Off Her Game (12 page)

“Alright,” he said with mock sullenness. “I guess we could try a restaurant.”

A week—three games—passed by before Darren was able to see Val again. And the more time he spent with her, the better his game was. She was his good luck charm.

She made him a better player. The least he could do was return the favor. Whether she knew it or not, she was responsible for his career getting better. He needed her to stay. Not just for his game, but also for him. He’d gotten used to her being there. He didn’t want to lose her.

He had to get Val a job.

He stopped at Miss Jane's desk. She glanced up, a bright professional smile sliding in. “Mr. Moran, Mr. Jenkins didn't leave word that you'd be here today.”

“No appointment,
mi encantadora
. I need to talk to him, though. Can you arrange that? Is he here?”

She nodded. “He’s here. I can buzz him and tell him you have an appointment.”

“Oh, chica, that would be
muy fantastico
.”

“It'll cost you a box of chocolate chip cookies.” She eyed him suspiciously. “And not store bought ones. I want the good ones your mother makes.”

“Done.”

She picked up the intercom phone. He winked at her.

“Mr. Jenkins? Mr. Moran is here to see you. Yes, sir, he had an appointment. No, sir, I forgot to put him in your daily agenda.” She hung up with him and grinned. “Mr. Jenkins will see you now.”

“
Usted es hermoso
, Miss Jane.” He winked again and walked over to the oak doors. He opened them carefully, wanting really to throw them open. He was far too strung up. This had to work.

He shut the door behind him. Ellie wasn't around this time, of which he was glad. Begging wasn't his strong suit, and doing it in front of a woman he'd watched grow up wasn't anywhere near the top of his list of things to do. Regardless of what he had come there to do—namely throw out his pride—he couldn’t stomach having an audience.

Inside his head, he counted the beats between the pulses of his heart. He sat down in the chair when Jenkins motioned.

“Hey, Darren. I didn't expect you today.”

“No, I didn’t suppose you did. Shame Miss Jane forgot I was coming.”

“Cut the crap, Moran. What did you give my secretary to tell me you had an appointment?”

Darren smiled. “A promise for a box of homemade cookies.”

“Your mother’s?”

“Yup.”

“Mary's lucky she's competent. And that your mom makes amazing cookies.” Jenkins grumbled as he set aside the paper in front of him. “So what can I do for you?”

Darren cleared his throat. “I was thinking... we don't really have a counselor for the players' families.”

“We never have.”

“And that’s my point.” Darren sat up straight. This was something he’d thought long and hard about, especially after his own situation. “It's hard, you know. Night after night of road trips, late nights with the home games. It takes a toll on the family.”

“Does this have to do with your marriage?”

“No,” he answered. That was honest, but it did have to do with Val. “My situation was going to happen no matter what.” That was also something he’d come to terms with. His marriage had been doomed to fail.

“What do you want, Darren? Lay it out for me. I'm not in the mood for bullshit.”

“Well, I was thinking that if we had someone on staff who was trained in family counseling, we could keep the players happy, and avoid what happened with me. I lost it last year. I fully admit that. It was hard to concentrate when my wife was at home screwing the landscaper.”

“Yeah, that's a raw deal,” Jenkins agreed. “I run a business, Darren. I can't let every player who has a problem at home play like shit.”

“I understand that, Vince. I do. That's why I'm proposing hiring a counselor for the team. It wouldn’t have saved my marriage, but it might have helped me to get through the rough parts of it.”

Jenkins eyed him. “You have someone in mind.”

Darren nodded.

“Who?”

“Valerie Chase. She's used to working with families and those that are just starting out. She'd be a major asset to the team.”

“How would a counselor help the team?”

“A counselor would help to eliminate the problems caused by family issues. She could help new families get used to the league’s game schedule. She could help seasoned families understand what’s going on.”

“I don't have time to let some woman pander to the team.”

“She wouldn't be here for the team, Vince. Partially, yes, but more so to help the families cope with their husband, father, brother, whatever they are, being gone so much. There's such a high divorce rate in the league, Vince. So many broken families.”

Jenkins blinked disbelievingly at him. “You're serious about this.”

“Yes,” Darren said. He had thought this whole thing up to help Val, but the more he talked the more he convinced himself it was a good idea. It wouldn't have saved him and Angela, because she was in it for the money. But those like Cody and Joey, who were genuine people, deserved a good shoulder to whine and cry on. And if it helped to keep Val in Fort Glasgow, then that was even better.

“Why this woman?” Jenkins's face took on suspicion and wariness.

“She's qualified and currently looking for work.”

“How do you know her?”

He hesitated then, because he didn't want to tell him he was dating her, or that he met her while she was working as a cocktail waitress. Not that those were bad things, but they weren’t things that would prove her credibility to him.

“She's a friend,” he decided on. Jenkins leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin in absent thought.

“I can't afford a counselor, Darren. I'm sorry.”

“Vince, please. What will it take to hire her?”

“I can't pay her salary. Ticket sales are down from last season. Merchandise isn’t moving. People in Fort Glasgow just aren’t as interested in hockey as they were.”

“How much?”

Vince frowned. “How much what?” One brow lifted high. “You're gonna pay it?”

“Take it from my salary. We're renegotiating this year. Just stipulate in the contract that I'm getting that much less and pay her instead.”

“You’d take a pay cut?”

“For her, for what I think is the right thing? Yes.”

Vince leaned forward. “Are you involved with this woman, Darren?”

Darren didn't reply immediately. How did he define what he and Val were?

“That's obviously the wrong question. How involved with this woman are you?” Darren again didn't say anything. Vince nodded. “I thought so. How does she feel about you paying her salary?”

“She doesn't know I'm here, and I'd prefer her to not know.”

“I'll make you a deal, Darren,” Vince said, leaning back in his chair. “I'll pay her salary. I'll create her position. In exchange, you sign a permanent deal with me for the next five years. An exclusive contract for the rest of your hockey career. You retire with the Highlanders.”

“Didn't think you'd want me. Vince, I’ve been a shitty player for the last year.” Retiring with the Highlanders wasn't a bad deal. He had maybe five years of play left.

“You're a fan favorite, Darren. You and Charbonneau bring the crowds. Y’all are the face of this team. Keep playing right, and we'll have no issues. If I think for a second, this woman is distracting you, I will fire her. My priority is getting this team to the playoffs. Got it?”

Darren nodded. It wasn't a horrible deal. He liked Fort Glasgow. He could see himself settling there for a long time. It wasn't a hardship by any means. But the idea that Val's job depended on his concentration... That worried him. He couldn't stand it if she lost her job because of him.

“One more thing, Vince.” Darren sat up. “Can we keep this between us? Out of the media and—”

“Away from your woman's ears?” Vince chuckled. “You're getting yourself into trouble, D. I know we don't get along, but I'm gonna tell you... This ain't a good plan.”

“You won't regret this.”

“You might,” Vince replied flatly. “But she won’t hear nothing from me.”

“Good. That's good.” His stomach was tied in knots as he rose, but eased as the conversation ended. He walked to the door.

“Don't screw up, Darren.”

Screw up? He was just beginning to get everything fixed.

***

Val's nerves fired with each step she took in her blue heels. The slinky navy dress hugged every curve she had, comfortably, but breathing still escaped her. Darren looped her arm in his, and rested his other hand on hers.

What had she been thinking, agreeing to this? A night of watching Darren deal cards, rich benefactors gambling away their money... The idea was ridiculous. But there she was, playing a rich man’s girlfriend. The thing that confused her the most was that Darren didn’t act like a rich man, or how she’d have thought a rich man acted.

The hotel's club area, where the casino was set up, was lit up with soft-colored chandeliers overhead. Tables were set up around the room in what seemed an almost haphazard way to Val, until she noticed the easy way people flowed from table to table. So, it had function. She could get behind that. Not that she'd ever set foot in a real casino before. Good odds weren't enough for her. She needed a sure thing.

Darren maneuvered them through the crowd like a seasoned pro, nodding at some people, flashing smiles. They had to stop a few times so he could sign a few autographs.

“Where are you going to be?” Val asked Darren.

“I think I have the black jack table.” Darren paused and glanced around. His chocolate eyes scanned the room, searching. “I thought that... There he is.”

A grin spread across his face. Val followed his line of sight to a slightly older man in a tux. He wasn't a happy looking man, even when he smiled. Permanent frown lines etched into his forehead. His lips were pursed shut, except when he spoke with others. Brown hair that had lost its shine covered his scalp with bright blue eyes that didn't match the dullness of his hair.

“Who's that?” Val asked.

“Vince Jenkins,” Darren answered. “He's the team owner. We should go say hi.” His hand rested over hers on his elbow, as if he was afraid she'd take off if he didn't hold on to her.

“All right.”

They made their way across the room, more people stopping to say hi to Darren. He was more popular than she’d thought. Val wasn't sure how to interact with these people, so she just stayed quiet and let Darren do his thing. He introduced her to a few people, gave her names she’d never remember. Her head spun with all the socializing with strangers. How did Darren do this?

As they reached the owner, the man's eyes fell on her. His eyes narrowed slightly at her. Darren released her in order to shake the owner's hand. “Vince.”

“Darren.”

Darren placed his hand on the small of her back. “Vince, this is Valerie Chase. Val, this is Vince Jenkins, the team owner.”

Jenkins held his hand out to her. “Ma'am. It's good to meet you.”

“Thank you,” she replied, smiling tightly. She couldn’t quite put a finger on the feeling, but the man made her nervous. He looked like someone who’d have been in the mob working for Al Capone or something. But he had the clearest, honest eyes she’d ever seen.

“I understand you're a social worker?”

“I'm a licensed counselor, yes,” she said.

“Have you ever thought about working for a sports team?”

She paused, wondering where that line of questions would lead to and shook her head. “I've always worked with teenagers. Girls, mostly.”

“Working with hockey players isn't much different than working with teens,” Jenkins joked. “A little more profanity, much more smelly.”

“Just not something I’ve thought of doing before.”

“But you’d be qualified if you wanted to, yes?”

“Yes. Are you trying to convince me of something, Mr. Jenkins?”

“It's Vince. And possibly,” he replied. “I'm considering adding a position on my staff.”

“What kind of position?” Val’s inner guard rose. Jenkins liked to talk a lot and Darren was suddenly very silent.

“Family counselor. You see, my guys, they're good players. But, uh, like Darren here,” Jenkins jerked his head toward the silent man, “they have issues with their marriage or their kids or whatever.”

Val glanced at Darren. He didn't meet her eyes, his hands shoved in his pocket, his eyes downcast. He never said much about Angela anymore, especially since they'd become physically involved. Was he over her? What exactly were they doing?

“So what do you think?”

“Hmm?” She blinked, coming back into the conversation. “I'm sorry, what?”

“Hockey players have some of the highest divorce rates, short of the Navy.”

“I am not a marriage counselor. I work with kids.”

“I'd like to talk to you about working for the Highlanders organization.”

“Well, I—”

“No decisions now. It's not a business night. I just wanted to get a feel for you, and get you thinking about the idea.” His teeth were almost pointed when he smiled, which seemed weird to her, almost like they were shark teeth. “You enjoy yourself tonight. Walk around, talk to the team. Come see me on Friday morning. Nine am. We'll talk.”

“I suppose there's no harm in talking.”

“None at all,” Jenkins replied, flashing another shark-tooth grin at her. “So we'll talk on Friday, yes?”

“Sure, why not?”

Jenkins excused himself.

Val turned toward Darren. “What’s going on?”

“What do you mean?” He asked her. “He did talk to me the other day about adding a counselor to the team.”

Val narrowed her eyes. There was something he wasn’t saying.

“Darren!”

A chestnut-haired woman with striking blue eyes walked up. Darren's stance shifted from foot to foot.

“How's it going? Did you just get here?”

“Good, Ellie,” he replied. He scratched a spot above his left brow and then glanced at Val, like he was surprised she was still there. “Have you met my—Valerie?”

My what? What was he going to say?

“No!” She held out her hand toward Val. “I'm Eleanor Jenkins.”

“Valerie Chase.” Val cocked her head. “Jenkins as in...” She glanced to the side where Vince Jenkins had gone.