Second Chances (5 page)

Chapter 7

            
 
Nick Granger rolled up his sweatpants in preparation for his appointment and grinned when his buddy came in wearing a polo and pressed khakis.

“You clean up good, Sam.”  Nick teased from the therapy table.

Sam chuckled, put Nick’s chart on the counter, and grabbed for the electrical leads.

“Be careful or I’ll turn these things up to full capacity.”

“What?”  Nick laughed.  “I was being honest.  It just throws me for a loop when I see you at work when the Sam I know prefers shorts and a tank top.”  Nick looked around the physical therapy office, where Sam had been treating Nick for his injured knee for almost a year.  “It’s so official looking.”

“Life changes ...  It took me a while to get used to you on national television, in the big game.  It was even more surreal when I got the chance to see you play.”

“You came to my games?”  Nick’s eyes went wide.  “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I could have given you tickets down near my family.”

Sam waved him off.  “Nah.  It was more exciting with the fans.  That way if you screwed up, I wasn’t harassed for coming to see you.” He laughed and placed the leads on Nick’s leg. 

Nick gave him a look but said nothing.  He just smiled, knowing how lucky he was that Sam was still his friend after all these years.

“Lift your knee.” Sam placed a round pillow underneath for support, and then turned the dial up on the machine before asking, “Is this strong enough, or do you think you go up some?”

Nick nodded his head.

“Tell me when the electric pulses become too much.”  Sam continued to dial it up until Nick lifted his hand.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.  It’s what I do.”  Sam smiled and lifted the patient chart from his counter.

“No, I mean thanks for everything.  When I moved back here, after the divorce.  I was a mess. You were there for Katie and me.”

Sam wondered if this was his chance to bring up his sister’s arrival to town.  He’d seen so much healing within his friend over the last six months and wasn’t sure if he’d be open to a friendly suggestion.

“Like I said,”  Sam paused.  “It’s what I do.  Apparently it’s what I do a lot.”

“Hey, man – I’m sorry.  If I’ve taken too much of your time. I know you have your own family.”  Nick instantly felt bad for the way he’d imposed on his friend since moving back.

Sam sat across from him and patted his arm.  “No, it’s not you I’m referring to.  My sister is recently divorced, and has moved back to town.”

Nick’s heart skipped a beat when he heard the news. 

“Paige is back?”  His throat went dry.

“Yup.” Sam pursed his lips to keep from smiling, as he entered some notes on his computer.  “I’ve been helping her move in and get adjusted to life back home.”

Nick spaced for a minute, thinking about the crush most of the guys had on her – himself included.  With her fiery red hair and spirit to match, she stood out from all the others, but since she was Sam’s kid sister, no one dared approach her.  He wondered if that rule still applied or if

enough time had passed that Sam would allow Paige to live her own life.  He blinked and wondered how to approach the subject without being obvious.

“How long has she been divorced?”  He asked casually.  “Didn’t she marry that guy on the golf team, the one who thought he was better than everyone else?”

Seeing his friend’s peaked interest, he slowly turned his back to him and pretended to look through his file while he secretly grinned out of view.

“Yup, she did.  So, tell me about your workout today.  How tired did you feel afterward?”

Nick lifted his hand with a dismissive wave.  “I felt just fine.  So how long has she been back in town?”

Sam contained the smile that was pulling at the corners of his mouth.  He cleared his throat and composed himself before spinning his stool back around to face his friend.

“Only a few weeks.  She’s been searching for a job.  The bastard left her with nothing, so she’s starting over.”

Nick’s gut churned, as a mixture of pity and anger spread through.  She was always a nice girl.  The Knight family was known for their compassion.  From what he knew of Paige, she strived hard to make things work in her life.  She always excelled in school and imagined it would be the same for her marriage.

“That’s too bad.  Is she doing okay?”  Nick’s heart went out to her.

“Yeah, I think she’s turned a corner after the shock of it all wore off.  She even found a part-time job.”  Sam waited.

“Oh yeah?”

Sam held back from saying anything further until he heard what he’d been hoping for.

Nick raised his eyebrows, and carefully asked, “Where’s she working?”

Sam knowingly smiled as the wheels were put in motion. “Over at that new shopping complex, at Tight Ends.”

“I know that place.  The owner approached me to do an appearance.” Nick paused. “That reminds me.  I need to get back to him to set something up.”

“Yeah, that sounds fun.”  Sam nodded casually.  “Listen, I’ve got to check on another patient.  Take care and be careful with that knee.”

“Sure thing.  See you around, Sam.”  Nick lifted his hand as he watched his friend leave.

As Sam stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind him, he pumped his fist, and softly said, “Yes!”

He practically handed him a gift-wrapped box and told him to open it. Now the rest was up to his sister to see what Nick could find inside. He just hoped she’d be open to a chance with a nice guy this time around.

Chapter 8

            
 
Paige timidly stepped from the employee bathroom and cringed at her reflection in the glass that separated her and the manager’s office.

“Aw, come on. It’s not so bad.  It’s not like you work at Hooters.  Everything is almost covered up.”  Her new co-worker, Poppie, giggled at her face.  “You look good!”  She said, admiring Paige’s body in her new uniform.

Paige raised an eyebrow.  Maybe Poppie was right.  It wasn’t too revealing.  The only thing showing was her belly button and a little bit of cleavage.

She turned back to the bathroom and faced the mirror.  From the waist up she loved what she saw.  She had on a form fitted female version of an athletic jersey.  She felt sporty and sexy all at once, which was a combination she wasn’t used to.  It was the lower portion of her uniform that had her doing double takes, which was probably the point.

“They’re so tight. You can almost see through these things.”  Paige twisted around to glance at her backside in the mirror.  “I’m just glad I lost weight with the divorce!”

Poppie laughed.  “They’re like football or baseball pants … but a bit tighter.”  She stood from the wooden bench, which was a duplicate of what you might find in an athletic locker room, and nodded toward Paige. “Come on, lock up your personal things.  You’d better be light on your feet, or Linley will come after us.  Trust me – you don’t want that.”

Paige’s eyes went wide in reference to her new boss, who seemed like a combination of a gladiator and a primadonna.  She had a very small but firm frame and tried a bit too hard with her hair and makeup.  She wasn’t someone Paige would think of as warm or gracious.  Everything about the woman screamed, ‘I’m the boss’ and the last thing Paige wanted to do was get on her bad side.

              Paige tilted her head and grabbed for her purse and street clothes to push them in an empty locker.

              “Here.”  Poppie tossed a lock to her. “The combination is on the back.  Memorize it, peel it off, and throw it away.”

              Paige promptly studied the combination and locked it all away.  She thought it was neat that they provided a break room in the back for the employees, especially one that looked like an authentic athletic locker room. It was a small, cramped space, but it gave the employees a secure place to call their own.

              Poppie watched Paige eyeing the room, and explained. “Most restaurants don’t invest in space toward the back of the house, but the owner was gracious to understand that if we stay happy – we’ll keep his customers happy.”

              “So is this a chain restaurant?  I’ve never heard of it before?”

              “No.”  Poppie explained further, “Moe is a local sports fanatic, who won a bunch of money in the lottery.  He invested it in his passions: food, women, and sports.  He even has some local celebrity out today for a ribbon cutting ceremony.  Some guy who used to be a football player in D.C., but lives nearby now that he’s retired.  Since we’ve only been open for a few weeks, it was something Moe felt would draw a crowd.”

              “Oh.”  Paige was clueless who played what sport and why they were important.  She was more concerned with doing a good job, and how to survive in her new arena.  “So, does Moe come out often?”

              “Once in a while, like for today’s event.  Most of the time, he’s got Linley running things for him.  She’s his sister and a major pain in the butt.  But, I’m aiming for assistant manager some day, so it’s a cross I have to bear.”

              As if her ears were burning, a sour-faced Linley stepped through the door.  “Are you two girls done chatting?  We’ve got a business to run..”  She pointed to Paige. “I’m surprised.  You actually can pull those off – even at your age.  Congratulations,” she said, with a smirk.

              Paige’s mouth dropped, but she said nothing. 

Poppie pulled at her arm and said, “Yes, ma’am.  Her first day of training is today.  And you’re right, her new uniform looks great!”  She nodded at Paige and directed her out the door.

“Can you believe her?”  Paige whispered passionately.  “Who says things like that?  She’s only a few years younger than me!  I’m not ancient, ya know?”

“Don’t worry about it.  You look stunning.  She’s just jealous because she has no junk in the trunk.  She couldn’t fill these pants if she tried.” Poppie laughed thinking about Linley stripping off her management khaki's and trying to put on a signature pair of Tight Ends pants. They’d sag so badly that she’d look like a

twelve-year-old trying to put her older sister’s clothes on.

As both women finished setting their tables, Poppie looked to the crowds lining up.

“You ready?”  She nodded for Paige to look outside.

As she looked to the patrons, who were standing out in the cold, with anxious looks on their faces, she asked, “What’s the big deal, anyway?”

“Hello!  It’s Nick Granger!  He’s famous and handsome …” Poppie started to list his attributes when Linley sailed by with a grin, almost singing, “and recently divorced.”

Paige cocked her head, wondering if it was the same Nick Granger she knew from school but thought twice. 

Nah, it couldn't be..

Both girls clamped their lips, trying to hide a smile as Linley raised her hand to anxiously smooth her hair in preparation.

“You missed a piece.”  Paige instantly bit her lip, to keep from giggling.  She just couldn’t help messing with Linley.

“Where?”  Linley pat down her bleached hair once more.

“There.”  Paige lied, wondering how much trouble she was getting herself in.  The more Linley struggled to see her reflection, the more exasperated she became.  “And I think I see some lipstick on your teeth.”

“Nick is coming any minute.  I better go to the bathroom to freshen up.”  Linley wiped her finger across her teeth and rushed toward the back.

Poppie burst out laughing.  “You’re going to get it.”

Paige grinned.  “I couldn’t help it.  She’s wound too tight!”

Within a few minutes, they heard Linley squeal with excitement from the back. 

“Okay, people!  I just got a text from Nick Granger’s agent.  He’s arrived in the back parking lot, and will be coming inside soon.  Front of the house and back of the house – get ready.  Hostesses, open the doors and start seating people!”

Linley did a brisk loop around the restaurant and sailed back past Paige, glaring. 

Paige and Poppie averted their eyes and tried as hard as they could to keep from laughing.

As Nick prepared to step from the limo, his stomach was tied in knots.  His agent insisted on a handful of bodyguards, which he thought was laughable. This was his home, and he’d lived nearby for months now without any help or protection. 

“Are they necessary?”  Nick nodded toward the Samoan crew that served as buffers from the crowds that were threatening the back entrance.

“Absolutely,” Hank, his agent, said firmly.  He nodded to the hired muscle, giving them strict instructions. “Make a clear path to the door and advise the crowd to enter at the front entrance.  I’ll need one of you inside with Nick. Once the crowds settle – we’ll make our entrance.”

Four large bodyguards nodded in silence and went about their jobs, making a path toward the back alley door to Tight Ends.

Nick heard a few girls yell excitedly from the small crowd that had gathered.  He looked at the mixture of people and smiled on his way in.  He hadn’t experienced this type of gathering since he left the NFL.  It gave him a surge of adrenaline, but he instantly remembered why he was now happy living the life of a small town football coach. 

This type of attention – although pleasant for a short time – wasn’t something he wanted for the long haul.  When you’re in the public eye, your life isn’t really your own. Since his time in Granite, he’d grown used to a life of anonymity - if there was such a thing for someone in his shoes.

Once he stepped inside, his heart skipped a beat. He was much more excited about the girl; he hoped was inside versus the ones who were still yelling outside. As he stepped into the back room, he scanned the hallways, hoping to see Paige, but was greeted by a small, wiry blond woman, who looked like she’d spent too much time in the sun.  He could tell she’d gone out her way to appear presentable, but her makeup looked as if she’d taken a spatula to spread it on. 

“Nick! So grateful you could come!” Linley attached herself to Nick’s bicep, bumping his agent out of the way.  “Right this way, please.”

“Actually.”  Nick looked at his agent for help.

Hank quickly nodded in the direction of one of the bodyguards, who accompanied them inside.  Immediately, the massive trunk of a man stepped forward and gruffly blocked Linley’s path, saying, “Ma’am, I’ll need you to lead the way without getting too close.  Please, let go of Mr. Granger.”  He stood firmly in place, towering over her.

Linley dropped her hands and gave him a look that would send most people packing before turning and smiling sweetly at Nick, saying, “Of course, right this way.  Moe will be here in a few minutes.  Did you bring the jersey?”

She started toward the back office, leaving the group to talk to her backside.

“I have it.” Hank raised his voice and thrust forward to catch up. 

“Is it true? Is Nick Granger in the house?”

Nick turned when he heard the booming voice behind him, and smiled when he saw Moe entering the door behind them.  “Good to see you.  Thanks for having me today.”

“No thanks are necessary.  Thanks for agreeing to appear my new restaurant.”  Moe grinned and reached to give him a quick hug.

Hank, who hadn’t completely let go of the jersey, gently tugged it from Linley’s grasp and handed it to Moe, saying, “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.  Listen, I’m going to warm the crowd up outside.  I’ve got the local paper, and there are a couple of news stations out there too.  It will be great press for the restaurant, so thank you.”

As Moe passed them, he pulled his reluctant sister by the arm.

“I thought I’d stay back here to keep them company,” she whispered, and glanced over her shoulder toward Nick and his agent.

“Time to get back to work.”  Moe frowned to his overly anxious sister and started for the front of the restaurant.  “I don’t pay you to fraternize.  I pay you to run my business.”

Linley stared daggers at her brother from behind, but she dutifully followed him out the door.

As the hostesses packed more people inside, the excitement level raised for everyone involved. Even though Paige wasn’t a sports fan, the energy in the room was contagious.

              Poppie elbowed her and nodded toward the television cameras, which were lined up next to their station.  Their tables were full of anxious customers, but each understood everything was on hold until after the quick appearance.

              “Now what?”  Paige asked.

              “Now, we wait until Moe comes out and they do their thing.  It won’t be long.”  Poppie watched the cameramen switch on the bright lights, in preparation.

              “Here we go.”  One of them said, holding their ear piece.

              Just then, Moe entered and stood near the bar.  Patrons began to rise from their seats to get a better vantage point.

              “Welcome to Tight Ends!  We’re grateful for your support.  As you know I’m a huge sports fan – but my favorite teams are local.  And when I won the lottery, I wanted to pay homage to my local heroes. And none other fit the bill other than Nick Granger, who not only had a successful career but dedicated time back to his community.  He’s a stand-up guy, who everyone is excited to see.  And now without further ado … Nick Granger!”

              The crowd stood and began to cheer, as Nick stepped through the door and waved.  Paige struggled to see over the top of the crowd as they stood in anticipation, but when her eyes finally landed on who stepped in next to Moe, it was like time stopped.

It was him! And, after all these years, he still took her breath away.  As she stood, only a few feet away, she was instantly taken back to a place, where she’d shyly glance up in the hallway to make eye contact only to feel like she could throw up. 

              Nick searched the crowd for a telltale fiery red head of hair, only to see the back of Paige’s head, as she headed for the kitchen. Even though he didn’t catch her eye, his heart leapt at the thought of her being so close.

              As Paige sped to the kitchen and rounded the corner, she was reeling and out of breathing, with Poppie fast on her heels.

              “Hey, are you okay?  You look flushed.”  Poppie searched her eyes.

              “No.  I’m good.”  Paige took a deep breath.  “I’m sorry.  I’m good.”

              “Well, get back out there then.  We need to man our stations or Linley will have our heads.”  Poppie eyed Paige.  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

              “Yeah,  it just shocked me when he walked through the door.”

              “I know. Not bad for an old guy.”

              Paige snapped out of her daze and laughed.  “Hey, watch it.  He’s only a couple of years older than me.”