Hot Property

CHAPTER EIGHT

AMY FOLLOWED ROPER DOWN the hallway to his sister’s apartment. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the musty smell in these places,” she said. The odor assaulted her every time she stepped off an elevator in Manhattan. Considering she’d practically grown up outdoors, she wondered if she ever would.

“I hear you. When I’m on the road, the thing I appreciate most is the fresh air and the wide-open spaces.”

She blinked, surprised he noticed it, too. “Really? I’d think you were a city man, Mr. Metro,” she said, laughing.

He turned toward her. “I see you’ve been reading my old press.”

She shrugged. “It’s my job to keep up on where you’ve been so I can help you with where you’re going.” In truth, she’d enjoyed digging through the old interviews and articles on Roper, learning more about his public persona and how different his personal, private one was.

“You could ask me,” he said, stepping closer. “Where you’re concerned, I’m an open book.”

She inhaled and his scent immediately replaced everything else around her. Her heart rate accelerated as she finally let herself take notice of him. His pressed khakis, the sprinkling of hair peeking out of the unbuttoned space on his shirt. The desire to back him against the wall and feel his hard body against her was almost overwhelming.

Without warning, the door behind them opened and Sabrina stepped into the hall. “John, thank God you’re here. You have to do something about Mom,” she whispered.

Amy breathed out, releasing the tension but not the desire pulsing inside her.

He closed his eyes for a brief moment, obviously composing himself before turning to face his sister. “Can anyone stop a tornado?” he asked. “How did you know I was here? I didn’t even get a chance to knock,” he said, shooting Amy a look of regret.

Why? Had he been about to act on the chemistry that drew them to each other, even when minutes before they’d been at odds on how to handle his career and family? If so, what would she have done?

Before Amy could formulate an answer that satisfied herself, Sabrina grabbed her brother’s hand and yanked him into the apartment.

With the quick instincts of a ballplayer, he encircled his arm around Amy’s wrist, so she ended up dragged along with him.

Once inside, Sabrina glanced over Roper’s shoulder at Amy. “Hi, again.” She obviously remembered Amy from the New Year’s party.

“Hi.” Amy lifted her hand in a partial wave. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m here.”

“The more backup the better,” the other woman said, sounding pained.

Having met Cassandra, Amy understood.

Apparently so did Roper, because he walked over to his sister and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Breathe in and out,” he instructed.

Sabrina shut her eyes and complied.

“Better?” he asked a few seconds later.

She nodded.

“Good. Now, let’s deal with her together. Come,” he said, in a reassuring tone.

Sabrina visibly relaxed.

Amy marveled at the calming effect Roper had on his sister, but then, when she let him, he had his own unique effect on her, as well.

They walked a few steps into the next room, where Cassandra sat beside Kevin, a pen and pad in hand. “So let’s go over your guest list,” Cassandra said.

“Hi, Mom, Kevin. How’s it going?” Roper asked, making his presence known.

“It’s going,” the other man said. With his dark hair and dark eyes, Kevin was good-looking in a studious way. His rimless, fashionable glasses added to his attractiveness.

Of course, in Amy’s eyes, he didn’t compare with her jock Roper, but she could definitely see his appeal. Her jock? She caught herself and blinked.

“Kevin, I’d like you to meet Amy Stone. Amy, my soon-to-be brother-in-law, Kevin Reynolds,” Roper said, interrupting her thoughts.

Kevin stood and shook Amy’s hand. “A pleasure to meet you. And now that you’re here to handle your mother,” he said to Roper, “I’m going to take the dog for a walk.” He paused to kiss Sabrina’s cheek before heading for the door.

Cassandra merely laughed. “You know I’ll be here to finish up later,” she said to Kevin.

“Wait,” Sabrina said, running after him but not before giving their mother a frustrated glare. “We don’t have a dog!”

Amy turned her unexpected laugh into a cough. “Hello, Miss Lee, it’s nice to see you again.”

Cassandra looked up, appearing more rested than she had earlier. “Please call me Cassandra. It’s lovely to see you again,” the other woman said, but her voice sounded uncertain. She was obviously confused by Amy’s presence. She settled her glance on her son. “John, we were discussing wedding plans.”

“It looked as if you were torturing Kevin,” Roper said.

He was too far away for Amy to nudge him in the ribs, so she settled for a warning look instead.

His mother ignored his comment. “Did you know they haven’t chosen a reception hall yet? They can’t pick a place unless we know the number of guests on the list and what the venue can hold. I already have one hundred of my own-”

Roper nearly choked. Even Amy’s head started to pound. She couldn’t believe how the actress bulldozed her way into everyone else’s life. No wonder Roper was concerned about finances.

“Didn’t you hear us say we wanted a small wedding?” Sabrina asked as she rejoined them in the living room.

“Is Kevin okay?” Roper asked.

Sabrina nodded. “He’s fine. He just needed some fresh air. Mother, did you hear me? We want a small, intimate affair.”

Cassandra waved her hand back and forth in the air. “No, that’s what you think now. But when you look back, you’ll realize you wanted a big wedding, so that’s what we’re going to make sure you have.”

Sabrina looked at Roper with big, pleading eyes.

For the first time, Amy realized exactly why he felt so strongly about not abandoning them to go to Vaughn’s lodge. Each member of his family needed him for their own reasons. But they would take and take until there was nothing left-and that included cash. And it wasn’t as if anybody was actually in the wrong. They were just needy. Roper had fallen into the caretaker role and now they all expected it of him, at his own expense.

Roper stepped between his mother and sister. “Mom, look, it’s their wedding. I think they can make their own decisions.”

Cassandra tipped her head in her elegant way. “And you know this because you’ve been married before?” she asked him with sweet sarcasm. “I know best.”

“Because your big wedding and subsequent divorce make you an expert?” Roper asked.

“Argh!” Sabrina stormed out, heading to what Amy assumed was her bedroom.

Cassandra placed her pad and pen on the table, rose and strode to the window, all without meeting Roper’s gaze.

Amy couldn’t imagine the stress these kinds of confrontations put on him. Watching the commotion today, Amy was even more certain now. All the reasons he didn’t want to go to the lodge were the exact same reasons he needed to go so badly. So he could take care of himself for once and let his family learn to stand on their own.

Amy walked over and put her hand on Roper’s shoulder for support. He surprised her by covering it with his own.

“Weddings are stressful,” Amy said. “Perhaps there’s a way you all can sit down and talk and really hear one another,” she suggested.

Cassandra swirled around. “I never did find out what exactly you are to my son. You mentioned working for the Hot Zone, his public relations firm?”

“Officially Amy’s my go-to person at the Hot Zone.” Roper jumped in and spoke for her, something Amy didn’t want or need him to do.

“You see, Cassandra, the Hot Zone felt that given Roper’s current situation, he could use someone to help keep him on track with his physical therapy before the start of the season,” Amy said, eager to speak for herself.

“Sort of like a handler,” Cassandra said.

Amy nodded. “Exactly.”

His mother studied Amy for a long while, enough to make her uncomfortable. But she held her ground and refused to fidget even though Cassandra didn’t hide her blatant attempt to take stock. “So you’re here with him today because he needs help handling his family?” Hurt suffused Cassandra’s tone.

Amy’s heart constricted. She didn’t want wounded feelings. “I’m just here for support,” she said, deliberately backing off.

She saw Roper’s dilemma so clearly now. His aging mother was unsure of her place in Hollywood and in her children’s lives. It wasn’t Amy’s place to butt in. She could guide Roper, but she couldn’t tell his family what to do. She realized that now.

Amy turned to Roper. “Don’t you have an appointment with the doctor and then with the physical therapist today?”

He glanced at his watch. Surprise at how fast the morning had gone registered on his face. “I do, but my family needs me right now. I’ll call Aaron and reschedule.”

She might as well start handling him now. “No, you won’t. Your shoulder might heal on its own, but you won’t get your strength back without hard work.”

“Amy’s right, John,” his mother said, shocking Amy.

If the stunned look on Roper’s face was any indication, he agreed.

“I’m tired. I’ve upset your sister and obviously overstayed my welcome. I’m going to go back to the hotel. First I’ll go talk to Sabrina and make peace. We can pick up the wedding talk another time. I still say they’ll regret a small wedding later.” With a wave, his mother headed in the direction Sabrina had gone, leaving Roper and Amy alone.

Roper leaned against the wall and let out a low groan. “She gave in,” he said, relieved.

“For now. And only because I backed off first,” Amy said.

“You are amazing.” She’d been astute enough to realize that his mother might perceive her as a threat. Roper shot her a look filled with admiration and gratitude.

She shrugged. “Years of experience at the retirement community, I guess. I just sensed she needed to feel in control of things.”

“Well, it worked.” Roper knew another reason why Amy had been able to get his mother to step aside for today, at least-because his mother was astute enough to sense there was more to Roper’s relationship with Amy than business. She’d said as much on the phone after meeting Amy at the apartment the other day. Cassandra thought her son had a thing for Amy, which worked to Amy’s benefit because his mother played nice to Roper’s girlfriends.

She had spelled out her reasons to him the one and only time he’d brought a girlfriend with him to L.A. The woman hadn’t had nearly Amy’s intelligence and she’d grated on his mother’s nerves, but Cassandra had been the gracious hostess, giving in to all the other woman’s requests-to go shopping on Rodeo Drive, to tour Paramount Studios-all because, as she’d told Roper later, she knew he’d grow tired of her quickly.

And he had. He always did. The women he met and dated up until now didn’t have enough substance to make him want them in his life long term.

“Time for the doctor,” Amy said.

He rolled his eyes at her bossy tone. He wanted to tell her that she wasn’t in charge. That he could make his own decisions. That he was the man.

Until he realized that if she hadn’t been here, he would have canceled his appointment. She’d done her job, keeping him on schedule. Damn, but he liked her take-charge personality.

“Amy, do you want to join us for a late lunch this afternoon?” Sabrina called out as she and his mother walked back into the room.

Amy paused, then said, “Love to.” She shot him a satisfied grin.

Knowing Amy, she figured keeping his mother and sister busy would enable him to work uninterrupted.

She was right.

But he’d have the last laugh. Because while he was going to his appointments, she’d be getting grilled by his inquisitive family.

He ought to tell her, then decided against it. Amy could handle herself.

“Can we talk before you take off?” Amy asked.

He nodded and she walked him to the door.

“Ready to rethink the lodge?” she asked.

He shook his head. “So far you’ve got things well under control. When you don’t, we’ll talk.” He threw down the gauntlet, knowing she’d work doubly hard to prove she could corral his family.

No escape necessary, or so he hoped.

“Promise?”

He nodded.

“Say it.”

“I promise.” He couldn’t hold back his grin.

“I’m going to hold you to that,” she said, pointing at him for emphasis.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less of you.” He grabbed her finger long enough to stop her and glanced at her satisfied smile.

He could think of just one way to wipe the smug grin off her face. He leaned forward, brushing a long, lingering kiss over her lips before turning around and walking out. Leaving them both wanting more.

ROPER WALKED OUT OF THE office of the team’s orthopedist, the best in the city, and barely felt the cold winter air. He’d gone from a euphoric high, leaving Amy with a stunned expression after that kiss, to this. He’d just gotten the results of an MRI he’d had taken last week and the news wasn’t good. Despite his workouts and physical therapy, his strength wasn’t returning as quickly as he’d hoped. The MRI didn’t show anything that would impede his progress, but the doctor also said that sometimes healing didn’t occur at the pace a patient wanted. He’d have to listen to his body or risk further damage.

The doctor was warning him. Spring training might start late for him.

Or not at all.

Roper had seen many players who never bounced back after surgery, and in his case, he wasn’t coming off a stellar season to start with.

Mentally he’d needed good news today. Promising news. He hadn’t gotten it.

“A delay ought to go over well with the already-pissed-off fans,” he muttered, kicking uselessly at an empty coffee cup littering the sidewalk. On the city streets, nobody spared him a second glance.

Someone talking to himself wasn’t unusual here. He was just lucky there were no reporters around to let the world know he was losing it.

At least, since he’d seen the team doctor, he didn’t have to call his coach. The doc would do it for him, which took one load off his shoulders. Roper had a couple of hours before his physical-therapy appointment, so he headed home to unwind.

As he passed the front desk with a wave to Stan, the doorman, called him back.

“What’s up?” Roper asked Stan, who’d been on the day shift ever since Roper had bought the place two years ago.

“Another delivery for you.” He held out a box with a familiar scrawl.

“The guy doesn’t give up,” Stan said, lifting his cap and scratching the top of his head.

Roper began to shrug, and the immediate soreness reminded him of his already shitty day. “He’s a Renegades fanatic who doesn’t think I’m earning my keep. At the moment he’s got a valid point.”

Stan frowned. “Maybe if he showed you some support, you’d get your groove back faster.”

Roper appreciated the man’s backing. “Thanks. Not much I can do but ignore it.” Still, the thought of how much he’d disappointed the fans, his teammates and himself gnawed at his gut.

“I still don’t like that he knows where you live.”

Roper forced a laugh. He didn’t like it much himself, but again, there wasn’t anything he could do about it. “Half of New York City knows where I live. It’s not a national secret. But I appreciate your concern.”

“Yeah, well, it just doesn’t sit right. I mean, the guy doesn’t try to hide what he’s doing. He just sends you things that don’t fit in the mailboxes and have to come through me. You need to get these things screened.”

He waved at an older woman passing by. “Afternoon, Mrs. Davis,” he said.

“Hello, Stanley.” She smiled warmly and kept walking.

“Anyway, I don’t like it,” he said, turning his attention back to Roper.

“It’s his way of getting my attention.” As if Roper could or would ignore the upset-fan letters still trickling into the stadium addressed to him.

“Why don’t you open it down here? That way I can get rid of it for you afterward,” Stan offered.

Roper recognized his curiosity but also his point. Who wanted more reminders of his shitty season hanging around his apartment? “Why not?”

Stan pulled a box cutter from beneath the desk. “Do you want the honors?”

Roper shook his head. “You can have them.”

Stan neatly slit the box and opened the flaps, then Roper took over. He reached inside and pulled out a Ziploc bag, sealed shut.

For good reason. The contents defied description.

Roper looked, blinked and stared again. “Holy-”

“What the hell?” Stan asked, narrowing his gaze and staring at the bag in disbelief. “Is that what I think it is?”

Roper held the bag with two fingers, keeping it far away from him. “It sure is, Stan. It’s a bag of shit.” Probably dog shit.

And written on the bag in permanent marker were the words You Stink.

Roper’s stomach roiled in a combination of nausea and humiliation.

“The nerve of some people. You get on upstairs and take it easy. I’ll get rid of this.” Stan pulled the bag from Roper’s hand, stuffed it in the box and stormed away, heading for the back of the lobby where the trash was located.

Appreciating Stan’s discretion, Roper nodded. Shaken, he headed farther into the building and took the elevator upstairs. He’d just reached the kitchen and lowered himself into the nearest chair when his cell phone rang.

He pulled it out of his pocket, glanced down and groaned, answering it despite knowing better. “Hi, Mom,” he said, hearing the exhaustion in his voice.

“Hello, darling. What’s wrong? You sound down. What happened at the doctor’s?”

“Just some frustrating news,” he admitted. “I’m not getting better as fast as I’d hoped.” He didn’t even think of upsetting her with the news about his recent package in the mail.

“What’s up?” he asked, for the first time almost grateful for his family to focus on.

His mother paused. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes.”

“I’m calling about Ben. I visited with him after lunch and I’m horrified by where he’s living. Did you know he’s crashing on a friend’s couch? He gave up his apartment because he couldn’t pay the rent.” Her voice rose in panic. “I had no idea things were so bad. He never told me.”

Obviously Ben had managed to lie about where he was living until faced with his mother in the flesh.

Roper massaged the back of his suddenly stiff neck. “Mom, Ben’s a big boy. There are any number of jobs he could take that would bring in a weekly salary so he could keep an apartment. He chooses not to apply for them. Just like he chooses to ignore my phone calls or discuss potential coaching jobs.”

Just like his mother chose not to take acting roles she believed were beneath her. The difference was that Ben had lost enough of Roper’s money that Roper no longer felt obligated to help his brother.

“You never did understand how frustrating it is for Ben to live in your shadow,” she said.

Roper let out an angry groan. “I’ll tell you about frustrating. I just had a doctor’s appointment where I learned that despite all the work I’ve done in the past few months, my shoulder isn’t strong enough for spring training. I’ve been killing myself and it just doesn’t matter. So I can’t summon much pity for Ben at the moment. He’s brought his problems on himself.”

A long pause followed, which Roper took to mean his mother finally understood how serious he was about not wanting to discuss Ben. “Is there anything I can do for you?” she asked, her voice softening.

“No, thanks. I’ll be fine. I want to grab something to eat before my P.T. appointment, so I need to get going.”

“Okay. But just one more thing? I have a situation,” she said.

Roper narrowed his gaze. Did it ever end? “What kind of situation?”

“It seems that Harrison Smith followed me to New York. In fact, he’s staying in the same hotel. He wants me to take that role I told you about and he’s being very persistent. He sent me roses. Not real roses, mind you, but mink roses. Flowers made from fur. They are simply gorgeous. But that’s not the point.”

“What is?”

“He insists on having dinner tonight and I can’t deal with him alone. It’s getting harder and harder to resist him.”

“So don’t.” Roper exhaled hard. “A meaty role would be good for you. Why don’t you just take the part?”

“Darling, I couldn’t do that. Just do me a favor and join us for dinner tonight. I’ll be forever grateful.”

“Ask Sabrina and Kevin.”

“I did, but they have one of Kevin’s business dinners. I need you, darling.”

“No-”

“And bring that delightful young woman, Amy, with you.”

“Delightful young woman?” Just what had happened at lunch, anyway? She hadn’t said.

“Well, yes. We got to know each other earlier and she’s a joy. I’d love for her to join us at dinner.”

He’d love to see Amy, too, but not at a family dinner with a Hollywood director. “Mom, I’ve had a rough day and it’s not over yet. I’m not in the mood for a long dinner.”

“Good! We’ll make it short. Better for me.”

He glanced heavenward. She wasn’t listening. If he didn’t show up, he’d never hear the end of it. Maybe having dinner out would be better than eating alone in his apartment, thinking about his recent package in the mail or the doctor’s report. Besides, he knew when he’d been beat.

At least there was a silver lining. His day had sucked. He deserved a break. And he needed to see Amy.

“Where and when?” he asked.

She mentioned Kelly’s, a small, casual restaurant he’d been to a couple of times. “Oh, listen, that’s my call-waiting,” his mother said. “Your brother’s on the other line. I’ll see you tonight at seven.”

Roper nodded, hung up, then called Amy.

After spending the day with his family already, he wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d said no to dinner. But surprisingly, she agreed to join them. She even said she’d meet him at his apartment because he’d just be getting back from the physical therapist-where, after today’s news, he realized he’d have to put in one hundred and fifty percent. He needed to focus on his career, not his family. And not on the beautiful woman who’d agreed to be his salvation at dinner tonight.