The crowd hushed when the show's host came back, waving a hand. Ashley wiped her brow and nervously watched as he made his way to the front of the room. He called for silence. Her heart thudded louder in response.
"Six teams will survive to bake another day. The first team to continue on to round two is Blackstone's Bakery and quarterback Tyson Williams."
With each team name that was called out, Ashley inched closer to Xavier. With the final spot remaining, she gripped his hand, and focused all attention on the host, willing him to call out their name.
Xavier squeezed back and then he laced their fingers together. "Come on. Come on. Pick us."
"And, finally, our last team continuing on to Round Two will be... Bliss Bakery and tight end Xavier Brennan. Thank you all for your participation. As a reminder, round two starts at eight o'clock on Saturday evening. Please enjoy the festivities of the Food and Wine festival, and we'll see you back here in two days."
"We did it." Xavier's arms banded around her and he lifted her off her feet.
Heart pounding, grinning, and breathless, she held on as happiness and relief washed over her.
Xavier slowly lowered her to the floor. When he stepped back, he grinned. "Nice job."
"You too. We're one step closer." Ashley's gaze wandered over to Blackstone. He looked relaxed and happy as he spoke to some of the television crew. Frustrated with herself, she deliberately turned her back on him. It didn't matter that he'd advanced too.
She glanced down at her apron and brushed at the cocoa powder streaks across the center. From the corner of her eye, a flash of movement caught her attention. She looked up. One of the show's producers headed toward their station.
Xavier lifted a gentle hand to her face and brushed his fingers over her cheek. "They're coming over, and you've got flour right there."
Ashley held still as her nerves tingled from his touch. "Thanks."
"How do I look? Any flour? Or chocolate?" His eyes twinkled under the lights as he stepped back and raised his arms out to the side, opening himself up for her inspection.
Her fingers itched to touch him, but they had an audience. "You're lucky. Most of it stayed on the apron."
The producer, a thin, tired-looking woman with sleek brown hair and a beige sweater walked up to their station, followed by one of the cameramen. "Congratulations. My name is Liz, and this is Gary." She gestured to the balding man beside her.
Gary moved in closer. "Just look into the camera. Relax and act natural."
Ashley grinned and extended her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. We're so excited to take part in the competition."
Liz glanced from Ashley to Xavier. "How was working together?"
"Smooth sailing." Maybe they'd encountered a few waves, but all in all, not bad. Yet.
Xavier's warm hand landed on her shoulder. "She's modest. Ashley is very patient with me. I'm really happy we've survived to bake another day."
"Your teammates said that you have a side bet going?"
That was news to her. Ashley swung her gaze to Xavier.
"Oh yeah, that's true. Six of us agreed to each donate ten grand to the winning teammate's charity."
Lips pressed together, Liz studied their t-shirts. "You've got a great name and cute logo." Her voice was thoughtful. She raised her gaze to meet Gary's. He nodded.
Ashley swelled with pride. "Thanks. My mom came up with the color combination and the name. She has—had—a great eye for design."
Xavier's hand tightened on her shoulder again and then rubbed. She lifted her gaze and smiled her thanks.
"Well, good luck the rest of the way, kids." Gary boomed with a laugh. "We need to talk to the other teams who'll be joining you in Round Two."
"Yes," Liz nodded, "I'm looking forward to your creations going forward. Best of luck to you. We'll give you a few minutes to freshen up before you film your post-round interview. You're scheduled to be in Event Room A in fifteen minutes."
"We'll be there."
With a wave, Liz and Gary strolled over to Blackstone's station.
Xavier's hand finally slid away. He leaned his hip against the counter. "They liked you."
"We don't know that..." Ashley glanced around the room. The other teams were mingling with the crowd. The crew remained, laughing, joking and breaking down their equipment.
Time to leave.
The open side of their station faced the open side of Blackstone's. Wanting to avoid the awkwardness of meeting them face-to-face, she pulled out her phone. "Come on, let's get out of here."
She maneuvered her way toward the open side, keeping watch on Blackstone out of the corner of her eye. When she reached the space between their stations, she quickened her pace but sensed Xavier slowing down. Looking to her left, she winced.
He'd stopped and waited for Blackstone and Tyson.
Tyson strolled over and grabbed him in a half-hug, half-handshake. "Nice job. We're both moving on to round two. Too bad Everson didn't, but I guess he can cheer us on now."
Every atom in Ashley's body wanted to get away from Blackstone. "Yep, congratulations. Hey, Xavier, I'll see you later."
"Hold on. I'll walk out with you."
"No. It's fine."
Blackstone stepped back, gesturing for her to go ahead. "Ladies first."
She nodded her thanks and walked past, relieved when Xavier followed her. He guided her over to see Ryan and Everson.
Ryan hugged her. "You guys did great."
"Thanks. I'm so glad we were selected." Her smile beamed. But then she realized that Everson team's name hadn't been called. "I'm sorry you didn't continue on to the next round."
Everson shrugged and pulled Ryan close. "I'm not. That was too much pressure. It'll be more fun to bug the guys instead. That producer," he paused to point to Liz, "asked me to take a turn with the host's microphone during the next round. So I'll get to invade your workstations."
Xavier groaned. "Great. Better not sabotage me."
"Would I do that?"
"Maybe not you..."
Ashley caught Blackstone's gaze as the teammates bantered. Ignoring him hadn't worked so well. She resolved to do better. Winning the competition would be sweet revenge. She wouldn't let anything stand in her way.
* * *
Event room A was much quieter than the massive room that housed the competition.
Xavier soaked in the lack of constant noise. After the events of the day, he didn't mind a little time to himself to recharge and gather his thoughts before launching into the interview.
Advancing to the next round made him happy, and Ashley ecstatic. She'd seemed too stressed during the actual competition. He'd have to help her loosen up during round two.
Beside him, she rested her hand on her hip and twisted, stretching her back muscles. "I can't wait to soak in a hot bath. I think every single muscle in my body was tightened today from the stress and pressure."
The offer to give her a hand was on the tip of his tongue, but he thought of their "deal" and then how the temptation for both of them was too great.
Thankfully, the show's host arrived with Liz and Gary. "Ashley and Xavier, we'll go live with this too. Just act natural."
Xavier rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. After years of on-camera interviews, talking directly to the camera was as easy as holding a conversation with the person behind it.
Gary got into position, and Liz gave the host the signal. He smiled a toothy grin worthy of a toothpaste commercial and began. "We're here with Xavier Brennan and Ashley Yates of Team Bliss Bakery. So, you two, congratulations on moving on to round two. But let's talk about round one for a minute. What was it like, baking live tonight?"
Ashley laughed. "In a word, stressful."
"Like I was in a no-huddle, hurry up offense all night long," Xavier added. "But Ashley's great and she kept us on task."
The host nodded. "Some teams looked a little unsteady today. How do you think you'll get along as teammates?"
/> Xavier opened his mouth, ready to spout off the typical athlete answer about playing as a team, but Ashley laid her hand on his forearm, stopping him.
"Xavier has already gone above and beyond as a teammate. We've spent a lot of time practicing for this competition. He's dedicated. In fact, he was on his way to New York to co-host Pro Football Daily, and stopped by the bakery to get some cupcakes for everyone who works on the show. My delivery van broke down right before he arrived. I had a huge cake that had to be delivered and no way to get there and time was running out. He insisted that we use his SUV, then rushed to catch his train. But he missed it by a minute and missed his chance to be on the show. All because he helped me."
Xavier rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. Embarrassment twisted with surprise and pleasure. "Gotta take care of your teammate, right?"
"Not everyone would do what you did." Then she shifted her gaze to the camera. "I really hope the football show producers give him another opportunity. He deserves it."
Touched, Xavier turned to her. She'd said that she'd try to make it up to him. Those cookies for him and his dog were more than enough. Hell, just her thought to even try to help him was more than enough. But to do what she did here, on live TV? Definitely a badass warrior move. "Thanks, Ash."
The host cleared his throat. "Yes, well. Moving on to performing in this competition. You mentioned to me earlier in the round that you were using family recipes?"
"We are." Xavier caught Ashley's gaze, and they shared a smile. "We both lost our moms to cancer, so using their recipes in this battle of Cakes Against Cancer, just felt right."
As Ashley spoke about the bakery being her mother's legacy, and how she got into baking, Xavier sat quietly.
"How about it, Xavier? Anything else to add?"
He quickly launched into a pitch for his foundation and ended with a plug for the upcoming 5k run. "There's still time to register for our charity 5k run this Saturday morning. As an extra incentive, Ashley will be there, and she'll have sweet treats for the finishers table."
* * *
Saturday morning came too early. Rising before six o’clock to make sure he arrived early at the event venue was tough when he’d only gotten a few hours' sleep the night before.
He and his team spoke to volunteers and vendors, and he worked his ass off to help out wherever he was needed. The bi-annual 5k raised a good amount of money for his foundation. Ensuring a positive experience for everyone involved meant that they would keep returning, and the event could keep growing, and his small way to honor his mom would contribute to helping find a cure for such a devastating disease.
The race route would take runners on a course around the sports complex, under the highway, and back again. Fun and fast, with plenty of volunteers cheering the runners along their way. The start and finish lines were in line with the giant Frenzy logo at the stadium’s top. He was grateful for the organization’s support.
Seeing Ashley set up at a table with Bliss Bakery’s sunny logo gave him an energy hit. She was flanked on her right by Shane and Leo staffing a table for the family gym, and on her left by Mario.
Xavier hadn’t spoken to his friend since their stilted conversation weeks earlier. He’d have to remedy it if he could, but not here and not now.
With all of the runners checked in, and the camera crew for one of the local news stations set up, he picked up the megaphone and hopped onto the platform serving as their temporary stage. "Thank you all for coming out and supporting our foundation. We appreciate your commitment to our cause. Thanks to you and your sponsors, we’ve raised thirteen thousand dollars."
Applause and cheers rang out from the crowd.
He hoped his mom would be proud of what he was trying to accomplish, and wondered if she somehow knew that her boys had all stuck together. He missed her advice and her hugs. At odd moments he kept wondering what she'd think of the lives they’d chosen, and if she would’ve been happy with their choices.
"As some of you know, my family lost my mom to cancer when she was far too young. Every cent of the money we raised will go to cancer research. Together, hopefully, someday soon, we’ll find a cure."
More cheers rang out, and he spotted his brothers and dad in the crowd. Then he glanced at Ashley and wondered what his mother would have thought about her.
"Okay, let’s get this race underway. Runners, on your mark. Get set. Go!"
With a cheer, the pack took off. Xavier handed off the megaphone to an assistant and joined the race. During the three-point-two miles, he laughed and joked with various runners and listened to stories from a few cancer survivors.
Too soon, the finish line came into view. He crossed it and found his family waiting by the finishers’ area. His father, Ryan, and Everson were helping the foundation’s volunteers pass out information sheets. Xavier hugged and thanked them, and continued with his rounds. He gave a quote to the news station, and then stopped to say thank you to every member of his team and the volunteers. He also posed for countless photos with runners. Running the event meant being available to everyone and anyone. He did it happily, because the cause mattered so much.
Ashley’s table was popular. She had cupcakes with pink and white frosting and cookies shaped like sneakers, decorated in pink icing and sprinkles.
Mario’s was busy as well. The cups of coffee and a tray of biscotti disappeared fast. And Shane and Leo had zero problems pulling people in. They tossed water bottles with the gym’s logo to people in the crowd.
The event wound down. When the cleanup crew took over the area, Xavier’s time freed up. A glance at the finishers' area showed tables already broken down. Ashley stood nearby, chatting with Leo and Shane. Mario was off to the side, speaking with one of the volunteers. Xavier rolled his shoulders, put a smile on his face, and headed in that direction. When he reached Mario, the volunteer had gone, and there wasn’t anyone or anything to help break the ice. "Thanks for being here today."
"What are friends for?" Sarcasm coated Mario’s words, matching the displeasure twisting his features.
Disappointment and regret and hurt folded into each other. Xavier stared at his friend and ignored the ache in his chest. "I think you know. Even if we don’t fit the description lately."
With wooden movements, his one-time friend shouldered a bag that held fliers for the café. "I need to get back to the café."
Xavier watched him go, aware of the weight of Leo and Shane’s stares. As always, they were ready to jump to his aid if needed.
Soft, cool fingers touched the back of his arm, and Ashley joined him. "What’s with that guy?"
How did he possibly explain? "We had a sort of disagreement."
"I figured as much." Her gaze was part sympathy and part worry, but she didn't say anything more. Her fingers slid down his arm, crossed his palm, and linked with his.
Xavier gripping her hand as he grasped control of his emotions. "Want to take a walk?"
At her nod, he faced his brothers. "Thanks for being here and helping today. I’ll see you back at Dad’s house."
Holding Ashley’s hand, he headed for the football stadium’s deserted steps. They climbed to the top and sat on cool concrete.
Ashley smiled at him and shivered in the cool air sliding around them like silk. Her hair danced around her face, taunting him to dive his hands in and feel the strands slither through his fingers.
Xavier slipped his arm around her shoulders. "I needed to get away from the rest of the world for a minute."
She snuggled closer and rested her hand on his thigh. "Leo and Shane are so nice. They included me in their conversation the whole morning. I appreciated that. They also told me some stories about you. I really like your family."
"I do, too."
"Most of the people I met were friendly. That Mario guy kept to himself, and that’s fine, everyone doesn’t have to be warm and fuzzy.”
Something in her tone set off his protective instincts. "Was he rude to you?”
Shit.
After an intense internal debate, he decided to tell her. The connection they shared, the feeling he had whenever he was around her was deeper than anything he’d ever felt before. If they continued seeing each other, it would come up eventually. After spending so much time with her over the previous weeks, he couldn’t see her as having a hidden agenda. She was kind and amazing, and he hoped like hell that trusting his instincts wouldn’t come back to bite him in the ass. "Up until a few years ago, I blew through all of my football contract money. Some of it was due to enjoying life a little too much, but most of it went to helping the people and causes that I cared about. I didn’t think about saving anything for myself."
Her forehead crinkled and she patted his leg in comfort. "After spending time with you, I’m not surprised that you gave it all away to help others. You’re a good man."
Whether or not he succeeded, he tried to be his best self. "Football contracts aren’t guaranteed. And I’m already thirty. I know some guys are playing until their late thirties or early forties, but they seem to be the exception, not the rule. One injury could end it all. This contract might be my last one. So the money needs to last as long and stretch as far as it can. I can’t help out like I was able to do before, and some people have a hard time accepting that."
Her gaze shimmered with understanding. "Like Mario."
"Exactly. But not just Mario. It’s a little lonely when people who were supposed to be friends show that you were nothing more than a means to an end for them."
She lifted her hand to his face and gently traced a path from his temple to his chin. Then she tilted her head up and lightly kissed his jaw. "I’m sorry. I’m sure that makes it hard to trust people. When things like with Mario happen it hurts, but it also shows you the ones you can count on, who will always be there. If you focus on that, it could make the hurt, well, hurt less."
Hometown Hero Page 8