Chapter 29

Jensen

The charity fundraiser was a week later, on a Sunday night. The more I thought about it, the less I wanted to attend, but Bailey and I had both been roped into it, and if she’d agreed to go, how could I be the one to bow out? I had a bad feeling in my gut, something that rarely steered me wrong, but it was hard to articulate why. It was probably a combination of concern over Bailey’s privacy and how overbearing the Barrowman brothers were.

I wouldn’t admit it to anyone on the Phantoms, but I was looking forward to having a new owner. I didn’t know how effective Mrs. Barrowman would be, but it couldn’t be worse than what we were dealing with now. Mostly, I wanted her to get rid of Coach Fenton. He was the only coach in my entire life that I couldn’t warm up to. All coaches had different quirks and coaching styles, but they usually had both good and bad aspects of their personalities.

I couldn’t think of a single good thing about Coach Fenton.

The sooner he was gone, the sooner we might start winning again.

Nothing was guaranteed, and we probably needed a lot more than a new coach, but the first big change had occurred just before the trade deadline: a new goalie named Gabe DeLugo. He was older, a veteran in the league, and currently on the injured reserve list after getting a concussion just before he got here. But rumor had it he was on the mend and would be starting next season.

He was in his mid-thirties, so definitely getting toward the end of his career, but he’d been elite in his heyday. If we could get even two seasons out of him, to bring us out of our slump, it would be worth it. I assumed that was Mrs. Barrowman’s plan as well, so I already liked her.

I’d hoped we would see her before the end of the season, but she hadn’t made an appearance, and rumor had it Tim and Eddie were planning to appeal the ruling or some such shit. There were guys on the team that seemed butthurt at the idea of having a woman at the helm, but it didn’t matter to me as long as she could affect some change.

Hopefully, none of that would come up tonight and Bailey and I could get in and out without any drama. Best case scenario, we’d spend a little time with my teammates who were attending, get something to eat, spend some money on the auction, and then slip out unnoticed.

Manny and Lucia had offered to join us, but Bailey had felt that Manny’s presence would only bring more attention to her instead of less, so now I was at her front door to pick her up. Ivan and some of the others had rented a limo, but I hadn’t even mentioned it to Bailey since I figured she wouldn’t want a reminder like that.

“Hi.” She opened the door and all I could do was stare.

Bailey my girlfriend and Bailey the movie star were two totally different people.

I’d never seen her dressed up like this before and it was mind-boggling how stunning she was.

“God damn,” I breathed, reaching for her. “You literally just took my breath away.”

She flushed, dipping her head shyly. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure I could still fit into this dress, but it’s very forgiving.”

Forgiving?

It was downright sinful.

In the best possible way.

It was long, red, and sleeveless. It fit her like a glove, accentuating her trim waist and curvy hips, and flared out below the knees, with ruffles that moved as she walked. I didn’t know what ten pounds she’d been talking about, because all I saw was pure sex appeal.

She wasn’t limping as much as usual, and I cocked my head as she retrieved her purse and a small velvet cape that she draped around her shoulders.

“You’re barely limping,” I said.

“Special shoes and walking very, very slowly.” She gave me a wry smile. “I’m going to need your arm tonight. A lot.”

“I won’t leave your side,” I promised.

She took a breath and turned to me. “I’m nervous as fuck , Jensen.”

“Do you remember what I promised you when we first met?”

She smiled. “I do.”

“Say it.”

“You’ll never let me fall, never let me down, and never break my heart.”

“Exactly.” I took her hand. “Don’t ever forget that. And regardless, we don’t have to stay long.”

“You understand that if anyone recognizes me, things could become complicated.”

“It’s a charity for a local children’s hospital—they’re not really expecting movie stars and stuff, are they? I figure a handful of athletes, maybe some B-list celebrities, and some low-key millionaires. How complicated can it be?”

“You have no idea.”

“Then we just won’t let it get complicated.” I paused. “Is it a secret that you’ve been writing episodes for ‘Past Out’ or any of your other writing projects?”

She shook her head. “No, but I’m not allowed to talk about the LoveLand movie yet.”

“That’s fine. Anyone approaches us asking about where you’ve been or whatever, we deflect the conversation to how you’ve been focusing on your screenwriting. We don’t need to say any more or less than that.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I am.” I wrapped my arm around her waist. “Let’s go. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave and come back here to ravish you.”

She pointed to a small overnight bag I hadn’t noticed when I came in. “Tonight, we’re sleeping at your place, so that needs to come with us.”

“Your chariot awaits, my lady.”

The event was being held at the children’s hospital, so I’d wondered what they had in mind and was pleasantly surprised when we arrived. They’d set up a huge, tented area outside, with lights and tables and music. There was private, valeted parking and a separate entrance for VIP guests like us, but there was no red carpet or photographers lying in wait. In fact, other than the mass of expensive cars lined up for the valets to move, it was more low-key than I’d expected.

“This is nice,” I said as we made our way out to the party.

“Very elegant,” she agreed.

“Where would you like to sit?” I asked her as I scoped out the tables.

“Near the bathrooms,” she said with a chuckle. “So I don’t have to go far to get there.”

I grimaced. “I don’t see bathrooms out here. You might have to go inside for that.”

“Damn.” She shook her head. “Oh, well, if I have to go, I’ll figure it out.”

“Jensen! Bailey!” I turned at the sound of my name and waved to Ivan, who came over to us.

“Hey, man.” I shook his hand. “You clean up well.”

“As do you.” He looked at Bailey. “You look beautiful this evening, Ms. Walker.”

“You cut a dashing figure in a tuxedo, Mr. Rochenko.” She gave him a mock curtsy and he laughed.

“You should have come in the limo with us,” he said. “Evan was hanging out the sunroof, making a nuisance of himself.”

Bailey turned curious, hurt-filled eyes to me, and I realized I might have fucked up. I’d figured she wouldn’t want to ride in the limo, but I should have asked her.

“We wanted to be able to leave early,” I said quickly. “In case her hip acts up.”

“You’re probably better off. I think the boys are going to get fucked up tonight.”

“Not our scene,” she murmured.

“Do you want to sit with us? We have a table over there.” He pointed.

“Sure.” Bailey responded before I had a chance, and she didn’t look at me as we made our way in that direction.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered in her ear. “I didn’t think you’d want to.”

“And I appreciate that,” she said. “But you don’t have to protect me. I still need to have the option. Okay? Don’t take my choices away from me. My body takes choices away from me every day. I don’t need that from the man in my life. I can make decisions for myself.”

“You’re right. I apologize. It won’t happen again.” I stopped walking and turned her to face me. “Am I forgiven?”

“Maybe.” Her face was serious, but her eyes twinkled. “I might need an extra orgasm tonight, though. You know, to make up for it.”

“As many as it takes.” I leaned down to press my lips to hers. “My tongue and cock are at your disposal.”

She snickered.

“Bailey, your dress is stunning!” Sherry said as we joined them.

“Thank you.” Bailey grinned. “It’s an Alexa Humboldt. She was always my go-to designer when I needed something special.”

“I love her stuff,” Sherry said, “but I haven’t bought one yet.”

“I have a bunch. You’re welcome to borrow one if you have something coming up. I don’t go to many places that require gowns like that these days.”

“Oh, thank you!”

The ladies started talking about clothes and designers, and I settled in next to Bailey, resting my arm on the back of her chair.

So far, so good.

“I want to get some food,” Ivan said to me. “You coming?”

“Yeah. Hang on.” I gently touched Bailey’s arm. “You want me to bring you a plate?”

“Yes, thank you. Whatever you think I’ll eat is fine.”

“Be back in a minute.”

I followed Ivan over to the buffet table and was impressed at the spread.

“Damn, the shrimp look amazing,” Ivan said, putting a generous portion on his plate.

I’d picked up two plates and was filling both of them as we moved down the table.

“Normally the food at these events sucks,” he said, “but this is good.”

“Thank fuck, because I’m hungry.” I added a couple of rolls to my plate.

“Uh oh. Incoming.” He motioned surreptitiously with his head and I followed his gaze.

“Shit.” I picked up speed, heading back toward Bailey and hoping to get there before Tim and Eddie, but they’d had a head start.

“Bailey! So glad you came.” Tim grinned at her.

“And we have a surprise for you,” Eddie added.

“Surprise?” Bailey asked curiously.

Bailey turned her head, and I watched her face go from relaxed and happy to what could only be described as distress.

There was a throng of photographers trailing behind the Barrowman brothers, along with a face I’d hoped to never see again.

Fuck.

This was going to go wrong in so many ways.

I tried to get in front of Bailey but the Barrowman brothers seemed to have a plan to separate us, putting themselves between us while the photographers made a half-circle around her.

“Bailey! Babe, how are ya?” Dirk leaned down to press a kiss to her cheek as the flash from the cameras nearly blinded me.