“Brodsky, what’s the problem?” Coach leaned his back against the wall.
“That twerp. Little fucker. Thinks he’s hot shit because he’s on the Kings. I don’t want him replacing me.”
“No one could replace you, Bull. You know that.”
“Tell him then.” Brodsky rubbed his arm.
“How’s the elbow?”
The man avoided the Coach’s gaze. “It’s okay.”
“Here’s my plan. I know you’re not a hundred percent. But we need you. So, I’m gonna use The Kid to spell you off. Get you started in the game, then, when we’re ahead, I’ll take you out to rest and put him in. He’ll get some practice, and you’ll be safe. We can’t afford to have you injured again.”
“Really? You’re not replacing me?”
“Of course not. We need you. But we need you healthy. And if The Kid can help make that happen, then let’s use him. He gets to learn the ropes too.”
“Okay. I get it.”
“Good.” Coach slapped him on the shoulder.
“So you’re lifting my fine then, right?”
“Nope. Fighting is fighting. It’s not allowed. Fine stands.”
Brodsky made a face. “At least I’m still starting.”
“Of course. Go get laid, Bull. Calm down. When’s your anger management thing?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Good timing.”
Coach Bass left the locker room and let out a breath. Keeping players happy and maintaining order was a challenge. He smiled at his own strategy, pleased that Brodsky was placated. Now, to keep The Kid from racking up penalties. Pete shook his head. Breaking in new players was like handling a puppy—exhausting.
Chapter Eleven
Training camp got underway, along with the anger management program, and planning for Emmy and Buddy’s wedding. Jo assembled her “team” in the conference room. Emmy, of course, Verna, Alyssa and Alexis.
“I don’t want all kinds of celebrities.” Emmy rose from her chair. “Buddy and I aren’t fancy people. I don’t know a lot of movie stars or anything. We want our fans. That’s it.”
“Perfect,” Jo said. “You’ll have a stadium full of fans. Here’s the press release I wrote. Look it over. If it’s okay, we’ll get it out today. We’ve only got about ten weeks to get everything done.”
“Ten weeks?” Emmy asked, taking the paper from Jo.
“That’s when the opening game is scheduled.”
“Can you do it that fast?”
“We have to,” Jo said.
“I’ve got our minister standing by,” Verna put in. “He agreed to reschedule everything around this.”
Emmy leaned against the wall as she read. When she finished, she looked up at the expectant faces. “Let me get this straight. We’re charging an extra five bucks on every ticket?”
“That money is going to the New Life Women’s Shelter.”
“Not to pay back Lyle Barker?”
“No way, Emmy. The stadium holds about sixty-five thousand. So if we fill the stadium, we’ll raise three hundred and twenty-five thousand for the shelter.”
“That’s awesome,” Lexie added.
“Damn right. Sure is a cheap price to pay to go to our wedding.” Emmy chuckled.
“This will be the greatest charitable event the team has ever hosted. And the women have you to thank, Emmy,” Jo said.
Emerald blushed. “Do you think there’s any chance we’ll fill the stadium?”
“Not if we sit around here. We need to get moving. How’s the release?”
“Looks good.”
“Okay. Assignments. Girls, you send the releases out. Here are two lists.” Jo handed a paper to each of Pete’s daughters. “Verna, you, Emmy, and I need to pick out flowers, music, and a wedding cake. I have some cake designs in my office.”
“How are we going to do cake for so many people?” Verna asked.
“We’re not. We’re going to give them favors. We need to pick those too.”
The twins stood up.
“Wait! Tomorrow we’re taking a field trip. I have a limo coming to take us to New York City. Emmy, you have a private appointment with Vera Wang,” Jo said.
“Vera Wang?”
“She’s dying to have you wear one of her designs. Think of the publicity! So, we’re all going for the day to watch you try on dresses.”
The girls jumped up and down. Verna smiled, and Emmy’s eyes filled.
“I always thought, if I got married, that I’d just elope. Never thought there would be friends to plan a wedding for me.”
Verna hugged Emmy. “You’re part of my family now. We stick together.”
“We’re going to make this wedding spectacular. You deserve it. You’re a star. You should be married in style,” Jo added.
“Thank you so much, Verna, Jo. You’re the best.”
Hugs happened all around, then the women split up to tend to their tasks.
Jo waved to Pete each time they passed in the hall. He was up and down, to his office, on the field, on the phone, and in meetings with Cap and Lyle.
That night, the twins retreated to their room with two bags of popcorn to watch movies. At ten o’clock, Jo paced in the bedroom with the phone glued to her ear. Pete sat up in bed, thumbing through a sheaf of papers, stopping to read one here and there.
“Damn! That asshole who’s doing the flowers is being a real prick,” Jo said, tossing her robe on the bed and sliding in, naked, next to the coach.
“Nice language,” he chided, grinning.
“He’s insisting on an array of cheaper flowers in different colors. Emmy likes roses. I want to have only roses in various shades of pink, maybe set up from light to dark.”
“Wow, who’d a thought the kind of flower or color would make such a big difference.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You’re a father. You’re going to go through this twice. Be prepared.”
He raised his palm to her. “My girls? They aren’t getting married for at least ten years.”
“Don’t be so sure.” She snuggled down under the covers.
“You ready to turn out the lights?”
Jo nodded. Pete piled his papers on the nightstand and flipped the switch, plunging them into darkness. The half-moon shone a bit in the room, but not enough to illuminate much. Pete lay back, his fingers laced, hands behind his head.
“You’ve got a lot on your mind too,” Jo said.
“Trying to get the team in shape. Nail down some new plays.”
She rested her palm on his chest. “Is everything okay?”
Pete stared at the ceiling. “Robbie Anthony was off today. Couldn’t hit shit. Brodsky’s elbow is still sore. Trunk is making noises like he’s going somewhere else.”
“A lot going on.”
“Damned annoying stuff.”
“Anything wrong with Anthony?”
“Nothing physical. Nothing the doc can find. I hope to hell it’s not a woman.”
“Why does it have to be a woman? Maybe he’s broke, squandered all his money? Or his dad is dying? Always the fault of a woman.” She shook her head slowly. “Men.”
Pete chuckled. “You’re right, of course. You usually are. I’ll ask Robbie what’s going on tomorrow.”
“Good. Get the facts. Then, we’ll figure out what to do.”
“We?”
Jo felt herself blush and was grateful it was dark. “I mean…I just thought…Of course, it’s your business, not mine.”
He rolled onto his side and kissed her. “Just teasing. Of course I want your input.”
“Oh. Whew. For a minute, I thought…”
“Thought what?”
“Nothing. Never mind,” she replied.
“No, come on. Tell me.”
“It doesn’t matter. Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be grueling.”
“Dueling with the flower guy?”
“Yep.”
“Petals at twenty paces.”
They both laughed
. Jo inched closer. Pete wrapped an arm around her, pulling her up against him. She sighed, stretching her feet and toes.
“I love having you in my bed,” he whispered.
“I love being here. Goodnight, Pete.” She kissed his arm.
“Night, Josie, honey.”
* * * *
Immersed in deadlines, Jo hardly noticed as days flew by. Once the press release went out, calls from radio stations, television stations, newspapers, blogs, and websites poured in. Sports reporters, celebrity hounds, and gossip rags wanted exclusive interviews, or sole rights to pictures before, during, and after the wedding.
Jo had to pacify angry editors who refused to share with other media. She threw assignments at the girls. Alyssa and Lexie jumped in, taking care of the smaller tasks, keeping Jo sane. She was on the phone juggling the press and cajoling the florist from the moment she arrived at the office until the ride home.
When the story broke on television, Jo’s cell practically exploded, call after call piled up, flooding her inbox. Her days filled with details as lowly as the color for the icing on the small wedding cake to big decisions, like how to get Buddy and Emmy safely out of the stadium after the ceremony.
Dinnertime was no relief. She and Pete caught up, but she couldn’t believe that he had as many worries as she. He talked about trying to observe all the practices and being worried about Bullhorn Brodsky’s elbow.
Over desert and coffee, he mentioned other problems. “I hope Trunk Mahoney isn’t going to leave. His unrestricted free agency comes up soon. We need him, even if he is a wild man, sometimes.”
“Can you convince him to stay?” Jo asked.
“Gotta keep my eye on the new drafts boys, and I’ve got lunch scheduled with Robbie Anthony. Christ, hope his problem is a little one. I’m full up with crap.”
“Wish I could wave a magic wand and make it all go away,” Jo said, massaging his shoulder muscles.
“You and me, both, Josie, honey.” He leaned back and shut his eyes.
Coach Bass and his lady spent their days hustling through overflowing schedules. They passed each other in the hall, blowing a kiss or just exchanging nods. At night, they fell into bed exhausted or babbled about problems, too keyed up to sleep.
Still getting accustomed to sharing a bed with Pete, Jo rolled over, stuffing her worries inside to focus on getting some shut eye. But Pete wasn’t having it. He eased her on her back and quizzed her about her day. As she softened, he pressed her closer until she was snuggled against him. Sometimes, sex took a backseat when life captured their full attention.
One evening, Pete pushed onto his side.
“Not tonight, Coach,” Jo said, turning her head away.
“I’m pretty tired too. Can we talk for a minute?”
“Sure.” She faced him. “What’s up?”
“How are the girls doing?”
“They are amazing.”
“Really? You’re not just saying that?”
“They’re good. They follow up, get things done quickly. And they’re not spending time texting. I’m impressed.”
“That’s fantastic.”
“You did a good job with them.”
“It wasn’t easy, alone. Wish I’d met you ten years ago.”
She chuckled. “I doubt you would have liked me much. I was the typical career woman. Driven, totally caught up in my work.”
“Like you aren’t now?” He stroked her arm.
She laughed. “Guess that’s right. So are you.”
“Damn right. You don’t win Super Bowls by getting distracted.”
Jo curled into his body, resting her head on his shoulder. “Do you think we’ll ever have time together when we’re not tired?”
“Before end of season?”
“I was hoping.”
“It depends on how we do. If we’re winning, it’s easier to take time away.”
“We’ll win. You wouldn’t accept anything else.”
He snickered. “It isn’t all up to me. Hell, I’m not on the field.”
“True. But you’re the team leader.”
“Me and Montgomery. He’s the captain. They look up to him.”
“Sounds like a winning combination,” she said.
“It is. I’m confident. We’ve got the stuff. The guys have to focus.”
“Did you ever find out what was bugging Robbie Anthony?”
“Yeah. His parents have money troubles. He’s been careful with his, but feels he has to help them out. It worries him. Hell, one foot injury and Robbie’s career could be in the toilet.”
“Aha! It wasn’t a woman.”
“Nope. Money is the next biggest worry, after women.”
They drifted into silence. Jo flipped over so Coach could spoon her. She’d become accustomed to the tickle of his chest hair on her back and the warmth of his thighs behind hers. He closed his fingers around her breast. His touch aroused her, but she was too tired to budge.
As she shut her eyes and sleep stole through her, Pete whispered, “I love you.”
Often awakened by Pete’s restlessness, this night was no exception. The bouncing of the bed jostled her. She moaned softly.
“Are you awake?” he asked, quietly.
She rolled to face him. “I am now.”
“I’m sorry, honey. Got a lot on my mind. Go back to sleep.”
“Want to talk about it?”
A low chuckle greeted her in the darkness. “Actually, if you’re really awake and don’t mind…”
“You want to make love?”
“What a great idea.”
She giggled. “God, you’re about as subtle as an eighteen-wheeler on the highway.”
She felt his thumb caress her cheek then his long fingers glide down her throat to her chest. “You’re so sexy. How can I think of anything else when you’re here?”
“Being naked doesn’t hurt, does it?”
His response was muffled by his lips kissing their way to her breast and settling on a nipple.
A tingle hit Jo’s gut and traveled south. “You know just what to do, don’t you?”
A snicker greeted her as hands smoothed down her silky skin to her thighs. “Open for me, baby” finally came the reply.
She leaned up to kiss him.
He cupped her rear, pulling her toward him. “Lie back. Relax. This one’s on me,” he said, moving down her body.
Jo closed her eyes and let Pete take her to outer space.
* * * *
The night before the wedding, Emmy asked if she could stay at Jo’s house. She packed an overnight case and joined the rock star. They cooked a simple meal of chicken on the grill and salad. They dined out on the back deck. Watching the birds while she ate, Emmy hummed her tune “Love on the Wing.”
“Nervous about tomorrow?” Jo asked, taking a forkful of greens.
“The performance part? Nope. The vows part, damn right!” Emmy sipped her iced tea.
“But you’ve known Buddy for so long.”
“Doesn’t mean I’m not worried about making a mistake. We have such separate lives. Who knows what’s coming down the road for us? Buddy could get injured, maybe seriously. I could lose my contract. If we have a baby, how will we manage with traveling and stuff? I want to be a good parent.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
“Doesn’t marriage scare you?”
Jo laughed. “Scares me so much, I’ve never considered it.”
Emmy smiled. “What about the coach?”
“What about him?”
“Maybe you’ll marry him?”
Jo made a noise with her mouth. “Not likely. Coach is not a marrying man.”
“Every man wants to get married. Wants a woman to take care of him.”
“Not Pete. He’s a caretaker himself. He doesn’t need anyone.”
“What if you’re wrong? Do you want to get married?”
“Me?” Jo’s eyes widened. “I used to think I did. Then, I gave u
p somewhere.”
“How old are you?”
“Thirty-two.”
“That’s young. You should get married. Marry Coach Bass.”
“I thought you were nervous about it,” Jo said.
“Never about Buddy. He’s loved me for a long time.”
“That must be nice.” Jo tried to keep a wistful tone out of her voice.
“You’re kinda like me. Independent. I had Stash to take care of me and look what happened.”
“I’m better off alone.”
“Can you really say that now that you’re living with the coach?”
Jo felt a flush steal into her cheeks. “I suppose, well, maybe not. But I was okay before.”
“Yeah, but you’re a lot better now.”
“I guess.”
“Aren’t you happy?”
“Happier than I thought I’d ever be.”
“Then, what’s the problem?”
“Happiness doesn’t last for me. Something always comes along to wreck it.”
“You have to work at it. Buddy’s taught me that.”
“It takes two.”
“Coach is mad in love with you.”
“You think so?”
“Yep. And the pool is all for marriage. They’re gonna lose a lot of money if you don’t.”
“What pool?”
“Oops.”
Jo faced her new friend squarely. “Give. What’s the pool about?”
“I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“But you did. Now, you have to tell me.”
“Okay. I opened my big mouth. I guess you have a right to know. The guys. The team. They’ve all got bets on when you and Coach are going to get engaged.”
“Oh my God! Really?” Heat suffused Jo’s head and neck.
Emmy placed her hand on Jo’s shoulder. “Hey, no biggie. Don’t stress. You know how the guys are. Like a bunch of little boys. It’s just a bet.”
Jo hid her face in her hands. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be. They like you. They want you to marry the coach.”
“Oh, God. Why didn’t we keep this private?”
“How could you? I don’t get what you’re so worried about. Geez, these guys understand that men need women.”
Jo made a face. “Taking bets on my private life?”
Pete Sebastian, Coach Page 16
