Hot Stuff (Hot Zone 1)

"Thanks," Todd said, then turned and ran to catch up with the other guys.

Vaughn turned back to Nick. "Man does that kid have talent."

Nick nodded. "And he's a damn hard worker. The only drawback to the kid getting ahead is his-"

"Hey now!" A loud voice interrupted them. "I heard today was practice day and I thought I'd stop by and see how my boy's doing." Roy strode up to both men.

"Speak of the devil," Nick said, laughing. "The kids just left." Nick pointed to the parking lot.

Roy shuffled from foot to foot. "I saw 'em go. I didn't want Todd to know I' m here asking about him. It embarrasses him in front of his friends."

Vaughn shoved his hands into his front pockets. Then why bother him? Vaughn wondered. Although he had always wished his father had shown interest in his games and his athletic ability, Roy's smothering would end up driving his son away if he wasn't careful.

"Todd's a real talent and you should be proud," he informed his foreman.

Roy's shoulders straightened and his head lifted a little higher. "He's the best thing in my life." In the split second that Roy emphasized his relationship to Todd, a flicker of what looked like jealousy crossed the other man's features. For all Roy's talk, did he resent the time Vaughn spent with his son?

Nick slapped a hand on the man's shoulder. I’m sure Todd knows it, too."

"Todd needs your help," Roy said, meeting Vaughn's gaze with a pleading one of his own and making Vaughn think he'd imagined the envy.

"And he's got help from both myself and Nick."

Roy kicked at the dirt. "Part-time help. Imagine how far he could go if you'd take the coaching job at the university."

Vaughn caught Nick's look which seemed to say I feel for you, man.

Vaughn clenched his teeth. For as much as Roy loved his kid, it wasn't Vaughn's job to see to it Todd succeeded. He had his own life and problems to deal with.

"Listen, Roy. I love the kids and I'll always be here for them in one way or another, but my focus is on the lodge now," Vaughn said, trying like hell to ignore the disappointed look in the man's eyes.

"Why don't you lay off Vaughn and go see if your boy wants to throw a few balls with you in the yard?" Nick suggested. "That's always good for both of you.”

Roy frowned. "He's busy with his friends.”

"Then give him his freedom," Vaughn said. "Boys his age need that, especially with all the demands on Todd this summer. He knows you'll be there for him."

"I guess. Well I'm gonna go back to work. I'm determined to get you back to your normal schedule despite the problems."

As he stomped off toward the parking lot, Vaughn and Nick exchanged glances. "He's got nothing else in his life," Nick said. "So he drinks and cheats on his wife and puts all his hopes and dreams on Todd. Don't make it your headache."

"I hear you." It was just the stupid pain in his chest he got when he thought about both the similarities and differences between himself and Todd. "I’m going to hit the road,” he said to Nick.

"You're going to deal with Ms. Jordan first." Nick grinned, looking across the field.

Vaughn drew a deep breath as Annabelle approached, those too high heels and impossibly long legs drawing his attention with each step.

Mara was right behind her, calling, "Nick, I was hoping to have a word with you."

Vaughn chuckled. "You're not out of the woods, either, my friend."

Annabelle sauntered up to him, a sassy sway to her hips. "I knew you coached during the school year but I didn't realize you did it during the summer, too."

He shrugged. "You didn't ask."

"I told you I could use everything about you to work the PR angle, yet you continue to withhold information." She sashayed closer. "I'm not into secrets." She bunched his T-shirt in her hands and rose to her tiptoes so they were eye to eye, though it was her lips he couldn't take his eyes off of.

"You know I prefer to get things out into the open," she said and, continuing to tease him, she brushed a kiss over his lips.