Game On (Entwined Hearts) (20 page)

Jake stalled his train of thought as Angela looked to Hunter, her forehead creased with concern.

“All I can tell you is that I’ll start looking around. There’s plenty of colleges on the East Coast that could use a good basketball coach. But . . .” He paused. “But I can’t go anywhere until you’re settled in one place and we can put down roots. I can’t move my father from home to home and disrupt his life like this.” He shook his head, the stress evident in his voice. “I can’t.”

She reached out and took his hand. “I’d never ask you to do that to Henry. He’s doing well under the new meds, and I don’t want to risk any setback by shifting him to another residence.” Angela dropped her gaze to the floor. “It’s all a bit much to take in right now.”

“Let’s relax tonight, take it easy,” Hunter urged her. “The offer isn’t going anywhere in the next few hours.”

“True. I’ve got a week, and maybe more if I ask for it.” Angela pressed her palm to her forehead and winced. “My head’s about to explode. Maybe we can take the rest of the evening off and not talk about it.”

“Good plan,” Jake said. “No use making a hasty decision.” He pointed at the folder. “Besides, you’ll want to check this out thoroughly before making up your mind. You don’t want to jump at this and find out it’s not what you wanted. Do the research, check your sources.” He paused and put as much emphasis as he could into the next word: “Tomorrow.”

“Excellent advice.” Angela picked up her plate of cooling Chinese food. “Okay. Let’s not talk about it for the rest of the night.” She poked at the chow mein with her fork. “So how did your day go? Any trouble with the new parking arrangements near campus?”

Jake forced himself to make small talk and finish the meal, but tasted nothing.

You’re going to have to let her go.

I’m going to have to let her go.

The words drummed through Hunter’s mind over and over as they ate. It was as if the last few years hadn’t existed and they were sitting at the Midnight Diner eating bacon and eggs the morning after graduation, trying to figure out their future together.

Or, as it turned out, apart.

He remembered the hunger in her eyes, the eagerness to move on to Penn State and to her future as a lawyer. The burning rage as she detailed how she’d be helping right wrongs and serving the public.

All he was thinking about was how to get a summer job to help with the bills.

In the end, it’d killed him, but he’d let her go with a smile and a soft kiss, doing what was best for her.

Now it was happening all over again, and he was in the same position. He couldn’t drop everything and follow her; he couldn’t ask her to turn the job down and stay with him.

With them.

He gathered up the dishes when they were finished and went into the kitchen, trying to organize his thoughts for the upcoming conversation. Whether it was tomorrow morning or tomorrow evening, he and Jake were going to have to talk about what she was going to do and how to help her achieve her dream.

Hunter looked over and saw the tension in Angela’s shoulders, the stiffness in her movements as she sipped her drink and finished off her dinner.

The momentary thrill of the offer had worn off, now replaced by stress as she mulled it over privately and weighed the pros and cons. He knew her too well and suspected she’d have nothing else on her mind for the rest of the night, if not the rest of the week.

He caught Jake’s eye and glanced at Angela, hoping he’d catch on.

Jake did.

Jake stood up and offered his hand. “Let’s go to bed.”

The bold request caught Angela off guard. “What?” She stared at his hand as if he’d grown fur and claws.

Jake wiggled his fingers. “You need to relax. It’s been my experience that we can help you in that area.” He raised one eyebrow and tilted his head toward the stairs. “You could take a long hot bath, but I think a bit of physical activity might be better in this case.”

“It’s—” She looked at her watch. “It’s barely seven thirty.”

Again, Jake arched an eyebrow. “Since when did you worry about what time we went to bed?” He leered at her. “I’ve been thinking about you in the shower all day.”

She put her plate down and rose with a wide grin. “And here I was worried about distracting you at work.”

“Your existence is a damned distraction,” he replied.

Hunter let out a laugh as Angela took Jake’s hand and let him lead her up the stairs. “Be right there. Just need to put the dishes—”

“Too late.” Jake’s reply drifted down the stairs as a delighted squeal split the air. “I’ll make sure to leave some leftovers for you.”

Hunter leaned on the counter, bracing himself as the reality sank in.

We’ve got to let her go.

Angela woke out of a dreamless sleep, taking a minute to reorient herself. She lay on her belly, sprawled across the top of the bed in a tangle of sheets and blankets.

She was alone.

Two notes lay on the bedside tables, both with different writing styles. Jake’s letter informed her that lunch was already waiting for her in the kitchen, bagged and ready to go. Hunter’s noted that he’d be at practice until seven that evening and commented on the night’s activities with a smiley face, large and winking at her.

She rolled onto her back with a groan before heading for the shower.

It was as if Angela had been away from her office for a month, coming in and seeing everything through a different lens. The job offer of her dreams had a way of doing that, she mused.

The waiting voice mails and list of e-mails demanding her immediate attention brought her back to ground with a loud mental thump. Angela settled herself at her desk and went through her morning routine, finding comfort in the familiar actions.

It wasn’t too long before the door opened, the tiny bell ringing away. She looked up to see Jenny sweeping in with a burst of cold air, the student bundled up like a snowman with her college-colors scarf wrapped multiple times around her face.

“Storm’s coming in. Or it’s here.” She slapped her mittens together, sending a burst of white flakes into the air. “Are you okay?”

“Sure.” Angela scowled as she looked outside at the falling snow.

“You sounded a little off when you called yesterday to tell me not to come in. Everything good in the House of Love?” Jenny hung up her coat and headed for the coffee machine.

Angela grinned at the nickname. “Everything is fine, thank you.”

She resisted the urge to shift her hips, remembering the firm grip both men had placed on her last night.

“Okay. Because if you ever want to tap out for an evening, I’d be glad to fill in for you.” Jenny smirked as she dumped three packets of sugar into her mug. “Because we’re such good friends.”

“Your willingness to take one for the team is noted and appreciated,” Angela said dryly. “Here.” She tapped the pile of folders to her right. “Let’s start with these.”

“Sure.” Jenny went to her work area and put the coffee down before returning to pick up the stack. “But seriously, anything wrong?” She shot Angela a side glance before heading for the cabinets. “You do seem out of sorts.”

“I—” Angela paused, weighing her options.

It’s not like she won’t find out eventually.

“I got a job offer yesterday.”

Jenny’s grin was wide and honest. “No way!” She dumped the folders onto the floor and plopped herself in the office chair opposite Angela. “Spill.”

Angela couldn’t help returning the smile with interest. “It’s from a big legal firm. They’ve got branches in all the major cities. They want me to go to Baltimore first and to New York City if I play my cards right.”

“Wow.” Jenny slumped back. “So they up and called you out of the blue?”

“No.” Angela pulled the blue file folder out of her briefcase and laid it on top of her laptop. “One of the firm’s partners came here to deliver the offer in person.”

“Holy shit!” Jenny clapped her hands over her mouth. “Sorry. But that’s incredible.” She paused. “You are going to take it, right?”

Angela rolled her head from side to side. “I’m considering it.”

Jenny stared at her for a second before it sank in, her eyes going wide as she took in the concept. “Damn. You’d have to leave them.”

“For a bit.” Angela put her palm on the folder again, finding it cool to the touch. “Not forever. Just until they can get out of their obligations here.”

Even as she said it, the words burned through her mind.

Not forever.

But it’d be long enough.

“We’re talking it over.” She forced herself to put the folder into a drawer to be looked at later.

Jenny gathered the files from the floor and returned to the filing cabinet. “You’ll make it work out. All of you.” She threw Angela another wide smile. “Because the world demands happy endings.”

The rest of the day flew by as Angela buried herself in her work, making up for the previous day’s loss. Before she knew it, it was time to go home and she still hadn’t spent any time considering the job offer.

Now, of course, it was all she could think of.

She parked in the garage and shuffled through the snow up to the front door, kicking a trail open for the others.

The house was empty, both men still at their respective jobs for another few hours. Jake was working a split shift that had him coming home at eight and Hunter’s note had him arriving after seven. A note hanging on the small bulletin board in the kitchen told her to go ahead and have dinner by herself, the pair would eat on their own or when they got home.

Angela got herself a glass of white wine before going and sitting on the couch.

The blue file folder sat in her briefcase, which rested on the floor by the staircase.

She didn’t have to open it up to look it over again. She’d committed each word to memory, every phrase embedded in her mind.

Another sip and she laid her head back on the thick cushions, mentally calculating how she would shut her office, close up her law practice in Glen Barrow.

The numbers didn’t lie. She could do it within the six weeks offered by Gordon and his partners. It’d take a bit of juggling and she suspected there’d be at least one visit back to finish up some paperwork, but it could be done.

That calculation over, she turned her mind to Jake and Hunter.

But there was one question she couldn’t find the answer for. One that needed to be asked in person.

She put the drink down, scribbled a fast note for the boys, and grabbed her coat.

Angela found Gordon in the lobby of the Touchstone Hotel, where they’d agreed to meet.

The slender man led her to a quiet table in the nearby bar, ordering them both drinks.

“I was glad to get your phone call,” Gordon said. “Primarily because it took me away from the slot machines. Lost too much money chasing the quarters.” He nodded at the waitress as their drinks arrived. “I’m about to drop down to the penny slots. There’s only so much I can write off on the expense report.”

She chuckled. “Those machines are addictive.”

“But that’s not what you called about.” Gordon took a sip of his rum and cola. “Have you considered our offer?”

Angela nodded. “Yes. I’m still considering it. I hope I didn’t mislead you with my call.”

His smile was warm and friendly. “We didn’t expect you to make a decision like this immediately. That’s why we offered you the entire week.” He eyed her over his glass. “I expected you to have questions. Please, ask away.”

“I’m in a relationship. I’d like to be able to do the best by them.”

“Our benefits package is one of the best out there—” Gordon paused, and she knew he’d caught up with her wording.

“I have two dependents. Or spouses. Or however you want to categorize it.” She kept talking, afraid her nerve would desert her if she paused for even a second. “I plan to marry one eventually but would like to be able to have full benefits for both of them, have them recognized as equals. Is it going to be an issue?”

Gordon didn’t miss a beat. “We know about your two boyfriends.” He smiled as she gave a short cough, hiding it with a sip of her wine. “You think we’d do all this research on your clients and never look once at your home life?”

“Of course you would.” She studied his face, looking for any signs of disapproval. “It’s not an issue to you?”

“Not to me. I don’t see a problem getting it through our HR department, although you’ll have to help with the paperwork. It’d be setting a precedent.” He locked eyes with her. “I don’t care if you’re gay or straight, if you like two men or dance around your house in a rubber chicken suit. You’re a damned fine lawyer, and I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do.”

“But the public relations—”

“You’re worried about what will happen if it comes out you’re cohabiting with two men. And your concerns are valid ones.” Gordon glanced around the bar. “Look over there.”

Angela followed his gaze and saw a middle-aged businessman chatting with a well-dressed woman, her hands all over him. He cooed and giggled like a teenage boy as she took a sip of his drink and waved the bartender over.

“Every time I’ve come to the machines he’s on that stool drinking, with his hands on some young thing.” Gordon smiled. “And I’m pretty sure none of them have been his wife.”

Angela stayed silent, letting him lead the conversation.

“I’d prefer to have a woman like you, secure in a lasting relationship, than someone like him or Eric.”

The mention of his name brought her teeth together.

Gordon continued. “If anyone wants to try to make a fuss about it, they’ll have to answer to me first and explain how this would be a negative for the firm. And I’m a hard man to convince to change my mind.” He smiled once more and took a drink.

“Thank you. You’ll have my official reply in a few days.” She paused, weighing her words. “But right now, I don’t see any issues with accepting your offer.”

“Thank you. Send over the paperwork when you’re ready, and I look forward to seeing you in our Baltimore offices.” Gordon reached out and patted her arm. “I’m eager to see what you can do.”

She lifted her drink and he did the same, each toasting the other.

There,
she said silently.
That’s done.

All she needed to do was work out the details with the men and—

The tiny hairs on the back of her neck rose.

She knew that sensation all too well.

Angela turned in her seat to see Jake and Hunter standing by the bar entrance.

“Yours?” Gordon followed her glance.

Angela nodded, shocked to see them. The plan had been for her to talk to Gordon and drive back home before either man knew she was gone, keeping the meeting secret.

Her heart swelled at seeing them, the emotions racing to the surface.

Gordon eyed the two men. “I’m jealous. They’re both quite . . . handsome.” He finished his drink and gave her a wink. “I’m going to go lose some more money. Enjoy your night out with your men, and I’ll see you in Baltimore.”

He dipped his chin to the pair as he walked out of the bar. They nodded back politely, focused on her and her alone.

Jake was the first to reach her and pulled Angela into a tight hug. “Did you believe for a second you could sneak out like this and we wouldn’t follow you?” He kissed the top of her head.

Hunter put his hands around her from the other side, matching Jake’s intensity but kissing her on the cheek instead.

She gasped, seeing the curious looks coming their way from others in the bar.

“Don’t.” Jake’s firm tone held her in place. “Don’t be embarrassed.” He pressed his lips to her temple. “Look at the way those women are watching you, envying you.”

Angela risked a glance over to where a table of women, obviously here for a bachelorette party, judging by the gaudy hats they wore, was unabashedly looking over at them.

“They’d love to be you right now,” Jake rasped. “They’re all imagining themselves in your place with the two of us adoring you, loving you, ravishing you.” He leaned in and nipped her earlobe. “But you’re the only one for us.”

After a moment, Angela allowed herself a wide, selfish smile. “Hell yeah.” She pulled Hunter in for a heated kiss, relishing the giggles and jealous looks from the other women.

“Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, what did you talk about with your new boss?” Jake’s gentle interrogation brought her away from Hunter’s eager mouth.

She gave him a deep kiss as well, matching the one she’d delivered a few seconds before.

The oohing and tittering from the women rose in volume.

Angela pulled back. “I wanted to verify there’d be no problem with the two of you joining me.” She felt the heat rising in her cheeks. “I want this to continue after we leave Glen Barrow, and I wanted to make sure Human Resources wasn’t going to toss a fit.”

“I assume he told you it’d be okay.” Hunter looked toward where Gordon had exited. “Could have sworn he was checking us out.”

“He was. And it is.” She paused. “I want to take the job.”

“Yes.” Jake pulled her around for another kiss, generating even more appreciation from the bachelorette party. “Now, let’s get a room and celebrate.”

“We have—you have—” Angela was breathless, the events of the past few minutes catching up with her.

“We figured it couldn’t hurt to prepare for the chance you’d accept his offer. So we packed overnight bags for all of us,” Hunter said.

“I don’t have to be at work until noon tomorrow,” Jake added. “And Hunter said he’s fine with cutting classes for once in his life.”

“Sure as hell isn’t the first time he’s done that.” Angela pressed her palm against Hunter’s chest, his heart racing under her touch. “Let’s go celebrate in private.” She waved to the group of women, setting off a new round of chatter.

They were in the elevator headed up to the suite, and Jake shook inside from a combination of need and desire, the realization this was going to be the last time he’d be with Angela and Hunter worry-free for a long, long time.

Angela grinned as the two men carried their bags to the door. “I can’t believe you packed an overnight bag for me. What did you bring?”

“No clothing.” Hunter leered at her as Jake slipped the card key through the slot. “Made it a lot easier to pack.”

Her breath caught on a gasp as the door opened to show the luxury suite in all its glory.

“Oh. My.” She stepped in ahead of the two men, her eyes widening with each second.

Jake couldn’t blame her.

The suite was gold-and silver-themed, from the ornamental mirrors on the walls to the deep polished rosewood tables to the cream-colored walls, a lavish display that wouldn’t be out of place in Las Vegas.

When he’d left Hunter to set up a room while he and Angie got the bags, Jake had no idea the man would check into one of the best suites the hotel had to offer.