Better Than Perfect (35 page)

She waited for the nausea to pass. Now wasn’t the time to think about the fact she was two days late. Nor would the news she could be pregnant soften the blow for Johnny.

But she did have to tell Zach. He needed to hear the truth. And maybe he would be comforted that Johnny was too upset about the knowledge to tell him.

Yeah. Right. That would make it easier.

She knocked on Zach’s door. He quickly shoved his phone under the covers. He’d been texting, even though it was after nine.

“Don’t get your friend in trouble by texting her too late.” She smiled, letting him know she wasn’t mad. “I’d hate for her to have her phone taken away.”

“Sorry. I forgot.”

She raised an eyebrow. She wanted him to know that he couldn’t get away with excuses. “Don’t forget again, or you’ll be the one with no phone privileges.”

“Yeah, okay.” He sat up. “What’s going on?”

He sensed when she had something unpleasant to say. Probably because she squirmed and made it that much harder by trying to be gentle.

“I just spoke with Johnny.” And her heart was a little bit broken for him. For all of them. “He got the results back from the paternity test.”

She couldn’t say it. Couldn’t shatter her little boy’s heart. Not when he’d been so happy to have Johnny in his life.

“And?” He crossed his arms over his chest. Bracing for the bad news.

“He’s not your dad.” She had to squeeze her eyes shut to keep the moisture at bay.

“You’re lying.” Zach grabbed the blanket and balled it in both fists. “Of course he’s my dad. You’re just freaked out because you’re so used to having me to yourself. You don’t want to have to share my attention.”

“Oh, Zach, I wish that were true. I really do.” She reached out to brush his hair off his forehead, but he recoiled from her touch.

“Leave me alone.” Zach flopped onto the mattress and pulled the covers over his head.

“I’m sorry. I know how much you like Johnny. How much he likes you. But…” Really, there wasn’t anything more she could say. She couldn’t just kiss it all better or slap a bandage on this kind of hurt.

She slipped quietly out of his room, hoping the new baby wouldn’t make things worse.

Maybe she was wrong. Maybe she wasn’t pregnant. Even though she was sure she was. She’d pick up a home pregnancy test in a couple of days. But she already knew what the results would be.

Then again, she’d been absolutely certain what the results of the paternity test would be, but she’d been wrong.

So wrong.

* * * *

No. Freaking. Way.

Zach punched his pillow after he was sure his mom was downstairs. He couldn’t believe Johnny wasn’t his father. They had so much in common. They were so much alike. And he really, really, really wanted Johnny Scottsdale to be his dad.

There had to be a mistake. A mix-up at the lab.

But he’d been there. They were careful. Put everything in pre-labeled containers that were sealed before they left the room.

So yeah. It had to be true.

Man, this sucked. And he couldn’t even tell Ashley right now. It was late. He didn’t want to get her into trouble. But he needed someone to talk to.

He pulled out his phone, opened the text screen and typed.

Hey. Even if you aren’t my dad. I still think you’re cool.

He wondered if Johnny would text him back. Or if he’d even let him keep the phone. He’d signed a two-year contract, so he couldn’t just give it back. And it wasn’t like he had another kid he could give it to.

His phone buzzed.

Sorry kid. I gotta get to work. Look after your mom.

So that was it? Johnny was sorry. And he asked Zach to look after his mom. Meaning he wouldn’t be coming around anymore.

Yeah. This sucked big time.

At least his grandparents would be happy. They were still his grandparents.

So life would go back to normal. He’d be busy with school. And then in a couple of weeks, he’d have baseball tryouts and even if he wasn’t Johnny Scottsdale’s son, he could remember what he’d learned. He’d do okay. He might not ever make it to the majors, but he’d at least be ready for this season.

Zach got out of bed. He walked over to his desk and grabbed his glove. He put it on. Punched the pocket and held it up to his face. He inhaled the familiar smell of leather. Only instead of comforting him, like it usually did, it made him feel a little sick.

Finding out Johnny wasn’t really his dad should mean that everything would be the same as it was before. But everything felt different. Wrong, even.

For a few days anyway, he’d been somebody special. He was the son of the great Johnny Scottsdale. He’d had dreams of following in his father’s footsteps all the way to the majors. With Johnny guiding him the next few years as he played high school ball, Zach knew he’d have a better than average chance of at least getting a look from college and Major League scouts. And having his name wouldn’t have hurt. No, it would probably have given them enough reason to look a little closer and maybe give him an edge over the competition.

Sure, he still would have had to work hard to prove himself, but at least they wouldn’t have just looked at his skinny legs or the fact that he played for a small private school instead of one of the big high schools that made the playoffs every season.

But no. Now he had to find out he wasn’t even Johnny’s son. Not only that, but Johnny didn’t seem to want anything to do with him anymore. Or his mom.

It made Zach wonder if everything Johnny had told him was total BS. He’d told Zach that he would be around, even if he wasn’t his dad. He’d also said he cared about Mom.

But Johnny found out that Zach wasn’t his son and now he’d stopped texting him. Stopped talking to Mom. Like he’d been lying to them both.

And if he was lying about caring about them, then maybe he lied about everything else, too.

Like Zach being a good pitcher. That he had potential. That he could be really good if he worked on the things he’d taught him.

Well, maybe he’d taught him what his friend Ty had figured out on his own. That men would say or do anything to get into a woman’s bed. And once they got there, they’d take off.

If Johnny lied to Zach just so he could back together with his mom—or worse, so he could get back at her for marrying someone else—then maybe Zach would end up looking like a complete idiot when he showed up for baseball tryouts.

Screw that. He wasn’t going to try out. He didn’t want to play baseball anymore. It would only remind him of Johnny Scottsdale. The guy who used to be his hero. The guy who’d almost been his dad.

20

Johnny sat on the bench for the first game of spring training. He wasn’t scheduled to pitch, so he kicked back in the dugout, eating sunflower seeds and watching his teammates get action on the field. The Goliaths’ ace, Mark Carson, had a solid three-inning performance. Then the number two starter came in for two innings before the relievers got their shot.

Johnny hoped to get into a game tomorrow or the next day at the latest. He was in no hurry. In fact, he didn’t really care if he played. He’d talked to Alice last night. After avoiding her for days, he’d finally broken down and told her the news. He’d tried to explain why he couldn’t be with her—and Zach—at least not right now.

Zach had texted him. Told Johnny he didn’t care that he wasn’t his son. But he couldn’t keep stringing the kid along. It would be better in the long run if he cut his ties sooner, before either of them got too attached.

Only problem was, Johnny was already attached.

He missed the kid. But he didn’t want to ever make him feel like there was something wrong with him. Johnny knew that someday his feelings for Mel would show through. Like an old grass stain that couldn’t be bleached away.

The game ended with a 7-6 Goliaths’ victory. Bryce had a pretty good game. And he worked the crowd. Waving to fans and tipping his hat. He’d been more than happy to sign baseballs, posters and anything the fans put in front of him before the game. Especially t-shirts. While the women were still wearing them.

Johnny had a feeling he would be having dinner alone tonight. There were at least a half-dozen single women lined up for Bryce’s attention. He’d made it ten days or so without hooking up with anyone. Johnny doubted he’d hold out much longer.

“What do you think? Italian or Tex-Mex for dinner tonight?” Bryce had stopped by Johnny’s locker after his shower. “I’m starving, so either sounds good to me.”

“Are you sure? You didn’t get a better offer?”

“Several. But I’m not interested. I had a good game. Need to keep my focus on that.”

“Yeah. Sure.” Johnny laced up his shoes and told Bryce he’d meet him back at the hotel. He wasn’t quite ready to leave the sanctuary of the ballpark. He hadn’t kept his mind entirely on the game, but it was worse when he was alone in his hotel room. He missed Alice. Ached for her in a way that was a whole lot worse than the first time around.

“Oh. My. God.” A female voice pierced the quiet of the clubhouse. “I can’t believe I’m really here. In the locker room. It’s just like I imagined. Only better. Because you’re here.
The
Johnny Scottsdale.”

“I’m sorry, but you’re not supposed to be here.” There was something vaguely familiar about the woman who’d snuck past security. “You could get into trouble.”

“It’s worth it.” She was giddy. And a little scary. “You’re worth it. I just had to see you. To be alone with you and tell you how
amazing
you are. How…how
perfect
…”

“Excuse me, I’m on my way out.” He had no idea what she wanted from him. Oh, he had a little bit of an idea, but in case she was after something more than his body, he headed toward the exit.

“Aren’t you going to thank me?” She stepped between him and the door and looked up at him expectantly, like a dog who’d performed a trick and was waiting for a pat on the head.

“For what?” The hair on the back of his neck prickled.

“For making sure that gold-digging bitch doesn’t ruin your reputation and take you for every penny you’re worth.” Her expression went cold, calculating. She rested her hands on her hips and leaned forward. Probably hoping to entice him with her low-cut tank top. She reminded him of one of those women on those talk shows that seemed to be on late at night when he couldn’t sleep. The ones where everyone screamed at each other and every other word had to be bleeped out.

“I’m sorry. I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Johnny tried to keep his voice calm in case this woman overran fanatic and rounded the bases toward crazy.

“The paternity test.” She stepped toward him, a calculating smile plastered on her face. The pieces started to fall into place. “Of course that boy’s mother is only after your money. But I saved you from her.”

“You work at that clinic. You administered the paternity test.” Johnny had to breathe real slow to keep from dragging this woman straight to the police.

“Yes. I knew—the minute you stepped in my exam room—I knew it was…fate. I knew it was meant to be. We are meant to be.” She stepped closer, and Johnny backed up against his locker. “I couldn’t stand to see your reputation tarnished. So, you had a little indiscretion. A long time ago. But the good news is that no one has to know. I’ll keep our little secret.”

“No. You won’t.” Johnny sidestepped as she reached for him. His flesh crawled as her fingers brushed his arm.

“Oh, come on. I did you a huge favor.” She licked her lips, in what she must have thought was a sexy invitation. “I…I saved you.”

“No, you messed with my life.” He backed away toward the exit. “You hurt my family. You hurt my son.”

“I was trying to protect you.” She looked confused. Like she couldn’t understand why he hadn’t dropped to his knees and thanked her.

“Protect me? Lady, you don’t even know me. You don’t know what I want. What I need.” He was fed up with this perception that because he was a public figure, people thought they had a right to his business.

“I know what you need.” She lunged for him and he jumped out of the way. She fell to the floor with a cry of surprise.

“Hey, Johnny, I forgot my phone.” Bryce came back in time to watch the woman pick herself off the floor. “Is everything alright in here?”