by Nikki Duvall
“I think I will put him down, after all,” said Halee, rising to head toward the back of the plane. She moved carefully, balancing the child’s head against her shoulder.
Cat yawned and headed for the front of the plane.
J.D. leaned over and whispered in Victoria’s ear. “I’m on to you. It ain’t gonna work.”
Victoria smiled and cocked her head. "My sentiments exactly."
He straightened and sized up his opponent. Her eyes danced, her lips curled like a slave master looking on her prize buck. Did she really think she could control him? His pride urged him to engage, to redefine the rules.
“Cat’s my choice,” he said firmly.
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Let’s be clear, Mrs. Pryor. You got the right to choose my uniform, the days I come to work, even what I say to the press. But you got no right to choose the woman I marry.”
Victoria studied him with a measure of respect. “Who you marry can change your career, J.D. For the worse.”
“Like I said, I’ve made my choice.”
Victoria met his steeled gaze head on. “There are two kinds of mistakes, J.D., the kind you can correct and the kind you can’t. Beware of the latter.”
“Excuse me.” J.D. headed to the back of the plane, grabbing a decanter of cognac and two glasses on his way. Tapping lightly on the bedroom door, he waited.
“Yes?”
He cracked the door and peeked inside. “Up for some company?”
Halee quickly wiped one eye and painted a smile on her face. “Sure.”
“You ok?”
She nodded.
“You don’t look ok. Here.” J.D. filled one of the glasses halfway with the sweet liquor and wrapped her small hand around the stem.
“Just nerves. It’s a big move, you know,” she said with a light laugh. She took a sip of the cognac and grimaced. “I can count on one hand how many times I’ve been out of Chicago.”
“Tell me about it.” J.D. perched himself on the edge of the round satin bed sheets. “I don’t think I got any sleep the first year I went on the road with the Titans. Kept my nose to the window of the bus the whole time. And the first time I saw snow? Well, they pert near had to drag me back to the hotel.”
Halee laughed. “What’s New York like?”
“Big,” said J.D. “Bigger than I ever imagined.”
Halee’s face contorted and she began to whimper softly. J.D. took the glass from her shaking hand and set it aside. “You’ll do fine,” he assured her. “Ain’t nothing gonna happen to you, you can’t fix.”
“I’ve spent a lot of years hungry and cold,” she said, blotting at the stream of tears that just wouldn’t quit. “I have a baby now. I can’t live like that anymore. I have to make it this time, J.D.”
“Come here.” J.D. took her into his arms. Her body shook. He breathed the scent of her skin and pretended for just one moment that he’d never have to let go. “I’ll watch over you,” he whispered against her hair.
Cat came storming through the bedroom door. “I’m gonna need more clothes, J.D. I didn’t count on this party… what the hell?”
Halee pushed out of J.D.’s arms, straightening her outfit and wiping away the mascara streaks from her cheeks.
“Call Tony,” said J.D. in his typical calm and collected fashion.
Cat’s steel blue eyes darted between Halee and J.D. “Tony and I don’t get along.”
“You better learn to get along with somebody, Cat. New York’s a big city and I ain’t always gonna be around.”
Ty stirred, protesting against the loud conversation. Halee reached over and stroked his small head.
“What’s going on here?” demanded Cat.
“We’re planning your party,” said Halee cheerfully. “J.D. wanted to be sure I knew about the surprise he’s planning, isn’t that right, J.D?”
“Surprise?” Cat’s eyes lit up like Christmas trees. “What surprise?”
“The one that ain’t gonna be a surprise if I tell you,” said J.D. “Now scoot yourself back up front and busy yourself. Argue with Victoria, or somethin’.”
Cat grabbed his hand and dragged him to the door. “We need to talk.”
J.D. glanced back at Halee and winked.
Cat took two steps out the door and turned on J.D. “We have a deal and that deal don’t call for you sleepin’ around.”
J.D. shut the door and glanced at Victoria diligently typing on her laptop. “You want to keep your voice down?”
“I’m warning you, J.D. Don’t you go embarrassing me in the tabloids. You want me to play the part of your devoted fiancé, you hold up your end of the bargain, too.”
“I’m not sleeping with Halee McCarthy.”
“You were just hugging her. I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to like it, Cat. Your job is to be at my side in public and look pretty, nothing more.”
“I won’t be disrespected.” Tears sprang to her eyes. “It’s humiliating.”
J.D. smiled and took her hand. “Aw, Cat. I didn’t mean nothin’ by it. This’ll be fun, you’ll see. The Feds gave us the biggest three bedroom they got overlooking the pool. High end furnishings. Maid service. You’re gonna love it.”
“No more Halee?”
“Like I said, there ain’t nothin’ between us.”
Cat’s face brightened. “I’m gonna invite my daddy, straightaway.”
“You do that, Darlin.”
~THIRTEEN~
Late August in the city meant the high rise buildings and concrete sidewalks had three months to soak up the heat and humidity of the eastern seaboard and store them up for a windless afternoon like this one. Halee braced herself against the stifling heat and stared up at her new home’s white marble façade as she followed Stephen, Victoria Pryor’s assistant, through the entrance and toward the gilded elevator.
“Cameron and I are so excited to have you next door,” said Stephen, adjusting his designer eyeglasses. “The previous tenants were so vulgar. And their cat screamed all night. You don’t have a cat, do you?”
“No,” said Halee.
“You don’t scream all night, do you?” Stephen teased.
Halee laughed. “I don’t think so.”
“How about you?” he asked, tickling Ty’s toes. Ty screamed.
“I like his scream better than the cat's.”
The elevator door opened on the sixth floor and Stephen led them toward the far end of the hall. “Maria was here earlier to put the finishing touches on the place.” He fumbled with his keys until he found the right one. Halee stared at the gilded mirrors and thick red patterned carpet of the hallway and wondered if she were unknowingly participating in a House Beautiful magazine photo shoot. “Here we go,” said Stephen, pushing the massive door open.
The apartment began in an enormous living area scattered with white slipcovered sofas that were piled high in deep red and blue tapestry pillows. Glass tables held vases of fresh flowers and sculpted glass lamps with fringed shades. The west wall was covered in thick red brocade curtains hanging low to meet the same red patterned carpet Halee had admired in the building’s main hallway. On the north wall, built-in bookcases displayed the classics along with various pieces of graceful pottery and glass. Framed impressionist paintings in bright colors adorned twelve foot white walls crowned in dark stained trim.
Halee gasped.
“You hate it.”
“No….”
“It’s the only unit available, except for the one directly across the courtyard.” Stephen pulled back the massive curtains to reveal a marble balcony that stretched the length of the great room. “If you really hate the place, I can arrange a trade.” Stephen turned back to her, his face hopeful. “Cameron made me promise to do whatever I can to get you to stay in this apartment. We just met that couple,” he said gesturing across the courtyard. “The man’s a real stud,” he said with a wiggle of his brows, “and friendly to boot, but the wom
an is insufferable.”
The light pulled Halee from the entryway toward the glass wall. She adjusted Ty on one hip and stared out across the green gardens and straight at Catrina Hiett.
“He’s a ballplayer,” Stephen continued. “God knows what she does.”
“Nothing,” mumbled Halee.
Cat was motioning toward furniture while a small slim man took notes. She moved toward the windows, caught sight of Halee, frowned, and pulled the curtains shut.
Stephen sighed. “That’s Cameron. He lost the coin toss.”
Halee giggled, despite herself.
“Oh, there he is now.” Stephen clutched his chest. “Ooh la la.”
Halee watched as J.D. slipped through the sliding doors and out onto the balcony. He had his phone to his ear and kept his gaze down onto the gardens, allowing her to stare a while unnoticed. He looked troubled, absent-mindedly rubbing his right shoulder. She watched as he began to pace, gesturing and running his fingers through his short dark hair. His voice grew louder. He stopped and turned, catching Halee’s eye. A corner of his lip lifted. He waved.
Halee raised her free hand in return.
“You know him?” Stephen gasped. “Oh my word,” he said, smoothing out his perfectly pressed shirt. “Can you introduce us?”
“I’m not really allowed near him.”
“I’d stalk him too if I thought I had a chance.”
“What about Cameron?” asked Halee with a quick smile.
“This is a hell of a time to dump him, isn’t it? After that woman’s had her claws in him all day.”
Halee took Stephen by the arm. “Don’t worry. I love the apartment and Ty and I would be glad to be your neighbors. Let’s see the rest of the place.”
***
“I’m sorry J.D. Hank just won’t come down on his price.”
“It was five fifty last week, Dan. What happened?”
“I don’t think the old man wants to sell.”
“You mean he doesn’t want to sell to me.”
“I’ll be up front with you, J.D. He knows about your Federals contract and he knows how much you want the property. I expect his real estate agent is advising him to hold out for as much as he can take you for. They’re gonna raise the price every week as long as you act interested. Now, my advice is to back off and lay low for a while.”
“I got the cash, Dan. My sign on bonus is in the bank. He ain’t gonna find another buyer with cash. You gotta make him see the light.”
“I hear ya, J.D.”
“And keep an eye on him, will ya, Dan? He’s already run the place halfway into the ground. I wouldn’t put it past him to burn the place down just to spite me.”
“I don’t think he’s that crazy, J.D.”
“Oh, he’s crazy, alright. I wouldn’t mind if the place went up in smoke, except for Faye’s trailer is on the property.”
“I’ll do what I can, J.D.”
“That’s all I can ask. Give my best to Justine.”
“Will do.”
J.D. disconnected and blew out a heavy sigh. He ought to go back inside, into the cool air conditioning. His shirt stuck to his back and two lines of sweat dripped down the sides of his forehead. Yet somehow the heat felt more comfortable than Cat’s unending demands. Better to stand out here in the steam bath than watch poor Cameron get pushed around.
If Cat’s whining was what it took to keep this contract, he was willing to put up with it for a few more weeks. Watching his bank balance reach seven digits this morning had been his greatest life achievement to date. He felt powerful, the kind of powerful that flabby stock brokers felt on a regular basis. Money in his pocket, a posh apartment in Manhattan, a driver to deliver him to practice- this is a life he could get used to.
He leaned on the balcony’s railing and turned his attention toward his new neighbors. Halee and Mrs. Pryor’s assistant had disappeared to the back of the apartment fifteen minutes ago and J.D. was beginning to feel uneasy. A single woman with a baby living in New York City was easy prey.
Cameron came out onto the balcony. He looked haggard and weather beaten. “Mr. Shaw,” he implored, “Miss Hiett would like to speak with you.”
“What do you know about the guy showing the new tenant around across the way?” asked J.D.
“That’s Stephen. He works for Mrs. Pryor.”
“Stephen on the up and up?”
“Pussycat,” Cameron assured him.
“No quirky habits?”
“Well, none I don’t enjoy,” said Cameron with a wink.
“Let’s be clear, Cameron,” said J.D. “Halee McCarthy is a friend of mine. Anything happens to her, you’ll answer to me. Got it?”
Cameron fanned himself. “Oh, sure.”
J.D. pushed off the railing and retreated into the apartment. Cat met him in the kitchen. “These furnishings are not my taste,” she said, hands on hips. “I don’t do ugly.”
“You ain’t here that long, Cat. I bet you can suffer through it.”
“You promised, J.D.”
“I promised you six weeks in Manhattan. Here you are.”
“I want my own furniture.”
“Then buy it yourself. I got plans for my money.”
“Those plans are counting on me to tell your little white lies, J.D.”
“You can save your threats, Cat. I know you well enough. You ain’t gonna mess up a big party at the Waldorf and you ain’t done building your wardrobe. This furniture is good enough. Live with it.”
Cat narrowed her cold blue eyes and tapped her foot. “I don’t like the way this is going, J.D.”
J.D. grabbed his suitcase and walked toward the back of the apartment. “I’m taking the small bedroom,” he said. “Order us up some lunch, would ya?”
***
“Oh, J.D.! I cannot live without my pink faux fur! Take away these classic furnishings immediately!” Cameron slapped the back of his hand to his forehead and pretended he was going to faint.
Stephen giggled and handed him a fresh strawberry daiquiri. “Halee? What’s your pleasure?”
“Tequila,” she said, stroking Ty’s back. She couldn’t believe her good fortune- he’d drifted off peacefully thirty minutes ago on a soft cotton blanket next to her, leaving her with adult time and two new friends to help her spend it. “Any marguerite mix?”
“I am pleased to report,” Stephen announced with a grin, “that the Federals organization believes in the value of a fully stocked bar.” He dumped a packet of mix into a blender with some ice and tequila and hit the power switch. Ty didn’t flinch. “So is the bitch going to stay or go?”
“Don’t look so hopeful,” said Cameron. “I’m going to wager she’ll be around till the river of money runs dry.”
“How much do the Feds pay their prima donnas these days, anyway?”
“More than you and I can hope to make in a lifetime,” said Cameron.
“Well, I’m getting tickets to the playoffs this year, just so I can see J.D.’s tight little ass in a uniform.”
“I like the southern drawl, myself. He’s even cuter up close. His dark eyes flash when he’s angry.”
“I think you should make a play for him,” said Stephen, handing Halee a tall marguerite. “You’re young, beautiful, earn six figures. You define desirable.”
“I’m a little busy at the moment,” said Halee, gazing at Ty.
“Don’t tell me you’ve given up sex!” Stephen gasped. “Good grief, what a waste!”
“Oh, that reminds me,” said Cameron. “J.D. threatened bodily harm if anything happens to Halee.”
“Oooh. Does our man have a little crush on our princess?”
“Personally, I was totally turned on by the threat.”
Stephen sat down on the sofa next to Halee and stared her straight in the eyes. “You’re not telling us everything.”
“What’s to tell?”
“You and the stud have a little history, don’t you?”
Halee sipped
her marguerite. “Maybe.”
“I knew it!” He reached out and clutched her arm. “Tell us every detail.”
“We dated.”
“Ooooh!” Stephen exclaimed. “I knew it.”
“And now we don’t.”
“You want to fill in those blanks?”
“Not really.”
“Cameron,” said Stephen, “bring over more truth serum.”
Cameron grabbed the rest of the blender contents and filled up Halee’s glass. They both watched while Halee took another swallow. “Well?”
“Well what?”
“It isn’t fair to keep it all to yourself.”
“Two weeks of passionate sex,” said Halee in a hushed tone. “Hot, exhausting, orgasmic ecstasy.”
“Ah!” exclaimed Stephen to the heavens.
“Then I found another woman in his bed.”
“Philanderer!” cried Cameron.
“God, he’s even sexier than I thought.”
Halee slapped Stephen on the arm.
“Ouch! Who was this bimbo?”
“Guess,” said Halee.
“Nooooo.”
“Yeeeesss.”
“I knew I hated her,” said Cameron.
Stephen placed one hand on his chest as if bracing himself against the truth. “He chose that cheap slut over you?”
“She does have a nice body.”
Stephen slapped Cameron on the arm.
“He deserves to suffer. I say we wage all-out war.”
Halee grinned. “We?”
“Well, you. With our advice, of course.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Come on. It’ll be fun.”
“I have a few other things on my mind.”
“Like what?”
“Don’t be so dull, Stephen. She has a baby.”
“No sweat. We work from home. We will take care of Ty while you’re at the office.”
Cameron furrowed his brow. “We will?”
“I barely know you,” said Halee.
“You know us better than anyone the agency will send over. And you’re doing us a favor. Cam and I have talked about adopting for years. Ty will be our little experiment. Anything else?”
“I have a new job.”
“Let me tell you something, Sweetheart. Victoria Pryor is a jewel. She’s got that Nazi diva thing down pretty well, but underneath that shotgun shell exterior she’s the fairy godmother. You work your pretty little ass off, she will deliver.”
