To Win Her Love (33 page)

“What about curfew, Cinderella?”

She shrugged. Pete’s stipulations were no longer her concern.

Scratching his fingertips over his clean-shaven jaw, his grin slid away. “You know I was teasing, right? He may be a pain in my ass most days, but ultimately, Jake’s a friend.”

“Tell that to Daphne and the girls.”

His nostrils flared on a scoffing snort. “Daphne and her ilk are nothing more than fun and games. Groupies who know the score.”

“You think I don’t know the score?”

“Oh, sweetheart. You’re not even playing in the same game.”

“I didn’t realize I was playing at all.”

He nodded. “Exactly my point.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That means I don’t have a chance in hell of seeing you naked because you aren’t like Daphne and the girls. You’re not the type of woman to sleep with one man while you’re in love with another. Besides, the playoffs start next week. Jake won’t do the team a lot of good if he’s serving time for attempted murder.”

She smiled slightly but didn’t bother denying his charge of her being in love with Jake because, well, what difference did it make? Her temporary glimpse at happily ever after was over.

Keep it light, Gracie. Get through tonight and tomorrow will sort itself out.

“Some friend you are. Hanging around the farm and putting the moves on me when you clearly knew Jake and I were sleeping together.”

He grinned and shrugged.

She made her smile sickly sweet. “With friends like you, who needs enemies?”

He laughed. “Hey, it’s not every day a man gets to make his friend nuts because he’s going down in flames over a woman.”

Surprise made her blink. Going down in flames? Her heart shivered with pleasure even as she dismissed the possibility. She liked to think Jake cared more for her than all those other women he’d stolen from Tuck, but going down in flames was a complete stretch. Besides, relationships never lasted longer than the heat that sparked them. Both she and Jake understood that, even if no one else seemed to. Bottom line, he was Jake Malone. By next month, she’d be nothing more than the twins’ aunt and hopefully, a sweet memory to the Outlaw tight end. Playtime was over and after tonight, he’d no doubt be relieved to see her go.

She sighed. What she’d feared would happen had, and Jake was right. Because of her stubbornness, the fallout would be much worse and people would be hurt. The least she could do was minimize the wreckage.

There was nothing she could do to stop the firestorm her father and his family faced because of her, but with her out of the picture, the damage to the Waldens
and
the girls and Jake would be lessened. The press loved a heartwarming story and what better than a famous bachelor doing the right thing by taking on the care of his orphaned sisters?

No matter where she lived, the girls were still her family. Once the furor died down, she’d quietly demand they work out an agreeable arrangement for visitation. Jake owed her that much and, ultimately, he wasn’t cruel, even if the broken pieces of her heart laid at his feet.

“You can relax. You, Jake,
and
the Marauders are safe. I wasn’t asking to run off with you. I simply need a ride to my apartment. We’re not far. I live at Twenty-third between Fifth and Sixth.”

“You
live
at Thompson farm.”

She shuddered. “Not anymore.”

His brows clashed together in confusion. “I don’t understand. Jake has feelings for you. He won’t be happy learning you cut out without a word.”

“It’s complicated.”

“It’s bullshit.” Tuck cut her a challenging glance. “Anyone with eyes can see how you feel about Jake, and what about the twins? You belong with them. I never would’ve taken you for a quitter.”

The charge stung, but she was too heartsick to explain in detail. “I’m not a quitter. I’m pragmatic.”

Anger flashed in his eyes when they cut her way. “And Jake? Doesn’t he have a say in this?”

She thought of the accusations he’d thrown at her less than an hour ago and fought back tears. “Believe me, he had plenty to say when he was screaming at me in the ladies’ room. None of what he said was good.”

“Women. When will your kind realize it’s a mistake to take a man’s words to heart when he’s on a tear?” He shook his head. “How much has he told you about his childhood?”

She blinked, wondering where he was going with the out-of-the-blue question. “What does his childhood have to do with any of this?”

“Plenty. What has he told you?”

She shrugged. “Some. I know he grew up on a ranch in Texas with his mother.”

“His mother.” His sharp laugh held no humor. “It’s ironic, since he rarely has more than one or two drinks, but he got smashed one night and told me some shit that would curl your hair. Let’s say his mother was a useless drunk and leave it at that. But for V, he grew up virtually alone. She, Tom, and Sharon are the closest thing he has to family. Is it any wonder he’s upset?”

“No.” She sighed. “Believe it or not, I don’t blame him. I’m simply trying to do the right thing. For everyone involved. Are you going to take me to my place, or do I need to take the train from the farm?”

His jaw tightened, but other than mumbling about stubborn women, he remained silent and spun the car in a tight U-turn. Neither of them spoke another word. She battled the pity party threatening to engulf her until he pulled the car to the curb. She glanced up and turned to him with a frown. “Why are we here?”

He opened his door without a word, rounding the hood to open hers. She joined him on the sidewalk in front of Max’s gym.

“If you think I’m facing Jake after dumping you off alone at your apartment, you’re nuts.” He wrapped strong fingers around her arm and jerked his chin at the illuminated windows of the second floor apartment. “Maybe Max can talk some sense into you.”

Though Max tried, Gracie held her ground. “This has nothing to do with my feelings for Jake.”

Slouched on the other end of the couch in Max’s upstairs apartment, Tuck snorted and flipped through the TV channels with the remote. She shot him a glare.

Max handed her a bag of frozen peas and dropped onto an oversized chair across from her. “If I thought you truly believed that, I’d be laughing my ass off.”

She pressed the bag to her cheekbone and hissed softly. “Weren’t you paying attention? My father and his wife were virtually attacked because of me.”

“I caught every word and nuance, and from what I heard, they weren’t the only ones attacked.” His frown grew as he studied the already bruising skin around her eye. “I can’t believe Dina did that to you.”

“I can’t believe you went out with her. Please tell me you didn’t sleep with her.” She wasn’t the least bit surprised when his forehead creased in a guilty grimace. “Ick!”

“I’m sorry, kiddo. I didn’t realize she was such a vindictive bitch.”

Surprised by the anger in his voice, she waived his guilt aside. “She’s not important. Well, unless she decides to sue me for assault.”

“She threw the first punch, or elbow.” Tuck spoke without taking his eyes from the TV. “With as many witnesses as there were, she has no case.”

Gracie patted the cold bag against the swollen bruise Dina’s elbow left behind. “I hope so, because I already have enough on my plate and, come tomorrow morning, I’ll have yet another catastrophic scandal to worry about.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to wait that long.”

Both she and Max turned at Tuck’s bland announcement and she groaned. A clip of Tom and Sharon Walden filled the TV screen, with Jake at Sharon’s side, surrounded by a throng of frenzied reporters as they descended the famous steps of The Met. As the film rolled, the commentator reported on the breaking story. Gracie couldn’t focus enough to comprehend what was said. Only a few words pierced her misery.

Allegedly, shocking, family man, love child, blah, blah, blah. She dropped her head to her knees.

“Hey now, there’s a handsome guy.”

She peeked from beneath her lashes then bolted up straight. The camera passed over Tuck, in the background of the museum’s grand hall, before zooming in on Dina Sutton’s face. Like a nightmare caught on film, the screen documented the moments leading up to Gracie’s altercation with the vicious reporter. Gracie stared, silently begging the TV gods to provide an alternate ending to the one she knew was coming. Of course, they ignored her pleas. She cringed when Dina’s elbow landed and winced audibly when her fist returned the favor a moment later.

Finally, the picture cut back to the talking head. Tuck turned to her and grinned. “Remind me never to piss you off.”

Max chuckled and she shot him a glare. “Now do you see why I have to leave? I’ve made a complete mess of things.”

“And you think running away will stop the carnage?”

She scowled at his choice of words. “I think taking myself out of the equation will diminish the interest, yes.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, good luck with that. Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you the one who hid out at the farm for almost two months while the press staked out the gate?” He arched a brow. “Face it, kiddo. When the press decides you’re a story, you’re a story. Nothing you do or don’t do is going to change that.”

She moaned and dropped her head again.

“Max is right, and you’re going to have to grow some thicker skin if you’re going to be a football wife.”

She sat up to gawk at Tuck. “Are you insane?”

He ignored her and spoke to Max. “Funniest thing I’ve ever seen is Jake trying to pretend he doesn’t want to rip my head off every time
his
princess smiles at me.”

She rolled her eyes when the two of them shared a grin. “I appreciate the ride, but don’t you have somewhere to be?”

“Nope.”

She bared her teeth. “Maybe you could call Daphne.”

He tugged at the knee of his slacks, crossing his leg over the opposite knee. “I never thought I’d see the day the Outlaw hung up his spurs, but damn, the idea of Malone trading in his jet set lifestyle and
Playboy
magazines for a white picket fence and children’s books is enough to make me piss my pants laughing.”

Max laughed despite the silent plea she shot him. “He has a point. You and Jake have unfinished business.”

Frustration made her retort sharp. “What we
had
was a temporary affair after causing an inopportune scandal, followed by
another
scandal. This is number three. We won’t be having any more. We’re done.”

“Does Jake know that?”

Tuck chuckled. “I guarantee you, he doesn’t.”

She bristled at his lighthearted tone. “Weren’t you paying attention when he shoved me at you and demanded you get me out of there? You didn’t hear him in the ladies’ room.
I
guarantee, he was mad enough to wring my neck.”

“Big deal. He was pissed off. You should know him well enough by now to realize he has a temper.”

“He wasn’t in a temper, he was justifiably furious.”

“You’re mistaking shock for fury.” He spoke over her when she growled her frustration. “I was there, Gracie. I saw his face. He about shit his pants when he found out Tom dated your mother. Hell, I about shit
mine
when the press came running up and announced you were Tom’s daughter. When Jake has time to think things through, he’ll calm down.” He waggled his brows suggestively. “Hell, he probably already has. A thousand bucks says he’s already looking forward to the make-up sex.”

Max nodded, clearly agreeing with Tuck’s assessment of the situation.

She growled low in her throat. “Do you ever take anything serious? This isn’t about sex.”

Tuck shrugged a shoulder. “Take my word for it. For guys, everything is about sex.”

She rolled her eyes. They were veering way off track. She sucked in a calming breath and attempted to regain control. “Neither of you get it. I’d already decided to leave the farm. Tonight’s disastrous ending only makes my immediate departure more essential.”

“I’m betting Jake would disagree.”

“Then you’d lose. He blames me for putting Tom and Sharon in this position. With good reason.”

“You’re blaming
yourself
for that?” Tuck tossed a thumb toward the TV.

“Why wouldn’t I when it’s my fault?”

“What a crock.” Anger sparkled in Max’s eyes. “Tom Walden may have been young when he knocked up your mother, but that doesn’t mean the consequences aren’t his to bear.”

She jutted out her chin. “You’re missing my point.”

“What
is
your point? Because blaming yourself for your father’s behavior is bullshit as well as stupid.”

She shook her head. “I’m not blaming myself for his behavior, but I can’t blame
him
either. How could he handle a situation he obviously knew nothing about?” She shoved to her feet and paced the room. “How many times have we talked about this, Max? I knew. I
knew
having any kind of contact with him would lead to disaster, but I let my curiosity get the better of me. None of this would’ve happened if I had stuck to the plan and stayed away from him.”

Max sighed. “Gracie, you know I love you, but none of what you said explains why you would leave the farm with forty-eight hours to go. It’s done. The world knows you’re Tom Walden’s daughter. How will giving up on your dream possibly repair whatever perceived wrongs your female brain has decided are your responsibility?”

She ignored the insult to her femininity and searched for the words to make him understand. Even if tonight’s disaster hadn’t taken place, the outcome of the custody battle had been sealed in her heart the moment she witnessed the glittering emotion in Jake’s eyes as his sisters curled in his lap.

Forcing them to choose between Jake and her was cruel. She wouldn’t do that to the girls and couldn’t do it to Jake. They might not have a future together. He might not love her, but she loved him. She couldn’t do something so hurtful.

“Don’t you see? I love the girls, but they’ve been through enough.” She pointed at the TV. “This story isn’t going away anytime soon, and I refuse to subject them to any more upheaval. What good is achieving my dream if the people I love are harmed in the process?”