Strike Out

by Cheryl Douglas

  “I know it is, hon. I’m sorry.” Jackie sighed. “I know how much you hate lying, not to mention the fact you’re a terrible liar.”

  “If that were true, Mama and Daddy would’ve caught on by now.”

  Jackie snorted as though she was trying to suppress her laughter. “Oh please, you don’t think they know? Need I remind you that our mama and Mrs. Foster have been friends since they were in high school?”

  “So?” Rennie’s eyes were fixed on the field as her son tried to throw his third strike. She’d always believed her parents bought her story about the rebound guy. If they knew the truth…

  “So Mama saw Zach when he was Tyler’s age. They must have looked exactly alike.” Jackie’s voice softened. “I’m sorry, sis, but every time I look at your little boy, he reminds me of Zach.”

  “Don’t say that,” she whispered, slipping her sunglasses in place to hide her tears.

  “It’s true, and you know it.”

  “Then why haven’t they said anything to the Fosters about Tyler?”

  “Because you’re their baby just like Tyler’s your baby. They would do anything to protect you just like you’d do anything to protect your son.”

  Rennie hated to think she’d put her parents in the impossible position of hiding the truth from their close friends. She thought about the people she used to consider her second parents. Zach’s parents were wonderful people, and she knew they would adore her son, but she could never give them the opportunity to meet. Like Jackie said, they would take one look at him and know the truth. “God, Jack, this is such a mess. Maybe coming back home was a mistake. Maybe I should think about moving—”

  “Don’t even say it,” Jackie cut in, using the voice she reserved for one of Alyson’s temper tantrums. “You belong right here with your family. Besides, isn’t your therapist always telling you that Tyler needs stability in his life right now? He has that: a school and friends he loves, sports—”

  “Okay, fine. I won’t mention it again.” Rennie was smart enough to know she’d lost the battle. “I gotta go. I have to call Zach before the game ends.”

  Jackie giggled. “I have to admit, I never thought I’d hear you say that again. ‘I have to call Zach.’”

  “Would you stop?” Rennie rolled her eyes. “You sound like a tweenie, for crying out loud.”

  “You can’t deny he’s still hotter than hell, sis.”

  No, she couldn’t deny that, but she damn sure wouldn’t admit it. “I’ll call you tomorrow, let you know how the lunch thing goes.” If she didn’t, her sister would be on her doorstop demanding a play-by-play.

  “You better. Give my nephew a kiss for me.”

  “Will do.” Rennie gave her son a thumbs up as he walked back to the pitcher’s mound. “Give my gorgeous niece a kiss for me too, okay?”

  “Ren?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Just keep an open mind where Zach is concerned, okay? It could be he’s changed. Maybe he’s not the same self-absorbed jerk who made you want to call off your wedding.”

  She couldn’t allow herself to imagine he might have changed. She’d given him her heart once and he broke it. No way would she make that mistake again. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

  Chapter Three

  Zach swore softly as he listened to Rennie’s voice mail message. He’d missed her call about setting up lunch tomorrow because he’d been too busy schmoozing with people he could barely tolerate. Next time Jaxon insisted he attend one of those events, Zach was going to bill him.

  At least I have her number. He smiled as he stepped outside to call her, away from the noise in the packed sports bar. He half-expected her voice mail to kick in after the third ring, but he heard her voice instead.

  “No, Tyler, don’t push the button. Damn it,” she whispered.

  “You’re not supposed to swear, Mom.”

  Zach’s gut clenched when he heard the boy’s voice. Her son. His Rennie had a son with another man. It was still difficult for him to wrap his mind around that. “Hello.”

  “Hi, Zach,” Rennie said, sounding defeated. “Sorry about that.”

  “Zach!” the little voice squealed. “Zach Foster! Mom, is that really Zach Foster?”

  “Tyler, sit back right now!”

  “Um, hi, buddy,” Zach said, unsure how he should respond to the boy’s enthusiastic greeting. The little guy was the evidence of Rennie’s love for another man, but he couldn’t hold that against him. He was just a kid, after all, an innocent kid with no control over who his parents were. He should have been mine. Zach was shocked when that thought came out of nowhere.

  “Oh wow, I can’t believe it’s really you!” he shouted. “I can’t believe I’m really talking to Zach Foster! Wait ‘til I tell my friends.”

  Zach smiled, unable to control his instant affection for the kid. Even over the phone, he could tell he would like Rennie’s son. “I take it you’re a baseball fan?”

  “More than a fan!” he said, still shouting as though he couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. “I play. I just came from my game. We won 3-1.”

  “Really?” Zach chuckled. The kid sounded mature for an eight-year-old. He would have guessed him to be at least ten. “What position do you play?”

  “I’m a pitcher, just like you!”

  Zach leaned into the brick wall behind him. He must have done something really terrible in a past life to deserve this. Rennie’s son was a pitcher… just like him. He swallowed the lump in his throat. “That’s great, buddy. I’d love to come and see you play sometime.” He knew he would be a fool to do that. He would have to watch Rennie and her husband play the proud parents to their great kid.

  “Oh wow, would you really come to one of my games?”

  “I’d love to.” He hadn’t been to a kid’s baseball game in years. His nephew would join his first team next year, and Zach couldn’t wait to see the look on Danny’s face the first time his bat struck the ball.

  “Tyler, stop,” Rennie said, sounding desperate. “You’re being rude. Mr. Foster has a lot of important obligations. He doesn’t have time to—”

  “We’re playing on Thursday. You don’t have a game that day, right? Could you come? Could you, huh?” Tyler asked, ignoring his mother.

  “Um…” Zach didn’t want to upset Rennie, but he didn’t want to disappoint the kid either. “How about I talk to your mama about that at lunch tomorrow?”

  “Okay.”

  “Lunch, yes,” Rennie said, obviously looking for a way to end the call. “Where do you want to meet?”

  “How about High Rollers at one?”

  “I…uh…”

  She sounded as though she wanted to object, so Zach said, “If you have somewhere else in mind…?”

  “No, that’ll be fine. I’ll see you then.”

  ***

  Rennie could barely put one foot in front of the other as she walked into High Rollers. She knew Zach was one of the six men who owned the chain, but she’d never expected to actually set foot in one. To meet Zach himself, no less. Supressing a groan when she spotted Zach’s old friend from high school, Jaxon Davis, Rennie wondered if it was too late to slowly back out the door without him seeing her. The slow grin spreading across his handsome face when he looked up from his conversation with a man at the bar told her she was too late. He excused himself from his companion and made his way toward her.

  Breathe, she told herself. Just breathe. He’s not going to ask you any embarrassing questions about the past, like why you were a no-show at your own wedding. Who was she kidding? Jaxon thrived on controversy. That was likely to be the first question out of his mouth.

  “I don’t believe it.” He grasped her hands as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Rennie Baldwin.”

  “Actually, it’s Alexander now.” She forced a smile that made her feel as if her lips were frozen in place.

  “You got married?” he asked, quirking an eyebrow as he stepped back to give her a quick once-
over. “I can’t say I’m surprised. So who’s the lucky guy?”

  It was a reasonable question, but she couldn’t continue to evade the truth about Nathan’s death every time someone asked about her husband. “He… uh…”

  “There she is,” came a deep voice from behind her.

  When his warm hand fell on her back, sending thrill bumps chasing each other down her arms, she felt like stomping her spiked heel on his foot. Zach had no right to make her feel that way after so many years. Their physical chemistry should have died with her love for him, yet it was obviously alive and well. She wanted to blame her lack of sexual activity since Nathan’s death for her reaction, but that was a cop-out. She’d met lots of attractive men since her husband’s death, and none had elicited that kind of response.

  “I thought you were going to stand me up again,” Zach whispered in her ear, acting as though they were sharing an intimate secret.

  “Why the hell didn’t you tell me you two had hooked up again?” Jaxon asked his friend.

  “We’re not hooking up.” Zach glared at his business partner. “We’re here for a business meeting.”

  “Poor choice of words,” Jaxon said, chuckling as he revealed the set of deep dimples that made cheerleaders fight over who deserved to be his prom date. “I know you’re not ‘hooking up.’ Rennie just told me she’s married now.”

  Rennie felt the tension emanating from Zach. “Um, I’d love to catch up, Jaxon, but I have to get back to the office soon. We’re scrambling to try to find a venue for an event next Thursday night.”

  “Scrambling?” He crossed his arms over his chest, displaying his powerful physique. “Why are you scrambling?”

  “Well,” she said, adjusting her purse strap on her shoulder, “the venue we booked had a kitchen fire last week. They’re going to be closed for at least a couple of months for repairs.”

  “What kind of event are you hosting?” Jaxon asked, his brown eyes narrowing with interest.

  “I’m the director of Sky’s the Limit. It’s a charitable foundation for sick kids.” She was used to giving her pitch about their organization, but not with Zach standing so close, listening so intently. “We attempt to make their one wish come true. Even if we can’t restore their health, we can at least give them one day of happiness.”

  “It sounds like a worthwhile cause,” Jaxon said, casting a glance at Zach. “Are you involved with this?”

  “Oh no,” Rennie said quickly. The last thing she wanted was for her association with Zach to last beyond the single day they were planning with Jake. “One of our applicants asked to meet Zach. We’re just meeting today to try to set up a time.”

  “Hmmm”—Jaxon stroked his chin—“interesting.”

  “Okay, Davis,” Zach said, hitting his shoulder, “I can see the wheels turning. What are you thinking?”

  “Hold that thought.” Jaxon turned toward the man in the dark suit at the bar. Crooking a finger at his associate, Jaxon returned his attention to Zach and Rennie. “Let’s see what Matt has to say about this before we commit to anything.”

  Rennie was getting nervous. She knew Jaxon well enough to know that when he’d made up his mind, no one could change it. The question was what had he decided, and how did it affect her?

  “Hey, man,” Matt said, offering Zach his hand. “I wasn’t expecting you to drop by today. Thought you’d still be recovering from last night.”

  Rennie told herself she had no interest in what Zach did last night, or with whom, but she couldn’t help stealing a glance at him when he tipped his head back and groaned.

  “You ever do anything like that to me again, and I’m gonna kick your—”

  “Hey,” Matt said, holding up his hand to halt his friend’s threat. “Not in the presence of a beautiful lady.” He offered his hand to Rennie. “Matt Hudson. I’m the marketing director for High Rollers.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Rennie said, taken in by his genuine smile and understated good looks. “Rennie Alexander.”

  “How do you know this guy?” he asked, shifting his eyes toward Zach. “Please don’t tell me you’re dating. I’ll be heartbroken.”

  “Save it, Hudson.” Jaxon elbowed his friend in the ribs. “The lady’s married.”

  “Damn,” Matt muttered, seeming genuinely displeased. “The good ones are always taken. Why is that?”

  Rennie laughed, at ease for the first time since she walked through the door. “I’m not sure, but I’m pretty confident there’s one more good woman out there just waiting on you to find her.”

  “I like this one,” Matt said in a stage whisper to Zach. “Is she happily married?”

  “You know what,” Zach said, obviously not in the mood for Matt’s sarcasm, “I don’t have time for this. Whatever you have to say, spit it out so we can get on with our lunch, Jaxon.”

  “Touchy,” Matt said, raising an eyebrow at Rennie. “He always gets like this before his afternoon nap.”

  Trying to keep a straight face so Zach wouldn’t erupt again, Rennie winked at Matt before returning her attention to Jaxon.

  “Rennie is the director for Sky’s the Limit,” Jaxon said to Matt.

  Matt snapped his fingers. “Was it your assistant who called looking for Zach the other day?”

  “Yes, it was.” If Rennie could turn back time, she would gladly rewind to erase that mishap.

  “Anyway,” Jaxon said, nudging Matt, “Rennie was just telling us that she doesn’t have a venue for her event this Thursday”

  “What kind of event?” Matt asked.

  “It’s a fundraiser for a little boy, Sheldon. He’s autistic, and his family wants to get a specially trained dog to help him. We granted his wish a few years ago, and according to the rules, we can only grant one wish per child.”

  “But you still want to help him?” Matt asked, giving her a soft smile. “Sounds like you’re going above and beyond the call of duty, Rennie.”

  Lifting a shoulder, she said, “It’s nothing we haven’t done before. Our organization can’t pay for medical expenses or equipment, but we have a lot of experience planning fundraisers. The family is usually so overwhelmed caring for their child they don’t have the time or energy to plan something like this, even if they had the resources to pull it together.”

  “How will the dog help him?” Zach asked.

  Rennie looked up at him and immediately wished she hadn’t. She got a flashback of what it felt like when he pulled her into the empty locker room for a quick kiss to “tide him over” until school let out. “He… uh…” She tore her eyes away from his sensuous mouth and forced her mind to focus on his question. “Has no concept of personal safety. As soon as his parents’ backs are turned, he makes a run for the front door.”

  “Really?” Zach’s brows knit together. “That must be stressful for the parents.”

  “You have no idea. They’ve tried different locks, but nothing works.”

  “How much do they need for the dog?” Zach asked.

  “Fifteen thousand dollars.” All of the men were listening intently. She could tell they weren’t nearly as self-absorbed as some of the successful entrepreneurs she’d met. They would be happy to donate to her cause, but not before she’d established how it could help them.

  “Consider it done,” Zach said.

  “What?” Rennie’s heart hammered. Surely he hadn’t said what she thought he’d said. The Zach she knew back in high school and college would have given the shirt off his back to a stranger in need, but she thought that becoming a professional athlete had changed him.

  “Just tell me who to make the check payable to. I’ll drop it by your office later today.”

  “But you can’t…” Rennie struggled to think of a plausible reason why he couldn’t do that. The only reason she could think of was that it would change her view of him. Of course, maybe that was his angle. He was trying to score points with her by throwing his money around. Well, it wouldn’t work. “Sheldon’s parents
are very proud people. When I suggested a fundraiser, they shied away from the idea, but they’re desperate. They’re tapped out financially; they live on a busy street and can’t afford to move.” She struggled with how much she should tell them. “It’s gotten so bad they’re sleeping in shifts because he’s started sneaking out of his bed at night and heading straight for the front door.”

  Jaxon covered his mouth with his hand. “I can’t imagine what that must be like for them.”

  “It’s brutal,” Rennie agreed. Her heart went out to them. Sheldon was their only child, the light of their life—much like Tyler was the center of her world. “I really want to help them.”

  “But you won’t accept my money?” Zach asked, a muscle in his jaw flexing. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “I told you, they’re very proud people,” Rennie said softly, touching his arm before she realized what she was doing.

  His eyes fell to her hand. He looked up, drawing her in with the dark gaze that used to be able to hold her captive for hours… in bed. “Fine, if you won’t let me give them the money, at least let us host the event. I’ll donate whatever you need as far as tickets or signed jerseys. I’ll get my teammates to come together and help out too.”

  Rennie was overwhelmed with gratitude, which she knew was dangerous. She didn’t want to be indebted to him, but she couldn’t afford to reject his offer. Sheldon’s family needed help, and no matter the reason, Zach seemed more than willing to provide it.

  “Not that anyone asked my opinion,” Matt cut in, glaring at Zach, “but I think it’s a great idea. We’ll have an auction and notify the press. It’ll be good for business, not to mention fun. You can’t beat that.”

  “No, you can’t,” Zach said, smiling at Rennie.

  She really tried to resist the urge to smile back, but her twitching lips had other ideas.