Better Than Perfect

by Kristina Mathews

  “Yes. You did.” She’d been intimidated by his height, his broad shoulders, and the fact that he’d been spying on her. But there had been a softness in his eyes, a vulnerability that made her trust him. Instead of leading her to the dance floor, he’d joined her behind the speakers and the instant his hand rested on her shoulder, she was gone.

  “So Mel saw me first?” That was news to her.

  “But I saw you last.” Johnny opened the door to the limo and waited while she slid inside. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “No. It’s okay.” And it was. He was the injured party here, not her. She’d made choices. Johnny never had the chance.

  “So what would it take to convince you to skip this party and ride around the city, just the two of us?” Johnny asked once she got settled.

  “Considering this is our main fundraiser, I’d say I should be there.” She crossed her legs, and the slit of her skirt exposed more leg than she meant to.

  “I could write a check.” Johnny’s voice was low and incredibly sexy.

  “I can’t be bought.” She uncrossed her legs, and smoothed the fabric of her dress down as much as possible. Not again.

  Johnny leaned back against the seat. She wasn’t sure if she’d said that last part aloud. She hoped not. She didn’t want him to know that she’d married Mel for financial reasons as much as anything else. He’d promised to take care of her and the baby. And while they’d never lacked for food or shelter or clothing, she’d lacked the one thing she wanted most—love.

  The limo pulled up to the front of the hotel. Johnny tipped the driver and led Alice to the ballroom. Fortunately they’d arrived early enough that she was able to check in with the caterer. She made her rounds, assured that everything was in place. Nothing could mar this night. Not when she knew she’d be going home with Johnny Scottsdale at the end of the evening.

  She found him over by the bar. He’d been chatting with the bartender. He always did have a way of connecting with everyday people. While Mel would seek out those with power and connections, Johnny tended to gravitate to the people who did the real labor. Alice was in the position of needing to connect with both.

  * * * *

  Johnny sipped champagne while he watched Ali work the room. She was amazing; one minute she was dazzling wealthy socialites with her charm and grace, the next she was chatting causally with the worker bees, encouraging and directing them to keep the event running with a cool perfection.

  He wasn’t the only one watching her. She drew the attention of most of the men in the room. In her ridiculously sexy gown. Instead of basic black, it was blue. A little darker than Dodger blue, but not quite as dark as Yankee pinstripes. He supposed the women in the room had a name for that particular color, but he just knew it made her skin glow and eyes sparkle.

  He also knew that at the end of the evening, he’d be the one unzipping that dress. Sliding it down her body, tasting her skin along the way. He sipped his champagne to avoid looking at his watch and wondering if they’d been here long enough to slip out unnoticed.

  They’d probably have to stay through dinner, at least. And he did promise her dancing. That is, if he could tear her away from her job.

  Johnny looked around, to see if he knew anyone. There were a few people he recognized from the Goliaths’ front office. Marvin Dempsey and his wife Helen were there. Clayton Barry escorted his former supermodel wife Annabelle. He didn’t see Henry Collins, the man who’d purchased the team back in the nineties and kept them from moving to Florida. There were rumors circulating about his health, some sort of cancer. But his daughter Hunter was there, chatting with the Dempseys.

  “I thought you didn’t do the whole glamour and fame thing.” Rachel Parker approached Johnny as if they were actually friends. “But look at you, all dressed up and ready for the limelight.”

  “I’m not here to get noticed.” Johnny took a sip of champagne, hoping she’d get the hint he wasn’t interested in her or this conversation.

  “But it’s hard not to notice you.” She had a throaty, flirty tone to her voice.

  “I’m here to support a worthy cause.” Johnny continued to stare out over the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of Alice.

  “It’s funny, you never seemed interested in youth charities before.”

  “What are you, the IRS? Poking around into my charitable contributions?”

  “No. I am a little curious about why you’ve suddenly take such an interest in helping young boys when you seemed to avoid that kind of thing in the past.” She had the air of someone making small talk, but the reporter in her was hard to hide. She was searching for an angle. A way she could dig into some dirt. He didn’t like the way she’d said the words young boys. “You seem to have taken a particular interest in Zach Harrison.”

  “I told you, his father was an old friend.” Johnny was still trying to determine if she was insinuating that he was doing more than work on a few pitches.

  “And the fact that his mother—his very single mother—has been eyeing you all night has nothing to do with it.”

  Johnny let out the breath he’d been holding. So, she wasn’t accusing him of anything other than using the kid to get to the mother.

  “I’ll have you know, I don’t need a thirteen-year-old to help me get dates.” Johnny tossed back the last swallow of his champagne and set the glass on the bar. Grabbing two fresh glasses, Johnny searched the crowd for Alice. “If you’ll excuse me, there’s my date now.”

  He walked away, leaving the reporter behind.

  “Ali, relax. Everything is perfect.” He handed her the crystal flute and she smiled her thanks, saying goodbye to the couple she’d been talking to.

  “I know. I just need to make sure everyone is having a good time.” She took a dainty sip, barely even letting the bubbles touch her lips.

  “Does that include me?” Johnny tilted his head, daring her with a look that said his idea of a good time had nothing to do with flowers and lighting and passed appetizers.

  “You get to have your good time later.” She looked out over the crowd, as if looking for a distraction.

  “Promise?” Johnny stepped closer to her, close enough that he could smell her expensive perfume, or maybe it was her natural scent that was so intoxicating. “Because we have a lot of catching up to do.”

  “Yes, but first I need to make sure…” She started to pull away from him.

  “No. Stay. Everything is perfect.” He whispered in her ear, purposely letting his breath tickle her neck. “You’re perfect.”

  “Johnny, I—”

  “Don’t look for excuses to get away from me.” He blew across her skin, delighting in making her shiver. “Or I’ll drag you out of here right now.”

  “You wouldn’t.” She protested, but didn’t pull away.

  “I guess I can wait.” He shifted his body away from hers. “But don’t make me wait too long.”

  “Thanks.” She reached out and squeezed his hand. “I don’t know why this event has me more nervous than any other. I mean, I’ve done this every year for the past seven years. I should have it down by now.”

  “It’s because this could be your last. You want to go out on top.” Johnny traced his thumb along her wrist. “I know exactly how you feel. No one’s going to remember what I did last year if I don’t pitch well this year. No one’s going to care about my awards if I don’t win it all this season.”

  “That’s not true.” She tensed up again, after finally relaxing a bit. “You’ve had a terrific career. So many things to be proud of.”

  “Yeah? My statistics only count in negotiations.” Johnny said. “If I start the season one and four with an ERA over five, they’ll be calling for a trade long before the deadline. No matter how many games and awards I’ve won. Especially since I didn’t win them here.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be great.” She sounded kind of wistful. She took a long sip of her champagne before asking, “Was it worth it?”
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  “My career?” He asked. “Yeah. I guess. Besides, I’ve never had any other job.”

  “Ever?”

  “Not that wasn’t related to baseball. I worked part time as an umpire when I was in high school. The one day a week I didn’t have games or practice.”

  “So what will you do after?” She didn’t need to add after your arm gives out and you’re a has-been.

  “I have no idea.” Johnny wasn’t kidding.

  “Ever consider coaching?”

  The question took him by surprise. Even though he’d thoroughly enjoyed working the minicamp. “I don’t know.” For some reason, he still felt like he wasn’t good enough. That no one would want him working with their kids once they found out his background.

  “You should. You did a great job with the kids this week. Especially with Zach.” She handed him her half-full glass and walked away.

  He watched her thread her way through the crowd. It wasn’t until she stepped up to the podium at the front of the room he understood she wasn’t blowing him off. She had an announcement to make, now that most of the guests had arrived.

  “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.” She spoke clearly into the microphone and the room grew silent. “Welcome, and thank you for coming tonight. This is my seventh…my seventh year chairing this event and I’m amazed at how each year has grown to be more successful than the last.”

  For a minute there, Johnny thought she was going to announce this would be her last year. But she didn’t. Instead she went on to thank the major donors, including the Harrison family, the Goliaths organization and several other big name contributors. She also made a point to thank the caterers, the hotel staff and other behind-the-scenes people who put forth more time than money to contribute to the cause.

  Alice finished her speech and announced that dinner would be served shortly. She and Johnny were seated at a table with Mel, Frannie and a bunch of their friends and associates who would have had nothing to do with Johnny if it wasn’t for his fame. Some of the people at the table even eyed him suspiciously until Mel introduced him as the Johnny Scottsdale.

  Talk turned to the team and their chances this year. There were several season ticket holders in the group.

  “With this pitching staff, I think we’ll go all the way this year.” The man sitting directly across from Johnny punctuated his statement by pointing with his fork. “All the way.”

  “We’d better.” The fellow to his left sipped his cocktail and stared at Johnny, almost as if he was daring him to argue. “I can’t even remember the last time the stadium didn’t sell out. With the amount of money we’re paying these guys, they owe us a World Series.”

  It would be nice if a large salary could guarantee success. But Johnny didn’t think this was the time or place to point out that all of his opponents made as much, if not more money to try to beat him.

  “Fan support does mean a lot.” Johnny tried to keep his comments neutral. The last thing he wanted to do was upset a fan who thought he knew more about the game than he did. “But it takes twenty-five guys on the field, plus the manager and coaches and trainers and staff to really pull it off. If it was just because of the fans, San Francisco would never lose a game. We’ve got the best fans in the world.”

  “Oh, call the Chronicle,” Mel joked. “I think they should quote you on that.”

  “Please, a lot of people feel that way.” Johnny wondered why his ability to throw a ball hard and with consistency made his opinions newsworthy.

  “Well, I do know a few people down at the paper,” Mel said. “If you ever need a favor, some additional coverage, let me know.”

  “I’m sure Johnny will make headlines all on his own.” Frannie smiled when she said it, but it felt like added pressure. They were all counting on him to be the missing piece of the puzzle that would take the Goliaths from being a good team—one in contention—to being a championship team.

  “So, Johnny, will you be the first player to pitch a perfect game in the American League and the National League?” the wife of the man across from him asked with a friendly smile.

  “With this defense behind me, who knows?” Johnny tried to shrug it off, but he was feeling the heat. It was almost as bad giving a press conference after a particularly disastrous start.

  “It’s certainly possible. And we’ll be able to say we knew him when.” Mel made light of the challenge, but it was a challenge all the same. As long as he was a star, he was welcome in their circle. But what about when he was through with baseball?

  “It doesn’t matter if you win the World Series or the Steve Young award.” Frannie was trying to be diplomatic.

  “Cy Young, Frannie.” Mel corrected. “Steve Young was a football player.”

  “Yes, dear, that’s what I meant.” She smiled at Johnny as if her mistake had been intentional. “The point is, we love Johnny because Mel loved Johnny. Not because he can throw a wicked slider.”

  “Thank you.” Johnny wished he could slide right out of there.

  “Yes, and if it wasn’t for Johnny breaking poor Alice’s heart, we wouldn’t have our Zach, now would we?” Mel gave him a stare that made him wonder what story Mel and Alice had given them. “We wouldn’t trade our Zach for a thousand all-stars, now would we?”

  “No.” Frannie looked at her husband, with tears forming in her eyes. “Having Zach—and Alice, our dear, sweet Alice—has been the only thing that has made losing our boy bearable. I don’t think we could have gotten through it without them.”

  “Now, Frannie, don’t get all mushy on us,” Mel commanded. “Everyone here knows what that boy and his mother mean to us. And now that Johnny is here, well, it’s like having a bit of Mel back too.”

  It was all Johnny could do to finish his meal. He hated these kinds of things. Polite dinner conversation with strangers. Even worse, having Mel’s parents gush over him. And it wasn’t because he was a semi-famous ballplayer. They acted as if they liked him.

  Just like Mel had acted as if he’d liked Johnny.

  He was about ready to make his excuses when the band started to play.

  “Excuse me. It’s been lovely to meet all of you. But I promised Alice a dance.” He stood and extended his hand.

  “Yes. You did.” She smiled as she slipped her hand into his and followed him to the dance floor.

  “Are you okay?” Somehow she could still tell what he was feeling. That he was overwhelmed by too much attention.

  “Yes. I’m fine.” He pulled her toward him with a little more force than grace. He tried to relax as he placed one hand on her shoulder and the other at her waist.

  “Johnny. Talk to me.” They’d had plenty of fights because he’d never been good at expressing himself. But she didn’t sound angry. Not this time. “Please. Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Nothing.” He closed his eyes and tried to get into the music.

  “I can only imagine how hard it is to listen to guys who think they know what it’s like.” She swayed to the music and pressed her body against his. “As if they could do their jobs with thirty thousand people watching their every move, every night.”

  “It’s no big deal.” He wanted to forget about it. To concentrate on having her in his arms, but sometimes it got to him. The pressure. The feeling that he would never be good enough. Especially when he thought about how much money he made.

  Because all the money in the world hadn’t made up for what he’d lost.

  He pulled her closer to him. Molded his body against hers. And wished he could go back in time. To when he was twenty. When all he needed was his game and his girl. When he played for the love of the game and he loved because he couldn’t help it.

  But it hadn’t been enough.

  He hadn’t been enough.

  And if he didn’t come through this season, it would all be for nothing.

  “I’d better let you get back to work.” The slow song finished and Johnny was itching to get out of there.

  “
I’m done here.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him like he was some kind of hero. “We can leave any time you want.”

  “Are you sure?” He knew how much this night meant to her. To her cause.

  “Absolutely.” She slipped her hand in his and gave him a comforting squeeze. “I think I’ve done enough here. I’d say tonight was a huge success.”

  “You have a lot to be proud of.” Johnny was still in awe of what she’d accomplished. He wondered how much money they’d brought in tonight. And how many kids it would help. “You’re the real hero.”

  “Hardly.” She blushed. “We’ve been doing this so long, the event practically runs itself.”

  “Sure.” Johnny waited while she got her coat. “And all these wallets just open up on their own.”

  “Everyone here knows what they’re getting into. If they weren’t planning on spending the money, they wouldn’t have come.”

  “I don’t know, those crab cakes were worth the price of admission.” He helped her into her wrap and led her to the street where the limo would be waiting for them.

  “Well, you have to give them something for their money.”

  “I suppose I should make an additional contribution.” Johnny tried not to think about money too much. It had never been important to him. But now, he felt guilty for not doing more with it. Other than taking care of his mother, he pretty much ignored it.

  “Don’t even think about it.” She said. “You already gave so much. Something that none of these people could contribute. You gave your time and expertise.”

  “It was one week. And I didn’t even come close to teaching them everything they need to know.” Johnny felt frustrated that he couldn’t spend more time with each kid. Especially Zach. The boy had real potential. But he would need a lot of practice. And regular monitoring. “I could do more.”

  “Okay. So do more.” She took his hand as the limo pulled up. “But not tonight. Tonight you’re mine.”

  9

  Johnny was far too quiet in the limo. Something was on his mind, but Alice knew from experience that he wouldn’t share without a little push.