"Angry? Me? Not at all."
"I haven't agreed to the extension," Murphy insisted. "I wanted to talk to you first."
"You want to sign the contract."
"Yes. But—"
"You lied to me."
"No."
If they were in the same room, Murphy would take her in his arms. Kiss her. Melt away her resistance. Jordyn could feel the cold start to dissipate. However, the flames that licked at her bones had nothing to do with desire. She was on the fast track to out and out pissed off. And the sensation was a hell of a lot better than she'd imagined.
"October, you said. No more baseball, you promised."
"Both were the truth. I couldn't anticipate what would happen."
"Think hard, Murphy. Somewhere deep inside, you had to know the team would ask you to come back for another season. Maybe not two. But one? You knew."
"Okay. Maybe—"
"You. Lied. To. Me."
"Jordyn. Sweetheart. I—"
Jordyn ended the call. A full-on blast of Murphy's charm was a potent thing. Even over the phone. If she'd caved because his voice made her want to jump through the phone, and her heart jump from her chest, she would never forgive herself. She had her principles. A code she lived by. She tried not to lie. And she didn't stay with anybody who lied to her.
In the back of Jordyn's mind, a little voice whispered that maybe she had overreacted. Sorry, little voice, not today. She wasn't in the mood to listen. She didn't like the way she felt when she was angry. However, now and then, she would allow herself to indulge in an out and out, down and dirty, blood-boiling rage.
What to do, what to do? Jordyn needed a task. Something to burn off her sudden surplus of energy and a way to keep her mind off Murphy. Suddenly, the solution came to her.
Road trip.
Jordyn hadn't taken a trip in months. Between the opening of the new store and her preoccupation with a certain baseball player, she felt the pull, the need, to get in her brand-new SUV and get out of town. Now would be a perfect time.
South would be good, Jordyn decided. Oregon. If she felt ambitious, she might go as far as Northern California. Some of her best finds had come when she didn't have a destination in mind. If the whim hit her, she would stop. If not, at least she would be someplace else. Anyplace but here.
A plan in hand—or rather a non-plan—Jordyn waited for the burst of excitement she always felt before one of her trips. And waited. And waited. When the feeling didn't surface, she told herself not to worry. So what if the prospect of days alone with nothing but her own company wasn't as enticing as before? Once she was on the road, everything would fall into place.
Determined, Jordyn pushed the intercom button. The store was closed, but Raina was still here re-stocking shelves for tomorrow.
"Raina?"
"Right here."
"I've decided to take a trip. I'll keep in touch, as always. But don't call me unless an emergency pops up."
"Running away?"
Blue stood in the doorway, arms crossed, eyebrow raised. She still wore the same outfit from the press conference, though instead of a professional French twist, her hair hung loosely down her back.
"Hardly. Running is bad on the knees."
Jordyn wasn't in the mood for a lecture. Or a heart-to-heart talk. She wanted to stew. Alone. However, she did have one thing to say to her best friend.
"You should have told me about Murphy's contract extension."
"I probably found out around the same time you did. The information leaked out, Jordyn. Management didn't want to make an announcement until the deal was done. If the deal gets done."
"Murphy will re-sign." The knowledge sent another burst of angry heat through Jordyn's blood. Just the boost she needed to maintain her righteous indignation. She didn't want Blue's reasonable calm to rub off.
"Maybe," Blue acknowledged.
"Definitely," Jordyn corrected. "Come Spring Training, Murphy Baldwin will be in Arizona with all the other Cyclones."
"Okay." Blue, her stance seemingly casual, blocked Jordyn's exit. "I won't argue the point. But I have one question before you run off. Sorry. Before you take your little trip."
"One question? Then you'll move your ass out of my doorway?"
"When you refer to my backside, at least be accurate. I believe fine ass will suffice."
Jordyn snorted. "Damn it, Blue. If you make me laugh, I will kick your fine ass out of the store."
Smiling, though her gray eyes held a satisfying glint of sympathy, Blue closed the door.
"Go ahead," Jordyn sighed. "Ask your question. But I warn you. As soon as I can pack, I'll be on the road."
"Fair enough. Tell me, what's wrong with dating a baseball player? Or rather, one particular baseball player?"
"What's wrong with—?" Flabbergasted, Jordyn stared at Blue. "Are you kidding? I've always been clear about my reasons."
With a shrug, Blue leaned her hip against the desk. "Reiterate. For my benefit."
Jordyn didn't see the point. However, she would humor Blue.
"First, I don't like…" Jordyn frowned. "Then there's the… And, you know how much I hate…"
Jordyn couldn't say the words because she suddenly realized how ridiculous and meaningless her set-in-stone reasons had become. Not the endless public scrutiny. Or the long season. Or the weeks of away games. All the things she used to complain about seemed minor in comparison to the happiness she felt with Murphy in her life.
"I'm a fool."
Blue shook her head. "You're in love. The emotion can occasionally scramble your brain. A fact I can attest to. Your brother and I wrote the book."
"I should have remembered."
"Unfortunately, what I learned from my many relationship mistakes isn't transferable. You'll learn. And keep learning."
Jordyn's eyes widened in horror. "I called Murphy a liar."
"He knows you didn't mean it."
"Sure, I did." Jordyn had the grace to look and feel, sheepish. "At the time. I was a bit of a…"
"Bitch?" When Jordyn shot her friend a raised eyebrow, Blue tossed up her hands. "I know. I hate the word. But inside the confines of your office? Where nobody else can hear? If the bitch shoe fits, sister."
"Measure me for a size nine."
Blue laughed. "My girl is back, thank goodness. I hate belligerent Jordyn."
"I'm not a fan myself." Jordyn noticed the time. "I guess I'll have to wait until after the game to apologize. If Murphy will listen."
"Sure, he will. Though he may not want to at first. Men are unpredictable creatures. The little darlings."
"Thank you for making me see sense."
Blue hugged Jordyn tight.
"You would have figured out the truth on your own."
"I hope so," Jordyn said. "However, I might have been halfway to Mexico before the revelation hit."
"Speaking of hits. We need to get you to the ballpark."
Jordyn checked the clock again.
"The game starts in less than an hour. If we try to drive, we'll be lucky if we get there before tomorrow's first pitch. And foot traffic will be crazy."
"Oh, ye of little faith." Blue took her hand. "My staff doesn't call me Wonder Woman for nothing."
Jordyn's faith had been shaken. Briefly. But not anymore. She knew exactly what—and who—she wanted. And with a genuine superhero by her side, she wouldn't stop until she had him.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
● ≈ ● ≈ ●
MURPHY SHUT OUT the noise around him. Tunneling deep within himself, he found a thread of inner peace. Then another. And another. Until the string grew longer and longer. The trick was one he'd learned the first few days in rehab when he was certain he wouldn't survive another minute without a drink.
At the moment, his problem was bigger than jonesing for his next fix.
Breathe in. Breathe out. See the air. Feel the calm.
&nbs
p; "What the hell are you doing?" Spencer asked.
Seated in front of his locker, Murphy kept his eyes closed while he rhythmically snapped the rubber band he'd placed around his wrist.
"Not thinking about my hand as it connects with your sister's ass."
"Ah," Spencer nodded in complete understanding. "If you find a solution to the whole man/woman conflict that doesn't involve violence, let me know."
"Violence is never the answer," Nick agreed as he adjusted the ties on his second baseman's glove. "Be a lover, not a fighter."
Dressed and ready to take the field, Travis took a seat next to Murphy. "A man who raises a hand to a woman should have his balls whacked off. For starters."
Murphy's eyes popped open. "For Christ's sake. I didn't mean I would actually hit Jordyn."
Spencer grinned. Nick chuckled.
"I believe you, man," Travis assured him. Then added, "However, I firmly stand by my words."
"What did Jordyn do?" Spencer asked. "I love my sister. However, she can be a bit… quarrelsome. Now and then."
"Jordyn isn't thrilled by the Cyclones contract offer."
"What did I say? Quarrelsome. Jordyn—"
"Can speak for herself, brother dear," Jordyn said. She met Spencer's gaze, the exact same green as her own. "Why don't you guys run along and play with each other's balls."
"You mean why don't we run along and play ball," Nick corrected.
Jordyn shook her head, lips twitching. "No. I said what I meant."
Nick let out a bark of laughter. "I swear. If I weren't madly in love, and Murphy wasn't as big as a grizzly, I just might—"
"Just might what?" Murphy asked, rising to his full height.
"Get my ass onto the field."
Alone—or as alone as two people could be in a locker room minutes before game time—Murphy turned his full attention to Jordyn. Her skin was flushed with a pretty pink that almost matched the silky dress she wore. Her hair, messy yet sexy, fell around her shoulders and her breath was a bit ragged. All signs added up to a woman who had rushed to get to him. Murphy felt a burst of hope.
"First?" Jordyn shook her head. "Correction. First, last, and always. I love you."
Definitely a good start, Murphy decided.
"I love you."
Jordyn nodded. "Actions are important. But words matter. We can't forget to tell each other."
"Agreed." Every day for the rest of my life, Murphy promised himself.
"And you need to sign that contract extension."
"Again. I agree."
"Good. I could never be with a man who would give up something he loved for my sake."
"And I could never be with a woman who would ask me to."
Murphy felt a weight lift from his heart. One day—in the near future—when he asked Jordyn to marry him, they wouldn't be surrounded by dirty towels and athletic equipment. However, with the right person, a little romance was possible. No matter the setting.
With an impressive flourish, Murphy twirled Jordyn into his arms.
"I guess we fit. Don't we?"
"I guess we do."
"Forever?" he asked as his lips brushed hers.
Smiling, Jordyn lightly tugged on his beard, her eyes like bright emeralds. "Forever. At the very least."
● ≈ ● ≈ ●
LATE OCTOBER
JORDYN HAD BEEN here before. In the stands. Surrounded by crazed, screaming fans. Bottom of the ninth inning. Game seven of the World Series. However, the circumstances were very different. Unlike last year, the Cyclones weren't at home in front of a friendly crowd. And instead of down by a run, they were up by one.
Naturally, the home team didn't go down to defeat without a fight. The first two outs had been easy. Then a walk. A rinky-dink single to left field. And a hit batter which left the bases loaded. No place to put another body. A walk tied the game. A hit, and the Cyclones season would be over.
Jordyn didn't know if she could stand another second of the tension.
On the field, Murphy called time. Despite nine innings of back and forth baseball, his face drenched in sweat, hair plastered to his head and more dirt than uniform visible, he removed his mask and jogged out to the mound as cool as a cucumber.
Beside her, Blue clenched her hands, her eyes glued to the action.
"Miller looks like he would love to be anywhere but here."
Jordyn wanted to disagree. But she couldn't. The Cyclones' closer wasn't a rookie. But until this season, he'd never played in the postseason, let alone tried to close out a championship game seven. Murphy put his arm around the pitcher's shoulders. The strain on Miller's face was palpable. Then, Murphy grinned. And Miller grinned back.
"Mission accomplished." Blue took a deep breath. "Here we go."
All the moisture in Jordyn's tongue had transferred to her hands. Dry mouth, wet palms. She couldn't imagine how Murphy felt. However, before he donned his mask, he looked into the stands. Zeroed in on her location, and laughed as if to tell her to relax. The game was in the bag.
"The man has ice water in his veins," Blue said, amazed.
Jordyn shook her head. No, not ice water. Murphy was flesh and blood. Fully grown with the enthusiasm of a little boy. The man she loved who reveled in his second chance to play the game he was born to play.
Murphy threw down the sign. Alone on the mound, Miller nodded yes. Jordyn reached for Blue's hand, squeezed tight, and waited. The pitch sailed toward the plate, pure heat, a little low, but the batter couldn't rely on the umpire to call a ball instead of a strike. He swung with all his might.
Damn. Foul, Jordyn thought. They would have to start all over again. But Murphy had other ideas. He wasn't content to watch. He rushed toward the screaming crowd, his head back, eyes focused on the ball's trajectory. Then, when he had nowhere else to run, he jumped. Mitt outstretched, right into the crowd.
"Did he make the catch? Blue screamed. "Did he make the catch?"
Jordyn tried to find Murphy. Unfortunately, everybody in front of her wanted the same thing. She climbed onto her seat just as the majority of the crowd let out a collective groan. The rest? The ones dressed in Cyclones' blue? Collectively lost their minds.
"Holy crap," Jordyn screamed at the top of her lungs. "Murphy made the catch."
EPILOGUE
● ≈ ● ≈ ●
THREE MONTHS LATER
FRIENDS AND FAMILY had gathered to celebrate. Friends, family, and a lot of strangers. Whatever the affiliation, they were all there for the same reason. To honor Murphy.
"Not exactly game seven-level excitement." Arm around his waist, Jordyn rested her head on Murphy's shoulder. "However, I'm almost as proud as when you were handed the World Series MVP award."
"I'll settle for almost," Murphy chuckled.
On the walls of Seattle's hottest art gallery hung painting after painting by Seattle's hottest new artist. At least in Jordyn's opinion. Once the critics had their say, she didn't doubt they would echo her opinion. Murphy wasn't a baseball player who dabbled as a painter. He had real talent.
"I'm so glad you were able to talk Murphy into showing his work."
Jordyn smiled at Zelda Baldwin. As usual, Murphy's mother seemed on the verge of tears. An oddly endearing quality if taken in small doses.
Sex. Jordyn had used a lot of creative sex to persuade Murphy. From one end of his mountain cabin to the other. And she'd enjoyed every second as much as he had. Of course, she couldn't confess her methods to Zelda.
"I didn't have to twist his arm very hard."
"You were too busy twisting your body around mine," Murphy said in a wickedly growled whisper.
"Murphy," Jordyn warned.
"Mrs. Baldwin." Blue to the rescue. She looped her arm through Zelda's and led her away. "Have you tried the little salmon puffs?
Jordyn blew her best friend a kiss.
"I love that woman."
"And I love this woma
n." Murphy kissed Jordyn's hand. His lips caressed the skin right above the square-cut diamond he'd slipped onto her ring finger the night before.
"I'll never doubt how you feel. However, if I did, all I'd need to do is look at the painting you did of me."
On the far wall of the gallery hung Murphy's portrait of Jordyn. Draped in a stark-white sheet, her skin glowed almost as brightly as her eyes. All those months ago when she sat for him in his cabin studio. Neither of them could have dreamed where they would end up.
From behind, Murphy slipped his arms around Jordyn. She loved when he held her, their bodies so close she could feel his heartbeat.
"The title for the painting is perfect. Intimate Strangers."
"Perfect. At the time," Murphy amended. "The painting I started this morning will have a different title."
"Any ideas?"
"Only one." Murphy spoke the words so only Jordyn could hear. "Intimate Soulmates."
Jordyn turned in his arms and looked into his eyes. So blue. So filled with love. She didn't believe in perfection. But this? What they'd begun and would continue to build? Was as close as she could imagine.
Here was where Jordyn belonged. Where she wanted to be. With Murphy. The man of her heart.
"Well," Murphy asked. "Intimate Soulmates. What do you think?" Jordyn asked.
Jordyn's smile beamed. "Practically perfect."
COMING IN DECEMBER
FLOWERS IN WINTER
♥ ⁕ ♥ ⁕ ♥
HART OF ROCK AND ROLL BOOK FIVE
TURN THE PAGE FOR A LOOK AT MORE BOOKS BY
MARY J. WILLIAMS
AFTER THE RAIN
(One Pass Away Book One)
PROLOGUE
LOGAN. LOGAN. LOGAN.
Logan Price closed his eyes, taking it all in.
"Hear that, kid?" Starting quarterback Gaige Benson slapped him on the back. "Two games under your belt and you're a star. Now let's go out there and add super to the front of it."
The announcer for the team set them in motion down the tunnel with his familiar introduction.
For the First Time (One Strike Away #$) Page 18