Love of the Game - The Complete Collection (Box Set)

by Shayne McClendon

  He listened into the phone for a moment. “Bonnie, its Max. Listen, can you price two bedroom places in my building? Find me a good one, I’d like to see it today, if possible. Thanks, Bonnie. Right. Nope, can’t do dinner, sorry.” He hung up and turned to Josie. Neither of them spoke for a long time. Finally, to make himself feel better more than anything, he hugged her close.

  “I’m going to let you get back to it. Do me a favor and give me a call when you’re ready to go. I’ll come back down, okay? I’m going to grab coffee from Trish, you know she loves my tips…ha ha.”

  With that, he was out the door before he said or did something he couldn’t take back.

  Josie stood staring after him feeling like she’d just spun until she was dizzy enough to fall down.

  She knew Max wasn’t dating anyone; he hadn’t since the day they’d met. He worried about her constantly. He wanted to buy her a condo and hire her bodyguards. The man thought grand gestures for her were no different from doing stuff for his family. She sat down hard on the edge of her desk.

  Max was in love with her.

  Josie wasn’t sure how long it would last, but she’d take it. Not his money – she wasn’t letting the man buy her a place to live – but she was going to be one greedy bitch about his love, for as long as he was willing to give it. When he tired of her, she’d nurse her wounds, and always have the memories.

  Since the night he’d taken her to the ballet, Josie had been completely in love with Max. He’d understood her tears and hadn’t hesitated to comfort her. That had been the end of her ability to resist him emotionally.

  When she’d turned earlier and seen him, every cell in her body reached for him, needed him. She knew…knew he’d catch her and hold her through it…and he had. He’d given her what no one else had since she’d lost her parents.

  A sense of safety. A belief that someone cared about her as a person…about whether she lived or died…that she mattered.

  Max had brought her inside and held her like she was a stuffed animal that weighed nothing. He said sweet little things to her. He calmed her and, for the first time in a very long time, she wasn’t afraid.

  He would never approach her. Josie knew that for certain after his reaction to her the night before. She’d pushed hard and Max had pushed her right into the elevator.

  In the beginning, she’d been afraid and unsure of him. That initial hesitation made him cautious; he wouldn’t betray her trust. He’d worked too hard to earn it.

  He would never cross the line of their friendship. She would have to cross it.

  Done.

  Chapter Seven

  Josie was determined. She washed her face and went back to work.

  The rest of the day was hectic and she ignored all calls with exception to Max and his family. She didn’t know how the goons who’d attacked her kept getting her personal information but their attorney never hesitated to use it.

  When she closed up in the afternoon, she called Max to let him know. He was at the shop in less than three minutes and walked in the door talking.

  “Hey, Josie, I found out about two available condos in my building. One has a really cute kitchen, totally remodeled. The other one is better though. It’s closer to my floor and I can remodel the kitchen for you. Everything else is awesome. You’re going to love it.”

  Hiding her smile, Josie grabbed the bank deposit bag and her own backpack. “Max, we can talk about the condo over dinner. Listen, would you mind if I crashed in one of your guest rooms for a couple of days until I have a chance to talk to the judge and DA?”

  “God, I should have suggested that. Of course! We’ll go by your place and grab some stuff. As far as I’m concerned, you should stay with me until we close on your new place.”

  With that, she locked up and followed him to his SUV. He opened her door and waited until she buckled up before he closed it with a smile.

  He was completely animated and chatty as he drove across town to her apartment. He walked up with her and froze. Her door was slightly ajar. Max tried to push Josie behind him but she drew her weapon and kicked the door wide.

  She went room to destroyed room, already dialing Sal and Danny on her cell. Her voice was strangely calm as she spoke. “Hey there, they did it again. Can you come by and take a report? Thanks, Danny, I appreciate it.”

  Max looked around in shock and fury. “What do you mean again?” He gestured to her rooms, taking in the ripped fabrics, broken glass, and torn posters. “This has happened before, Josie?”

  She nodded and held up two fingers…twice before.

  She was on the phone with the Assistant DA, pacing back and forth through her apartment. “Voicemail again. What a surprise. Listen, I realize you lost a pile of money during the season my attacker was locked up and I’m sorry. That said, someone trashed my apartment again and I’m getting seriously threatening phone calls from some guy who claims to be his attorney.”

  Josie stopped and crouched on the floor. Max watched as she picked up a photo of herself and her mom. It was ripped in half. “My mom,” she murmured and tears ran down her cheeks. “They weren’t happy to take my future. Now they feel like they have the right to take my past as well.” She stood with the picture in her hand and gripped the phone tight.

  “This is the deal, you corrupt piece of shit. Stop acting like his attorney and start representing the victim you’re paid to look out for. How many attacks are going to be enough for all of you? Do your fucking job. Goodbye.”

  The police showed up while Max was on the phone with Patty. Sal and Danny were shocked to see him there and he waved.

  Max filled his housekeeper in on the situation. When Josie collapsed on her couch, he sat beside her and rubbed her back. “I need to get it cleaned up but I’d also like it packed. Whatever Josie won’t need for a few weeks should be put in storage. Yeah…I’m praying she’ll let me put her in my building. Exactly, close. Right. You know where I’m coming from. Can you help me out, Patty? Send me some good people. I don’t care what it costs. You’re an angel. Thanks.”

  Josie wrapped up her report and the cops told Max he’d had one of his best seasons, even if the team as a whole didn’t make it to the Super Bowl. He thanked them and meant it.

  When they were gone, he turned to Josie and held her shoulders gently. “You need to pack anything you’re going to need over the next few weeks. Patty agrees you can’t stay here. It’s just too dangerous. Stay at my place, we’ll put everything in storage and figure out the rest.”

  She nodded and he hugged her. “Thank you, Josie. I thought you were going to be stubborn about this. I’m not normally so…pushy but I wouldn’t forgive myself if something happened to you.”

  The smile on her face didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m stubborn but never stupid. This was a message and I’m not willing to be here when they get tired of leaving them. Thanks, Max.”

  With that, they got busy. He worked to put furniture upright while Josie packed a bag and a box of important papers. Less than an hour later there was a knock on the door. Three huge guys, sent by Patty, were standing in the hall.

  They were from a moving company owned by one of Patty’s sons and got to work in moments. Before Max escorted Josie out of her apartment, the supervisor gave him all the details about where Josie’s stuff would be. They would be done in less than four hours.

  Half her living room was already neatly packed and labeled. He told them to call Patty for his credit card information when they had the final total for packing, moving, and storage.

  Max grabbed the duffle bag and a box she needed and led the way to his truck. She was carrying her backpack over her shoulder. When they were both inside, Josie leaned her head back against the seat.

  “I’m sorry to be so much trouble, Max. Thanks.”

  He reached over and squeezed her hand, then called his mom and filled her in. His mother’s slightly hysterical voice on the other end of the line professed her mounting concern for Josie’s saf
ety.

  The emotional toll on Josie was evident when they got to his place. Patty hustled her into the guest room and reported a few minutes later that Josie had fallen into a sound asleep.

  The next morning, he was sitting at the bar drinking coffee when Josie laid her head on his arm. “I didn’t mean to wimp out on you.”

  Max kissed the top of her head with a smile. “You’ve been through so much. You were exhausted and there’s nothing wrong with taking a break, getting your feet back under you, Josie. How do you feel?” He walked into the kitchen to pour her coffee and she took it gratefully.

  “I’m frustrated. Tired of this crap.” She shook her head and sighed. “You know, I planned on closing the shop for a couple of days to relax…now I have an even better reason. Do you want to come with me to my parent’s old cabin?”

  “I think time away is just what you need. You sure I won’t distract you?”

  “No, Max,” she said softly. “You won’t distract me.” She took in his pajama pants and light t-shirt. “It’s going to be even colder there than here. Pack warm.”

  They took their time finishing their coffee and getting dressed. He packed a bag and put the rest of her things in the guest room. All she took was her backpack.

  Patty grinned when they told her the plan and promised to hold down the fort.

  Chapter Eight

  It took over an hour to get to the small town close to the cabin she’d inherited from her parents.

  Josie asked Max to stop at the only grocery store for supplies. They spent a long time strolling the aisles; picking the right combinations of regular food and junk. Neither of them had any intention of watching their diets. A case of water and the bags went in the back of the truck and they were on their way up the mountain.

  Josie loved it here. It reminded her of where Max grew up in north Florida.

  When they turned on a narrow dirt road, bouncing up the incline, they couldn’t stop laughing. The little cabin came into view about a mile up in a small clearing.

  “Wow, that is so pretty, Josie. I can see why you like being here so much.”

  They unloaded the truck and he threw his bag in the smaller of the two rooms before he helped her in the kitchen. They were easy around one another, like they always were after so many months spent in each other’s company.

  Before long, they had a fire going and dinner cooking. When it was done, they sat at the small dining table. The firelight and fading sun were their only light.

  Max seemed to zone out while staring at her. “What? Do I have food on my face?”

  He shook his head and laughed. “Nah, you kind of look like a fairy.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, I noted the fact that there isn’t a television.”

  Josie smiled and let the fairy comment go for now. “There’s a TV and DVD player in the bedroom. I have tons of action movies so we can have a movie marathon.” She didn’t mention that the only place to sit in the bedroom was a large bed.

  “I also have board games my sister and I used to play when we were kids, a couple decks of cards, and lots of music. During the day, I tend to hike. Depending on the weather, you may just have to put up with my uninterrupted company for a couple of days.”

  She noticed he took a long time to chew his next bite of spaghetti but didn’t call him on it.

  When she was done, she got up, put on a Fleetwood Mac CD, and cleaned up the kitchen while he brought in more firewood. They flopped on the couch, chatting, with their feet up on the coffee table. Max was wearing thick white sport socks and Josie’s socks were fluffy and pink.

  “You love pink, Josie,” Max noted absently.

  “I do. I never used to…before. I got all gung-ho right after everything happened, started working out, training in martial arts, carrying a gun. One day I realized I was in danger of forgetting I was female and I’d liked being a female.”

  She leaned her head on his shoulder and smiled. “I used to be such a girly girl, Max. It was pretty nauseating now that I think about it. That happens when your parents raise you to be a ballerina. I worked at the bar because ballerinas don’t earn shit.”

  She wiggled her toes. “After everything, the hospital, the surgery, the trial…I had no clue what to do with myself. While I was recovering from knee surgery, I started baking. Gave it away to all my neighbors and someone said I should open a bakery. I thought it was ridiculous at first.” She looked up at Max. He was breathing slow and easy as he listened to her.

  “Then I started experimenting, putting new twists on old favorites. I’ve always been a coffee fiend. When I was awarded damages during the civil trial after the criminal trial wrapped up, I knew exactly what to do with the money. Ta da! Bakery chick.”

  Max was quiet for a few minutes, lost in thought. Josie could smell the blend of scents that symbolized him. His cologne had a hint of leather. His hair products and soap, an undertone of cedar. Then there was his natural smell. Clean, beautiful male.

  She loved being close to him and always soaked up the few chances she had.

  When he finally spoke, his voice was low and quiet. “You amaze me, Josie. You’ve been through so much and yet, here we sit. You’ve been a better friend to me than anyone ever. I’m so glad you took a chance and let me prove I wasn’t a total asshole.”

  “You aren’t an asshole, Max. You’re my best friend…okay…my only friend, but still. You’ve done more for me in the last six months than anyone in my life.”

  She put her hand over his between them on the couch and squeezed it. He slowly turned his hand over and held hers carefully.

  Josie wasn’t having it. She twined her fingers in his and squeezed again. “Max, I haven’t thanked you for giving a shit, for being the only person who seemed to.”

  “Don’t thank me, Josie. You deserve the best of everything and to be safe.”

  “You are not buying me a condo, Max.”

  He turned his head on the back of the couch to look at her. She faced him in the same position. “Josie, if you let me do this for you, it would mean a lot to me. Friends are supposed to do stuff for each other…you do stuff for me all the time, Josie. I don’t do anything for you.”

  Josie pulled her legs under her on the couch and turned her body to face him with their clasped hands on her bent knee. “Max, I bring you coffee, pastry if you aren’t shredding. You never let me pay for anything. That Maroon 5 concert I took you to for your birthday? You bought me like three hundred dollars’ worth of souvenirs while I was in the bathroom.”

  He was ready to argue so she put a finger over his lips. “You pay for everything. You realize I’m not broke, right? I live carefully because I’m not much of a spender. My business is in the black. I do need to move. Having it trashed three times is more than enough. I’ll find a place close to the shop but you are not buying me a condo. It’s too much.”

  Max faced forward, avoiding her eyes. “What you’ve done for me isn’t financial, Josie. I’m buying you a condo. I’ll let it sit empty if you don’t move into it, but you’re going to have it.”

  “Max, I don’t do anything for you. I’m more work than anything else.”

  “Don’t say that. You aren’t work. Before I met you, not one woman has ever patched me up after a game since my mom, Josie.” Her eyes widened in surprise.

  “I’d come out of the locker room battered and exhausted, get jumped by some tramp I was dating and she’d be all about partying or shopping or sex. I had a woman try to fuck me in the parking lot of the stadium when I had two fractured ribs.”

  “Max…”

  “You think you’re the only one tired of being a story but you’re not. You talk to me like a person, Josie. Like someone you’d want to know even if I wasn’t…who and what I am.” He gave her a half-smile. “Hell, you’d prefer it if I wasn’t a football player.”

  Her voice was quiet as she said, “I don’t think of you like that anymore, Max. I’m so proud; I’m honored to know you.”

  He s
hook his head, “You remembered my birthday two months in advance and got me front row tickets to my favorite band. You know my favorite ice cream is Chunky Monkey and you get it for me but only let me have a little. You worry when I’m hurt and try to make it better. You talk to my mom more than I do sometimes. Scott is going to flip out over that antique doctor’s bag at Christmas. I love…I love having you around. You aren’t work at all.”

  When he turned his head to look at her, he said firmly, “You’re getting the condo. I need to know you’re safe, Josie.”

  Before she could stop herself, she moved her body to straddle him, took his face in her hands, and kissed him.

  Chapter Nine

  Max jumped so violently that Josie had to grip his thighs with hers to keep her balance.

  He froze beneath her, his body tight, and his hands not moving.

  Josie lifted her head to look at him. “The look on your face right now is priceless, Max.” She sat back on the tops of his thighs, just staring at him with her hands on his shoulders. “Yes, that just happened.” He opened his mouth to say something but closed it.

  “Nothing, huh? Okay, I’ll talk. I’m happy you’re my best friend. I trust you…you’ve worked really hard to build that trust between us and I appreciate it. I think you’re amazing as a person.”

  “Josie…” he whispered.

  “You’re kind, protective, not afraid to be silly, dedicated to any goal you set your mind to, talented on and off the field, grounded despite fame and fortune, and you’re good to your mother.”

  Her fingers brushed through his light brown hair. “I didn’t expect you to take a vow of celibacy but not seeing you with the daily cupcake for months on end gives a better representation of you as a man. I tell you that as your friend.”

  “I-I’m glad, Josie.” She could tell he was off balance and confused. She gave him time to process.

  “You’ve let me care for you after games even though I know it’s made you incredibly…tense. You can’t fake sleep for shit. You have excellent control. You haven’t even attempted to betray my trust and it is that, more than everything else about you, I find most attractive. I know you care about me as a person and as a woman. I care about you, too, Max.”