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Rebecca broke into his thoughts. “The league commissioner called this morning.”
Jacobe scoffed. “Already? I guess he couldn’t wait to tell me I’ve messed up. So what is it? A fine? One-game suspension?”
Eric glared at Jacobe. “Let me do the talking.”
Brian jerked forward in his chair. “Try a five-game suspension.”
The words stunned Jacobe into temporary silence. “Five games?” He’d expected to miss a game, maybe two, not five. They were a few weeks away from the play-offs. If the team lost at this time they could miss their chance at being a number-one seed. Worse, they may not make it at all.
“Yes. Five,” Brian said. “Your antics are hurting the team. When the rest of the owners overrode me and brought you here, I knew it would be a problem. You don’t care about this team. You don’t care about anyone but yourself.”
“I care about the team.” The words were automatic. Programmed. Though the guys on the team had grown closer to him than any other teammates he’d had since college, he cared mostly about making his way to the play-offs and, ultimately, Phoenix.
“Of course he cares about the team,” Eric said. “He’s done everything to dedicate himself to the team.”
“If he cared about the team he wouldn’t have knocked Rob out.”
“Rob deserved a lot more than being knocked out.”
Coach sighed and leaned his forearms on the table. “What did he say that set you off?”
“Something he shouldn’t have.”
Brian scoffed and tossed his hand toward Jacobe. “See, utter lack of caring about the consequences of your actions.”
Eric held up his hands. “Look, he gets why he shouldn’t have hit him during the game.”
“After would be better?” Brian asked.
After the game Jacobe wouldn’t have hit him just once, but that was beside the point. “I shouldn’t have let my temper get the better of me. I want to take the team to the play-offs just as much as you want to get us there.”
Brian didn’t reply. He just sat back in his seat and crossed his arms. He might hate Jacobe, but they both wanted wins.
Rebecca glanced between Jacobe and Brian. When Brian didn’t say any more, she focused on Jacobe. “Your popularity with the team’s fans is high, but last night there was a lot of chatter on the internet about how you’re not good for the team.”
“You’re winning,” Eric said with a grin. “They’ll get over it.”
She lifted a hand. “That may be true, but Jacobe will be gone for five games. If the team starts to lose, then it’ll be easy to blame your hot temper and lack of focus for the losses.”
“If you’re telling me to play nice, I hear you. No more fighting on the court.”
Rebecca shook her head. “We need more than that.”
“What?”
“We need a plan. Today.”
Eric looked around the table. “You can’t be serious?”
Coach Simpson nodded. “We are. We want Jacobe to remain a Gator, that’s no secret. We also want everyone to see that he’s an asset to the team.” Coach tilted his head slightly in Brian’s direction. The hairs on the back of Jacobe’s neck twitched some more. He eventually wanted to go to Phoenix, but if that didn’t pan out he didn’t need the Gators refusing to sign him next year.
“We’ve finally hit our rhythm as a team,” Coach continued. “If we keep playing like we’re playing we’ve got a shot at the play-offs and, I believe, the title. We’ve built something great here. Let’s keep it going.”
“I hear you, Coach, but I can’t play if I know every time I foul someone I’m going to be called into the conference room and told to behave.”
Brian snorted. “That was a lot more than a foul.”
Rebecca cut in before Jacobe could respond. “That’s why we met before you were here. We all want you to remain a Gator next year.”
Jacobe narrowed his eyes and studied them. Coach and Rebecca eyed him intensely, and Brian looked like he was tired of the entire fiasco. Wariness had his stomach churning.
Eric shifted in his seat. “You keep saying that. Are there plans to drop him?”
Rebecca and Coach both shook their heads and said simultaneously, “You know we want him.”
Brian sat forward and nailed Jacobe with a hard stare. “You’re a free agent next year. We won’t keep a liability.”
“Are you threatening my client?” Eric’s voice turned hard.
Rebecca tried again for the friendly smile. “Of course not. Which is why I’m working on a plan to make you more likable.”
Jacobe’s shoulders tightened. “Excuse me?”
“You aren’t seen out and about doing things in the community. If you take up a project or a cause, people will see that you’re giving back instead of just...”
“Being a distraction and hindrance,” Jacobe finished for her.
He gritted his teeth. Like many other athletes, Jacobe gave to various charitable organizations. Mostly to programs that mentored young boys and gave them direction and support. He gave his money but not his time. He was still getting his own life figured out—how could he possibly make a good mentor?
Eric gave him a reassuring look before turning to Rebecca. “What are you thinking?”
“We’ve come up with a list of organizations that you can be seen with.”
Jacobe shook his head. This was his image problem. He’d find a way to fix it. “I’ve already got an idea.”
Rebecca frowned. “You do?”
“How about protecting the river,” Jacobe said. “It’s a big part of our city. I’ve got a friend who works to protect the St. Johns River and the beach. You can’t deny that seeing me out there saving sea turtles or some stuff like that would make people like me.”
Eric nodded and tapped his finger on the table. “That could work. Being green is in right now.”
He almost laughed. He’d known Danielle back when saving the planet wasn’t just a fad and she was the earth’s number-one champion. “I know it’ll work.”
“Can you set up something with them by the end of the week?”
“I’m sure I can.” He already planned to see Danielle later that day to apologize. He still wanted to sleep with her, but he wouldn’t assume she would readily fall into his bed. That night in college was a once-in-a-lifetime action. He had a feeling that the woman she was today wasn’t going to come to him on a spontaneous whim. He’d have to earn a place in her bed.
Chapter 3
“I’m sorry, Danielle, but I don’t think the River Watchers should push council to oppose Clear Water’s expansion.”
Danielle fought to keep calm as she stared at the board president. Liberty Meyer was only on the board as an attempt to prove the River Watchers were open to voices from all sides. After Danielle had gone for Clear Water and a few other industries like a pit bull on crack, some in the business community had accused the River Watchers of being too biased. Liberty was a vocal member of the manufacturers’ alliance and the River Watchers’ attempt to bring the business community in on the discussions. Much to Danielle’s chagrin, Liberty ran and won a seat on county council after being assigned to the board. Making her a double pain on Danielle’s backside.
“Our organization serves as champions to our natural resources,” Danielle said in a surprisingly calm voice. “If they’re allowed to expand and dump into Springfield Creek it’ll be devastating to the local ecosystem. Not to mention the neighborhood downstream that uses the creek for fishing and recreation.”
“Clear Water expanding will bring jobs,” Liberty countered. “If we don’t bring jobs, that can be detrimental to the population. I care about the flowers and the fish and birds as much as everyone sitting around this table.”
Danielle barely stopped herself from snorting.
“But I care more about the men, women and children that rely on me as a member of the county council to keep our economy strong and vital.”
“I care about the people here, too. This isn’t just about the birds and the flowers, Liberty. Clear Water can’t meet their permit limits. There’s an entire population who’ll be swimming in sewage if they dump into the creek.”
Liberty rolled her eyes and waved a hand. “Oh, Danielle, please. That’s why we have engineers who can design and build a system that can properly treat the waste. People won’t be in sewage. This is why I’ve always said you’re too biased when it comes to these types of decisions.”
Debra’s hand gripped Danielle’s leg beneath the table. The movement effectively stopped Danielle from pouncing onto Liberty. That wasn’t the first time the woman had thrown out the comment. Danielle and Debra both believed Liberty was trying to make a case with the board to remove Danielle as director.
Mr. Springfield, who’d watched the exchange silently with the rest of the board members, rapped his knuckles on the table. “Ladies, ladies, you both make very good points. Since I’m directly affected by the expansion, I have to defer from voting, but I think this is important enough for the board to take both sides into consideration. If Clear Water can truly improve by expanding, it’s better than having a poorly run system out there. If they cannot, then none of us here want them discharging into Springfield Creek. Let’s take a little more time, talk to the people in Environmental Protection and see if Clear Water will come to a board meeting to discuss their plans.”
There was a round of agreement at the table. Danielle and Liberty gave tight smiles and stiff nods. Mr. Springfield had made a valid point, though Danielle doubted Clear Water would be willing to come to the table and speak to them.
Danielle nodded. “I’ll make the necessary contacts. I’ll also speak with the Environmental Protection again and send my findings to the board.”
Liberty sat forward and crossed her arms on the table. “Don’t spend too much time on that. Remember the gala is the most important thing right now.”
Danielle took a slow deep breath before responding. “The plans for the gala are coming along very well. We’ve got several sponsors.” Five. “And ticket sales are promising.” Two sold today bringing them to a total of twenty.
“Really? I thought it would be slow considering the lack of promotion.”
Debra grabbed Danielle’s leg again. The limited promotion was due to the budget cuts on the advertisement. Budget cuts Liberty recommended. “We’ve been lucky to have been picked up a media sponsor.” The local free newspaper counted.
Liberty’s smile was fake and tight. “That’s good. I don’t know how we’ll keep things going as is if we don’t bring in more funding.”
Translation: make the gala a success or else Liberty had a good reason for Danielle’s dismissal.
The meeting ended soon after. Danielle was too annoyed and wound up to sit in her office and work on the final preparations for the river cleanup that weekend.
Debra poked her head in Danielle’s door. “Hey, I’m about to go pick up supplies for that school presentation later in the week. You need anything?”
“A hundred ticket sales,” Danielle said.
“Don’t let Liberty get to you. Sales always start slow. They’ll pick up.”
Danielle pushed aside her frustration with Liberty. She would make this gala a success. “I know they will.” She filled her voice with confidence.
“Hey, I’ve got something to get your mind off of Liberty. Let’s call the rest of the river rats and hang out tonight. Maybe we’ll come up with some good ideas to shut up Liberty.”
Danielle’s first impulse was to say no. She’d rather figure out how to get more ticket sales for the gala. Maybe even do some door knocking for sponsors. But if she thought about it too much she’d go crazy. A night out with people who understood would help. “Set it up.”
Debra clapped her hands. “Great! Look I’ve got to go. Most of the interns are out taking samples. We all have our cells if you need anything.”
Danielle smiled and waved at Debra as she floated out of the office. With no one there to help distract her from the fact that Liberty wanted her gone, Danielle opted for the best thing to get her mind off of the uncontrollable things in her life. Kicking off her kitten heels, she slipped on a pair of rain boots and stomped out the back of the cottage and down to the beach. Having an office right on the very water body they were trying to protect was the best thing about her job. Every time she thought her work was getting nowhere or that no one was listening or cared, she could look out her window and see the sun reflecting off the waves and remember what she was fighting for. The one thing that she could hold on to in her life.
It was cloudy and drizzling, so she’d put on her pink North Face raincoat for the walk. She liked the beach when it was sunny, but loved it on drizzly days like today. Not as hot, less crowded, and the waters were choppy due to the winds. The sound of each pounding wave would slowly knock away whatever frustration tightened her muscles.
She’d walked a mile down the beach and was on her way back when her cell phone rang in her jacket pocket. She stopped and pulled it. One look at the screen and the tension that had just drained from her shoulders slowly started back.
“Hi, Mom,” she said.
“Hello, Danielle, how are things going with my favorite daughter?” Adele Stewart asked in her cheery voice.
She was an only child, so the compliment didn’t give Danielle any false sense of importance. “The board meeting was rough this morning. I’m out walking the beach now.”
“Is this about the Clear Water expansion?”
“How did you know about that?”
“I read the board meeting agendas that you send me,” Adele said, as if Danielle should have known that.
As little attention as her parents gave her, she was surprised to know that her mom read them. The young girl who still wanted their attention was the part of her that added them to the River Watchers mailing list in the vain hope that they’d at least find her work interesting.
“That’s it, actually. I’ve got a board member who doesn’t think we should ask the town to oppose the expansion before the permit is on notice. I disagree.”
Adele sighed and Danielle pictured her mom shaking her head in disbelief. “I can’t fathom why everyone doesn’t understand the important role we play in making this world a better place.”
“Not everyone thinks that way.”
“They should. Don’t worry, honey, good always triumphs over evil.”
Danielle chuckled. “She’s not evil. She just has her own self-interests.”
“People who refuse to take responsibility for improving the world are a form of evil.”
Words Danielle had heard most of her life. She loved her parents, but many times she’d wished they’d stopped trying so hard to save everyone else in the world and just focus on raising her.
“Where’s Dad?”
“Oh, that’s why I called. We’re taking in another foster child—a boy, eight years old. His mother is in prison and the his father died last year.”
“Another? You’ve already got two kids.”
“I know, but I was so moved by his story when I went to the latest CASA meeting. Danielle, there are so many kids out there who need love. It’s our duty to do what we can.”
“I know, Mom, but you and Dad don’t have to take in every child you come across. I thought you were coming to Ridgeport for the river cleanup this weekend. That’ll be hard to do with a new kid in the house.”
“Oh, Danielle, don’t be selfish. We’ll try to make it if we can.”
Danielle bit her lower lip and dug the toe of her boot into the wet sand. Adele was an expert at hitting Danielle with the guilty stick. Danielle knew there were kids who needed love and affection. She knew that everyone wasn’t blessed to have two parents like she did. But all her life her parents were busy with the causes they took up after they couldn’t have another child.
“We don’t need our own child. Not when there are so many out there we can shower with love.”
Her dad has spoken those words to her mom when she’d cried after another failed pregnancy. Danielle had been nine when she overheard them. A few months later the various projects started. They’d built houses, feed the poor, championed animal rights, and now were taking in foster kids. They had taught her the importance of serving, but they’d also been too busy with their projects to give her any attention. From bad days at school, fights with her friends, or a choral recital they couldn’t attend, their comments were always the same. There were people out there who had it worse than her.
Danielle used to wonder why they didn’t want to shower their attention on her. Was she not good enough? Even though she was older, the feelings of not being enough for her parents hadn’t gone away.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” she said. “Bring him along. I’ve got to meet my new brother sooner or later.”
“We’ll see what the courts say,” Adele said dismissively. “Even though his mother is in jail, they may grant visitation. You know I like to make sure the kids see their parents on weekends if they can.”
She had her answer: her parents weren’t coming. Eventually, she’d stop caring when they missed something of hers because of another commitment. “Don’t worry about it. As long as you guys make the gala in a few weeks that’s all that matters. It’s the inaugural event. I need to make an impression. It would mean a lot to me if you two were there.”
“Of course, dear. Oh, your dad’s home. We’ve got to go get a few things for your brother’s room. I’ll give you a call later, okay? Love you. Bye.”
The call ended before Danielle could say anything more. Danielle stared at the phone for a few seconds, sighed, and then shoved it into her pocket.
“Good thing I don’t crave my parents’ attention,” she said to the wind. “I would be constantly disappointed.”
* * *
The sounds of excited conversation filtered from the house as Danielle trudged up the steps to the office’s back door. She left her rain boots in the mudroom, slipped on her heels and followed the sounds of conversation toward the kitchen. Halfway there, the deeper sound of a man’s familiar voice slowed her steps. Her pulse raced with anticipation and she carefully eased her way to the open door.
“Jacobe?” she said.
He stood next to the sink, a mug of coffee in his hand, surrounded by three of the interns. Blue-gray slacks covered his long legs and a crisp white shirt wrapped his muscles like the most desirable of Christmas presents. Unwrapping all of that toned, tight body would be something worth celebrating. He glanced up from the group and hit her with his devastating smile.
“Just the woman I was looking for.”
He sounded happy to see her. Heat flooded her cheeks. She looked away and pulled off the rain jacket. If she kept eye contact, she’d start grinning and stammering along with blushing.
“I was out walking the beach. From the looks of things, everyone here made you comfortable while you waited.”
The interns all grinned and hurried to talk over one another about how they’d completed their morning fieldwork. Danielle lifted her hands. “You’re fine. I’m not that much of an evil boss that I’m going to get angry about you being excited when a famous basketball player comes into the office.”
“You have softened up,” Jacobe said. “The Danielle I knew was always on task and never took a break.”
She lifted her chin and met his eye. “That was the Danielle I allowed you to know.”
“I think I got a glimpse of the more laid-back Danielle once.” The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile full of the sinful secrets of that more laid-back Danielle.
She ignored the butterflies crashing around her stomach like drunken seagulls. “You said you wanted to see me—well, I’m here. Let’s go to my office.” She looked at everyone in the room. “You all can get back to work.”
Jacobe grinned and strolled over to her. “That’s the Danielle I know and love.”
She snorted. “Love had nothing to do with our relationship.” She spun away and marched from the kitchen. One of the interns winked at her as Danielle passed. She could only imagine the thoughts going through her mind.
She made her way down the hall to the last door on the right. Jacobe’s footsteps followed.
“You’re wrong,” Jacobe said. “There were a lot of things I loved about you.”
“What, my badgering you to come to our study sessions on time, or my endless lectures about what you could be contributing to make the world a better place?”
She stepped over the threshold into her office, but a tug on the back of her sweater kept her from taking another step. She faltered, then quickly turned. Jacobe let go.
“These little sweaters you wear. I loved those.”
Danielle looked down at her rather unremarkable outfit: gray slacks, a black-and-yellow polka-dot blouse and a bright yellow cardigan, then back up at him. “My cardigans?”
“Yes, you’re just as sexy in those now as you were then.” He lifted a hand and reached for her face. Danielle jerked back before he touched her. He grinned. “I was only going to compliment you on the glasses. I like these better than the ones you used to wear.” When he reached forward this time, she didn’t pull away. Jacobe ran a finger over the hinges and lightly brushed her face. “Between the glasses and the sweaters you’ve got the sexy, good-girl vibe going on. I always knew there was passion in you for more than just class work.”
Her body went up in flames. Taking a step back, Danielle inhaled a deep, shaky breath. “If you’re here to repeat your request from Saturday night, then you’ve wasted your time.”
She wished her office was big enough to stalk to the other side and put a decent enough space between them. Instead, there was little extra space in the small room. Between her desk, file cabinets and plastic tubs filled with materials they used for various functions, she barely had a clear path from the door to her seat behind the desk.
Jacobe followed her farther into the office. His huge, muscled form soaked up all the remaining space in the room. He pushed the door closed. When he faced her again, thankfully, he didn’t step closer and leaned against the door, instead.
“That’s not why I’m here. One of the reasons I came by is to apologize for the other night.”
She’d opened her mouth in preparation for a rebuff. She snapped it closed. “Come again? You’re apologizing?”
“Don’t sound so surprised. I am capable of admitting when I’m wrong. You remember that much about me.”
She did, actually. He may have given her a hard time when she fussed about him keeping her waiting and always had a reason for why he was late, but he never tried to blame his inability to keep to their schedule on anyone but himself. She would have had a much easier time not lusting after him if he’d blamed others for his problems.
“I do.”
“I am sorry about approaching you like that. I had a bad game, as you saw. When I spotted you, nothing but good memories of that night popped up. I can’t lie. I wanted you again.”
Her knees went weak. She sat on the edge of her desk to hide the effect. “Oh. Well, good memories or not, I wasn’t there to relive that one night.”
“I guessed as much when you stalked out mad as hell. I still want you, but I’m willing to earn my way into your bed. Not assume you’ll automatically let me there.”
Awareness—no, anticipation buzzed through her body. “You’re here to let me know you’re planning to seduce me?”
He straightened from the door and shook his head. “I do think you should know that I’m perfectly willing to pick up where we left off, but that’s not why I’m here. The other reason for this visit is because I need a favor that involves the River Watchers.”
Her brain fought to keep up. He wanted a repeat of that night? That shouldn’t make her so giddy. Pushing the giddiness firmly aside, she focused on the second statement. “A favor? Really?”
“Really.”
“What kind of favor?”
He rubbed his hands together and examined the various framed awards and news clippings on her office wall. “I’d like to volunteer, do some things to improve my image by helping the environment.” He focused back on her.