Chapter 5
Chapter Five
“FOURTEEN ASSISTS in the first half—the guy is incredible,” Mark admitted.
They weren’t sitting too far from the bench.
Although Roxanne tried to give Mark her undivided attention throughout the game, she watched Brian as if he were the only man on the court.
And when he was on the bench, she stared at him then too.
His demeanor, his unselfish play, his competitive toughness and his unrelenting coolness set the tone for the game.
It was impossible to say exactly how he did it, but he led the team with his iron will.
It was not a close game so far. The Celtics were up by twelve points at the half and the second half looked to her like it might be a blowout.
But Brian’s face did not crack that familiar smile, not even once.
His intensity and concentration were unmatched by anyone on either side.
“Rox, I hate to bring this up, but something’s been bothering me,” Mark said. He took a long swallow of his beer.
“Mmm?” She couldn’t imagine what he was going to bring up. The possibilities were too numerous. She looked straight ahead at the halftime show.
“About Don. That night…”
She shot her head around to look at him squarely. Of all the possibilities that ran through her mind, this was not one of them. He’d stopped talking and returned her stare. He looked serious. And something else.
“What about that night, Mark?”
“You told me the police closed the investigation on Don’s death, didn’t you?”
“Yes. They closed it long ago. Why?”
“Nothing. I guess. Just someone asking strange questions around the office. I must be getting paranoid, but I figured it’s either someone looking into Don’s death or…”
“Or what?”
“Or looking into my relationship with you.” His eyes rested on hers and trapped them.
“No. I know what it must be. Penelope hired a private investigator to look into Don’s death.” She didn’t want to continue this discussion and couldn’t believe he’d started it. She looked back toward the entertainment on the court.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, but don’t worry. My attorney tells me it’s going nowhere.”
“What do you mean? Why would she do a thing like that? Unless…”
“That’s right. Unless she thought I murdered Don.” Roxanne turned and looked directly at him again. Mark’s brow furrowed.
“Why aren’t you worried? Why haven’t you said anything? You weren’t even going to mention it, were you?” Mark accused.
“No. It wasn’t worth mentioning. Why should I?” She gave him a hard look. She didn’t like it when anyone took her ex-mother-in-law seriously. Least of all Mark.
“Why? Because I was with you that night?” Mark’s voice lowered as if he had something to hide.
“You already signed an affidavit for the police. So did a dozen other people. They know where I was that night. So you can see how ludicrous Penelope’s investigation is.
I’m sure her PI will hit a dead end and have to give up on it soon.
” She turned back to the basketball court.
The teams were beginning their warm-up for the second half.
Mark laughed. That surprised her and she turned back to him.
“You are a na?ve one sometimes.”
“What do you suggest I do? Get all uptight and worried she’s going to get me convicted of a murder I didn’t commit?
That no one committed because it wasn’t even murder?
It was a God damned accident, Mark. Or… I don’t want to talk about it anymore.
” She’d never been so angry at him or upset about this investigation.
The only reason she’d been able to handle the situation up until now was because she really hadn’t taken it seriously.
She, in fact, refused to take it seriously.
And Mark wasn’t about to bully her into changing her mind.
“You’re probably right. As long as the police closed the case officially.” He didn’t sound convinced but at least his voice held a conciliatory note. She turned and smiled at him and they watched the Celtics trounce their opponents in the second half.
Sandwiched between Brian and Mark, Roxanne poured the champagne again, from a fresh bottle.
The conclusion of the game hadn’t gone as she’d planned.
Mark had sidestepped all her attempts to talk business.
And then he very ungraciously stuck to her side as she waited for Brian in the hall near the locker rooms. In the end, in spite of her insistence that Mark take the limo back to his hotel and they meet to talk business the next day, it was Brian who suggested that Mark accompany them to dinner.
She directed the limo driver to take them to Turner Fisheries at Copley Place where a table awaited them for a late supper.
The limo whisked them away from the front of the Boston Garden amidst a crowd of pleased spectators.
She knew Brian was unaccustomed to this Hollywood-style exit.
He usually departed quietly from the indoor garage in his own car, never hitting the streets or seeing the fans.
Mark was used to limo rides, but even he seemed impressed with their exit.
“Jesus. Now I know what it must be like to be a rock star,” Brian quipped, looking back through the rear window at the retreating crowd. He then turned his sardonic smile on Roxanne and relaxed back into the plush seat as she handed over his champagne in a crystal flute.
Roxanne vibrated with nervous anxiety was barely confined beneath the surface of her smile.
She still had a terrible feeling about the night and that Brian was up to no good.
She wasn’t thrilled with Mark either. She had no idea how she was going to handle this crazy competitiveness between them.
What was it with men anyway? She gave in to her instincts and let them take over.
“I don’t blame those fans for mobbing you. You were dazzling tonight.” She caressed Brian’s chin with her free hand, lightly brushing her fingers over his lips.
“Not you too, Roxy. All I need is another adoring fan.”
“I can’t help myself. Your performance tonight excited me, “ she whispered. It wasn’t hard to send the message about where she stood. The memories of her nights with Brian coiled her insides until she felt herself melting.
The two men looked at each other. Brian’s blazing blue eyes met Mark’s glance without apology. It was settled. Her choice was clear to them.
“You’re not surprised, I hope?” Roxanne addressed Brian.
“After all, you won the game and a deal is a deal.” She took a long sip of her champagne and glanced at Mark, giving him no explanation.
After all, they’d been over this ground before.
And it was his idea to stick around and intrude on her date with Brian.
“The game was excellent. I haven’t been to one in a while. I forgot how exciting they can get,” Mark said in a professional voice.
When the limo pulled up to the Marriott at Copley Place, Roxanne was the last to get out.
She drained the remainder of her champagne before she did.
She knew she’d have to have a long talk with Mark after this night was over.
In addition to business. Even if he brought it on himself, she knew he was disappointed, maybe even hurt.
The twinge caused her to look at him, maybe send him some kind of message of friendship.
But he was not receptive, not tonight, not now as he stood on the curb waiting for her.
She only hoped Brian would have mercy on his opponent.
Getting out of the car, she dragged her coat across the seat behind her and took Brian’s hand as he helped her to the sidewalk.
Brian wasted no time putting his arm around her as if staking his claim.
Mark stepped in behind them. He followed the couple as they entered the restaurant.
They were immediately escorted to a table ahead of the waiting crowd.
Brian spoke under his breath to Roxanne, “More adoring fans. How nice,” as a woman approached with a napkin and pen in hand before they could even sit.
“Be gracious now, Mr. Superstar,” she whispered back, enjoying the easy intimacy. Roxanne stepped aside to let the woman get the autograph and took the opportunity to give her attention to Mark.
“The price of fame, I guess.” She smiled at him and took his arm, leading him to sit.
“Small price considering he’s won you for the evening.”
They both looked up at the sound of the woman with the autograph squealing with delight when Brian gallantly kissed her on the cheek before sending her on her way. He took his seat then.
“Gracious enough for you?” He raised one brow.
“You could have simply kissed her hand. No need to go too far.” She turned to Mark. “Next thing you know he’ll be kissing women on the lips, then who knows what after that?”
“If you’re a good girl tonight, Roxy, you may find out what comes after that.” Brian leaned toward her, locking her with a stare. She took a long breath, but didn’t speak. She was too aware of Mark watching them.
The waiter came with the menus just then and she was thankful for the diversion. She had to try and keep the conversation neutral and include Mark. Even though it was Brian who invited him along, he hadn’t made any effort to be anything but competitive.
“I’m starved. Thank goodness you arrived.
” Mark welcomed the waiter. Roxanne grabbed at the topic of food and managed to take control of the conversation, leading it in a more tame direction.
Mark’s relief was apparent in his sudden enthusiasm for good pasta.
But Roxanne knew as the evening progressed that the pleasant, benign conversation only reigned because Brian let it.
She hadn’t won any battles. It was only a truce.