Chapter 17 #3
In truth, Trent knew the press was never his friend.
No matter how friendly he got, there was always that friction between them, always that feeling like he was swimming with friendly sharks and that the second he spilled a drop of blood, the sharks would bite.
Looked like Charlie was the drop of blood—her and her medical bag—and Mike Foley, who knew him well enough to know something wasn’t right with this picture, had just taken his first nibble.
Trent was now media shark bait.
Swiping his hand through his damp hair, he resumed as easy a smile as he could manage for the two women who waited for him.
As he approached them, he heard their conversation.
Something about fashion and Tammy was doing all the talking.
A glance at Charlie told him that although she seemed attentive, she could care less about the topic.
“Ladies. Ready to have a steak at the world-renowned Smith & Wollenski on Rush Street?”
“My mouth’s been watering for that steak ever since I got off the plane at O’Hare,” Tammy said.
Trent slipped his arm through hers. Then he slipped his other arm around Charlie and leaned in to give her a kiss.
She seemed startled at the gesture. He hadn’t thought about it.
A kiss for his girl after the game was automatic for him.
And Charlie was his girl. As much his girl as any one of the women he’d dated before her.
Maybe more so if he were honest, fake engagement aside.
He’d shared more with her than anyone in a long time.
Maybe he needed to quit doing that. She would be gone as soon as the season was over. As soon as the drug trial was over. He’d make it through the playoffs all the way to the Super Bowl and then it would all come to an abrupt end. Whether he wanted it to or not.
“Tell me, Tam,” Trent spoke as they walked through the long hall to the back door.
He’d arranged to have a car waiting to take them out.
He’d planned a romantic dinner for him and Charlie.
Maybe it was best that Tam crashed his plans.
He had no business romancing Charlie under the circumstances, the very temporary and perilous circumstances.
Too many poisonous secrets between them.
“Tell you what?” she said.
Trent opened the door for them, waving the chauffeur to stay put. Tam got in first, then Charlie, then him. He didn’t mind sitting close to her, to take in her intoxicating scent. He was a glutton for punishment.
“Tell me why the hell you decided to fly to Chicago for a Monday night football game without any notice?”
“You’re my favorite brother. I don’t need any other excuse.”
“Sure.”
Charlie squirmed in her seat next to him. He could sense her tension.
“Sounds so exciting and wonderful to be able to take off like that on a whim,” she said.
“Well, you would know all about it, Charlie, because here you are, aren’t you?” Tam gave her a funny look.
Of course, Tammy had no idea that looking after him was part of Charlie’s job, that she was on the clock and he was her research guinea pig. He squeezed Charlie to him, partly to reassure her, partly to make a point to Tammy.
“Hardly a whim. Charlie’s my fiancée and she’s going to be at every game. It’s part of her calendar now. She’s planned for it.”
“Oh, I suppose you’re right. Not a whim at all then.”
Charlie stared at her hands, the hand with the engagement ring in particular.
“No whim,” Charlie said. Her voice was quiet but firm, living up to her Snow White persona. “Though our relationship was quite a whirlwind. That’s not the same thing. We know what we’re doing. We’re very serious about our relationship.”
Charlie looked at Tammy and damn. The doctor knew how to take care of herself. No backing down from innuendo for her.
“Look, Tam,” he said, his guilt at the deception tugging at him.
“I know our engagement took you by surprise, but don’t worry.
Be happy for us.” He smiled as genuinely as possible knowing that he was a damn fraud.
In fact, Tammy’s instincts to be concerned were right on point. But he couldn’t let her know that.
He had to make sure that in the end there would be no reason to worry after all.
“Trent, of course I’m happy for you.” She paused a beat. “If you’re happy, I’m happy.” Trent saw the half smile she gave Charlie and knew it was going to be a long night.
Wondering what his chances were that he’d be able to eat his steak without tension, he breathed a sigh when the car came to a stop.
He was happy to at least get out of the tight confines of being sandwiched in the back seat with the two women and their crackling distrust. Not good ingredients for a fun night all the way around.
Once they were seated and the unbeatable smell of grilled beef and spices pervaded the air, he smiled and challenged himself to make some lemonade out of the two lemons he sat with, even as unfair as the thought was.
“How are your wedding plans coming, Tam? You plan the honeymoon yet?”
“We decided on Hawaii. Pedestrian, but I love it there. Besides, Tahiti is too far away.” She turned to Charlie. “How about you, Charline? Have you started making plans yet?”
“Not even close. We don’t even have a date yet. We’ll think about it when the season is over.”
“Tammy knows better,” Trent said. He needed to quell his sister’s need to snipe at Charlie. She didn’t deserve it. “Don’t you? We’re laser focused on playing the next game, getting through each week.”
“Not too laser focused to get engaged in the meantime.” She pointed at Charlie’s ring. “And not too focused on football to go shopping for a diamond. A beautiful ring.”
“Thank you,” Charlie said. “I picked it out myself.” It looked like she smiled for real.
But Trent heard the subtext of Tammy’s commentary, the unspoken accusation that he’d spent an ungodly amount of money and the not-too-subtle accusation that he’d allowed himself to be distracted enough to get engaged in the middle of the season.
He had no reasonable excuse, so he went with the irrational one.
“It’s what happens when you fall head over heels, Tam.” He put his hand over Charlie’s and leaned close to her, the unintended consequence of which was that her scent titillated him. “You must know how it is. Reason flies out the window.”
“Does this mean that football has flown out the window? And I thought you were laser focused.”
Trent sighed. He wished the damn overprotective streak in his little sister would take a rest. Charlie spoke up for him.
“Of course he’s still laser focused on football. Trent is perfectly capable of keeping his head in the game and maintaining a loving relationship at the same time. Why wouldn’t he be?”
Tammy turned her choke into a laugh, but that didn’t sit well with him either. He gave her his big-brother glare.
“Spoken like someone who hasn’t known you for the past—how many years? How old are you, Trent?”
“You mean how old are you, little sister. You are getting up there, though, so it’s been a very long time.”
“You two are adorable. Exactly as I’d picture a brother and sister, the way you banter back and forth.
The way you’re so protective of each other,” Charlie said, true amusement lighting her features.
Her skin glowed in the low light, her dark lashes fluttered without guile.
He felt a rush of warmth toward her and put an arm around her.
She didn’t flinch as he remembered, belatedly, that she had a habit of doing when he took possession of her in public. But not this time.
They ordered wine with steaks and Tammy let him off the hook about his previously professed bachelorhood vow—the one where he’d sworn up and down that he didn’t want a woman—wife and kids to interfere with his dedication to football, always claiming there’d be plenty of time for that in his mythical post-football life.
Before dessert, Charlie excused herself to go to the ladies’ room.
Trent was sure Tammy would go with her, but she remained seated.
The tension that had abated after two glasses of Raptor Ridge pinot noir snapped back like a crocodile clamping down on his shoulder blades.
Tammy wasted no time leaning forward to take advantage of Charlie’s absence.
“Trent, you know I love you like a brother in spite of your impossible ego and overprivileged hide, but I am worried about you. Have you lost your flipping mind? What the hell are you doing with that woman?”
“What the hell are you talking about? She’s wonderful. She’s beautiful, intelligent, accomplished, kind—”
Tammy put her hands up. “Stop. You’re making my point for me. She is so not your type. She’s the epitome of everything you’ve avoided your entire career. Until now. And suddenly you’re in love? Ha.” She leaned back in her chair. “I don’t buy it.”
Trent stared her down and then, finally, he shrugged. There was nothing he could do or say except stick to his story. Besides, he didn’t think it was nearly as unbelievable as Tammy was making it out to be.
“Unless . . .” She perked up and looked serious. “You’re not retiring at the end of the season, are you? You would have told me—and the family. You wouldn’t make that decision without discussing it with us, would you?” She almost looked horrified.
He laughed. “No, I wouldn’t. I have no plans to retire.”
“Good.” She sat back and he relaxed. She took another sip of her wine and so did he. Then Tammy leaned in again and spoke very quietly, but he heard her loud and clear.
“Then tell me what the hell you did with that ten million dollars that’s gone missing from your portfolio?”