Keeping Score

Marilyn uncurled her legs from the cushions and folded her arms. “Janet and Dionne are going to take a risk on me to get to my parents. I don’t know who should be more insulted, me or my parents.”

She wanted her own practice so she could be her own boss and set her own hours. More importantly, she wanted to go into private practice so she could provide continuity of care to her patients. Marilyn had no interest in mooching off her parents’ achievemen

ts.

“It’s just business, Mary.”

“They’re also concerned about Rick.”

“Why?” Emma dragged her fingers through her wavy blond hair.

A spark of temper shot into Marilyn’s gut at the memory of the partners’ accusations. “They said his lifestyle wouldn’t reflect well on their practice. They implied Rick was a partier and a womanizer. He’s neither.”

Emma straightened. A pensive expression settled over her sharp features. “What makes them think he is?”

Marilyn crossed her legs. She tapped her bare right foot to the staccato beat pounding at her temples. “They read about the night he and the other players went looking for Barron Douglas in that Cleveland bar.”

Why had the team’s captain gone bar hopping the night before a game anyway?

“Rick should have known how it would look for him to be in a bar.” Emma’s gaze dropped to Marilyn’s Monarchs T-shirt before lifting again to her eyes. “He should have thought about how his actions would affect you, personally and professionally.”

“He was trying to help a teammate. You’d do the same thing for me, wouldn’t you?”

Emma shrugged. “Of course. We’re friends.”

“The players care about each other.”

Emma shook her head. “You’re Rick’s wife. His first loyalty should be to you.”

“I don’t blame Rick for looking for Barron.”

Emma’s gaze bore into Marilyn’s. “Then why are you here?”

The question almost stole her breath. “Because the media is all over Rick now that the Monarchs are winning. That kind of constant public scrutiny wasn’t part of my life plan.”

Emma smiled. “Ah, your famous plan.”

Marilyn shrugged. “You laugh, but I put a lot of thought and hard work into that plan. I moved across the country to escape my parents’ celebrity and just as I begin to develop my own identity, I get caught up in the media storm of my husband’s celebrity.”

Emma spread her arms. “I’d be frustrated, too. It makes it harder that Rick doesn’t understand what he’s putting you through.”

Marilyn wished he did. She uncrossed her arms. “I’m returning home Wednesday.”

Emma’s green eyes darkened with concern. “Did I say something to upset you?”

“No.” Marilyn’s knees were unsteady as she stood. Her bare feet sank into the plush pink carpeting. “Rick leaves for Miami in two days for the Monarchs’ first game against the Waves. He and I agreed that I’d move back home while he’s away.”

Emma stood, too. “You don’t have to leave. You can stay as long as you’d like.”

Marilyn shook her head. “Thank you for the offer, but I don’t want to impose on you any longer. Besides, I want my own things around me.”

“You’re not an imposition. We’ve been friends since college. Just remember I’m only a phone call away. We can still talk whenever you need to.”

“Thanks. I just need to think things through.” Marilyn started toward the bedroom, but Emma’s voice stopped her.

“Mary, it’s fine to be supportive of Rick’s career. But don’t forget your own.”

Marilyn’s smile felt stiff. “Good night.”