Playing for Hearts

by Debra Kayn

  What did she have at the end of the road today? She sighed. An empty hotel room and a load of truth that was too heavy to carry.

  A car pulled out of the school parking lot. Shauna stopped and smiled at Mrs. Winlet, the principal, as she drove by. Now that was one woman she remembered well. She’d spent many hours in her office, convincing her to give her one more chance. She gazed over at the high school. Oh, lordy.

  Across the top of the roof, in faded red paint, were the words “Grayson’s #1.” She brushed a tear from her cheek. He was supposed to have been impressed with her creativity and climbing skills.

  It’d taken her over an hour, in the pre-dawn hours, to carry her dad’s extendable ladder through the neighborhood without being caught. Not to mention, she was afraid of heights. It wasn’t so bad climbing up, but working up the nerve to hang off the gutter to find the ladder had been too much. Mr. Krieger, the janitor, had to come and help her down. She’d instantly vomited the Snickers bar she’d snuck for breakfast, in front of the kids arriving at school.

  She continued walking. One thing had stood out that day. Grayson.

  He’d stared out from his manager’s car as he’d driven past the school. She would’ve missed his reaction, but at the last second, his gaze had swung from the roof to the side of the equipment shed before he rounded the corner out of sight. In that microsecond, they’d connected and he’d smiled.

  It wasn’t a full-toothed grin, but more a slight curve of his lips. Her stomach fluttered, remembering. It had been enough to make the weeklong detention and community service punishment worth it.

  Two young girls whizzed down the road on each side of Shauna. She glanced behind her as they passed.

  “That’s her!” The blond-haired girl laughed.

  The other girl stopped and turned to meet Shauna’s gaze. “Hey, lady? Is it true you’re the one who wrote on the bottom of the screen at the movie theater?”

  “The Kiggins Theater in town?”

  The girl giggled. “Yeah, that one. It says, ‘SM loves G.’”

  That one hadn’t been her idea. Kate had promised she’d write on the screen if Shauna did it first. She hadn’t even finished Grayson’s initials before one of the workers caught her.

  “That was me. I wouldn’t advise doing anything like that though. I got in a huge amount of trouble, and my dad made me apologize during the Harvest parade.” Shauna raised her brows. “Totally embarrassing.”

  “I think it’s cool.” The other girl got back on her bike. “Who’s G?”

  “Who?”

  “G. The person you loved?”

  Shauna shrugged. “Just a boy.”

  Without any more details coming from Shauna, the girls rode away, and Shauna took off in the opposite direction. She walked faster and swung her arms. Walking down memory lane wasn’t helping her situation.

  She couldn’t make all her mistakes go away. The best she could hope for was making the town satisfied with the job she’d done raising money for the community.

  Grayson was a part of her life, whether he wanted to be included or not. It didn’t take a bronze statue in the middle of the park to show everyone’s respect and admiration. She’d created a town full of memories.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  It was late when Grayson left the center. He walked the driveway to a lonely house. More than ever before, he hated the silence. He missed having Shauna’s laughter filling the room, and her warm body curled around him in bed. The silence ate away at his mental stability.

  He moved forward on autopilot. The grim reality that life would be empty and meaningless without Shauna depressed him. He had no one to blame but himself.

  Every time he’d tried to tell her why he’d sent her away to college, she’d refused to listen. Hell, his excuses sounded even stupid to him. She had a right to be mad. He’d taken the decision out of her hands, because he was selfish.

  He was out of ideas on how to make their relationship right. For once, he’d give anything to have her imagination. Never before had he felt so utterly useless.

  He drew in a deep breath and opened his front door. His head ached. Not willing to give up yet, he plopped down on the couch and punched in her number on the phone. He scowled as he waited.

  “Hello?” Shauna’s soft, sultry voice echoed in his head.

  “Please, don’t hang up.”

  “Okay.”

  He blew out his breath. “How are you?”

  “Good.”

  He shook his head. Stupid question. “Shauna, I wanted to … ”

  Silence sent his heart to pounding. He didn’t want to do this over the phone. He wanted to see her, touch her, and make her understand all the emotions overwhelming him. She had to know that she’d done nothing wrong, and that it wasn’t her fault they were both miserable.

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  “I know,” she whispered. “I’m sorry too.”

  “No, it’s my fault.” He cleared his throat. “I blew up when the reporters pressured me and everything got out of hand before I could gain control of the situation. I didn’t want you hurt. I never wanted you to find out I paid for your education this way.”

  “I guess we’re even.”

  “This wasn’t a game, Shauna. It was never about paying you back.” He leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees, holding the phone to his ear. “I can’t do this over the phone. Will you come over or let me come to you?”

  Seconds ticked by. He closed his eyes, whether to protect him from the answer or wishing for her to agree, he had no idea.

  “I’m sorry. I can’t.” Her gulp had him cradling his forehead in his hand. “I’ve thought a lot about us, Grayson, and I’m confused. I need to clear my mind, and figure out what I’m going to do next … on my own. I think it’s time I learn about myself and improve my life, and I’m not sure I can do that around you.”

  “I’m not giving up on us.”

  “Maybe it’s time,” she said. “Maybe I’ve hung on to you for too long.”

  “Don’t say that.” Grayson stood up, ready to beg her to listen to him, but she’d hung up.

  He held the phone in front of him, staring at the buttons.

  His heart ached, and he felt physically broken, hearing the defeat in her voice. Would she ever come back to him?

  The reality of what he’d done dropped him to his knees. The throbbing started in his stubborn head and pierced his chest. He’d closed himself off from loving anyone after his parents abandoned him for a childfree lifestyle. He’d concentrated on moving up in the ranks to become the world’s best tennis player, and for what? What did he have to show for all those years of keeping to himself and never allowing himself to love?

  Shauna had changed him. She had helped him retain normalcy in a world that seemed unusually harsh and cold. He’d been wrong to push her away and deny love between them because he was afraid.

  He rolled over onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. She had no idea how much he loved her. He’d make sure she never doubted him ever again.

  He’d start tomorrow, and wouldn’t give up until he’d convinced her to let him love her for the rest of his life.

  After a restless night, morning came early. Grayson tidied the mess around the house, and was out the door by nine o’clock. It was imperative that he arrive at the newspaper office before the newspaper hit the printing press for the day.

  He didn’t care how much it cost him, but if Shauna could play dirty … so could he. Roses and chocolates weren’t the way to her heart. He should’ve known better. If anyone was simple in a complex way, it was Shauna.

  She did everything big, without a thought to how she looked to others. That was what he loved about her. She went with her feelings, and ignored the naysayers. He’d show her that he was worthy of her love.

  Twenty minutes later, he walked out of the Daily News office. He couldn’t keep the smile off his face. Mr. Gunderson had even clapped him on the back and given
him encouragement when he’d explained his dilemma.

  He walked down to the corner, turned, and jogged the two blocks to the city road department. If Shauna wanted proof of how much he loved her, he’d make sure she and everyone in Cottage Grove had no doubts.

  By the time he was through, he had more energy than if he’d reentered the pro circuit and came off the court winning. He dialed his cell as he walked.

  “John?” He lowered his voice. “It’s Grayson. Can I come out to your place? I have a business proposition for you.”

  When he hung up, he grabbed the first person he saw. Mrs. Lubitz gasped when he kissed her full on the lips.

  “What in the world has gotten into you, Grayson?” Mrs. Lubitz pressed her hand on her chest. “I’m eighty-seven years old. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

  “No, ma’am.” He grinned. “Have a nice day.”

  He laughed as she stood in the middle of the sidewalk, staring after him. Wanting to share his happiness, he put the top down on his car, cranked the stereo, and headed out of town.

  When he arrived at John’s house, it took him an hour to convince Shauna’s friend that his intentions were honorable. Grayson stood in the driveway and clapped John on the shoulder. “Thank you. This means the world to me.”

  “I’m not doing this for you. Shauna deserves all the happiness she can find, but I’m not sure you’re the man who can make that happen.” John squinted. “You have no idea how much I’d love to kick your ass for how much you’ve hurt her. I also don’t think I’m the only one in town who thinks that way.”

  “I’ll agree with you there.” Grayson sighed. “People in this town haven’t said two words to me lately.”

  John raised his brow. “Shauna’s a special friend to me. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “I don’t have a clue.” Grayson shoved his hands deep in the front pockets of his jeans. “I only know that I’ll do anything to have her back, and I won’t stop until she understands how much I love her.”

  John studied him for a few seconds and finally, shaking his head, walked off. “Good luck, man. You’re gonna need it.”

  He had no doubt about that. He had nothing to lose, and everything to gain. The last week had given him a lot of time to think about why he’d refused to discuss Shauna to the press, why he’d sent her away, why he’d retired at the prime of his career, and why he’d continued to hurt her every time she tried so damn hard to show him how much she loved him. The charges against him were damning, but his heart told him not to give up.

  He was falling apart. He needed Shauna in his life.

  All the money and fame in the world meant nothing if he lost her in the process. He had to be strong enough to ask for her back, and have enough faith in himself to trust that it would work. For the first time, something mattered more than protecting himself. He could say the words he’d longed to tell her since he’d sent her away. She’d opened his eyes, and never again did he want to be the cause of all the pain he saw in hers.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Shauna held her hand to her stomach and wished the nausea away. It was bad enough that she had dark circles under her eyes. She didn’t want to embarrass herself further by throwing up in the middle of the town meeting.

  A knock, followed by Ella sticking her head into the office and giving her a thumb up, almost sent her to hyperventilating. She’d grown closer to the members of the city council during the time since she began working on the benefit. She’d gained the town’s respect, and the last thing she wanted to do was bring up the dastardly way the fundraiser had ended back to the forefront of everyone’s mind.

  She picked up the box full of files and followed Ella down the hall. Everyone sat, waiting and depending on her. A knot tightened in the pit of her stomach. Afraid? Yes.

  She’d wanted their acceptance her whole life. She owed the whole town. She’d been a wild child, a troublemaker, but she’d meant well.

  She’d distanced herself in the past whenever anything went wrong, and lately the looks cast her way were not of pity, but of concern and love. She could see that now. She’d allowed them to think the comments didn’t hurt, but she couldn’t blame them for laughing. The antics she’d created in her past were those of a child desperately looking for love. After all these years, she was still looking for love.

  A funny thing about small town living was you never outran your mistakes. She was okay with that. The way her mom and dad had moved past their troubles and found each other again proved to her that love never went away, no matter how hard you try to run.

  “The accountant finished all the paperwork and I hope you’ll be pleased with the success we had with our first fundraiser.” She passed out the folders. “The local businesses have also included the added revenue the flood of tourists brought to Cottage Grove during their visit to our city.”

  “What about the … um, vandalism done at the hotel?” Dan peered down his nose at the papers.

  She smiled. Dominic’s fans had broken the locks on two of the doors at the hotel after rumors that the hockey player might be staying there. Luckily, Dominic had been hiding at Grayson’s house under tight security and the rooms at the hotel had been vacant at the time.

  “The repairs were paid for by Mr. Chekovsky himself.” Shauna sat down and waited.

  Mrs. Bakkersten whistled. “Are you sure this figure is right?”

  Shauna nodded. “It’s a rough estimate on the low side but yes, there were at least fifteen thousand tourists visiting Cottage Grove over the three-day event.”

  “My God,” Mr. Stephenson whispered. “The events alone raised over three hundred thousand dollars.”

  “Mr. Winston brought in over thirty-two thousand dollars above his normal profit, mainly in selling batteries, snacks, and drinks,” Ella said, winking at Shauna. “Each business along Grayson Schyler Street has their own victory story they’ve shared in the rest of the documents.”

  Mrs. Bakkersten shook her head in amazement, gazing over at Shauna. “You’ve singlehandedly boosted the economy of the town, young lady.”

  “Well, not yet, but we’re heading that way. I’ve already started on planning next year’s event. Crista Johnson has been kind enough to get me in contact with the country singer Jude Lovelaw, and between him and the Flying Blues putting on an airshow, I think we can count on another successful fundraiser. That’s if every one of us is in agreement?” She held her breath.

  “Hell yes! I mean, heck yes.” Mrs. Bakkersten blushed. “This is the best news I’ve heard in my thirty years of being on the city council. We can’t thank you enough, Shauna.”

  She smiled. “No thanks necessary. This is my town too.”

  Dan cleared his throat and stood up. “I have to admit, I was worried after what happened at the tennis center during the press conference.”

  And there it was. The one thing she hoped everyone would’ve ignored. She crossed her legs under the table and met their gaze. “Yes, about that. I can guarantee that won’t happen again.”

  “I hope that’s not true.” Dan frowned. “After reading the write up in the paper this morning, my wife and I agreed that it was the best thing that’s ever happened in Cottage Grove. You and Grayson have both been a huge part of this town your whole life. We’ve all rooted for you your whole life that you’d catch our Grayson. We’re all ecstatic that you finally won.”

  She glanced around at everyone. They sat smiling and nodding at her. “What article?”

  “You didn’t read the paper, dear?” Mrs. Bakkersten pointed at Dan and motioned toward the door. “Go get her the newspaper on my desk.”

  Dan quickly returned and plopped the front page on the table in front of her. She bent over and started reading.

  In a bold move made by the newly hired head of Cottage Grove’s Chamber of Commerce, Shauna Marino has succeeded where others have failed. In a once shriveling small town, Shauna Marino’s return to take over the Chamber of Commerce has bre
athed life into Cottage Grove’s business sector, the citizens, and the town’s golden boy, Grayson Schyler, with pure determination, love, and dedication.

  She skimmed the next four paragraphs explaining what went on during the three days of events, and started reading the last paragraph.

  In an emergency press conference on September thirtieth, Grayson Schyler met with reporters outside the Grayson Schyler Tennis Center. With much more fanfare than he showed during his announcement to retire from the sport of tennis, Mr. Schyler announced to everyone present that he was going on record to say that he loved Ms. Marino, and he would not rest until she agrees to be his wife. When asked about his future, and any chance of returning to the court, he smiled and was quoted as saying, “No. My next plan after Shauna agrees to marry me is to convince her to have my babies.”

  A teardrop fell on the bottom of the paper. She lifted her gaze in wonder. “He loves me?”

  Mrs. Bakkersten walked around the table and put her arm under Shauna’s elbow, lifting her to her feet. “Of course he does, dear. We’ve all known he’s loved you, he just fought too hard not to show it.”

  “You knew?” She let Mrs. Bakkersten lead her toward the door.

  “Absolutely. We all saw how much he loved you, and you loved him. Even back when you were young and chasing that man like a damn fool, we never gave up hoping that you’d get him.” Mrs. Bakkersten gave her a quick hug and turned her around with a little push. “Now go outside. I know for certain that there’s someone waiting to talk to you, and you know how impatient he can be. You better not keep him waiting.”

  Her thoughts floated around her as she made her way to the front of the building and stepped out the door. She scanned the area, but didn’t see anyone. Confused, happy, and a little scared, she wandered out to the sidewalk.

  She gasped. Grayson!

  There he was, leaning against her car, rubbing the back of his neck, staring at the ground. She walked toward him slowly. His hair was a mess, his shirt wrinkled, and he kept scuffing the toe of his sneaker against the curb. Her heart filled with warmth. He looked miserable.