Break Point (8 page)

“Well you sure told us in there.”

Summer’s eyes flew open. “Jake! God, you scared me.”

“Likewise,” he smiled and sat down next to her. “I guess it’s true what the papers say. You can be vicious when you want to.”

She looked back at the closed bedroom door. “He go back to sleep?”

“Yeah, he’s pretty out of it. He should be up and about in the morning, though.”

“Good. I want him at least a little alert when he sees me play. If I make a good impression, maybe I can start entering some tournaments.”

Summer saw the smirk on Jake’s face. “What’s so funny?”

“I don’t know,” he answered. “You don’t talk like a giddy fiancé who hasn’t seen her hubby-to-be in weeks. You seem more concerned about business. It just seems strange, that’s all.”

Summer looked out toward the deck then back to the front door. “You don’t think he saw us out there, do you?”

“I’m sure he would have said something if he had.”

“Look, now Geoffrey is home, I probably don’t need to stay here anymore. It’s probably better that way
anyway. You know what I mean?”

She waited for a response, but nothing came. Silence collected to an uncomfortable level. Needing to break it somehow, she playfully punched him in the leg.

“Ouch!” He jumped up off the couch rubbing his thigh. “What the hell did you do that for?”

“You didn’t say anything! Didn’t you hear a word I just said?”

“I was sitting right next to you. Of course I heard you.”

“Well, what do you think?”

“Okay, I agree. Just don’t hit me again.” He cursed, but she could hear the smile in his whisper. “Well, I guess I’m going to go sleep in the gazebo. You need anything, you let me know, okay? That goes for your boy toy in there, too.” Grabbing a throw from the back of the recliner, he got up and headed down the stairs toward the deck.

“Good night, Jake.”

He took two steps, then paused. Turning back, he leaned against the railing and ran his hand through his hair. “Summer, earlier when I yelled at you…“ he pointed toward the foyer.

“It’s okay.”

“I’m sorry. I guess when you said the guy was Geoffrey...”

“I understand, Jake. Really.”

He nodded but didn’t move, his head now turned toward the window. “He’s a lucky guy, sweetheart. I just wanted you to know that.”

He didn’t give her time to respond, instead disappearing out the door. She watched his figure move across the deck then into the darkness, a smile spreading across her face.

Chapter Eight

Summer stood in front of the locker room mirror, assessing the dark circles under her eyes. The lack of sleep may show on her face, but her insides were wide awake. She couldn’t stop thinking about Jake Harrison.

No man had ever touched her the way he had the other night. She could still feel his hands on her, how he caressed her breasts and stroked between her legs. God, and that mouth. Blowing out a breath, she smoothed down her pink tennis dress. Thoughts of Jake would do nothing for her game. She was due on court in ten minutes and if she wanted to impress Geo
ffrey, she better stay focused.

“Hey, Summer. Long time no see.”

She spun around, her ponytail smacking her in the face. “Nila!” She gasped as her hand flew to her pounding heart. “You scared me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.
I should know better, after what happened your nerves probably aren’t as steady as they used to be.”

Summer barely recognized the striking redhead who stood in front of her. Months ago Nila Norcova was a gawky teenager with a retainer and frizzy hair. This woman was makeup perfect, with manicured nails and the huge diamond necklace she swore was Harry Winston. “Boy, its amazing what a month in the sun can do for girl.” Summer said. “Looks like
Bermuda agreed with you.”

“It was amazing.” Nila purred, pushing her now straight hair over her shoulder. “I didn’t play much tennis but you know how it is. Everyone wants an interview or to take pictures with you. Of course, Sports Illustrated was awesome.” She leaned in as if sharing a secret. “They said I was a natural.”

Nila had never been a braggart, but fame had a way of bringing that quality out in people. Those were the ones who loved the attention more than tennis itself and also the ones more likely to crash and burn. At nineteen, it was too early to predict Nila’s fate, but as she babbled on about celebrity appearances and private yachts, it was apparent which way she was favoring. “I was just going to head out to play, but it’s so hot.” Nila fanned herself with a towel. “A massage in the air conditioning sounds a little better. Or I could sit and look at your new bodyguard all day.”

“You mean Jake?” Opening her locker, Summer pulled out her racquet bag. Nila may have been a decent tennis player, but she was a champion gossip. A good looking man would keep her talking for hours and Jake was not a subject she could afford to waste any more brain power on. “He’s been helping out on the investigation. “

“Really? Doesn’t look like much more than eye candy to me.”

“Ask Geoffrey if he’s capable. Where do you think he got that shiner?”

Nila cocked her head and put her hands on her hips. “Wait a minute. Your bodyguard beat up your fiancé? Geoffrey told me the spotter at the gym dropped the weight on his head.”

They both giggled. Finally a sparkle of the fun, carefree Nila she used to know. “The gym, huh? Nila, when have you known Geoffrey to lift more than a Perrier bottle?”

“Yeah, you know those European types.” Nila winked. “Probably more into yoga.”

Summer wiped a tear from her eye. It had been a long time since she’d laughed that hard. A part of her felt guilty for joking at Geoffrey’s expense, but there was something about Nila that brought out the immaturity in people. A quality Summer weirdly admired. “Okay, don’t say anymore. You’re running my mascara.” She ran a finger across her che
ek, then sat down on the bench.

“Wait a minute, Summer. There’s not anything going on between you at Jake is there?”

“What?”

Nila’s sapphire tinted contacts shimmered with curiosity. “Come on, the guy is hot. I wouldn’t fault you, I would congratulate you.”

“Are you crazy? I have Geoffrey.”

“So?”

Summer stood up and yanked the zipper shut on her duffle bag. She wished she could do the same to Nila’s mouth.

“Okay, it’s none of my business. Sorry I asked.” Nila picked up her purple rhinestone racquet bag behind her. “So I guess I’ll be seeing you around. My practice times are right around yours. I still can’t believe you’re playing. Everyone was sure you’d retire.”

“Actually, I think the rest did me some good.” Summer told her. “And who knows? Maybe I’ll be stronger than ever.”

“That’s good, you’re staying positive.” A crooked smile spread across Nila’s face. “So, you think there’s a chance you could play in a tournament, say in three weeks?”

Summer cocked her head. “What do you mean? What tournament?”

Nila looked around the locker room again then leaned in, lowering her voice to a whisper. “I got a secret,” she confessed. “Geoffrey says if your practices go well, he’s going to set up an exhibition match in at the big Citrus Charity Tournament.”

“Really?” Summer’s heart skipped a beat. “Wait, when did he say this? Is it definite?”

“He told me this morning. I guess since the Citrus is such a big media event, it would be good exposure for both of us. For him too. You know how into business he is.”

This was exactly the break she was looking for. The Citrus was the biggest charity tournament on the whole North American circuit and the Vitalie Citrus Ball Anston hosted was the biggest black-tie event of the year. It was also a media frenzy. It would be the perfect chance to prove to the world she was ready to take her life back. It couldn’t happen soon enough. “When is he announcing this?” she asked. “Did he tell you?”

“Soon,” Nila said. “He has to make sure I can fit in the promotion into my schedule first.”

She could feel the bubbles again. A medium boil that made her cheeks redden. This was adrenalin. Competition. She had forgotten how much she had loved the feeling. “That’s the great part.” Summer told her. “I may be the best female who ever played the game, but I’m injured. I don’t have much left to prove. You on the other hand would look pretty bad if you got beat by someone like me. Tell me, Nila, how are you at playing under pressure?”

Rendering Nila speechless was a victory in itself. Satisfied, she picked up her racquet bag then winked at Nila before heading to the door. “You know what they say, “Hail to the Queen.”

***

Jake wiped the sweat from his brow and took a long gulp of his ice water. Summer was right. He would have passed out from heat stroke if he had worn his usual jeans and long sleeve t-shirt. Maybe the standard tennis whites weren’t so bad after all. He watched her from the patio. A perfect view he decided as he spied her sailing across the service line. With a high-pitched grunt, she pounced on a volley, sending the ball like a rocket to the backcourt corner. The modest crowd applauded and Jake did too. He was a fan just like the rest of them, but for a different reaso
n, he felt too guilty to admit.

His favorite part of practice had nothing to do with the actual work out, rather it was the half-minute she would towel herself off in between games. The occasional spritz from her little pink spray bottle was a bonus, reserved only for the days when it was extra hot or she worked extra hard. He looked heavenward, thanking God for His gift of an unbearable heat wave. Never in his life had he felt more blessed.

She jogged to the sideline, tossing her pony tail over her shoulder. Jake held his breath waiting for her to reach for the little pink bottle, but she didn’t. Instead, she went for the large water cooler beside her. Jake almost fell over when she pulled the ice cubes out and brought them to her chin. Wonderful drops of water ran down her neck and chest, pooling into the deep ravine of her cleavage. Again he credited divine intervention. This time for his new baggy tennis shorts that hid exactly what they needed to.

“Looking good, huh Jake?”

Jake looked up at Anston Vitalie. He raised his sunglasses as he stood then extended his hand to shake. “Morning, sir. Yeah, Summer’s doing great out there.”

“I was talking about you.” Anston tugged on the sleeve of his shirt. “Did Summer take you shopping in the pro shop?”

“Oh you mean my clothes.” Jake gave himself a once-over. “Well, I thought since I was hanging out with the tennis crowd I should probably look the part.”

“That’s great. We were all worried you wouldn’t be around as much now Geoffrey got home. I’m pleasantly surprised he hasn’t fired you yet.”

Jake glanced across the court. Geoffrey was perched in the second row of the bleachers. His usual hangout when he watched Summer play. “Not in his best interests. Now that Summer’s back in the public eye, she needs a bodyguard.” Jake nodded toward Geoffrey in his straw hat and polyester track suit with a large “G” obnoxiously embroidered on the front. “He doesn’t look much like somebody who would intimidate a stalker to me.”

“Look, all kidding aside, I’m glad you’re still here. These practices are starting to draw a bit of a crowd. The press has even tried to get in. “

Jake nodded. “I was waiting for that to happen.” He scanned the crowd, reminding himself her attacker could be among them right now.

“You’re armed, right?”

“Yeah.” Jake patted the revolver stashed under his shirt. “I’ve been walking around every few minutes just to scope the place, but if you see something suspicious let me know.”

“Sure thing. Who knew a NASCAR hero would turn out to be a tennis fan.” Vitalie winked then slapped him on the back. “Keep up the good work,
Harrison.”

“Thanks, Anston.”

Jake’s smile faded when he heard the familiar voice behind him. He turned around, spying a group of four or five men all dressed in black suits looking more like undertakers than spectators at a sporting event.

“A little early for you isn’t it, Al?” Jake greeted as he approached. “It’s only eight in the morning.”

“Jakie!” Al grabbed his shoulder and offered his hand to shake. “Eight a.m., hell. You know I never miss a party.”

“Very true.”

“Jesus, who knew a practice session would be such a big draw. Especially in this heat.” He took a look around before patting his glowing brow with a handkerchief. “I heard Summer was playing this morning and I wanted to check it out. So, how does she look out there?”

Jake shrugged. “Good I guess. I don’t know much about tennis or anything, but I know she swings harder and harder everyday. She’s definitely happier.”

“That’s good. I want my girl to be happy.” His voice trailed off, his focus now fixed on the court. “Damn, I’ve never seen her play in person before. She’s good. Look at her.”

Heads turned in syncopated motion as the ball flew over the net. Suddenly, Summer jumped up in the air, slamming the ball in the right hand corner of the court with an unforgiving overhead. “She’s amazing!” Al blurted as the crowd applauded. Turning around, he called to his cronies behind him. “Hey boys! Get over here and watch my daughter!”

“Shhh.” Jake warned with his finger over his lips. “You got to keep it down at tennis matches. Noise distracts the players.”

“Oh, yeah, right. I don’t know all the rules.” Jamming the handkerchief back in his pocket, he straightened the line of his jacket. “Have you seen Geoffrey around here? I heard he was back in town and I wanted to give him something.”

“He’s over there.” Jake pointed across the court.

Al followed his finger and his body shook in silent laughter. “Nice hat.” He smirked. “He looks like a frickin’
scarecrow.”

“I think he hurt himself.” Jake answered. “His face is pretty bruised up. Summer says he doesn’t want people to see him like that, but I can give him a message if you want.

“Yeah.” He pulled an envelope from his jacket and handed it to Jake. “Tell him I rented out the penthouse at The Pelican Landing Resort for tonight. I thought he and Summer would enjoy some time, just the two of them. He’s been out of town so I thought they could catch up. Plus, you could probably use the night off.”

Jake took the envelope from him, then stuffed it in his shorts pocket. “No problem, I’ll see he gets it.”

“By the way, Leslie said something about going through mail you gave her. Don’t be surprised if she drops by. I told her you would have some time to kill.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” He said flatly, his gaze turned back toward the court. “She’s got my number.”

“I think she’d like a lot more, if ya know what I mean.” He slapped him on the back, his deep bellowing laugh drawing stares from nearby spectators. “See you later, Harrison”

“Later,” Jake mumbled and smiled as Summer reached in the ice bucket again
.

***

“What the hell was my father doing here? Summer asked hoping the answer wouldn’t ruin a good day. “I saw him and I nearly dropped my racquet.”

“Really? You looked pretty focused to me.” Jake picked up her bag and slung it over his shoulder. “I thought you didn’t notice anything off court when you were playing.”

“Kind of hard to miss. He strolls in here looking like he walked out of a Blues Brothers movie. What was he thinking?”

“Well, I guess some people aren’t a
s fashion conscious as others.”

“Like yourself, of course.” She smiled, admiring how delicious Jake looked in his new tennis attire. “You look like you just stepped out of Tennis Magazine. I told you sportswear would do wonders for you.”

“You think so.” He popped the collar on his shirt and pulled his sunglasses over his eyes. “You know you’re not the only model around here, Blondie.”