A clean, masculine scent flooded her nose as he sat across from her, and Shelby forced herself not to focus on how handsome he was. His dark eyes were even more alluring up close as there appeared to be swirls of gold and green in them, and his jawline could have been chiseled from stone it was so perfect. If only she could wipe the expression that resembled a grimace from his face.
“So, tell me how these clinic things usually work,” he said.
“Well, we open for kids at two in the afternoon during school. They are out next week for break, so we’ll be open all day, but I would suggest we shoot for something around five or six as I’m sure some parents will want to get autographs from you as well. We could start a sign up today and get the word out to the local TV and radio stations. Do you think Wednesday evening would give you enough time to prepare?”
Tucker paused as if running through his schedule in his head. “I have practice every afternoon next week. It usually ends by four though, so yeah, Wednesday should be fine.”
She wished he sounded more excited about it. It would do her no good to have a celebrity if the celebrity acted like he’d rather be watching paint dry. “I’m sorry. I asked for someone who might draw in a crowd, and no offense, but you seem like you might push them away right now. Why exactly did they send you?”
His jaw tightened, and a tiny vein bulged in his neck. She’d obviously hit a nerve with her question. “To be honest, they sent me because I need to fulfill some community service hours. Don’t worry though, I’m a good actor, and I’ll put on my best performance during the clinic.”
“Right.” His words did nothing to reassure her, but what other option did she have? He was who they had sent, and she had no time to try and find someone else. The end of the month was quickly approaching as was Christmas, so if she wanted to pay the rent and possibly provide a party for the kids, she would just have to do her best with him. “Let’s do the clinic at six then, so people have time to get off work. We can offer some food for sale here so they have no excuse of missing dinner, and then you can sign autographs after. That way people have to register for the clinic to get the autographs.”
“What’s the money for anyway?” Tucker asked.
Shelby couldn’t imagine that he really cared, but she humored him and answered the question anyway. Perhaps if he knew how important this clinic was, he could find a positive attitude. “Keeping the center open. We have a flat fee for facility use each month and a fee for the after-school program. We lost a lot of our kids when the trampoline park opened down the street, so money is tight right now, and we usually have a Christmas party for the kids. Some of our families can’t afford much in the way of gifts, so we try to have something small to hand out to each of the kids.”
Tucker nodded as if he understood though Shelby wondered if he’d ever spent a Christmas poor. Had he ever celebrated without a tree because his family couldn’t afford one? Or given coupons as gifts because there was no money to purchase anything? She doubted it, but even as the thoughts circled in her head, God convicted her. She didn’t know him, didn’t know his story. Maybe he had known hard times. Maybe his gruff expression had more to do with him not knowing how to run a clinic than with him not wanting to be here.
“Oh, I see our guest has arrived,” Kenzi said appearing behind Tucker and mouthing, “oh my goodness, he’s dreamy” at Shelby. She had changed out of her flowy blouse and into something slightly more low-cut than Shelby preferred she wear at the center. She would have to have a talk with Kenzi about image and how her first priority had to be the kids and not Tucker.
“Hi, I’m Kenzi Lanham, Shelby’s assistant.” She stuck out her hand, shifting into her fake pageant queen, cheerleader persona. It was one she had perfected, one that got her almost anything she wanted, and one that drove Shelby crazy. Shelby rolled her eyes. Kenzi didn’t look as though she’d spent an hour on her face even though Shelby knew full well that she had, and while she was glad to see her arrive before the kids did, she certainly didn’t need her distracting Tucker while they tried to plan.
“Uh, Tucker Jackson, nice to meet you.”
Shelby didn’t miss how his eyes brightened a little when he touched Kenzi’s hand. He certainly hadn’t had that light in his eyes when he had shaken her hand, but Shelby was used to this. Kenzi had always been the outgoing one, and with her dark hair and green eyes — she was beautiful. It was no mystery that men were drawn to her. The only surprising thing was that she was still single.
Actually, that part wasn’t a surprise either. Kenzi had always been a little flighty. She’d dropped out of college because she hadn’t known what she wanted to do with her life, and she jumped from one man to another because she had no idea what she wanted in a man. However, she’d made it her mission to date as many as possible until she figured it out.
“Kenzi, Tucker and I need to plan the clinic for next week. Do you think you could make sure everything is ready for the kids who will be arriving soon?” Shelby made sure to emphasize the words so that Kenzi would realize they were not a question.
Kenzi’s lips pursed in a slight pout as if she were going to argue, but Shelby shot her a warning glance. She was still in charge here.
“Yes, of course. Tucker, if you need anything, you can holler for me. It was great meeting you, and I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
Sugar dripped from Kenzi’s voice accompanied with just the right amount of eye batting. Were those false lashes? Shelby rolled her eyes. Kenzi could teach a class in flirting.
“I’m sure you will,” Tucker said with a smile. “Does she work here every day?” he asked when Kenzi was out of sight. He might have been talking to Shelby, but his gaze remained at the doorway as if willing Kenzi to reappear.
“Yep, every day,” Shelby said through clenched teeth. She resisted the urge to smack him to bring him back to the discussion at hand. If she had any other option, she would kick this guy to the curb. But she didn’t. It was him or nothing, and nothing wasn’t really an option. Not if she wanted to keep the lights on and the doors open. “I think we’re almost finished here, but do you need anything else for the clinic? Any supplies?”
“What?” He blinked and then returned his gaze to her.
“Supplies. For the clinic.” Perhaps if she said the words slowly and deliberately, they would register in his neanderthal head. “Do you need anything?”
“Uh, footballs, I guess, and maybe cones to set up boundaries.” His face muscles twitched, and she could tell he was trying not to cave in to the desire to check the doorway again. Kenzi was pretty. Okay, more than pretty, but why did every man have to go gaga when they saw her?
“I know we have cones, and I think we have about ten footballs.” She’d have to air them up the night before to make sure they weren’t flat, but that wasn’t a huge deal. “Will that be enough?”
“It should be fine, yeah.”
“Okay, well, then I think we’re good.”
“Right. Uh, what about next week? What time do you want me here?”
Shelby stared at him. He hadn’t even wanted to be here, but suddenly with the appearance of Kenzi, he seemed to find that appealing. She leaned back and crossed her arms. She needed him for the clinic, but she had no use for him for the rest of the week. Well, actually she did. Volunteers were hard to come by, and with the school kids out for the next two weeks, she could use another adult around. Tucker, however, seemed like he would be more interested in ogling Kenzi than helping out with the kids.
“Look,” he said with a sigh, “I’m sorry. I’m no good at this. This whole situation wasn’t my fault, and I guess I’m a little irritated that it feels like I’m being punished for it.”
She had no idea what situation he was even talking about. The clinic? Or whatever he had done that had resulted in him being volunteered to run the clinic?
“My team wants me to fulfill twenty hours of community service, and they expect me to serve it here. Helping out. So, what can I
do?”
Shelby regarded him a moment longer. She wanted to tell him no, that she didn’t need his scowling face around the center, but her conscience told her that maybe he had been given a raw deal. Being punished for something she hadn’t done would probably make her angry, and perhaps she would have a similar reaction if she were thrown into unknown territory like he clearly was. Besides, it was Christmas, and she could use the help.
“Fine. We aren’t open on the weekend, but next week, we’re open all day because there’s no school. If you can be here at eight am, I can put you to work.”
He blanched slightly and blinked at her as if shocked by the time. For a moment, Shelby thought he was going to retract his offer, but then he squared his broad shoulders and nodded. “I’ll have to leave in the middle of the day for practice, but I can come by before and return after if you need as well.”
“Sounds good. The kids will be here soon. You’re welcome to stay and meet them if you’d like, and if you want a tour of the center, I’m sure Kenzi would be glad to show you around.” She didn’t know why she was offering, but maybe she was hoping he would get Kenzi out of his system before next week.
“I might just do that,” he said, “Thanks.” And before she could say another word, he had ducked out of the room.
“You’re welcome,” she said sarcastically to the now-empty chair. Shelby knew it wasn’t Kenzi’s fault, and she had no desire to date someone like Tucker Jackson; but she did wonder why she couldn’t get him out of her head. He was not her type, nor did he seem to want to be here; but still she found his face popping into her mind. His dark eyes, his strong jaw, his broad shoulders. Why? With a sigh, she shook her head. That worry could wait for another day. She had much more important things to worry about right now, like the fact that the kids would be arriving at any moment; and she needed to be prepared.
5
Tucker crossed the big gym and glanced around for Kenzi. He didn’t see her in the main room, but there were a few doorways leading out of the room. Perhaps she was down one of them. As he headed toward the first doorway, his gaze travelled the faded white walls. The building could definitely use a little TLC. Not only did faded paint cover the walls, but scratches marred the floor. More than that though was the ambiance. The place felt sad, like happiness had packed up its bags and left. Tucker shivered and wondered why kids came here at all. Was there really no other place they could afford?
He couldn’t imagine having to spend time in a place like this; but then again, he’d never had to. Before his mother had died, he’d had her to go home to; and after that, his father’s money had paid for sports teams and leagues to keep him busy after school. What did these kids have going for them? Well, they had Shelby and Kenzi. They both seemed nice enough. Maybe they brightened the place up.
Tucker found Kenzi hauling a rack of sports equipment out of a supply closet. She was certainly a perk he hadn’t expected. When Blaine had said a woman ran the center, Tucker had hoped perhaps she might be easy on the eyes; but while Shelby was pretty, she was also the epitome of uptight. Her hair had been meticulously sprayed into place in a tight bun — all but one tendril that had somehow snuck loose — and she dressed more like an old time librarian than a manager in her pencil skirt and button-down shirt. There was something about her though, something that sparked when they shook hands. Kenzi, on the other hand, was bright and cheery and definitely more concerned with her appearance than her boss.
“Can I help with that?” He flashed his most disarming smile at her and was pleased when she returned it in kind.
“Sure, thanks. Did you get everything settled with Shelby?”
“I think so. I’ll have to spend some time this weekend figuring out exactly what I’m teaching these kids, but it should be fine.”
She tilted her head coyly at him. “Somehow, I don’t think you’ll have any problem coming up with something.”
“Thanks.” He stared at her for a moment before asking the question that had been burning on his mind since the moment he saw her. “I have to ask. What are you doing working in a place like this? It doesn’t really seem to suit your,” he paused, trying to think of the appropriate word, “style, at least not like it does Shelby’s.”
“No, I’m definitely not like Shelby,” Kenzi said with a laugh. Her gaze traveled to the reception area, “but she’s my best friend and she has a heart of gold. When she needed someone to help out at the center, I stepped up, partly to see her in action and partly because I think I’m hoping some of her rubs off on me.”
She wanted to be more like Shelby? “Why?” Tucker hadn’t meant to say the question aloud, but it had slipped out.
Kenzi focused her green eyes on him. “Because she’s the best person I know. I grew up with money and had anything I wanted, but Shelby?” She shook her head. “Shelby worked for everything she has. She began volunteering in this center when she was in high school because she felt called to. Then she worked here part time while she attended college. She could be managing any place she wanted, she’s that amazing; but she chose to come back here. To give back to her community. I only hope that one day I’m as selfless as she is.”
Tucker looked back toward the reception area with new eyes. Perhaps he’d been too hard on Shelby. What was it Blaine had said? That he needed to see how the less fortunate lived? Maybe Blaine hadn’t been as privileged as Tucker thought. Maybe he was someone like Shelby, who’d known hard times and come out better on the other side because of them. Guilt the size of Texas settled on Tucker’s shoulders. He’d been throwing himself a grand pity party over having to do a little community service while Shelby willingly gave of herself to help those around her.
* * *
“You sure were talking to Tucker for quite a while.” Shelby flashed Kenzi a look out of the corner of her eye as she shut down the computer for the night. Tucker had stayed for an hour talking with Kenzi after he finished with Shelby, but at least he had been nice to the kids. Or she figured he had because no one had complained.
Kenzi shrugged. “I guess. We mainly talked about you though.”
“Me?” Shelby nearly choked on the word. “Why would you talk about me? What did you say?”
Kenzi rolled her eyes. “Relax. I simply told him how amazing you were and how you give your all for these kids.”
Kenzi never ceased to amaze Shelby. One minute, she was leaving Shelby hanging by taking an extended lunch break to doll up for some guy, and the next, she was singing her praises to the very same man. “Well, thanks, but I doubt he cares about stuff like that. He said he was here because the team assigned him community service. I think he’d rather be anywhere else, and if I had any other way to bring money in, I might just let him go.” She grabbed her coat and purse and flicked off the lights.
“Don’t be too hard on him,” Kenzi said. “I get the feeling he’s a good guy underneath. He just hasn’t figured out how to show it yet.”
“Hmph. I hope he figures it out by Monday, or his surly attitude might send the last few clients we have running for the hills.”
Kenzi linked her arm through Shelby’s as they walked toward the front door. “First of all, he was great with the kids — I saw no surly attitude. Second, what is it you always tell me about worrying?”
“That you don’t do it enough?” Shelby asked.
“No. That you can’t change tomorrow by worrying about it. God’s got this. Right?”
Shelby paused and stared at her friend. She had always said that. At least until she became the manager, and her worry load had tripled. Perhaps it was time to take her own advice and turn those worries over to God. Heaven knew she hadn’t been doing a great job trying to take care of things on her own. Perhaps, this was God’s way of showing her that. “You’re right. God’s got this, and He will provide one way or another.”
Kenzi’s face broke into a wide smile. “That’s my girl. Now, how about we grab dinner out somewhere? It’s so late that I’m sure you’ve
missed the family dinner.”
Shelby glanced at her watch. Kenzi was right. Her mother always served dinner promptly at seven, so no one could use the excuse that they didn’t know what time it might be. Normally, Shelby was closed up by six forty-five and, thanks to the close proximity of the center to her parent’s house, managed to pull into the driveway ten minutes later. Tonight, closing had run long. It was already past seven-thirty, and her stomach groaned in protest at the extra wait time.
“Okay, what do you have in mind?”
“Just a little Thai place I’ve been meaning to try for ages. We’ll take my car, and I’ll bring you back here for yours later. Deal?” Kenzi wiggled her eyebrows the way she had in college when she’d wanted to get Shelby to lighten up and give up studying for the night. It was a comical effect on her flawless face but one that always managed to elicit a smile from Shelby.
Shelby rolled her eyes; but just like in college, she couldn’t keep her mouth from twitching into a smile. She locked the front door and then faced Kenzi. “Fine.”
“Yes. We’re going to have so much fun.”
Shelby wasn’t sure about that, but as she followed Kenzi to her car, she couldn’t deny that she felt a little lighter. Like maybe everything would turn out all right.
6
Tucker groaned as the blaring beeping blasted away his peaceful slumber. He hated alarm clocks. It was just one of the many reasons he enjoyed the football lifestyle. Since practices rarely started before noon, he almost never had to wake up to the harsh sound of the alarm. Instead, he could lie in bed and wake up leisurely with the sun. At least, normally he could. Today, he had to be out of the house in an hour. He’d told Shelby he would be there when the center opened, and that was less than two hours from now.
He dragged himself out of bed and plodded toward the shower. It was still dark outside and cold, so cold. Perhaps he should look into those heated floors after all. Most of the house was carpeted, but the bathroom had cold marble flooring. Easy to clean but like an ice box when it was cold.
Run With My Heart (Texas Tornadoes Sports Romance Book 1) Page 4
