Seasoned Veteran

by Roz Lee

  “I’m so sorry.” She wrapped Siobhan in a big hug. “I thought maybe…if you saw each other again.”

  Siobhan stiffened, pushing away from the embrace. “We saw each other. I can assure you, nothing has changed.”

  “What happened?”

  “He told me I was nothing more than a good…well, you know.”

  “No!” Ashley straightened, squaring her shoulders. “I’m going to kill him!” She laid her hand over Siobhan’s forearm. “I’m so, so sorry. He asked me to set something up so he could talk to you. He told me he’d screwed up. All he wanted was a chance to get back together with you, but you weren’t answering his calls or emails. You have to believe me. I never would have set this up if I’d known he would do something like that to you.”

  “I know you wouldn’t have.” She took a sip from the water she’d all but ignored. Ashley’s words sank in. But…wait. Are you saying Jake asked you to set us up?”

  Ashley nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Crossing her arms on the bar, she bent to rest her head on them. “I can’t believe I fell for his sob story.”

  Siobhan thought about the new information while she patted her friend on the back. Why in the world would Jake go to the trouble of setting up a meeting just to insult her?

  Her friend sat up. “I’m sorry, Siobhan. He sounded so…sincere.”

  “It’s not your fault. Really, it isn’t. Jake and I…well, we seem to know what buttons to push.”

  “I don’t get it.” Ashley dabbed at her watery eyes with a paper napkin. “Why go to the trouble of asking me to help him? Why contact you at all?”

  “I’m wondering the same thing. When he broke it off last month, there was no ambiguity. He wanted out.” God, she hated remembering that night. The pain of his parting words still had the power to make her physically ache.

  “I just don’t get it. The way he talked…he fessed up to ending things badly with you. He sounded sincere about wanting another chance. He said he loved you.”

  Siobhan shivered, shaking off the implications of her friend’s words. “He doesn’t know what love is—”

  A roar from the crowd in the den jolted her out of her musings.

  Today was a celebration. She had no right to drag it down with tales of her miserable love life. “Enough about Jake. Maybe he’ll slink back to wherever he’s been for the last month. If he does, I’ll take over Bentley’s share of responsibilities, too.” She stood, drawing Ashley into a hug. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

  “I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”

  “No. No more apologies.” She surveyed the controlled chaos in the kitchen. “I’m getting hungry, so let’s get this show on the road before the football game goes to halftime. What can I do to help?”

  Ashley pointed to the chopping board piled high with fruit. “If you really want to help, you can begin there. Fruit salad for ten.”

  Groaning, Siobhan transferred to the stool nearer her assigned task. It hadn’t been long since she’d occupied the same stool. A few short months since she and her brother had sat at this same counter talking.

  Chapter Seven

  Two months earlier - September 25th

  “There isn’t room for both of us in the pool house.” Siobhan stared at her brother across the granite-topped island in Bentley’s kitchen, afraid she knew where Sean was going with his suggestion. She wasn’t blind or stupid.

  “I know. We’ll be changing places. You’ll have the pool house all to yourself for as long as you want to remain in Dallas. I’ll be moving in here—with Ashley and Bent.”

  With the heels of her hands pressed into the edge of the counter, she drummed her fingers on the cold stone. That’s what I was afraid of. She sighed. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

  He nodded his dark head. “I do. I love Bentley, and he loves me. Do I wish I was the only one he loved? Yes. But he loves Ashley, too. I can live with that if she can live with him loving me.” He shrugged. “It’s complicated.”

  “That’s an understatement if I ever heard one.” She’d known her older brother was gay for years but loved him just the same. All she’d ever wanted was for him to be happy. Even though his career in baseball was over, she’d never seen him as happy as he’d been the last few weeks. He’d recently signed a broadcasting contract to host a live, syndicated sports talk show that would provide him with financial security for years to come. Sean was the perfect host for the show, but she still worried about his adjustment to life post baseball. His jumping into a non-traditional, personal relationship added to her concerns.

  “Will you do it?” he asked.

  “You know I will, but are you sure you want to do this? I like to think I’m open-minded about sexual relationships, but when it comes to family, I find I lean toward traditional.”

  “Sis, there’s no such thing as traditional where I’m concerned. I can’t walk away from Bentley. We’ve already spent five years denying what we feel for each other. I don’t want to waste another day—even if I have to share his affections with Ashley.”

  “She’s okay with you moving in?”

  “She’s the one who suggested it.” He smiled. “She’s an incredible woman.”

  “I know. I’ve had a chance to get to know her over the last few months. I like her, too. I just don’t want you getting hurt, Sean.”

  “There aren’t guarantees in any relationship. This one is working, for the time being. I’d regret it the rest of my life if I didn’t give it a chance.”

  She nodded. “Okay. Okay. I’ll move out to the pool house today, so you and your lovers can have the run of the house without your little sister cramping your style.”

  “Thanks. You were always my favorite sister.”

  “You’re my favorite brother.”

  They both laughed at their joke. They didn’t have any other siblings. Sean’s laughter died away. The somber expression replacing his smile made her want to bolt for the door. She could see it coming—the big brother lecture.

  “I’m worried about you, sis.”

  They’d had this conversation before regarding the man she was dating. She hadn’t appreciated it much at the time, but after several weeks spent in Jake’s bed, she could see where her brother might have valid concerns. She had a few herself.

  “I’m good, Sean. I’m being cautious.”

  “He never keeps a girlfriend during the off season. Everyone says he disappears as soon as the season is over. It’s like he vanishes until Spring Training. I don’t know what to make of his habits, but whatever he does for those months, he doesn’t want anyone to know.”

  She’d heard about Jake’s tendency to dump his girlfriends at the end of the season, but she hadn’t heard the bit about him going MIA for months. “Where did you hear that? The locker room?”

  “As a matter of fact, yes. I made it a point to ask a few questions last week when I went to clean out my locker and say my goodbyes to the team.”

  She frowned at his admission.

  “Don’t be mad at me. What kind of big brother would I be if I didn’t look out for you?”

  “The kind that doesn’t meddle in his sister’s business?”

  “You can call it meddling if you want, but I call it protecting. You said you don’t want me getting hurt, well, I don’t want you getting hurt either. Knowledge is power. I figure you’re going to need all the knowledge you can get in regards to Jake.”

  “I can take care of myself.” She wasn’t going to tell her brother, but the new information did have her wondering what Jake was hiding.

  “I think you should go back to D.C. I’m glad you came out to help me after the accident, but I’m fine. The hip is about as good as it’s ever going to get, I have a new job, and I’m going to be living with the man I love. Go home before Jake breaks your heart.”

  Too late for that. Jake had stomped all over her heart their first night together, but like a lovesick idiot, she continued to hope sh
e could reach the part of him she’d glimpsed the first time they made love.

  “I can’t, Sean. I promised Ashley I would stay until after their wedding.”

  “Don’t remind me about the wedding.” He grimaced. “I still can’t believe I’m going to be the Best Man.”

  Her heart softened. She couldn’t imagine how difficult it would be for him to stand up for Bentley when he would prefer to be exchanging vows with the man. “You don’t have to do it.”

  “Yeah, I do.” His shoulders slumped. “They both have to maintain their public images. Getting married will make everything seem normal surrounding them. Only a few people, like you, need to know what’s really going on between us.”

  She was sorry her brother carried such a heavy burden in order to be with the man he loved, but she was grateful the conversation had turned away from her.

  “You know I’m always here for you.”

  “I know. I appreciate it.” He stood, a big smile spreading across his face. “Come on. I don’t have much, but I could use some help getting my stuff over here. I’ll help you take your stuff to the pool house afterward. You’re coming with me to the game this afternoon, aren’t you?”

  She followed her brother out the back door, falling into step beside him. “I wouldn’t miss the first playoff game.” She tried to keep her voice casual so he wouldn’t suspect she had other reasons for attending. “I wish you were playing, but I’m glad the Mustangs made it this far.”

  “You know, I haven’t watched a Major League game from the stands since I was in high school.”

  “We’re in the owner’s skybox, aren’t we?”

  “Yep.”

  “Today’s experience will be a whole lot better than the outfield seats we used to get.”

  “Those were fun times.” Sean draped his arm over her shoulder. “I’d buy season tickets in the outfield if there were such a thing.”

  She smiled, remembering how much enjoyment they’d gotten out of the cheapest seats in the stadium. “Me, too. I suspect you have other reasons for liking the outfield these days.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, left field is a lot more interesting than it used to be.”

  She rolled her eyes. “That’s what I thought. Bentley does have a fine ass.”

  “Hey!”

  “Don’t worry. He’s not my type.” She sped up to outdistance him on the sidewalk. “Let’s hurry and get the moving done. I want to see batting practice before the game.”

  Chapter Eight

  Present - December 2nd

  “You don’t need to be here. I can handle this.” Siobhan tapped her foot on the sidewalk outside the downtown hotel where the Crystal Ball would take place.

  “I know you can handle it, but there’s no reason you should have to handle it alone,” Jake said. “I signed on to do my part, too.”

  The man could be so exasperating. “This isn’t your part.”

  “That’s because Ashley is a control freak. She insisted on doing her tasks as well as Bentley’s. According to the stuff Bent gave me, dealing with the ballroom issues was his job.”

  She glared up at him. For the millionth time wondered exactly why he was in Dallas, plaguing her. “Like I said, I don’t need you.” Turning, she headed for the revolving door a few steps away. She paused, waiting for a couple to exit so she could slip into the vacated compartment. Jake’s voice, low and seductive just over her shoulder, sent shivers down her back.

  “I need you.”

  His breath hot against her ear was like dropping a pebble in a calm lake. Ripples of lust radiated out from her lobe all the way to the tips of her fingers. Lord, he could still make her knees weak. But she was made of sterner stuff than when she’d first met him. She’d already had that disease. Once a woman lived through a bout of Jake Tulleson, she was immune to his seduction.

  The door swished past, revealing an empty stall. She waited a heartbeat. At the last second, she stepped in, leaving heartbreak behind.

  “Fuck.” Jake watched the spinning compartment until it reached the other side where it deposited Siobhan safely inside the hotel lobby. Her sure steps and swaying hips mesmerized him as she traversed the polished marble floor, releasing him when she turned a corner, disappearing down a connecting hallway.

  He shook his head to clear it of erotic thoughts. No matter how many layers of clothing Siobhan wore, he could see through them like some fuckin’ superhero. Only he was nobody’s hero.

  Zero. That’s more like it.

  A tour bus rumbled to a stop at the curb. A noisy group of teenagers poured out, jostling for position in front of the revolving door. Jake stepped back, allowing them room.

  In his car, he cursed the midday traffic clogging the downtown streets. He didn’t know what he’d expected when he returned, but this wasn’t it. Yes, he’d been an ass, but he’d come back. He’d apologized. Hell, he’d done everything he could think of to win Siobhan over, but none of it had worked.

  The satellite radio cut off, indicating an incoming call. He waited until the phone number appeared on the display before answering.

  “Hi, hon. What’s up?”

  “I haven’t heard from you all week, Dad. I hope you haven’t called me because you’ve been in bed with Siobhan.”

  He stifled a groan. “I’m stuck in traffic, and my sleeping habits are none of your business,” he chided. His daughter meant well, but he wasn’t comfortable with her blunt approach to his love life.

  “Oh, Dad,” she sighed. “What did you do? I thought for sure she would have forgiven you by now.”

  “Shows what you know.” Signaling a lane change, he looked over his shoulder before edging the car into the far right lane. “She hates me.”

  “I told you winning her back was going to take more than just showing up, but did you listen? No.” She stretched the vowel sound out to emphasize her point. “You had to do it your way.”

  He resisted the urge to bear down on the horn. The traffic wasn’t going anywhere, just like this conversation with his meddling daughter. “Look, Kelly, my love life, or lack thereof, is none of your business.”

  “I beg to differ, Daddy.”

  How the hell did she sound so mature yet so childish in the span of one sentence?

  “You need her. She makes you happy, and when you’re happy, so am I.”

  He couldn’t argue with her logic. “Yes, she makes me happy but, apparently, I don’t do the same for her. She just kicked me to the curb.”

  “So, what’s next? You do have a plan, don’t you?”

  His silence condemned him. The long-suffering sigh Kelly had used to manipulate him since she was two years old put him on alert.

  “Don’t, Kel. I can hear the gears turning in your head from here. This is my problem, and I’m perfectly capable of solving it myself.”

  “You are so in denial. When’s this dinner thing you’re working on?”

  “Weekend after next.” He braked hard before he rear-ended the cement truck in front of him.

  “Do you have a date?”

  “I’m going with Siobhan.”

  “Really, Dad? The woman isn’t speaking to you.”

  At a complete standstill on the LBJ Freeway, he closed his eyes long enough to say a silent prayer for patience. “That’s only a temporary situation. She’ll come around in time.”

  “You’re going to win her over in ten days.” She couldn’t have infused more sarcasm into the statement if she’d tried.

  “That’s the plan.” He clenched the steering wheel in a white-knuckled grip.

  “Admit it. You don’t have a plan.”

  “Okay.” He poured all his frustration into the one word. “I don’t have a plan, but I’ll think of something.”

  “Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery.”

  When had his daughter developed such a smart mouth? “I don’t have a problem,” he reiterated.

  “You do, too. Face it, Dad. It’s time to make a call to
the bullpen.”

  “This isn’t a game, Kel. Besides, I don’t have a bullpen.”

  “Yes, you do. Me.”

  He really didn’t want to know what she meant by that, but he had little choice. Once his daughter grabbed onto a subject, she wouldn’t let go. Just like the time she decided he needed to revamp his wardrobe. She’d been all of ten and certain she knew everything about men’s fashions. He held off her good intentions for a week at best before driving her to the mall where she shoved armloads of clothes at him before sending him into the dressing room. Several thousand dollars later he had a new look he hadn’t wanted, but in retrospect, he’d needed. But just because she was right about his closet didn’t mean she was right about his love life. What did she know about the complicated relationships between men and women?

  “Kel,” he warned.

  “I’m coming down there, Dad. I’ll book my ticket as soon as we hang up. Can you pick me up at the airport tomorrow?”

  He knew when he was defeated. “Text me with your flight information. I’ll be there.”

  She did that squeal thing she did whenever she got her way, which was more often than he cared to think about. He’d been a mostly absent parent but, he reasoned, he wouldn’t have been there any more often if he’d married her mother all those years ago when they’d found out about the pregnancy. Major League baseball players were on the road more than they were home. It was a fact of life he’d compensated for in the off-season by indulging his daughter, perhaps a bit too much. All things considered, Kelly had turned out okay.

  They ended the call with a game of I love you, I love you more, that made him forget he was supposed to be annoyed with her.

  By the time he pulled into his driveway, he’d come to the conclusion that perhaps Kelly was right. He needed help. It just sucked he was reduced to relying on his daughter who wasn’t much younger than the woman he was in love with. It only made the age-divide seem wider, more impossible to span. He so didn’t want to think about what his daughter knew about adult relationships. She was too young….