The Long Game (Seattle Sentinels #1)

Chapter Nine

Three Months Later…

Lexi

Today is my last day in the Grand Cayman’s. I’ll need to head back to Chicago to start the process with our design team and office systems specialists who will start their work turning this new acquisition into a true Benson Property.

I’ll probably have to come back in a month or so to make sure everything is shaping up with my vision, but for now, I’m handing off my baby to the capable hands of our other divisions.

It’s been paradise to live in this resort the last two months but it gets old. Being back in my own bed will be a much-needed reprieve.

I still can’t believe I closed this account.

The owners were impressed with our hands-on approach and all the ideas we had to build on what was already here while adding additional value. Our buyout number was also competitive. Money still talks.

I hear the sports broadcaster say Tucker’s name as I’m packing my toiletries. I practically race out of the bathroom to get a glimpse of whatever photo they’ll likely have displayed.

Maybe a hot sweaty Tucker on the field during practice. A girl with her vibrator can only hope.

“After several months of the notorious playboy taking a step out of the limelight, Tucker Evans was snapped in LA at the opening of a famous chef’s new restaurant.

“Tucker was seen leaving the restaurant just after midnight. He was spotted with his team’s rising star P.R. representative, thirty-four-year-old Mallory Stahl.”

My chest clenches.

“The pair looked awfully cozy as Tucker’s town car picked them up outside of the restaurant after closing. Has Tucker Evans finally been tamed?” The newscaster looks over to her co-host.

“Who, Tucker Evans? Please, that guy has no intentions of settling down. And why should he. He has women beating down his door at all hours. The fastest running back in the league, slated to have a shining new contract next year with even more zeros at the end… that kid isn’t going steady with anyone but his talent manager.”

“Mark my words. Tucker Evans is a bachelor for life.”

I quickly shut off the T.V. My heart is racing a mile per minute. I sit on the bed for a minute to steady myself.

My stomach hurts and I run for the bathroom. I think I’m going to be sick but nothing comes… except for the tears.

I did this. I pushed him away. Should I be surprised?

Someone from his P.R. team? I don’t know why that one hurts worse. It shouldn’t. But the idea of him dating someone older – someone more stable. She works for the team, and I bet she travels with them, too.

She would be the perfect girlfriend for Tucker. Close proximity, mature, her career already outlined. I bet she isn’t running away from him telling him to give her more time… years of more time.

He deserves to be happy. And I deserve to lose him.

I dry my tears, pull up my big girl panties, and board a plane for home.

But not before I send a text to Lilly to take her up on her offer to host me in her and her husband’s mansion in Hawaii this summer. I need a couple weeks in the office, and then I am jet-setting my sorry ass to drink my sorrows away with my best friend. I’ll give myself a two-week vacation (of which I’m sure I would still be working) and then I will be over Tucker Evans. I have to be.

Three weeks later…

Tucker

Luca Benson calling…

“Hey man. How’s it going?” I’m looking forward to catching up with Luca since I haven’t talked to him since before Lexi showed up the night of the Super Bowl.

He and his wife, Brielle, have been struggling to conceive. I didn’t want to take up any time he didn’t have to give.

“It’d be better if I could turn on the T.V. without seeing your face everywhere,” Luca jokes.

“Yeah, well being the best suits me,” I give back.

I’ve been getting a lot of extra press lately. Especially after winning the Super Bowl. Unwanted press, to be exact. But being in the public eye isn’t hurting my new contract negotiations. It seems the price is going up every time I talk with my Talent Manager, Paul Siezar.

“I guess so. Is that how you pick up hot P.R. chicks from your team?”

“What?”

“Mallory Stahl. You’d think the sports channel turned into a gossip column these days. They have to be camped outside your house at this point.”

Mallory? The franchises’ P.R. person? The press got one picture of us together. That’s not a relationship, it’s closer to a photo bomb.

“What about Mallory?”

“You're dating her aren’t you? Or wait, you don’t date. Sticking and moving with staff might not be the best move, Tuck. I thought you were bright,” he jabs again with a light chuckle.

“That shit isn’t anything. I’m ignoring it.”

I didn’t exactly want to broadcast the real reason I had been snapped with Mallory. She trusted me to be discrete about the situation.

“Hate to break it to you but no one else is.”

“We’re not dating.”

I can’t believe this is what Luca called about.

“Sure looks like it. What about the restaurant photos last weekend?”

Fine, this wasn’t going away and Luca was the last person I wanted to think I was still dating casually with women in the franchise. Frankly, I didn’t want him to think I was currently dating anyone. I was hoping my time to come clean about my feelings for Lexi would be coming soon.

I sigh. At least I know he’ll keep it to himself. “Her ex still works for the organization. He was harassing her. I just so happened to walk into it as I was headed to the bathroom to take a leak. She was crying, and he was yelling at her. I told her I would drop her off at her house. She had taken a cab, and I didn’t want her waiting out on the curb for that dick to harass her again…or try to take her home. That’s it.”

“Ok, sorry man. I didn’t mean…”

“She’s not the one I want.”

“So, there is someone. I knew it. You’ve seemed different the last few months. Who is it?”

Shit.

Silence drifts between us for a second.

“Tucker…?”

“It’s Lexi.”

I hear Luca sigh.

“Luca, I’m sorry. I know you told me to stay away but I fucking can’t.”

I wait for a response. I wanted to do this in person. I wanted to do this after Lexi and I had made plans. After she and I were doing well and he could see that I was capable of making her happy.

“I knew you went to the lake house for her th birthday.”

What the hell? Did she tell him?

I don’t say anything. Maybe he’s bluffing.

“You left your razer in our bathroom and an Ol’ Miss t-shirt in the laundry bin, you dumb fuck.”

“Shit.”

That’s all I can come up with.

“You remember what I told you?”

“Yes, black eye or diamond ring…I remember.”

“Yeah, but what I meant was don’t hurt her, asshole.”

“I didn’t! I swear to you Luca. I asked for a relationship. I asked her to come to school with me. I wanted to be with her. She told me no.”

The memory of looking in her eyes when she said it, still burned into my retina.

“And if someone asked you during your sophomore year of college, after you were already being recruited by scouts, to leave the NFL behind and be someone’s boyfriend…you’d say?”

“Take a long walk off a short pier.”

Still, I should have fought harder. I took it as rejection but instead I should have used it as an opportunity to prove to her that distance could have worked.

“Right.”

“I get I fucked up. But I tried again. Three months ago she said the same thing.”

“I already told you, Tuck. That’s my baby sister. If I would have caught you at the lake house with her all those years ago…”

“I know.”

“You have a shit reputation with women. I’m not exactly feeling good about this conversation to begin with.”

“You don’t think I’m capable of being in a relationship?”

“That’s not what I said. You are one of the most determined assholes I’ve ever met. If you wanted to make it work with anyone, you could. And I think you're stubborn enough that you’d succeed. You never quit. It’s why you’re a good athlete and a good friend. But I see headlines one minute and you’re telling me you are in love with my sister the next. If you want to be the man for my sister, you will be. It’s as simple as that. I just want to see the proof.”

“A diamond ring.”

“You know my requirements.” He gives a disapproving groan. “I think I should tell you something though.”

“What?”

“Lexi’s seeing someone. I think it’s new. Brielle and I ran into them at a restaurant last week. Just thought you should know.”

“What the fuck?” I whisper to myself.

“Didn’t much care for the guy myself but we spent two minutes with them, so what do I know? Didn’t seem like her type.”

“What’s her type?”

“Ballers named Tucker Evans.”

My ears perk up. “Why do you say that?”

“She cried three days straight at the lake house when I showed up. When I found your razor in the bathroom, I put it together. She also asks about you a lot.”

“She does?”

He doesn’t answer.

“I gotta go,” I say.

“Good luck…I think.”

He clicks off.

I try to call Lexi first. I only make it through two rings before I’m sent to voicemail. I send off a rapid tex.

Tucker: Why did you silence my call?

Lexi: I’m in Honolulu with Lilly. What do you need?

Tucker: For you to tell me who you’re seeing. I found out from your brother.

Lexi: You go first.

Tucker: Me?

Lexi: The woman from your team’s P.R.

I try to call again. Hearing her chipper voice telling me to leave a message makes me feel a strange blend of angry and sad.

Tucker: Lexi, answer your phone.

Lexi: This is exactly why this won’t work. This is what I was afraid of. Getting in arguments over stuff. The insecurities we would both have. Long distance is too hard. Move on, be happy with her.

Tucker: I’m not dating her

Tucker: I’m not sleeping with her

Tucker: I’m not with her in ANY capacity. She needed help. You would know all of this if we were speaking.

Tucker: Who’s the dick your brother hates?

Lexi: What?

Tucker: Your brother said he met him.

Lexi: It was one date. Not to be repeated.

Tucker: Good

Tucker: Why not.

Lexi: I don’t want to get into this. I’m with Lilly and Beau having dinner.

Tucker: I love you. Stop in Seattle on your way home.

Tucker: Call when you're available. We need to talk.

She doesn’t call.

Three months later…

Tucker: Happy Birthday, Lexi

Lexi: Thanks

Tucker : I miss you

(Lexi streams - Incubus – “I Miss You”)

Three weeks later…

Lexi: I remember when your mom used to pack you snacks for peewee games. She always packed extra Ziplocs of sliced apples and goldfish for Luca and me, too. She was the sweetest. She’d be so proud of you.

Tucker: Image (grave site with fresh flowers)

Tucker: Thank you for remembering her today. She loved you.

Lexi: Are you in Chicago? Aren’t you supposed to be in training?

Tucker: Just until tomorrow morning. Had to leave her flowers, and it’s my nephew's birthday tomorrow. Sabrina begged. Can I see you?

Lexi: I’m back in the Grand Cayman’s. Grand re-opening is this week. Then I fly out to Florida for a new acquisition.

Tucker: Are you seeing anyone?

Christmas…

Tucker: Merry Christmas, Baby Benson

Lexi: I guess you're rich enough to buy your own coal to fill your stocking this year, huh?

Tucker: I don’t need coal when you keep lighting my hopes and dreams on fire. I’m toasty enough as it is.

Silence.

Tucker: I was kidding…

Lexi: I know

More silence.

Tucker: Are you in town?

Lexi: No, I’m in Aspen with Lilly and Beau. Work/holiday. New acquisition. My parents went to Luca’s for Christmas. Are you?

Tucker: No, dad flew out here since I have a game this weekend.