s subtle and not-so-subtle advances and come-ons, telling himself that staying far, far away was the best thing for both of them.
What a short-sighted idiot he’d been. She embraced his lifestyle, reading up on it as much as possible. Her pretty cheeks had burned fire-engine red when she disclosed that her internet search for BDSM yielded numerous pages of “adult websites.” What a funny conversation that had been in his kitchen.
“So, did you look at any of those sites?’ he’d asked, genuine
ly curious. Porn had never done much for him and he really did read issues of Playboy for the articles. But if she enjoyed porn, he could fully incorporate it into their sex life. Whatever she wanted, he was up for.
She coughed and tucked her hair behind her ears twice before responding.
“Maybe.”
He’d smiled at her. “Good for you. You see anything you like or that interests you?”
“I may have bookmarked a site for us to check out later. It doesn’t have any, ugh, action shots so to speak, but it had a ton of … accoutrements that I was curious about.”
His wallet was three hundred dollars lighter approximately twenty minutes later.
He couldn’t wait for their order to arrive.
“David? I need to talk to you,” Laura Cain, the Tide’s head of public relations barged into his office and seated herself across his desk.
“Yes,” he said, waiting for her to begin. He’d recruited her and every day she proved her value to him. A master at public discourse and manipulation, she helped the Tide effectively dodge the bullets that for other teams would have doomed their players and the teams themselves due to her tireless work ethic extinguishing fires around the clock.
“Johansen isn’t working with me. At all. His lawyer won’t return my phone calls. And I’m inundated every day from numerous outlets with requests for statements and interviews.”
“What do you think I can do for you?” he asked.
“I was wondering if you or one of the coaches could talk to him.”
“About what? His divorce? Sorry, Laura, but right now, it’s all he can do to remain focused on every game. DiPalma’s considering benching him based on the last few performances. Now is not the time to pester him about interviews to discuss his personal life. I’m surprised you would even ask it of me, truthfully,” he said, disappointed in her lapse in judgment. This was entirely unlike her. Laura demonstrated laser-like focus on her job, executing all of her duties masterfully with very little involvement from him, if any. She managed the public relations department and made it look easy.
Bound Hearts Page 18