Face Off (The Baltimore Banners Book 10) Read online

  Ethan started to move, thinking that maybe he could sit next to Corbin and give him some advice. Or maybe commiserate. He had just started to stand when a flurry of activity caught his attention. He looked over as Maggie pushed her way through the crowd, her backpack hanging from her arm. She stopped in front of Dillon, blew out a heavy breath, and pushed the glasses up her nose.

  “Sorry. There was an accident on 695 near Security Boulevard. I didn’t think traffic would ever clear.”

  Dillon rose to his feet and pulled her in for a quick kiss, not bothering to hide the smile from his face or the emotion in his eyes. Ethan looked past them, his eyes searching for a slight woman with swaying blonde hair and deep green eyes. Disappointment flooded him and he pushed it back, told himself it didn’t matter.

  Told himself he hadn’t really expected Cindy to make it, no matter how much he wanted her to.

  He leaned back in the chair, suddenly drained. No, not drained. Empty. His earlier enthusiasm—as small as it was—disappeared. The idea of spending four nights in the Caribbean with a handful of his teammates suddenly lost its appeal. He didn’t need to go on this trip. He could cancel the appointment he’d set up and just spend the weekend around his place—

  The gate attendant’s voice came over the loudspeaker, the sound broken and tinny over the noise of the crowd. Ethan couldn’t hear what she said, doubted if anyone else could, either. But everyone suddenly started moving, some more slowly than others, all of them anxious to get moving.

  All except for Ethan.

  Dillon leaned down and grabbed his carry-on. Brad and Corbin stood as well, their own bags in their hands.

  But Ethan didn’t move. Didn’t want to move. Didn’t want to go. Not now, not anymore. What should he tell Dillon? Maybe he could say he wasn’t feeling well, or that he suddenly remembered something else he had to do. Yeah, because Dillon wouldn’t see through that at all.

  Then again, maybe he wouldn’t, not with the way he was so focused on Maggie, one arm draped around her shoulders as they laughed and talked. No, Dillon didn’t notice—but Maggie did. She tilted her head to the side, her brows lowering over her eyes.

  “Cindy’s on her way. She had to stop and use the restroom.”

  Ethan was suddenly on his feet, the disappointment from a few seconds ago vanished. “Cindy’s here?”

  “Yeah. I thought—didn’t she send you a text last night?”

  “Yes, but when I didn’t see her, I thought she changed her mind—”

  “I’m here.”

  He turned at the sound of Cindy’s breathless voice, then had to physically restrain himself from pulling her into his arms. She looked different than she had the other night, when she was at his place. Healthy color filled her cheeks and a small smile hovered around her mouth. Was that excitement in her eyes? Or merely exertion from rushing? He opened his mouth, closed it again, not sure what to say.

  Then his gaze shot to Brad. He was standing behind Cindy, rolling his eyes. Then he raised his right hand up to his forehead, his index finger pointing up, his thumb extending out as he mouthed a single word: loser. Ethan shot him a dirty look then felt his face heat when he noticed Cindy watching him.

  He cleared his throat and moved, positioning himself between Brad and Cindy. Then he jammed his elbow into Brad’s gut, biting back a smile at the man’s small “oomph”.

  “I’m glad you changed your mind.”

  Cindy glanced up at him, her small smile shy and almost hesitant. “Yeah. Me too.”

  The gate attendant made another announcement and a smaller group of passengers moved forward. Ethan placed his hand in the middle of Cindy’s back then just as quickly dropped it. He ignored the odd expression on Cindy’s face and motioned toward the gate with a quick nod of his head. “I think this is us.”

  “But they called for First Class to board.”

  “Yeah, I know. That’s us.” He stepped forward, waiting for Cindy to follow him.

  “Seriously? First Class?”

  “Yeah. Actually, I think it’s more like Business Class but whatever. I need the extra leg room. Didn’t you look at the ticket?”

  “No, I guess not.” She hesitated, readjusting her grip on the small roller bag, then moved forward with everyone else, stopping to give the attendant her ticket before heading down the jetway.

  Cold winter air seeped into the small tunnel, damp and chilly. Ethan watched as Cindy shuddered and pulled the jacket tighter around her. He moved next to her, offered her a quick smile.

  “Just think: in a few hours, you’ll be on the beach, drinking up the warm sun.”

  “Yeah.” She smiled again then looked away, stepping forward.

  Almost like she was trying to get rid of him.

  Disappointment swept over him again and he pushed it away. Friends. Just friends. He had to keep telling himself that, had to keep reminding himself. And being friends with Cindy was better than nothing.

  He took a deep breath, trying to get into the right frame of mind so he could survive this trip. Maggie leaned forward and said something to Cindy. Both women turned to look at him, then Cindy shook her head and said something back to Maggie.

  What the hell was that all about?

  “Dude. You are so fucked.”

  Ethan turned to stare at Brad. “Dude? Seriously? Are you trying to channel Mat now or something?”

  “Usually, no. But in this case, it seemed to work.” Brad stumbled like he’d been hit from behind. He glanced over his shoulder then spun around, pulling something from Corbin’s hand. “And you. You are not going to be on this damn phone all weekend. I’ll throw the damn thing in the ocean if I catch you on it. In fact, I’m taking it away. You can have it back when we get home.”

  Corbin reached for it but Brad was faster, jamming it down the front of his pants. A look of horror crossed Corbin’s face and he quickly snatched his hand back.

  “Non. You did not—”

  “I did. Yeah. Get over it. You need to be a little quicker next time, Grasshopper.” Brad took a step forward, grimaced, then took another step. He frowned at Ethan. “What are you looking at?”

  “Nothing. Just remember, you’re the one who shoved it down your pants.”

  “Yeah. Whatever. Go already, you’re holding up the line.”

  Ethan looked around, surprised to see that Dillon and Maggie and Cindy were already stepping onto the plane. He hurried down the jetway, the floor bouncing beneath him as he caught up to them. By the time he made it past the smiling flight attendant, Maggie was already seated next to a window, her e-reader in hand. Dillon was placing their luggage in the overhead bin and Cindy was standing in the aisle, her head moving back and forth between the two rows.

  Ethan hesitated, not sure what to do. Their seats were across the aisle from Dillon’s. Did Cindy want to sit with Maggie? Maybe she’d be more comfortable—

  Brad bumped into him with a grunt. Ethan caught himself before he ran into Cindy, then gave her a weak smile when she looked at him.

  “Did you, uh, want to sit with Maggie?”

  “What? Oh. No. No, that’s fine.”

  “The aisle seat maybe? That way you guys can talk or whatever—”

  “No, the window seat is fine. I mean, unless you want it?”

  “Oh, for crying out loud. Would you two just move so I can sit down and get this damn phone out of my pants before it starts vibrating again?”

  Cindy’s eyes widened and a small laugh escaped her. But she didn’t ask any questions, just slid into their row and settled into the soft seat. Ethan shot Brad a dirty look, placed his own suitcase in the overhead, then slid in next to Cindy.

  He shifted around, trying to get comfortable. His elbow knocked against hers and he mumbled an apology when he felt her stiffen. And Christ, was it going to be like this the whole flight? With him afraid to move? Afraid of accidentally touching Cindy? Yeah, the seats were bigger. Yeah, the center armrest was more like a console. But he liked to spread o
ut and get comfortable. Was it going to freak her out and make her uncomfortable if he did that? If he accidentally touched her again?

  Maybe. So he’d just have to suck it up and deal with it. That’s what friends did. He swallowed back the bitterness that came with the thought, then smiled as the attendant stopped by their row and asked what they’d like to drink.

  He ordered an orange juice then turned, waiting for Cindy. She glanced at him uncertainly then said she’d have the same. The attendant left and Cindy leaned over, her shoulder brushing his.

  “I think I could get used to this.”

  Ethan smiled, his first real smile of the morning. “Yeah, it is kind of nice.”

  Cindy nodded then settled back into the seat, her arm resting next to his, not quite touching. Her head was turned to the side as she gazed out the window. Ethan tried not to stare at her, tried to busy himself with watching the other passengers as they eventually filed by.

  That only worked for a few minutes, right up until one passenger met his gaze and did a double-take as recognition flared in his eyes. Normally it didn’t bother him, especially since it didn’t really happen that often. And hell, the way he figured it, the fans were paying his salary.

  But Ethan didn’t want to be bothered that way today. Not now. Not this weekend. He looked away and leaned to the side, like he was getting ready to talk to Cindy. She turned her head and their noses nearly bumped. She sat back, startled.

  “Sorry.” Ethan muttered the apology then leaned back, his face heat in embarrassment.

  “No. I’m sorry.” The words were soft, so soft he almost missed them. He turned his head, his heart slamming into his chest at the expression on Cindy’s face: remorse, sadness, regret.

  He swallowed, tried to say something but nothing came out. It didn’t matter because she kept talking, the words quiet and hesitant. Her gaze met his, flitted away, came back to his.

  “You were right. The other night. Everything you said was right.”

  “Cindy—”

  “I’ve been kidding myself, thinking that I was doing the right thing. Kidding myself about everything. I was just scared. And I’m sorry.”

  Ethan swallowed again, tried to force a smile to his face as he told himself not to read into her words. But he still couldn’t stop the faint glimmer of hope that flared deep inside him. “You don’t have to be sorry. And I understand.”

  “Do you? Really?”

  Maybe. He wasn’t sure. But this wasn’t the place to ask more questions. Not here, not now. So he nodded and smiled again. “Yeah, really. I mean, that’s what friends are for, right?”

  Something flashed in her eyes, something that turned the green even deeper. She looked away and chewed on her lower lip for a few seconds. And when she turned back to him, the expression in her gaze took his breath away. Her hand reached for his, her fingers trembling as they threaded with his own and squeezed. And then she smiled, a small one filled with hope.

  “No, that’s what people who care about each other—who love one another—are for.”

  Ethan swallowed, searching for words—but he couldn’t get them past the lump in his throat. So he didn’t say anything, just leaned forward and caught her mouth in a sweet, gentle kiss, hoping that was enough.

  For now.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “So. Are things better?”

  Cindy rolled to her side and slid the sunglasses up her face. She immediately regretted it and pulled them back down, her eyes burning from the bright sun. “Yes, better. Unless I’m just imagining things.”

  “You’re not. And I’m glad. You two make a cute couple. You’re good together.”

  Cindy smiled but didn’t say anything, not right away. She wanted to believe Maggie, wanted to believe that she and Ethan were good together. But there was still that small part of her, that tiny piece where fear and doubt lurked, ready to claw its way to the surface without warning.

  And she hated it. God, how she hated it. Hated the darkness that had controlled her life so recently, hated the person the darkness had made her become: doubting, fearful, distant. And untrusting, not just of those around her, but of herself.

  Mostly herself.

  She didn’t want to be that person anymore, didn’t want to be who she’d become. But she was still so afraid of what might happen, so afraid to trust herself.

  No. She wouldn’t do that anymore, wouldn’t fall back into that trap. She wanted to be who she had been before.

  No, that wasn’t right, either. She wanted to be better than before. Maggie had been right: before, she’d always held a piece of herself back, always afraid—because of what had happened to her father. She understood that now. She had to move past that. And she was. Slowly.

  She rolled to her back then adjusted the lounge chair. Not a huge, cushioned, oversized one, like they’d had before. They were staying at a different resort this time, one named after a well-known song. It was still relatively new, maybe only a few years old, with signs of continuing construction going on along the hillside to the right. But it was still nice—better than nice—with spacious rooms and an on-site bar and restaurant and even its own little plaza of shops.

  And, of course, the beach, nestled in a small cove.

  Cindy looked out over the water, feeling the warm breeze mingle with the heat of the sun against her skin. Blue water, so deep and clear it almost hurt to look at, lapped at the beach’s edge. She closed her eyes and inhaled, breathing in the scents of salt and coconut and lime.

  “You look so much better. Just in case you were wondering.”

  Cindy opened her eyes and glanced at Maggie, noticed the smile on her friend’s face. And she smiled back, a real one, filled with the peace she was starting to feel.

  “Thanks. I feel better.”

  “I’d say this place fits you.”

  “Does it?”

  “Don’t you think so?”

  Cindy looked back out over the water, her gaze scanning the deep blue before moving to the craggy horizon on either side of the cove. Green and blue, as far as she could see.

  “Yeah, I guess it does.” But it wasn’t just this place. No, as beautiful as it was, as calm and peaceful, it didn’t compare to what she saw in the blue of Ethan’s eyes whenever he looked at her.

  Why had it taken her so long to realize that? Even knowing that it had been his eyes and the memory of his heated looks that had kept her from going under completely all those months ago, she had fought the truth. Hadn’t wanted to believe it. Hadn’t wanted to believe it was even possible.

  She loved him. And she had for so long, even before their first time here. But she hadn’t believed: not in what she felt, not in herself.

  Maggie shifted on her lounge chair and sighed. “I really wish we didn’t have to leave so soon. But I’m glad we came. This was a nice break.”

  “Then we’ll just have to make it a tradition and come back every year.”

  “Absolutely. At least once a year, if not more.”

  “What are you two planning now?”

  Cindy glanced over her shoulder, a warm smile spreading across her face when she saw Ethan and Dillon walking toward them. Heat filled her, one that had nothing to do with the sun, when Ethan leaned down and caught her mouth with his.

  He cupped the back of her head and swept his tongue inside. Slow, patient. Deep and possessing. Need flared inside her, instant and desperate, as she held onto his shoulders and tried to pull him down.

  He groaned and pulled away, his breathing harsh as he rested his forehead against hers. “I miss that big lounge we had before.”

  “I was just thinking the same thing.”

  Dillon groaned, the sound teasing. “You two are worse than newlyweds.”

  “Bite me.” Ethan tossed the words over his shoulder then leaned down for another kiss, this one nowhere near as deep and thorough as the first one. Then he pulled away once more and grabbed her hands, tugging until she stood.

  �
�Come on. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

  “What kind of surprise?”

  “One you actually need to get dressed for.”

  “What?” Cindy watched, frowning as he dug through the oversized beach bag. Sunscreen, her floppy hat, her book. One by one, he tossed them on the lounge chair, muttering to himself. Then he made a small sound of triumph as he pulled out her cover-up and handed it to her.

  “Here. Just throw this on and your shoes and we can go.”

  “Go where?”

  “I can’t tell you. It’s a surprise.”

  Cindy pulled the cover-up over her head and exchanged a look with Maggie, who looked as confused and surprised as she did. “Ethan, wait. If we’re going somewhere, I need my other bag.”

  “What’s wrong with this one?”

  “It’s a beach bag. It doesn’t have everything I need in it.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well, like my wallet, for one.”

  “You don’t need your wallet, I have your passport.”

  “My passport? Why do you have my passport? Do I need it?”

  Ethan shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “If I need my passport for wherever we’re going, then I need to change.”

  “Why do you need to change?” His eyes raked her, scorching her. He shifted and cleared his throat, not trying to hide the passion in his eyes when he met her gaze. “You look great.”

  “This is a beach cover-up. This isn’t something you actually wear out.”

  “But it’s a dress. Kind of.”

  “Yeah. One you can see through. Kind of.”

  “Oh.” His gaze raked her body again and he frowned as he grabbed her hand. “Okay, yeah. I wasn’t thinking. So you just need to change. How long will that take?”

  Cindy managed to grab the tote bag from the chair before Ethan led her away. She heard Dillon say something to Maggie, heard her friend’s excited gasp in reply, but she couldn’t make out the words, not with the way Ethan was tugging her back to their room.

  Like he was in a hurry.

  “Where are we going again?”

  “I told you, it’s a surprise. The sooner you change, the sooner you’ll find out.” He opened the sliding glass door to their spacious studio and stepped to the side, letting her pass.