Game On Box Set: Time Out\Her Man Advantage\Face-Off\Body Check Read online

  The cab driver dropped her at the arena, where she got into her rental car, swiped at her wet eyes and took a few calming breaths.

  Fifteen excruciatingly long minutes later, she was walking into the hotel, hoping nobody noticed her blotchy face. In the lobby, the clerk behind the check-in desk gestured at her. She reluctantly headed over and was surprised when he said, “There’s a man waiting for you in the bar.”

  Hope and happiness soared inside her. Brody? He would’ve definitely had time to get here before her, since she’d had to pick up her car. Maybe he realized how foolish it was to end things because of something a reporter had written.

  She hurried across the marble floor toward the large oak doors leading into the hotel bar. Only a few patrons were inside, and when she searched for Brody’s massive shoulders and unruly dark hair, she came up empty-handed. Disappointment crashed into her like a tidal wave. Of course he wasn’t here. He’d made it clear back at his place that he couldn’t risk his career by being seen with her.

  She glanced around again, then gasped when her attention landed on a man she’d dismissed during her first inspection.

  Doug.

  Oh, God. What was he doing here?

  “Hayden!” He walked toward her with a timid smile.

  She stared at him, taking in the familiar sight of his blond hair, arranged in a no-nonsense haircut. His pale blue eyes, serious as always. That lean, trim body he kept in shape at the university gym. He wore a pair of starched tan slacks and a crisp, white button-down shirt, and the conservative attire kind of irked her. Everything about Doug was neat and orderly and unbelievably tedious. She found herself longing for even the tiniest bit of disorder. An undone button. A coffee stain. A patch of stubble he’d missed while shaving.

  But there was nothing disorderly about this man. He was like a perfectly wrapped gift that only used three efficient pieces of tape and featured a little bow with the same length tails. The kind of gift you hesitated to open because you’d feel like an ass messing it up.

  Brody, on the other hand…Now he was a gift you tore open the second you got it—the exterior didn’t matter because you knew what it contained inside was a million times better anyway.

  Tears stung her eyes at the thought.

  “Hi,” Doug said gently. “It’s good to see you.”

  She wanted to tell him it was good to see him, too, but the words refused to come out. They stared at each other for a moment, and then he was pulling her into an awkward embrace. She halfheartedly hugged him back, noticing that the feel of his arms around her had no effect on her whatsoever.

  “I know I shouldn’t have come,” Doug said, releasing her. “But after the way we left things…I thought we needed to talk. In person.”

  “You’re right.” She swallowed. “Do you want to come up?”

  He nodded.

  Without a word, they walked out of the bar and headed for the elevator. Silence stretched between them as they rode the car up to the penthouse. Hayden wanted to apologize to him again, and yet she wasn’t sure she felt apologetic anymore. She and Doug had been on a break when she’d started seeing Brody, and though she regretted hurting Doug, she couldn’t will up any regret about what she felt for Brody.

  “I was shocked when you told me that you were seeing someone else,” Doug began when they stepped into the suite.

  “I know.” Guilt tugged at her gut. “I’m sorry I just dropped it on you like that, and over the phone, but I had to be honest.”

  “I’m glad you were.” He stepped closer, his eyes glimmering with something she couldn’t put a finger on. “And it was the kick in the behind I needed, Hayden. It made me realize how much I don’t want to lose you.”

  He reached out and tenderly stroked her cheek.

  Discomfort crept up her spine.

  “I love you, Hayden,” Doug said earnestly. “I should have said it a long time ago, but I wanted to go slow. I guess I was going too slow. I’m sorry.”

  He moved closer, but he didn’t touch her again, or kiss her, just offered an affectionate smile and said, “I decided we’ve waited long enough. I want us to cross that bridge. I want us to make love.”

  No, not the intimacy bridge. Hysterical laughter bubbled inside her throat. “Doug—”

  “It’s finally the right time, Hayden.”

  Maybe it’s the right time for you, she wanted to say. But for her, that perfect moment she might’ve shared with Doug had slipped away the second Brody Croft had walked into her life.

  He reached out for her again, but she moved back, guilty when she saw the hurt in his eyes.

  “It’s not the right time,” she said quietly. “And I think there’s a reason we never got to this point before, Doug. I think…it wasn’t meant to be.”

  He went still. “I see,” he said, his voice stiff.

  She took hold of his hand, squeezing his fingers tightly. “You know I’m right, Doug. Would you honestly be saying all of this, now, if I hadn’t met someone else?”

  “Yes.” But his voice lacked conviction.

  “I think we got together because it was comfortable. We were friends, colleagues, two people who liked each other well enough…but we’re not soul mates, Doug.”

  Pain circled her heart. She hated saying these words to him, but there was no other choice.

  Being with Brody had made her realize that she wasn’t going to settle for a man just because he happened to be nice and dependable. As wild and sexy and unpredictable as Brody was, he was also honest and tender, more intelligent than he gave himself credit for, strong, funny, generous…Oh, God, had she fallen in love with him?

  No, she couldn’t have. Brody was just a fling. He might have some wonderful traits, but his career would constantly keep him away from her. She wanted someone safe, someone solid. Not someone who was so big and bold and arrogant and passionate and temporary and—Damn it!

  She loved him. And wasn’t it ridiculously ironic that she’d figured it out the day he broke up with her.

  “Hayden? Please don’t cry, honey.”

  She glanced up to see Doug’s worried expression, then touched her cheeks and felt the tears. She quickly wiped them away. “Doug…I’m sorry,” she murmured, not knowing what else to say.

  He nodded. “I know. I’m sorry, too.” He tilted his head, looking a bit confused. “But I don’t see what’s so wrong with comfortable.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with it. But I want more than comfort. I want…love and passion and…I want earth-shattering.”

  He gave her a rueful smile. “I don’t have much experience in shattering a woman’s world, I’m afraid.”

  No, but Brody did.

  Unfortunately, he also had plenty of experience in shattering a woman’s heart.

  * * *

  TWO DAYS LATER Hayden woke up feeling confused, devastated and angry. The anger surprised her, but most of it was directed at herself anyway. She’d tossed and turned all night, thinking about what a mess she’d gotten herself into since she’d come back to Chicago. She’d propositioned a stranger, then proceeded to fall in love with him. She’d hurt Doug. Discovered her father had a drinking problem and was probably a criminal.

  And what exactly are you doing to fix any of it? a little voice chastised.

  She forced herself into a sitting position, her anger escalating. What was she doing to fix it? She’d spent all day yesterday lying on the couch in her sweatpants. She’d watched the Warriors play the Vipers, trying to catch glimpses of Brody. And when the team had lost, her heart ached for him. The Warriors were officially out of the play-offs, and she knew how disappointed Brody must be. She’d been so tempted to call and tell him she was sorry. Instead, she’d devoured a carton of ice cream and gone to bed at ten o’clock.

  How was that going to help anything? She wasn’t the type to let problems pile up without looking for solutions, and although she might not be able to “fix” Doug’s broken heart or Brody’s decision to stay away fr