Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
Jayne
I’ve been procrastinating for over an hour, not really wanting to go down to the party, but I finally realized I needed to get it over with.
I’d just gotten to the pool area when I spotted a group of kids blowing bubbles.
It was cute so I watched for a few seconds, taking that time to acclimate myself with my surroundings and all the people.
But before I had time to take it all in, I saw Lindy running toward the kids in the shiny new slippers Lourdes made her put on. She started to flail and I instinctively called out, running toward her because she was precariously close to the pool and Lindy still doesn’t know how to swim.
Instead of catching her, I lose my balance on the slippery liquid the kids have made a mess with, and I run into what I assume is one of the players, because there is no mistaking the hard, muscular body of a professional athlete.
And to my complete horror, we go into the pool together.
Fuck. Me.
My dad is going to be pissed and I’m sure whoever the guy is won’t be happy either.
I sputter, shaking water out of my eyes as I break the surface—and stare right into a familiar face.
“B-Bodi?” I whisper, blinking as if that might clear my vision.
“We really do have to stop meeting this way,” he says, one hand at my waist. “Are you okay?”
“We don’t know each other!” I whisper in a panic.
He looks surprised but doesn’t seem to miss a beat. “Of course not. But are you okay?”
“Y-yes.” I spin around, looking for Lindy, who’s standing at the edge of the pool looking sheepish.
“I’m sorry, Jayne,” she says, holding out a towel.
“That’s one way to add excitement to a party,” a tall, bearded man says, holding out a hand to help me out of the pool.
I take it because I don’t want to be rude. “Thank you,” I say, accepting first his hand and then Lindy’s towel.
“West McGregor,” he says, smiling.
He’s really cute, but I’m too flabbergasted at seeing Bodi to give it much more thought.
“Jayne.” I’d know my father’s disapproving tone of voice anywhere. “What did you do?”
“It was my fault, Daddy,” Lindy says hurriedly. “I was running and she tried to stop me. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, baby.” He pats her on the head and then casts his very disapproving gaze on me. “Jesus, Jayne.” He shifts his eyes to Bodi, who’s just gotten out as well. “You okay, son?”
“Just a little water,” he says, chuckling. “Didn’t want your daughter—er, either of them, I guess, to get hurt.”
“No more bubbles!” Lourdes says firmly, coming over to join us. Her expression is more annoyance than disapproval. But that’s just par for the course.
“Bodi Michener,” Bodi says formally, extending his hand to me. His eyes dance with mischief despite the situation and I have no choice but to play along.
“Jayne Morrison. I’m Coach Morrison’s older daughter.”
“Jayne, honey, you’re a mess.” Lourdes wrinkles her nose and makes a shooing motion. “Why don’t you go change?”
“Uh, yes, of course.” I manage a feeble smile for the crowd that’s gathered by the pool, wishing I could just disappear, and then hurry back into the house. I kick off my sandals in the mud room before running up the back staircase.
I slam the door to my bedroom shut and then press my back against it.
What. The. Fuck.
Oh, Lindy.
She’s so sweet and kind—always throws herself under the bus so I don’t get in trouble—but she has a rebellious streak. I understand it, because her mother is a nightmare, but ninety percent of the time, it’s her getting me into trouble.
All I can do is laugh as I go into the bathroom.
I peel off my wet clothes, dry myself, and then scrub the remnants of the now smeared makeup I’d taken such care to apply.
My hair is a disaster, so that’s going back into my usual ponytail, and I dig out another pair of shorts, another T-shirt, and decide to go barefoot.
I don’t really care what Lourdes thinks at this point.
The only thing on my mind beyond getting cleaned up is talking to Bodi.
Now that I know who he is, there is no way we can continue to see each other.
My father would lose his mind, and to be honest, it’s not worth the aggravation to me.
Dating one of his players isn’t something I can get away with—not again.
The last time it happened was a disaster and Dad said it would happen again over his dead body.
His reaction was probably a bit of an overreaction but it’s just better if I don’t.
As much as I like Bodi, it’s a headache I can’t afford.
A year from now, when I’m hopefully working and living on my own, we could potentially see what there is to see. But I’m not stupid. Bodi’s way too hot, and going to be way too popular, to stay single for another year.
Dammit.
Well, at least I still have my internet buddy Broderick.
He’s probably some unemployed guy living in his mom’s basement, but having someone to talk to will make the next eight months until I graduate bearable.
Once I’m ready, I pad back downstairs, forcing myself to relax and act like falling into the pool was no big deal.
Ugh.
It’s bad enough that my father and Lourdes consider me some kind of embarrassing ugly duckling, and taking a tumble into the pool probably won’t help my reputation.
“You okay, Jayne?” Bodi’s warm voice is the first thing that greets me when I step outside. He’s dried off some, is barefoot and wearing another shirt, but he’s not soaked anymore.
“I’m fine.” I smile. “Once again, you broke my fall.”
“We seem to do a lot of that.”
We’re both smiling but I see the same resignation I feel reflected in his expression.
“My dad talked to you?” I ask under my breath.
He nods. “Oh, yeah.”
“I’m sorry. I had no idea who you were…” I sigh and look away.
“I know. I hate…” He trails off too, as if there’s nothing else to say.
“You don’t have to say it. It’s okay.” I force myself to smile brightly. “I’m busy with school anyway, and you’re going to have more women than you know what to do with as soon as the season starts.”
He looks conflicted. “I don’t know if that’s my scene anymore. I did a lot of that in L.A. and before that in Phoenix. I want to focus on hockey now. We never had a chance to talk about this stuff but last season was rough for me. This is my fresh start so I don’t want to repeat past bad behavior.”
“I’ll be cheering you on,” I say softly. “From afar, but I’ll be in your corner.”
His blue eyes meet mine regretfully. “I really appreciate that, Jayne. I wish there was something else we can—”
“There you are!” Lourdes comes over with a saccharine-sweet smile on her face. “I hope you apologized to Bodi.”
“Of course,” I reply automatically.
“There was no apology necessary,” he says, frowning at Lourdes. “We were both trying to keep Lindy from falling. No one should apologize for doing the right thing.”
“Well, I suppose there’s that.” Her lips thin. “Anyway, Bodi, there are steaks coming off the grill. If you’re hungry, I can make you a plate.”
“Oh, I’m not hungry yet,” he replies smoothly. “But thank you.”
“Jayne, you should go apologize to your father for making a spectacle of yourself in front of his colleagues.”
My chest knots with frustration but I nod as pleasantly as I can. “Of course. See you later, Bodi.” I wave and turn my back on them because I’m about ready to strangle Lourdes.
I didn’t think it was possible to hate someone as much as I hate her.
From the moment we met, I knew she didn’t like me.
At first, I told myself it was because I missed my mom, but even after nine years, I’ve never been able to shake the feeling that she’s after something.
Money is the most obvious answer, and while my dad does well, it wasn’t until this job with the Thunder that he really jumped up in salary.
I know he’s making over a million now, which is why we bought the huge house and they decided to send Lindy to a private academy.
“Dad.” I join him at the grill. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.”
It’s always easier to lead with an apology.
He grunts. “Not your finest moment, but you were just trying to keep Lindy out of trouble.” He shakes his head. “I told Lourdes she needed a play date today, but Lourdes insisted she be here for the party since other kids would be here.”
“Can I go to a play date?” I joke.
He cuts a glance at me and arches a brow. “You don’t have any friends. Who would you play with?”
“We just moved here,” I protest, mildly embarrassed and more than a little frustrated. “And I’ve been busy working and going to school.”
“That’s all you ever do.”
“You’re the one who said you thought going straight into a graduate program was the best move.”
“I know. You’re just costing me a fortune, Jayne. Between you, Lourdes, and Lindy, I don’t know how much more I can keep dishing out without—” He cuts off as West joins us at the grill.
“Anything I can do to help, Coach?”
He shakes his head. “Not at all. I’ve got it under control. Go have a good time.”
“I wanted to talk to you about something, actually.”
“Jayne, could you…” Dad’s tone is dismissive and I quickly nod.
“See you later!” I wave and then move to the buffet table. I’m going to get a plate of food and go back to my room.
I’ve had more than enough excitement, embarrassment, and frustration for one day.