The past week he’d lain awake many nights thinking about Mariella and the trouble his lack of judgment may have caused her, and himself. He hadn’t meant to be so insensitive about the situation. Mariella wasn’t as thick-skinned as he was. He’d had to be, with the press and the paparazzi constantly circling around him like vultures.
Sam was beginning to wonder if he’d brought this bit of trouble on himself as a way to get out of a relationship that was starting to mean more than anything else in his life.
A couple of the parents approached. They wanted to know if the Titans had a chance at winning the regional championship. He assured them he’d do everything possible to ensure the team maintained its current winning streak. He reminded them that much of the burden lay on the players, working together as one unit, instead of as individuals.
He thanked them for their concern and walked around the field, gathering practice balls. Here and there, he stopped in front of a clump of dirt and tapped it down with the toe of his cleats.
There was one more month of the regular season, then the playoffs, and possibly the regional championships.
Knowing he would only see Mariella in the bleachers would make every game even more bittersweet.
He spotted Josh hanging out by the goal, practicing his kicks. He was a terrific kid and he didn’t want him to get hurt by their indiscretions.
It was near dinnertime. He thought about asking Josh if he wanted to join him for a slice of pizza, but quickly dismissed the idea. If the other kids or parents heard about it, he might be accused of showing favoritism.
It was better to stay clear. He would have a hard time not pressing the boy for more information about Mariella. He’d skirt around for a bit, asking him what he got for Christmas, what he did during his time off, but eventually, he’d get around to asking about his mother.
For all he knew, she was off in the arms of another man, though his heart told him she wasn’t.
“Coach?”
The kid must have moved like a phantom across the field. He hadn’t even heard him approach.
Sam zipped up his Titans windbreaker and whirled around.
“Josh! I saw you doing some extra practice.” He gave him a thumbs-up. “Great job!”
In Sam’s mind, he was one of the hardest working players on the team. By the time practice ended, he was usually the sweatiest and the dirtiest. Two tell-tale signs.
“Yeah. I was actually just hanging around until everyone was gone.”
He raised a brow. “What for?”
“I saw you.”
Sam felt like a rock had just dropped into his stomach. “What are you talking about?”
“You and my mother.”
Josh’s upper lip was trembling, even though his voice was calm.
“Where? How?”
“In the kitchen. On Christmas Eve. I’d come back downstairs to ask my mom if I could invite you to have Christmas dinner with us at my girlfriend’s house. I didn’t know you were still there. And I saw you kissing her.”
He scratched at his jaw. “Josh. I—I’m sorry. We never meant to hurt you.”
“Never mind about me,” he replied, his voice suddenly protective. “What do you want from her?”
He stepped closer. “You don’t think I know what you are? How many women you’ve dated and then dropped? And I admired you for it? How stupid of me.”
Sam’s mind was all jammed up. He hated being backed into a corner. Mariella had probably read the same articles. She knew about his past, but she cared for him anyway. He wasn’t going to reveal his true feelings to anyone before he even had a chance to say the words to Mariella.
“Josh, you have the wrong idea about me. Don’t believe everything you read.”
“Do you really care about her?”
“I never meant to hurt your mother, and I never meant to hurt you.”
Sam’s eyes widened with alarm. The boy was near tears.
“I don’t believe you. But if you really mean that, and if you’re really not the liar I think you are, then stay out of our lives.”
Sam watched as Josh grabbed his bag and ran off the field, choking back sobs. It occurred to him Mariella was probably in the parking lot, waiting to pick up her son. He debated running after him, and upon reaching her car, telling her all that had happened. Posing the question to her, right then and there.
Did she really want to never see him again?
But he turned away and continued tapping down clumps of grass, afraid of the answer.
* * *
Mariella reviewed the documents in her hands one last time, took a deep breath and then entered the mayor’s office. She saw Gregory’s trademark black fedora on his desk and a fresh flower arrangement, personally created by his wife, Vanessa.
“I have the report you’d asked for.”
Gregory looked up. “Thanks for staying late to help me prepare for my meeting tomorrow.”
She covered her nose and sneezed. “No problem. It was my pleasure.”
There was concern in his hazel eyes. “Allergies?”
“No. Just a little cold.”
Gregory shook his head, as he flipped through the pages. “I feel responsible. I know you’ve been working hard on this over the past several weeks.”
“That’s very kind, but this project was my idea.”
“I hope you at least set it aside during your vacation.”
She didn’t want to think about the holiday because Sam was wrapped up in it.
“Let me take you through the document.”
At the mayor’s nod, she proceeded. “All the city projects you have in mind are listed, from the most expensive to the least. If there is a grant available that could be used to pay some or all of the costs, I’ve noted the name in the right-hand column.”
Mariella waited patiently as he scanned the report. After a few minutes he got up and put his hat on, and then took his coat out of the closet.
“It appears to be time well spent. This is excellent work, Mariella. I’ll give it a closer read tomorrow.”
He slipped her report into his briefcase. “Whatever we can do to keep costs low and not raise taxes, we should do it. And this will give us a good start.”
Mariella touched the collar of her navy turtleneck sweater and looked down briefly at her ivory pencil skirt.
“Mayor, I was wondering if I could set up some time to talk to you. It’s about my job here.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re doing wonderfully. What’s the problem?”
She forced a smile. “As you know, I now have a degree in economics. I’ve enjoyed being your assistant, but I’m looking for something more.”
“Understandable,” he said. “Do you have a position in mind?”
“No. And that’s the problem. I’ve been looking at the internal job listings and I don’t see anything so far.”
Gregory set his briefcase on the conference table. “What are you interested in doing?”
“I’ve found I really like grant writing, so I’m hoping to transition into a similar role.”
“You’re good at it, too. Congratulations on securing funding for another local playground.”
She smiled. “Thank you. I’m now working on a grant application for artificial turf at the high school.”
“I heard. No offense to Coach Lander, but Sam has really turned the team around.”
And turned my world upside down.
Her relationship with Sam was over; she didn’t want that to deter her from her goals. She had to focus on her future.
“Yes, Josh has really improved.”
“All better from the injury?”
“He was a little wobbly in the beginning of the season, but he’s done with physical therapy and scoring lots of goals. By the way, thanks for adding my i
dea to your list.”
“Bay Point is a very walkable and rideable community. I want our residents to feel safe no matter how they choose to travel on our streets.”
She nodded. “My research showed that dedicated bike lanes should help cut down on accidents. They’re very popular now, so grants are competitive, but I think we have a good shot.”
He adjusted his hat and walked out of his office. She followed him and closed the door.
“Though I’d hate to lose you to someone else, let me think about another role for you. I’ll also check to see if there are job openings available that were not posted online.”
“Thank you, Mayor,” she said, exhaling with relief that she likely wouldn’t have to move for a better job.
Mariella got her red peacoat and purse. It was after six o’clock at night, and she was late getting home.
They rode the elevator to the first floor of City Hall. Outside on the steps, Gregory turned to her.
“By the way, do you think Sam might consider staying in Bay Point?”
She tilted her head. “I’m not sure. Why?”
“I was thinking of starting a special recreation commission to help drive more participation in sports for boys and girls. I think he’d be a good leader for it, and I was hoping you could influence him to stay.”
“I don’t think I could,” she replied.
He gave her a brief smile. “Really? I could have sworn I saw the two of you picnicking at Coquina Cove a couple of months ago.”
“It wasn’t me, Mayor,” she said, with a firm shake of her head.
They said goodbye and Mariella walked over to Lucy’s Bar and Grille. She picked up a couple of jerk chicken sandwiches, pasta salad and two sweet teas for dinner.
A part of her hoped she would run into Sam, but he wasn’t there. She’d see him tomorrow at the vendor meeting for the artificial turf project.
As she drove past Relics and Rarities, she almost pulled around to the back to drop by his apartment. But what would she say when she got there?
Being in love was like being on high alert all the time. She didn’t want to feel the constant butterflies in her stomach anymore, or feel her heart burst every time she heard someone say his name.
He knew that she loved him, but she would never say the words. Soccer season would be over in six weeks or so, and then he’d be back on a plane to the UK. And where did that leave her?
Same place she was now. Alone and hungry, and not for sandwiches.
She’d made a huge mistake in getting involved with Sam. Instead of putting aside her desires, like she had for years, she’d allowed Sam to flatter and pursue her.
His sexy body, his British accent and his out-of-this-world lovemaking skills were the kryptonite that doomed her. The reins on her heart had been broken and thrown aside. She’d gone galloping after him into the sunset, but had somehow missed the happy ending.
Mariella pulled into her driveway and by habit, steeled herself for an argument. Josh had been pretty quiet over the past two weeks and she was starting to worry.
When she walked through the back door, she raised a brow, surprised to see him doing his homework at the kitchen table. Since freshman year, he’d always done his homework up in his room.
“Hey, I’ve got your favorite.”
She set the bag of food down on the counter and noticed he was still in his uniform.
They had a rule where he was supposed to change as soon as he got home. Then he was to put his grass-and mud-stained uniform to presoak in the washing machine.
But by the strained look on his face, she decided that now wasn’t the time to remind him.
“How was practice today?”
“It was okay. Coach and I talked.”
She feigned indifference. “Oh? About what?”
“You.”
“Me? Why?” she asked without turning around.
“I told him I saw you kissing him on Christmas Eve.”
The pit in her stomach deepened. She didn’t need to ask how. It was enough that he saw.
“I asked him if he cared about you.”
Mariella slowly faced him. “What did he say?”
“He wouldn’t respond. And then I told him to stay away from you.”
She frowned and her heart sank. “You shouldn’t have done that, Josh. It’s really none of your business.”
“Why? He doesn’t want you,” he yelled. “Haven’t you read any of the blogs and articles about him?”
“I have, but sometimes people can change.”
Josh shook his head stubbornly. “Not someone like him. All he cares about is winning and keeping his player image. He doesn’t care about you.”
She flinched at his mean tone and said, “You’re going off to college soon. You’ll have your own life. And I need mine.”
There was a long pause and she thought the conversation was over.
“Are you in love with him?”
Josh immediately looked embarrassed, and Mariella knew it was a hard question for him to ask.
He slumped back in his chair. “I care about you, Mom. I want you to be happy, but it won’t happen with him.”
“No comment. Besides, it doesn’t matter, Josh. There’s nothing going on between us.”
“What about if I quit the team? Then you wouldn’t have to see him again,” he offered.
“No! You’ll see the season through to the end. And so will I. End of discussion.”
She unwrapped the sandwiches and set the sweet teas on the table. “Now, let’s eat. Before the food gets cold.”
Chapter 13
Sam woke with a start. Something was vibrating against his head. He leaned up on one elbow, shoved his hand under his pillow and brought out his phone. The glow of the screen was a shock to his eyes as was the time.
It was well after midnight. The tent between his legs slowly subsided, and he knew he must have been dreaming about Mariella.
He collapsed against the pillow and put the phone to his ear.
“This better be good, Niles.”
“You’re making the milk in my coffee turn sour. Don’t sound so glum, mate.”
He shut his eyes to ward off the grogginess and his annoyance. “I’m not glum, I’m exhausted, and you’ve interrupted what would have been a very nice dream.”
“It’s early here, too. Talk nice, I’ve got you on speakerphone.”
The voice on the other end was a little too cheerful.
“Why are you so chipper at this hour in the morning?”
Sam heard the loud purr of Niles’s Siamese cat, Angie, and he felt himself start to relax at the sound.
“Because I’m about to change your whole life.”
His ears perked up even more. Right now he could use a bit of good news.
“Oh yeah, how?”
“I’ve just brokered a deal to make you the new head coach of the Emeralds. Since you’re not sure you want to play soccer again, this will give you some time to think it over.”
“What happened to the current coach?”
“Have you been hiding under a rock?”
Sam slid a hand behind his head and tried to get comfortable again. “I’ve been trying to, but you keep on finding me.”
Niles snorted, and Sam knew he was not amused.
“The man was jailed three weeks ago on suspicion of supplying performance-enhancing drugs to his team members.”
“Hmm...so that’s why they’ve been winning matches.”
“Well, they’re losing now,” he said, gleefully. “Half the team has been suspended.”
Sam sat up against the headboard, leaned over and turned on the lamp. No way he could go to sleep now.
“Okay. Talk to me.”
“You’ll have the opportunity to recruit pla
yers. Be your own boss. Best of all, little chance for injury.”
“Travel would be the same, right?”
“Sure, but you always liked that. More places to go, more women to meet.”
“More scandals for you to hash up,” Sam interrupted.
Niles laughed. “No need for those when you’re a coach. In fact, you want your image to stay as boring as possible.”
“Actually, I was thinking of staying in Bay Point.”
“Why?”
Yesterday Brian told him Coach Lander had decided to retire. If he wanted the head coach position permanently, it was his for the taking, but he wasn’t ready to share the details with his agent.
“I don’t know. Sun always shines, rarely any rain.”
“Is it the weather or that woman?”
That woman.
Sam chuckled. “You always were a shrewd man.”
“And I’ve got the perfect solution. Just bring her along for the ride.”
“It’s more serious than that, Niles. I love her.”
Niles grunted. “Wow. That’s the first time I’ve heard you say you love anything other than soccer.”
“Anyway,” Sam continued. “I don’t think it will work, dragging her with me. She’s a package deal. She’s got a teenage kid who will be going to college in September.”
“Ever hear of a gap year? Bring him along, too. I’m sure he’d love to travel Europe on your dime.”
Sam shook his head. “All I can say is I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I can ask of you at one o’clock in the morning. You talk to your girl. In the meantime, I’ll continue to hammer out the details.”
“All right, say good-night, Niles.”
“Make me proud, Sam.”
“So I can make you more money, right?”
“Isn’t that what life is all about?”
Sam hung up. He wasn’t sure what life was about, but his definitely had less meaning without Mariella in it.
Later that same day
Mariella crossed her legs at her ankles, settling back on a park bench to wait, holding a tissue to her nose. She hugged her arms against her red peacoat, trying to stay warm and ease her anxiety.
Winning Her Holiday Love Page 16