“Yeah. Yeah. I remember. I’m ready.”
Pete turned to his wife, who was leaning against his shoulder and yawning. “Doesn’t look like you’re going to be here to hear Betty play.”
She looked at him. “Ya think?”
He grinned and slid his palm over her belly. “Junior’s got a lot of growing to do. He needs his rest. Betty’s been playing here for years. She’ll be here after the baby’s born too.”
Jo returned his warm smile. Coach couldn’t take his eyes or his hands off his beautiful wife. Even with the guys around, he’d touch her hand, squeeze her shoulder, or shoot her a wink. He’d waited years to find the right woman, and there she sat. All his and pregnant with his kid. Add being the head coach of a winning football team, and you have Pete’s ultimate dream.
“I hate to be a party pooper,” Jo said.
“You’re not. Just moving it back to our house.” The coach snickered.
She slapped his shoulder lightly. “Pete!”
“We gotta go, guys. Nice to see you all, especially the ladies. These are lucky men.”
Coach Bass and the missus pushed to their feet and made their way to the door. The players cheered and waved. He pushed them to be the best. Sometimes, he drove them. Other times, he simply patted them on the back. Always he took the fall if they lost and gave them the credit if they won. They played hard for Pete Sebastian, their leader.
As he walked to the car, the issue of Tuffer Demson ran through his mind. Jo drove home, as she hadn’t been drinking.
“If something happens to Trunk, how can I play Demson on defense?”
“Why not?”
“He’d be charged with taking down his brother.”
“Oh boy. Yeah. That’d be a problem.”
“No use worrying now. Plan to keep Trunk in good shape,” Jo suggested.
Coach rubbed the scruff on his chin. “That may not be as easy as you think.”
Chapter Eight
Samantha woke up on Monday tired from the busy weekend. This would be her first day working for Jo during the day and taking the evening shift from five-thirty to ten at the shelter. At ten o’clock, the doors would be securely locked and no one could enter without a key. But until then, visitors were allowed.
It was a bit like a curfew back in the days of the college dorms of the sixties. This system was part of the security offered to the women and children who stayed there. No one could simply walk in. The women needed reassurance that they were safe.
Her desk was on the left-hand wall as you came in the front door. Across the room and to the right was the locked door to the shelter. The buzzer was located under the desk.
Samantha placed a sack in the empty file drawer on the left before she sat down. She had brought a snack that would double as dinner. Bull had taken her out for lunch to a diner, where she’d eaten a hot meatloaf platter with mashed potatoes. Now, she had a snack of fruit, cheese, nuts, and juice. She sipped a large cup of hot coffee first.
Sam logged onto the computer. She read the emails for the director and answered where she could. After pulling out a notebook, she jotted down the information she needed to obtain to answer those remaining.
Then, she pulled her e-reader from her purse. She was looking forward to catching up on her reading. Spending so much time with Sly Brodsky had left her little time for books. Filling weekend nights with real romance instead of the fictional kind warmed her heart.
After returning to the page she had been on in her latest romance novel, Samantha couldn’t focus. Her mind kept wandering. She wondered about Tiffany Belden. Sly was still attached to her, at least a little bit, by this trial.
The fact that he was doing the right thing eased her worries about his character. Still, it meant he’d be interacting again with Tiffany, a woman he had loved enough to want to marry. Now that things with the woman’s husband were on the outs, would she want Sly back? Would she vow not to desert him at the altar this time? Would he renew their romance?
She tugged on her lower lip with her teeth. Her cell rang. It was Stormy, her best friend.
“Just calling to check up on you. Everything okay?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Need anything? Food. Devon could run over with dinner.”
“I brought a snack, thanks though. Do you have a minute?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“It’s this thing with Sly and Tiffany.”
“Tiffany?”
Samantha explained the situation to her friend. “What if Sly goes back to her?”
“What? Why would he do that? She stabbed her husband. That could’ve been Sly.”
“He’s a big guy, but not violent at all. She’d never have done that to him. He says her husband probably deserved it.”
“He’s got you. Why would he need her? And if you’re going to rekindle something, would you do it with someone who rejected you? I wouldn’t.”
“But you did. At least you thought Devon had rejected you. And you’re back with him now and happier than ever.”
“True, true.”
Sam shifted in her chair, unable to get comfortable. Finally, she rose and paced in front of the window while she chatted. “I told Robbie Anthony I’m Sly’s girlfriend. Doesn’t that mean he’s my boyfriend?”
“That would follow.”
“Doesn’t he have some obligation to me, if I have one to him?”
“You mean like fidelity?”
“Yeah, like fidelity.”
“Of course. Unless you want to break up or lose him, you’re loyal to your BF.”
“Therefore, he should be loyal to me too.”
“Sam, you’re blowing this all out of proportion. Bullhorn Brodsky is crazy about you. I doubt he has any interest in this chickie. Let it go. Don’t get jealous or possessive. You’ll just drive him away.”
“But didn’t you used to say, ‘if he isn’t married, and he isn’t dead, he’s still available.’?”
Stormy laughed. “Forget that. I was just joking. Don’t worry about Sly. Seems to me you’re the one he wants.”
The door opened and several people entered.
“Thanks, Stormy. I feel better. Gotta go.”
“’Night, Sam.”
By eight o’clock, women started returning, especially the ones with children. Samantha greeted each one, introduced herself, and explained that the director would be out for several weeks, so she was pitching in. There weren’t many women at the shelter. Just a handful, maybe half a dozen. Samantha remembered the holidays last year. They were so full that people had to sleep on the floor. She had wondered what made people leave at that time of year.
The fund-raising the Kings did had paid for the new shelter building. This year they had room for more families and women on their own.
After her conversation with Stormy, Sam put aside her fears regarding Bullhorn Brodsky and returned to reading. By nine-thirty, all of the women staying had checked in. Samantha was ready to lock up for the night.
The creak of the hinge on the door drew her attention. One more person before I can go home. But when she looked up, she was surprised to see Sly Brodsky standing in the doorway. “Sly? What are you doing here?”
“Just thought I’d stop by. Check on you. Make sure you’re okay. Do you need a lift?”
“I’ve got my car.”
“I’ll follow you then. Just to be safe.”
“This isn’t a dangerous job. I’m okay. But it’s so sweet of you to stop by.”
“Might be the only way I get to see you for a while.”
“I’m free on some of the weekends.”
“What happens here on Friday and Saturday nights?”
“Ellen, the woman who had the surgery, is coming in for some. She’s well enough to work a little bit, but not a full schedule.”
He nodded. “I see. That’s good. I was preparing to kiss my social life goodbye.”
She sauntered up to the big man. “Would you do tha
t for me?”
“Of course. You’re my girlfriend. I don’t play around, Sam.” He bent down to kiss her.
Her heart thumped faster. He took her hand, escorted her to her car, and followed her home. Once she was safely inside and had sent him a text, he drove away.
* * * *
Bull awoke on Tuesday with a vague sense of uneasiness. It was the day he was to testify. He hated courtrooms, drama of any kind. Sly Brodsky grew up in a chaotic home, too many people, always tons of noise, fighting, arguments between siblings, his parents, and sometimes even his grandparents, joined the fray. He valued peace and quiet above all else.
He pulled out a white shirt and a dark blue, striped tie. After his shower, he dressed in the suit he wore to the stadium on game day and when the team traveled. He checked his image in the mirror. He looked serious, adult, and professional. Now, he’d only have to remember to keep his language clean. Not allowed to swear in a courtroom.
He was pissed off at Tiffany for putting him in this position. It’s her fault I have to do this. Why didn’t she just call the police? What did she have to stab him for?
Shaking his head, he headed for his car. The clock in the kitchen read eight. He needed to be there by nine. He pulled into the parking lot and entered the lobby. After going through security, he asked the clerk for the right courtroom.
“Tiffany Belden’s trial?” The man checked the sheets of paper in a three-ring binder. “Nope. Not today.”
“I’m sure the lawyer told me today.”
“Let me look again. Oh, wait. I see it. Yep. It was postponed.”
“Postponed?”
“Don’t you read the papers? She was beaten up by her husband. I think she’s in the hospital.”
You could have knocked Bull over with a feather. “The hospital?”
“That’s what the papers said.” The clerk turned his attention to the woman standing behind Bull. He moved off to the side and leaned against the wall.
Damn! When she said she was afraid of that asshole, she wasn’t kidding. Bull checked his watch. He had time for a quick visit before practice. They had a game scheduled that weekend with the Nevada Gamblers, and he needed to be ready.
He put his car in gear and pulled out of the lot. Monroe General Hospital was on the way to the stadium. He stopped at the front desk and asked for Tiffany.
“Are you family?”
“Just a friend.”
“She’s under police protection. I doubt you can see her.”
“I think she’ll want to see me. I’m Sly Brodsky? I play for the Kings? Offensive lineman?”
The woman smiled broadly and blushed. “Oh my gosh. You’re Bullhorn Brodsky? I watch you play. You’re great! Here to see Tiffany? She’d be crazy to turn you away.”
Bull flashed his brightest grin.
“Come with me,” she said, coming out from behind her counter. She led him down one hall and around a corner. There was a cop sitting in the hall, right outside a room.
The woman whispered to him.
“Mind giving me an autograph, Mr. Brodsky?”
“Not at all. Please, call me Bull,” he said, whipping a pen from his breast pocket.
The policeman went in the room. “Go right in. She wants to see you,” he said when he returned.
Bull walked as softly as he could. When Tiffany looked up at him, he cringed. Her lovely face had been battered black and blue. Her cheeks and chin were swollen, and one eye was puffed up so much, she could barely open it. My fault. I didn’t believe her. I could have prevented this. Her left arm was in a sling. When she saw Bull, she began to weep.
“Don’t cry, Tiffany. Please. You know that rips me up.” He approached the bed. She scooted over and patted the covers next to her. He lowered himself gently. Before he’d even settled down, she was in his arms, sobbing uncontrollably against his chest.
Words failed him. “I went to court today.”
“That’s why you’re so dressed up.” She sniffed, reaching for a tissue on the nightstand.
Bull brought the box closer. “What happened?” He stroked her hair, calming her down.
She took a deep, shuddering breath. “He got out of the hospital two weeks ago. I was out on bail, staying with a friend.”
“Girlfriend?”
She nodded. “When I went to see my lawyer, Clyde was waiting for me.”
Bull raised his eyebrows.
“I told you! I told you he was coming after me. But you didn’t believe me. Look at me. Do you believe me now?” She pulled down the neck of her hospital gown, exposing big bruises on her chest and breasts. She started to cry again, her hysteria escalating.
Bull’s stomach lurched. Guilt swept through him like a tidal wave. Anger at the douchebag who had attacked her rose in his chest. He sensed the heat in his face as he pushed to his feet.
A nurse entered. “Sir, you’re upsetting her. You’ll have to leave.”
“No, no,” Tiffany sobbed. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’ll stop. Please. Don’t make him go. It’s not his fault.” She took his hand in a death grip.
“Shhh. Tiff. It’s okay. It’s okay. I’ll stay. If this lady says I can.” He wiped her tears with his thumb.
The nurse narrowed her eyes, hesitated, then nodded and left.
“Someone needs to teach that douchebag a lesson.”
“Stay away from him, Bull. He’s dangerous.”
“Isn’t he in jail now?”
She nodded. “But he’ll make bail.”
“Did you take out a protective order against him?”
She shook her head. “Won’t do any good. I’m doomed.”
Before he could answer, his cell rang. It was Samantha. He excused himself and went to the hallway. “Hold on, Sam,” he said, as he made his way to the visitor’s room where cell phones were legal.
“How did it go?” she asked.
“What?”
“The trial. Testifying.”
Bull hit his forehead with his hand. As much as he didn’t want to confess to Samantha how he’d turned his back on Tiffany, he had to explain. When he was done, there was silence on the other end of the phone. “Sam?”
No response.
“Samantha? Can you hear me? Shit. Lost connection.” Before he could hang up, he heard her voice.
“Wait! Sly! I’m here.”
“What happened?”
“Just thinking.”
“I’m sorry, baby. There’s nothing I’d rather do than put Tiffany and her problems behind me. I don’t see how I can disappear now.”
He heard a sigh. “I don’t, either. But I don’t have to like it.”
“And you think I do?” Desperation gripped him. He had to make her understand. He cleared his throat.
“I know you don’t. Still. We have to deal with it, don’t we?”
“I’m so sorry. I’ve got to help her find a safe place to stay.”
There was a pause. Then, “Were you thinking of putting her here?” Samantha’s voice rose at the end of the sentence.
“Would you rather I let her live with me?”
“How do you mean, ‘live with you’?” The ice in her tone could have frozen meat.
“I mean platonically, of course. She’d be in the guest room.”
“Send her over here. When does she get out of the hospital?”
“I’ll find out. Call you back. Thank you, baby. You’ve saved my life and probably hers. She’s messed up. The guy is an animal.”
“That’s what we do here.”
“You’re the best.”
“Let’s be straight about this. I’m not doing it for her. I’m doing it for you.”
“I know, and I love you for it, Sam.”
“Yeah, yeah. Call me back.”
The phone went dead. Bull let out a big breath. Problem solved. At least for now. Sam, I love you. You’re amazing.
He returned to the hospital room. “Ever heard of The New Life Shelter?”
* * * *
At Barker Stadium
Samantha put away her cell. Emotion choked her throat, and tears stung at the back of her eyes. Afraid to be caught crying at her desk, she pushed away and headed for the ladies’ room. Edie called to her from the owner’s office, but Sam kept going.
In the bathroom, she put cold water on her face. Her guts constricted when she realized that Tiffany would be back in Sly’s life. Jealousy ate at her. She took breath after breath, slow and deep. Think about Tiffany. She’s been beaten up. She’s scared. She needs help. Sly’s only doing the right thing—helping out someone in need. He told you he loves you. Pull yourself together. It’s your job. Don’t be so selfish. Have some compassion.
Before she could calm down, Jo entered. “Samantha? Are you all right?”
The brunette tried to answer, but words froze in her throat. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
Jo put her arm around the young woman. “Come into my office.” She escorted Sam to the private room and closed the door. Sam sank into a chair and buried her face in her hands.
“Talk to me. What’s going on?”
She explained the situation. Her boss listened.
“What’s the problem? Bull’s simply doing the right thing.”
“I know. I know. It’s just that he thinks I’m some kind of saint. He thinks I’m selfless, but I’m not. I don’t want him to be involved with her. I’m jealous. He’s mine, and I want him. I want him to want me and only me. I wish she’d go away. If he finds out what I’m really like, he’ll hate me. He’ll realize I’m just human and not special, and I’ll lose him.”
“Oh, Sam.” Jo took her in a hug. “It’s normal to feel the way you do. It’s not how you feel that’s important, but what you do about it that counts.”
“What do you mean?” Sam took a tissue from the box on Jo’s desk.
“You’re going to take this girl in, right? Give her a safe haven at the shelter? That’s what’s important. You don’t have to like her, or like that she’s leaning on Bull. But you’re going to make sure she has a place at New Life, right?”
Sam nodded.
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