Play Date (Play Makers Book 3) (46 page)

“Unbelievable,” John said, moving close to Sean and clapping him on the back again. “Did you ever think you’d see the day? Bam in love?”

“It’s cool,” Sean admitted.

“Remember how he always made us sing with him? ‘Margaritaville’? And what was the other one?”

Sean smiled reluctantly. “‘Bad to the Bone.’ God, I hated that one. But
this
might be worse. Elvis, for Christ’s sake?” He gave Johnny a sheepish glance. “Tell Erica I’m sorry. It’s just been a bad week.”

“Yeah, for all of us,” Johnny reminded him quietly. “Lucky for you, you can do no wrong in her eyes.” He laughed and added, “Look at her, like a Bam groupie. I’d better get over there before she leaves me for him.”

Sean nodded, appreciating his QB’s subtle exit. There was only so much either one of them could take. Still, he could see Rachel was right. The Triple Threat was a brotherhood that couldn’t be easily destroyed. And maybe Erica’s plan would work. Coz would be the bad guy in everyone’s eyes. Kerrie would file for divorce on Monday. And when Sean started dating his coach’s ex, people would say Coz had it coming, and Kerrie deserved to be happy.

And then Sean would make her happy if it was the last thing he did.

He looked around for her again, but she was so short, and the Lancer squad was so tall, it was impossible. Still, he knew she had to be enjoying this song. Unrestrained and passionate like her. And she would love it all the more because it was for Rachel, her best friend in the world.

Bannerman ended his song with a flourish, then pulled Rachel up onto the platform with him, lifting her high in the air, then sliding her down his body in a suggestive, playful embrace. She kissed him joyously, then whispered in his ear. When he answered, she turned and looked out over the crowd, fixed her gaze on Sean, and waved like he was her long-lost brother.

Charmed, he waved back. How could he not? His frustration was melting away, replaced by the warmth that these friends—his family—insisted on offering him.

Then Bannerman spoke into the microphone again. “Listen up. The teach and I are gonna sing a duet.”

Rachel looked surprised, but smiled her consent into his hopeful face. Then he sat on a nearby stool, pulled her into his lap and said, “Rachel’s into all that country crap, so we’re doing ‘Islands in the Stream’ by her favorite, Dolly Parton.”

Sean didn’t follow country and didn’t recognize the title, but as Bannerman started singing, he knew he had heard this before. A nice song. Tame but nice. The shock was in the way the halfback sang it, almost crooning to his fiancée. No joking around. No bawdy double entendres. He was just a guy in love and, without all the clowning, he had an amazingly good voice.

Then it was Rachel’s turn, and she sang back to him with a voice so clear, so strong, so captivating, she might as well have been a professional. Sean stared, as did everyone. Even Bannerman seemed startled.

When they reached the chorus, their voices blending in perfect, love-struck harmony, Sean felt a stab of envy so sharp, he literally winced. There they were, pouring out their love for each other in front of the whole world. Teammates, friends, colleagues—everyone who admired and supported them.

Bannerman could give that to the woman he loved.

And Sean couldn’t. It was as simple as that.

And at that moment, the Triple Threat died for him.

Bam would always be the rowdy guy who had been tamed by a beautiful schoolteacher. John would be the stand-up guy who found the girl of his dreams and lived happily ever after.

But Sean Decker? He’d be the one who married his coach’s wife. No love story there, or at least, not unblemished.

Even if Erica’s idiotic scheme worked, and Coz was perceived as the bad guy, Sean still couldn’t play for him. No way would he do that to Kerrie. There would be whispers and speculation throughout Portland, especially in the locker room. So either way, he needed to go to another team. Start fresh.

Sickened that he had been drawn back into the fold for a few deluded minutes, he moved quietly toward the front door, grabbed his jacket from a row of hooks, and ducked out onto the porch. If he left now, no one would notice. Or if Kerrie noticed, she would understand. She’d still go through with the plan because she mistakenly saw it as a way he could stay with the Lancers. And even though that wasn’t true—he knew that now—he still hoped it could work for
her
career. As the injured party, she might still be welcome in NFL fund-raising circles when she divorced Coz and married Sean.

Plus, she would insist on following through for Rachel’s sake, wouldn’t she? Her loyalty to her friend was already epic. He just hoped Rachel felt the same way, because Kerrie was going to need it when she and Sean moved to a new town, a new team, a new life.

“Sean?” came a soft voice—Erica’s voice—and he turned to her, aching for a taste of their past. She looked so pretty with her hair down and her shoulders bare, her eyes so trusting, her smile so loving.

She also looked chilled, so he handed her his jacket, then murmured, “I just needed some time alone.”

“It’s a lot to absorb,” she agreed. “So let us help. We already think Kerrie’s terrific, thanks to Rachel. And the most important thing she tells us is how much Kerrie adores you. That’s all we care about, you know. If
you
love
her.
And she
loves you. Well, then—we’re in love too.”

“Thanks, Erica. You should go back inside. Time for the big scene, right?”

Erica opened her mouth to reply, but Kerrie came through the door at that moment, then froze when she saw the two of them together.

A shadow of jealousy crossed her face but it disappeared quickly and she said to Erica, “Sorry to interrupt. I saw Sean leaving, and I was worried.” Her voice cracked. “I can’t stand seeing him like this.”

Before Erica or Sean could react, Kerrie was in his arms, stroking his face. “You don’t have to be here. I’m fine on my own.”

“I want to be here,” he murmured.

“And you’re not on your own,” Erica reminded her with a sad smile. “Rachel’s here. And
we’ve
got your back, too, if you’ll let us.”

Kerrie nodded, then told Sean, “They’ve been great. Especially Erica. Talk about positive vibes. Every time I look up, someone’s giving me supportive looks. So if you need to go, just go. Your friends will take care of me.”

Erica gave Kerrie’s hand a squeeze. “I’ll give you two some privacy. And when you come back inside, I’ll signal the actress. So just . . . well, thanks for taking care of him.”

• • •

After returning Sean’s jacket, Erica slipped back into the party, trying to feel upbeat but haunted by his pain instead. Rachel had called it a “tortured” look and she was right. This affair—along with his friends’ bumbling reactions to it—had hurt him so much worse than she had realized, she wondered now if it would leave a scar, even if the scheme against Coz went perfectly.

Could they still lose Sean? It seemed impossible, but out there on that porch, gazing into his aching green eyes, it had felt so real. And disturbingly imminent.

Johnny was standing with Rachel and Bannerman, so she rallied a better mood then joined them quickly. “You two were amazing together,” she gushed. “I didn’t think anything could top the Elvis song, but the love song? Talk about killing me softly!”

Rachel tried to smile but her eyes told the story. “We can’t find Sean or Kerrie. Do you think they left?”

“They’re on the porch, but she’ll be back in a minute. Then it’s show time.”

“Oh, thank God.” Rachel swayed against her hunky fiancé. “What a night.”

“Pace yourself, teach,” he told her with a grin. “I’ve still got plans for that dress.”

To Erica’s delight, Rachel giggled appreciatively. At least one love affair was still on track. And with luck, Sean’s prospects were just as good.

• • •

For Rachel, the night had been almost surreal, starting at Bannerman’s palatial home, where she had donned the red dress then shouted with glee as he stripped it back off her, reminding her about the unfinished business. He had been insatiable, not just during their lovemaking, but about the party as well. It was his chance to introduce her to the world, and so, when he had whisked her off to his QB’s house, his grin had been dangerously electric, infecting her with his enthusiasm.

As if that weren’t enough, he had sung to her. First the sexy Elvis impersonation that had sent her into erotic orbit, then the tender, unexpected duet, his voice telling her what she already knew—the poor guy was in love for good. Crooning to her so amorously it drenched her with hope and arousal.

All of which had come crashing down when she couldn’t locate Sean or Kerrie.

But they’re out on the porch,
she reminded herself now.
They’ll come back in, then Erica’s idea will work. Because it
has
to work.

Her kinship with Erica had grown exponentially these last few days, but never more than now. They were practically vibrating on the same frequency, so worried about Sean, so worried about their men, so helpless to make everything right. If the slightest thing went wrong—if the kicker perceived Kerrie’s feelings were actually being hurt by Coz’s infidelity—he might punch his own coach in the nose.

And if it all fizzled? If Coz didn’t take the bait?

Johnny’s phone rang loudly, and to Rachel’s surprise, he excused himself, moving a few feet away. He had seemed as invested in the melodrama as she and Erica—and even Bannerman. What could be so important?

Erica was eyeing her husband with the same subtle criticism, but her expression changed when he flashed a devastating grin, put his phone back in his pocket, and rejoined them, announcing with a sly smile, “I’m going to tell you all something.
Don’t
overreact. Just listen. And whatever you do, don’t look at Coz.”

They all looked at Coz. How could they not? Then they turned back to Johnny, who was still grinning.

“What’s up, dude?” Bannerman demanded.

“I’m sworn to secrecy,” the QB assured them with mock solemnity.

“Johnny, please?” Erica wheedled. “Tell us.”

“That a-hole is about to get his walking papers.”

“What?”

They all spun toward Coz again, just in time to see him turn away from a group of reporters and press his phone to his ear. Almost immediately, his face morphed from brash confidence to disbelief, and then to fury.

“Oh, my God,” Erica murmured.

“Yeah, the owner just fired him personally,” Johnny told her with another grin.

But that was just the beginning. Coz’s angry gaze swept over the room, fixing on their little group. Then he stalked over to them, his face apoplectic, and planted himself right in front of Johnny, poking him in the chest with an accusing finger.

“
You
did this.”

The QB stayed cool, asking with a shrug, “Pardon?”

“Fuck you, Spurling. You and your whole fucking family. You think you’re some kind of dynasty. But I
made
you.”

“Actually,” the QB told him icily,
“I
made
you
. And if you want to continue walking upright, you’ll shut the fuck up.”

Coz seemed ready to accept the challenge. But first, he gave Johnny’s halfback a warning glare. “Stay out of this, Bannerman.”

“Seriously, dude,” Bannerman warned him back. “Just get the fuck out.”

The ex-coach winced. “Forget it. You two aren’t worth it.”

“That’s what I always said about
you,”
Bannerman quipped.

But Johnny wasn’t done with Coz yet, telling him, “Just to be clear: Bam won’t interfere. It’ll just be you and me.”

“Fuck you, Spurling,” he retorted. “I’m outta here.”

Then he turned and strode away.

Rachel watched in silent amazement, wondering if all of Sean’s problems—all of
everyone’s
problems—had been solved. Coz wasn’t their coach anymore.

Life was perfect.

“I’m so confused,” she told Johnny sheepishly.

“Yeah, we all are,” the QB admitted. “We thought Coz was untouchable. Because of his friendship with the owner’s kid. And then because he won a Super Bowl. But damn, Murf managed to pull it off.”

“Wow . . .” She sighed. Apparently, life really
was
perfect.

Or at least, right up until Kerrie bolted into her angry husband’s arms, hugging him frantically, then staring up into his eyes and stroking his face as though he were the most important person in her life.

Aghast, Rachel whispered, “What is she
doing?”

“I’ll
strangle
her,” Erica agreed through gritted teeth.

As they watched, helpless, Kerrie bundled Coz toward the front door, helping him dodge the reporters who had apparently received the news at the same time he did.

Just as the couple departed, Sean joined his friends, an awed expression on his face. “Murf gave me a heads-up. Unbelievable, right?”

Erica gave him a warm hug. “Oh, Sean. I’m so sorry.”

“For what?”

She grimaced. “Didn’t you see Kerrie?”

He seemed confused, then chuckled. “We staged that. Per Murf. He thought she should play the loyal wife one last time so there’s no doubt who the a-hole is.”

Rachel buried her face in her hands. “Oh, my God! You gave us a heart attack.”

“Sorry, honey.” He gave Johnny a curious look. “What did he say to you?”

“I wasn’t listening,” the QB assured him. “He’s history, right? Thanks to Murf.”

“The guy’s an effing genius,” Sean agreed, wrapping his arm around Erica’s waist as though it was the most natural gesture in the world, even though she was someone else’s wife.

Then he grinned at Bannerman. “Who knew you could actually sing? Nice job.”

“Anything to get her hot,” the halfback agreed. Then he yanked Sean away from Erica and hugged him forcefully. “Are we good?”

“We’re good,” Sean said, laughing through the pain. “Just get off me, will you? Pay attention to your fiancée.”

Rachel smiled. “What’s the plan with you and Kerrie?”