Chapter 8
T he past week had been amazing. Alex had spent every day he could with Lucy as well as the nights, and nothing had ever felt so right.
It was less than a week before Christmas and Alex was considering asking her to come home with him for the holiday to meet his family.
Maybe that would be rushing for anyone else, but he’d really known her a few years already, so it wasn’t that quick…
was it? And she didn’t have anywhere else to go with her sister out west with Dylan.
Taking her home to his family for Christmas Day is what a good friend would do.
Besides, it was only a couple of hours away so it would only be for the day.
He was working out with a few players who remained in town for the off-season, players who either made their home in Savannah like he did or were rehabbing injuries and wanted to remain close to the team’s medical staff.
So, it was Alex, Cody Patterson—another pitcher on the team—and a couple of other players working out in the weight room under the careful eye of their trainer.
They were ribbing each other and goading each other on, all good-natured, when Nick Backus, second baseman for the team, walked in.
“Hey, Raz. Saw your girlfriend upstairs. Nice that she’s joining the team for her photography. Glad you roped her in. She’ll be a great addition to the ranks.”
Alex froze in the act of bench pressing, his spotter grabbing the bar and settling it in the slots. He sat up slowly, staring at the other man. The room got quiet, everyone sensing something was wrong. “What do you mean, my girl?”
Nick shrugged. “You’re dating Lucy, right?
Savannah’s sister? I saw her in Stacia’s office when I was talking with Lucas about some contract stuff.
I guess Lucy is taking over for Gerald, the team photographer.
He retired after the season, and about time.
He was too set in his ways. Lucy will do a great job, like she did with the rescue. ”
Ice settled over his entire being, and it had nothing to do with the cool air wafting over his sweaty body.
No, this was a feeling of betrayal that came from deep inside.
He’d trusted her, trusted that she wouldn’t use him to get a job, and she’d used her connection with him to further her own career.
Twice. Once with the judge and now with something bigger, a job with his team.
Even if she her brother-in-law had helped her, being seen with Dylan the other night probably helped her case, showed management that she had closer ties to the team by being in a serious relationship with one of the players, since he’d made no secret of his feelings for her.
Damn it. He’d thought she was different.
The other guys were staring at him in varying degrees of alarm. Cody held up his hand. “Man, don’t do it. Don’t be stupid. Think for a minute before you screw up something pretty great.”
He scowled at the younger man. “It was pretty great for her. She got the full-time gig she’s been looking for. And I got used. Again.”
Nick grabbed his shoulders, holding him down on the bench, staring into his eyes as if willing him to listen. “Look, Raz. Lucy is not like that. If you would take some time and think about it, you would know that. Besides, maybe Dylan recommended her. Stop letting your past affect your present.”
He shook his head. No, he knew exactly what had happened. She was showing Stacia pictures on her phone last week at the Harper House. Whether she sought the opportunity or took advantage of it when it came her way, it was all the same.
He was done being used.
L ucy hummed as she set the table for dinner.
The past few weeks had been an absolute dream for her.
Now she understood why her sister walked around with that damned secret smile on her face all the time.
She only wished their mother had found someone to share her life with, instead of the losers she kept chasing.
But Lucy could see why she kept trying to find someone.
That special person was worth it. She hoped Alex would be that person for her, the one she could wake up with every day, share her dreams and aspirations with, and celebrate with.
Which brought her to tonight. She had splurged and bought filet mignon, asparagus, and made twice-baked potatoes, a recipe one of the chefs at her catering job had taught her.
She hadn’t dared to dream this would happen, not after the several interviews, portfolio demonstrations, and auditions she’d had with the Knights.
But when they had seen Stacia at dinner the previous week, Stacia had asked her if she had any time the following week and they scheduled a meeting right there.
Lucy hadn’t wanted to say anything. Hell, she had said nothing to Savannah and Dylan.
She had wanted to get the job on her own merits.
She wasn’t na?ve. She was sure she got the initial interview because of her connections, but Stacia assured her that her work spoke for itself, and she got the job because of her talent.
It was incredibly validating, and she couldn’t wait to tell everyone.
She’d asked the team to keep it quiet until the decision was final, not even sharing that she was in the running.
But it was the second greatest Christmas present ever, second only to Alex.
She’d even bought special lingerie, nothing cute this time.
She went all the way into naughty elf territory for him.
Headlights flashed on the living room wall, and the dogs barked.
She hushed them and rushed them out back to the fenced-in space.
Alex would bring his dog out back when he got there and spend some time with the pups, as he had been doing every night.
It felt soothing, like home. Not like her apartment in that three-family house where she could hear everything her neighbors said or did.
No, this felt like the family she had been longing for and never even realized it.
The front door opened, and Alex strode down the hallway into the kitchen. Lucy frowned, looking for Thor, not hearing his claws clicking on the hardwood floors.
“Where’s Thor?” She peered around him down the hall, but the door was closed. “Did you put him in the back already?”
She looked up, and the dark look on his face made her stomach sink. “Alex? What’s wrong? Is Thor okay?”
“He’s fine.” He glanced at the kitchen table, at the festive decorations, and the extra care she’d taken with the place settings, and arched an eyebrow. “Celebrating something?”
A chill ran up her spine at the bitter tone in his voice.
“Actually, yes. I got an offer to work with the Knights this upcoming season, doing photography with the team for their events, help with the website, and some of the team photos. I won’t be around much or traveling, but I’ll be doing some of the charity events with all of you. ”
He folded his arms in front of him and stared implacably at her. “And this dinner was a thank you for helping you get the job?”
She stilled, the dishcloth in her hands falling to the floor at his words. “A thank you?”
“Yeah, for introducing you to Stacia and giving you that extra help in securing the job. You knew how I felt about women I date using me to get better deals with the team and yet you did it anyway. I trusted you, Lucy. How could you betray me?”
Slowly, carefully, she bent over, picked up the cloth and went over to the broiler.
She turned off the oven and took the steak out, resting it on the top of the stove.
She placed the cloth on the counter and counted in her head to ten, then again, and again until she felt in control of her temper.
Her vision was blurred, and she blinked rapidly to clear it because she’d be damned if she let Alex Rasmussen see how he’d hurt her.
Oh, fuck that. He didn’t deserve a calm, reasoned discussion. He didn’t fucking trust her. She balled up the cloth and pivoted on her heel. Then she chucked it at him, nailing him right in the face.
“Fuck you, Alex. I’ve been talking to Stacia since this summer, when I heard they were looking for a replacement.
I busted my ass for that opportunity, building my portfolio, auditioning at events, and getting references.
I didn’t even loop in Savannah or Dylan because I wanted to get the job on my own.
When you saw us talking the other night?
She was asking if I had any free time to talk before the holidays. ”
He stared at her, a wary expression on his face. “Come on, Lucy. I know you’re talented, but you don’t have a lot of experience. This kind of job needs someone…”
She got right in his face, her hands firmly planted on her hips.
“Go ahead. Say it. Someone who hasn’t fucked up before.
Someone with a better past. Yeah, I’ve heard that before from so many people, Alex.
I just never thought I’d hear it from you.
Get out. And don’t bother calling me again. For anything.”
She turned and walked out the sliding glass doors to the backyard where the dogs were playing, leaving Alex behind.
Tears blinded her and Savannah and Dylan’s three dogs, sensing something was wrong, came running over to her, crowding onto the chaise where she huddled.
She sat there for a long time, not knowing when Alex left, not caring, either.
She was alone with just the dogs to keep her company.
It was the safest way to be. People like her didn’t get the grand love story. When the fuck would she learn?