The Devil Wears Blue Jeans (One Pass Away: A New Season Book 1)

by Mary J. Williams

  “Sure, I can,” she said. She showed him an airline ticket. “First stop, New York City. I’ll shop. Take in a Broadway show. When I get bored, I’ll move on. When I find a place to settle, I’ll stay. If not, I’ll keep moving. Thanks to you, I have enough money to last a long time.”

  “You can’t. I won’t let you go.”

  The tears spilled onto Felicity’s cheeks, but unlike so many times before when she cried in front of him, she didn’t collapse in a heap. She stood tall. If not strong, then determined.

  “Oh, Mac.” Felicity’s voice wavered, but only for a second. “You’ve held on for so long. If you hadn’t, I would have crumbled into a million pieces long ago.”

  “You’re stronger than you think,” Mac insisted, hoping he was right.

  Wiping her cheeks, Felicity let out a shaky breath.

  “We’ll see,” she said. “If I’m going to find out, I need you to let go.”

  “Felicity—”

  “Just for a little while,” she insisted. “Until I can find my way.”

  “Alone?” Mac asked.

  “Since I was a little girl, I had you. I met Royce, and he became my protector.” Felicity took Mac’s hand. “I finally realized if the two men who loved me most—two good, strong men—couldn’t help me stay on the right path, then I better find the way. By myself. Alone.”

  Mac wanted to argue. Every instinct told him to grab his sister and lock her away. Keep her safe from the world—and herself. For once, he ignored his gut. For the first time in forever, he would trust Felicity to make the right choice.

  “Stay in touch,” Mac said with a stern look. “Call me every day.”

  With a steady smile, Felicity shook her head.

  “One a week,” she countered. “Once a month, we’ll video chat so you can see for yourself how I’m doing.”

  “I’m scared.” Mac pulled her close. Resting his chin on top of her head, he drew a shaky breath. “If anything happens to you, I’ll never forgive you. Even if you’re not close by, I need to know you’re somewhere in the world.”

  “Leave my brother for good?” Felicity shook her head. “Never.”

  “What time does your flight leave tomorrow?” Mac asked. “I’ll drive you to the airport.”

  “No, you won’t,” she said. “If you’re at the airport, I might change my mind at the last second.”

  “Good.”

  “Bad.” Felicity laughed. “Take me to lunch. We’ll eat. We’ll find a way to say goodbye. And you can tell me about the woman.”

  “Woman?” Mac asked with a frown. He slipped on his jacket and checked to make certain he had his wallet. “What woman?”

  “Darcy Stratham. Your boss.” Felicity linked her arm with his as they walked to the elevator. “I saw the way you looked at her.”

  Mac felt a flush of heat creep up his neck. Praying he didn’t blush and embarrass himself, he shrugged one shoulder.

  “As you said, she’s my boss. Nothing more.”

  “You like her.” Felicity let out a delighted giggle. “I guess the Ice Queen turned out to be a little warmer than you anticipated.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Mac scoffed. “And don’t call Darcy the Ice Queen. It’s disrespectful.”

  “Just quoting you.”

  “Well, stop,” Mac said, helping Felicity into his car.

  “Are you an item?” she asked as he started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. “Dating?”

  “Me? Date Darcy Stratham?” Mac shook his head. “She’s way out of my league.”

  “Don’t you dare go there,” Felicity told him, her expression fierce. “My brother is good enough for anyone. Too good for most.”

  “Sometimes I think you’re right,” Mac said. “Other times, not so much.”

  “Our parents sucked.” Felicity's tone was cool and unemotional. “The only favor they did us was to die young.”

  “Jesus, Felicity.”

  “Lie to yourself if you want,” she said. “But I know you feel the same. If ever two people should not have reproduced, it was dear old Mom and Dad.”

  “No argument.” Mac nodded. “Bad DNA on both sides. It doesn’t exactly make me ideal boyfriend material. Let alone someone would want for a husband.”

  “Someone? As in Darcy Stratham?” Felicity’s dark eyes widened. “You don’t just like her. Big brother’s in love. Wow! I never thought I’d see the day.”

  “Love?” Mac scoffed as his heart almost stopped. “I don’t know the meaning of the word.”

  “Once, I would have agreed,” she said.

  “Nothing’s changed,” Mac assured her.

  “Something has.” Felicity smiled. “And I couldn’t be happier for you.”

  “Darcy is a beautiful woman,” Mac admitted. “Desirable.”

  “You’ve had beautiful women throw themselves at your feet since you hit puberty,” Felicity said. “Darcy Stratham’s looks aren’t why you fell. She’s special. I almost wish I could stick around and get to know her. When you can have anyone you want, I’d be interested to find out what’s so special about her? Hm? Tell me.”

  “Anyone I want?” Mac shook his head, ignoring the question. “Hardly.”

  “Now’s not the time to doubt your charms,” Felicity said.

  “Darcy deserves more. Better.” Mac sighed. “No. She deserves the best.”

  “If she’s lucky enough to be loved by you, then the best is exactly what she’ll get.”

  “I doubt she’d agree,” Mac said.

  “Then fuck her.”

  Mac blinked. Felicity rarely cursed.

  “You heard right,” she said. “If your Darcy isn’t smart enough to love you in return, then fuck her. Her loss.”

  “You loved Royce. He loved you. Look how that worked out.” The words were out before Mac stopped to think. “Sorry. Low blow.”

  “More like a blow I deserve.” A faraway look entered Felicity’s eyes. “I never believed I was good enough for Royce. My problem, not his.”

  “I’m sorry, Felicity.”

  “I screwed up. Again, and again.” Her smile was sad. “Don’t make the same mistake, Mac. You deserve to be happy.”

  “And you don’t?” Mac shook his head. “Bullshit.”

  “I need to work on myself first. Love myself.” Felicity winked. “That’s never been your problem.”

  “True,” Mac admitted, laughing.

  “Give yourself a break, big brother. You’ve earned the right to a happily ever after.” Felicity grinned. “If I hear you blew your chance with Darcy, I’ll come back and kick your ass. And don’t think I can’t. I’m stronger than I seem.”

  Smiling, Mac glanced at his sister. Slight, bordering on frail, she’d always looked as though a strong wind could blow her over. Yet, for all her ups and downs, she was at heart, a survivor.

  Mac wanted to believe Felicity would be okay by herself. But he would worry—every day—until she returned.

  “Come back.”

  “I will,” she said. “I promise.”

  Mac squeezed Felicity’s hand.

  “Then, I’ll let you go.”

  “Thank you.” She grinned. “Not that you had any choice.”

  “We always have a choice,” Mac told her.

  “Do we?” Felicity asked. “Can you stop loving Darcy?”

  “I don’t love her,” Mac said automatically. “What about Royce?”

  “I still love him.”

  “What?” Mac was certain he heard wrong. “Since when?”

  “Since the moment I saw him.” Felicity shrugged. “Like I said. I have no choice. Maybe time and distance is the answer. Guess I’ll find out.”

  “Well shit,” Mac muttered. “Does he know?”

  “He does not, thank goodness,” Felicity said, her smile tinged with regret for what might have been. “Royce will find someone else. And I’ll be sad. Maybe for a long ti
me, maybe not.”

  “Philosophical Felicity. That’s new.”

  “Years of therapy has given me a little insight,” she said. “So, listen close. Do not repeat my mistakes. If you care about Darcy, let her know. What’s the worst that can happen?”

  “She could say no. Not interested.” Mac’s insides shuddered at the thought.

  “Or, she could say yes,” Felicity reasoned. “Either way, at least you’ll know.”

  Knowing the truth was overrated, Mac thought. Right now, he and Darcy had a good thing going. Professionally, they’d found a decent rhythm at work, agreeing to disagree much of the time.

  Personally, Mac had Darcy in his bed. Or, she had him in hers. The sex was great. Amazing. They laughed, they played, they kept things light and easy. If Mac wanted more, that was his problem. If he wished she would fall asleep in his arms instead of leaving every time—or pushing him out the door—then so what? To keep her close, he’d accept the restrictions she placed on their relationship.

  With Darcy, Mac had more than he’d allowed himself to dream possible. To ask for more would be greedy.

  Mac scratched his chin, a slow smile forming on his lips. What was wrong with a little greed? After all, they called him the devil for a reason.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲

  DARCY STROLLED ALONG the perfectly manicured green grass, careful to stay outside the white lines that delineated where the playing area of the field began and ended.

  The heels of Darcy’s shoes sank into the turf and if she closed her eyes, she could almost hear the distinct and heady sounds of the game.

  Soon, she thought with a tingle of excitement. In a matter of months, the Seattle Knights would host their season-opening game. September might seem a long way off as the days of May ticked off the calendar, but she knew how time worked.

  Even the most anxious child, certain Santa Claus would never arrive, eventually found herself under the Christmas tree, ripping the paper from her brightly decorated packages.

  For Darcy, the start of the football season was her Christmas morning. And her birthday. And every holiday of the year wrapped into one thrilling day. She had a lot of work to do before she could enjoy her present. But this time, when the whistle blows to begin the game, her lifelong dream would be a reality.

  The Knights were no longer just Darcy’s favorite team. She was in charge. They were hers and she took the responsibility as seriously as she took her next breath.

  “I’ll do you proud,” Darcy said, the promise of her words etched onto her heart and soul. “We will win. We will be great. Go, Knights.”

  “Yay, team!”

  Startled, Darcy gasped.

  “Sorry to disturb you,” Felicity McClain said when Darcy turned. “Did I interrupt a private moment?”

  “Yes,” Darcy nodded, then smiled. “But that isn’t a bad thing. Are you looking for your brother?”

  “No.” Felicity shook her head. “We had a nice goodbye lunch.”

  “You’re leaving town?” Darcy asked.

  “Mm. Tomorrow. Mac isn’t thrilled. Protective big brother syndrome.” Felicity drew in a deep breath. “I think we reached an understanding.”

  Darcy didn’t know what to say. She knew a little about Felicity from the research she’d done on McClain. Drugs and alcohol. Rehab. The information wasn’t extensive. Because the details weren’t important to her job or the welfare of the team, she hadn’t dug any deeper. Plus, it wasn’t any of her business.

  “I hope you have a good trip.”

  “And, you’re wondering why in the world I’m here instead of with Mac? Or packing? Or saying goodbye to someone I know?” Felicity smiled. “Am I right?”

  “The thought crossed my mind,” Darcy said.

  “I’m about to stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong—Mac would have my hide if he knew.” Felicity shrugged. “I’ll apologize to you ahead of time. And after if you feel it’s necessary.”

  Darcy was never at a loss for words. Yet in the face of Felicity’s mysterious cheerful confession, she honestly didn’t know what to say.

  “Should we sit?” Darcy motioned to one of the benches used by the players during practice. “Walk? Or should I run for the hills?”

  “Oh, I like you.”

  Until then, Darcy hadn’t seen a family resemblance. But the teasing twinkle in Felicity’s dark eyes mirrored the one she saw so often in the green of McClain’s. Though physically as different as night and day, she had no doubt they were brother and sister.

  “I know you’re a busy woman, so, I’ll get right to the point.”

  “Okay.” Darcy waited. For what, she couldn’t say. “If I can help you with something, let me know.”

  “An offer I might take you up on—at a later date.” Felicity turned serious, blurting out her next words. “Do you like my brother?”

  “I… Um…” Darcy exhaled. “Sure?”

  “I’m sorry—apology number two,” Felicity said with a sigh.

  “Will there be more?” Darcy asked, a little afraid to find out.

  “Probably,” Felicity admitted without hesitation.

  “Then I definitely need to sit.” Darcy took a clean handkerchief from her purse and wiped the dust from the bench. “Join me?”

  “Sure.” Felicity plunked down next to her. “Mac is a good man.”

  “I agree.”

  “Do you?” the other woman looked relieved. “Sometimes he comes across as a little arrogant.”

  “He’s a lot arrogant,” Darcy said. “Since I’m the same, we’ve learned to give each other a pass—most of the time.”

  “I definitely like you. Too bad I’m leaving town. We might become friends.” Felicity sighed. “As usual, my timing isn’t the best.”

  “Give me a call when you come back.”

  “Might be a while,” Felicity warned.

  “I’m entrenched.” Darcy made a sweeping gesture. “If the day comes when management wants me gone, they will have to blast me out.”

  “You have confidence,” Felicity said. “Maybe I’ll find some while I’m gone.”

  “You approached me without any problem. Doesn’t that take confidence?” Darcy asked.

  “For Mac, I can be fierce. Not so much for myself,” Felicity said. “Which brings me to the reason I ambushed you.”

  “Tell me.” Darcy smiled. “I’m listening.”

  “I don’t imagine Mac has told you about how we were raised.” When Darcy shook her head, Felicity continued. “I’m not surprised. He doesn’t like to talk about when he was a child. Not my favorite subject either, but I have a psychiatrist on speed-dial. I learned to spill my guts. Mac, not so much.”

  “Perhaps you shouldn’t tell me.” Darcy was dying to know, but she didn’t want to infringe on Mac’s privacy.

  “Just a brief history. To help you understand him better.” Felicity paused, as though gathering her thoughts. “Our parents neglected us. Mac had a harder time because he was older.”

  A sense of dread fell over Darcy.

  “When you say neglected, what do you mean?” she asked.

  “The house was filthy. We were filthy. My memory is vague, but the smell is something I’ll never forget. As though everything around us was rotting.” Felicity's voice lost all expression. “On Mac’s first day of school, everything about him was dirty. His hair, his body, his clothes. I know because the next year when I started the first grade, kids teased me about my smelly brother.”

  Picturing Mac as a little boy who was picked on for no fault of his own, Darcy felt her heart begin to break.

  “By then, Mac had learned his lesson. He made certain we were both spic and span from top to bottom before we left for school. He cleaned the house, washed our clothes. He became a cleaning fiend. To this day, there’s nothing he hates more than to be dirty.”

  “The rain,” Darcy whispered.

 
Felicity frowned, leaning closer.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I wondered why Mac loves the rain.”

  “Because it washes him clean.” Felicity nodded. “I’m surprised you know. He likes to walk in the rain alone. Solitary moments, he calls it.”

  “Just a coincidence,” Darcy explained. “Now that I think about it, I’m not sure he knew I was there.”

  “Mm.” Felicity looked thoughtful. “Still, he was comfortable enough to let you see a very private moment. That speaks volumes.”

  “You’re reading too much into a small incident,” Darcy said with a shake of her head.

  “Perhaps. Perhaps not.” Felicity crossed her legs, her gaze moving over the field. “Mac is more than my brother. He’s my father. Mother. Protector. The only selfish thing he did while we were growing up was sports. Football was his savior. His way out. And he was good, wasn’t he?”

  Darcy smiled at the pride in Felicity’s voice.

  “He had a gift,” she agreed. “He was a special player. I think he’ll be an even better head coach.”

  “Then you do like him?” Felicity asked, eyes glowing. “You don’t think he’s too gruff, too snarky, too full of himself?”

  “What are you getting at, Felicity?” Darcy frowned. “Why did you tell me about your childhood?”

  “Because I want you to understand.” Felicity gripped Darcy’s hand. “Give Mac a little slack. He deserves to be loved.”

  Love? Felicity’s segue was abrupt, to say the least. One second Darcy was on the brink of tears, the next she felt her lungs constrict with fear. Love? She coughed, wheezed. Tried to catch her breath.

  “You love him,” she said when she could talk.

  “A sister’s love for her brother isn’t the same. Thank goodness,” Felicity said with a snort. “Wipe the look of panic from your face. I don’t expect you to get down on your knees and declare your undying devotion to my brother.”

  “I should hope not.” Darcy sighed with relief.

  “Not today.” Felicity grinned. “Just keep an open mind. Under all his bluster, Mac’s a good guy.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “I have to go.” Felicity jumped to her feet. “Think about what I said. Oh, and don’t tell Mac that we talked. He might not appreciate my gentle, loving, sisterly interference. Bye.”