Page 34 of Blinded
“Enough talk. The game is coming back,” Will announced. “All conversation is now limited to the game except during commercials.”
From there, things went downhill fast for the Chiefs. Before they knew it, KC was behind 20-10 and the team couldn’t seem to do anything right. “What wrong with Mahomes tonight?” GT asked.
“I don’t know, but if he doesn’t pull himself together, this is not going to be a Super Bowl worth remembering,” Will said.
Finally, with only 7:15 left on the clock and the Chiefs at third down and fifteen yards to go, a miracle occurred. Mahomes threw a forty-yard pass and turned around the game. The Chiefs scored and shut down the next San Francisco drive to score again. “It’s 24-20,” Will said. “Kansas City has a chance. If only they can keep the ‘Niners from scoring again.”
“That’s our team!” GT exclaimed.
“We’re not out of danger yet,” Jim cautioned. “San Francisco has the ball again.”
“Go defense!” Sandra yelled as the Chiefs sacked the quarterback on fourth down.
“That’s it!” Will called when KC scored again with 1:12 remaining, making it 31-20. “We won! They can’t catch us now!”
The six of them joined in the screaming on the television and GT slipped out to the kitchen for the bakery box he still hadn’t opened. He came back to the living room with the box and a knife. “Sandra, could you do the honors here? I need to get the champagne.”
Will continued to focus on the screen as the clock ran down, but the others looked on as Sandra cut through the heavy tape. She opened the box to reveal a sheet cake decorated as a football field with the words “Kansas City World Champions” on it. GT returned with a bottle of champagne under his arm and 6 flutes in his hands and Sandra looked at him. “How did you dare have this put on a cake before the game?”
“I didn’t show it to you ahead of time. And Suzie promised no one at the café would see it either, so I wasn’t jinxing things too badly. I’m not sure what I would have done if they’d lost. They sure left it ‘til late.” He put down the glasses and opened the champagne that had been chilling all day. “Get a picture of the cake before you cut it. I want evidence of my foresight preserved.”
GT poured the champagne, everybody took a glass, and they toasted the Chiefs and their friendship.
GT blew on his hands. Even with his gloves on, his fingers had gone numb as he deiced Sandra’s car. He remembered Jim’s words from yesterday, “I never figured Sandra for a service sub.” Sandra had thrived as hostess. She truly enjoyed taking care of people, and he wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. Jim had complimented her and given GT some pointers about the needs of a service sub when Sandra went to show the other women how she’d redecorated the sunroom. The two Kavanaugh paintings now had a prominent place on the wall opposite the sliding terrace doors and they had moved some of the exercise equipment to the basement.
As Ruby and Will were leaving, Ruby pulled GT aside as Sandra tried to convince Will to take some cake home. “I’ve never seen Sandra happier and more at ease. You’re great for her, GT.”
He’d looked at the brunette, laughing at something Will said. “She’s good for me too, Ruby. I think I’m falling for her.”
GT stomped his feet; his toes were frozen, too.
He met Sandra in the hall, where she was wrapping a scarf around her neck. GT held out her coat, and she slipped in and zipped it up.
“Did you bring gloves? It’s pretty cold,” he asked, and Sandra held up fleece-lined leather in answer.
GT pulled Sandra into his arms and claimed a kiss. Sandra returned the gesture, but by her stiff posture and darting eyes, he knew she wasn’t into it. Last night he’d thought he was making progress, she never stayed over before a workday before. Still she hadn’t consented to an official relationship and it frustrated him. GT pulled his lips from hers but didn’t release his hold on her middle.
“It’s almost Valentine’s day. What would you like, hana?”
Sandra squirmed in his arms, and GT gritted his teeth. He loved to see her squirming in pleasure, but this wasn’t a good sign.
“I don’t want a present, GT. You know I don’t like this vanilla stuff.”
GT let go of her, and she pulled away from him. The retreating gesture hurt more than slapping his face. Damn it! It was always like that with her, two steps forward and one back.
“Why the hell not, Sandra. I love you, and I want to be with you.”
Sandra froze, and her face turned into the polite and professional mask she’d worn during his physical therapy in a clear sign she had her walls up again.
“GT, I don’t have time to discuss this now. I need to get to work.” Sandra sounded exasperated.
What? I declare my love, and she’s worried about work? “Is your work more important than our relationship?” GT was as frustrated as she had sounded.
Sandra rolled her eyes. “First off, I have an obligation to my patients. Second, if I don’t work, I don’t get paid.”
“But Babe, I make more than enough money for the both of us, you don’t need to work,” GT tried.
“What are you talking about? Of course, I need to work. We’re not married, and you don’t support me.” Sandra placed her hands on her hips and rose to her full height, which was at least six inches shorter than he was. “Anyway, it’s important work and I’m good at it.”
