Play for Me (30 page)

“Will do,” said Sam. Her mother and father looked on
expectantly so see if she and Ian were going to kiss. Ian gave Sam a slight
shake of his head that he didn't see it as a good idea. He handed the car keys
to Sam, just slightly touching her hand.

“This is your car?” asked Bunny as she slid into the
backseat. “I thought this belonged to Ian.”

“It came with the house, so it's not really my car,”
explained Sam.

“Can we see Jett's house? I'd love to see what Ian is doing
to it,” asked Bunny now very interested in Ian's work.

“Sure. We can stop by tomorrow. What would you two like to
do while you're here?” asked Sam.

“I'd like to shop, of course,” said Bunny. “You're father
wants to play golf, right, dear?”

“Humph,” replied Sam's father.

“There are plenty of golf courses on the island. I'll see
what we can dig up.” Sam pulled into the garage of her house. Her father got
the suitcases out of the car and Sam helped him. As they entered the house, the
look on her parents' face was one of astonishment.

“Now you know why I don't want to go back to Chicago,” asked Sam with a knowing smile on her face. For once, Bunny couldn't answer. Then,
Cracker came into the room and all hell broke loose.

Sam called Ian to tell him she arrived home without any
incidents and thanked him for what he had done this evening. Sam felt a little
blue knowing that Ian had planned to be out of town all week, but she had her
hands full with her parents.

After the call, she put her parents to bed and then stayed
up a little longer nursing a glass of wine and thinking about her future. She
dreamed of Ian asking her to stay. Did she want to stay? Should she go back to California with Jett? If she stayed with Ian, would he want to marry her? Sam honestly didn't
know what she wanted and became more confused than ever. Sighing, she got up
and went to bed and tossed and turned all night.

****

“Sam?” Bunny stood over Sam's bed, shaking her awake.

“Did I oversleep?” grumbled Sam as she looked at the clock
that read seven in the morning, early for her.

“You know your father and I are early risers and we're
hungry. I didn't know what to do about breakfast. I also didn't want to go
snooping in your cabinets and I can't figure out how to work the new-fangled
coffee maker of yours,” said Bunny, shaking her head.

“Okay,” said Sam as she grabbed a robe and padded into the
kitchen with Bunny close behind. “Coffee is in the fridge and it's really good;
Kona from the islands. All you do is this.” Sam got the coffee cup and showed
Bunny how to work the machine.

“Oh. You mean we're not going out to breakfast every
morning?” asked Bunny.

“If you want to, you can, but it's kind of expensive here. I've
got this kitchen stocked with fresh fruit, juice and all sorts of food. I
figured we can go out for dinner. We can even grill outside,” said Sam. “I've
got a grill outside on the patio, see?”

“Oh,” said Bunny sounding disappointed.

“We can go out tomorrow,” said Sam, trying to appease her
mother. Sam started to make breakfast and her father wandered in, dressed in
flowered shorts and a golf shirt.

“What's going on?” he asked, looking at Sam and then Bunny.

“What do you want to do?” asked Sam. “Mom wants to go out
for breakfast tomorrow, which is fine. I can drive you around the island and
maybe we can set up a tee time for you, Dad.”

“I want to go with him,” said Bunny.

“That's fine because I have work to do. If you need to, you
can borrow the car. I don't mind.” Sam's parents agreed and sat down to eat. They
chatted about things back in Chicago and Ian's name wasn't mentioned at all.

Afterwards, Sam drove them around the island, pointing out
places of interest to them. They stopped at two golf courses and made
reservations to play. Sam then drove them to Jett's house where they were awed
over the mansion, clucking their tongues about the vandalism. Sam purposely
didn't tell them about her or Ian's house.

For the rest of the week, the Stevens fell into an easy
pattern with Sam working and her parents having the time of their lives. Sam
felt a little upset that she hadn't heard from Ian even though she did hear
from Deb, Jordan, Jett and Marvin. Jett's house progressed nicely and it looked
like the move in date would be in a couple of months rather than six months. That
had Sam on edge as the date of her leaving drew nearer and no word from Ian.
She felt like her life hung in limbo.

****

In the meantime, while Sam dealt with her parents, things
really heated up between Deb and Jordan. They spoke frequently on the phone and
Jordan convinced Deb to move in with him in California. Jordan took her on tour
dates so they wouldn't be separated for long periods of time. In reality, they
had known each other their whole lives and fell into a comfortable pattern. Of
course Deb's family was devastated. In a Catholic family, girls stayed home
until they were married. Deb couldn't wait to speak with Sam, but knew Sam was
tied up with her parents. Deb had no idea of the hell Sam was going through
with her relationship with Ian.

Ian had been in Seattle for the week immersed in meetings
that went into the night. If he thought Jett had been a hard person to please,
this author took the cake. Not only did he change his mind once an hour, but nothing
Ian did, pleased him. Ian compared it to writing a novel and the author kept
changing the direction of the plot. Ian's mind went back to Sam and he felt
guilty he hadn't called her, but honestly? There hadn't been time. Part of his
reluctance had to do with meeting Sam's parents. It seemed like a final step in
their relationship. Had she been expecting him to propose? That's what it had
felt like and he knew he wasn't ready for that kind of a commitment. Or was he?
He missed Sam terribly, every day without her felt like hell. He put his head
in his hands, trying to think straight. He found himself acting like a coward.

“Hey, Sam,” Ian tried to be nonchalant.

“Hey, back,” said Sam cheerfully. “How are you?”

“Really busy,” replied Ian. He tried to tone down his libido
just hearing her voice.

“I kind of figured,” said Sam cautiously.

“If I thought Jett was hard to work with, this guy is a
piece of work. Makes me feel like quitting my day job and becoming a Seal full-time
again.” Ian chuckled. “I don't know how many times I said that when I had been a
full-time Seal.”

“Don't let Jett know because he takes pride in him being
your most difficult client,” laughed Sam.

“Really.” Ian became quiet for a moment. Since Sam didn't
say anything, he continued on, “How have you been? How are the parents?”

“After a rocky start, we've been good. They wanted to go out
to eat all the time, but I put my foot down. If they want to, here're the keys
to the car. Help yourself. I think they thought I would be paying for them, but
I told them it's really Jett's money. But they've backed off and have done
something every day and night pretty much leaving me alone.” Sam stopped
talking.

“Um. Have they asked about us?” asked Ian cautiously.

“No. They haven't even brought up your name,” answered Sam
honestly

“Really? They're not pressuring you to move back to Chicago?” teased Ian.

“Haven't said a word.” Sam knew right then, Ian had felt
pressured and moved onto a different topic. “Jett's house here is doing really
well,” commented Sam.

“Good to know. At least one of the projects is going well. Have
you heard from Jett?” asked Ian.

“No, well, kind of. I have been texting him almost every day
about certain things. Emails he has received, that kind of thing.” Sam waited
for an answer.

“How's the surfing coming along?” asked Ian.

“I'm getting better every day,” said Sam proudly. “I make a
point to practice faithfully.”

“Ready to surf with me when I get back?” asked Ian, a little
more relaxed now.

“I don't know,” said Sam with a smile. “You've had years
more practice then I've had. Maybe I should put more hours in my practice.”

“It might be a good idea.” Ian smiled for the first time that
day.

“Mom and Dad leave in a couple of days,” said Sam. “It will
be good to have my car back.”

“I have my car at the airport, otherwise I'd lend you mine,”
said Ian.

“Thanks, but I'll be fine,” assured Sam. “Speaking of which,
when do you expect to be back here?”

“Not sure,” said Ian, his guard back up.

“That's cool,” said Sam, trying hard to swallow the lump in
her throat. “I've got go. Good luck with the author.” The words were rushed as
she disconnected the call.

Ian swore and slammed his fist into the bed. That didn't go
well.

****

Sam decided she needed to clear her head by doing some
strenuous exercise. Grabbing Cracker's leash, she hooked him up and they went
to the beach. At first, Sam ran, but it hurt to run in the sand and then her
feet burned so she slowed down to a stroll, catching her breath. She bent over
and unleashed Cracker and watched as he bounded into the waves, sheer joy and
exhilaration shone on his face. Sam sat down in the sand and put her face in
her hands. Sam had always schooled herself never to be a quitter and she would
let things work out. Time had a way of doing that to a situation. She needed to
concentrate on her job and her music.

A movement in the shadows of the beach caught her eye, and
all of a sudden Sam didn't feel comfortable anymore. She started to walk away
trying to stay calm. She looked around and found the beach area totally
deserted. Even her parents weren't home, but what could they do? Cracker was nowhere
in sight, making Sam even more nervous. Who would help her if she needed it?
She looked around and saw a looming shadow of a man, quickly striding her way.
She measured the distance to her house and felt that if she broke into a dead
run, she could make it. The figure came menacingly closer and Sam knew she was
the target.

Turning around, Sam saw the figure closing in on her and she
broke into the fastest run of her life. Her legs hurt but she pushed on. Her
lungs screamed for oxygen but she didn't stop. Just as she reached the path to
her house, her attacker lunged at her and knocked her down, falling on her,
overpowering her. He brought her to a standing position so she was face to face
with him, but he still held her tightly.

“Well, look what I found in the ocean.” The voice made Sam's
skin crawl.

“What are you doing here?” Sam asked Drew. She tried not to
show her fear because he had trespassed on her beach area. Knowing that there
were no private beaches, it still freaked her out that he had followed her
here.

“Just watching the waves in the ocean,” said Drew as he took
Sam's arm. “Come, take a walk with me. I know lover boy is out of town and you
must be very lonely.”

“Get your hands off of me,” said Sam as she broke free. She
glared at him after she had shaken him off. “Don't you get it? I want nothing
to do with you.”

“I told you I don't take no for an answer.” Drew lunged for
Sam, but she anticipated his move and dodged out of the way. “You're making
this difficult, Sam.”

“Oh, you don't know difficult,” said Sam through gritted
teeth. Drew made another move on Sam, but Sam went into her karate mode and the
next thing Drew knew he fell flat on the ground with Sam on top of him. Drew
clawed at her face and Sam tightened the grip she had on him. She could feel
the blood trickle down her face.

“Let me take over, Sam.” A man who Sam had never met
appeared out of nowhere.

“Who are you?” asked Sam stared at this hulk of a man and
she felt so relieved to see him.

“Rock. A friend of Ian's and the Hawaii five oh unit. We've
been watching Drew for a while.” Rock tasered Drew and put handcuffs on him.

“A friend of Ian's?” Sam repeated dully. “Why, what? You
just tasered him?”

“We've had a feeling that he's responsible for the vandalism
to Jett's house as well as yours and Ian's. Besides, Ian asked me to keep an
eye out for him hanging around your house.” Rock sat back on his haunches and
called the police. “Are you okay?” Rock stared at her bruised face and noticed
Sam's right eye starting to swell.

“I'll be okay. I grew up with a brother.” She shook her
head. “Are you a Seal with Ian?” asked Sam putting two and two together.

“Ian and I go way back,” said Rock smiling. “Is that your
dog?”

“I completely forgot about Cracker,” said Sam as she
whistled for him to come. Cracker came over and growled at Drew, but wagged his
tail at Rock.

“Your dog has good taste,” laughed Rock. “Why don't you go
back inside while I wrap this up?”

“Good idea and thanks.” Sam shook his hand, leashed Cracker
and literally ran home. She still trembled as she closed and locked the door.

Her first instinct told her to call Ian, but no, she
wouldn’t. Sam sat down at her desk. She had to get out of here for a couple of
days. Maybe even a week. Would Jett mind? Between, Drew, Jennifer, and Ian,
they were all driving her crazy. She reached for her phone and called Marvin.

“Sam? What’s wrong?” asked Marvin. He sounded concerned
because Sam only called with bad news.

“There's nothing wrong,” said Sam “I have a favor to ask of
you. Is it possible for me to come back to California for a week or two? “

“I don't see why not, since the house is progressing nicely,”
said Marvin. “How long would you stay?”

“About a week or ten days. I'd leave here on Sunday and then
come back in time to check on the house.”

“Do you miss the mainland?” asked Marvin, concerned.

“Yes and no. I've been writing some songs and I'd like to
record them for Jett. I would need his studio, if that's okay.” Sam kept her
fingers crossed.