His Leading Lady (9 page)

“Did she call you?”

“I called her. We talk from time to time. I
like her. She wouldn’t speak to me. What the hell happened, and
what did you do?”

“Nothing. It’s not your business.”

“Everything about you is my business. You’re
my twin.”

“Not this. Butt out.”

“Don’t you dare hang up on me!” Meg yelled
into the phone.

She always called when he most needed to talk
to her.
How did she know? Twin telepathy?
He caved. “Okay,
okay. You don’t have to yell.”

“Tell me, Lug,” she said, her voice soft.
“You’re hurting. Tell me what happened.”

He took a beer from the fridge, sat back on
the sofa and spilled everything. Meg listened, only interrupting
occasionally with a question.

“Wow. Are you okay? Did that demon seed,
Sweetwater, injure you? Can you play?”

“I’m a little banged up. I’ll live. Yeah, I
can still play.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know.” Then, it happened, something
that hadn’t happened since he was fifteen. He cried in front of his
sister. Tears cascaded down his face, his voice shook, and he
couldn’t control it, no matter how hard he tried.

“Oh, Lug, Mark…” Meg started to cry on the
other end.

That made Mark laugh. “We can’t both cry,
Squirt,” he said.

Megan sniffled into the phone. “I know you’re
really upset. But I can’t believe you didn’t let her explain.”

“It doesn’t make any difference why she did
it. It’s done.”

“Come on, Mark. You’re no innocent, either.
You’ve done a few marginal things in your life.”

“Yeah? Like what?”

“Like when your girlfriend discovered you in
Miami with two women in your bed.”

“Those were Darvin’s women. I just gave them
a place to sleep.”

“Sure, sure. Did she believe you?”

“No, and who told you?”

“What difference does it make? I know.”

He plucked another beer from the fridge.
“Harley.”

“And your teammates? Not exactly a bunch of
Choir Boys, either! How many have been caught with their pants
down? There was the one with a ménage, and wasn’t there a tight end
who exposed himself? And a guard arrested for an illegal gun?”

“All right, all right. I get it.”

“Did you think a woman as pretty as she is,
and an actress, might not have a past?”

There was silence.

“Lug?”

“I’m still here. I hadn’t thought of it like
that.” He took a swig.

“Date an ugly girl, and you won’t have nude
photos showing up. At least hear her out. How can you break up when
you don’t know why she did it?”

That idea had been nagging him ever since his
blow-up.
Leave it to Meg to find the sore spot. I should have
listened.
“I was too angry. It wouldn’t have mattered what she
said.”

“I get it. Are you calm enough to listen
now?”

“Maybe.”

“I’m going to call her and find out what it
is. I’ll call you back.” She hung up.

Mark pressed play and watched the rest of the
program. God, he missed Penny. What the hell had he done? Meg was
right. None of the guys on his team could throw stones at Penny or
him, either. When he thought about them, there were plenty of
skeletons to go around. Shame swept through him.
I didn’t even
give her a chance. Now, it might be too late.

When the show was over, he remembered her
last words. “Call me when you’re rational.” Maybe she’d explain to
him now. Before he could dial, his cell rang again.
Maybe it’s
Penny.

Penny didn’t remember how she had gotten home
that night. She had been numb, her body working without her mind
giving orders. Mark’s anger shook her to her roots. Yes, she had
done something she was ashamed of, but for a desperate reason.

She went to a coffee shop and sat by the
window sipping an iced latte, remembering the cold look in his
eyes. One glance from him had chilled her to the bone, and she
shivered at the memory.
They
say love can turn to hate in
an instant. Guess that’s true.
A heaviness surrounded her heart
as sadness seeped deeper inside.

What’s wrong with me? How could I fall so
hard, so fast? Where’s my head? Out to lunch.
Had she loved
Mark? It had started out as only a bit of friendship and strong
physical attraction. His handsome face, clear blue eyes, and
gorgeous, fit body had lured her. The lingering scent of his
aftershave mixed with his unique essence had seduced her, too.

She had fought it, afraid she’d get dumped by
a callow athlete just out for easy sex. But she had gotten a peek
underneath his jersey and found a heart of gold. Mark was a real
man in ways no other guy she’d dated could claim. Her first keeper.
You only need one.

She admired his responsibility to his family,
his loyalty to his friends and his team. He seemed so solid, a hard
worker, a star. Just exactly the kind of man she’d been looking
for. Mark Davis, a rock, sexy, warm, funny, and at the top of his
game. A tidal wave of love had washed over her, warming and opening
her heart. As quickly as it came, it had disappeared, leaving cold
suspicion in its wake. Penny was stunned, breathless, speechless,
and bereft.

She wanted Mark, with every fiber of her
being. Wanted to make love with him, wanted him to love her and to
love him back. She had given him her heart before she’d thought
about it. He had claimed it, and she went along, willingly,
eagerly. Now, it lay broken in a million pieces. He was gone. She
was alone and sure she’d never find another man so strong and vital
to replace him.

Thoughts of Mark brought fresh tears. They
were to wash away the pain, but they never did. The release of
sorrow helped lighten her load, but only temporarily. Her roommates
questioned her when she returned in a fog, unresponsive and dazed.
But she couldn’t answer. She was still coping with what had
happened, trying to take it in.

Shame at the humiliation Mark had endured in
front of his teammates made her blush. She wished with all her
heart she could wipe those pictures from the memories of the men.
Mortification for having caused the man she adored so much agony
filled her heart.
I don’t deserve him.
As much as her
rational mind told her that, she refused to let him go.

After a few days with no communication, she
knew he wasn’t going to reach out to her, and the wound was
re-opened, like a scab ripped off prematurely. It bled anew.
He’s gone. Face it.
But she couldn’t give up hope.
What
we had was real. He must feel what I feel.
She waited, day
after day, for the call that never came.

She left the café and strolled home. A brief
breeze tickled her neck. For a second, she thought it was the brush
of Mark’s fingers.

She loved the way he touched her, sometimes
gentle, sometimes passionate and demanding. She ached for him every
night. It was as if her body had a memory, and when she slipped
between the sheets, her senses heightened, awaiting glorious
lovemaking with Mark. Falling asleep tucked in his arms was the
best. Disappointment left her feeling frustrated and abandoned.

Then, Megan called, just to catch up. To
chat, shoot the breeze, gossip a bit, and trade confidences the way
they did about once a week. Penny had liked Meg right away. Her
straightforward attitude and warmth had put Penny at ease
immediately. They had hit it off, just like she had with Mark.
After all, they’re twins.

The phone was insistent, and she couldn’t
ignore it, though she’d have to grope for what to say when she
spoke to Megan. She had answered.

With as few words as possible, Penny
indicated she and Mark were no longer together. When quizzed by her
new friend, she refused to explain.
If Mark wants to tell her,
let him, if he hasn’t already. I can’t.
Finally unable to hold
back tears, she hung up quickly, drying her eyes and turning off
her cell. But not for long.
Mark can’t reach me if the phone is
off.

Finding the concentration to memorize her
lines was almost impossible. She kept reciting them aloud, hoping
her brain was on automatic pilot and would remember. In the middle,
the familiar ring sounded. She dove for it.
Megan again.

“I spoke to Mark. I know everything from his
side. But I don’t know yours. Please, tell me what happened, Penny?
What drove you to have those pictures taken?”

Dying to explain to Mark, she broke down with
Megan. Words rushed out of her in an avalanche, hurtling through
her mouth before Megan could take it all in.

“Slow down, slow down! I won’t hang up, I
promise.”

Penny took a deep breath. “Okay.”

“All right. Start from the time you got the
verdict.”

****

Mark was drinking a lager while watching
re-runs of
Las Vegas Beat
when Meg called back.

“Hey, Squirt. What’s up?”

“I spoke to Penny.”

Mark put the TV on pause. “And?”

“And you need to talk to her. She told me why
she posed for those pictures. I think it would change your mind,
Lug. Call her.”

“Wait! Don’t hang up. What did she say?”

“Uh uh. I’m not going to be any more of a
middleman than I am already. Call her. You need to talk to each
other.”

“A quick phone conversation ought to do
it.”

“Nope. In person. Call her to arrange a time
and place. She won’t tell you over the phone. She’s already decided
that.”

“Damn stubborn woman!” He sucked down a
mouthful of beer.

Meg laughed. “Yeah, paired up with a damn
stubborn man. Call her!” The phone went dead. The heaviness in him
lifted a little.
If Meg thinks it’s okay, then it probably
is.
He was excited and apprehensive at the thought of talking
to Penny, but he opened his cell.

“Penny?”

Silence greeted him.

“Meg suggested I call you. She said we should
get together. That you have something to say that I need to
hear.”

“That’s what I tried to tell you.” The edge
in her voice rankled him.

“Look, if this is going to be your chance to
bash me, forget it.”

“Don’t hang up! Wait! No. It’s to share the
truth with you.”

He couldn’t resist. “The truth?”

“The reason I posed for those pictures.”

“Okay. I’ll listen. Can you be here tomorrow
after practice? I’ll pick up some burgers.”

“Are you sure? You don’t have to. I can feed
myself,” she said.

“It’s okay. I want to.”

She seemed surprised by his offer. There was
no heat of anger inside him now, only a hollowness he desperately
needed to fill. “All right. See you around six.” She ended the
call.

The next day, Mark approached the locker room
with new hope. He ignored comments from Darvin because he couldn’t
afford another huge fine, but it didn’t stop his wanting to smash
the quarterback’s smug face. His other teammates tiptoed around the
issue, not anxious to rile the second-stringer. Mark explained to
Harley about his planned meeting with Penny.

“I always liked her, Mark. Glad you’re not
going to continue being a jerk.”

“A jerk?”

“You heard me. Let’s go.” Harley and Mark
trotted out onto the field and began their warm-up exercises. His
keen ability to concentrate had returned. He had the best practice
he’d had in days. Coach nodded at him and almost smiled.

Energy once again surged through his veins.
He didn’t know what Penny was going to say, but Megan’s reassurance
calmed him, made him optimistic. While he sat on a bench, toweling
his hair dry, he didn’t notice the other men leave the shower area.
Darvin sauntered up to him.

“Davis. Got an offer you can’t refuse.”

“I have nothing to say to you,
Sweetwater.”

“Coach says the owner is coming to see the
practice in two weeks. That’s when he’s going to pick who to cut.
Here’s the deal. You screw up, miss a throw or two, and I won’t
send your girlfriend’s pictures to
Celebs ’R Us.
”

“Screw you.”

“Yeah? Her tits will look great spread across
the cover on every newsstand in the country.”

Mark’s blood began to boil. He pushed to his
feet and backed his enemy up against the wall. “Asshole! You do
that, and I’ll…”

“There you are!” Harley said, pulling on
Mark’s arm, yanking him away from trouble.

“Remember what I said,” Darvin hissed.

“Let’s go, let’s go, ladies are waiting,”
Harley said, pushing Mark to his locker.

Mark dressed quickly and followed Harley to
the parking lot.

“What were you doing?” Harley asked when they
were a safe distance away.

“That fucking asshole is going to send
Penny’s pictures to a tabloid if I don’t blow practice.”

“What?”

“You heard me. It’s blackmail. He demanded
that I screw up when the owner comes for his final evaluation.”

Harley stopped in his tracks. “That dirty son
of a bitch!”

“He can threaten all he wants. I need this
job. This is my career, and I’m not going to let him push me
out.”

“What about Penny?”

Mark stopped. He didn’t want to hurt her, but
having those pictures taken was her choice. She’d have to live with
it. “Nothing I can do. Besides, I wouldn’t trust him not to send
them in no matter what I do. She made that bed, she’ll have to lie
in it.”

****

Penny paced nervously in front of Mark’s
building. Since she no longer had the key, she’d have to wait until
he got home to go inside. It had been a busy day. She had done some
retakes in the morning, followed by a quick rehearsal for her scene
the next day. Then the hairdresser, nail salon, and a long, hot
bath before she faced the wrath of Mark.

Finally, she spotted his car drive up. He
looked taller as he approached. His stride was easy, not angry.
Maybe he’s not mad anymore?
He nodded at her and held the
door open.