Page 22 of Game On

“What was the problem at the television studio the other morning?” he challenged.

For a moment, he didn’t think she’d answer. In fact, he was counting on her not answering and stalking back to her charges and leaving him the hell alone. Instead, she surprised him, sinking down into the chair next to his. He watched her, curious, as she picked up the wrapper from his straw and silently twisted it around her finger. After a quick glance over her shoulder at the little ones still enjoying their yogurt, she finally looked at him.

“That guy who was outside my home a few weeks ago when you and Donovan ran by—Joel Tompkins—he works at the station. He’s very . . . eager . . . for a date with me, even though I’ve told him no a couple hundred times,” she said.

From the look on Carly’s face, Shane knew there was more to it.

“What. Did. He. Do?” he demanded.

Carly took exception to Shane’s tone, stretching back in her chair to put some space between them. The move made Shane angrier.

“I’m serious, Dorothy. If the guy’s a problem, you need to let Donnie or Coach know. One of us can handle him.”

Rolling her eyes at him, she let out a huff. “Donovan has already handled him. He and Asia had Joel reassigned from the Blaze complex, but Donovan has no jurisdiction at the television station, although he’s tried.” A chagrined smile quickly came and went from her face. “Donovan had him banned from my neighborhood. Now that I know where he works, I’ll definitely boycott Channel Three. Problem solved.”

Shane banged his head back on the wall behind him and closed his eyes in frustration. “I hadn’t figured you to play the victim.”

“Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt,” she said quietly. “Don’t worry, I don’t plan to play the victim ever again.”

Opening his eyes, he looked into her determined face. He sighed. “Just promise me you won’t be a hero?”

A slow grin spread across her face. “I promise.”

They sat there staring at each other like two idiots for who knows how long, until Asia hobbled up. She thumped something that looked like a seating chart onto the table between them.

“Just the two people I’ve been looking for,” Asia huffed, pushing her crutches aside to slide into the other empty chair. “I need to finish this seating chart for the gala tomorrow night and you two are the last singles I need to seat.”

Shane bought his ticket for the thousand-bucks-a-head gala, but he didn’t actually plan on attending, so he really didn’t care where Asia sat him. Looking at the faces of both women, Shane decided it was best to keep his planned no-show a secret.

“I’m sitting at the kids’ table,” Carly said, pointing to a spot on the chart.

“Shocker,” Asia said.

“There’s a kid’s table?” Shane asked.

“Yes, Shane, there is,” Carly said. “Since this is a foundation for kids, Lisa and Matt want their children there for the fund-raising launch. They want to share the moment with their fam-i-lee.” She shot him a cheeky grin.

“Yeah, and you’ll be the babysitter.” Asia rolled her eyes at Carly. “And, to make your evening more enjoyable, I’m putting the punter, Tom Rakowski, next to you since he’s coming stag. Seriously, you guys are professional athletes. Why is it you can’t get dates?” she asked, looking up at Shane.

“Kickers are dweebs,” Shane said. Still, he was a more than a little bothered by the fact that the Blaze’s punter would be spending tomorrow evening making nice with Carly.

“While you, Shane Devlin, have star quality. I’m putting you at one of the big spender tables. Most of the men are in their seventies, but their trophy wives will appreciate the view you bring,” Asia said. Something about her tone gave Shane the feeling she might not be joking.

“Hey, why can’t Rakowski man the cougar table?” Shane asked.

“Dweeb, remember,” Asia said, penciling something on one of the circles on the chart.

Carly laughed, her eyes sparkling at Shane.

“Or . . .” What was he doing? He wasn’t even going to the damn dinner. “Carly and I could sit together and Rakowski can sit with the Richie Riches.”

Both women stared at him.

“It wouldn’t be like a date, really,” Shane bumbled. “Just ‘friendly coworkers’ going to a team function together.”

“So not a date, then,” Asia said with a perplexed look. Carly continued to stare at him.

“Well, sort of like a date, but not. A safe date,” Shane said.

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