“OMG! Studly Mr. Television Legal Analyst was there? Did you talk to him?” Casey asked, eyes wide.
“Yeah,” Maggie said. “I didn’t see him at first, he must have gotten there late. After the ceremony, he found me and said hello.”
“How did he look? Is he still sex on legs?” Casey asked.
Maggie laughed lightly. “Yeah, I suppose he is. Anyway, Mike came up and I introduced them. Michael and I talked for another couple of minutes and that was it. But you wouldn’t believe the blow-up that happened when we got home. Mike practically accused me of fucking Michael right there at the wedding. He shifted into ‘cop mode’, like he was interrogating me and shit.” She sipped her beer again. “I finally admitted that I once slept with Michael and Mike practically came unglued.”
“Wait a minute, back up the truck, you slept with Michael?” Casey hissed.
Maggie rolled her eyes. “I told you that. It was years ago, right before I left Murphy, Rannigan.”
“No, I would have remembered that,” Casey said firmly.
“Anyway,” Maggie tried to get the conversation back on track, “it was at that point that Mike launched into this bat-shit Neanderthal stuff. He said I was damaged goods, and later in the conversation he called me a whore.”
Casey looked aghast. Maggie continued, “And I thought, what the hell am I doing engaged to this guy? He makes me miserable. How can I possibly consider marrying him? So I left. I told him that when I get back tomorrow he should be gone.”
Casey sat back and considered all that Maggie had said. She flagged down the waitress and ordered two more beers, then turned back to Maggie. “I’m assuming that you never did convince Mike to go down on you.”
Maggie’s mouth flew open. “I’m going to kill Ben the next time I see him, hear me now and believe me later.”
“Honey, if a man expects you to suck his cock and he won’t go down on you, I say tell him adios, muchacho! Who needs that shit?” Casey said. They both laughed hysterically.
“Oh, God, I needed that,” Maggie said, dabbing at her eyes. “I feel so much better.”
“Good,” said Casey. “Because now I need details about the time you slept with Michael. He was amazing, am I right?”
Maggie smiled wryly. “Yes. He was.”
From Casey’s house on Monday morning, Maggie called in sick. She and Casey enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at a nearby diner, as leisurely as they could with an infant and a pre-schooler, and Casey dropped her off at the train station.
“Thanks again for everything,” Maggie said, leaning into the front passenger window.
Casey smiled. “Anytime. You know that. Call and let me know what happens.”
Maggie tried to ignore her anxious thoughts on the train ride back to the city and she felt pangs of dread in her stomach as she walked up the stairs to her front door. She slid her key into the lock and turned the knob, swinging the door open. The apartment was quiet. Everything was neat and tidy. An envelope was on the floor. She knelt and picked it up. Inside was her extra key. Mike’s key.
He must have locked up then slid it under the door. She wandered slowly through the small space. It felt bigger now, and lighter, as though a weight had been lifted. This was the right thing. Mike must have known it, too. She smiled to herself. It’s good to be home again.
* * *
On the red-eye to Los Angeles, Michael smiled as he thought about running into Maggie at the wedding. When he approached her, she’d looked genuinely surprised. On the other hand, he’d been positive she would be there. After all, Rance was her boss. He tried to tell himself that his motivation in attending the wedding had been purely professional respect for the happy couple. Another of those things I probably shouldn’t ponder too hard.
He sipped his bourbon and looked over his notes for the trial he was covering in LA. Another celebrity had gone and gotten herself into trouble. Pretty much a Michael Rannigan staple. But his mind wandered.
Mags...getting married. Michael thought about the guy she’d introduced as her fiancé. Doesn’t seem like her type, though. The guy seems a little... He sighed. The guy seems like a douche bag. He shook his head. I’m happy if she’s happy.
Michael traveled all that summer, covering trials across the country and keeping the various speaking engagements Alexis and her team organized for him. Occasionally, she met him on the road and they shared dinner and then his bed. His appearances continued throughout the fall and winter.
After the holidays, the trial of a high profile politician took center stage in New York and Michael was happy to work from home for a while. On a cold evening in mid-January, Michael made his way into the lobby of his apartment building.
“Good evening, Mr. Rannigan,” the doorman greeted him.
“Hey, Johnathan, how’s it going?” Michael grinned.
The man glanced around surreptitiously. “We’re not supposed to tell people, but I knew you’d be interested. Have you met your new neighbor yet?”
Michael frowned slightly. “I haven’t noticed anybody.”
Johnathan nodded knowingly. “Beau Beaulieu just moved into 2107.”
“Really?” Michael said.
“Yeah,” the man replied. “We’re not supposed to tell the other residents, but that apartment is owned by the Sports Network. They’ve hired Beau to be a baseball analyst on the sports news. I guess retirement didn’t sit well with him, hunh?”
Both men chuckled. “Okay, Johnathan, mum’s the word. I’d like to meet him, though,” Michael said as he headed to the elevators. Beau Beaulieu, Michael thought. The retired Texas Rangers pitcher had caused him no end of grief as he beat up on Michael’s beloved Yankees from time to time. But having him as a neighbor...interesting.
Chapter 14
The fabled Manhattan skyline began to grow on the horizon. Bobby Beaulieu had to admit to himself that he’d be glad to finally be finished with the long drive. The network had obviously offered to fly him up and to have his belongings professionally moved, but he’d opted to drive his black Range Rover the nearly 1,600 miles from Dallas. He’d told them he wanted to have his truck with him in the city and to bring with him the few possessions he cared to move but he knew the real reason was a little different. Life was changing drastically and he hoped the solitude of the drive would help him wrap his head around the events of the last year.
At the end of the previous season, Bobby had made the difficult decision to retire from the only job he’d ever had, pitching for the Texas Rangers. At thirty-seven, he was young to retire, but a life-time of throwing injuries had caught up with him. His recovery from the last surgery on his elbow had been slow, and back out on the mound he felt his skills slipping. The pitches weren’t as fast and for the first time in his career he wasn’t confident about his accuracy.
Deanna had pushed him to try harder but at the end of the season, with the blessing of team management Bobby “Beau” Beaulieu announced his retirement. It was about a month later when he’d come home early to find Deanna in bed with a rookie the team had just brought up from the minors.
Bobby had been devastated, but not wanting to create a bad situation for their four-year old daughter Savannah, he’d quietly moved to an apartment in Southlake. In the divorce, he gave Deanna everything she wanted, including primary custody of Savannah. He didn’t want to make the little girl some kind of prize they fought over. He saw his daughter every chance he got, working hard to ease the transition to the new normal.
He’d always known that baseball couldn’t possibly be forever. He’d just thought it would last little longer. On the long drive, Bobby contemplated the fact that he’d never had a real job. Sure, he’d delivered pizzas in high school, but that was only until it interfered with baseball. The game had been his ticket to college, but unlike many of his team mates at Tulane, he’d invested himself in his studies in addition to his sport. When the network expressed interest in hiring him to talk baseball on a daily show, he knew he’d been sma
rt to complete his degree in broadcast journalism. It would be a new year and a new start.
Bobby sighed as he entered the Lincoln Tunnel. He’d been to New York many times, played countless games there, attended dozens of events in the city. But knowing he was going there to work, to live...that made it feel different. That and the fact that he was so far from Savannah. Just thinking of the distance between them crushed his heart. He knew he’d be racking up some serious frequent flier miles.
He missed his family back in Lafayette, too. They’d been thrilled for his opportunity but they’d miss him. Dallas hadn’t been that far from home and they were a tight family.
His cher maman had had plenty to say about Deanna. She’d always been convinced that Deanna had gotten pregnant on purpose just to force Bobby to marry her. Sometimes Bobby thought so too, but it hadn’t mattered. Savannah was the best thing that had ever happened to him. And if he had to begin a new life in New York City to provide for her, so be it.
The Range Rover’s GPS led him straight to the high-rise apartment building where the network was providing him with a home for the next year. They’d said that it was to let him have the chance to figure out where in the city he wanted to settle. Bobby was smart enough to know that it was to let the network have the chance to figure out whether or not they wanted to keep him. Baseball season proper didn’t start until April, but there was plenty to talk about even now in January. There’d be rosters to dissect, injuries about which to speculate, not to mention spring training.
Bobby drove down the side street to the entrance of the building’s underground parking garage and gave his name to the security guard there. “Yes, Mr. Beaulieu, we’re expecting you,” the man said. He directed Bobby to his assigned space.
In the lobby, Bobby retrieved the keys to his apartment from the security desk and took the elevator to the twenty-first floor. As he walked down the hallway the building felt cold and sterile, more like an office building than a home. His impression didn’t change once he opened the door to 2107. He walked in and took in the surroundings. It was a nice luxury apartment, to be sure, fully furnished in the latest modern style, all sleek lines and angles. It just felt cold and empty. But it was home for at least the next year.
It took him a couple of trips to bring up his boxes and duffel bags. Rather than unpacking he just stacked everything in the spare bedroom, taking only his clothes and toiletries into the master bedroom. He called Louisiana to let his folks know that he’d arrived in one piece, then he texted Deanna to say that he wanted to call Savannah. In spite of the way their marriage had ended, she’d been cooperative regarding their daughter. He chatted with Savannah for a few minutes, promising to come visit her soon.
His first week with the network was a flurry of activity. He had an appointment with a stylist who helped him spend his first wardrobe allowance, directing him in choosing suits, shirts, and ties. “With your coloring, we want to stick with charcoal suits, definitely not black,” she’d said confidently. She also took him to a salon where his wavy brown hair was trimmed and his facial hair groomed.
“Let’s leave you with a little five o’clock shadow,” she’d told him, nodding thoughtfully. “The ladies are going to love you.” Bobby tried to draw the line at a manicure, but she’d insisted. “Once you do it, you’ll wonder how you ever made it without.” He was glad when the ordeal was over, defiantly dressing in an old t-shirt and ripped jeans when he got back to the apartment.
Work went much better. He realized that he knew many of his colleagues, at least by reputation, and they welcomed him warmly. He was briefed on the expectations and he went through a number of rehearsals. By the time he went on air, he felt comfortable. He was being paid a ridiculous amount of money to talk about baseball. It boggled his mind.
Two weeks after his move, Bobby flew back to Texas to spend a few days with Savannah. She was excited to see him when he picked her up in his rental car. “Where’s your car, Daddy?” she asked.
“I left it in New York, baby,” he told her. “I flew here on an airplane just to see you. Daddy misses you so much.”
“I miss you, too, Daddy,” she said. Then she prattled on about school and the other things in her four-year old world. Bobby treasured his time with her, taking her to her favorite places. They had Happy Meals and played at the park, and he resisted the urge to buy her everything she asked for. He wanted to show his love with time rather than with things.
Three days later he took the latest flight back to New York in order to spend as much time as possible with his daughter. By the time he got back to his apartment it was after midnight. Rather than going to bed, Bobby changed and went down to the building’s gym. Over the last week or so he’d been lax with his regular workout and now his elbow had begun feeling tight. When he’d checked out the gym previously, it had been in the middle of the day and he’d garnered a lot of unwelcome attention. He just wanted to work out in peace and he figured this late at night would be a good time.
As he entered the gym he saw that he’d been right; the place was empty. He warmed up on the treadmill for about twenty minutes, getting his heart rate up and a slight sweat going. Then he moved to the weight machine, doing exercises the team trainers had him do when he was rehabbing his elbow. He had gotten into a zone when the door opened and someone walked in.
Seriously? Bobby thought as he set his mouth in a grim line. He ignored the intruder, didn’t even look up. Thankfully, he heard the treadmill start and he just continued with what he was doing.
When he finished his workout, he dropped to a bench and used his towel to wipe his face. He chanced a glance toward the treadmill and saw a fit guy Bobby guessed to be in his early forties with salt and pepper hair. The guy nodded in a friendly way.
“Welcome to the neighborhood. I’m Michael.”
Chapter 15
One problem, Michael realized, with traveling as much as he did, was that his body clock was often way off kilter. He’d been back from the west coast for a couple of days but on this particular night he still found himself restless after midnight. He considered seeing if one of his dates was available to come over but opted instead for a session on the treadmill down in the gym.
When he walked in and saw someone already working out at that late hour, he was surprised. Then he realized it was his new neighbor. Beau definitely looked annoyed that someone had ruined his solitude but Michael left him to his business and started on the treadmill. He’d been hoping to meet Beau anyway. Michael thought of the people who were often in the gym during regular hours. Yeah, buddy, I don’t blame you. I’d probably come down here in the middle of the night, too.
He resolved to leave Beau alone, but when the former baseball pro glanced Michael’s way, he couldn’t help himself. “Welcome to the neighborhood. I’m Michael. I’m your neighbor on the twenty-first floor.”
The other man nodded in response. “Thanks, man.”
“I imagine this is a nice quiet time of day to put in a workout. I’m just trying to get rid of some wicked jet lag,” he said.
Bobby regarded him curiously. “You’ve been traveling?”
Michael shrugged. “For work. I was in LA covering a trial.”
“You’re a reporter, then?”
“A lawyer. Well, I work as a legal analyst. The network flies me all over to sit in on trials and offer my expert opinion,” Michael said. Michael smirked when he said the word ‘expert’.
Bobby laughed. “I’m kind of new to the television business. Not too long ago I had my first manicure.” Both men laughed.
“Yeah, it’s kind of fucked up,” Michael chuckled. “I’m done here. Wanna ruin all that hard work we just did and have a beer?”
Back on the twenty-first floor, Michael retrieved a Heineken for each of them. They twisted off the caps and drank thirstily.
“This tastes way better than water,” Bobby commented.
Michael laughed. “How are you liking New York, Beau?”
; Bobby winced slightly at the use of his nickname but decided to leave it alone. “I’ve visited here a few times, but living here is a different thing. I suppose I’m a country boy at heart. Take this apartment building, for instance.” Bobby shook his head. “I know it’s luxurious and all, but it’s kind of cold and impersonal.” He looked quickly at Michael. “No offense.”
Michael grinned wryly. “None taken. I have a friend who’d agree with you wholeheartedly,” he said as Maggie popped into his head. He took a long pull on his beer. “Have you met any women here yet?”
Bobby shook his head. “Nah, I just got dragged through a divorce. I don’t really feel ready to navigate that minefield just yet.”
“I don’t know, man. Sometimes it’s good to get right back up on that horse. There are precious few problems in this world that getting laid won’t improve.” Michael flashed a knowing smile.
“You have a girlfriend, then?” Bobby asked.
“Oh, no, nothing so committed. I have a number of women whose company I keep,” Michael said carefully. “They all know the score so there’s no misunderstanding.
Bobby smiled. “Back in the day I was like that. Traveling around from city to city, women throwing themselves at us like they did... It was a young man’s dream.”
Michael chuckled. “I always did enjoy variety. I could give you a few phone numbers if you like.”
Bobby shook his head again. “Like I said, I believe I’ll keep to myself for a while, try to pull together a life.” He sipped his beer thoughtfully. “When I am ready, though, I’ll be looking for something serious. I liked being married.”
Michael shook his head doubtfully. “If you say so.”
* * *
After that night, Bobby saw Michael from time to time, sometimes by himself, more often with various women. A couple of times after working the prime time shift he returned home around midnight and ran into Michael and a date in the elevator. Once he’d been with two women who’d made out with each other on the ride to the twenty-first floor. Michael had winked at him mischievously. Bobby’d felt his cock spring to attention and even though he had no desire to be part of a threesome it was a turn-on all the same.
Rannigan's Redemption: Complete Collection Page 27
