Playing for Hearts (68 page)

Temporarily, of course.

Every day, each longer and more depressing than the last, passed in a blur of mundane information overload, high-strung emotions, and the foolish realization that she should have bought stock in Doritos—for how much they were the main staple of her diet lately. Not to mention last week her father had dropped off her four-year-old half-sister and five-year-old half-brother for two days of fun with big sis while he vacationed with her stepmom. The past three months had been a painful lesson about living in Loserville.

She had to find a job before she lost the rest of her sanity. She glanced down at her sneakers and groaned. Seriously, what kind of place had cow shit in the middle of the road? Obviously there were some animals alive and kicking still around.

She dragged her foot behind her for ten paces, rechecked her sole, and declared it as clean as it'd get. Not that anyone would notice. The smell of gasoline on her clothes overrode
eau de toilette
poo.

Angie would give anything to escape and go back to Seattle. She sighed, gazing up into the sky. Whether it was because she'd hit rock bottom or simply because she wanted something better in her life than living her brother's dream, she'd started scouring the internet and applying for any job she qualified for. And still nobody hired her.

Something had to change soon. She sniffed, and raised her chin. The desire to ride the monorail and go shopping downtown at Nordstrom tempted her each day. But Seattle was twelve hours away. The price of gas alone was too much for her to rent a car to return to the Rose City to visit.

But until circumstances changed, she'd spend her free time pumping gas, washing windshields, and checking tire pressure. She hooked her thumbs in the front pockets of her shorts and walked back toward the gas station, which she'd closed an hour ago. With her brother gone to pick up another project car, she had to work alone. At least he was due back tomorrow, and she'd have someone to talk with during the day.

Distracted by the many things on her wish list, she gave the man leaning against the gas pump a cursory glance and opened her mouth to tell him the gas station was closed when recognition dawned on her. She gasped and covered her mouth.

Tall with huge shoulders, Gary Satchel, the Seattle Seahawks' wide receiver, hijacked her attention. She stood without saying a word, not believing he was here. But it was him. Not just anybody could pull off his size.

His well-worn Levi's, blue and silver Seattle Seahawks football jersey, six foot four inches tall with dark stormy eyes, the two inch scar running the length of his left cheekbone on his handsome face told her everything she needed to know. She raised her gaze and shouted in joy. Her brother's best friend had come to save her.

“Gary,” she said on an exhale, launching herself into his arms.

He remained silent, as he was known to do. She closed her eyes, squeezing back the tears of relief at having his famous bear hug wrapping her tightly in his embrace. If there was one person she trusted, besides her brother, it was Gary.

He'd been the solid body she'd clung to during her teenage years when life seemed too cruel to handle alone. Later, he'd become her protector when drunk guys hit on her at the clubs. He always lent her an ear when she needed to talk, and he listened without judgment.

“Sorry to hear about the job, Ang.” He inhaled deeply, expanding his chest; she could barely get her arms around him.

She leaned back so she could gaze up at his face. “They picked that asshole Rodden over me to go to Germany to open the new shop. Can you believe that? The guy's rough with his hands and has the bedside manners of a stuck-up prick. The least they could've done is keep the spa open here in Seattle, instead of closing. My clientele alone would've been enough to make it profitable.”

He chuckled. “Asshole? Prick?”

“Drew's rubbing off on me. Shop talk—go figure.” She shuddered. “What are you doing here?”

She reluctantly stepped away from him and forced her shoulders back. Glad to have someone she knew to talk with, she wasn't going to scare him off by bitching. He gave her hand one more squeeze before letting go.

“I thought I'd stay a couple days, see your brother, and pester you.” He motioned for her to walk with him.

“I'm not even going to rise to the bait. I'm seriously lacking in any intelligent conversations. The only things people here talk about are hay prices and how many days until winter.” She leaned closer and touched him again to make sure she wasn't hallucinating. “Besides, I get you all to myself. Drew's out on business and won't be home until tomorrow.”

“Damn. I'd hoped he'd be around.” He pointed to the restored Camaro in the driveway of Drew's house behind the garage. “I wanted to see if he could check the muffler. It's riding rough, and sounds like it's made for the racetrack.”

“Ugh. Don't talk cars. That's all I hear about twenty-four/seven. Between the gas station and Drew, I've heard enough to last a lifetime.” She walked up the driveway, and noticed his bags lying by the front door. “I am so glad you're here.”

“Maybe I should hit the motel.” He stopped and put his hand on his car. “I'll come by tomorrow and spend some time with you both.”

“Are you crazy?” She grabbed his hand. “I just said this place is boring me to tears. Stay at the house and fill me in on what's happening in the Emerald City. Then I want to pick your brain about places I can send my résumé and—” she swallowed “—afterward, I want to hear what is going on with you.”

“Same old thing. Training, meetings, and football.” He winked. “What you should do is stay with your friend Jules while you search for a job, so you're in the city and closer to a bigger job market. Nowadays, you almost have to be the first one to apply to get the job and that requires being on location.”

“I can't. I already asked her last month if she could do me a favor and let me mooch off her until I find employment. She can't do it. She needs a paying roommate in order to afford the rent.” She pouted. “Besides, she's already found a roommate since I left…one with a job.”

“Too bad.”

She leaned into his arm. “I'm stuck here, unless you're looking to help a family friend out and don't mind having a roommate who can't afford to pay you for a few weeks.”

“Absolutely not.”

“But, Gary…” She gazed up at him and gave him the saddest, most pathetic look she could muster. “You wouldn't even see or hear me. I'll pay you the back rent once I land a job.”

“No.”

“I'll clean your house.”

“Unlike you, I'm not messy.” He laughed. “I don't need a maid.”

She glared. “Come on, please?”

“No way.” He shook his head. “I've got enough going on with my life. Pre-season practice starts in two weeks.”

“Some friend you are. I'd let you stay here if you wanted.” She snorted. “What a joke. This place would drive you insane in a week's time.”

“Women. Never satisfied.” He grunted and thumped the roof of the car as they walked by. “Let's go in the house. I'm beat, and the trip was killer.”

Tears came to her eyes. This time she didn't have to fake them. Frustration boiled inside her. She was getting desperate enough to hide in his trunk on the way back to Seattle. Once they arrived, he'd have no choice but to let her stay in his mansion of a condominium.

“Give it up, Ang. The answer's no.”

She followed him toward the house. “You don't know what I'm thinking.”

“I do.” He tugged a strand of her hair and looped it behind her ear. “I've known you too long.”

“Whatever.” She squeezed past him into the room.

Inside the one-story rambling ranch house, the living room sat in disarray. She'd littered the area with all her belongings, and hadn't found the energy to clean since Drew left a week ago.

There was a pillow and blanket thrown haphazardly on the couch, where she'd curled up to watch a movie in the middle of the night when she couldn't sleep. She hurried over and grabbed her things. Then she threw the contents on a pile of boxes near the fireplace.

“Sorry for the disaster zone.” She kept her back turned to Gary, and pushed the box of books out of the middle of the living room. “I'll just move—” she grunted “—everything out to the garage.”

“Leave it. I'll help you move everything later. Although, it seems messed up that Drew didn't at least get you situated in a bedroom. Are you sure you haven't killed him, or run him off his own property?” He gripped her shoulders, turned her around, and stared into her eyes. “Tell me you didn't drive him over the edge in three months?”

“No, but I'm taking that as a challenge.” She grinned wickedly. “I bet that I can crack you in twelve hours.”

“You're probably right.” His smile disappeared, and he ran his hand over the top of a box. “So, why is all your stuff in the living room?”

“We moved everything out here when Dad dropped Willie and Desiree off here last week for a couple of days, and they took over my bedroom,” she said. “I think my lil bro and sis brought every toy they owned with them.”

“You love the chaos.” He pointed to the couch. “Sit. Relax.”

She plopped down on the couch. “I need excitement in my life that comes from people over the age of twenty-one.”

“Well, don't wish too hard. A busy life gets old too.” He scratched his chest. “Is there beer in the fridge?”

She shrugged. “I don't know. I haven't looked.”

“When did you say Drew left?” He walked across the great room, opened the fridge, and pulled out two bottles of beer.

“Uh, five…six days ago.” She rubbed her forehead. “Each miserable day is the same. I might've lost track.”

“And you don't know what's in the fridge? What have you been eating?” He twisted the cap off both drinks and passed her one. “Here.”

“Thanks.” She held the drink in her lap, not lifting it to her mouth. “I eat…stuff.”

“Dammit.” He stalked back into the kitchen. “Get in here and sit your butt down at the counter.”

She stood, walked over to the bar stool, and sat. “Why are you mad?”

“You need to eat wholesome food.” He searched the cabinets, and took out a half loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter. “You had no business jogging if you're not taking care of yourself. You'll make yourself sick—or pass out.

“I've eaten,” she mumbled, raising the beer to her mouth.

“What?” He stared at her an extra beat. “Your usual junk?”

“If you have to know, I've eaten two bags of Doritos. Family size.” She pointed to the empty bags on the counter. “Nacho flavored, which means there's cheese in it, so I'm getting my calcium.”

“That's it?” He shook his head as he plunged a knife into the peanut butter.

“No. I also ate a few of those Little Debbie cupcakes, and the vending machines at The Gas Station have already-made sandwiches. The ham and cheese ones are pretty good.” She lifted her chin. “You didn't come back here to complain about my diet, have you?”

“Eat this.” He put the sandwich in front of her.

She wrinkled her nose. “I'm not hungry.”

“Tough. You need some protein to restore your energy. You're practically dragging your feet.” He opened the freezer and dropped a package of frozen meat on the counter. “When you're done with that you'll have a proper dinner.”

Gary peeled the butcher paper away, and put a solid chunk of steaks on a plate in the microwave. Angie blinked. “I can't eat all that.”

“Honey, only one of those is yours.” He turned back around and winked. “It was a long trip, and I'm starving.”

She smiled and a short laugh escaped. It was the first real happy sound that had come from her in over a week and surprisingly, it felt good; comforting.

“It's so nice to have you here.” She leaned her elbows on the counter. “How long can you stay?”

“Well, here's the thing.” He pulled a sack of potatoes out from under the sink. “I've got two days until I'm due for a press conference, so I'm spending the time here. I wish I would've called first, because I was really hoping to catch up with Drew. Between his work and my football, we struggle to get together on a regular basis.”

She chewed the last bite of her sandwich, swallowed, and brushed the crumbs from her lips. “At least you'd get to see me almost weekly at the clubs…you know, if I was in Seattle.”

“Stop trying to talk me into letting you stay with me.” He looked away from her. “It wouldn't be a good idea.”

He was hiding something from her. She knew him too well, and he'd been off his game since he'd arrived. More mellow and quiet. His usual easygoing attitude and teasing seemed forced, and every time he looked at her, he quickly looked away. She studied him closely. She'd bet anything he hadn't come to see Drew about fixing his car's muffler. It was something else that had brought him here.

“Oh, no.” She cradled her forehead in her hand. “Did you get in trouble?”

He glanced at her. “No. Why would you ask that?”

“I just think something huge brought you to Deadhorse, and your excuse of bringing your car for Drew to look at is lame. It'd take more than that to make me come here.” She shrugged. “Something's up, and you can tell me. I won't tell a soul.”

“You'll have to wait. I want to tell you when Drew's here.” He opened the microwave and removed the defrosted meat. “Besides, I don't want to talk about what brought me here yet when I haven't heard about all the exciting things you've been doing.”

“Cruel, Satchel, cruel. My life would kill a man like you.” She pushed the broiler pan across the counter. Then she realized whatever he had to share with them must be bothering him more than he was saying, because he'd made the long trip from Seattle to Eastern Oregon.