Straddling the Line

SEVEN

AFTER SUNDAY’S GAME—WHICH THE RIVERS WON, thankfully, after losing that tough, close game on Saturday—Haven and Trevor went back to the house to change and get ready for the party at Alicia’s.

“Do we need to bring a gift?” she asked after she’d showered and found Trevor waiting for her downstairs in the living area. She’d decided on a dress, something casual, along with heels, since it was going to be an evening event.

He didn’t answer right away, and she took a moment to admire him. So far he’d dressed pretty casually at the house, wearing either workout pants or shorts, depending on the weather. Tonight he had on dark jeans and a Henley. His dark hair was getting a little long, and the ends brushed the collar. Her fingers itched to wind their way into the thickness of his hair, to brush his hair back from his forehead.

She intensely avoided that urge and brought her focus back to his face, noticing he was staring at her.

“What? Is there something wrong with what I’m wearing? Too casual?”

“Uh, no. That dress is perfect. And, damn, Haven, you have spectacular legs.”

She smiled at the compliment. It wasn’t like she’d never heard that before. She’d dated—casually—since college. Had a few boyfriends, one serious relationship that she and the guy had ended mutually when he’d gone off in one direction and she in another, and she hadn’t been broken up about it.

That had been a while ago—before things with her dad had gotten bad and she’d put all her energy and time into seeing to his welfare. She hadn’t thought about men a lot in the past year and a half.

Now?

Well, now there was Trevor, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to have a relationship with him, but she definitely enjoyed the way he looked at her. Probably because he’d never even noticed her in college.

He was noticing her now, and she liked it. There was nothing wrong with that, right?

“Thank you.”

“And, no. Alicia said no gifts. It’s just a party, a little get-together for each of them and their friends. They have a new house that they bought and they want to show it off, just relax a little before the big day. At least that’s the way Alicia described it.”

Haven nodded. “Sounds fun.”

“Great. Let’s go.”

They got in the car and Trevor drove to another beautiful neighborhood, located only about twenty minutes from his place. Alicia and Garrett’s house was a gorgeous brown-and-white two-story in a new subdivision, with a large front yard containing incredible landscaping. They stepped up onto the wide, welcoming front porch and rang the bell.

Alicia was right there to open the door. She looked so pretty wearing a sleeveless white dress that clung to her curves. She smiled when she saw them.

“I’m so glad you’re here. Come on in and make yourselves at home.”

They stepped in, and Haven marveled at the expansive foyer, the high ceilings, and the amazing décor. It had a modern, contemporary feel to it, yet very warm and comfortable.

“Your house is beautiful.”

Alicia grinned as she walked them through. “Thank you. We spent some time building the place. I have to admit, I had a lot of fun choosing everything. It’s like every woman’s dream come true to pick out flooring and wall colors and furnishings.”

“I can imagine what fun that was,” Haven said.

She led them into the living area. “Drinks are in the kitchen. Help yourself. There’s also plenty of food in there as well as in the dining room. Feel free to wander and check out the house. Garrett’s . . . somewhere around here. I have no idea where.”

“We’ll find him,” Trevor said. “Don’t worry about us. And thanks for the invite.”

“You’re welcome. And if you need anything at all, come find me.”

“We will,” Haven said.

After Alicia wandered away to see to her other guests—and there were a lot of them—Haven turned to Trevor. “Beautiful house.”

“Yeah. The Rileys always have to have a big place.”

“Really. Why’s that?”

“Big family. There’s Alicia and her brother Cole, and then the cousins—Gavin, his brother Mick, and his sister Jenna—and all their spouses and the parents and the kids.”

“Really. That does sound like a big family.”

“All the guys play sports, too,” he said as he led her into the kitchen. Someone was bartending, so Trevor turned to Haven. “What would you like?”

“I’ll just have a club soda with lime.”

“Beer for me,” Trevor said to the guy at the bar, who fixed their drinks and handed them over.

“All the guys in the Riley family play sports?”

“Yeah. Gavin and Garrett, of course, play baseball. Mick and Cole are football. Jenna’s husband, Tyler, plays hockey.”

Haven tried to take that all in. “Um, wow. That’s a big, sports-minded family.”

“It is. And the Riley family has a sports bar, too.”

She laughed. “Of course they do.”

“Jenna used to manage the sports bar, but she’s a singer and has a club catering to musicians.”

“Oh, really? I’d love to hear her sing sometime.”

He led her to an open spot in the living room where they could take a seat. “Maybe I’ll take you sometime.”

She sat, pondering a family like the Rileys. “Now there’s a family in dire need of having a feature story. An entire family of jocks. What a story that could be.”

“And you’re just the person to do it.”

“I could. It would be an amazing piece. All those sports? What it must have been like growing up in that family, and to have all the guys end up playing professionally. Even Jenna ends up marrying a professional hockey player. And Alicia is engaged to a baseball player. What are the odds of that happening?”

Trevor took a long pull of his beer, then shook his head. “No idea. But hey, you have to work on me first.”

She patted his knee. “Believe me, you’re going to take up enough of my time. But I’m filing the Rileys away for later. I’m definitely going to revisit the topic.”

“The Rileys are an interesting topic for any day. We’re never dull, that’s for sure.”

Gavin took a seat next to them.

“Hey, Gavin,” Trevor said.

“Hi, Gavin. Trevor was just telling me about your family—everyone who plays sports. It’s pretty amazing to have a family like yours.”

Gavin sprouted a grin. “On most days it is. But there’s a lot of ego, too.”

“You are not talking about me, are you?”

A beautiful redhead sat beside Gavin.

“This is my wife, Elizabeth. Liz, this is Haven Briscoe. She’s with Trevor tonight.”

Liz held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Haven.”

“You, too, Liz.”

“Liz is in the business, too,” Gavin said. “She’s a sports agent.”

And the wheels in Haven’s head continued to turn. “Seriously?”

Liz smiled. “Seriously. Why?”

“I was telling her about the ties all the Rileys have to sports,” Trevor explained.

Liz nodded. “Ah. Mind-boggling, isn’t it?”

“Just a little.”

“I used to represent both Mick and Gavin. But of course, I don’t now that Gavin and I are married. I still represent Tyler and Cole, though. And I’d like to get Trevor to come over as well.”

Gavin put an arm around her. “You are still on maternity leave. No shop talk.”

Haven smiled. “I heard you had a baby. Congratulations.”

Liz grinned. “Thank you, yes, in August. A little girl named Genevieve. She’s upstairs sleeping right now. I’m not at the point yet where I’m ready to leave her with a sitter. Plus, I’m still breast-feeding.”

“Yeah, on that note, I’m off to get another beer,” Trevor said, making a hasty exit.

“I’ll go with you.”

“For some reason a lot of men can’t handle the breastfeeding conversation,” Liz said with a wry smile.

Haven laughed. “I’d love to see Genevieve when she wakes. I’ve kind of got a thing for babies.”

“The funny thing is, I never did. I was totally career focused. I had planned to be single, to devote my life to my career. Then Gavin happened, and my whole world went to shit. I fell in love, we got married, and suddenly I’m a mom. And the baby cries constantly, seems to barf incessantly, and hasn’t slept a full night yet. I’m an absolute wreck and, God, I love her madly. I must be insane.”

Haven laughed. “The whole love, marriage, and motherhood thing must suit you, though, because you look absolutely gorgeous.”

“Well, thank you. I have to admit I’ve never been happier doing something I never thought I’d be happy doing.”

Haven admired Liz’s honesty about motherhood. Many women tried to portray themselves as perfect mothers, while Liz spelled out the awful reality of those first few months of sleeplessness and crying babies. “I’ve known a few friends who’ve had babies. It’s that all-consuming kind of love, isn’t it?”

“Like nothing I’ve ever felt before. And Gavin is the same way. Even when Genevieve is up all night, he’ll get up with me to change her and he’ll hold her and walk with her when she’s crying. We’ve both learned a new kind of patience we never thought we’d have.”

Haven smiled. “I’m very happy for both of you.”

“Thanks. Now tell me what you do.”

“I’m working for the network, doing an extensive interview and bio on Trevor.”

“He’s a fine one,” Liz said, picking up her glass of water. “Oh, so talented. Not many athletes have been able to do what he’s done.”

Haven spotted Trevor in a group of his teammates, laughing at something one of them said. She felt a little tingle when he looked her way and smiled. “I know. He definitely has that ‘it’ factor.”

“He’s also very sexy, and no woman has managed to pin him down yet. Will you be delving into his personal life at all during your piece?”

“Mmmm, somewhat. At least as far as he lets me. I know a little about him because we went to college together. My parents were his dorm parents.”

“Oh, I like that connection. Gives you a bit of an up on the personal side.”

“I don’t know about that. But he said he only agreed to do this if I was the one to interview him.”

Liz studied her, her blue-eyed gaze intent on her. “Hmm. Maybe he likes you.”

“I don’t think so. I think he trusts me not to screw him over and make him look bad.”

Liz looked across the room at Trevor, then back at her. “Oh, I don’t know about that, Haven. I’ve seen him casting looks your way. It’s more than just him trusting you. There’s some kind of chemistry thing going on between you.”

The room suddenly felt warmer. “You think so?”

“Believe me, a woman knows these things. I’m surprised you haven’t caught on to those heated glances he’s throwing your way.”

“Who’s throwing heated glances whose way?”

Alicia, who’d asked the question, took a seat next to them.

“Trevor. At Haven. She seems oblivious,” Liz said.

“Really.”

Haven was mortified and wanted to go hide in the bathroom. “He’s not looking at me in any kind of way. We’ve never had . . . that kind of relationship.”

“Well, maybe it’s time you did. After all, the two of you have known each other forever. Maybe he’s had a crush on you for years. Like, since college.”

Haven shot Liz a look. “I can assure you he never even noticed me in college. I tutored him back then, and he was way more interested in getting away from me so he could go party or play football than he was in getting in my pants.”

“Considering how hot and gorgeous you are, I’d wager he wants in your pants now,” Alicia said with a knowing smile.

Haven couldn’t help but let out a laugh at that comment. “Well, thanks. I think. But that ship has sailed. We have a professional working relationship, so that simply can’t happen.”

Liz looked at Alicia, and the two of them laughed.

“Gavin and I very much had a professional working relationship,” Liz said. “And now our daughter is sleeping peacefully upstairs.”

“So did Garrett and I,” Alicia added. “And we’re getting married in a few months.”

“That’s great for you two. But I have no intention of marrying Trevor.”

“No one says you have to,” Liz said. “But for God’s sake, don’t let work get in the way of having some fun with a hot man.”

She’d never thought of it that way, had purposely avoided trying to feel anything for the past—God, for the past year. Her emotions, her feelings—everything—had been shut down after her dad’s death.

Now, though, it seemed as if she was slowly awakening again. Feeling again.

Wanting again.

At the worst possible time.

“It’s not a good time for me. My dad passed away last year, and I’m just now getting my feet wet in this new job. I have to focus.”

Alicia grasped her hand.

“I’m sorry,” Liz said. “That had to have been so hard for you.”

“It was. It’s kept me in a funk. He and I were really close. I’m glad to have this new assignment, because I just started working for the network and it’s a great opportunity. I don’t want to do anything to screw it up.”

“And you think messing around with Trevor would jeopardize your job?” Alicia asked.

“I can’t see how it couldn’t.”

Liz leaned back on the sofa. “Well, I thought much the same thing about my job when I was representing Gavin as his agent, and he and I got involved. Talk about a major conflict of interest. But when chemistry is involved, there’s not much that’ll hold two people back who really want to be with each other, you know?”

She could see how Gavin and Liz would fit together. Liz was definitely a dynamo who said what was on her mind. And Gavin—he was hot. “Yes, I can see that.”

“So how do you really feel about Trevor? Any . . . feelings there for him?” Alicia asked.

She took a deep breath and chanced a look at him across the room. It was as if he could sense her, because his gaze pulled away from his friends and landed on her, and again, there was that wickedly sexy smile of his that never failed to get her motor running.

She smiled back, just a little one, and returned her attention to Alicia and Liz.

“There’s something. I just don’t know how to categorize it. He kind of ignored me in college, so I never thought he was interested.”

“But you were interested in him?” Liz asked.

“Yeah. I had an epic crush on him, but nothing ever came of it since he pretty much ignored me.”

“College guys can be dumb and oblivious sometimes,” Alicia said. “All the guys I was interested in in college never knew I existed.”

Liz nodded. “But it seems as if he’s interested now. The question is, what should you do about it?”

She enjoyed having these women to talk to. Her friends back home had all scattered after college, and while they e-mailed back and forth, she didn’t have a lot of women to talk to, especially after her dad died. Her emotions had been in flux, and she’d been a ball of confusion. “I don’t know. I’m not sure I trust my feelings right now.”

“Maybe you should just do what feels right—what makes you happy,” Liz said.

She glanced over at Trevor again. “Maybe I should.”