Between a Jock and a Hard Place (10 page)

* * *

Jack lowered himself into one of the chairs in front of Randy’s desk and ran a hand over his face. “This has not been the best week I’ve ever had,” he said, expelling a breath of air.

Randy looked down through the glass window of his office as Claire walked past Zoey’s empty office, shoved open the front door and walked outside. “I didn’t know you two knew each other, or I’d never have agreed to this.”

Jack shook his head. “I’m still trying to get my head around the whole thing.”

Randy toyed with his pen. “You were kinda rough on her, weren’t you?”

Jack looked up. “Was I?” He rotated his shoulders. “Maybe I was, but I feel strongly about the changes we’re trying to make. Besides, she didn’t exactly pull her punches.”

Randy nodded. “I understand. Where do we go from here?”

“I’m not sure, but you’ll be going there without me.” He gave a dry laugh. “That’s why I came here this morning. I’m not cut out for this either, it appears.” He looked up. “Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. Between the two of you, you’ve really ignited a controversy. We’ve had hundreds of requests from people who want to blog. Maybe we’ll open it up and feature a different opinion every day.”

“You mean strike while the iron is hot.”

Randy grinned. “Something like that.”

“Well, good luck.” He got up. “I have to go to the airport and there are always photographers hanging around. I have to find my smile somewhere between here and there.”

“Good luck, Jack.”

“Thanks, Randy.” He paused at the door. “Don’t forget to send the donation to the Childrens’ Hospital.”

* * *

Claire’s steps slowed as she neared her apartment building. She didn’t want to go in and start a new project, but more than that, she didn’t want to be reminded that she’d just blown off the most exciting man she’d ever known.

She walked aimlessly and found herself sitting on a bench by Lost Lagoon. Looking back, the morning seemed like a dream sequence in a movie. Coming back from the
Phoenix
offices the anger had leaked out of her like air from a balloon. The tears that she’d so valiantly held back began to fall and she stared through them at the swans, trying to make sense out of what had happened in Randy’s office.

It was clear that she didn’t know Jack Logan at all. He could be cold and ruthless; he’d proven that with his words in the blog and again this morning. How had they gone from exquisite lovemaking to despising each other in such a short period of time?

Every word of his blog was indelibly printed in her mind. Was there any legitimacy in what he’d said? Had she really recycled the same old facts, as he had suggested? She hated to admit it, but there might be some truth to that statement.

And yet, the central theme of her argument was still valid. Young men were being hurt playing the game they love, and she’d done her utmost to convince an apathetic public that the rules need changing.

As for Jack’s comments...she had to admit that her feelings were hurt more than her journalistic integrity. She’d lashed out at him and now the words they’d exchanged couldn’t be taken back. The damage to their relationship was irreparable; he’d made that clear when he turned away from her. Besides, she told herself, second chances only come along in romance novels...a fact well known by every woman with a broken heart.

A soft rain began to fall, pebbling the surface of the lagoon. She sat for a few moments, gathering her thoughts, deciding what to do next. One thing was clear; she needed to get away from Vancouver. She got up and went back to her apartment.

She booked a flight, dragged her suitcase out of the closet and started tossing items in without much thought. She wouldn’t need many clothes and what she didn’t have she could buy when she got there. What was important now was simply getting away.

The phone rang around seven in the evening. She’d fallen asleep, and apart from being groggy, she felt better for the much-needed rest. She glanced at the caller ID, disappointed to see that it was Zoey.
You don’t really think he’s going to call, do you?
asked the annoying voice in her head.

“A girl can always hope,” she said aloud, and pressed talk. “Hi, Zoey.”

“Well, my friend. You certainly stirred things up today, didn’t you?”

“You could say that. Did you hear about Jack being there?”

“Are you kidding? The whole shop was buzzing about it. Randy says you two practically tore each other apart.”

“It wasn’t pretty.” Her voice cracked. “Looks like it’s over, Zo.”

“Yeah.” Her friend was silent for a few extra beats. “Hey, Claire? I wanted to give you a heads up.”

A prickle of apprehension tiptoed down her back. “What do you mean?”

“We’re running a picture of Jack with a woman in tomorrow’s paper. It’ll be up on the website tonight.”

“A woman?” Claire’s heart plummeted. “Already?” Deep inside she hadn’t really believed it was over. Maybe she needed something like this to force her to get on with her life. “Please don’t tell me she’s a blonde.”

Zoey silence confirmed her fears.

“Where is it taken? Do you know?”

“At the airport. Looks like he was meeting her. I’m sorry, Claire, but she’s gorgeous and it looks like he’s kissing her.”

“Does is just look that way or is he really kissing her?”

“He’s kissing her.”

Claire mustered every shred of dignity she had left. “Well then, it looks like I made the right decision. I’m going away for a while.”

“What about work?”

“I’ve just finished that mega project. I can easily take a week off. Maybe more.”

“Where are you going?”

“Let’s just say I’m going to get my head straight.”

“What is this? Some sort of secret?”

Claire sighed. “If I’m going to get over him I need to do this, Zoey. Don’t worry. I’ll take my notebook and keep in touch.” She paused for a moment. “I’m thinking about writing one last blog. Do you think Randy would consider it if I sent it in?

“If he doesn’t, I’ll threaten to quit.”

“Don’t do that.”

“The key word in that sentence was threaten.”

Claire laughed. “You’re the best, Zoey. I’m leaving first thing in the morning.”

“You’re going to tell Cam, and your parents, right?”

“I called Cam but I chickened out when it came to the parents. He’s going to call them tomorrow after I’m gone.”

“Take it easy, kiddo. Remember, I love you.”

“Love you too, Zo. Talk to you later.”

* * *

Jack waited impatiently outside the baggage claim area. A few people had recognized him, but they’d mercifully left him alone. Even the photographers seemed to be giving him a wide berth. Vancouverites took their hockey seriously and they were as disappointed as the players...possibly more.

She stood out from the other passengers converging on the baggage carousel. She spotted him and waved, a tall, lithe figure crowned with a halo of golden hair.

“Jack!” She let go of the handle of her suitcase and threw herself into his arms. “I’ve missed you so much.” She kissed him and then pulled back. “You look like hell.”

He grabbed her suitcase and they headed outside. “As I said to someone just this morning, it hasn’t been my best week.”

“And that’s why I decided to come. The magazine didn’t want to give me the time off, but I told them it was an emergency.”

“I’m glad you came, Cassie.” He slipped an arm around her waist. “I could use some cheering up.”

* * *

“So explain this to me again.” They were walking along the seawall the next morning. “You met this girl here, on the seawall, and she didn’t recognize you?”

“That’s right.”

“What did that do to your ego?”

“Nothing.” He gave her a sideways glance and realized she was kidding. “Come on, Sis. I’m trying to explain this to you.”

“Okay, okay. Don’t be so touchy.”

Jack continued. “Her brother is a hockey player in the minors and he got a concussion.”

“Is he available?”

“Cassie!”

“Lighten up, Logan. Okay, so she’s got a brother who was injured, and she starts to blog about it. And in the meantime, are you two doing the horizontal tango?”

Jack felt a blush creep up his neck.

She took his arm. “I knew that, silly. Otherwise why would you be so upset? I just wanted you to confirm it, that’s all.”

Jack gave his head a shake. “Let’s stick to the facts.”

“Seems to me that having sex with the person blogging on the opposing side is rather factual. But okay, we’ll leave that for now.” Cassie held up her free hand, bending her fingers as she made each point. She bent one finger. “She decides to ratchet it up on her blog.” A second finger. “You post a flaming response.” A third finger. “You lose the game and you’re out of the playoffs.” Another finger. “You charge into the newspaper office where you learn she’s the one blogging on the other side.” She looked at her hand. “I’m running out of fingers here, Boyo.”

He expelled a breath. “That’s about it.”

“Come on, Jack. You’ve got to be kidding. I understand that you were emotional about losing the series, but get a grip! You’re going to lose someone you’re in love with over a silly thing like this?”

“I didn’t say I was in love with her.”

“Jack Logan, you’re such an idiot. Of course you’re in love with her. We wouldn’t be having this conversation otherwise. As Cher said in that movie: ‘Snap out of it.’”

He stopped in his tracks and looked at his sister. “Damn it, Cassie, you’re right. What’s the matter with me? Why couldn’t I figure that out?”

“Because you’ve got your head so far up your own ass you can probably see daylight.”

He pulled out his cell phone. “When did you get such a potty mouth?”

“Since I started working with a roomful of women. Now shut up and call her.”

Jack listened, then disconnected. He stared at the phone for a moment. “There’s a message on there that she’s out of town but I don’t want to leave a voicemail. I want to at least talk to her.”

“So who do you know that can tell us where she’s gone?”

He gave her a blank look. “That’s just it. I don’t know...unless...”

“Unless what?”

“Randy might know. He’s the guy at the newspaper.” He checked his watch. “Let’s go over there right now. I’m more likely to get an answer if we show up in person.”

* * *

Jack took the stairs to the mezzanine two at a time, with Cassie close behind.

“Hi, Jack.” Randy’s gaze slid from Jack to Cassie and recognition flared in his eyes.

“Randy.” Jack leaned on the desk. “Can you tell me how to get in touch with Claire?”

The editor shoved back his chair. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

Jack took a deep breath. He should have known that he couldn’t just come barging in here and expect miracles. “It’s personal, Randy.” There was that damn blush again. “I want to apologize to her and there’s a message on her cell that she’s left town.”

“Look, man. I’d help you if I could. You two boosted circulation by about two hundred percent, but I didn’t even know she was out of town.” He frowned, and looked down to the floor below. “But there is someone who might know.” He picked up the phone and punched a couple of numbers. “Could you come up to my office please Zoey?”

Zoey’s eyes widened when she saw Jack and the blonde, but she maintained her composure. “Hi,” she said, then turned to her boss.

“Zoey, do you know where Claire’s gone? Mr. Logan would like to contact her.”

Zoey sighed, her face reflecting her disappointment. “I wish I could help, but she wouldn’t tell me where she was going.”

Jack watched her carefully. “I can appreciate that you’re trying to protect your friend, but I don’t mean her any harm.” He grinned. “Quite the opposite, in fact.”

No wonder she fell for him,
Zoey thought, faced with the full force of his charm. “I’d tell you if I knew, but for some reason she didn’t want me to know. She talked at one time about going to Hawaii and renting a beach house, but I don’t think that’s where she is.” She frowned, thought back to the conversation. “What was it she said? Something about going to get her head straight.”