Game Plan (The Entwined Series Book 1)

by TJ Penn

  From the look on Robert's face, I’m not sure what he is thinking. The longer he stays silent the more my anxiety rises. When he finally speaks, I am on the verge of panic. Finally, a smile breaks out across his face, and I have never been so relieved.

  “If you need some help with finding the paint let me know. I may be able to make some calls and have a few guys I know recreate the color for you.”

  Why was this guy, who didn't know me from Eve, offering to help me? “Thank you, I definitely will, but can I ask why you are offering to help me?” I hope I don’t sound ungrateful to him. I just want to understand him and his thinking more.

  “Why wouldn’t I help if I could? Isn’t that what people should do? Offer help where they can.”

  After that, we fill the rest of our time with small talk until we were both done with our meals.

  The ride home is some of the best car talk I’ve had since my dad passed. We play trivia, and just talk about our favorite and least favorite cars. I hate our time is coming to an end; for tonight at least.

  When we get to the door, I’m not sure how all of this would play out. Did I do enough to capture his attention or fall flat on my face; so to speak? I’m sure my nerves are showing, I’m just not sure what I want the outcome to be.

  Over dinner, I had gotten to know Robert a little. He is one of those guys that would go out of his way just to help a stranger, and never ask for repayment in any form. I really don’t want to be the reason he gets hurt. On the other hand, I also want to spend more time with him but at what cost? Why did we have to meet this way?

  He is just standing there shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Is he nervous, or is he trying to find a way to let me down easy? I am almost ready to give up hope on him wanting to see me again when he finally speaks. “I had an amazing time tonight. It was nice to actually have a conversation not involving football, the team, my plan on how to turn the team around, or fame, and add to the fact, you love old cars. Which by the way, I want to see that ‘67 one day.”

  “I am getting off topic, again. I would love to see you again, if that is ok with you? I would love for it to be soon, say Saturday night?”

  As he asks me, I can't help the smile that crosses my face. The words come out before I even have time to think about them. “I really would love that.”

  As Robert starts to leave, he quickly turns around and gives me his shy grin that has sold products around the world, and I all but melt at his feet. “Awesome! Sorry, what I mean is thank you for a lovely, and actually a fun night. I can't wait until Saturday. I will call you say Friday with the details”. With that, he leans in and kisses my cheek.

  Too embarrassed to do much else, I smile as I look at the ground. ‘Umm yeah, thanks for a wonderful night.” At my final words, he turns and walks down to his car. Man, I think I am going to be in over my head with this one.

  I’m able to make it back inside before I collapse to the ground. What am I thinking? I need to call and cancel Saturday night. How can I really consider going out with him again knowing what is really happening, and not tell him? If I do this, and it is successful, he will not only hate me for what I did to him; but for also destroying his team.

  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  Chapter Five

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  As I lay in my bed pondering all the decisions I’ve made up to this point, I also consider the decisions I still have in front of me. The hardest one is not telling him about Ronda’s plan to make sure they lose so she can sell the team. I am so caught up in my thoughts, I don’t even notice Elizabeth standing at the foot of my bed bouncing on her feet like a jack rabbit until it’s too late. I barely get out a smile, before she launches herself onto my bed, and begins asking questions about tonight.

  “How was it? What is he really like? Where did he take you? Oh, I bet it was someplace expensive. Did he kiss you goodnight? Are you going to get to see him again? Well! Why are you laughing and not answering me?”

  After a few well needed minutes of laughter, I answer all of Elizabeth's rapid fire questions.

  “Ok, so he sounds perfect. I can't believe you told him about your weird obsession with old cars. I know why you do, but it still doesn’t make it any less weird.” At her comment, I feel as if she slapped me. Heck, slapping me would have hurt me less than her comment.

  I thought she, of all people, got it. My love of old cars, my longing to finish up the Mustang. I guess I was wrong.

  “Oh, come on, I didn't mean it like that. Bailey! Come on, I’m sorry, Bailey!” Her yelling after me did nothing but make the hurt turn to anger. Before I know what I am doing, I turn around toward her causing her to all but run into me because she was following so close to me.

  “If you didn’t mean it, then why did you say it, huh? You, of all people, know why. Weird, seriously?  That is what you see me as? I am not weird! Yes, I may be different from other women. I may have different interests than your so called, normal woman. I am sorry I don’t like shopping, or getting my hair and nails done. Guess what, I don't care. I am content, and I am happy that is all that matters!”

  With that, I turn and storm down the stairs and out the door.  Away from Elizabeth and away from the good mood the night put me in.

  I find myself standing in the garage looking at my car. What if I am crazy? I know building this car won’t bring my dad back, but it is the one thing we had planned and never seen through. Why can’t people understand this is how I deal with the life I have been dealt. It is my way of saying goodbye.

  The next morning, I wake up to find myself laying across the cars seat with a blanket draped over me. After going in and getting dressed in clean clothes, I set out to go look for some parts for my baby as I am still not in the mood to talk to Elizabeth. Yes, the Mustang looks bad, but the potential is there. If this deal will just work out, I can make it all come together. I will be able to buy all of the parts I need, find the paint I want and finally be able to drive her.

  I am under the hood replacing the parts I just purchased when I hear someone enter my domain. “Bailey, can we please talk?”

  I lean sideways so I can see her around the hood. I nod my head for her to continue. “Look, Bailey, I swear I didn't mean what I said to come out the way it did. I know it sounded bad, I really do, but you should know I would never say something to hurt you or make you feel bad about yourself. After all you did for me, after what happened, I would rather hurt myself before I would do something like that. Please talk to me, tell me you understand, and that we are ok. We are ok, aren’t we?”

  How could I let one simple comment get to me so much?  It was a silly comment she had said hundreds of times. Why am I making such a big deal out of it this time? I may not be able to answer that, but I can let Elizabeth off the hook.

  “We are ok, seriously, it was my fault. I guess I just had so much going on in my head. I didn’t stop and think, I just let my emotions get the better of me for a while there.”  I don’t even get to finish my apology before Elizabeth is hugging me.

  “Umm, hun, I’m glad we’re okay, but you did notice that you’re hugging me, and I’m covered in grease, right?”

  She rolls her eyes at me smiling through her tears. “Yes, I did notice, thank you very much, but just this one time, you are allowed to get me as greasy as you want. I really do feel bad about what I said. I should have known with all the things going on, that your stress level would be through the roof. Though, I do hope you know me better than to think I would ever say or do something to hurt you.”

  Feeling really bad about all of this and the drama that had gone down last night, I try to think how we can move on from this. The only thing I can think of is to lay all of my cards on the table.

  “It really was all me, everything going on in my head was just making me crazy. I just don’t know what to do. I miss that life. The one where we didn't have to bust our butts every night at work, and put up with the stuff we do; even though Sam an
d Dani stop the majority of it; just so we can pay our bills.”

  “I’m also tired of having hardly anything left over to do anything for us after paying bills. Just like that dress and other crap, I got the other night that took away from some of the bill money. The last thing either of us needs is to get sick now and need a doctor, or worse, for one of the assholes to show up because we don’t have any money to get help or run.”

  “I am just tired of all of this crap. I am ready to be able to go crazy shopping for nothing more than groceries that we actually don't need, but want. I want to feel like I have some control in my life, even if it is just a foothold of it. I want more out of life than getting by on crumbs. Is that so bad?” When I finally finish my rant, I look at Elizabeth, and even though she won’t ever say it, she agrees with me. In some ways I saved her, and in others, I condemned her.

  Trying to lighten the atmosphere, I go too old faithful. “So how about instead of me spending my morning off working on Betty here, how about we cook lunch and pop in a DVD and be lazy till we have to get ready? I mean it isn’t like I can do a lot anyway without more parts.”

  “Speaking of, I need to make a note to contact the salvage yards in the next few weeks if this all works out.” She walks out ahead of me, shaking her head. Is it my fault that I don't have enough hours in the day, and I like to be prepared? Besides, if we get her fixed, we can actually leave this town for somewhere better. That has always been the plan, as we don't have anything holding us here.  If this money pans out, like Ronda said, we could even have a little nest egg to start out on.

  As we start to climb the steps, we see a delivery driver standing at the door looking lost. “Can we help you?” I speak up startling the poor fella so bad he almost drops the flowers he’s holding.

  “Morning, I have a delivery for a Bailey Mills.” Elizabeth is pointing at me so I can't exactly deny who I am. I take the flowers from him and sign the slip of paper. “Wait one second and I’ll get you a tip,” I yell to the man as he is walking off.

  “No need, ma'am, the gentleman has already taken care of it. You have a nice day now.”

  As I’m walking into the house, I can’t help myself; I have to smell them. They have the sweetest smell. I wonder where he found these; the pink color is so vibrant they almost look fake. Sitting the tulips down on the table, I take out the card and read it out loud as I know Elizabeth will end up asking me what it says, or taking it away and reading it for herself.

  “Bailey, I wanted to thank you again for the wonderful time last night. I can't wait to see you again this Saturday.  R.S.”  The next sound I hear has my eardrums ringing and reaches a decibel I think only dogs can hear.

  “AHHHHHHHH!!! He sent you flowers. I think you have him hook, line and sinker. It is so amazing he did that. I thought guys only did that in movies. I wonder if he has a brother? You didn't by chance get that info did you?”

  All I can do is shake my head at this point while I make a mental note to buy decaf coffee for her the next time I grocery shop.

  “Slow down it’s only flowers. It isn't like he sent me a ring. It is kind of nice though, that he sent me simple tulips, instead of roses, or some other crazy flower. So, let me put these in the living room, and I will go fix lunch while you pick out our movie.”

  I put together a simple lunch of sandwiches and chips. We spend the next few hours curled up on the couch movie watching and just being lazy. Much too soon, it is time to get ready for work. What I wouldn't give to stay like that the rest of the day.

  Our uniforms for work are simple. Just a t-shirt with Dani's written on the back and a pair of jeans. So, it only takes us a matter of minutes to get dressed and head out the door. It actually takes us longer to get to work than anything else.

  The last trolley stop is still a good 2 mile walk to the bar. At least, it’s nice out this time of year, not so hot to the point your shoes stick to the payment, and not so cold that by the time we get there we are frozen to death. As we walk down the sidewalk toward work, Elizabeth decides to break the silence.

  “Are you sure about this whole dating thing? I know why you are doing it, but are you sure you can? We are okay, Bailey. You and I have done alright by ourselves. We can do without the extra money. Just please think about it, that’s all I ask.”

  “I got this. Seriously, how hard can it be to keep a guy busy? It isn't like we are lifelong friends. Look at him for goodness sake. He could have any woman in the world; he will be over me by the time the paint dries.” Satisfied with my answer, I look over to see what she thinks. Of course, her look says she isn't so sure. I’m not sure if she has doubts with me in general, or my ability to pull this off.

  “Look I have this. I have enough self-confidence to pull this off. I don't want him to fall in love with me, just get interested enough to lose enough games this season so Ronda can sell the team. Then, it will be over, and we can go back to our daily lives. Just let me do this.”

  Elizabeth stops walking all together. As soon as I turn to face her, she starts again. “Look, don’t answer just listen to me. I’ve met him all of five minutes. It isn’t him I am worried about, don't you get that? I’m worried about you. Don’t you say a word, let me finish. I saw the way you looked last night, you didn’t. This whole game won’t end well for you. When he finds out everything, it isn't going to be…how will he get over everything. You get that right? When all is said and done, I don’t want to see you hurt, that’s all I’m saying. I hope you’re right and you don’t get caught in the cross fire when this goes down. There I said my piece.”

  When she starts walking again, and I am left standing there thinking about all she said, I can’t help but think she may just be right.

  The rest of the walk is filled with a loaded silence. I’ve never been happier to see Dani’s. Well, that’s until I see the parking lot. I pull open the bar door and the place is packed. I don't mean just packed for a Wednesday night. I mean we have to be getting close to the limit of occupants allowed in here. Even the side room is jammed with bodies. I guess no one will be playing pool or darts tonight.

  We fight our way back to the employee room to store our stuff and find Dani sitting in here. “Thank God you two are here!” I notice she looks exhausted.

  “What’s going on out there? I didn't think we would make it to the bar, much less back here.”

  “Hell if I know. All I can tell you is a group of people showed up about an hour ago. The crowd has done nothing but grow since then. I would’ve called you girls to ask if you could be here earlier, but I knew you were already on your way. Well, get out there, what are you waiting on?”

  Chuckling on our way out the door, we yell back, “Yes Ma'am, you got it!” Not sure where to jump in, we find Sam behind the bar.

  “Where do you need us?” Sam looks up and smiles at Elizabeth. I he has a thing for her, but you will never get her to believe it.

  “Hey, girls, just grab some tables and don't forget to work the backroom. It is going to be busy around here tonight.”  With that, we go our separate ways and don't see each other again until I stop for my break.

  After running orders and drinks all night, the last thing I want is to order myself anything so I escape to an empty space instead of trying to fight the crowd to get to the employee breakroom. I just sit and watch the crowd.

  “So, busy night tonight, huh?” Startled, I nearly jump out of my skin before I realize I know the voice. “Robert, what are you doing here tonight?”  God those eyes. Wonder if that hair is as soft as it looks and that shirt can it get any tighter? Crap, what have I missed while I was zoned out drooling over him. “Sorry what was that?”  God, I know I am blushing.

  “Well, I was saying that I couldn’t wait till Saturday to see you again so I figured I would stop in and bring some of the guys with me. That way, I didn’t look like a complete idiot. I will admit that I didn’t realize this craziness would follow us here and make it so that I c
ouldn’t really get you alone to talk. It did seem like a good idea at the time; I just didn’t put much thought into the effect it would have with all of us being here. I had hoped to be able to bring some people in, but not so many at one time. Sorry about that. You already look dead on your feet.”

  Trying to act all composed, I am actually jumping like a girl in my head at the idea he couldn’t wait to see me. Though, I’ll never admit that to anyone ever, especially Elizabeth. I’d never live that down. I start looking at the wall of names, just to avoid looking in his direction, so he can’t see just how happy his words and actions made me. He notices that one place holds my attention longer than the others.

  “What’s the deal with this wall?”

  Smiling, I explain to him. “This is the wall of names that a waitress signs when she works her last day. That way, a piece of them is always here with us, and they are never forgotten. This one was one of my best friends.” I reach up to trace her words. “Lena was Here!”

  “I miss her; she was the first friend I made after coming here. Lena took me under her wing and trained me. She helped me find myself again. I always say a quick prayer that is she fine and living life to its fullest when I come over here and see it.”  I look over at Robert, and can’t help but wonder what Lena would say about him.

  “So I have to work here to get to sign it? Well, that doesn’t exactly work for me.” I can tell he is trying to lighten the mood so I go with it.

  “I’ll see if I can work some deal for you.” With a fist pump in the air, he yells “yes” while all I can do is shake my head at him.

  “I have to go. My break is almost over, but if you want to hang around, you can walk with us to the bus stop after work.”

  The night feels like it will never end as the word got out that some of the team was hanging out here. More people show up, to the point we have Sam go stand at the door and not let anyone else in until some have left. I am happy for Dani though, she has always been amazing to her workers, and had never quite hit it big with this place.