UPMC was a top five hospital nationwide, year after year. It had been a great move career-wise to transfer there and be near her best friend, Tea. After Tea's husband passed away, she'd been struggling to raise their baby on her own. Plus, once Aubrey moved from L.A. to join them in Pittsburgh, Jenna got to have the rare joy of being around both of her best friends from college all the time. Despite these benefits, the romantic side of Jenna's life in Pittsburgh had been pretty lackluster.
"Oh, stop that. You're so pretty and smart — you probably have more dates than you can count."
Jenna groaned inwardly at the unwelcome question. "Ugh, Cheryl. Well other than a few repeat dates here and there and a handful of lukewarm flings, nothing has happened worth writing home about. Nothing with any future, that is."
"Oh so it's more that you don't like your options?"
"I'm looking for a nice, stable guy…"
"And what you're finding is ones that are boring the hell out of you?"
"That sounds about right. I've decided to take a little break from dating the last couple of weeks. Maybe I'll get a taste back for…"
"You'll never develop a taste for dull, sweetie, because you are not dull. No matter how much you try to pretend to yourself that you are. Maybe you should branch out a little. Try something other than those boring doctors and whomever else you keep dating. Have a little fun. You know, like Tea."
"Yeah, well that was crazy. The first guy she hooks up with in the almost six years since her husband's death…and boom, he's the one. I've never really been one to have 'boom.'"
"Only because you date guys you have no fireworks with. You should take some risks."
Jenna swallowed a bitter laugh. "Risks are poison for the Sutherlands, you know that."
"Aren't you just a negative Nelly? All right, I'll leave it be for now. So, speaking of the other half of your Sutherland family…"
Jenna's heart dropped. Cheryl had been regularly sending Jenna updates on her father and none of them had been particularly heartening.
"I saw your dad last week and he really misses you. He's been working himself like crazy over this year's team. Maybe you can come home for Christmas?"
"We'll see. Thanks for letting me know. Cheryl, you've got enough on your plate, I feel bad about you worrying about us so much."
"No. I promised your momma I'd help look after you and your dad, and I will keep doing that till I ain't got a breath left in me. You'll call your dad though, right?"
"Of course, I promise." Jenna ran the fingers of her right hand through her long, blonde hair and glanced at the clock on her radio.
"Dammit! I didn't realize it was so late. I better focus on my driving if I want to make it to the football game in time."
"Business or pleasure?"
"Pleasure, I think."
"You think?"
"Tea's boyfriend is taking us all to the Pittsburgh game against Denver tonight, but I'd rather just curl up in bed and feel sorry for myself."
"Oh, stop it. He didn't say you definitely weren't going to get the fellowship. Don't be so pessimistic. And I wasn't trying to make you upset about your dad."
"I know. I really appreciate you being there for him. He gets really sad when the anniversary of Momma’s death knocks on the door. But you have so much of your own to worry about, you know, everything you have going on and all."
"You are sweet, Jenna, but it's been over a year since I lost Ben, and honestly, I need something to keep my mind off being a widow. Fussing over you and your dad has always made me happy, so why stop now, right?"
"Thanks Cheryl. Anything else you need to tell me?"
"Well, since you mention it…um…I don't want you to get worried, but your dad knows you put money in his account. He was not happy."
"Dammit. What else am I supposed to do? Those budget cuts at the high school were brutal, and attendance is down at his camps. I hate to ask more of you, Cheryl…"
"Don't be silly. I'll just head over and feed him more often, and sneak him your money any way that I can."
"Thank you so much. Bye. I love you."
"I love you, too. Bye, sweetie. "
Center spikes the ball to McCoy.
McCoy drops back for 1…2…3…4…seconds. He's still taking too long.
Ooh, there's that great leg agility he's got. That's right, slip that tackle, use your height, see your man down the field and…
He throws another dump-off pass to the tailback. What in the hell? That's not even enough for a first down. Why didn't he throw it to the wide out? He was totally open. McCoy had to have seen him. He's completed that throw with his eyes closed thousands of times… Jenna wondered with confusion.
She'd been tracking Wyatt McCoy's every movement since the start of the game — never taking her eyes off him for a second that he was on the field.
His style of play had fascinated her for almost a decade now — both his dazzling strengths, as well as his mind-boggling weaknesses. Gifted with remarkable genes passed down from his incredibly renowned quarterback father, he'd been on the radar of everyone interested in football since he was a child.
But what intrigued Jenna was the unique ability he brought to the game all on his own. "Gunslinger" McCoy had a lithe body that was as acrobatic as it was strong. That natural athletic prowess, combined with his seemingly instinctive ability to identify passing opportunities almost anywhere on the field, made him a truly unique talent. In fact, for as long as Jenna had been watching him compete over the years, it seemed he could extend any play, when everyone else on the field, or watching from the sidelines, thought it was already dead.
Even in this disappointing outing, in which he'd already been sacked twice and his team had been outplayed most of the time, he'd still managed to keep the Pittsburgh Roughnecks in the game. He'd orchestrated two breathtaking touchdown drives to tie it up and send the game into overtime.
Studying him over the last few hours had actually been a treat for Jenna — anything to take her mind off her annoying afternoon, though she had admittedly not been the life of the party in the luxury suite.
"You know you can take the night off and just enjoy the game, right?" Aubrey asked from behind her, making Jenna jump a little after being so focused on the field.
"This is how I enjoy it, Aubrey. Maybe it's an occupational hazard, or something," Jenna answered, with a distracted tone before turning her attention back to the next play. She was far too fixated on the game — well, really just on Wyatt McCoy, to deliver a better answer.
Jenna was also still racking her brain to process the reasoning behind Wyatt McCoy's decision making and the Roughnecks' play calling on offense when Aubrey continued talking.
"Or is it a 'Jenna Sutherland football strategy obsessed' hazard?" Aubrey countered.
"What?" Jenna looked over to Aubrey for a second before turning back around yet again. "Yeah, that too. But look at him on this play. I've been watching Wyatt McCoy play quarterback since he was at the University of Texas, then after Dallas drafted him, and now here, this last year and a half. He's always taken a long time to drop back, but this is ridiculous. Plus, he's not evading tackles in the same way he used to. Everything is…I don't know, slower somehow."
"I'm glad he's sucking today, because this Denver girl wants a win for her team."
"Sucking is a bit strong of a word. That comeback was incredible, but I'm sorry to say, I don't think it was enough. I'm gonna bet you'll get your win."
"You're sorry to say, are you? Feeling bad that your quarterback crush is going to lose?"
"He's not my crush, jeez."
"That's exactly what a girl with a crush would say! Though I can't say I blame you. I'm not sure which part of his background is hotter, his famous quarterback father, or his beautiful Mexican mother. I've seen some of her old modeling shots from back in the day — a photographer's dream."
"She was, and stop changing the subject. I know I'm in the minority, but I've always thought he had
more raw skill and talent than his dad. Problem is he's not playing up to it lately. I can't be sure from this angle, but I think he's unknowingly telegraphing his throws to the defense. There's something going on with him. I think his shoulder is bothering him? I feel like I have it almost figured out."
Jenna was leaning over the railing that ran along the edge of the luxury box to which Griffen had managed to get them all invited. The entire setting was beautiful and the view was spectacular, but her quick little mind couldn't shake the desire to be down on the fifty-yard line looking at game pictures and barking out ideas, like she used to do for her father so many years ago.
"It's always good to watch a game with you now and again, Jenna, so I can remember what a freak you are," Aubrey said. "You aren't watching any of the other players? Just the gorgeous ‘Gunslinger’ McCoy?" Her caramel colored eyes were dancing with her signature mischief as she teased Jenna. Aubrey's impressive height made it easy for her to peek around Jenna's shoulder to catch a glimpse of the famous quarterback that was holding Jenna's attention so strongly.
"So? What about it?" Jenna looked at her sideways. With her short dark hair and quirky sense of style befitting a freelance photographer, such as herself, Aubrey had the look of a pixie. It went perfectly with the scheming look on her face in that moment. "Where are you going with this, Aubrey?"
"Nowhere. I just love seeing you take such a passionate interest in an athlete. Watched him since he was in college, did you?"
Jenna rolled her eyes dramatically at her friend and roommate.
"Oh, stop, Brey. It's not like I've ever met him or anything. I've just been fascinated by his potential for a while now. Okay, watch this third down play — McCoy's taken the snap, faking a hand-off to the running back, and now he's dropping back for the play action pass. There, he's taken too long, again. He's not going to avoid this blitz. Dammit, they've got him."
Jenna watched with a feeling of dread as the inside linebacker slammed into Wyatt McCoy, sacking him and throwing him to the ground.
"Wow, what would I do without you here to tell me what I'm seeing with my own eyes," Aubrey deadpanned sarcastically at her.
"Fine, I'll go back to thinking it all to myself," Jenna said, with a grumble, staring at McCoy as he shook off the trainers and worked his right arm back and forth on the sidelines, staring at the punter returning the ball to Denver's possession.
Aubrey laughed and hugged her from behind.
"Oh, stop it, you big baby. I like seeing you obsessed with a hot man. Especially because Griffen tells me we'll be meeting him after the game. You're going to love that. Maybe you can get some private time with him. You can look at that shoulder a bit more closely."
"What?" Jenna asked, straightening up away from the railing in a flash, and knocking Aubrey back. "That guy is notorious."
"Is he? I don't remember hearing about him being that much of a player."
"No, being a womanizer comes with the territory. I mean he's known for doing anything to get ahead on a team. That is way more dangerous, as far as I'm concerned. Remember when he refused to groom the quarterback Dallas drafted a few years ago? He was so threatened he would take his starting spot that he barely acknowledged him, and Dallas ended up trading McCoy anyway. Why would I want to be alone with someone that cold-blooded?" Jenna felt a nervous twitching in her stomach at the mere thought of it.
"I wasn't suggesting you join the Roughnecks practice squad and become his throwing partner. You've been apparently staring at him in tight pants for ten years, so you'll appreciate some one-on-one time with him. You won't have to wait too long, either. It's sudden death overtime and I'm pretty sure Denver's going to score on this drive. It's safe to say we can start planning our post-game activities, and I already know what yours will be."
"Aubrey, not everything has to end in sex."
"Whoa, who said anything about sex? How scandalous of you to bring that up," Aubrey said, with feigned shock. "You're the one who mentioned sex. We haven't even met him yet, maybe you should focus on dinner first."
"I'm not focusing on anything with him but his game."
"Oh boy, my wheels are really turning now. I'm going to get you in a room with the Gunslinger, if it's the last thing I do."
"Aubrey, please don't embarrass me," Jenna pleaded. "It's like I'm at work right now. If you put me in a bad spot, it could make me look bad."
"Stop being so dramatic. It'll be fun, and that's what you need more than anything else. You've been too mopey lately. Besides the idea is already planted in my brain. You can't dig it out. Just let the magic happen."
Jenna frowned at her before turning back to the game. Aubrey screamed in delight at the sight of Denver's running back pushing his body into the end zone and winning the game.
A few moments later McCoy walked into the tunnel in defeat. His frustrated face filled the multiple TV screens in the box, as he stopped to sign a few autographs. Then he disappeared, his head hanging low. Jenna felt a peculiar sensation of sadness and disappointment on his behalf that she couldn't seem to shake.
"Griffen! What's up? Did you guys enjoy the box?" Griffen's friend, Tom Wilkins, the Assistant GM of the Pittsburgh Roughnecks, asked, his voice booming from the front of the luxury stadium suite and jarring Jenna back into the moment.
"It was great, Tom. Thanks so much for setting this up for us," Griffen answered cheerfully.
"I wish I could've also provided a win for you guys. That loss was brutal."
"So true. It seemed like McCoy spent more time on his butt than actually throwing the ball."
"Don't remind me. If you weren't a journalist I'd really loosen my lips on that."
"Oh, come on, I'm more of a writer than a journalist these days."
"Still too much of a reporter for my taste," Tom said, with a laugh.
"Guilty as charged. Well, thanks for the box either way," Griffen responded.
"No, thank you," Tom answered, with a smile. "The second I heard Nicky, I mean Griffen Tate, of all people, was back in Pittsburgh and settled down, I moved heaven and earth to get you in here."
"Yeah, I have so many people I need to catch up with, but you moved way up in priority with this spread, Tom," Griffen said, smacking his friend's shoulder with his open right hand in that ridiculous way that men do.
"Yes, thank you, it was so nice of you to let us use it," Tea added.
"Tom, this is Althea, my girlfriend, and her son, Johnny," Griffen said proudly, wrapping one arm around Tea and placing his other hand on Johnny's shoulder.
Jenna lurked back, watching the scene quietly.
"Eavesdrop much, Jenna?" Aubrey whispered in her ear, making her jump.
"It's not really eavesdropping if nobody minds you listening, Brey," Jenna answered.
"I guess that's true enough. It's still weird to hear Griffen call Tea his girlfriend, isn't it?"
"It will definitely take some getting used to, and soon he could be calling her his fiancée…"
They both peeked at the happy little almost family, watching as Griffen pulled Tea close to him. Ever since they took their relationship public, it seemed he always had to be touching her in some way as much as possible.
"If they weren't so deliriously happy and good for each other, it would probably all be pretty nauseating," Jenna mumbled, gasping a little when she realized she'd said it out loud.
Maybe Brey would let that slide? Right, fat chance, she thought.
"Rawr, girl, you are in a foul mood. I love it," Aubrey teased, making little claw gestures that Jenna swatted away with more force than the situation likely demanded.
"I can't believe he's going to wait another couple of days until Light Up Night to propose. That ring is burning a hole in his pocket. Is that why you're listening in? To see if he proposes to her next to the bowl of chips over there?"
"No. You're so silly, Brey. I was just hoping for a chance to introduce myself to Tom." Tom was one of the members of the Roughnecks’ staff that she ha
dn't worked with before. He was the Assistant GM and that would certainly mean something to Richard.
"You'll have plenty of chances to talk to Tom on our way to meet Wyatt McCoy."
Jenna gave Aubrey a withering look. She followed Aubrey over to the rest of the group and plastered a great big smile on her face as they finished their conversation.
"I hope you had a nice time, too?" Tom asked Tea.
"I did. Thank you again, Tom," Tea answered, honestly looking happy and relaxed in her own skin in a way that filled Jenna's heart with joy.
"So this little man is your son?" Tom asked, crouching down to be eye to eye with Johnny.
Tea's son was wired for sound after the game and Jenna was shocked that he had been so obediently waiting through this boring adult conversation without interrupting.
"Yes," she answered.
"He's Tea's son with Jack Taylor," Griffen added, looking uneasy for a moment, but quickly returning to his usual confident air.
Tom stood and looked Tea in the eyes.
"Um, I wanted to say…I went to high school with Griffen and Jack back in the day. Jack was a hell of a guy. It is such a shame what happened to him."
"Thank you for saying that. He was," Tea choked out. The sadness flashing suddenly across her previously happy face sent a shot of pain through Jenna.
She couldn't help but reach out to touch Tea's arm when she heard the catch in her throat. Griffen's love and attention may have brought Tea back to life, but Jenna suspected the ghosts of Tea's grief and pain were still waiting in the wings.
Jenna understood the power of that constant pain all too well — from the rare times when she indulged herself to reflect on her own tragic memories.
"I didn't want to upset you. I'm sorry," Tom blurted out, quickly.
"Oh, no, I'm fine, Tom. Don't be silly," Tea took a deep breath and schooled her face into a smile, "let me introduce you to our friends, Aubrey and Jenna."
City of Champions Page 3
