“Maybe, but you shut out every other team, football or otherwise, from the news for two entire days.”
He chuckled. “Yeah. We were kinda everywhere, weren’t we?”
“And these two events’ll bring more positive publicity your way.”
“Pretty soon people’ll forget those two assholes who beat up their wives and kids ever played for the Kings.”
“That’s the idea. And with the anger management program, hopefully that won’t happen again.”
“Damn right it won’t. I’ll beat the shit out of anyone who does that myself.”
“These ideas are why you brought me here, Lyle.”
“Yep. Good job.” She smiled as he stood up, indicating the meeting was over. “Now, try to find a couple of new programs that don’t cost me shit.”
Cheap bastard. She left his office savoring her victories and trying to forget his last comment. She stopped by the coach’s and popped her head in. “Dinner at The Sweet Magnolia tonight, on me.”
Pete directed his gaze to her. “Good news?”
She grinned. “Touchdown, extra point, safety, and field goal.”
“Congratulations.”
Jo dialed her phone as she headed for her office. “Sam? Good news.”
* * * *
Working with Samantha Drake freed up Jo to attend games and leave work on time. But Pete’s stress spiked with every contest. The Kings lost to the Columbus Bobcats, their nemesis. After the game, Pete was in a sour mood. He hated to lose. Even Jo’s pointing out that Horse Jackson didn’t manage to cripple anyone didn’t cheer him up.
He sequestered himself in his office and watched play footage, obsessively searching for the team’s mistakes. The race to the Super Bowl was on, even though it was only mid-September. The coach would be grumpy for a week. Only winning could buoy his spirits. When his good mood returned, he noticed that Jo stopped tiptoeing around him. Her moods seemed to reflect his—quiet when he was down and cheerful when he was up.
The second Monday in October, Pete stole away from work for a secret conversation with his daughters. They were at school, so Lexie put him on speaker.
“What’s up, Dad?” Alyssa asked.
Pete cleared his throat. “Um. Well. I’m dealing with a difficult decision.”
Silence.
“Girls?”
“We’re here,” Lexie said.
“Um, I don’t know how to ask you this.”
“Go ahead and ask her, Dad.” Lexie’s voice held a note of annoyance. “We’ve got class in fifteen minutes.”
“Really? So, it’s okay if I propose to Jo?”
“Yeah. Not like we didn’t expect it,” Lyssa replied.
“Good. I’m relieved.” He let out a big breath. “You knew, huh?”
“We’re not stupid. Everybody’s been waiting for you to ask her.”
“Everybody?”
“Well, both of us, anyway,” Lexie said.
“As long as you’re not gonna have any more kids,” Alyssa put in.
Silence again.
“You’re not, are you?” Lyssa’s voice rose an octave.
“Actually, I was planning on it. I know Jo wants kids of her own. And since you two are one foot out of the house, I’d like to have another one too.”
More silence.
“Girls?” Pete ran his fingers through his hair.
The silence continued.
“You expected a proposal, but not a baby?”
“Is Jo pregnant?” Lexie asked.
“I don’t think so.”
The sound of weeping came over the phone.
“Alyssa, honey, why are you crying?”
“How did you know it was me?”
“I’m your father. I know these things.”
“You’re going to love your new baby more than you love us.”
He frowned. “Never.”
“Babies are so cute. And if it’s a boy, well…” The crying intensified.
“Lexie, hug your sister. Alyssa, listen to me. I have enough love for both of you and another child too.”
Now, there was the sound of a nose blowing and sniffling.
“You’ll be big sisters.”
“So?”
“Yeah, Dad. Don’t expect us to change diapers and babysit,” Lexie added.
“You don’t want me to marry Jo?”
“We didn’t say that. Go ahead. Get married,” Alyssa answered.
“Yeah. We like Jo,” Lexie said.
“Just don’t have any more kids,” Lyssa repeated.
“I can’t promise that. I’m sorry, girls. You know I love you. But you’re almost launched. I’ve got to move my life ahead too.”
The line went dead.
“Damn it!” Pete cocked his arm to throw his cell against the wall, but thought better of it. He thrust it into his back pocket instead.
The coach sat back, his heart heavy. He reached into his front pants pocket and pulled out a small, velvet-covered box. He opened it and stared at a fifteen carat, emerald-cut diamond ring. He sighed as he watched the light sparkle and glitter through the gem. The happiness that had coursed through him when he had picked it out had evaporated with one phone call.
The knock on his door jarred him from his reverie. Startled, he snapped the box shut and shoved it in his pocket again as the door opened.
Jo stuck her head in. “Ready to go in fifteen?” She tilted her head, her luxurious hair falling loose.
He nodded. God, she’s beautiful.
She smiled at him then arched her brows. “Everything okay?”
“Give me a minute.” The coach rubbed the back of his neck.
Jo left. Pete walked to the window and stared out. He’d never done anything to upset his daughters. He always put them first. When am I entitled to my own life? It took me so long to find Jo. If I don’t propose, she might meet someone else. I’ll lose her. A brief shudder shot through him. They’ll be gone, and I’ll be alone. His shoulders sagged, and the corners of his mouth drooped as he shrugged his jacket on and headed for the door.
* * * *
As Thanksgiving approached, the Kings added a few more victories to their record. Pete and Jo had settled into a routine. Plans for the holiday dinner for the residents of the shelter were moving along. Last count, there were fifteen women and children stuffed into the cramped spaces the safe haven had been given. With the money raised at Buddy and Emmy’s wedding, the nonprofit had bought a small piece of land and was putting up pre-fab housing. The news of those plans warmed Jo’s heart.
Dinner for fifteen would be enough of an undertaking. Lyle had agreed to pay for a caterer and some of the players had volunteered to serve the food. Fortunately, they were scheduled to play at one o’clock, giving them time to serve dinner after the game and still join their own families for a private celebration.
Jo found herself smiling for no apparent reason. Happiness greeted her every night when she lost herself in the arms of her lover and every morning when she opened her eyes to find him lying beside her. Grateful to have such a perfect life, secretly she feared the bubble would burst anytime, thrusting her back into the lonely existence of a workaholic out to prove her worth to the world.
She scheduled another press conference to tell the media about the team’s Thanksgiving plans. By now, she’d been to enough of them to understand that, if Lyle Barker was paying the freight, he’d be taking center stage. Jo was nudged out of the picture. She accepted this as his right and figured Lyle knew what she’d accomplished and that would have to be enough.
With her business life and her love life coming together exactly the way she wanted, Jo basked in the glow of fulfillment. Being in a happy place was new to Jo. Small, nagging doubts urged her to share her good fortune with someone who cared. She needed feedback.
One night after dinner, she left Pete to handle the dishes while she slipped outside and headed for the ocean. Needing a private talk with Beth, Jo took Daisy for a walk.
“Hey, lady. It’s been ages. What’s up?”
“Things are good,” Jo replied.
“Glad to hear it. How’s that hunky Coach?”
“Sexy as ever.”
“So, when are you two getting serious?”
Jo hesitated. “Well…”
“You’re not getting cold feet, are you?”
“It’s not like he’s asked me or anything.”
“But if he did, would you say ‘yes’?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” Beth yelled into the phone.
“I guess I would.”
“Don’t you want to marry him?”
“I just don’t want things to change. I love my life right now. And I want to keep it that way.”
“Then, uh, maybe marrying him would be a good thing.”
“Think so?” Jo chewed her lip.
“You’ve never had this before. Never been this close. Don’t blow it, Jo. This guy sounds like a keeper.”
“He is.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“I’ve never committed before. It’s kinda scary.”
“And so are the roller coasters at Great Adventure, but you ride them anyway.”
Jo laughed. “Good analogy. Being in love is that kind of thrilling.”
“Go for it. Take that big, juicy bite of the apple. You deserve to be happy, lady. Don’t let this guy get away.”
“I take it you want me to accept, if he asks.”
“Duh!”
“Okay, okay. And if he doesn’t?”
“He’s not about to let a gem like you get away.”
“But if he doesn’t?” Jo insisted.
“Then, give yourself a cut-off date. If he doesn’t ask you by then, find out what his intentions are. If he proposes, great. If he doesn’t, start looking for someone new.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“It is easy. You’ve already done the hard part—finding him.”
Jo chuckled. “Yeah, guess you’re right. It’s taken me ten years.”
“And more for him. I can’t see him walking away from you.”
“I hope you’re right. What’s happening with you?”
“I’m pregnant.”
“Oh my God! Really? That’s fantastic. Congratulations!”
“We’re over the moon. Gotta go.” Beth yawned into the phone. “Way past my bedtime.”
“Night. Stay healthy,” Jo said.
“Say ‘yes’,” Beth replied.
Daisy barked at leaves blowing in the shadows. The pug tugged toward Pete’s house.
The wind on the beach picked up, penetrating to Jo’s bones. She shivered, partly from the cold and partly because her life seemed to be racing toward the great unknown. She had finally admitted to herself she was in love. Along with making her happy, the realization frightened her. Now, her happiness wasn’t just dependent on her own actions, but on the whimsy of Coach Bass.
The canine stopped at the walkway.
“Right, girl. That’s home now, isn’t it?” Jo shivered, and Daisy shook out her fur. “I hope it is,” Jo muttered to herself as she climbed the front steps.
* * * *
Thanksgiving dinner came off as smooth as glass. Pete noticed the women from the shelter seemed shy, embarrassed, about being homeless. The ones who still sported bruises covered their faces and hid their necks with scarves. The men looked shocked to see the physical results of uncontrolled anger. Some of them looked away from the pain evident in the lives of these ladies.
Jo stood up to speak. Bullhorn Brodsky grabbed her upper arms and eased her to the side. Pete watched from the sidelines.
“With my voice, I don’t need a mic or anything. No one’ll hear this little lady,” Bull said, nodding toward Jo. “Welcome, ladies and kids. The guys who play for the Kings are blessed to be with such a great team and a great coach. Today, we are blessed to have you with us, to celebrate. It’s time for Thanksgiving. So, we give thanks you can join us and thanks for winning so many games. Amen.”
Applause mixed with laughter.
“Better speech than I could have given, Bull. I think you made everyone feel comfortable,” Jo said.
He beamed at her then gave her a bear hug.
“Watch it, Bull. If you crush Coach’s lady, you’ll get benched,” Trunk Mahoney warned.
“Shut up, Trunk.” Brodsky let go of Jo, who took a deep breath. He smiled at her and punched Trunk in the shoulder.
“Hey! You could get fined,” Trunk said.
“No one’s gonna fine me for takin’ a little swing at you. Hell, everyone wants to,” Bull replied.
The men snickered, and Trunk blushed. They returned to the food line where they passed out plates and silverware.
After the festivities were over, a clean-up crew showed up. Jo mentioned that she was thankful to leave the mess to someone else. She and Pete piled into his vehicle. He turned the heater up, as the windshield was frosted over and the car was freezing.
Rubbing his hands together, he glanced at Jo. “Nice job, today.”
“Thank you. It went well. The women and kids seemed to have a good time.”
“The guys did too. Sorry more couldn’t come.”
“It’s okay. I understand. They have families.”
“Speaking of families…”
Jo turned away from the window to face him and cocked an eyebrow.
He was surprised to find himself sweating when it was twenty-five degrees outside. He blew on his hands. Quit stalling. Coward.
“You were saying?”
He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the little box, hidden in his large palm. “I can’t get down on one knee here, but, well…shit, this is harder than I thought.”
Jo chuckled behind her hand.
“I mean. You and I, well, we make a good family. I mean, I’d like us to be a family. Maybe have a kid someday. Not without getting married first. So, will you marry me, Josephine Parker?”
She arched an eyebrow. “Marry you?”
“Damn it. I love you, woman. Don’t fuck with me. Do you love me? Will you be my wife?”
There was a moment of silence that he swore lasted two hours before she answered. The shimmer of her eyes, reflecting light from the street lamp, looked like two pools of the turquoise, Caribbean Sea. The rest of her face was in shadow, but he saw love in her expression.
“Yes, Pete. I will.”
Not sure he heard right, he stared at her, hard. “What did you say?”
“I said ‘yes.’ Unless you’d rather I said ‘no’?”
“No, no, no. ‘Yes’ works for me. Oh, Jo!” He kissed her then opened the little box. The big diamond also caught the light and shone like a little beacon. Jo gasped. He slipped it on her finger and kissed her again. “Now, we’re official.”
“We are.”
“Aren’t you happy?” Pete asked, his brows arched.
“I’m delirious. I just didn’t expect it. I didn’t know, I mean. I never thought. The cow…the milk. I didn’t think you… Didn’t think you wanted to,” she sputtered, a delayed reaction setting in. Tears flowed down her cheeks.
He took her in his arms as best he could in the confines of the car. “Oh, honey. Of course, I want to. I’ll be damned if I let you get away. I’ve been looking for you for so long. Now, I’ve found you, and I’ll never let you go.” He felt her relax at his words. He stroked her back and kissed her hair.
“I love you, Pete. More than I thought I could ever love anyone.”
“Maybe we’ll have a baby? Do you want one?”
She leaned back to gaze into his eyes. “I do. I want to be a mother.”
“You’d be amazing.”
As soon as the car warmed up, Pete put the vehicle in gear and pulled out. His hands shook a bit, but he couldn’t wait to get home. He slowed down so he could hold her hand with his. When his phone rang, he pressed speaker.
“Wher
e the hell are you, Dad?” It was Lexie.
“We’re on the way.”
“The turkey is getting cold.”
“Be there in a jiff,” he said, then hung up.
He spied Jo staring at her ring and smiling. His lips turned down into a frown. The girls. He squeezed her fingers a bit harder. “Can’t Smile Without You” played on the radio.
Chapter Fourteen
Jo was in shock when they braved the cold, running from the car to the house. She snaked her arms around Pete, jacket and all, as he fumbled with the key. Mrs. Pete Sebastian. Mrs. Jo Sebastian. Jo and Pete Sebastian. She grinned like a schoolgirl.
They shed their coats and joined the twins in the dining room. The table was set with good china and silver. A platter of sliced turkey was the centerpiece. Sides of mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans, and zucchini were located in each corner. A small dish of cranberries was nestled between the platter and a plate.
“Wow, you made all this?” Jo asked.
Alyssa nodded. Her eyes zeroed in on Jo’s diamond ring. “You did it, Dad?”
Pete nodded and smiled. “I’m an engaged man.”
Alyssa’s hand flew to her mouth. She turned and ran from the room.
“Shit,” Pete muttered under his breath. “I’ll be right back.” He patted Jo’s arm before going after his daughter.
Jo sank down into a chair. “What the hell? Lexie. What’s going on?”
“Lyssa’s upset about you guys getting married.”
“Why? I thought she liked me. I like her.”
“It’s not that. Not you. It’s the kid.”
“What kid?”
“You’re gonna have one, aren’t you?”
“We want to. But you never know.”
“Alyssa doesn’t want Dad to have another one.”
“Oh, I see,” Jo said, nodding her head.
“It’s not you, Jo. We’re really grateful. You’ve made Dad so happy.”
“Thanks, Lexie.” Jo pushed to her feet and gave the girl a squeeze. “How do you feel?”
“I don’t like it much, but, well, there’s nothing I can do.”
“Why don’t you wait before you decide?”
Pete Sebastian, Coach Page 19