The Lonely Hearts Club Read online

  “Hi Liz,” Parker said, her attention riveted to Candace. “I was just on my way over to the field and I saw you drive in.” She held out her hand to Candace. “I’m Parker.”

  Candace did a slow survey before raising slightly hooded eyes to Parker’s. “I’m Candace. I gather you play ball.”

  “I’ll play any game you’re interested in,” Parker replied. “I already like the sound of your exercise program.”

  “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind,” Candace said throatily. “If I’m looking for a workout partner.”

  Liz glanced at Bren, who rolled her eyes.

  Parker switched her attention to Bren, who still looked amused, and launched another mega-watt smile. “I didn’t get your name—an unconscionable oversight.”

  “Hi,” Bren said, extending her hand. “I’m Brenda.”

  “Good to meet you,” Parker replied, holding Brenda’s hand for an extra second. “So, what brings you all out here?”

  “A friend is playing,” Liz said, suddenly feeling protective of her relationship with Reilly and not knowing why. Maybe it was because she suddenly realized every unattached woman on the wide expanse of playing fields, and some of the not-so-unattached ones, was probably looking for a summer fling. And she didn’t want to be relegated to that category. “I didn’t know you played on a softball team, Parker.”

  “It’s a secret vice.” Parker fell into step as they climbed the slope to the fields. “Actually, about half my team is lawyers.” She laughed. “It’s amazing we get anything decided, what with all the debate that usually goes on.”

  “And what position do you play,” Candace asked, edging closer to Parker as they walked.

  “I pitch. Fastball.”

  “I just bet that you do,” Candace murmured.

  “Who are you playing tonight?” Liz asked as she realized they were all headed up the grassy expanse toward the diamond at the very top of the rise. Other playing fields were scattered over the lower part of the plateau.

  “A team from University Hospital—Angels of Mercy.”

  “You’re kidding,” Liz said. “That’s really their name?”

  Smiling, Parker nodded. “Ironic, too, because they’re just about the most competitive team in the league. Except, of course, for the Just Hammers.” Her grin widened and she glanced at Candace. “That would be my team.”

  “Is that the team Reilly plays on?” Bren asked Liz. “Angels of Mercy?”

  “I’m not sure. I didn’t ask her.”

  “Reilly Danvers?” Parker asked.

  Surprised, Liz said, “Yes. She’s my…our…she invited us.”

  “Then you came on the right night. Reilly’s the star hitter for the Angels, and our teams are tied for first place.” She leaned closer to Candace, her voice dropping bedroom low. “And tonight I’m pitching.”

  “Well, I just won’t know who to cheer for, then will I?” Candace said sweetly. She turned to Liz. “After all, we are here for Reilly, aren’t we?”

  “Oh, absolutely,” Liz said lightly. Candace had been probing her for more information about Reilly, and so far she had refused to take the bait. Thinking about introducing Candace to Reilly, she wondered if Candace was Reilly’s type. Almost every woman she’d ever known had been dazzled by Candace’s natural beauty and her playful, seductive manner. Suddenly, Liz was glad they’d run into Parker. At least for a night, Candace might have someone to focus on besides Reilly. Although, of course, if Reilly was interested, there was absolutely no reason why she shouldn’t date Candace. No reason at all.

  *

  Reilly swung through the pitch, feeling loose and comfortable with her swing, and easily knocked her last warm-up pitch into far left field. As she shouldered her bat, she idly checked out the opponent’s bench. When she saw Liz standing with Parker Jones on the Hammers’ sideline, she stopped so abruptly she blocked the path of the next batter coming around the backstop toward home plate.

  “Hey, Reilly,” Sean protested, “out of the road.”

  “Oh, sorry.” Reilly side-stepped but kept her eyes on Liz.

  “You okay? We need you on your game tonight.”

  “I’m fine. I just…never mind.” She had wondered all day if Liz would come tonight, and had been looking for her since she’d arrived at the ball field forty-five minutes ago. But they hadn’t exactly agreed to meet, and she should have figured Liz would be there with another woman. But, Jesus, Parker Jones? Not only was Parker the best pitcher in the league, she had a different woman on her arm every week.

  “You sure?” Sean asked.

  “Sure I’m sure.” Reilly frowned at her own brief lapse in concentration. Liz was single. It made sense she’d be dating someone. “Don’t worry.”

  “Okay.” Sean didn’t sound convinced and her expression changed to concern. “We all want to win, you know, but it’s just a game. If you’re tired—”

  “I’m great. And I know it’s just a game.” Reilly grinned. “Just a game where we’re going to kick their asses.”

  Sean grinned back. “Damn right.”

  Reilly hustled back to the Angels’ sideline and knelt by the players’ bench to make sure all her gear was still together. The Angels were in the field first, and she didn’t want to have to search for her glove when the game started. Pulling off her batting glove, she stuffed it into the back pocket of her shorts. When she stood, Liz was beside her.

  “Hi, Liz!”

  “Hi yourself. You didn’t tell me you were an ace hitter,” Liz teased.

  “I’ve had a few lucky games,” Reilly said, trying not to stare. Liz’s hair looked lighter in the sunlight, almost as if strands of gold had been spun through the dark auburn. Her green eyes were warm and unabashedly welcoming. In navy shorts and a white ribbed tank top, she looked younger and softer than she had in her business clothes. For just a second, Reilly remained silent, merely enjoying the sight of her. Then Liz tilted her head very slightly, as if in question, and Reilly said the first thing that came into her mind. “I was hoping you’d make it.”

  “Oh, well I…” Liz glanced over the field and down the slope to the other six fields, caught off-guard by the pleasure of Reilly’s pleasure. “This is amazing. It beats the hell out of corporate dinners.”

  “I know what you mean.” Reilly looked toward the Hammers’ bench. “So I saw you consorting with the enemy.”

  “The enemy?” Liz frowned, then followed Reilly’s gaze. “Oh. You mean Parker. I didn’t even know she played until ten minutes ago. But I understand her team has been giving you a beating.”

  “A beating? They’re tied with us for first place,” Reilly exploded. “Hell, they wouldn’t even be there if we hadn’t had to take a loss one night when we couldn’t field the team. Three of us ended up getting called in for a multi-vehicle pile-up—” She narrowed her eyes as Liz burst into laughter. “Not funny. That was really not funny.”

  “I can see you take your softball seriously.”

  “What’s the point of playing if you don’t want to win?” Reilly liked the way Liz laughed. It was the first time she’d seen her so unguarded, and it wasn’t until that moment that she realized Liz’s features had been shadowed by sadness or worry or both until now. Like this, with the sunlight slanting across her face and her eyes suffused with pleasure, she was beautiful. Just plain beautiful.

  “I’m torn as to who to support,” Liz confided. “My associate over there, along with a bunch of other attorneys I know—or, you, over here. Maybe I just shouldn’t pick sides.”

  “Whatever Parker’s offering, I’ll double it,” Reilly teased. “Beer, pizza—you’ve got it.”

  “She hasn’t actually gotten to the bribing stage yet. Besides, I imagine you’ve got lots of fans cheering you on.”

  For just a second, Reilly’s smile faltered and then she caught her breath and forced the past back where it belonged. “I could always use someone in my corner.”

  Liz’s eyes grew serious. “I kno
w what you mean. So. Where should I stand?”

  Reilly grasped Liz’s hand and tugged her toward an open spot on the Angels’ bench. “You should be able to see from here well enough. Be warned, if you get up someone’s likely to steal your spot.”

  “I’m an attorney, Reilly. No one moves in on me.” She caught herself, then shook her head ruefully. “Well, at least not until recently.”

  “Forget about that for tonight.” Reilly realized she was still holding Liz’s hand, but since Liz wasn’t pulling it away, Reilly swept her thumb slowly back and forth over the smooth skin. “It’s Friday night and we’re about to kick some lawyer ass.”

  “There’s something slightly perverse in me cheering about that,” Liz said, “but I think that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

  “Good decision, counselor,” Reilly said, feeling unaccountably light-hearted. “I have to warm up.” Reluctantly, she released Liz’s hand. Her palm felt warm from the heat of Liz’s touch and she closed her fingers to hold it in. “If you’re still here after the game, I’ll buy you that beer.”

  “We’ll see,” Liz said. “But thanks.”

  Reilly backed away. “You’re welcome.”

  Liz watched Reilly run onto the field, noting that her initial assessment of Reilly’s body had been wrong. As in understatement. Reilly was more than tight and well conditioned. Her shoulders were broad and strong, her ass firm and just round enough to hold onto. Her thighs were more muscular then Liz had gleaned, even considering the way her jeans had stretched over them. Reilly was the epitome of hot, in the way of some women who were just a little rough around the edges.

  “Walking on the wild side, baby?” Candace murmured from so close by Liz jumped.

  “How long have you been standing there?”

  “Just long enough to see her practically eye-fucking you.”

  Liz caught her breath, surprised at the undercurrent of animosity in Candace’s voice. She’d always sensed lingering attraction from Candace, but Candace had never made a move while Liz had been with Julia. And she’d never been so overtly jealous before. “Jesus, Cand. What’s the matter with you? We were only talking.”

  “You’ve been out of circulation a long time,” Candace said flatly, her eyes tracking Reilly as she fielded the ball at shortstop and side-armed it hard and fast to first base. “You’re not used to picking up on the signals. And she was sending them loud and clear. As in she wants to get into your pants.”

  “I think you’re wrong,” Liz said, watching Reilly now, too. “We’ve had a few pleasant conversations. She’s refreshingly direct. And honest.”

  Candace cut her a look. “What does that have to do with her wanting a piece of your ass?”

  “Okay.” Liz blew out a breath, frustrated by Candace’s obstinacy. “What is it that’s really bugging you? Because I can’t believe it’s the fact that someone might possibly find me attractive, which I’m not saying I believe is true.”

  “I’ll tell you what’s wrong. Julia used you, and you didn’t even know what was happening,” Candace said emphatically. “Now you’re going to have a baby and the last thing you need is someone who’s going to play with your affections.”

  Liz laughed, then held up her hand when she saw Candace’s eyes spark with anger. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, really. I know you’re just worried about me. I know you care about me. But Candace, come on! I’m thirty-five years old and hardly a blushing virgin.”

  “Who’s a virgin?” Bren asked as she joined them.

  “Actually, sweetie,” Candace said, “I always thought you were.”

  Bren gave her a long contemplative look. “Not everyone announces their every orgasm.”

  “I certainly hope not.” Candace smiled slyly. “I’d never have time to buy and sell. And don’t think I didn’t notice you trying to change the subject.”

  “And don’t think I don’t know you’ve been trying to get me to tell you the details of my sex life since the day you moved into the dorm,” Bren said. “Keeping you guessing is the way I keep you interested.”

  Candace settled both arms around Bren’s shoulders and leaned in close, front to front. Her few inches of extra height brought her breasts perilously close to Bren’s face, and her tight stretch top made it clear she wasn’t wearing a bra. “You don’t have to tease me to keep me interested.”

  “You know,” Bren said, tilting her chin up so she wouldn’t have to stare at Candace’s nipples, “you might fool most people, but I know you’re a lot more than a pretty face and a gorgeous body.”

  “Don’t tell.” Candace brushed a kiss over Bren’s cheek. “And since I can’t get anywhere with you, I’m going to find some pom-poms and wave them at Parker.”

  Bren shook her head fondly as Candace slipped away, then glanced at Liz. “So? That’s her at shortstop, huh? Reilly?”

  “Yes.”

  “She’s good-looking. Different than I expected.”

  “How so?” Liz suppressed an urge to wave when she caught Reilly glancing her way, before staring intently back at the batter.

  “I guess I expect you to be more interested in women like Julia or Candace or…who was the one after Candace? Susan?”

  “Suzanne McKenzie,” Liz replied, feeling as if she were looking back into a different lifetime. “My first and last love affair with a straight girl. God, she kept me on the line for a long time.”

  “Well, she was pretty. And she had great breasts.”

  Liz chuckled ruefully. “She did.”

  “Reilly looks a little more…complicated than the others.”

  “You mean because she’s more butch?”

  “No. Well, she is, but that’s not exactly what I mean. There’s something about her,” Bren mused, “that makes me think there’s a lot going on under the surface. Not like Parker, for instance.”

  “Oh, don’t sell Parker short. Maybe she just acts like she’s only interested in sex.”

  “Maybe. But I bet it’s Reilly who has the secrets.”

  “Don’t we all?” Liz asked.

  “Yes. But some secrets have the power to hurt.”

  “What’s hurting you, sweetie?” Liz slipped her arm around Bren’s shoulders.

  “Nothing that a night out with you and Candace won’t cure.”

  “Did anyone ever tell you,” Liz said, “that you’ve got a way with words?”

  Relaxing into Liz’s embrace, Bren replied, “A time or two.”

  Liz jumped at the sharp crack of a bat and watched a ball rocket across the infield. Reilly was nothing but a blur as she dove headlong toward the ground, both arms outstretched. Everyone nearby gave a collective gasp as Reilly rolled several times and came to a stop on her back, then lay motionless. Heart pounding, Liz took one step forward, then halted abruptly as Reilly’s arm rose straight up into the air to display the ball captured in the web of her mitt.

  The umpire called the third out, and Reilly’s bench broke into loud cheers as Reilly jumped up.

  “Hot dog,” someone muttered, and Liz noticed Parker beside her, frowning toward the field. Candace stood with her, her fingertips grazing Parker’s arm.

  “Pretty spectacular catch,” Liz countered.

  “Yeah yeah,” Parker grumbled good-naturedly. “Let’s see how she’ll do against my fastball.”

  Candace put her mouth close to Parker’s ear and murmured loud enough for Liz to hear, “I can’t believe anybody can beat you when you’re on your game. And I bet you’ll be on your game tonight.”

  Parker gave Candace a long look. “Why don’t you stick around after and find out.”

  “Why don’t you show me what you’ve got,” Candace suggested, “and I’ll let you know.”

  “Watch me,” Parker growled, then broke away and ran out onto the field.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were hiding that at your office,” Candace chided Liz. “I would’ve come to more of your office parties.”

  “That’s what I was afraid of,�
�� Liz muttered, remembering Candace disappearing for an hour with one of the bartenders at the Christmas party. “You ogle Parker. I’ll be right back.”

  Liz skirted around the equipment bags and knelt down behind the bench where Reilly was seated with some of her teammates. “Nice play.”

  Reilly swiveled around until she faced Liz. When she spread her legs to lean forward, her bare knees were almost touching the outside of Liz’s arms. “Lucky catch, but don’t say I told you that.”

  “Your secret is safe with me,” Liz said.

  “Thanks,” Reilly said solemnly.

  “You’re welcome,” Liz replied, certain they weren’t talking about softball any longer.

  Chapter Six

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Bathroom,” Bren said, although she doubted Liz would actually miss her. Liz’s attention was totally focused on Reilly. Thinking back, she couldn’t remember Liz ever having been so into Julia, not even during those first few weeks of romantic psychosis. Liz had been crazy about Candace at the beginning—so crazy that she’d denied the insanity of getting involved with an inexperienced but sexually avaricious 18-year-old—and that had predictably ended in disaster. Not that Brenda thought Liz was contemplating a relationship with Reilly, at least not consciously, but Liz definitely seemed to be intrigued.

  “And maybe that’s just what she needs,” Bren murmured as she threaded her way through the crowd and climbed the slope to the park building in search of restrooms. Liz hadn’t seemed happy in a long time, and now that her life was in such turmoil, maybe a crush would take her mind off Julia and help ease her through the transition.