We slipped up, shed said. Hey, it happens. As if it was the kind of thing that had happened to her in the past. As if anything like their lovemaking had ever happened to him.
Sure, hed dated his share of women. He was on the road, in the public eye, invited to parties and publicity events where supermodels wanted to hobnob with athletes.
But it wasnt the same thing. There had never been anything like his night-well, his half night-with Jenny.
He exited the cool car, using his left arm to push the door shut, cursing the fact that his shoulder wasnt healing as quickly as hed hoped. He knew he wasnt eighteen anymore, but he was in top physical shape, and hed done every single thing the doctors and physiotherapists had told him to do.
He heard the sound of footsteps and looked up to see Cole, who lived across the street, pacing his way down the driveway.
Hey, Cole greeted with a nod, striding forward. Living so close to one another, the two men spent many casual evenings in each others company.
Hey, Mitch returned, hitting the lock button on his key fob.
Shoulder okay?
It will be. But my physio is a sadist.
Poor baby.
Mitch grunted.
Got a beer? asked Cole.
Sure, Mitch answered as he started for the front door. Hed rather have a double shot of single malt. But hed read studies that told him drinking alcohol to relieve pain was a dangerous path to start down. He wondered if it was as dangerous for emotional pain as it was for physical pain.
You took Jenny home last night, Cole stated as he followed behind.
So? Mitchs tone came out uncharacteristically sharp. But the last thing he wanted to do was talk about Jenny. Her car broke down.
I saw she left it in the TCC parking lot.
Case closed. There was nothing unusual about Mitch offering Jenny a ride home. He didnt owe anybody any explanation.
He inserted his key and swung open the front door. He retrieved his Royal Crier newspaper from the metal bracket beside his house, and grabbed a handful of mail from his mailbox. Then he tossed it all, along with the keys, onto the side table in his small foyer.
The house was cool and dark, and he breathed a sigh of relief at being home. Maybe hed take some pain pills later tonight. He had a feeling it was going to be a challenge to get to sleep.
I was on the phone with Abigail for an hour today, he told Cole, changing the subject from Jenny and choosing something familiar and safe as he crossed the living room to open the blinds. The direct sunlight had passed over his house hours ago and would now be shining on the back deck.
Does she know that Brads being threatened with blackmail? Cole asked. Few people knew about the blackmail threats to Brad, but Cole was a trusted confidant of most TCC board members and had been brought into the loop.
Mitch shook his head. Not yet. At least not that she mentioned. She has some strong opinions on the design for the new clubhouse.
Brad and Abigail were locked in a bitter fight for the upcoming presidential election at the Texas Cattlemans Club. Mitch was pretty sure that Abigail would have spoken up if she knew that Brad was receiving vague, threatening notes that talked about exposing his secret.
Whatever it is, its going to come out sooner or later.
Im betting sooner. Mitch opened the refrigerator and snagged two icy cold imported beers. Thats the thing about secrets.
Thats the thing about secrets, said Cole, an oblique look in his eyes as he accepted one of the chilled, green bottles. He twisted off the cap and tossed it into the trash.
Ignoring Coles dire tone, Mitch opened his own bottle and headed for the back deck. He settled into a padded chair beneath the shade of the awning, propping up his right arm to relieve the stress on his shoulder.
The deck provided a view across the seventh green of the Royal Golf Club. Two men were putting in the distance, while a foursome, two men and two women, made their way to the eighth tee. A breeze rippled the leaves on the perimeter oaks, bringing with it the scent of freshly cut grass.
Cole sat down. Secrets, he said, then took a swig.
You got one that matters? asked Mitch, trying to gauge his friends expression.
Cole smiled. I think you do.
Mitch squinted. You know something I dont? Most of his life had been splashed across the national tabloids. Everybody in the country knew his yardage, his college grades, his weight. Theyd even done a spread on his new haircut last fall.
You got home at 4:00 a.m.
Mitch stilled, and his voice lowered to a warning growl. He did not need to defend himself to Cole. Last time I checked, I was over twenty-one.
You were with Jenny. Coles tone wasnt exactly judgmental, but there was a steadiness in his eyes that made Mitch feel like he was under interrogation.
Mitch didnt want to lie, but he wasnt about to tarnish Jennys reputation, either. So, he didnt respond.
Are you sure that was such a good idea? asked Cole.
Mitch felt his heartbeat deepen, while adrenaline trickled into his system. You might want to think about exiting this conversation along about now.
Im worried about Jenny.
Jennys fine.
How would you know that?
Mitch forced in a calming breath and took a long pull on his beer. He knew he should never have kissed her. And after shed made his blood pressure skyrocket there in the car, he should never have walked her to the door.
But it was done. And he couldnt change it. And it was none of anybody elses damn business.
What are your intentions? ask Cole, his gaze steely.
Is this a joke?
Im dead serious. Ive known Jenny since she was a little girl-
And I havent?
I didnt sleep with her.
Mitch came instantly to his feet, pain throbbing through his shoulder. He hated mounting an argument when he was in the wrong. Oh, he could do it. But he sure hated it. Jenny is an adult. We talked this morning and-
And she told you she was fine? Cole asked, brow arched.
Mitch came clean. She said we slipped up and hey, it happens.
Does that sound like Jenny to you?
And that was where Mitchs logic fell off the rails. It didnt sound remotely like Jenny.
The accusation went out of Coles eyes, and Mitch felt his guard slip a notch.
Both men were silent for a few minutes, while the wind picked up, and the golf games continued on the course.
What were you thinking? asked Cole.
Mitch eased back down in his seat. You saw her last night.
Yet I didnt sleep with her. Then Coles gaze grew contemplative, as if he was questioning his own judgment on that front.
Something dark burst to life inside Mitch, and he reflexively jerked forward. Dont you dare even think about sleeping with Jenny.
Cole looked amused now. He obviously saw some kind of twisted humor in Mitchs predicament. That sounded a whole lot like jealousy. Why dont you tell me again how you have no intentions toward her?
Mitch could tell where Cole was going. But there was absolutely no future for him and Jenny. Jenny was a great girl, and Mitch was only human. You know what Im like.
He and Cole had been friends since elementary school. Cole had played baseball instead of football, his smaller stature making that game a better fit. But he was fully aware of the perks available to elite athletes. And he was under no illusions about Mitchs lifestyle.
Youre not the guy Id pick for my sister, thats for sure, Cole agreed.
You dont have a sister.
If I had one.
Ill be leaving town after the election, or as soon as my shoulder heals, Mitch added to the discussion. There was absolutely no future for the two of them. And Jenny deserved a guy who could give her a future.
Nipping things in the bud was the only way to keep from hurting her even more.
I talked with Jeffrey Porter last night, he put in, knowing it was a way to further emphasis his undesirability as a match for Jenny. Cole was well aware of Jeffreys many indiscretions.
Cole lifted his beer bottle in a mock toast. Is he serving as your cautionary tale?
His girlfriend caught him cheating. You know, Mitch mused aloud, I honestly think Jeffrey said no to the first hundred propositions. Then maybe one night he was alone. Maybe wed lost the game. Maybe he got hurt on the field. Maybe the coach had reamed him out for something, and maybe hed had a fight over the phone with Celeste. And there she was, a fresh, pretty, willing little sweet thing that would make all his problems go away. At least for a while. And so, he stumbled. And once hed done it the first time, well
Mitch had watched the same scenario play out with dozens of players. His teammates tried to make relationships work, yet, inevitably, they were spectacular failures.
You dont have to sell me on the general sleaziness of professional athletes, said Cole.
Im trying to sell you on the general sleaziness of me. Im going back to that world, Cole. And Im no different than any other guy on the team.
Then you had no business sleeping with Jenny.
Mitch grunted out a cold laugh.
He ought to be drawn and quartered for what hed done to Jenny. Guys like him had no business sniffing around caring, wholesome, defenseless girls like her.
Jenny was keeping a sinful secret. It had to do with her updated wardrobe. Though shed worn her usual Friday outfit of gray linen slacks, matching blazer and her favorite aqua silk blouse to the office this morning, underneath it all, she wore skimpy purple lace panties and a matching push-up bra.
She and Emily had spent every evening this week shopping for new clothes. Theyd started Tuesday at Harpers Boutique. Then, theyd moved on to every high-fashion store within a fifty-mile radius.
Even if nobody had a clue, Jenny felt a little bit sexy. It was good for her bruised ego. As Emily had said on the drive home last night, Mitch had no idea what he was missing.
The outer office door opened with a rattle, and a uniformed courier entered, a white cardboard envelope in one hand and his electronic tracking device in the other.
Delivery for Mr. Hayward, the young man announced. He crossed the room and perched the envelope against her upright in-basket, holding out the tracking device.
Jenny took it and scrolled her signature across the grayed window. Thanks.