Crossing the Line (The Baltimore Banners Book 1) (16 page)

     Pictures of Alec and the rink bunny. Or rather, his once-ex-and-now-current girlfriend. Apparently happily reunited after not seeing each other for more than two years. AJ tried to convince herself that the expression on Alec's face looked more like constipation rather than happiness, but that was probably more wishful thinking.

     The page Gerry had turned to showed another color picture from the photo shoot nearly two weeks ago: her sliding across the ice on her butt, just after Jean-Pierre had knocked into her during the mock game. She glanced down at it one last time then batted it away.

     "How's it feel to sell your soul for a byline, Gerry? Proud of the tabloid trash?" The words were light and flippant, reflecting none of the anger that had been seething through her since the local tabloid had come out a few days ago.

     Gerry reached down and snatched the paper away, a flush mottling his face. His hands crumpled the pages, the paper twisting in his fists as he leaned closer. "At least I didn't trade sex for a story and a paycheck."

     AJ stood so fast that her desk chair slid into the cubicle wall with a bang. She stepped toward Gerry, effectively blocking his escape from the small area, and took grim satisfaction at the look of alarm that crossed his smarmy face.

     "AJ, I need to discuss your next assignment in my office." Tim's cool voice stopped her from saying or doing anything, which was probably a good thing. She took a step backward and grabbed her planner off the desk, then shut down her laptop and tossed it into her bag, her eyes never leaving Gerry's.

     He smirked at her, baring his shark-like teeth and sending a chill down her spine. He opened his mouth to say something, but Tim interrupted him. "And Gerry, you have a new assignment as well. Congratulations, you're now the community columnist for the monthly insert."

     "What?" Gerry spun around, directing his outrage toward the editor. "That isn't even a full-time staff position!"

     "Well, I'm sure you can supplement your income with more freelance ventures."

     AJ tucked her chin into her chest and bit back a smile. As much as she wanted to gloat in Gerry Brown's face, she knew Tim would call her on it. That didn't mean she wasn't going to do a happy-dance later.

     She hadn't had much to be happy about lately.

     AJ followed Tim to his office, ignoring Gerry's sputters of indignation and tossed insults as he stormed away. Tim closed the door and motioned for her to have a seat, then perched on the edge of the desk and watched her with an unusually blank expression. AJ forced herself to sit still and meet his gaze head-on.

     Tim nodded, as if satisfied with something, then grabbed a pencil from his desk and started tapping it against his leg. "Are you doing okay?"

     The question caught her off-guard and she sat back a little, not knowing what to make of it. She finally nodded, a hesitant motion of her head, and watched him carefully.

     "Good. Good. And, of course, you know better than to believe anything you read in the local rag, right? Of course you do. Good, good."

     AJ continued staring at her usually forthright and outspoken editor, and wondered what was wrong with him. He, in turn, watched her back, studying her, and she felt like he was searching for...something. She was ready to ask him what was wrong when he bounded from the desk and walked around to his chair, flopping into it with a loud creak.

     "I've got to hand it to you, AJ: you did a great job with the feature. People were impressed, and not just the readers. I'm still getting calls from the Banners' front office about it. Not to mention the calls from the other sports venues. It seems you really tapped into something. Congratulations, you should be proud of yourself."

     AJ nodded again, not sure what to say. Of course she was proud. Of course the congratulations meant something to her. But Tim already knew that, because they had already had this conversation earlier in the week, right after the final installment ran.

     "So how are you doing on that last assignment?"

     The change in topic confused her for a split-second, but she finally nodded. "Almost done. I have an interview in the morning and expect to have the final draft by the afternoon."

     "Good. I have another assignment for you. Let's call it a mini-feature. Are you up for another one so soon?"

     "Tim, are you feeling okay?"

     "What? Of course, why? Do I not look okay?"

     "You look fine. I just don't understand what you're up to. Since when do you ask a staff writer if they're 'up to another assignment'? Of course I'm up to it. Who wouldn't be? It's my job now!" She bit back the brief smile at the pleasure saying that brought to her. It was her job. She had worked so hard for it.

     The pleasure dimmed as the memories of that last day with Alec flashed through her mind, and she ruthlessly quashed them. They were both adults; they had both had fun while it lasted. Now she had her dream job.

     And he had a new girlfriend. The bastard.

     "Good, good. This is an easy one. A few days at the most." He rummaged through the pile on his desk, scattering papers before he found what he was looking for. "I already scheduled the interviews you'll need for Friday. Do you have any formal wear?"

     AJ blinked, hard, having trouble following his fast speech. He had scheduled the interviews? Since when...the last part finally sunk in and she stared at him. "Formal wear? You mean, like a gown?"

     "No, a tux. Of course I mean a gown. Or whatever it is women wear to these things. Do you have one?"

     "Uh..."

     "If you don't, that's alright. I'll have Mandy make an appointment at Trendy Formals and they'll handle it. I would also suggest going to the salon and getting your hair and all that crap done on Saturday. I'll have Mandy make that appointment for you."

     "Uh, Tim..."

     "And I also took the liberty of arranging a date for you so—"

     "Tim, stop!" Her voice was a borderline screech but she didn't care as long as it got his attention. Which, apparently, it did, because he finally stopped his rambling long enough to look at her. "Tim, what the hell exactly do you have me doing? Scheduled interviews, a gown, salon? A date? What's going on?"

     Tim glanced around the office and shifted in his chair before he let out a deep breath and looked at her. "You're covering the Baltimore Ball Saturday night."

     Silence filled the room as quickly as the chill that swept over her. The Baltimore Ball was a big charity event that showcased and awarded Charm City's sports players: baseball, football, basketball.

     Ice hockey.

     AJ's stomach did a slow roll as she concentrated on not clenching her fists. The yearly event was a black-tie, red-carpet affair that some compared to showy Hollywood events, and it drew all sorts of dignitaries and local celebrities.

     And athletes. Let's not forget the athletes.

     AJ took a deep breath, counted to ten, and let it out slowly, her gaze never leaving Tim's face. "Wouldn't this be something better-suited to one of the entertainment columnists? I mean, it's always been covered that way before, I don't remember a sports writer ever covering it—"

     "There will be a feature writer there from the entertainment section—"

     "So then why are you sending me?"

     "The Banners suggested—rather strongly—that it would be a great follow-up and that you would be the best choice." He paused, took a deep breath, and spoke the next words in a rush. "Since Alec Kolchak is supposed to receive some kind of award."

     AJ clenched both her jaw and her fists, and made no attempt to hide it. As much as she might want to, she couldn't say no. Even if she thought she could convince Tim otherwise—and she wasn't foolish enough to even try—to say no would negate everything she had done, everything she had worked so hard for. So big deal. She would have to see Alec again. She could handle the discomfort for a few hours.

     AJ did another slow count and slowly relaxed her closed fists. She pasted on a big smile and blinked at Tim. "So, you said you lined up a date. Why? And who?"

     Tim shifted in the chair and at least had enough sense to look momentarily uncomfortable. "Considering...the situation...I thought you might be more comfortable with a date than by yourself. I can certainly cancel it if that's what you want."

     "Who?"

     "Um..." He glanced down at the paper in his hands, squinted, then looked up at her. "Ian Donovan. He's...well, I guess you know who he is."

     "Ian? Great. Perfect. You picked one of Alec's friends and teammates. This could be fun. So does Ian know?"

     "Yes, he does. He was actually excited at the idea."

     "Yeah, I bet." She could only imagine what he really thought. A grimace crossed her face; on second thought, she was probably better off not imagining what he really thought.

     "Do you think you'll have any problems with this?"

     AJ narrowed her eyes at him, then leaned across the desk and snatched the paper from his hands. "None at all."

     She shoved the sheet of paper into her bag and left the office, wondering what the hell she had just gotten into.

     AJ hiked the backpack higher on her shoulder and let out a loud sigh as she hurried toward the exit door of the practice rink. She was careful to hug the side of the wall, as far from the ice—and the players—as possible. Practice was still going on, so she figured she was as safe as she could be from running into anybody.

     No, not anybody. Alec.

     The urge to turn around and look, to watch him at the far end of the ice, was so strong that she almost gave into it. Almost...until she took a closer look at the crowd gathered around the boards and saw the blonde standing there.

     AJ gritted her teeth and kept walking, mentally counting the steps to freedom and cursing Tim for scheduling the interviews at the practice rink offices during the actual practice. It didn't matter that the timing was logical; she wasn’t in a rational mood.

     She was several yards from the doors, from freedom, when she heard her name being called. Her first instinct was to bolt for the exit but she caught herself at the last second, realizing that the voice was different, the cadence and rhythm of her name not quite the same.

     AJ took a deep breath and stopped, then slowly turned around to see Ian shuffling toward her in that odd off-ice gait. She adjusted her bag once more and offered him a small smile.

     "Hey Ian."

     "Hey." His long-legged stride closed the distance, quickly bringing him to her side. He shifted his stick from one hand to the other and back again, acting as if he was nervous. She could only imagine why, and decided to give him his out.

     "Listen, about tomorrow night—"

     "Yeah, I was going to call you later for the details—"

     "You don't have to...I mean, I appreciate it and all, but you didn't have to agree and—" Ian interrupted her with a shake of his head, and wrapped his hand in a gentle grip around her arm and pulled her a few steps off to the side, glancing over his shoulder before lowering his head closer.

     "I know, but I think it's a good idea. Besides, I didn't have a date, so you'll actually be doing me a favor."

     AJ raised her brows at him, letting him know without words that she wasn't buying it. No matter what he said, she was going to feel like this was an agreement made out of pity, and she didn't want that. She opened her mouth to tell him she really didn't think it was a good idea, but he interrupted her again with a shake of his head.

     "No arguments." He shifted his weight on his skates and glanced over his shoulder again, a small grin of satisfaction on his face. "Listen, I don't want to go to this thing, period. And I really don't want to go by myself. I don't think you do, either. Besides, I really think it would be a good idea for someone else to see you with a date. It might knock some sense into him."

     His words stopped her cold, freezing her in place. That exact thought had been hovering at the edge of her subconscious, fighting to be recognized and acknowledged. Yes, some deep part of her hoped for the same thing; not necessarily to knock sense into Alec, but, just maybe, just a little bit, to make him jealous.

     She didn't want to admit that she was that petty, though. "Ian, I appreciate it, I really do. But I don't think—"

     He leaned in closer, his mouth inches from her ear, and AJ knew that anyone watching would think they were sharing more than just a casual moment. "I do. Trust me, Alec is miserable but won't admit it. But he's too damn thick-headed to fix things on his own."

     "Then that's his own problem, and nothing I do is going to matter."

     Ian glanced over his shoulder again then turned back to face her, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Do you honestly believe that?"

     The expression on his face almost made her take a step backward, because it was obvious he was up to something. And she had a strong feeling that whatever it was wasn't going to be good. But she held her ground. "Yeah, I do."

     "Play along and I'll prove you wrong."

     "Wha—" AJ didn't get a chance to finish her sentence; Ian pulled her to him and lowered his mouth to hers so fast she didn't have time to talk, let alone react. One second he had been grinning at her then, before she realized what he was doing, his lips had claimed hers in a warm, gentle kiss.

     Her first stunned thought was that his lips were soft and warm. Her next thought was...that he definitely wasn't Alec. Alec's kisses were fire and heat and passion and magic. Kissing Alec was like breathing life, like the first drop of a fast roller coaster or free-falling from a cliff; kissing Ian was like...eating vanilla ice cream or riding a small merry-go-round: nice, but kind of plain and, well, not very exciting.

     Ian slowly pulled away but didn't let her go, just smiled down at her with that twinkle still in his eyes. "Good thing I have a healthy ego or your reaction would crush me."

     "Ian, I'm—"

     "No, don't say anything. Just give me a hug and look over my shoulder." He pulled her closer again, giving her no choice but to do as he said. The backpack slipped from her shoulder and jerked her arm downward, making the hug feel even more awkward. Still, she played along, wrapping her arms mostly around his waist as she looked behind him.

     Alec was stepping off the ice, his helmet pushed up to reveal a forbidding scowl on his face. He reached behind him and slammed the rink door so hard that an unnatural echo bounced off the ice and shot around them. The look in his eyes darkened as his eyes met and locked on hers, and his gait quickened as he headed their way.

     She stiffened in Ian's arms and tried to pull back, but he wouldn't completely release her, easing his hold only enough that she could look up at him without hurting herself. To her surprise, he was on the verge of laughing, and she could tell he was struggling not to.

     "Do you still think that what you do doesn't matter to him?"

     "Oh my God, he's furious! He looks like he's ready to hit both of us!" Her initial surprise at both Ian's kiss and Alec's reaction quickly changed to irritation. Alec was storming toward them, dark anger clear on his face. Like he had a right to be angry. AJ clenched her jaw and stared at him. "What is his problem? He's acting like...like...like a freaking caveman!"

     "That's my girl! So, quick, before he kicks my ass—are we on for tomorrow night?"

     AJ stepped out of Ian's arms and looked up at him with a bright smile. "You absolutely better believe we're on for tomorrow!"

     Alec reached them just as she stepped away from Ian, and there was no doubt that he had heard her. His dark gaze drifted from her to Ian, then finally back to her, pinning her in place. She saw his hand tighten on his stick and noticed the slight tick in his clenched jaw as he gave her a curt nod.

     "AJ. I didn't know you were going to be here today."

     She did her best to keep her expression carefully blank but she wasn't sure she succeeded, especially when her gaze darted off to the side where Alec's girlfriend was now carefully watching the scene. AJ pulled her gaze away and looked at Alec, then at Ian. He gave her the slightest nod and a wink she knew Alec couldn't see. The encouragement boosted her determination, and she reached out to place her hand on Ian's arm, giving it a small squeeze of thanks as she looked back at Alec.

     "I'm sorry, Alec, but I didn't realize I had to get your okay before working."

     "Working?" His cold gaze swept over her and Ian, and he raised his brow in obvious disbelief. "Let me guess, it's Ian's turn to be...interviewed."

     AJ clenched her jaw as hurt ripped through her with a searing heat that flushed her cheeks. She was speechless, and felt herself floundering for something, anything, to say. Ian jumped to her rescue even as Alec's face cleared enough for him to manage to look like he was sorry. Ian didn't wait for him to say anything, he just turned and pushed against Alec hard enough to make him stumble.

     "Hey,
asshole
, you're way out of line."

     "I—"

     "What the hell gives you the right to talk to her like that? Who the hell do you think you are?" Ian kept advancing on Alec, forcing him back a bit at a time. And AJ realized Ian wasn't pretending—he was truly pissed, and on her behalf.

     She also realized that Alec wasn't going to push back, that he was going to quietly accept whatever Ian dished out. And from what she could see of Ian's face, he was just getting started.

     AJ blinked against the burning in her eyes and swallowed against the thickness in her throat, half-tempted to just turn around and leave. But she couldn't. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't. So she stepped forward and placed her hand on Ian's arm, surprised at the tension thrumming through the hard muscles. She squeezed, just the smallest bit, to get his attention.

     "Ian, don't worry about it. Really, it's not a big deal." Both men turned to face her, their expressions unreadable. She glanced at Alec, for just a second, then turned her attention back to Ian. "Ian, I mean it. C'mon. Just let it go."

     The two men continued staring at each other, one looking like he wanted to be tossed around, and the other looking like he would be more than happy to oblige. AJ squeezed Ian's arm again, then tugged on it. Ian finally looked down at her, then grabbed her hand and clasped it in his before turning and leading her away from the unfolding drama. He stopped and looked back, his jaw clenching as he gave Alec an undecipherable look.

     "I never pegged you as a loser, Kolchak." Ian motioned to the side with his head, and AJ leaned past him to see what he was pointing at. The blonde was sauntering toward them, wobbling on stiletto heels that were sinking into the rubber mat. She reached Alec and pressed herself against him, wrapping possessive hands around his arms as she dropped a cool look in AJ's direction.

     AJ barely refrained from rolling her eyes as Ian led her away from them. He stopped just before they reached the door and looked down at her, his eyes thoughtful but, thankfully, not pitying.

     "So, see you tomorrow night?" Ian asked. AJ nodded, offering him a small smile. He leaned down to give her a quick kiss then straightened and smiled back. "Good. I'll pick you up at six o'clock."

     "Why so early?"

     "Because it's a team tradition to go for cocktails and real food before the dinner and awards. Are you still up for it?"

     "Sure, why not. Count me in."

     Ian laughed and pushed the door open for her, and she realized that he didn't believe her. Probably because the lack of enthusiasm she felt echoed in her weak words. She gave him one last small smile then walked out of the rink, trying not to pay any attention to the goalie who still stood behind Ian, staring at her instead of paying attention to the woman glued to his side.

**

     AJ tried not to wiggle in the leather seat, knowing that it would probably wrinkle the gown she was wearing. Worse than wrinkle; it would probably tear along the side-seam and create an even bigger slit than was already there.

     Not that it would take much to do that, if you asked her. But nobody had, and now she was stuck wearing this stupid gown. The stupid, stupid gown she should have said 'no' to. She took that back; she should have done more that just said 'no'—she should have stomped her foot and thrown a full-blown temper tantrum when both Tim and his secretary and the idiot clerk at Trendy Formals all insisted that the gown was made for her.

     But she hadn't, and now she was stuck. And if Ian's reaction when he picked her up was any indication, she was going to be uncomfortable all night long. Which was bound to make an already-long night even more miserable.

     She finally let out a loud sigh and turned away from the window to face Ian, not bothering to hide her frustration. "Why do you keep staring at me?"

     The poor man obviously hadn't expected the question, because he jerked his gaze up to meet hers and started stammering, a small blush creeping across his face. If not for how his reaction was making her feel, she would almost feel sorry for him. Or at least maybe find something to laugh about in the whole sorry situation.

     But she wasn't feeling much compassion or humor right now.

     "I'm sorry, I really am. I just...wow. You just...you have no idea..."

     "Okay, that's it. I can't do this." Her hands tightened on the miniscule bag that was supposed to serve as a purse. "Just, take me home. This whole thing was a stupid idea. I can't—"

     "AJ, stop. I'm sorry." Ian moved and settled himself next to her, turning so they faced each other. His hands clasped both of hers and he offered her a sheepish grin. "I really am sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It's just...when you answered the door dressed like that, like this...you caught me off guard. I mean, you've always looked nice but you've always been dressed, you know, normal. And you look great. You really do. I mean, wow, you have no idea—"

     "Stop! You're not making me feel any better!" She pulled her hands from his and tried to turn in the seat, but was afraid of moving too quickly for fear of tearing the gown. Or dislodging it.

     The gown had looked beautiful when she saw it in the shop, a shimmering copper silk that caught her eyes and screamed for her attention. And it felt beautiful, rich and elegant, when she tried it on. And she had been so certain that it would look good, too.