Chapter 5

Chapter 5

J D parked his motorcycle and killed the engine. There was a valet service, but he didn't like others handling his bike. He probably shouldn't have used it as his transportation for the evening. Wearing a tuxedo on a motorcycle wasn't his brightest idea. He slid his helmet off and secured it to his seat. It left his hair pasted to his head. JD didn't much care how he looked, and he had tried to talk Calvin out of this shindig. He didn't need a fancy party to welcome him to Sparkle City. He sure as hell had no desire to mingle with his other clients. JD had been desperate for a new agent, and Calvin Rooney had come highly recommended. All he needed from him was for him to manage his career. He didn't require Calvin to help him socialize or rub elbows with the city's celebrities.

He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. JD probably should fix his bowtie or something, but he didn't bother. He blew out a breath and headed toward the country club where the event was being held. Lights from inside the building flowed out of the windows and cast shadows on the immaculately groomed grounds. He didn't belong at a place like this. There was nothing he could do to avoid it. Being the guest of honor required him to attend. Though it would serve Calvin right if he was a no show. How would his agent explain his absence?

There were greeters at the entrance. Probably there to make sure any undesirables didn't sneak in. JD hoped they didn't expect them to show an invitation because he didn't have one. He'd gladly turn on his heels and let Calvin stew. "Good evening," he said to them. "Big crowd in there?"

The taller man of the two cracked a smile. "Not yet. Some of the guests like to make an entrance."

Great. There would be divas and blowhards galore. It was going to be a fabulous evening. If he'd spoken his thoughts aloud, he wouldn't have been able to hide the sarcasm. "Wonderful…"

"Mr. Rooney is expecting you. He said to go straight to the Empire Ballroom where the party is being held. He'll see you there." The stockier man said.

At least he didn't have to worry about the invitation thing. They clearly were aware of who he was. They might even be fans, but he wouldn't be so gauche as to ask. He nodded at them and headed past them into the building. He strolled down the long hallway until he reached the ballroom. The urge to run from his responsibilities was getting tighter inside his gut with each step he took. He had to remind himself he wasn't that person anymore. Running never solved anything, and he ended up regretting the action every time he took that step. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then entered the room. Calvin was on the far side talking to Owen Thompson, the quarterback for the Sparkle City Stars football team. His jet-black hair was smoothed back and so slick JD didn't think one strand would dare to blow out of place.

He moved through the room until he reached Calvin's side. JD didn't stop once to see who else was in attendance. He didn't care.

"Hey Calvin," JD said. "How long do I need to make an appearance at this thing? I have an early morning workout scheduled."

"I'd appreciate it if you stayed until the end. It wouldn't hurt you to rub elbows with these people. You might even like some of them."

Owen stuck his hand out. "I'm Owen." As if JD hadn't known that… He wouldn't roll his eyes. "It's nice to meet you. Calvin has been singing your praises."

He stared down at Owen's proffered hand and then back up to meet his gaze. JD reluctantly took it and did a quick shake before letting go. "It's good to know Calvin is doing his job and making me look good. Thanks for the info."

"You're welcome," he replied smoothly. Either Owen didn't catch on that JD was being a disparaging prick or he didn't care. If it was the latter he'd respect the quarterback more. "If you'll excuse me, I've neglected my date enough for the evening." He walked away and toward a blonde on the other side of the room. She wore a cotton candy pink gown that stopped just above her knees and hugged every inch of her voluptuous curves. JD frowned when he met her gaze. Fuck. What the hell was Shayla doing there? He would have to do his best to avoid her. JD had to wonder if Owen had an inkling of his connection to Shayla and had brought her on purpose. Though he couldn't ascertain a reason he would want to make him uncomfortable. He didn't even know the man.

He tore his gaze away from her. JD wouldn't let Shayla ruin his night. Not that it had gone well anyway. He'd dreaded it from the moment Calvin had sprung it on him. "Who else can I expect to attend?"

"Just about anybody who is anybody in Sparkle City," Calvin answered. "I represent an eclectic group of individuals. I have clients for every sport we have: baseball, football, and hockey along with a few musicians and artists."

That could literally be anyone. He froze a moment. What were the chances… "What musicians?" He wasn't certain he hoped she'd be there or prayed she wasn't one of Calvin's clients. Scarlett would think he set it up or something, and he didn't need that tension between them. They had enough already to sort through.

"Several," Calvin said. "I'm sure you've heard of them."

A commotion began at the entrance. He turned to see what the crowd had noticed. His best friend, and hockey player for Sparkle City Fireflies, Harrison Thoreau walked in. His brown hair had grown a little too long and brushed against his collar. At his side was a vision in green.

JD sucked in a breath and held it for a heartbeat. Scarlett stunned him senseless. That dress…was sexy as hell. The olive gown was made with chiffon, creating a form fitting and flowy look, and when she turned toward Harrison he felt as if he'd been sucker punched. Her dress featured a low back that stopped just above her ass, and had plunging neckline that stopped at her waist, as well as a high slit leaving her leg in complete view on the left side every time she moved. God help him. He wasn't sure he would survive the evening.

What the hell was she doing there with Harrison? He clenched his jaw and forced air in an out of his lungs. "Is Harrison one of your clients?" he asked Calvin. "And Scarlett Oliver?"

"They both are," he confirmed. "Though I am surprised to see them together. I wasn't aware they were acquainted." His manager tilted his head to the side. "They do make a stunning pair. I'll have to talk to them to see if this is a thing and if we can use it to boost their social standing."

He'd kill Harrison. He knew how JD felt about Scarlett. "I'm sure it is innocent."

"You think so?" Calvin said. "They seem to know each other well. There is a certain intimacy that people convey when they're close and those two are not acting like strangers. I admit I'm a little surprised. Scarlett seems to hate athletes, but who am I to understand the inner workings of a female mind?"

JD stopped listening to him. He strolled across the room and stopped in front of his best friend and Scarlett, the woman he loved. He didn't look at her. He couldn't. Instead, he focused his attention on Harrison. "I didn't know you would be here."

"I thought it would be a surprise." His friend grinned.

"Not a very good one," Scarlett muttered. JD Couldn't agree more.

"You could have warned me." JD grimaced. "You know how I hate these things. Why didn't you tell me that Calvin was your manager?" He'd been looking for a new manager, and Harrison had known that. Not once had his supposed best friend chimed in and offered a recommendation.

"You didn't ask." Harrison shrugged his shoulder.

"If you'll excuse me," Scarlett said. "I would rather not witness any bloodshed. I'll leave you two to whatever…" She waved her hands in a circle in front of them. "…this is…"

She took two steps, and he reached out to stop her. His hand curved around her waist, and he swallowed hard. "Don't go," he said. "I promise this isn't going to get violent. You're safe in our company."

Scarlett lifted a brow. "Am I?" She shook her head. "Harrison's maybe. Yours? I have my doubts."

"Please stay," he said softly. "I'd like to talk to you."

"I'm sure you would," Scarlett answered. "But I don't particularly want to listen to you." She turned away from him and froze. "What is she doing here."

Damn it. He'd forgotten about Shayla. That had to be the only she Scarlett could be referring to. He could play it two ways—dumb or honest. JD didn't think that pretending he didn't realize Shayla was there would work. Scarlett was no fool. He turned in the direction of her gaze. "Shayla came with Owen Thompson. I didn't know she'd be here either. Calvin wasn't forthcoming with his guest list."

"He wouldn't be," Scarlett said. "I don't think I'll be able to stay for this. She spun around and fell into his arms. "I'm sorry. I…"

"Shhh," he said. "It's all right. You're surprised to see her." She was probably a little surprised to see him too. "You're entitled to stumble a little."

Scarlett pushed away from him. "I don't need your permission to feel the way I do."

Harrison tapped him on the shoulder. "Maybe you should take this outside." He gestured toward some patio doors on the side. "Those lead to the garden. Scarlett could probably use some fresh air."

He didn't give her a chance to argue. JD led her to the nearby doors and out into the garden. He would have to thank Harrison for the suggestion later. He never should have doubted his friend in the first place. "Scarlett," he said softly. "About Shayla…"

"No," she said and rubbed her hands over her arms. "I'm not discussing her with you."

"All right," he said. "I'll let it go. For now."

"It's not up to you," she said. "I get to decide how much I want to unbury, and Shayla can stay interred in the past forever as far as I'm concerned. She's nothing to me."

That wasn't exactly true or she wouldn't have reacted the way she had, but he wouldn't push. Scarlett was his first and only concern. Shayla had made her decisions, and she would have to live with him in the same way JD had to. They both lost Scarlett that day. He never asked Shayla why she'd wanted to leave Sparkle City. JD hadn't cared. She meant nothing to him, and he'd done what he did best. Ran away from something that terrified him. Shayla had just been a way to ensure no one would come after him. Nothing had happened between them. They had just been companions in bad decision making and left Sparkle City in the same car. After that, they parted ways and hadn't spoken since. He only hoped he could make Scarlett believe that…

He pulled off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. "All I'm saying is don't let her presence ruin your evening."

She glared at him. "Do you believe it is that easy?"

"No," he said sadly. "I wish I could go back and make a different decision. I hate that this hurts you."

"Don't give yourself so much credit. There is one other person who deserves the blame here." She glanced away. "Besides, I'm glad now that you left. We were too young, and it might have destroyed me more if we ended up having a bad marriage. Things happen for a reason, and we weren't meant to be."

"Don't say that," he said. "Tell me you don't really believe that. I loved you—still…"

"It's best you don't finish that declaration," Scarlett told him. "I've moved on with my life, and it doesn't include you."

JD stepped closer to her until their bodies nearly touched. All he had to do was lean down and press his lips to hers. Then she wouldn't be able to deny she still had feelings for him. Her breathing became ragged as she met his gaze. Scarlett's lips parted. She must expect him to kiss her. It would be so easy to give into the desire to taste her, but he wouldn't. If they had any chance of finding their way back together he had to do it right. He had to wait for her to be ready for the kiss and the explosion that would come afterward.

"One day you'll want me to say it again," he said softly. "And when that day comes, I'll he here, waiting, and I promise I won't let you down ever again." With those words, he turned on his heels and left her alone in the garden, still wearing his tuxedo jacket. It gave him a reason to talk to her again to retrieve it. JD needed all the help he could get to win her back, and he would use every tool in his arsenal.