Page 105 of Roughing the Player
“Can I, Mom?” Kaylee pleads.
“Sure, honey. Don’t forget to eat.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Mrs. Parker,” Mitch says. “There’s a ton of food in the basement.” Talking a mile a minute, he and Kaylee disappear into the house.
Sandra shakes her head. “Can’t get them away from computers. Those two are going to change the world.”
“I bet.” What more can I say? They’re not going to be together, or even neighbors. Tomorrow, she’ll be flying home with me.
“So are you here for good?” Her question doesn’t seem nosy, but simple curiosity.
“No.” I shake my head. “Just visiting. I’m a sports agent and things are kind of hectic at work. What with trading season and all.” Not really a lie. Things are busy. But then they always are.
“Oh?” She glances toward Brock who’s moved on to coaching ball-tossing skills to some of the youth at the barbecue. Needless to say, they’re hanging on to his every word.
“He’s so good with them. We’ve had several get-togethers, and it always ends the same way. It won’t last past his training camp, of course. He’ll be too busy then. But in the meantime, they sure are making the most out of him.” She flicks her gaze back to me. “He’s wonderful with Kaylee. So he’s bound to be a great dad to a son.”
I choke on the tea.
“You okay?”
“Sorry.” I wheeze out. “Some ice went down the wrong way.”
While I regain my ability to breathe, a woman slithers up out of nowhere. She’s wearing a ton of makeup and a skimpy top that barely corrals her triple Ds. “You Brock’s wife?”
I cough and take a deep breath. “Yes, I am.”
“He’s such a good neighbor.”
Good neighbor? What the hell does that mean? Rather than pull her over-processed, bleached-blonde hair out by the roots, I smile sweetly. “I know.”
“The other day I was plumb out of coffee, and I stopped over to borrow some.”
Coffee. The one thing Brock has in abundance. “Did you now?”
“Yeah.” She twirls a curl around one of her talons as she ogles Brock.
Coveting is a sin, honey.
“And he sure gave it to me.” She cackles before wandering off.
The double entendre gets on my nerves. But I’m not getting down in the dirt with her. My mama taught me better.
“Don’t pay her any attention,” Sandra says. “She’s desperate.”
“Oh?”
“Her husband’s business went belly up, and he took off for parts unknown. Rumor has it her house is being auctioned to pay off his debts.”
“Oh, that’s awful.” Almost makes me feel sorry for her. But what is she doing about it? If I were in danger of losing my home, I’d take a second and third job. Anything to keep a roof over our heads. “She’s not employed?”
“No. She doesn’t have any marketable assets. Except for the obvious.” Sandra cups her boobs.
Ooooh. Go Sandra. Who knew this sweet, mild-mannered woman had such sharp claws? I like her. A lot. Too bad I’ll never get to know her. We could have been friends.
“Want more iced tea? Looks like you’re done with that one.”
For the first time since I arrived, I smile honestly. “Yes, thank you, Sandra.”
