Someone Like Her(95)

 He scowled at the building. “Why are we here?”

 Finally, curiosity . . . of a sort. She twisted in her seat and took one of his hands, entwining their fingers. “I need you to keep an open mind and listen. Did you know Rick volunteered here during his free time?”

 The barest of interest sparked in his eyes, and he glanced out the window. “No, but what’s that got to do with me?”

 “I’m hoping you’ll take his place.” When he swiveled his head back with a look on his face that said she’d lost her mind, she rushed on before he could flat-out refuse. Please, God, let her say the right words.

 “It’s the best way there is to honor Rick’s memory. He loved these boys and made an amazing difference in their lives. To know that you picked up where he left off . . . well, it would have meant everything to him. But it’s not just that, although that’s a biggie. You need to do this for yourself. I don’t agree, but you hold yourself responsible for Rick’s death and, for you, this would be an act of atonement.” She caressed the skin between his thumb and index finger. “Who knows, you might even find you like it.”

 “I wouldn’t have a clue what to do with a gaggle of boys.”

 “They mostly play sports. You’ve played pickup games with Logan and the guys. You were on the baseball team a few summers ago. If there’s a football game on TV, you’re right there, glued to the screen, so I know you can play that sport.” A tiny—so slight she almost missed it—twitch of his lips said she had his attention.

 “How do you know so much about me, Chiquita?”

 She rolled her eyes. “You think I haven’t been paying attention to you all these years? I studied on you as hard as I studied on any of my law classes. Will you consider it if for no other reason than to honor Rick’s memory?”

 Sadness clouded his eyes. “I’d be an ass to say no when you put it that way, wouldn’t I?”

 “Totally.” She leaned into him and planted a kiss on his lips. Let him think he was doing this for Rick. “Come on, let’s go in.”

 “Now?”

 “Yes, now. I called, told them we were coming so they’re expecting us.” If she had to, she’d drag him inside, kicking and screaming. If stepping into Rick’s shoes and working with the kids didn’t help him, she didn’t know what would. This had to work, it just had to.

 Jake didn’t want to walk inside that door. He turned to Maria, about to refuse, but the hope in her eyes stopped him. For her, he would agree to this one visit, but nothing would come of it. Those boys belonged to Tennessee. What right did he have to them? None.

 A kid raced past the car, and Jake followed his progress until he disappeared inside the building. “Let’s get this over with.” He opened the door, exited the car, and strode up the sidewalk, leaving her to catch up.

 Hell, he was acting like an ass. Stamping down his irritation, he stopped and waited for her. “Do you know what we’re supposed to do when we get in there?” He wasn’t in much of a mood to stand around watching a bunch of boys staring at him.

 “The director, Larry Palmer, he’s expecting us. He’ll show us around, answer any of your questions.”

 This shouldn’t take long then; he didn’t have any questions. He opened the door and let Maria pass before following her inside. A man about his age came hurrying over, hand outstretched. Jake slid his gaze to the group of kids too busy picking sides to be paying any attention to him. He held out his hand to the man he assumed was Mr. Palmer.

 “You must be Mr. Buchanan.” He gave Jake’s hand a hearty shake.

 “Jake will do.”

 “Larry Palmer.”

 The fond smile he turned on Maria just added to Jake’s irritation. Slipping his hands into his back pockets, Jake turned his attention to the boys and tried to ignore the friendly conversation going on between Maria and the director. The kids had finished choosing their teams and were starting their game. It didn’t take long to realize a few of them were talented athletes.

 The boy with the ball dribbled it to the sideline near where they were standing. “Yo, Mr. Palmer, you gonna play or ya just gonna hang there, jabber’n all day?”

 “I am going to play, Rudy. I thank you for asking.” Palmer enunciated clearly, making a point—Jake was certain—about Rudy’s street talk. “I’m just taking a minute to recruit another player.”