Authors: Kerrie Dubrock
Justice
gritted his teeth and raised his paddle.
“Three
thousand dollars! Going once, going…four thousand dollars!” the announcer
cried, giddily.
Grace
followed the announcer’s line of vision and squinted her eyes at the back of
the crowded room. With the bright lights shining in her face it was hard to see
anything but spots.
“Four
thousand going once, going twice…sold to the gentleman in the back! Please come
forward and meet your date for the evening!”
The
crowd made way for the man heading towards the stage and patted him on the
back.
Justice
grew agitated when couldn’t see who the guy was when he passed by. He even
pushed a few people out of his way as he moved closer to the stage.
The
man climbed the three steps to the stage and took Grace’s hand into his. While
the crowd clapped, he gently placed a kiss on the back of her hand.
“Allo,
Miss Ryan. I’m very pleased to meet your acquaintance. Me name is Rick O’Shea.”
Grace nearly
passed out. She gaped at him. He shot her a grin and tugged her hand towards
the steps. “I think they want to take pictures,” he murmured. She followed him
off the stage, still unable to form words.
Becky took her
hand and giggled. “And you were worried!”
Justice
approached Rick and Grace. He offered his hand to Rick. “Congratulations,
Rick.” He leaned and whispered into Rick’s ear. “Just remember, she’s going
home with me tonight when your
date
is over.”
Rick shrugged,
“That’s entirely up to her, isn’t it?”
Grace’s stomach
twisted as she tried to listen to their conversation, but Becky kept going on
about how she was worried for nothing, how great she looked and how lucky she
was to be with such a hot looking guy. Rick tugged her hand.
“Would you like
to say good night to your boyfriend before we begin our date?”
Grace blinked
in surprise and nodded. Rick released her hand and stood to the side and began
a conversation with Becky.
“Justice,” she
began.
He shook his
head. “I shoulda bid more, gel. Now I’ve lost ya.”
Grace wrinkled
her nose. “You only lost the auction.” When he wouldn’t look at her, she tugged
on his chin. “Hey, we’re gonna be okay. Okay?”
He shrugged his
shoulders sadly and kissed her briefly on the lips and turned away.
She tugged his
hand, “Hey! Don’t forget to pick me up at two, right?”
“I willna
forget,” he muttered.
* * *
“Thanks for the
photos ladies and gentlemen. Please meet on the dance floor for the customary
first dance,” Becky Martin called out.
Rick linked his
fingers with Grace’s and led her to the dance floor. He placed his right hand
on the small of her back and took her hand into his.
They stared
into each other’s eyes as they danced to Sinatra’s
The Way You Look Tonight
.
She wanted to
say something, but didn’t know what. She wanted to be mad at him for outbidding
Justice, but couldn’t.
Damn my luck!
* * *
After the song
ended, Becky Martin spoke into the microphone. “We have a special song request
from one of our guests. It’s a song by Eddie Vedder and it’s going out to
Grace.”
A ukulele began
playing and Rick smirked at Grace and pulled her closer. He sang into her ear
as he moved them across the dance floor. “I know you belong to somebody new,
but tonight you belong to me.”
She swallowed
the lump in her throat and gaped at him. “Did you know you were going to win?”
He shrugged,
“Fairly sure.”
Grace nodded,
not knowing what else to say.
“So, let me
tell you a bit about meself,” he grinned. “I’m a defenseman for the Chicago
Wind. It’s a hockey team, which is why I have a green tinge around me eyes. I
tend to get into fisticuffs with opposing players. I know it’s bloody barbaric,
but well…”
“You’re
defending your teammates. Shit like slamming a player into the boards, head
first, can ruin a career,” she added.
A slow grin
spread across his lips. “Exactly!
Grace shook her
head and smiled. “You cut your hair.”
“Ya doona like
it?” he frowned.
“You look very
handsome,” she commented.
“No’ more
mature?”
“Yes, that
too.” She moved apart from him and raked her eyes slowly over him. She’d never
seen him in a suit before and she had to admit he looked very yummy in the
black suit and white shirt. “You look very good in a suit, too. And quit
talkin’ Irish.”
He looked her
over seductively and shook his head.
“What?” she
muttered, mulishly.
“That’s some
dress you
almost
have on,” he gently scolded.
“Hey, I didn’t
pick it out. She did,” she sniffed, angling her heads toward Becky. “I feel
foolish in it.”
“You look
amazing, Grace.” She rolled her eyes and he smiled. “So, I understand you have
this designing company and just recently worked with
the
famous Chase
Storm?” She giggle-snorted and he laughed. “God, I’ve missed that laugh.”
Grace blinked
at him innocently. “But, Mr. O’Shea, we’ve only just met.”
He nodded,
“Aye, you have that aright.”
She lifted an
eyebrow. “Stop. Talking. Irish!”
“I doona know
what you’re talkin’ aboot. ‘Tis the way I speak.”
“It is not!”
she hissed.
“Am I drivin’
ya wonky?”
“It’s barmy and
yes, you are.”
“’Tis not my
intention to drive ya barmy, gel,” he replied, smoothly.
Grace lifted a
thin eyebrow. “What is your intention?”
“To woo you for the
evenin’,” he stated, haughtily.
* * *
Justice drove
home in dejected silence. He thought aboot sitting outside the hotel where the
event was held, but didn’t want to seem like a bloody stalker.
“Feckin’
O’Shea!” he growled at the steering wheel.
* * *
Rick tilted
Grace back at the end of a song and gaped at the scar on her neck. He quickly
lifted her back up. “What happened to your neck?”
Subconsciously,
she covered the scar with her hand and shrugged. “Nothing. C’mon, I need a
drink.”
At the bar she
requested a margarita and Rick asked for a Corona. After they received their
drinks, he grabbed a table in the corner.
He took a long
pull from his bottle and gazed at her while she took a healthy swig of her
drink. “What happened? And don’t tell me you cut yourself shaving.”
She rolled her
eyes, “It’s not something I like to talk about.”
Rick’s eyes
narrowed. “Did that fucker do that to you?”
Grace released
an outraged breath. “No!”
He gripped her
hand. “Then what?”
She drained her
glass and sighed sadly. “I was attacked in a parking garage last month.”
“Why didn’t you
call me?” he hissed.
She rolled her
eyes. “We weren’t really talking, remember? Anyway, Justice, well, he saved
me.”
Rick eyed her
thoughtfully and rubbed his thumb over her hand. “I’m so sorry, Grace, but I’m
also pissed that no one told me.”
“I asked Blake
and Zee to keep quiet,” she snorted and continued. “It took me a while to come
back into the city. I worked from home for a while, ya know, until I worked up
my courage.”
The muscles in
his jaw tensed. “I’m not trying to be a dick, but is that why you’re with him?
Because he’s a hero?”
She lifted her
chin. “Let’s not talk about him, Rick. You’ve paid a lot of money to spend time
with me…”
He cut her off.
“Yes, I did, so I think it’s only fair that we talk about things.” He ran a
hand over his short coif and muttered, “I was trying to rush something that I
wanted to last forever. It was never, ever, my intention to hurt you.” He
polished off his beer and slammed it on the table. “And, just so you know, this
isn’t a pathetic attempt to steal you from him. I only wanted a chance to spend
another night with you and know that you’re truly happy with him. I just want
you to be happy, Grace.”
Tears pooled in
her eyes. “I have to run to the ladies room,” she sniffled.
* * *
Justice threw
the door opened and stalked into his apartment, ripping the cellophane wrapper
from a fresh pack of cigarettes. After lighting his smoke, he took an unopened
bottle of Jameson from the cabinet and snorted at the irony called life.
He left Dublin
to get away from the memories of Caoilainn. It seemed like the perfect
solution. He snorted and brought the bottle to his lips.
He thought
himself to be a smart man, but when it came to relationships, he was a horse’s
arse. Working too many hours, leaving Caoilainn by herself days at a time
ruined what he thought was a great marriage. He loved her completely.
When she asked
him to cut back on his work hours because she needed him at home more, he did.
But ‘twas no’
eno’ for her. In the end she found solace in another man’s arms.
He took another
healthy dose of Jameson and stumbled into the living room. Feck! He shoulda
known better than to get involved with Grace! But he couldna help himself!
And the feckin’
worse thing of all? He was in love with her.
* * *
Grace returned
from the washroom as dinner was being served. Rick pulled out her chair when
she approached.
“Thank you,”
she muttered.
As they ate
dinner, they chatted about his road games, how great the Wind was doing and
Rick’s hopes to make the playoffs.
“I think that’s
in the bag, isn’t it?” Grace asked.
Rick shrugged,
“Depends. Crazy shit can happen. An injury to a key player. We’re just now
getting Brice back. That’s huge for us. He’s a major goal maker.”
Grace shot him
a wink. “You’re not so bad yourself, you know.”
“I guess. So,
how’s business for you?”
She chewed her
salad and shrugged. “Could be better. I’ve gotten a few hits from the Chicago
magazine spread, but nothing major.” He bit his lip and looked away from her.
She reached across the table and gripped his hand. “It’s okay, Rick. I’m fine.
Besides, after all the time I put in last year, it’s kind of nice to have a
break in the action.”
He sighed
heavily. “I wish you’d let me reimburse you for your losses. It’d make me feel
better.”
She lifted a
hand. “It’s in the past. Let it go, okay? I have.”
Rick picked at
the food on his plate. “So you don’t hate me as much anymore?”
“No. I don’t
hate you. How’s Taylor?” she asked, pointedly.
His back
stiffened. “Not sure. I don’t talk to her much.”
Grace cocked
her head. “Really? Isn’t that hard since she works with you?”
“Nope,” he
sighed. “I had a momentary lapse of reason the night I saw you at Murphy’s and
slept with her.” He shuddered. “I don’t even remember doing it.”
Grace lifted a
skeptical brow. “She led me to believe you two were an item again.”
“Pfft, no.”
“What about
puck bunnies on the road?” she jabbed.
Rick placed his
fork down on his plate and stared at her intently. “Nope.” He shook his head.
“What then?”
“It’s nothing
you want to hear,” he shrugged.
“Try me,” she
challenged.
“I only want
you.”
* * *
Five cigarettes
later and half a bottle in his stomach, any pain Justice felt four hours ago
was gone. He sank deeper into the couch cushion and closed his eyes.
* * *
The evening was
coming to a close while Rick and Grace danced.
“Thank you for
not running out when you saw me approach the stage,” he murmured into her ear.
She giggled
into his shoulder. “I actually didn’t recognize you at first.”
He pulled away
and lifted his brows. “Huh?”
“Well, you cut
your hair!” she replied, running her fingers through his short coif. “I wasn’t
expecting that. Plus, you’re wearing a suit!”
He tilted his
head into her hand and sighed happily. “A guy could get used to this.” He
glanced around the nearly empty room and gazed down at her. “Do I get a good
night kiss before I have to let you go?”
Grace shifted
her feet. “Aw, Rick…”
“Just a quick
kiss? I promise, no tongue!”