Page 27 of Hidden Plays
“Yeah.” She’d want to hear more about it, so I had to tell her about JJ. “They assigned me to the offensive line, the wide receivers and the quarterback.” I stood and paced the room between the windows on either side of the door. When would Arden be back? I glanced into the sunny courtyard of landscaping rocks and desert plants.
“Oh, good. I heard ASU has a great team this year,” she said. “Isn’t one of your high school teammates in the lineup?”
Bingo. Of course, she knew that. She sacrificed lucrative Friday bar shifts to watch every high school game. “Yes, Jordan Matthews is on the team, and he’s a wide receiver, so I’m training him.”
“Oh. You didn’t like him very much, from what I remember.”
“No, I didn’t. He’s…he’s a little better now. He’s less immature and cocky now. But it’s still in him.” How had the conversation turned to JJ? Would he ever leave my head? I stopped in front of the main room’s window, watching a quail family run across the rocks. “Hey, how’s Dad?”
“He’s the same. He’s been working longer hours since the quarter’s about to end.” She chuckled. “That man loves numbers.”
“Yeah, but it’s been good for us.” Having a dad in finance with a major company meant he knew how to make the family’s money stretch. It also meant Mom could do the job she loved, which was bartending at the fancy bar at Eddy V’s in the Scottsdale Quarter. She loved her happy hour regulars, and they tipped her well. “Desert Solar’s stock is up.”
“I heard. Your father tells me at least a few times a week howthe stock is doing.” She sighed. “I know nothing about stocks, nor do I care to.”
If something happened to Dad, what would happen to their investments? I stepped to the couch and settled at the end. “Well, I’m sure Dad has it handled.”
“Speaking of which. Do you know what your brother did?” She scoffed.
My chest clenched. “Get another DUI?” He was two years older than me, but acted like a teenager. The guy was still paying for the first DUI he had a few years ago.
“No, but he came to your father, begging for money. He owes his roommate two months of rent, and he’s about to be kicked out of his apartment.”
Rolling my eyes, I said, “The guy makes good money in construction. How the hell can he not pay his rent?” Probably spent all his money on booze and drugs.
“No idea.” Her voice lowered. “I’m worried about him. Do you think he’s an alcoholic?”
“I don’t know.” I hadn’t seen him since the family was together last Easter. He’d gotten shitfaced though and passed out on the couch by five. I gritted my teeth. “Yeah, he might be.”
“Your father is going to give him the money.” She huffed.
“You know that’s only enabling him, right?” I pursed my lips. Dad was a softy for both of us. But Noel took advantage of it.
“Thank God we never had to worry about you,” she said. “You never gave us any trouble. It’s too bad you were?—”
“I know. Let’s not rehash it. It’s over, and I love what I’m doing.” As an ache rippled through my chest, I toyed with the hem of my t-shirt. “I probably would have ended up training elite athletes when my football career was over, anyway.” I should look at the bright side of my situation.
“I know. Anyway, it’s good to hear your voice, and I’m glad you’re doing well.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I glanced through the window.
Arden strolled along the path from the parking lot with grocery bags in his hand.
He’d need help. “I've gotta go. My roommate is back with groceries.” I stood and raked my fingers through my bangs.
“Okay. Let’s talk again soon. Love you.”
“Love you too, Mom. Bye.” I ended the call and opened the door for Arden.
Thursday evening,I strolled through the parking lot at Postino’s, where JJ wanted to meet. How he’d talked me into this, I still didn’t know. Except JJ was great at making me feel sorry for him. As my pulse sped up, I opened the door and stepped inside the dark wine bar.
Scanning the tables, couches and lounge chairs, made to look like a comfortable living room, my gaze stopped on JJ, sitting in a corner booth, drinking a red wine. His stark-blue gaze met mine, and the edges of his lips twitched. He looked good tonight, dressed in a form-fitting white shirt and designer jeans. Why had I thought about his appearance?
With a quick inhale, I strode to him and dropped into a chair across from him. “Hey.” He’d been exceptionally compliant this week. I had to give him that.
“Hey, babe.” With a smirk and a snicker, he pushed a menu toward me.
I tutted even as my heart fluttered. I’d seen him every day at practice and hadn’t had these strange sensations, but meeting him here, like this, felt different. “No one’s around to hear you say that.” I glanced around us. Was anyone I knew in here?
