To Catch A Player

I’d walked about a hundred feet when I spotted Rafe. “Need some help?”

“Hell yeah. The organizers are real sticklers, wouldn’t let us unload near the tent. Assholes,” he grumbled as sweat streaked down his forehead. “Grab some stuff and let’s get going. Reese’s tent is at the ass-end of Egypt.”

I laughed at Rafe’s sour mood. It was nice to know the guy wasn’t completely perfect. “How’s it going?”

He looked at me, immediately understanding my question. “She’s calmer than I would be, but she’s not calm. She’s distracted. Quiet.” He was fishing.

“She’s mad.”

“Is she right?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “The worst part is, it’s a mistake I’ve already made—which means no matter what Ma and Steve said, she’s probably done with me for good.”

Rafe stopped and stared at me. “Who?”

“My ma and her husband Steve.”

“So, your stepfather?”

“Sure, I guess,” I shrugged. “Anyway, I know it’s hopeless, but I figured she could use my help even if she doesn’t want it.” And if she won and was in a listening mood, the better for my efforts and goals.

“I didn’t even know you had parents.” He laughed and started to walk again, shaking his head. “She might still be pissed, but Reese will appreciate the effort.”

I hoped he was right. “Yeah, well, I’m here whether she wants me here or not.”

He snorted and turned down the second-to-last aisle. “Just don’t tell her that. And if you do, make sure I have popcorn and orange soda to enjoy the show.”

“Thanks, man, your concern is overwhelming.”

“I’m plenty concerned,” he said casually. “I’m just trying to figure out how you could possibly screw up so badly after I’d already convinced her you had real feelings for her.”

“Wait, you talked to her about me?”

“I had to. You were looking all sad and in love. It was disgusting, and I was hoping she would laugh at you with me. She didn’t.” He shrugged like it was no big deal, like those words hadn’t just re-sparked my hope, and he ducked into the tent with a mischievous smile. “Hey, look who I picked up on the way here.”

Reese looked up, first at Rafe and then, finally, at me. “Thanks. Just sit everything down where it is and I’ll do the rest.” Her words were icy and robotic, like she wasn’t even in her body, and I hated it. I fucking hated it more than I could say, and I couldn’t say a damn thing because this was my fault.

Rafe whistled and backed out of the tent. “Rough crowd. Think I’ll go check out some place a bit more welcoming. Good luck.” He took off like some woman had just told him she loved him. It would’ve been funny if the look on Reese’s face wasn’t blacker than a Texas midnight.

When it became clear she was content to continue ignoring me, I got down to work, organizing things the way I knew she preferred. It was one of the things I was most grateful for, that this strange twist of fate had put us together like this and had given us so much time to get to know each other. So much time to fall.

I started with the aromatics she would use at some point for her sauce, separating them into dry and fresh and putting them into little ramekins for easy use. Then I did the same with all the prep vegetables, including onions, garlic, ginger, and various types of peppers. Reese would take care of the meat and those seasonings on her own, according to the competition rules.

“Thanks,” she said quietly as she reached for several ramekins.

“My pleasure.”

We worked together easily, even if the silence between us was tense. Unyielding. Eventually, the tent smelled as amazing as ever, filled with the scent of garlic and brown sugar and tomatoes. My mouth watered and when Reese flashed that sexy little satisfied smile, I knew I wasn’t ready to give up.

“Can you taste this, please?”

I knew how much it cost her to ask that, so I nodded and turned, saying very little.

“Sure.” It was tangy and spicy and sweet. “Spicy,” was all I could manage at first. “Really spicy, but so damn good I don’t even care. What’s in it?”

That one question sparked a grin to life and it reached those beautiful brown eyes. “Everything. Let’s hope the judges love it as much as you do.”

“If they have working taste buds, they will.”

It was just the confidence boost she needed, based on the grateful smile she sent my way. “Thank you, Jackson. For staying. And helping.”

“We’re a team. Sometimes, I’m a shitty teammate, but we’re still a team. And I’m sorry.”

She held up a hand to dismiss my words and before a syllable left her mouth, disappointment set in. Reese wouldn’t be forgiving me anytime soon, if ever.

“I can’t do this. Not now.” She pointed to the three judges at the tent across the muddy walkway and sighed. “Not now.”