Spite was never a great motivator in the long run. Becca knew this, yet she still forced a smile. “Hey…Mitch.” Saying his first name felt weird. Intimate. Wrong.

He gave her a relieved smile. “There you are, Becca.”

When she drew within reach, he put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed her to him. Ignoring her racing heart, she wrapped her arm around his waist and pinched him where Linda wouldn’t see. Damned if she could get anything but a thin layer of skin between her fingers, though. The man felt like solid muscle.

Oh boy. There went her pulse again.

Linda stared at them, confused.

Becca cleared her throat. “Hi, Linda. I was just helping Mitch find a few things for dinner tomorrow.” Inspiration struck. “Nora and I are welcoming him to town.”

Yes, adding Nora is a stroke of genius. Then it shows Mitch and I are friendly but not direct competition since my sister will be there too. And Nora said she couldn’t think on her feet.

Linda’s expression cooled, but it didn’t turn venomous. A good thing. Mitch might not realize it, but Becca knew how influential Linda Madison was in this town. Despite having divorced her super rich husband—Becca’s landlord—Linda maintained plenty of connections with important people.

Becca knew better than to stir things. She should leave Mitch and Linda well enough alone. Yet somehow, she’d taken leave of her senses.

“Nice to see you again, Linda. Come on, Mitch, we have to—”

“How nice,” Linda said, obviously not meaning a word. “I’d asked Flash to join me for dinner, but he said he couldn’t.” She paused. “That it wouldn’t seem right for him to be alone with one of the mothers of his players.”

The number of bean shoppers continued to grow, people taking root in the aisle as they watched the show.

Mitch smiled, and Becca noted the effect that grin had on the ladies around them. She’d swear half of them were salivating over the man.

“Well, now, Linda,” Mitch drawled. “Maybe if you weren’t so attractive, that wouldn’t be an issue.”

Linda blushed. “Oh.”

Wait. She’s too attractive to draw attention, but I’m not?

He continued, “Becca’s been a real sweetheart helping me settle in.” He leaned closer and said in a low voice, “But to be honest, my brother’s got a crush on her cousin, so the ladies are helping me out with a ‘welcome dinner,’ if you get my drift.”

Wouldn’t Nora be thrilled to hear that. Then again, knowing Nora, she might be.

Linda’s eyes widened. “Oh. Well. Enjoy your dinner. And let me know when we can talk, Flash.” Emphasis on the word told Becca, and everyone else, that talk was the last thing on Linda’s mind concerning Mitch.

Linda walked away. In a loud voice, Mitch announced, “Man, is there a sale on beans or what?”

The crowd scattered.

Becca fought the urge to laugh hysterically. She hadn’t been involved in anything so dramatic since her middle school play.

Mitch leaned closer. “You okay? You look weird.”

She laughed. “Oh my God. Your life is crazy.” She got herself together and whispered, “Do you have women hitting on you like that all the time?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” He sighed. “It’s uncomfortable.”

“I’ll bet.”

“I don’t want to be mean, but some of them can’t take a hint. Lucky you showed up, or I’d have said something rude.” He frowned. “You know, that ‘I’ll bet’ sounded less than sincere.”

“Well, it’s got to be flattering to have women after you, I’d think.” Honestly, she had a difficult time putting words together with him so close. Whatever cologne he wore had a subtlety that mingled with the man underneath. It was all she could do not to lean in and sniff him. Then lick him.

Oh my God. What is wrong with me?

“What? It’s flattering to be desired for your money?” he was saying. “Your fame? Yeah, right.” He shot her a look. “Even the ones you think aren’t that bad can fool you. Weren’t you the one wanting to know if I was rich? You want digits, right? My net worth or phone number? Oh, maybe both, eh?” The cynicism shouldn’t have looked pretty on his face.

But it did.

She had to move before she did something stupid. Like jump him in the middle of the bean aisle, arrogance and all. Hurrying to her cart, she rolled toward the register, unfortunately with Mitch in tow.

Holding onto her patience, she said in a low voice so as not to be overheard, “We made a deal. Simon’s doing well in school. I saved you from Linda. We’re even.”

He stood behind her in line, refusing to drop the conversation, and murmured, “Oh no. We’re not even yet. Now we have to have dinner together or Linda will think we’ve been lying.”

“How will she know?”

“She’ll know. That woman seems to know everything I do in this town.” He rolled his eyes. “Then my brother will hear about today, and it’ll get back that I told people he’s into your cousin. No, we’ll make this happen.”

She had no way to refuse, not with the line of people now standing behind them, watching. She forced a smile. “Fine. We can talk about it outside.”

After she paid, she waited for him by her car. He put his groceries away, then joined her. “Give me your phone.”

“What? Why?”

He sighed. “I’m not going to steal it. I’m going to give you my number.” He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t pass this on. I’m trusting you.”

“I know this might come as a surprise, but not everyone wants your ‘digits’ Mr. Super Bowl. I mean, maybe if the price was high enough, I’d consider sharing. But I doubt I could get more than a few bucks for the great Flash’s number.”

“Unless it was Linda who was asking.”

She grinned, unable to help it. “Well, that’s true.”

He typed into her phone, then handed it back to her. “Seriously. I have no idea why she’s so into me. I mean, I’m a great catch and all. But from what she’s said, she’s rich, pretty, and amazing. Why can’t she score some guy who’s into her?”

“I think it’s more about the challenge for Linda. She’s had a lot of—” No need to be catty. “Well, let’s just say she’s dated her share. But she’s never been out with a professional football player in the time since I’ve known her.” She shrugged.

“What about you?” he asked.

“What about me?”

“Ever dated a football player?”

“Nope. I did date a soccer player though.” She smiled, remembering Neal kicking a ball and showing off for her with his dribbling feats. Except to her surprise, his face wasn’t as sharp as it should have been in her memory. The image of Mitch, so present, so near, was overpowering.

When she realized they stood too close, she frowned and backed up. She sent him a quick text. “I texted you. So, ah, text me back with your plans. I have to go.”

“Becca…”

But she’d already gotten into her car and slammed the door shut. Her heart pounded, the memory of her beloved husband fuzzy, his face replaced by the image of a puzzled football star who was way too handsome for her peace of mind.

Becca drove home, her eyes on the road, focused on the fact she’d done her part to even the score. Yes. That was all it had been, a way to play her part and help out her son’s new coach. In essence, she’d really been helping Simon.

Yet she couldn’t fathom why she continued to fret about her attraction to Mitch. Neal had died years ago. She’d dated since then. She’d had sex since then too. Noticing a handsome man meant nothing.

So why did she feel so confused and out of sorts around Mitch Flashman?

She wanted to punch something. Instead, she returned to find the kitchen a mess and yelled at Simon. And that helped.

 

******

 

Mitch spent the next two days trying to figure out what he’d done wrong.  One minute he’d had Becca Bragg staring at him as if she liked the hell out of him. Then… She’d ditched him in a parking lot.

The air around him continued to cool. The sky had grown dark, the lights over the football field glaringly bright as he walked onto the field. Noise from the growing crowd grew louder while the kids warmed up for the big game.

Mitch stared at the playbook in his hands, not seeing anything but Becca’s beautiful eyes, the spark of green and brown mesmerizing. Ironically, he had Linda to thank for pushing him and Becca together. Except he wasn’t sure how that had happened, exactly.

Great. What did the woman like to eat besides his ego?

“Hey, Flash, Coach Deacon wants you.”

He glanced up and thanked one of the freshman, then joined his brother on the sidelines.

Deacon glared at him. “Hey, asswipe, get your head on straight and focus, would you? Between the pub and your rumors, my life has been hell lately.”

“Rumors?” Damn. He’d meant to tell his brother about the grocery store but hadn’t had time.

“So, I’m into Nora Nielson, huh? Can you point her out to me? Because, you know, since I’m in lust with her, it might not hurt to know what the fuck she looks like.”

Mitch winced. “Sorry. I called an audible. I had Linda Madison on me, and Becca Bragg was there, and—”

“Ah. Now I see.” Deacon laughed at him. “All this was to get Simon’s pretty mom in your sights.”

“She has a name. And it’s more than ‘Simon’s pretty mom.’” Sometimes Deacon could be so irritating.

“Sorry.”

“Yeah, right. Look, let’s just focus on the game. We win this one, we get to the playoffs.”

“Yeah.” Deacon rubbed his hands together. “We’ll talk about you and your fixation on Rebecca Bragg later.” He shouted to Dorset, and the mood turned intense.

Mitch concentrated on football. Or tried to. Easier said than done knowing Becca sat in the stands. Though she came to watch her son, he swore he could feel her stare burning into his back a time or two.

The close game didn’t help matters. He felt on edge, ready to explode if the refs made one more stupid ruling.

“Are you kidding me?” he yelled after one particularly bogus holding call. “Deacon, isn’t this our school? Why are they making calls for the other team?”

Stan and Dorset agreed, and even Paglitelli nodded while he conferred with the substitutes waiting to go in. 

“Don’t get all mouthy,” Deacon warned. “The refs don’t like it.”

“Yeah? Well I don’t like the calls.” But seeing the kids tuning in to his displeasure, Mitch tamped it down. Nothing worse than having a coach set a bad example.

“I don’t like them either,” Simon said, sidling next to him.

“Shouldn’t you be in right now?”

“Coach P. wanted Rocco to get a shot. He’s a senior, and he’s been doing well.” Simon shrugged. “I didn’t want to come out, but it’s Rocco’s last game. His parents are moving next week.”

“Oh, right.” The poor kid would have to miss playoffs if the team made them. Mitch glared at the haphazard mess rushing down the field. “Christ, Deacon. Do something.” He waved at the offense.

“I am,” Deacon growled back. “Asshole.”

“Dick.” Mitch turned to see Simon grinning at him. “What?”

“Must be nice to have your brother so close.”

“It has its moments.”

They watched their team advance slowly. Up by three points, they really needed to nail a field goal, at least. With another quarter to play, too much time remained for things to go wrong.

“So, you and my mom.” Simon had pitched his voice low.

Mitch tensed but forced himself to show no reaction. “What?”

“I heard about you and my mom in the grocery store the other night.” Simon’s helmet made it difficult to see his expression.

“What did your mom say?’

“Nothing.”

“Huh.” Mitch didn’t even rate a discussion at her house? He found that disconcerting.

“When did you guys start dating?” Simon asked, a little too casually.

Mitch sighed. He glanced around, noted Davey on the field, and stepped closer to Simon. “Look, your mom is helping me out of a jam. I was trying to discourage one particular lady from—”

“Oh, I get it.” Simon nodded. “Davey’s mom was all over you again, huh? You know it’s not his fault.”

“I know that.”

“He’s embarrassed at how she keeps throwing herself at you. But then, she did that to your brother too. He just ignored her.” Simon snorted. “He’s not that nice.”

“No shit.”

After a pause, Simon added, “What you’re saying is my mom is blocking for you.”

“Yeah. And she’s good at it, so don’t screw it up.”

“What do I have to do with it?”

Probably not smart to mention their deal to the kid. Mitch shook his head. “Don’t be that problem teen who makes his mother nuts. I need your mom focused on running interference for me.”

“You know, you could just start dating some chick and make it easier on yourself. You’re showing as too available. Either that or start acting more like Coach Deacon to get some breathing room.”

“Are you seriously giving me advice on how to act with women?” During a high school football game? From a fourteen-year-old? Talk about surreal.

“You seem like you need the help.”

“I don’t.” He paused. “Not exactly.”

“Uh-huh.” Simon glanced at the field. “Let me ask you something.” The boy paused. “If a girl acts weird around you, is that real? Or like, she’s just faking to get you interested.” Simon looked at him again.

Mitch stared at the kid, nearly eye-to-eye. “Wait. Is this about your mom?”

“Huh? She was acting weird?”

“Never mind.” Mitch felt stupid for saying anything, but he’d been dying to know what he’d done wrong with her. “So, who’s the girl?”

The team nearly fumbled but recovered for a first down. After he stopped yelling, he turned to Simon again.

“She’s a friend of mine. Or at least, we used to be best friends. Now she’s acting all strange with me. Like, maybe she’s menstrual or something. I don’t know.”

“That’s dangerous territory.”

“I know.” Simon sighed. “I just don’t get how we’re suddenly not as close as we used to be. We were best friends. I accidentally saw her getting changed over the summer, and she wigged out. Acted all different. Now she’s normal again, except she’s wanting me to hook her up with some loser. I don’t get girls.”

“Join the club. They don’t get any easier.”

They watched the offense tank the next play. Rocco wasn’t helping.

Mitch grabbed Simon by the jersey and yelled to Paglitelli. “Sub!”

Paglitelli nodded, and Simon went in.

Mitch watched, his mind half on the game, half on Becca. Talk about a girl acting “weird.” A subtle glance at the stands showed her watching him. Or maybe she’d been watching Simon and Mitch just happened to be there.

Hell. He’d never before had a problem with women. How this one particular female had burrowed under his skin, he had no clue.

“Hey, Nancy. Pay attention.” Deacon slapped him in the back of the head.

“Ow.” He would have said something else but saw too many kids watching them. “Mom should have strangled you at birth.”

“Whatever. They had me and thought they could get perfection twice. Sadly, they failed.”

The kids laughed. Even Stan cracked a smile.

“Please. After the mistake with you, they had me to get it right. Everyone knows that.”

“Truth,” one of the bigger defensive ends next to them said. “That’s what I tell my big brother.”

“Pay attention to the game, Norris,” Dorset growled.

“Way to get the guys in trouble,” Mitch said under his breath to his brother.

“Yep, just like when you were a kid. Blaming me for your crap, then taking me down with you.” Deacon shook his head, then rallied the crew around him for a surprise change in strategy.

That paid off.