Worth the Trade

by Kristina Mathews

  “You can fix it.” Sully nearly made her jump out of her skin.

  “No. I don’t think so.” The trophy was broken in two. Her heart, on the other hand, was shattered in a million pieces. “I think it’s beyond repair.”

  She fought to keep the tears from rushing forward. She straightened and tried to keep from falling apart. Everyone else in the clubhouse was celebrating. Enjoying the high of being two wins away from the ultimate prize. Or what she’d always thought was the ultimate prize.

  The ultimate prize had walked out of her clubhouse. And maybe even out of her life.

  “I’ll see what I can do.” Sully took the smashed up trophy and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I bet it will be good as new by the time our flight leaves tomorrow.”

  “I won’t be on the plane with the team.”

  “Why the hell not?” She’d never heard Sully raise his voice, at least not to her. Sure he’d chewed out his crew on occasion for not taking care of the equipment or the clubhouse to his very particular standards. But he was of the school that required a gentleman to watch his language around a lady. “This is just as much your team as anyone’s. You worked just as hard to get us here.”

  “Yeah? Well, I forgot the most important thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It’s just a game.”

  Chapter 21

  “Welcome to Whittaker Field. I’m Denton Charles Whittaker the Third, but my friends call me Denny.” The tall Texan sat down next to Hunter shortly before batting practice. After playing the first two games in San Francisco, the World Series had moved to their opponent’s home field. “I hope you’ll find our ballpark to your liking.”

  “It’s the second best in the league.” There was something about this man that was familiar. His eyes were a startling blue and his smile made her wonder if they’d met somewhere before. She must have seen pictures of him. He was the heir to Whittaker Electronics and Technology Corporation, who had made their fortune in pocket calculators before moving into computer components. They owned half of Texas, including the ballpark.

  “Don’t ever tell a Texan he’s second best.” He leaned over and flashed a set of dimples that probably charmed more than his fair share of ladies.

  “Sorry, but San Franciscans prefer to tell it like it is.” She wouldn’t be one of them.

  “I spent three years in Berkeley. Graduated from Cal.” He must have thought that would impress her.

  “I’m so sorry to hear that.” Hunter turned her attention toward the visitors’ dugout, hoping the team would take the field soon. She was already bored with this conversation. The man was obviously used to having women fall at his feet. He was handsome, fit, in his late forties, maybe early fifties. But he was no Marco Santiago. “I’m a Stanford girl.”

  “Ouch.” Whittaker leaned back in his seat and she almost expected him to offer the whole ballpark to her. She planned on taking it, thank you very much, with a little help from her team.

  “That’s what you’ll say when we take this series.” She smiled and held out her hand for a formal introduction. “Hunter Collins, President and Managing Partner of the San Francisco Goliaths.”

  That was a lie. She was no longer president or partner. The contract had been received by the commissioner’s office. She expected final approval within the next twenty-four hours.

  “You’re that confident?” He gave her a firm handshake and a friendly, if somewhat competitive, smile.

  “Yes. I’ve put together a fine team.” She leaned forward, as Marco stepped out on the field. Her heart beat a little faster as he strode toward her. “I’m proud of my guys.”

  “Marco Santiago seems to have come through for you.” There was something in his voice that prickled the back of her neck.

  “You had your chance with him. You let him go.” She had every intention of hanging on to him. Well, the Goliaths would keep him.

  “My company funded the ballpark. I have no say in who plays here.” He sounded somewhat disappointed about that fact. “I would have never let him get away if I had any choice in the matter.”

  “That’s too bad. I take full responsibility for every man in a Goliaths’ uniform.” And pride in each of her players.

  Marco dropped his glove a few feet in front of her seat and approached with pure fury in his eyes. Wow. Was he jealous? An interesting twist on things. Maybe now he’d understand how she’d felt when women went all fangirl crazy on him.

  “Leave Hunter alone.” Marco glared at the man, his fists balled at his sides, the muscles in his forearms flexed. “Just stay the hell away from her.”

  “Look, son…” Whittaker leaned forward, a pained expression on his face.

  “You gave up the right to call me that a long time ago.” Marco gripped the railing separating the field from the seats. “When you abandoned us.”

  “Marco, I’m sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am.” His voice was strained with emotion.

  “Too late.”

  “You’re his father?” Hunter looked at both men, and yes, the resemblance was striking. Marco had inherited his father’s height and build. He’d most certainly inherited his blue eyes. “Wow.”

  “I am. But he wants nothing to do with me.” Whittaker stood. He kept his eyes on Marco as he answered Hunter. “I guess I don’t blame him. I just wish he’d give me the chance to make amends.”

  “You waited too long.” Marco gripped the railing even tighter. Doing his best to keep from losing his temper. “You had eighteen years to make it up to me. To make it up to her.”

  “I tried. Believe me, I tried. But… You’ll never forgive me, will you?” Whittaker shook his head and then headed up the aisle.

  “Marco.” Hunter’s heart broke for him. “I had no idea.”

  “Yeah? Neither did I. Until he showed up the day I made my big league debut. Thought he could walk in here, in this very ballpark, and just start being a dad.” Marco took a ragged breath. “He took advantage of her and then left her with nothing. He had everything and left her with nothing.”

  Marco took his bitterness back on the field. He would wait his turn for batting practice. Hunter was glad he had a way of working through his emotions. Because she had no way of helping him work out, at least not until after the game. If he’d still want her. She wasn’t sure of anything anymore. He’d been so angry about her not being there when he’d been awarded the MVP. Yet, here he was, in a fury over her talking with another man. His father.

  She couldn’t walk away from him just yet. Not when he obviously had some unresolved issues with his father. He needed her. She’d go to him, one more time. No matter how much it would hurt when she’d eventually have to walk away.

  * * * *

  As he waited his turn for batting practice, Marco couldn’t help but overhear a reporter interviewing his manager. He usually ignored what everyone else had to say, but when the reporter mentioned “FITNatural,” Marco turned his attention to what was said.

  “Did you know of Nathan Cooper’s involvement with FITNatural from the beginning?” The reporter had that tone they all got, like they thought they were performing a public service by exposing the dark side of sports. But maybe it was just payback for all the girls who’d overlooked them in high school to go out with the jocks.

  “I’d never even heard of the company until the last couple of days.” Javier was usually an easygoing guy, but Marco could hear the irritation in his voice. “I didn’t worry about whether or not Cooper was one of the players involved because he’s not a member of this team. Hasn’t been with us at all this year.”

  “Did the organization know about his involvement?” The reporter asked. “How much did they know and when did they know?”

  “I found out about the suspension a few hours before it went public. Fortunately we had enough depth in our farm system I was able to replace him in the bullpen.” Javier sighed, which meant he was really pissed now. The man never had to raise his voice.
Just arched a brow, crossed his arms, or shook his head in disappointment. His actions spoke volumes more than any loud-mouthed coach ever could. “As far as the organization, I think their feelings on the matter were made clear when they released him.”

  “He was designated for assignment.” The reporter made sure everyone knew he’d done his homework. “Then he was part of the trade for Marco Santiago.”

  “Yes. He was one of the minor league players we sent away in exchange for Santiago. And I’m damn glad we got him. Between Santiago and Bryce Baxter, our offense has been prolific enough that we’re two games up in the Series. I’d like to get back to work so we can try to make it three.”

  “What about the Goliaths’ ownership group? Do you know of any connection between them and FITNatural?”

  “Nope.” Javier adjusted his cap. “I’m afraid I don’t have any inside information. I’m just here to manage this team.”

  The reporter noticed Marco watching the interaction, and grinned.

  “Marco Santiago.” He turned toward him and the camera followed. “Do you have any inside information?”

  “Nope.” He repeated his manager’s quote.

  “You have a personal relationship with Hunter Collins.”

  Marco stood still, holding his favorite bat in his hands. Doing his damnedest to keep from taking a swing at this asshole. But that would only hurt the team. It would only hurt Hunter.

  “You also had a relationship with Annabelle Jones, who is married to Clayton Barry.”

  “I knew Mrs. Barry. A long time ago.” Could this day get any worse? “We were friends. Went out a couple of times, but like I said, it was a long time ago.”

  “Rumor has it that Clayton Barry is selling his share of the team.”

  “I suppose he has that right.”

  “And Mrs. Barry has filed for divorce.”

  “So what does that have to do with me? I’m a little busy here, I’ve got a game to prepare for.” Marco gripped the bat tighter. “It’s kind of an important game.”

  “With all these distractions going on, how do you stay focused?”

  Marco glanced over to where Hunter was sitting. Alone, now. His father had abandoned his effort at hitting on her or trying to soften her up. Marco wasn’t sure which. It didn’t matter. Hunter mattered. She mattered a lot.

  “I have my routines.” Marco smiled, thinking of making love to Hunter. He decided he wasn’t going to give her up. “Ways of staying loose. I’ve got my teammates behind me. And one goal in front of me.”

  Marco nodded at the camera, and turned toward the batting cage. Baxter was just finishing up, and when he stepped aside, Marco was ready for the first pitch.

  He launched it deep into the center field bleachers. He hit several more, drawing cheers from the crowd. He hit and hit and hit the ball. Exactly what he needed to get his mind focused, to stop thinking about his father, the FITNatural scandal that was starting to heat up, and the fact that he only had two more wins before his tenure as a Goliath would come to an end.

  * * * *

  Hunter watched a tight, tense game. Marco hit a sacrifice fly in the third, scoring the Goliaths only run in regulation play. Texas tied it up in the eighth and it wasn’t until the eleventh inning that the powerful swing Marco displayed in batting practice finally found its way fair.

  The Goliaths had won another close one and they were now only one game away from winning the championship. One game away from the end of the season. The end of Hunter’s reign as president and managing partner.

  She made her way into the clubhouse, searching for Marco. This could be their last night together, and she wanted to make sure she made the most of it.

  Marco was finishing up an interview. His hair was still wet from his shower and he looked as sexy as ever. But there was a weariness in his eyes. It had been a rough day. His confrontation with the man who’d abandoned him had taken its toll. While he’d been able to take his frustration out by crushing the ball during batting practice, the pitching was too good for him to carry it over into the game. Until the last inning, when, finally, he was able to send them all home.

  “Marco.” She smiled at him, waiting for his interview to wrap up. His eyes lit up and she didn’t care if everyone knew they were going to end up in bed together tonight. She walked over and kissed him the second the camera stopped rolling. She put her arms around his shoulders and was surprised at how tense he was. Almost as tense as their first night together.

  “Let’s go back to your room,” she whispered in his ear. “I think you could use a rubdown.”

  “I can’t.” He tensed even more. “I promised my mother I’d meet her for dinner.”

  “Oh.” Hunter couldn’t hide her disappointment as she stepped back. “I guess I’ll catch up with you later.”

  “No. Wait.” He reached for her hand. “Join us. I’d like you to meet her.”

  “Sure.” She would have liked a little more time to prepare, but she’d already met his father today, so she figured this would be much easier.

  “Great.” He ran his hand through his damp hair. “I’m sorry for how I reacted earlier. I should have given you a heads up. I just didn’t expect him to use you to get to me.”

  “Why do you think that?” Hunter knew she’d have to tread carefully. “He was just making sure I was well taken care of. As a representative of the ballpark.”

  “Right.” Marco clenched his jaw. “He knew exactly who you are and what you mean to me. He was trying to get on your good side. Trying to charm you into…something.”

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were worried. You thought he was flirting with me.” She squeezed his hand to let him know she was joking.

  “He was flirting with you?” Marco dropped her hand and glared at her. All the fury he’d had before the game returned.

  “No. I don’t think so. But now you know how I feel when I see women of all ages falling at your feet.”

  He was not amused.

  “Marco, please…” She put her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. “Are you sure you don’t want to meet your mother for breakfast?”

  “Damn woman, you are very tempting.” Marco untangled her arms from around his shoulders. “If we hadn’t gone extra innings, maybe…”

  “I guess we’ll just have to eat quickly.” She ran her hands across his chest. Damn, he was one sexy man. She was going to miss him.

  They took a car to the restaurant and did a little making out in the back of the limo. Hunter was disappointed when the car pulled to a stop. Now she’d have to meet Marco’s mother with the flush of arousal on her face. Nice.

  Marco checked in with the hostess and found out his mother was already seated. They were led to a table near the back, out of the way, and Marco stopped short.

  “Son of a bitch.” He dropped Hunter’s hand and glared at the man she’d met earlier nuzzling the neck of a beautiful dark-haired woman who blushed and giggled like a teenager.

  “Marco. There you are.” She smiled and Hunter could see some of her features in Marco. He was a perfect blend of the two of them. His father’s blue eyes and his mother’s dark hair. His mother’s flawless skin and his father’s strong jaw. “And this must be your special lady.”

  She stood and offered her hand.

  “Isadora Santiago, but my friends…” She blushed and smiled at Marco’s father. “My friends call me Izzy.”

  “Nice to meet you, I’m Hunter Collins.” She shook hands with the woman who’d raised Marco all on her own.

  “What is he doing here?” Marco just glared at the man, rage radiating off him in waves.

  “Marco. Please. Calm down.” Izzy put her arms around her son, but he stood stiff. “I thought it would be good if we all had a nice talk.”

  “No. I won’t sit at the same table with him.”

  “Marco. Sit down.” Her voice was soft, yet commanding. The kind of voice no son would dare disobey.

  He held a
chair for Hunter before taking the seat next to her. He never took his eyes off the man across from him. His father.

  “I’m sorry, where are my manners.” Izzy smiled at Hunter. “Have you met Denny? Marco’s father?”

  “We met earlier tonight. At the ballpark.” She gave Whittaker a polite nod.

  “I hope you enjoyed the game.” He smiled, and it almost reached his blue eyes.

  “Yes. I did. I enjoyed all eleven innings. Especially the last one.” She placed a hand on Marco’s thigh. His muscles were tight, tense with agitation.

  “Yes. We watched the game together.” Izzy smiled at Marco’s father. “Denny invited me to his luxury box, and we had a chance to catch up.”

  Marco grunted. His displeasure with their way of catching up was more than obvious.

  “I’ve been trying to win her back for thirty years.” Whittaker ran his hand up her arm and draped his arm around her shoulder.

  “We’ve been corresponding for a couple of years now.” Marco’s mother spoke directly to Hunter. “Well, he’s been corresponding for a couple of years. E-mails, telephone calls, that kind of thing. But I kept putting him off. I was too afraid I’d be unable to resist his charm.”

  She leaned her head against his shoulder.

  “I was right. I couldn’t.” Izzy smiled at Hunter, like they were two old friends, talking about boys. “Marco is just like his father that way.”

  “I’m nothing like him.” Marco set his fists on the table. “I would never abandon a woman and her child. Ever.”

  “I didn’t want to abandon you.” Whittaker leaned forward, with enough regret in his voice that Hunter felt sorry for the man. “I wanted to marry her. Wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. But we weren’t given the chance.”

  He reached out and took Izzy’s hand.

  “When my parents found out we were seeing each other, they sent me away. To California.”

  “I didn’t know I was pregnant at the time.” Izzy added, as if it made a difference.

  “If I had known, I would have done anything.” Whittaker sounded truly sorry, but the damage had been done. “Anything.”