Game On (Entwined Hearts) (14 page)

Hunter shook his head. “Football. You’re talking football. Right here in front of me.” He tugged at his bloodied shirt. “Right in front of the Badger.”

Jake let out a sharp laugh, taking her hands in his. “Thank you.” He nodded to Hunter, who returned the gesture.

She leaned in and brushed her lips against Jake’s, painfully aware of his bloodied state. “You better go make up with Grace. She’s in the break room, trying to figure out what the hell is going on.”

“Yeah. That gossip train’s about to leave the station, and we’re already on board.” Jake gave her a wistful smile. “People are bound to be talking, and we’d have to deal with this sooner or later.” He pointed at Hunter before swinging his finger back to Angela. “I’d much rather put the truth out there than have people ask if you’re two-timing one of us with the other. It’s not good for any of us to keep ducking and covering, and we can’t do it much longer.”

She swallowed hard. “I know. I’ll tell my mother before she hears the rumors. I’ve got to find the right place and time to break it to her.” She looked at each man in turn. “You know who you can trust with the truth. It won’t stop people from talking, but maybe if it’s out there, it’ll keep the chatter down.”

“Understood.” Jake rolled his shoulders. “I’m off to thank and apologize to Grace, then go home and grab a fast shower and nap before I’m back on at midnight.”

“When’s your next weekend off?” Hunter asked.

“Next week.”

“Let’s plan for next Saturday. My place.” He locked eyes with Jake. “Promise, we won’t do anything until then.”

“Don’t.” Jake held his hand up. “I don’t want you to be miserable because of me. Do what you want, when you want.” One edge of his mouth twisted upward. “But maybe stop looking so damned smug. Because you’re going to grab a quickie and go straight to your practice, and your players are going to notice real fast and make a good guess where you’ve been. Might make it a little hard to be all tough guy on them.”

Hunter gave a short, sharp laugh. “Agreed. That’s on me.” He looked at Angela. “Been out of practice in dealing with this type of thing. Relationships, that is.”

Angela closed her eyes. She was, in a word, toasted. Between the romantic interlude with Hunter and the fight with Jake, her mind and heart were done for the day.

“I’m going home.” She held up a finger. “No one call me. Please. I don’t think I can deal with much more today, and all I want is a stiff drink and to go to bed.” Her eyes narrowed as she glared at each man. “Alone. I’ll talk to you both next week.”

She spun around, not waiting for an answer, and headed for the door.

I might still kill them both.

Except I’d have to figure out where to dump the bodies.

Sally winced as she walked into Hunter’s office with the ice pack in one hand, a glass of water in the other. “He got you good.”

Hunter looked up with his one good eye. “Hell yeah. Caught me napping. But I held back. Wouldn’t be good for the police chief to get beaten up in public.”

“Of course not. How considerate of you.” She handed him the pack, placed the glass on his desk, and seated herself in the chair opposite the basketball coach.

He tossed the painkillers in his mouth and sipped the water in silence.

She didn’t move.

He placed the ice pack on his face and winced before settling back and closing his eyes. “You’ve got something to say. Don’t need both eyes to see that.”

“People are talking.”

“Of course they are.”

“They’re asking if it’s been settled.”

“If what’s been settled?”

“You. Angela Kenzie. Jake.”

Hunter sighed. Even though they’d talked about it an hour ago, he still wasn’t mentally ready to deal with the fallout. “We’re dating. Nothing more, nothing less. That’s what you can tell anyone who asks. And tell them to mind their own damned business.”

“And Chief Weatherly? Is he out?”

“He’s—” Hunter paused, realizing he’d hit the wall. “He’s good. We’re good. All of us”—he waved his hand—“we’re all good. Together.”

It was the best he could muster, given the circumstances.

Silence filled the air as he adjusted the ice pack.

“Good. ’Bout time you got some happiness in your life.”

The squeak of the office chair told him she’d gotten up.

“Might want to practice your speech. Because if people hadn’t noticed something was going on between you three before, they sure know now. Along with the faculty.”

“You heard something from the higher-ups?” Hunter’s stomach twisted into knots.

“No. Not likely to, since neither of you are pressing charges. It’s a bit of hot gossip that’ll be gone in a day or so.” Sally’s steps led her to the door. “You’re here to win championships, and you do that well. Don’t give anyone a reason to get rid of you. Stop fighting in public, in other words.”

“Done and done.” Hunter sighed as he adjusted the ice pack. “Thanks, Sally.” He opened one eye to study the calendar.

One week from tomorrow.

Hopefully I’ll be able to see by then.

Angela pulled into the driveway, still annoyed from the day’s events. She’d ended up closing the office not long after getting back from the police station, unable to focus. She gritted her teeth as she saw Mary-Ann in the window, watching her come up the path and onto the porch.

“Sounds like you’ve had quite the day,” her mother said as she came into the living room.

“I guess you’ve heard.” Angela went into the kitchen to get a glass of iced tea. Mary-Ann followed her and sat at the table.

Angela filled her glass and turned toward her, waiting.

There was no way she was going to get out of this unscathed.

“Two men get into a fistfight over you. Sort of flattering. But hardly practical.”

Angela stayed silent, letting her mother continue.

“Look”—Mary-Ann crossed her arms—“I get you like both men. I do—they’re both fine fellows. But people are beginning to talk. I tell them it’s your business and none of mine, but they keep asking.” She smiled. “They’re both good men. Grown up strong, and I can see they both love you beyond words. When you came back here, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen; all I wanted was for you to be happy, find someone you could share your life with. You got super lucky, something most women never find once, never mind twice. So which one are you going to choose?”

Angela grabbed at a loose strand of hair and tucked it behind one ear. “What would you think of me if I chose both?”

Mary-Ann frowned. “What?”

“I—” Angela sat opposite her. “This wasn’t the way I wanted to talk about this.” She shook her head and stared into her glass. “I—”

“Both of them.” Her mother pursed her lips and looked at the wall for a minute before turning back. “I understand. Good for you.”

Angela looked up. “What?”

Mary-Ann gave a light shrug. “I love you. You’re my daughter. If this makes you happy, if this is what you want, I’m going to support you.” Her smile was genuine, banishing the last of the fears from Angela’s heart.

“People are going to talk.” It was hard to hold back the tears.

“Sure they will. And in a week, it’ll be something else, and a week after that, something else. An engagement, a breakup, someone gets caught pilfering from the church bake-sale money box.” Mary-Ann gave a short laugh. “People would talk if you chose Jake; people would talk if you chose Hunter. A lot of them are going to be damned envious.” She leaned in and kissed Angela’s cheek. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Angela pulled her into a hug, relief flooding her senses. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Mary-Ann patted her on the back. “I do expect season tickets for all the home games and a pass on any future parking tickets, however.”

Jake picked at the fries on his plate. Usually he didn’t go in for the lunch special at the Midnight Diner, but today he was too damned tired to make anything at home.

Night shift was always a bitch.

Peggy refilled his coffee, eyeing his half-eaten burger. “Everything to your liking, Chief?”

He smiled and tapped the side of his head. “Fine. Thinking too much instead of eating.”

The waitress moved off.

Jake picked up the burger and took a bite. The swelling on his nose had gone down, and he looked nothing like he had almost a week ago, when he’d lost his temper and almost lost his relationship with Angela.

And Hunter.

The diner doorbell rang and he looked up automatically to see who was coming in.

It was a good habit he’d cultivated over the years. It kept him updated on what was going on around him and also let the new arrivals know there was a lawman nearby, one who would be available if needed.

His heart sank as Hunter walked in.

He hadn’t been avoiding the man, but he hadn’t sought him out either, deciding to let sleeping dogs with blackened eyes lie.

Hunter looked around the café before heading straight for Jake’s table. He sat across from Jake, smiling as Peggy came over.

“Hey, Coach. Doing a great job this year.” She stood there with pen in hand, waiting. “Love to see another championship banner on the walls.”

“It’s all due to the players. They’re doing good, hard work, and they’re hungry for each and every win. Speaking of, can I get an order of fish ’n’ chips and a soda? Pack it up to go, please, and put it on my tab.” Hunter waited until Peggy walked away before looking at Jake.

Jake studied the man’s face. The black eye was faded but not gone, now looking like the dark circles of too many sleepless nights.

Hunter glanced around the half-full diner before speaking. “Figured it might be good for people to see us together without trying to bash each other’s brains in.”

Jake laughed and pushed the plate of fries across the table. “Interesting strategy. What have you been hearing about”—he fumbled for the right word—“all this?”

The low laugh was surprising. “Nothing. No one seems to care. I was sort of waiting for the hellfire threats and the finger-pointing, but there’s been nothing. Think we can put that praise on Mary-Ann’s shoulders. People probably figure if she’s okay with it, then they should be, too.” Hunter picked up one of the fries and dipped it in the ketchup on the side of the plate. “People like you. They like me. They love Angie. ’Nuff said.”

The band of pressure across Jake’s chest loosened a fraction. “So we’re okay?”

“We”—Hunter gestured around them with the fry—“we’re okay.” He lowered his voice. “But are
we
okay?”

Jake nodded and smiled. “Yeah. We’re okay. I dropped the ball there. I could say I was tired and grumpy, but that doesn’t excuse what I did. Gave myself a good talking-to and got my mind in the right place.” Jake picked up his burger again. “What time do you want me there on Saturday?”

“Whenever you want.” Hunter grinned. “Might want to back off on the junk food.” He picked up another french fry and pointed it at Jake’s torso. “Don’t want you having to stop and take a nap midway through. Not that I can’t pick up the slack, but—”

Jake let out a belly laugh, drawing everyone’s attention to the pair. “Speak for yourself, Coach. I’m going the distance.” He reached over and took the french fry from Hunter’s hand before popping it into his mouth. “Plan to work all this off and then some.”

Hunter smiled. “Got to admit, it’s one hell of a workout routine.” He stretched his arms out and entwined his fingers before cracking his knuckles with a loud series of pops. “Maybe we should do some stretching exercises before we start.”

“You do that. I’ll be busy with Angie.” Jake chuckled. “Woman like that gets me all loose and tight in all the right places with only her smile.”

Peggy came over with the takeout bag and handed it to Hunter. “Have a good day.” She eyed the two men as if wanting to ask something, but holding back.

Jake looked up and smiled. “We sure are. And will be.” He looked down at his fries. “Another order, please.”

“Thanks.” Hunter laughed as he got up, stealing another fry on the way out. He nodded to Jake. “Later.”

Jake watched him leave and went back to work on the burger, trying not to grin at the curious expressions being shot his way by the other patrons.

Hunter had been busy. He’d gotten up before dawn on Saturday and never stopped moving, grabbing breakfast on the fly after going to the local furniture store and ordering a new bedroom set.

No more on the floor,
he’d said to himself as he signed off on the form. “I need it delivered today.”

The salesman was pleased at making an easy sale. “We can have it there by five.”

Hunter slipped the man a twenty. “Make it one o’clock, please.”

“I can make it the first stop on the circuit.” He eyed Hunter, giving a curious nod.

“Redecorating the house,” Hunter replied. “Want to get it done as soon as possible.”

It wasn’t a total lie.

It’d been two weeks since their visit to the Touchstone Hotel and subsequent return to his house, where they’d made the discovery that his current bed would barely hold two bodies, never mind three. They’d managed, but Hunter would be damned if he’d let Angie sleep on the floor again.

Now he stood in the master bedroom, busy breaking down the old bed in preparation for the movers. It was the biggest of the three bedrooms on the second floor, and the best suited for the king-size mattress he’d ordered. He’d stripped off his shirt, choosing to work only in his jeans. A thin sheen of sweat coated his chest as he tried to stay focused on the task at hand and not think about the upcoming evening.

The physical work also helped work off the frantic extra energy he had bubbling up from inside, roaring to get out. He hadn’t felt such exhilaration since he’d first started dating Angie, caught between wanting to swing from the trees like Tarzan marking his territory and pounding his chest like King Kong in anticipation of tossing her over his shoulder and carrying her off for a night of intense lovemaking.

A knock at the front door brought him downstairs. A glance at the clock showed it was barely eleven.

They can’t be that early.

He opened the door, expecting to see the deliverymen ready to hustle a new bedroom set upstairs.

Instead he faced Jake.

Jake wore a brown T-shirt and jeans, his freshly cut brown hair startling Hunter. He stared at the lawman for a minute, taking in the crew cut.

“It was getting a bit long.” Jake smiled and ran his hand along the back of his neck. “I figured I’d stop on by and see if you needed some help. With anything.” He rolled his shoulders. “Okay. True confession. I can’t sit at home, wait to go on shift, wait to come on over. I’ve got to do something.” He gave Hunter a wistful smile. “Honestly, each time I think about it, I go between being as hard as a steel girder and terrified beyond belief I’m going to wake up and it’s all been one hell of a dream.”

“It is. For both of us.” Hunter wiped his forehead. “But you’ve got good timing. I’ve got a bed to break down and a deadline to meet. Could use another pair of hands.”

“That’s what she said,” Jake quipped as he stepped inside.

Hunter laughed and slapped Jake on the back. “And we can set up your room.”

Jake didn’t answer right off, and looked at him. “My room?”

“Sure. I was figuring you’d give up your apartment and move in here. Between your shift work and my road trips, we shouldn’t be in each other’s way too often.” He smiled. “Except when Angie’s here.”

Jake frowned. “And since when do I let you call the shots for me?” He shook his head, his voice dropping to a low, angry tone. “I’m not one of your players. Let me make this very clear: You don’t go making decisions for me, and I won’t knock you into next Tuesday.” He gestured at the fading black marks on Hunter’s face. “Again.”

Hunter moved toward the kitchen, not sure how to defuse the bomb he’d inadvertently constructed. “Understood.” He eyed Jake. “Coffee?”

Jake lowered his head for a moment before looking back up at Hunter. “That’d be good.” He followed his host and rested one elbow on the marble counter. “I’m on duty from four this afternoon until eight.”

“Odd, isn’t it?” Hunter asked.

“Sick officer. Split shift. How’s it going from your end?”

“Good. Players still running high on the winning streak. Hope they don’t fall too hard when we lose, because we will lose at some point. They can’t let it take them down. Even the NBA stars lose a couple.” Hunter poured out two cups and gestured at the refrigerator. “Milk?”

“Please.” Jake sat down on one of the counter stools and watched him.

Hunter finished off doctoring the coffee and placed the mug in front of Jake, the jaunty Glen Barrow Badger image facing outward. He stood back, holding his own cup, and let the police chief sit in silence.

Finally, Jake let out a grunt and shook his head. “Sorry for snapping at you. Wasn’t called for.” He rubbed his face with both hands. “Been a long week, and I’m sort of looking forward to this. A quiet night with one beautiful woman. Our beautiful woman.”

Hunter leaned on the counter. “I hear you. Seems like so long since that night at the hotel.”

Jake let out something between a chuckle and a snort. “Tell me about it. I’m still sort of wrapping my head around this.” He rolled his shoulders back. “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen when she told us what she wanted. I thought it’d be too freaky, too strange for us to make it work. I worried we’d be fighting each other the entire time when we were with her. Trying to top each other, if you’ll excuse the expression.”

“Me, too. But it worked out.” Hunter smiled. “Worked out damned good, in my opinion. We do make a pretty good team when it comes to giving her what she wants.”

Jake sighed. “I’m just not—” He took another sip of coffee. “This isn’t what I ever imagined happening to me.” His lips twisted up into a smirk. “Well, maybe I did. But not with another man.”

“I hear you,” Hunter said again.

Jake spun the mug around and around, sloshing the coffee to the edges of his cup. “But . . .” He chewed on his lower lip before continuing. “I have to confess, it was a real turn-on for me, seeing how happy she was. How damned sexy she looked with you going down on her, the flush on her skin as she reacted to both of us.” He shook his head. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been so aroused before.” He eyed Hunter. “Don’t share that with anyone.”

“I won’t—because I felt the same way myself.” Hunter let out a sigh, some of the nervousness lifting from his mind with the heartfelt confessions they’d traded. “I used to believe this sort of thing wasn’t for me. I’d read about it, heard about it, but it was for the freaks, the voyeurs, those types.” He tapped his chest. “Not for me. And it’s still not, because I wouldn’t do it with anyone other than Angie. And with you.”

“You and me and Angie. Sounds like a country song.” Jake hummed an off-key tune. “Shouldn’t be surprised she figured this would be the best solution. Our Angie’s a smart woman, always looking for the odd angle.”

Hunter arched one eyebrow, prompting a guffaw from the policeman.

“Yeah, well . . . you know she always gets what she wants.” Jake grinned. “No matter how crazy it might seem. Angie’s always been a little high-maintenance. Guess it started with you.”

“Oh no.” Hunter wagged a finger at him. “You are not putting all of this on me. Sure, she doesn’t like it when you don’t spread the butter to all the edges on her toast, and she will toss a fit if you put the near-empty carton of milk back in the fridge.” He shook his head. “One weekend, her mom went out of town to visit relatives, and I moved in. Figured it’d be nothing but wild sex for two days. It was, but I found out a whole lot more about her.”

Jake arched an eyebrow. “Did she tell you about the socks? Must be folded, not bunched up.” He motioned with his hands. “Had me doing her laundry in college and threw a fit if I made little balls out of them.”

Hunter didn’t reply straightaway. “Well, hell. She has us both whipped.” He mimicked flicking a whip in the air, making a noise to match.

The two men looked at each other before breaking into whoops of laughter.

Jake wiped tears from his eyes. “Oh man. If any of the other officers knew about this, I wouldn’t be able to show my face in the police station.” He moved his hands back and forth, folding imaginary socks. “Grace would remind me of it every chance she got.”

“Tell me about it. Doubt I could give any of my students a chewing-out if they knew I worried about whether I was making my sweetie’s toast the right way or not. And Sally, well”—Hunter let out a sharp laugh—“she’d have me buying up the entire church bake sale to keep her quiet.”

“Okay.” Jake drank some coffee. “About what you were saying before. Something about my room.”

“Yeah. It’s just an idea. You’ve got total veto over it.” Hunter pointed at the ceiling. “I was thinking you could move out of your apartment and come live here. Since my dad’s gone, I’ve got the entire house to myself. When we were here last time, we were in my room. Didn’t work out too well, so I’m figuring we focus on the master bedroom for all three of us.” He ticked off the points on his fingers. “We could set up the spare room to be yours and yours alone. Me, I’ll stay in my old room like I’ve always done. Officially, we’ll be roommates. And when Angie comes over, we move to the master bedroom. I’ve arranged to replace the double in there with a king-size mattress. It should give us plenty of room.”

Jake stayed silent.

Hunter took that as a good sign. “We can’t afford a hotel room each time we want to be together, and this way we’ve got a bit more privacy and a lot more flexibility.” He frowned. “Except for the bathroom. That’ll need a whole renovation if we want to use it together.”

Jake sat for a few moments, studying his coffee.

Hunter didn’t push him—it was a big change he was proposing for both of them, and not one to be made lightly.