Unforgettable, Linda Barrett [books to read to be successful TXT] 📗
- Author: Linda Barrett
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“Hey, look at them go!”
“Save it for the KISS-CAM.”
“There’s a home run in sight, and the game hasn’t even started!”
The whistles came, hoots and hollers, too.
“Oh, my God,” said Jen, hiding herself against Doug’s chest.
His deep laughter was all she heard. “They’re just having fun—and they’re jealous of the luckiest guy around! But I like the idea of a KISS-CAM. Let the whole world know.”
Jen shook her head, basking in her personal discovery. “I’d like to enjoy our own world for a while longer.”
“Whatever you want, sweetheart. You call the shots.”
They entered the stadium holding hands, until Doug had to produce their tickets. “Hmm…nice. I was too busy working to give it much thought, but we’re near center field. We’ve got to climb, but we’ll have a good view.”
“Oh, look,” said Jen, pointing at the scoreboard. “Red Sox vs. Yankees. What could be better than Boston against New York?” Jennifer grinned up at him. “My brothers would have loved to be here.”
“And I’m glad to have you alone!”
They found their seats, not surprised to be surrounded by fans. “Looks like a sold-out game,” said Jen.
“You can say that again, girlie,” commented the big man sitting next to her with large cup of beer in hand. “And we’re gonna show those Yankees how baseball is played in Boston.”
“I hope so,” she said, before turning toward Doug.
“Want to change seats with me?” Doug asked quietly. “That guy’s partying already and the game hasn’t even started yet.”
Jen patted his hand. “He’s just enjoying the anticipation. Do you think a Riders’ game with quarterback Mike Brennan is a tea party?”
“Bad analogy, sweetheart. That Boston Tea Party was not a timid event.”
“Okay, okay,” she said with a groan. “But you get my meaning. And after all, how many Yankee fans would travel here just for a regular game?”
His eyes opened wide. “Are you kidding? A lot. Take a look.”
Jen began noting all the navy blue caps with New York’s signature white NY in front. Yankee fans were scattered everywhere, including in the row in front of theirs. Doug’s observation might have been accurate.
“New York and Boston are really not that far apart,” Doug said quietly.
For just a nanosecond, Jen’s stomach tightened. But distance was not an issue now. In fact, maybe her tension was an automatic response.
“Point taken. New York is a fine place—to visit.”
His laughter was contagious. “From time to time, as needed?”
She nodded.
“Well, that’s progress.” His quick hug and kiss increased her confidence. Trips to Broadway? She’d handle that.
No score by the end of the third.
“That’s what happens when two great teams play each other,” said Jen.
“Whatchu talking about, girlie? The Sox rule!” came the voice next to her.
“Not according to the scoreboard yet,” answered Jen, pointing at the Green Monster. “Look!”
“Jus’ you wait, sister. Jus’ you wait.”
Jen turned her head toward Doug. “I think our neighbor is taking this game very seriously. And starting to slur his words.”
“So is the guy right in front of us — the one with the New York cap. They’ve been at each other the entire time.”
“I know. All I can say is, gedouddahere.” Doug laughed. “Exactly right. But now, switch seats with me.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You want to be my hero? You want to take those slings and arrows for me?”
Doug stood. “Move over, Ms. Slings and Arrows.”
Oh, life was good. She loved this guy. She loved his repartee, his humor, and his intelligence. Had admired those traits years ago and fell hard. Maybe that’s why…even when she’d dated others, she’d never given them a real chance.
Cheering and groaning came from the crowd as New York scored a run.
“The Sox aren’t ruling now,” came the voice from the bleacher below. The guy stood up and glared at the man next to Doug, who wasted no time responding.
“Is that right? You’d better respect where you are. This is Boston!”
“Take it easy, guys,” said Doug. “It’s only the fourth. Anything can happen. It’s still anybody’s game.”
The New York fan sat back down, and Jen turned to Doug. “I’m spoiled. At the Riders’ home games, I’m always in a private box with the family. Now I’m out and about with the real people. Whew!”
“And isn’t it fun?” He eye-rolled their neighbors.
New York got another hit and the fan stood up to cheer.
“Sit down, you’re blocking the view.”
“Whaddayou care? Your team sucks!”
The inning ended, and Boston was now at bat.
And then the magic happened for Beantown. One out. Three men on base, and the next batter hit it hard and high into the stands. Jen figured the noise from the crowd could be heard in the street. The three players on base ran home and Boston had a two-run lead.
Jen’s neighbor was quick to strike. “And you said my team sucks? Ha! Can’t say that now.”
Everything happened fast after that. The NY fan stood, his full cup of beer spilling all over Jen, Doug and the Boston fan, who quickly rose with his fist raised. Doug stepped sideways, shoved both guys away and got punched in the shoulder. “Someone call security!”
“Doug!” Jen cried, trying to pull him back. “Leave them alone. You’ll get hurt more.” She turned toward new voices. “Oh, good. Security’s coming. And they’re big.”
“We’re going quietly, boys,” one of the guards said. “This game’s over for you.”
Jen ignored the rest. “Doug, are you all right?”
“Didn’t feel a thing. But look at that. We’re famous.” He pointed at the big screen where all the action had been covered. “Who needs a KISS-CAM?” He took her in his arms and bestowed the biggest, sweetest, hungriest kiss…and without hesitation, she responded like a thirsty woman stranded in the desert.
“Oh, my love,” she whispered. “As long as you’re all right.”
His hands lingered on her face, fingers gently tracing the contours of her jaw. Blinking twice, he said, “I’ve never felt better.”
“Me, too.”
“Ah, Jen. I’ve dreamed of this.”
“You are such a romantic.”
His grin warmed her heart. “That I am. And now that I’ve got you in a tender moment, here’s a question: how’d you like to go to New York with me next weekend? I’ve got to work with the new lead for The Broken Circle while she figures out how to ‘make the part her own.”
The following Thursday evening, Jen packed a bag for a weekend in New York while still grinning at the reaction to their experience at Fenway. It seemed the whole world had been watching the game that night. Her cell had rung non-stop as Lisa, Mike and her brothers called for details. Liz and Matt called. Alexis offered her opinion that Doug was a “keeper.”
“I hear you, I hear you,” Jen had replied, “and I’m starting to feel that way myself.”
“Good. I think a lot of what happens is about timing. Look at our gang at work. We were all chugging along for a few years, but now things are changing, and sometimes it’s hard to adjust. Anyway, I’m glad we’re still here in town. At least for now.”
Alexis was right about changes, but Jen hummed as she set her bag on the floor. The difference Doug caused in her life now seemed wonderful. Nothing to be afraid of. The knock came exactly as she wheeled the suitcase into the hallway.
“Ready?” asked Doug, examining her face. “You’re good with this?”
“A weekend in New York is great. With all that’s available for tourists, I can surely keep myself busy while you’re working. There’s actually a tour of Radio City Music Hall—a behind-the-scenes look. I’d love that.”
“Of course, you would! But remember, show time is at eight o’clock. I’d like us both to see the Friday night and Saturday matinee performances.”
“Why?” she asked, leading them out the door. “Sounds a bit bor—… ah, too much, no?”
“A bit boring, you say?” But his eyes twinkled. “Not to the playwright. Every audience is different, particularly matinees versus evenings, and I always like eavesdropping and watching reactions to each performance.”
“Has the new actress studied the current production?”
“Oh, yeah. She was actually in the original cast in a supporting role for six months. Then went to another show in a bigger role. And when she heard we were going to cast a new lead, she auditioned. She’s really good, and I’m sure she’ll want to interpret the part her own way.”
“Then, I guess you’ll have to go back and see her in it?”
“Yup. Her opening is in two weeks.”
Something in his voice…a tightness, wariness. “Just think of it as a commute, Jenny. Lots of people do that.”
She watched him stow her bag in the trunk of his car and slam the lid.
“I know that. Business is business,” she said, “and a playwright always aims for Broadway.” Her thoughts raced. They were paying a fortune for a three-night stay at a hotel, and if he had to commute regularly…
“Maybe,” she said, hearing her voice quiver, “you shouldn’t have given up your apartment. Hotel costs are outrageous.”
He spun toward her. “Don’t even go there. I couldn’t lie to you about that. My home’s in Boston now. That’s where I want to be.”
But maybe not where he should be.
“Besides,” he continued. “I can bunk in with Steve Kantor when you’re not around. Hopefully, you’ll meet him this weekend. He knows the business and we’re good friends. Actually, I want to introduce you to everyone, and I’ll also take you on a personal tour backstage after the matinee.”
Jen absorbed his words and nodded. He was anxious that she understand his world. To make her part of it. Did he simply want to educate her so they could have lively conversations? Or did he want her buy-in so she’d consider making a change in the future? A future that was becoming more definite. In his quiet way, Doug was like a five-star general executing a complex campaign.
##
They stopped off for dinner half-way through the almost five-hour drive, but Doug’s mind seemed to be elsewhere. “Just order me anything.”
“We’re standing in line in a fast food joint,” she said. “Hamburger or chicken?”
“I hope you don’t mind,” he said. “I really don’t want to linger over dinner. Next time we’ll fly.”
She pressed herself against him. “Hey. What’s wrong? It’s your first time back since you moved. Are you facing a reality check of some kind?”
He snuggled her in close. “The usual. Only twenty-four hours in a day. I’m going to be buried in work the entire weekend.” He looked sad, and so apologetic.
“I know that. Business is business behind the scenes. The audience is having all the fun.” She reached for their food order and led the way to a table.
“If it will make you feel better, we don’t see the starting quarterback of the Boston Riders very much during the season either. He comes, he goes, he sleeps.”
His grin slowly emerged. “Then I owe him another one.”
“Oh?”
“I once told him I’d hoped to make my own kind of touchdowns one day. And he shook my hand.” Doug spoke as he unwrapped his burger. “Eat up.”
Jen nodded, but was thinking about her brother-in-law. “Mike’s living the American dream himself. Why wouldn’t he encourage you?”
Doug’s brows rose, his eyes widened. “A career in the arts? C’mon Jen. Most people couldn’t imagine it. In fact, they’d discourage it.”
But she’d always
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