Chapter Five
After her surpriseconfrontation with Jason, Stacia needed to escape. She left the stadium and stopped for pizza, her comfort food. She had found this little pizza place specializing in authentic New York-style pizza and retreated there whenever she needed to hide and relax. She was enjoying the sweet tang of the sauce and garlic, trying not to drop the grease on her laptop, when her cell rang.
She wiped her fingers on her napkin and clicked it on. “Hello?”
“Stacia!” Sophie’s voice blasted through the phone, worry evident in her tone. “I’ve been worried sick, even thought about calling the cops. Good thing I talked to Michael. What happened last night?”
Was it only last night? So much had happened in a twenty-four hour period. She swallowed a few aspirin to rid herself of the return of her hangover headache. Or was it a stress one? After the crazy way this day had gone, it could be anything. Reality had a funny way of dispelling everything, along with a new challenge. Only this challenge was something she should probably run from, as fast as she could.
“Stace? Hello?”
“Sorry, Sophie. Just thinking.” She popped the last piece of crust in her mouth and chewed quickly. “Michael talked to you?”
“Forget Michael. What happened last night? I want the details.” Now that she knew Stacia was okay, Sophie’s voice was excited, talking fast and loud.
“It’s a little personal. And if you really wanted to know, why didn’t you stick around?” She wiped her mouth with the napkin, buying time. It was kind of nice to be on the receiving end of one of these calls, her giving details about a one-night stand and not Sophie.
Her friend’s voice cooled a bit. “Didn’t want to be the third wheel. Besides, the parents summoned me to the manse. Had to put in an appearance, to hear about how my life is pointless, I need to settle down. Be more like my older sister, Charlotte.”
Stacia almost dropped the phone. “Tell me they tried to fix you up again with one of their country club boys?”
Sophie laughed, her amusement ringing in her voice. “Not after I dumped the appetizer on the last one. No, this was more about me settling down, having a career they can brag about at the club. They want me to go back for my PhD in psychology. As if being a social media consultant, playing on Facebook and Twitter isn’t good enough for them.”
Stacia winced, reminders of her last conversation with her father replaying in her mind. “But you’re not just playing around. Your skills at social media are critical to the success of our clients.”
“Don’t tell them that.” Her shudder came through the phone line. “Besides, I’m at loose ends right now and I want details. Was your man as delicious as he looked?”
Stacia leaned back in her seat, pizza finished, appetite still present for more than pizza. She couldn’t resist teasing one last time. “If you hadn’t tried to interfere, it would have gone smoother.”
“I was worried. You were acting completely out of character.”
“I was only doing what mybest friendhas been preaching.” For months, Sophie had been complaining that Stacia was all work and no play. Once Stacia cut loose, Sophie didn’t approve. Seems like she couldn’t please anyone this week.
A smile curved her lips. Oh, but Jason had been pleased. Very, very pleased. Until they met at the stadium.
“You’ve never listened before,” Sophie grumbled.
“Fine. It was magnificent. Best ever.”
“Fine, don’t tell me.” In typical flighty habit, Sophie changed the subject. “So, what’s the new job? Another politician?”
“No, no. I’m working with the Georgia Knights, with one of their players.”
Her thoughts darkened and she sipped her soda to wet her suddenly dry mouth, the impact of the morning just hitting her. He had requested her, specifically. Was it because of their one-night stand? It had to be. He had no idea what kind of consultant she was. Was he expecting a repeat of their night together, maybe a sexual partner for the remainder of the season, have his sex and not ruin his image? He clearly wasn’t interested in following the guidelines set forth by the team so what was his angle?
“Oh.” Sophie shrugged off the news. “That’s better than the alternative. Maybe it’s time for you to break away from your father’s control. Do something you enjoy. Or someone.”
Stacia remained quiet, barely breathing. Please don’t let her know baseball.
“What? Oh crap.” Sophie groaned again. “Don’t tell me. He’sthatJason?”
She should have known. Hot men, tight pants. Of course Sophie knew who the hottest men were. Damn. “He wasn’t a client at the time. I had no idea he would ever be a client.”
“Wait. You’re telling me you slept with Jason Friar, bad boy of baseball, the one man every woman in America wanted to screw? Sweetie, he’s a train wreck now, a complete mess. Even you can’t fix him.” Sophie’s tone was sharp, a hint of warning combined with pleading.
“Who said I’m trying to fix him? It’s not like I try to save people. I’m just polishing his image and keeping him out of trouble.” Stacia stuffed her garbage in the bag, tearing a hole in the paper from the force.
“Oh please. I know you too well. At some point, you’re going to try and save him, fix him. Then, when the job’s over, he’ll move on and you’re left with a broken heart. This happens every time. He’s not the underdog.”