Jo was speechless.
“Hello? You there, Ms. Parker?”
“I’m here.”
“What do you say?”
“Can I think about it?”
“Offer’s good until midnight. Like Cinderella.” He chuckled.
“Okay. I’ll call you back.”
“Please tell Pete about this.”
“I will.” She hung up and turned to face the coach.
He was smiling. “Are you coming back?”
“I’ll have to think about it. What did you say to get him to make that call?” She narrowed her eyes.
“Just told him the truth. He’d been an asshole.”
Jo laughed. “That can’t be all.”
“Okay. I threatened to quit too.”
“You did? For me?”
Pete eased down next to her. “So, are you going to stay?”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“Bet the Meerkats aren’t paying you that much.” He put his arm around her shoulders.
He smells so good. And looks so good. One glance at the hopeful, sexy look in his eyes melted her more than she’d admit. She cupped his cheek. Resist. “Thanks for doing that for me.”
“I’m sorry, so sorry, Jo. I fucked up. I let you down.”
She got up and walked to the back door. It was cold outside, but she didn’t feel it. Pete was right behind her.
“Why won’t you accept my apology?” He closed his fingers over her shoulders.
“My life is full of apologies. My parents apologized a thousand times for not loving me the way they loved Bobby. It didn’t help. Once something is done, you can’t undo it. Not with a few easy words.”
“These words don’t come easy to me.”
She turned to face him. “How can I trust you to put me first? I always thought that in a marriage, that was the deal.”
“You have a problem with trust.”
“You don’t know what it’s like. Growing up with a mother who doesn’t love you, doesn’t want to be around you. Trying again and again to please her, impress her, get some positive reaction, and failing every time.” Tears stung the backs of her eyes, but she couldn’t hold them back.
“You’re wrong. I do know. I know exactly what you mean,” he said softly, offering his handkerchief.
She accepted the cloth and mopped her cheeks. “How could you? Your parents were loving, supported you, encouraged you.”
“I saw it every day. Every day of their lives, my daughters struggled with the desertion of their mom. Do you think it was easy to watch that?” His voice cracked. “I tried everything I could, but I couldn’t replace a mother who didn’t care, who wasn’t there, who didn’t love them. No matter what I did, it wasn’t enough. Was never enough. She wasn’t there for the cut knees, hurt feelings, prom dates, clothes shopping. None of it. I tried, but I can’t be two people. When your mother doesn’t love you, it stays with you forever.”
“Your girls don’t show any signs.”
“We’ve worked hard as a family to build up their confidence. But it hasn’t been easy. Look at Alyssa, falling apart because you and I want to have a baby. She’s afraid she’s going to lose the only parent she has. One step forward, two steps back.” Jo saw his eyes water before he turned away.
“It kills you, doesn’t it?” she asked, softly.
“Damn right it does. So don’t tell me I don’t get it. I do.”
She touched him but he flinched, moving away from her hands.
His shoulders heaved for a moment then he turned. “Do you think you can get a ride home? I’m ready to leave. I don’t want you to miss out on the party. But I’m done here. There’s nothing more I can say. You know how I feel. The decision is yours.”
She nodded. “It’s okay. Go on. Buddy or Emmy’ll take me home.”
Pete leaned down to kiss her, but only grazed her cheek before turning to leave. Suddenly, the cold penetrated her thin jacket, and Jo went inside.
She took a Christmas cookie as she watched Pete say his farewells and head for the door. He stopped for a second to glance at her and throw a small smile her way. Her heart lurched. Her fingers itched to comb his hair back, her arms ached to hold him, comfort him.
But he was gone. Maybe it was too late after all.
* * * *
Emmy volunteered to drive Jo home. It was nine when they left. There was a player curfew the night before the Rams game. The caterers were cleaning up, Buddy was watching television, so Emmy and Jo slipped into Emmy’s SUV.
“I’d have thought you’d have a fancier car than this,” Jo remarked.
“I have to haul stuff. Guitars, music stands, all kinds of things. Besides, someday, we’ll have a kid and need one anyway.”
“Are you and Buddy planning to get pregnant?”
“Not planning. Not yet. Buddy keeps saying he needs to practice a lot.” Emmy giggled.
Jo smiled. “That’s the fun part.”
“Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.”
“Okay. What do you want to know?”
“When are you and Coach gonna patch things up?”
“What makes you think we are?”
“Because you belong together.”
“Things are pretty tough right now.”
“Aren’t you going to forgive him?”
“Does everyone know about this?”
“Of course. You know the team—all a bunch of gossipy girlie-men.”
Jo laughed. “I’ve never thought of them as girlie-men.”
“Naturally they’re tough and all. But inside, they’re mush.”
“That’s probably right.”
“Take it from me, Buddy cries at chick flicks. Just don’t tell anyone I told you so.”
“I’m surprised.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“I don’t know, Emmy. It’s gotten pretty complicated.”
“Take the new offer from Lyle, promise not to sue, forgive Pete, and it’s done. What’s so hard about that?”
“Sue?”
“I heard you were preparing a discrimination lawsuit.”
Jo chuckled. “I’d thought about it, but didn’t do anything…yet. So, that’s what’s driving Lyle Barker to make good, eh? Interesting.”
“Don’t tell anyone I told you,” Emmy had to say for the second time. She pulled up in front of Jo’s house. “Please reconsider. You’re like a sister to me. I want you around. The team loves you. You’ve done so much for them personally and professionally. They won’t admit it, but that anger management thing has helped a lot.”
Jo hugged her friend. “Thanks, Emmy. I’ll think about it.”
“Are you coming to the game tomorrow?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
“I hope it’s not your last.”
The women hugged again before Jo got out of the vehicle. Emmy drove away as Jo leashed Daisy, grabbed her cell, and headed out for the last walk of the night. She dialed Lyle Barker.
“Well, little lady. I mean, Ms. Parker. What’ll it be?”
After finishing her conversation with Lyle, Jo poured a small snifter of brandy. She stood by the window, watching the moonlight reflect off icy tree limbs. She contemplated her choice, wondering if she had made progress, or if she had let herself down. She cursed the fact that life wasn’t as predictable as the results of her publicity campaigns. Right or wrong, her decision was made, set in stone, and she’d have to live with the consequences. She finished her drink and prepared for bed.
Slipping between cold sheets with her pug curled up at the end of the bed, Jo was sleepy for the first time in days. She slept well and awoke refreshed. After breakfast and a long stroll, she thought over her life. New ideas for publicity swirled in her head.
Just before she left the house, her phone rang. It was the real estate agent. “I got an offer for your house. The asking price.”
“Really?” Jo’s brows rose.
“I was surprised t
oo.”
“Take it.”
“Wonderful. I’ll get right on it.”
Gotta see the Rams game. There was a ticket waiting for Jo at the box office. She loaded a cardboard tray with a hot dog, fries, and large cup of coffee. While it wasn’t below freezing, it was a chilly forty degrees. She spread a blanket down on the seat and tucked into her food.
The Kings ran out onto the field. Jo stood up and cheered. Emmy sang the national anthem, and the game began. Jo tried to watch Coach Bass and the team at the same time, but couldn’t. She was thankful for the instant replays on the giant screen as she kept her gaze trained on Pete.
He looked the same as always, maybe scowling a bit more than usual. She missed him more than she ever thought she would. They hadn’t discussed the Rams at all. Usually, they’d go over the strengths and weaknesses of the team the Kings were playing the night before the game. Pete said hearing his strategy spoken aloud made him able to see any flaws or know if it was sound.
She had loved being his confidante, sharing football with him. She loved the team and rooted for them with all her heart. The Rams had had a good second-half of the season, and they proved to be hard to slow down. Their running back kept getting through the Kings’ line and making a first down. Jo bit her lip.
This was the second to last playoff game before the Super Bowl. Just as she was convinced their back was going to score, he fumbled the ball. Trunk Mahoney had hit him hard. Devon Drake was there. He picked up the ball and ran like hell. The Kid blocked a couple of men who lunged for Drake, making a clear path for Dev. The cornerback ran the ball back all the way for a touchdown.
The fans went wild. Jo jumped up. Pete was dancing with his defensive coordinator. The Kings pulled ahead fourteen to ten. As halftime approached, the Kings seemed powered up by the gain. Their defense, led by Mahoney, trounced the Rams quarterback, sacking him twice for a loss of thirty yards.
Since the Kings were scheduled to receive the kick off after the half, Pete was looking pretty relaxed. She noticed him glance at her section. They gazes met. He raised his hand in greeting, and she did the same. Her heartbeat quickened for a moment.
When halftime was called, Jo got up and left the stands. Emmy took the microphone and made an announcement. “We have a little musical tribute to the beloved coach of the Connecticut Kings.”
Someone turned on a recording and the beginning whistle of “I Can’t Smile Without You” came across the loudspeaker. Waiting by the arch, Jo saw Pete’s head snap up. Before he could leave the field, Emmy’s sweet voice sang the lyrics. He froze in his tracks. Jo approached the bench.
When the song was over, she hesitated before reaching him. Stepping forward, Pete opened his arms and engulfed her in his embrace to thunderous applause by the fans. He kissed her.
“Here to stay?” he asked.
“If you’ll have me,” she said.
He fished the velvet box out of his pants pocket and dropped to one knee. “Will you marry me?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He slid the diamond ring on her finger, brushed his lips over the back of her hand, and then disappeared to join his team in the locker room.
Jo returned to her seat for the rest of the game. Momentum swung the way of the Kings, and they trounced the Rams, thirty-one to ten. Jo was hoarse from yelling. After the win, she met Pete. He slung his arm around her shoulders.
Jo’s phone rang. “Great. I’m ready to go to contract. I’ll have my lawyer contact you.” She hung up.
“Contract?” Pete asked.
“Yep. I’m selling my house.”
“You’re not going to Minnesota, are you?”
“Nope. Thought I’d live with my husband. And we don’t need a second home.”
He beamed. “That’s my Josie.”
Epilogue
The New Life Shelter, a week before the Super Bowl.
Devon Drake pulled up in front of the old school building, now the makeshift shelter while the new one was being built. He was picking up his sister since her car was in the shop. As the front door was locked, he buzzed.
“I’ll only be a minute, I have to finish up in the kitchen,” Samantha said, leaving the door open. “Have a cookie.” She gestured toward the dining room.
Devon stepped inside to get out of the cold and headed for the tempting chocolate chips.
After he plucked the top one from the pile, a woman entered from the kitchen.
“Finished?”
He nodded. She picked up the plate and turned away. Dev narrowed his eyes and stared at her. There was something familiar about the way she moved.
“Stormy? Stormy Gregory?”
The woman stopped and spoke, “You must be mistaken.”
Devon grabbed her arm.
She flinched, wrenching it from his grasp. “Ouch!”
He hadn’t held her that tight. He stared at her sleeve, wondering what was underneath. “I know it’s you, Stormy. Stop pretending.” She slipped away, but the footballer was quick and blocked her retreat. He could only see half her face because long, dark auburn hair blocked the rest. He gently pushed the locks aside and gasped when he saw the bruise on her cheek, and the black eye. “What the hell happened to you?”
“It’s none of your business, Dev. Forget it.” She swung the hair back and returned to the kitchen.
*The End*
About the Author
Jean Joachim is a best-selling romance fiction author, with books hitting the Amazon Top 100 list since 2012. She writes mostly contemporary romance, which includes sports romance and romantic suspense.
The Renovated Heart won Best Novel of the Year from Love Romances Café. Lovers & Liars was a RomCon finalist in 2013. And The Marriage List tied for third place as Best Contemporary Romance from the Gulf Coast RWA. To Love or Not to Love tied for second place in the 2014 New England Chapter of Romance Writers of America Reader’s Choice contest. She was chosen Author of the Year in 2012 by the New York City chapter of RWA.
Married and the mother of two sons, Jean lives in New York City. Early in the morning, you’ll find her at her computer, writing, with a cup of tea, her rescued pug, Homer, by her side and a secret stash of black licorice.
Jean has 30+ books, novellas and short stories published. Find them here: http://www.jeanjoachimbooks.com. Sign up for her newsletter, on her website, or using the link below, and be eligible for her private paperback sales. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jean-JoachimAuthor/221092234568929?sk=app_100265896690345
Pete Sebastian, Coach Page 22