As we walk through the crowd, Calvin’s expression is tight, vigilant…well, tighter than usual. He seems to be growing progressively more stressed by the minute.
“Are you okay?” I dare to ask. His eyes, glacial as they play off the color of his shirt, snap to me in irritation. Okay…I’m sorry I asked. Then he spots someone in the crowd and the muscles of his neck pop in relief, his jaw pulsing. I’m actually afraid he may shatter a molar.
“What is it?” My gaze follows his and lands on a tall brunette. She’s elegant, very pretty, not eye popping gorgeous though definitely noticeable. She’s also older than me. Around late thirties, I estimate. Not that she has a single line on her face, but she has a certain confidence about her that comes with age. Her wide smile is all for the tall, attractive man with salt and pepper hair standing next to her. I study them surreptitiously. They seem very much in love and I determine they suit each other. My gaze shifts back to Cal. He’s still watching them. And then it dawns on me.
“Is that your ex?”
“Let’s get a drink.”
Suspicion confirmed. He walks away before I can utter another word. His ex? And now I know why he wanted me here. Sam puts his hand in mine and we follow Calvin to the bar. While we’re waiting for our soft drinks, Phoebe comes to fetch Sam. There’s a glimmer of excitement and curiosity in his big gray eyes I haven’t seen before.
“Hi, I’m Phoebe,” she announces without a shred of timidity. She’s so cute in her pale blue flower dress it’s no wonder why Sam is so taken with her.
“Hi Phoebe.”
“Can Sam come play with us over there?” she says, turning to point to a bouncy castle off to the side of the house.
“Sure, you don’t mind if I tag along, do you?” Without a reply, she takes Sam’s hand and leads him away.
Glancing up, I find Calvin staring out in space. I know what loss looks like and it’s written all over his face. Something about that look pricks at my conscious. However, this isn’t the time, nor the place to explore what’s going on in his head. I murmur to Calvin that I’m going with Sam, and distractedly he gives me a curt nod in reply. While I’m standing near the bouncy castle, with two other nannies in attendance, I notice a friendly face approaching.
“Has your ear recovered?”
“No. Can you kiss it and make it better?”
“Didn’t I warn you to save that stinky ass cheese for my mother?”
Vaughn’s smile is wide and ultra white. One hand is tucked in the pants pocket of a navy suit, the other cradling a drink. He’s absurdly handsome. Though now that I’ve gotten over the initial shock of all that handsomeness, I notice it the same way I would notice if someone was wearing two different shoes––as an interesting and peculiar novelty.
“On the run from your fan club?”
My eyes are still on Sam, who looks like he’s having the time of his life. He’s holding both of Phoebe’s hands as they bounce up and down out of synch, both of them giggling and screeching hysterically.
“My ego needed a boost so I thought to come find you.”
Surveying the growing crowd, I ask, “Have you seen Calvin?”
“Talking to Hendricks.” He looks over his shoulder, and motions to the twin towers near the bar. One, dark and brooding. The other, light and sunny.
“How long have you known him? It seems to be more than a working relationship.”
“We’ve been friends since Florida State.” Lids at half-mast, lashes throwing shade, he peers at me thoughtfully with deep brown eyes. “How did you convince him to come?”
“Get him to come? Are you joking? I can’t even get him to wear underwear––” My words come to a stuttering stop when Ethan’s eyebrows climb up his forehead. “Strike that from the record, counselor. You should know your client well enough by now to know that he does whatever he wants. He asked me––strike that, too. He didn’t ask, he informed me that I was to attend as his date.”
Ethan’s mouth hooks up briefly. “That sounds about right.”
Before the silence has a chance to grow awkward, he adds, “He pretty much hasn’t been out of the house for the last three years––besides practice and games.” His intense eyes remain on me like a spotlight, measuring my reaction. Three years? Wait…what?
“His ex is here,” he adds.
“We saw her with a date.”
He nods. “Yeah––her husband is the new GM of the NY Gladiators. That’s another reason I’m glad he came with you. Now it won’t be so fucking awkward when we see her at team functions.”
I can do nothing to hide my surprise. “Why would he see her at team functions?”
“She’s Director of Player Personnel for the Titans.”