Running Home to You (The Running Series)

by Sweeney, Suzanne

  Just as I’m about to respond, I hear the kitchen door swing open. I turn my head and see Evan walking straight towards us. The smile immediately evaporates from Ryker’s face, replaced by a look of pure contempt.

  “Juliette, sweetheart, everyone’s looking for you,” Evan says as he places a kiss on my forehead. “Are you finished up with everything in here?” he asks. I can tell by the tone of his voice that there is only one correct answer.

  “Absolutely, Evan. Let’s go.” I wrap an arm around Evan and place a hand in his back pocket, making sure that there is no question where my loyalties lie. “It was nice seeing you again, Ryker.”

  “Sure. Talk to you soon, Jette. Take care of yourself. I’ll be around.” Ryker is undoubtedly trying to get underneath Evan’s skin, but Evan’s not biting. He just places a loving arm around me and walks me back to our party.

  Evan takes me to a quiet corner of the restaurant, away from the crowd. “I hope you made it clear that this was his last visit here, Juliette. The last thing we need is some cowboy coming in here trying to stir up trouble.”

  “I can’t ban him from the restaurant, Evan. He has friends here, remember? I don’t see what the big deal is.” Evan looks at me like I just grew another head.

  “No big deal? You can’t be serious, baby. I thought Emmy was the one who sees everything through rose-colored glasses. He wants you, Juliette. You have to see that now.”

  I just roll my eyes. “Who cares? My heart is already taken and I’m pretty sure it’s mutual.” I give Evan a kiss. “I love you, sweetheart. Forever.”

  “I love you, too. Just be careful around him, promise?”

  “Promise.” I wrap my arms around his neck. “Take me back to our party. I want to get you drunk so I can take advantage of you later.”

  “Oh, there you are!” Emmy calls out, followed closely behind by Adam. “Come on you two. Save it for later.” Emmy grabs both of us by the hands and drags us to the bar. Evan shrugs his shoulders. Sometimes it’s just easier to go along with Emmy rather than fight it.

  Marcus is locking the front door and it appears the last of our customers have left for the night, including Ryker. Emmy pleads, “Marcus just sent most of the staff home for the night. It’s just us Jette. Can we clear a few tables to make a dance floor?”

  I look over to Evan. “Do what you want, babe. I’m going back to the bar. If you girls want to dance, have at it!” He swats me on the ass and rejoins his friends.

  I shrug my shoulders and tell Emmy, “Why not?”

  “Woo hoo! Thank you, Jette.” She and the girls make quick work of making a dance floor. Not to be outdone, the boys pull a few tables together near the bar, making a beer pong table.

  Everyone is having a great time. Evan stopped doing shots, but he didn’t stop playing beer pong, so the alcohol is still flowing. Most of the girls are on the dance floor, except for Reese. She and Shaun are still sitting at the bar together. His eyes haven’t left her since they were introduced two hours ago. Reese is laughing at his jokes and touching his arm flirtatiously. I know Reese’s moves, I’ve seen her reeling in a guy before, and she’s definitely got him on her hook.

  When Reese turns up the volume with Shaun, Derek does the smart thing and walks away. He’s now playing beer pong with the guys and seems much happier.

  We take a break from dancing and fill the empty seats at the bar left behind by the guys. Marcus takes over the bar when Derek leaves to play pong. I haven’t seen Marcus behind a bar in months. He’s mixing drinks and tossing bottles in the air with flair, entertaining the ladies. They’re mesmerized by his mad skills. Camilla is beaming with pride watching her man flex his bartending muscles. They met when Marcus was behind the bar, and I’m sure this brings back all sorts of sweet memories for her.

  Callie and Dean are the first to leave. They’re soon followed by Troy and Delaney. Both couples have young children and babysitters at home, so they’re returning home tonight.

  Brianna and Jocelyn insist on taking me shopping next week. They want to bring me to their favorite boutique in SoHo. I have no intention of spending money so soon after buying a car, but window-shopping is still free.

  Reese interrupts our conversation and pulls me to the side to speak privately with me. “Jette, would it be okay if I took off with Shaun? He wants to bring me back to his hotel room. The shuttle car just got here. Do you think Evan will be pissed?”

  She looks so hopeful. I doubt Evan will be upset. Or surprised. “No, of course not. Have fun. Be smart, please.” She gives me a kiss and the two sneak out the front door. I lock the door behind them.

  Evan spots me locking the door. “Hey, who just left?” He scans the room and finds the two empty chairs at the bar. “Never mind.”

  Slowly, our guests begin to depart. Camilla drives Marcus and Derek home, and the rest of our guests, including Adam and Emmy, take the car service to the hotel. Evan and I are the last to leave, arriving home around two thirty in the morning.

  After letting Maddy out, I retreat to our bedroom to turn in for the night and I find Evan sprawled out on our bed, buck naked, wearing nothing but a pickled grin. Time for me to get a proper thank you.

  I go in early the next morning, leaving Evan home alone to nurse his hangover. I call in a few of the waitresses and offer them overtime to come in early to help put the restaurant back together again. With the help of my dedicated staff, we get the tables rearranged, the floors mopped, and the bathroom cleaned with a little time to spare. When the doors open at eleven, the place looks good as new.

  Marcus, Derek, and Emmy are all working the second shift today. Reese stumbles in five minutes after the doors open. By the look of things, I’d say she had a good night.

  It’s raining outside, and business is slow today. I bide my time cleaning behind the bar, the only place we didn’t get to clean this morning. I hear a familiar voice call to me, “Jette, can we talk?” I turn to look and Reese is standing at the edge of the bar with a hopeful look in her eyes.

  “Absolutely.” I pour each of us a glass of ice water with some citrus and lead Reese to the booth in the back of the restaurant.

  “So, what’s up? How ya feeling?”

  “Better. Thanks for not giving me a hard time about coming in late today.” She yawns, then I yawn, and Reese yawns again. “I’m exhausted. It was a long night.”

  “Did you sleep at all?” I ask.

  “Yeah. A little,” she admits. “I was wondering if you knew anything about Shaun. He seems like a nice guy. I just want to know what I’m getting myself into.”

  “So does that mean you’re going to see him again?” I ask, hopeful.

  “I think so. Do you know him very well? What can you tell me?”

  I’m not sure how to describe Shaun to her. I tell her that he is a nice guy. “Evan trusts him, so I guess that says something. The few times I’ve met him, he was polite and kind of quiet. I think he’s kind of cute with his shaggy blonde hair and happy-go-lucky attitude.”

  “He sounds like a Golden Retriever,” she counters.

  “Well, lots of people love Golden Retrievers,” I remind her. “They are eager to please, easy to train, and very trustworthy.”

  “True. They’re also playful and affectionate,” she grins devilishly.

  “You know, Reese, I never pictured you as a Golden Retriever kind of girl. I always pictured you as more of a Dalmatian aficionado.”

  “Why do you say that?” She looks at me quizzically.

  “They’re full of energy and very agile,” I explain. “They are intelligent, headstrong, and competitive. Lots of people are attracted to their dashing good looks and playful temperament. Dalmatians will challenge you, but also keep you happy and entertained.” I hesitate for a moment to let the ideas sink in. “I’ve never had one myself, but from what I hear, they require a lot of regular exercise because of their stamina and endurance.”

  Reese smiles, she can see right through me. She knows exactly who
m I’m describing. “Dalmatians are great, but they’re also exhausting. But sometimes a girl just wants a companion that is easily trainable and obedient.” Now it’s my turn to stop and think about her words. Maybe it is time for her to find someone more docile, so long as he can keep her happy. I’ll believe it when I see it.

  “So is Evan more of a Golden Retriever or a Dalmatian?” Reese questions.

  “Neither. My man is a Boxer, hands-down. He’s powerful, but gentle with family. He’s fun-loving, loyal, and very low maintenance. My boxer requires lots of mental and physical stimulation, if you know what I mean. I’m definitely a Boxer kind of girl.”

  Reese has one final thought on the matter. “Yeah, but I hear they drool a lot.”

  The next two weeks fly by. Auggie’s recovery is going well, and I no longer need to spend my nights at his house. I only see Evan at night now that his preseason camp is in full swing. The coaches are really putting him through his paces. He comes home exhausted, bruised, and sore. But he also comes home happy, exuberant even.

  Since returning to practice, Evan has refused all treatments. There have been no more cortisone shots from the team physician, and no more vitamins or mineral supplements from the trainer. Any lingering doubts I had about Dr. Falkowski’s diagnosis are long gone. Evan is under more stress at work, yet his mood is lighter than ever.

  I haven’t said anything to him about my suspicions with Adam. Things are going too well. And besides, there’s a pretty good chance that I’m full of crap.

  Next week is Evan’s first pre-season game against Detroit. When Evan’s not training with the team, he’s watching films, studying his opponent, and figuring out ways to neutralize their defense. I’m so excited to see him take the field. I just know he’s going to make me proud no matter what the outcome.

  It’s Friday and Evan is going in a little late today. There’s a special training session for the defensive team, so he doesn’t have to show up until close to noon. Despite the opportunity to sleep in, we decide to wake at our normal time and go for an early morning beach run together. We put Maddy on a long leash and head off on our jaunt. Now that it’s August, the sun beats down strong and steady and within minutes, both Evan and I are covered in sweat. I can feel my hair already sticking to my face and my clothes clinging to my body in the most unattractive way. And no matter how hard I train to keep up with Evan, I still struggle to match his pace.

  Evan, on the other hand, is striking as he effortlessly glides down the beach. He’s sweating, but the way the perspiration glistens on his shirtless physique is glorious. He moves with such agility and poise. All I can think about is feeling his slick body moving against mine and finding more pleasurable ways of making him breathless and drained like I feel right now.

  We reach the halfway point, and I collapse onto the sand, unable to move another muscle. Evan sits down beside me and gently moves the hair off my face. “So, Running Girl, are you ready for your big day out?”

  “Yeah, definitely. I’m meeting Brianna and Jocelyn at the Atlantic Highlands ferry at nine. We’re spending the whole day in SoHo. You’re on your own for dinner.” These girls are professional shoppers and I’m more of a bargain hunter. I prefer to sift through clearance racks while they spend their energy checking labels. It should be a challenging day.

  “Well then, why aren’t you more excited? You have a look that tells me you have an appointment for root canal, not shopping. I thought all girls loved shopping.” Evan picks up a piece of driftwood and tosses it to Maddy.

  “I do like to go shopping, but I don’t like to waste money. I work hard for my money, Evan. You know that. It kills me to spend an obscene amount of money on shoes and skirts when I could be buying more wine glasses and cutlery for the restaurant.”

  “I have a solution to your problem, if you’re willing to listen.” Maddy comes running back with the stick in her mouth and drops it in front of Evan for another toss, which he gladly obliges.

  “Why? Have you gone dress shopping lately? Do you have some tips for me?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. I have just one tip, but if you’re willing to listen, I guarantee it will work. You’ll be able to do both – spend the day in SoHo and buy what you want for the restaurant.”

  “Okay, I’m listening.”

  “Take my Visa Black Card. Get your hair done. Get a massage. Buy a pair of boots, a pretty dress, anything you want.” Evan stands up and holds out a hand to help me up.

  I take his hand and pull myself up. “Baby, you know I can’t do that.” I brush the sand from my backside. “It’s out of the question.”

  “Think of it this way – if you spend money now, we can redeem the points you earn for airline tickets. I’m thinking Antigua or Bora Bora.” Evan helps me wipe the rest of the sand from my back, and then scoops me up for a hug.

  “Evan, I can’t,” I whisper.

  “Can’t or won’t?” he asks.

  “Either way, you shouldn’t be spending that kind of money on something so frivolous,” I tell him.

  “Oh, so you would be okay with me throwing you a big party with an open bar? I can invite all your friends and family. We can shut down the restaurant on a busy Friday night and give away tons of food? And of course, I’d have to pay the employees that stay to help, including tips. You would be okay with that, right?”

  “Now that’s not fair. It’s completely different!”

  “Yes, I agree. That party cost more than you could possibly spend on one day out with the girls. Juliette, listen to me.” Evan holds me at arm’s length and stares deeply into my eyes. “I know you’re uncomfortable with money, especially my money. But things have changed. You’re a part of my life now, my world. I’ve chosen to earn a living by playing professional football. I go to work every day and push my body to its limits. I take a beating every time I set foot on the field. Do you know why I do that, Juliette? Why I don’t take a desk job or a coaching job? It’s not like I haven’t had my fair share of offers, you know.”

  “I’ve always thought you did it because you love it. You love the game.”

  “You’re right, I do. But the coaches love the game, too, and they’re not punishing their bodies day after day to prove it. I do it because it enables me to afford a certain lifestyle. It allows me to buy a beautiful house on the beach. I can buy sports cars and expensive watches. I can take care of my parents, so they don’t have to worry about paying the bills anymore. And I do it so I can take my beautiful girlfriend shopping.” Evan kisses me. “Please don’t deny me this simple pleasure. Do you have any idea how much joy it will bring me to see you wearing things bought with my hard-earned money? Besides, I owe you a new dress. The last one you let me buy you was stolen and ruined.”

  “Okay, chief. I chose a life with you, so I suppose it’s time I start to accept the things that go along with that. Life is all about balance, and you’re right, I can accept the generosity of the man I love without giving up a part of myself. I can have both.”

  “Let’s go home, Juliette. I need to hurry up and show you something before you change your mind.” He grabs Maddy’s leash and takes off on a slow, plodding journey towards our home. It only takes me a few strides to catch up and together, we retrace our steps until we are standing in our kitchen, clutching water bottles, and quenching our thirst.

  Evan pulls out a stool and insists that I sit down and wait for him to come back out. He hurries into our bedroom I can hear opening and closing drawers, then rustling through some papers. I can’t imagine what it is he might have to show me. Just as I take the final drink from my water bottle, Evan emerges carrying an envelope that’s been opened. He places it upside down on the kitchen island before me. “Now, before you look inside, let’s be clear. You’ve accepted my offer to finance today’s shopping trip. Right?”

  “Yes, Evan.”

  “And you won’t change your mind, no matter what?”

  “No matter what,” I assure him.

&nbs
p; “Okay, then.” He passes the envelope towards me. “This is yours.”

  It’s a mailing envelope, but it doesn’t have the name of the sender, just a return address. I look inside and there’s a white form inside. The minute I remove it from the envelope, I know exactly what I’m holding. I slowly unfold the form and glued to the form letter is a new credit card. It’s a brand new Visa Black Card with my name, Juliette Evangeline Fletcher, embossed on it. “How long have you had this?” I ask him.

  “A while now,” he admits. “You need something with your name on it because I travel a lot, and if the house needs repairs, or the car breaks down, I need to know that you’re able to take care of things without me.”

  I peel the card from its gooey bonds and look at it more closely. “Evan, do you really think this is a good idea?” I ask.

  “I do. It gives me peace of mind to know you have it. What’s the worst that can happen? So I have to do a few more commercials to pay for your ridiculously expensive new boots. Besides, you can’t go shopping today using my credit card. You don’t look at all like me. I’m kinda famous, you know.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Moment of Truth

  I laugh to myself when I spot Jocelyn and Brianna waiting for me at the ferry station. All three of us manage to dress alike unintentionally in maxi dresses and sandals. I shouldn’t be surprised, really. What else would a girl wear to a day of spa treatments and shopping in the city in August?

  The forty-five minute ferry ride to the Wall Street pier goes by quickly as we chat and get to know each other better. We find three seats on the outdoor deck and sit back to enjoy the view as we make our way towards the financial district. The skyline of Manhattan stretches out before us as we pass the Statue of Liberty. Buildings of all sizes and shapes cover the island from end to end, and in the center of it all is the newest structure, One World Trade Center. Its spire reaches high into the sky, standing tall and proud.