First Down (Texas Titans #3) (12 page)

Jaxon glanced down the narrow hallway that led to the single bathroom and bedroom. “I don’t see why not. A coat of paint can work wonders.”

“I’m pretty handy with a sewing machine too,” she said, looking at the single large window. “I thought I could make some pretty curtains.” Turning around, she pointed at the make-shift breakfast bar. “Maybe get some old stools and finish them in the same fabric, make a few throw cushions for the couch…” She took another bite of pizza when she realized she was rambling. Jaxon couldn’t be interested in her plans for decorating her little apartment.

“Alana, you don’t have to explain to me. I get it.”

His gentle tone prompted her to look up, and she was surprised by the understanding in his dark eyes. “You do?”

“Sure, I do. My dad… uh, died when I was pretty young. My mom had to hold down two jobs to put food on the table. We lived in some pretty run-down places, but she always made them feel like home.”

Alana’s heart clenched. He really did understand. “Thank you for saying that. Grayson made me question my decision to move here. He thought it was kind of a dump. Most of the tenants here are seniors on a fixed income and single parents. The landlord doesn’t keep up with building maintenance unless he’s forced to, but the rent is reasonable, and the building seems safe. Besides, it’s within walking distance of the office, which was really the biggest consideration for me.”

“Grayson’s been here?” Jaxon asked, looking surprised. “When?”

Alana hadn’t planned on announcing that she’d had contact with Grayson outside of the office. “He knew I didn’t have a car, so he offered to take me out to look at places. That’s when I found this one.”

“Interesting. I wonder why he didn’t mention that to me.”

“It was no big deal, really,” she said, hoping it wouldn’t cause any problems between them. She didn’t want Jaxon to think Grayson had crossed any lines with her. “He was just doing a good deed.”

Jaxon’s lips curling at the corners. “I’ll bet he was. Grayson’s like that, a real do-gooder.”

Alana knew he was being sarcastic, but she also knew he would never disparage his friend. She hadn’t known these guys long, but she could tell they were closer than most brothers.

“Don’t worry what he thinks about this place,” Jaxon said. “He went from living at his parents’ sprawling ranch house to a high-rise luxury condo when he made his first mil. He doesn’t know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck.”

She’d grown up in a middle-class home, and she would have been perfectly content to stay in that socio-economic class, but Ronan had had other plans. “I’m still kind of figuring things out. This way of life is kind of new to me. I mean, I always worked part time to pay for the things I wanted. My parents thought it was important for me to learn the value of hard work.”

“I agree with them,” Jaxon said. “If I ever had kids, not that I intend to, but if I did, I’d make them work as soon as they were old enough. It builds character.”

“I think so too.” She wanted to ask Jaxon why he didn’t want to have a family, but it was none of her business. He was her boss, not her date.

“So why the long face?” he asked. “You’re not still worried about what my dumb-ass partner thinks of your new digs, are you?”

“No, of course not.” It wasn’t as if she expected Grayson to spend any time at her humble home. After their talk, the line had been clearly drawn. She knew he wouldn’t step over it... unless she invited him to.

“Good. I like a woman who doesn’t care what other people think.” His eyes raked over her. “In fact, I like you, Alana. A lot. I know I’m your boss and all, and if I’m making you uncomfortable, just say the word, and I’ll back off.”

Oh wow, she hadn’t seen that coming. She liked Jaxon, but he didn’t turn her inside out the way Grayson did. “I think you’re a real sweet guy, Jaxon. I do. It’s just—”

“You’re not that into me.” He chuckled. “It’s okay. You don’t have to explain.”

She winced. “I hope we can be friends? Assuming you don’t have a policy against being friends with your employees?”

“Hell, I don’t have a policy against doing anything with my employees. It’s Gray who’s dead-set against that. ‘Course we’ve never had an employee who looks like you. Makes me wonder if my good buddy will be changin’ his tune about that policy of his.”

The flash of white teeth against his summer tan was arresting. Jaxon really was breath-taking. Too bad Grayson’s image was the one that kept popping into her head. Alana popped the last bite of pizza crust into her mouth, wishing she could think of something, anything, to change the subject. “I don’t think so.”

“You mean y’all have spent time together outside of work and he’s never given you the impression he might be interested?”

Alana was a terrible liar, so she said nothing. She knew her downcast eyes and the heat creeping up her neck gave her away though.

“I knew it,” Jaxon muttered. “I knew there was something between you two. When I walked in on y’all, the tension was so thick I’d have to have been pretty dense to miss it.”

Alana looked up. “If you thought your friend was into me, why did you—”

“Hit on you?” He laughed. “You’re a beautiful woman. I’d love to get to know you better, but…”

Alana raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.

“I couldn’t resist sticking it to Gray. It’s not often I see him gettin’ all bent out of shape over a woman. Knowing that we’re here together right now must be making him crazy.”

“I doubt it,” Alana said, reaching for Jaxon’s empty paper plate. “He has Patti, right?”

“Honey, I’ve met Patti, and she can’t hold a candle to you.”

Alana should have been happy to hear that, but she wasn’t. Patti was Grayson’s lover, while Alana had firmly planted herself in the
friend
camp.

“So about the barbeque… You’re still gonna come with me, right?”

“Sure, why not?”

“I can’t wait to have a little fun at Grayson’s expense,” he said, winking.

Uh oh.
Alana didn’t like the sound of that.

***

Grayson was just getting ready to turn in when a knock on his door had him swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. He hadn’t ordered room service, which meant it was probably some drunk at the wrong room.

“What do you…?” The question died on his lips.

Patti sauntered past him. The black mini skirt, sheer blouse, and strappy sandals left little to the imagination. Compared to Alana’s classy business suits, it made him wonder how he could have thought Patti’s look was sexy.

“Weren’t you going to call me?” she asked, pouting as she flipped her long red hair over her shoulder. She made her way to the mini-bar to pour herself a drink.

“I guess Tammy told you I was in town?” He shouldn’t have been surprised. Patti’s cousin was one of the best bartenders they had, but gossip was her middle name.

“Of course she did.” She turned toward him with a glass of scotch in hand. “But what I want to know is why you didn’t think to tell me yourself. I thought we had a good time when you were here in March. Did I piss you off?”

That’s what he liked about Patti. She didn’t have any unrealistic expectations about him or their relationship. She was fine with hooking up whenever he was in town, and between visits, she kept herself too busy to call or text, which suited him just fine.

“No, nothing like that.” How could he explain he had a thing for a woman he could never have?

“Then what is it?” Green eyes narrowed, she assessed him carefully. “Have you met someone else?”

Grayson was grateful his phone buzzed. “Excuse me.” He reached for his phone on the night stand. “Jaxon just wants to know what I’m up to.”
I’m with Patti, talk to you later.
He typed quickly, anxious to be rid of Patti so he could get some sleep before his flight home. For the first time in a long time, he couldn’t wait to get home, and he knew the reason.
Alana
.

“I’m waiting,” Patti said, tapping her foot. “Do you have a girlfriend now? Is that why you weren’t interested in hooking up with me on this trip?”

“No, it’s just…” He scrambled to find the words to let her down gently. “I’ll be honest with you, Patti. I’m interested in someone else, but we’re not seeing each other. She works for us, at the home office.”

“I thought you didn’t date your employees,” she said, setting her drink down with a dejected frown. “That’s what you told that bartender Tammy works with. Were you just saying that because you didn’t want to go out with her?”

He didn’t want to get into a long, drawn-out explanation, but she obviously didn’t intend to leave until she’d heard the unabridged version of the story. “I wasn’t lying to her. I don’t date our employees.”

“But this girl’s an exception?” She threw her drink back when he didn’t respond and slammed the empty glass down on the table. “Say no more. I get it.” She took a few steps toward him, planting her hand on his chest. “Just tell me one thing—what does she have that I don’t?”

Grayson grimaced. He didn’t want to offend Patti, but he’d never considered her someone he could have a meaningful relationship with. She was a nice girl who liked to have a good time. As far as he was concerned, that’s where it ended. “I can’t compare you and Alana. That wouldn’t be fair to either one of you.” He softened his voice, bringing her hand to his lips. “I think you’re a great girl, and we’ve had a lot of fun together, but I’m just not interested in picking up where we left off.”

“What if things don’t work out with her?”

He had no reason to believe they would, but that didn’t mean he wanted to go back to casual sex either. If Zach and Matt could find the loves of their lives, maybe he could too. “Hon, we both knew this thing between us wasn’t going to evolve into more. My life is in Arlington, and yours is here.”

She pressed her body against his as she coiled her arms around his neck. “That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t consider relocating. If I had the right incentive.”

His body didn’t respond as he knew she hoped it would, which was all the proof he needed that it was time to cut his losses and move on. “You’ve told me a dozen times how much you love living in Vegas. You belong here.”

“I thought maybe…” She closed her eyes briefly before looking at him. “I belonged with you.”

The guys had warned him that might happen, but he’d assured them Patti knew the score. They’d never talked about being exclusive, but now that their time together was coming to an end, she seemed prepared to pull out all the stops. He kissed her forehead. “I’d like for us to be friends. Just because we’re not sleeping together anymore doesn’t mean we can’t still see each other when I’m in town.” He was trying to placate her, hoping he could ward off the tears gathering in her eyes.

“What would your girlfriend think of that? Wouldn’t she get angry?”

“I told you, Alana’s not my girlfriend. She’s just a woman I’m interested in.”

“I don’t get it,” she whined. Stepping back, she fisted her hands on her hips. “You’re not even sleeping with her, and you’re telling me you can’t sleep with anyone else?”

“I’m telling you I don’t want to sleep with anyone else,” he said softly. He couldn’t believe the words coming out of his mouth. Whether his beautiful accountant realized it or not, she had him hooked.

“Then I guess there’s nothing I can say to change your mind?” She kissed him on the cheek. “My 30
th
birthday is next month. Tammy reserved the V.I.P. lounge at High Rollers for my party. Think you’ll be able to make it?”

“I’ll do my best.” He couldn’t promise he would fly in for the occasion, but he would at least send her flowers.

“I hope she appreciates you,” she said with a sigh.

He walked her to the door and kissed her hand before she stepped into the hall. “Good-bye, Patti.”

Alana was nervous about seeing Grayson at the barbeque. She couldn’t help but wonder whether he would be bringing
her
back with him. Or maybe he would have another beautiful woman on his arm.

“Hey, what’s on your mind, gorgeous?” Jaxon asked, linking arms with her as they made their way into the backyard of Zach’s home. “You’ve been pretty quiet since I picked you up.”

She couldn’t tell him she’d been thinking about Grayson. “I guess I’m just a little nervous about meeting your partners. So far, I’ve only had a chance to meet you and Grayson.” Even saying his name made her stomach clench. How would she react when she finally saw him? Would he know that she’d lost sleep thinking about him?

“You’ve got nothing to worry about,” Jaxon said, chuckling. “The rest of the guys are gonna love you as much as me and Gray do. Well, except for Zach and Matt maybe.”

She frowned, wondering if she’d missed something. “Why wouldn’t they like me?”

He laughed, squeezing her hand. “They’re both married. Their wives would kill them if they looked at you the way I do.”

Alana blushed. Jaxon was a shameless flirt. “You’re too much, Jaxon.”

“I am, you know.” He winked. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

She dipped her head, hiding her smile at his sexual innuendo. The last thing she wanted to do was encourage him. She smiled at the kids lining up to jump off the diving board. “It’s the perfect day for a pool party.”

“Yeah, we take turns hosting these events. It’s always a good time.”

Alana smiled and waved at the few familiar faces she recognized from the office. That the men considered their employees more like family said a lot about what kind of employers they were. Though they claimed they tried to keep things strictly professional, it was obvious the lines got blurred. The people she’d talked to seemed to count the partners among the best employers they’d ever had, which reinforced Alana’s belief that she’d made the right decision moving there.

“Hey, have you met Gray’s sister yet?” Jaxon asked, pointing to a petite brunette at the buffet table. “She lives just down the street, and she and Rennie, that’s Zach’s wife, have gotten pretty close. Come on, I’ll introduce you. You’ll love Terri. She’s a real sweetheart.”