The Player's Club: Lincoln

by Cathy Yardley

  Juliana swallowed against a lump in her throat. “Strangely enough, I’ve been trying to gather up the courage to ask what I can do for you.”

  Stunned silence, then Emily spoke. “Um, Jules? You’re not propositioning me, are you? Because I like you, but honestly, I like guys more.”

  Juliana laughed. It was Emily’s humor, as well as her smarts, that had made her a pleasure to work with. “No, you goob, I’m not hitting on you. I’m asking you for a job.”

  “A job?” Emily’s goggle was clear, even on the phone. “Gainful, honest employment?”

  “Not that honest. It’s publicity,” Juliana shot back. “I know all my experience is personal, but I’ve pulled together events, worked with venues. Hell, I know tons of reporters and paparazzi by name. I’m a hard worker and a quick study. I think…no. I know I could do this.”

  “What about your reality show?”

  Juliana went still, then felt all the tension release from her body. “I’m not doing that,” she said. “For the time being, I think I’d be happier helping other people get the limelight. I don’t really need it anymore.”

  “Seriously?” Emily said, then chuckled. “The infamous Juliana Mayfield is downplaying her profile. Satan’s putting on a sweater.”

  “So, do you have a job for me?” Juliana asked, bracing herself.

  Emily was quiet for a long, tense moment. “It would mean weird hours. Setting up events. Sucking up to people you don’t like.”

  “Okay, up to about six months ago, you’re describing my life.”

  “There is that. All right, why don’t we have lunch tomorrow, and discuss some details? God knows I could use the help right now. And I always knew you were smart, kiddo.”

  Juliana was jubilant after she scheduled the meeting and hung up the phone. She now had a job; she wasn’t pursuing the fake brass ring of fame or fortune. She didn’t have to pretend to be what she wasn’t. She could do what she did best, cut out all the other crap and come out on the other side.

  She sprawled out on the bed. Bit her lip. Then, slowly, she dialed, holding her breath.

  This, she thought. This was the hardest call.

  Lincoln’s deep voice said “Hello?” leaving her momentarily breathless…and speechless. It wasn’t until he repeated it, with more annoyance, that it occurred to her she’d changed her cell phone plan and he didn’t recognize her new number.

  “It’s me,” she said softly. Then, briefly, wondered if he’d remember her voice. Or if maybe he’d been lying when he said he’d wait for her forever.

  The silence was somehow electric. “Juliana?” The longing and hope in his voice almost broke her.

  “I’m ready,” she whispered. “I got my life together and…I know it’s been a while, but I thought maybe we could, uh, have dinner. Or coffee. Or, I don’t know, something.”

  “I’ll be there in ten minutes,” he said, and hung up.

  She broke into a broad, blinding grin. “He remembered,” she murmured, then quickly called him back with her new address.

  Epilogue

  One month later…

  “DID I SCREW UP OUR reservations?” Juliana asked apologetically as she hopped into Lincoln’s car where it was double-parked in front of the W hotel. “There was a screwup at the fundraiser, and I had to find about a thousand roses in an hour, kick a caterer’s ass and straighten out some gate-crashers, and it took a little longer than I thought....”

  “I love to hear you talk about work,” Lincoln said, grinning, before leaning over to kiss her neck. “It makes me hot.”

  “If I breathe, you get hot,” she replied, and the fact still delighted her. “So where are we going, again?”

  “It’s a surprise,” he answered as he pulled away from the curb. Of course, their whole relationship had been a surprise, as far as she was concerned—a fascinating, wonderful surprise. He’d been taking her places, fancy places and simple places. One night, the Four Seasons, the next a walk in Golden Gate Park. They’d spent time at his condo—and her apartment. He asked her about her day and genuinely listened to her struggles and triumphs.

  She thought she loved him before. She knew she loved him now.

  He took them to the pier, and she laughed delightedly. “A dinner cruise?”

  “Not exactly,” he said, leading her to a private marina and onto a large, very snazzy yacht. They climbed on board and the captain set off at a quick clip. She saw one of the deckhands, who smiled at her with friendliness rather than pick-up lust. She smiled back reflexively, then her stomach dropped as she recalled why he seemed so familiar.

  He was a player.

  She shot a glance at Lincoln. She never asked him about the club. She knew that he still spent a lot of time with them, still did their activities. It was the one barrier between them—the one thing they didn’t discuss. It was the one gray cloud in their otherwise blue-sky relationship, and even this small reminder brought her back to the feelings of guilt, and shame, over what she’d done and what she lost.

  He noticed her upset immediately. Of course he did, she thought. He notices everything. He took her into his arms, holding her tight against him. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she said, then sighed when he nudged her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You didn’t need to ask one of the players to pitch in on a yacht to take me to dinner. I mean, I’m sure they’re happy helping you, but I imagine they resent that it’s for me.”

  Lincoln stared at her pensively. “Do you ever think about the club?”

  She stared out into the inky black night, hearing rather than seeing the chop of the water. “Sure. I mean, I’ve wondered how Terrence is doing…how being a player is helping him out. And how Finn’s doing. And Tucker, and Scott, and Amanda…” She stopped. “But, you know, I made my own bed and now I’m lying in it. It’s okay. I don’t want to ask you to talk about anything you’re uncomfortable with.”

  He smiled slowly. “We won you over, didn’t we?” he murmured. “By the end, it wasn’t just for the stupid reality show. You wanted to be a player.”

  She swallowed hard as emotion flooded her. “Honestly, at first, it was just the show…and even then, it was for the money, to dig myself out of a hole. And it was because being famous was the only way people would care about me, and I thought that being infamous was the only talent I had.” Such stupid, misguided reasons, she thought with a cringe…then accepted, with a soft sigh. “The players were the only people who would’ve liked me and accepted me without the show. Just for being me. By the time I figured that out, it was too late, I’d already screwed up irrevocably. I hate that, but I understand it.”

  She leaned against him, resting her cheek against his shoulder. “I’d rather not talk about it. But I’m glad you know.”

  “Sometimes things can be fixed.”

  She smiled, hugging him tightly. “You love me,” she said. “You accept me. You’re the love of my life, and the players are your family.” She got up on tiptoe, kissing him. “I don’t want to make any more tension for you, Lincoln. So don’t ask on my account, okay?”

  “Okay.” He smiled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Guess I’ll just make sure you get something to eat, then.”

  They had dinner, and the boat kept cruising on in the bay. After an hour, she growled, pushing back her plate.

  “The lobster not to your liking?” Lincoln asked.

  “No, no, it was delicious,” she said. “It’s just…I keep getting the feeling I’ve forgotten something. I’ve had it all day.”

  “Really?” he asked, with that mischievous grin again.

  “Yeah, and I swear, I can’t figure out what it is. I’ve checked all my lists, the work calendar, but I can’t pin it down.” She laughed at herself, shaking her head. “I can’t believe I’m taking a job this seriously. I didn’t even know I had it in me.”

  “Well, I’m sure it’s not work related,” he assured her, tugging her toward the deck. “Why don’t you put
it aside for tonight and enjoy my surprise.”

  Suddenly, she noticed where they were docking. She gaped. “Alcatraz? You brought me to Alcatraz for a date?”

  “No,” he corrected, leading her up a lantern-lit pathway toward the main courtyard. “I brought you to Alcatraz for a party.”

  She saw the people, milling around everywhere, smiling at her. Her jaw dropped.

  They were all players. And they were all smiling at her.

  “Surprise!” they yelled enthusiastically. Then someone pulled a string, and a colorful banner unfurled.

  It read Happy Birthday, Juliana…Our Newest Player!

  Her throat clenched, and tears stung at her eyes. She reached for Lincoln, blindly.

  He was there, holding her. Just as she knew he would be.

  “I can’t believe you forgot your own real birthday,” he teased against her ear.

  “I can’t believe you knew. Can’t believe they forgive me.”

  “Sure we forgive you,” Terrence said. He looked different—he’d gotten his hair cut, had more stylish glasses. He also still had one of his goofy T-shirts, this one saying Talk Nerdy to Me. “You almost went to jail for us.”

  “You were in jail for us,” Scott added.

  Amanda gave her a big hug. “I’ve been waiting for more female members. You won’t believe what we’ve got scheduled for summer. We’re going to climb Mount Whitney!”

  As Amanda continued chatting, Juliana felt a huge, silly grin on her face, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. Finally, Finn walked up to her with his trademark devilish smile. He hugged her, as well.

  “Welcome to the club,” he said, kissing her cheek.

  “Watch it,” Lincoln warned, putting an arm around her waist.

  “Told you bringing her in was a good idea,” Finn said smugly. “Was I wrong?”

  “No, Finn, you weren’t,” he said.

  “Good, because I’ll bet she’s up for my next challenge.” His eyes gleamed.

  “Oh? What’s that?”

  “BASE jumping,” Finn said. “Off the Eiffel Tower.”

  She blinked. “Um…I think I’m working.”

  Lincoln shook his head. “Finn, there’s more to being a player than just risking death.”

  “Yeah, I know.” There was a darkness in his eyes, for a split second. “But it makes for a great ride. I’d rather die than be bored.”

  “What about you?” she said, turning to Lincoln. “Would you rather die than be bored?”

  His eyes shone. “Not when I’ve got something this good to live for.”

  So he kissed her, in front of everyone, and all the players cheered.

  * * * * *

  ISBN: 9781459220508

  Copyright © 2012 by Cathy Yardley

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