After the game, Jackie made her way through the stadium to the friends and family room where she’d agreed to wait for Alex. She showed her ID at the door and waited, feeling uncomfortable, as the guard searched his list. He gave her the nod and she slipped in. The room was packed with women making halfhearted attempts to corral excited children and clusters of men showing each other shots on their phones and talking in the animated way that people on the fringe of exciting action often did. A group of stylishly dressed younger women stood in one corner, eyeing her.
She walked over to a table spread with drinks and food. The fare was a step up from the food in the stadium, but she wasn’t interested in any of it. She’d seen the look on Alex’s face as he’d reentered the dugout.
She couldn’t stand around waiting any longer.
She walked back to the guard.
“I’d like to see Alex Tavonesi, if I may.” She used her most charming English accent; it usually smoothed the way.
“You and a thousand other people.” The guard grinned. “Sorry.” He looked at his watch. “He’s not one to dally with the press.” He looked up and a sly smile crawled across his face. “Won’t be long at all.”
A hand grabbed her waist from behind and turned her.
“Carl is on my side,” Alex said with a grin. “Carl, this is the esteemed Dr. Brandon. She keeps the sea lions healthy so they can have a bite or two out of your best salmon catch.”
Carl cracked a smile and then turned to stop three teenagers from crowding into the room.
“Let’s get out of here,” Alex said against her ear. He trotted her down a tunnel and out a side door. She pointed to where she’d parked her truck.
“I’m driving,” she said as she opened the passenger door for him. “I’m not risking my life on that.” She nodded toward his bandaged wrist.
“It’s not broken, if that’s what you’re worried about. Nothing another shot of cortisone and”—he leaned down and kissed her—“this won’t handle.”
He pressed his lips to hers and all the emotions she’d held in check as she’d watched him struggle at the plate, as she’d waited to hear if he was okay, as she’d struggled to keep the events of the past days at bay, poured into her kiss.
After a moment, after a lifetime, she eased back. She wanted to say it, needed to say it. He’d said he loved her. She never thought she’d believe a man again, but she believed him. And she needed to declare her love in return.
“I love you,” she said. It came out almost brusque, but from the answering look in his eyes, her tone didn’t matter.
“I know,” he said as he squeezed her hand and kissed her. “You stayed for the whole game.”
“You’re a beast,” she said, pulling away. “And I’m still not letting you drive.” She nudged him into the passenger seat and pulled the seat belt across his lap.
As she slid behind the wheel, a group of raucous fans entered the lot a few yards away. Alex shut his door and pulled his hood up over his head.
“Drive,” he said, slinking down into the seat. He grinned over at her. “Incognito.”
“I knew my battered sealmobile would impress you someday,” she said.
“I’m more interested in the wench driving than the winch in the back.”
Jackie moaned. “Did the trainers make a mistake and shoot the cortisone directly into your brain?”
He laughed.
“We English hold a high standard for humor,” she said as she honked at a car that was clearly in her way and hadn’t changed lanes properly. “So it’s a good thing you can cook.”
“No, it’s a good thing this truck has airbags,” he said, dodging her punch.