Free Fourth and Goal by Jami Davenport Page B

credit card.
    With Derek cut from the team, things had changed. As much as she'd like to run far and fast, she couldn't. She needed information, even a confession, from the brown-eyed heartbreaker. The type of information that took time to get. If another team didn't pick him up, his career would be over. Perhaps he'd be more willing to spill his guts with the stakes raised.
    Pausing, she bent to rub her shin. She'd tripped over a bucket in the barn aisle earlier that day. Footsteps sounded in the aisle and drew her attention. Derek walked her way in all his impressive masculine glory.
    "Hey. How's it going?” He avoided her gaze and bent down to pet his dog. The animal shamelessly wagged his tail and played the innocent victim.
    Her heart two-stepped across the aisle at the sound of his sexy voice. Of course, the damn thing tripped on the way, picked itself up, dusted itself off, and cozied up against him. The rest of her watched in disgust.
    "You didn't return my calls.” Hurt crept into her voice despite her best intention of concealing it.
    "Sorry, I didn't feel like talking to anyone."
    "I heard the news.” Despite it all, she felt a grain of sympathy for him. He had to be devastated and frustrated.
    "The good news or the bad?” He straightened and met her gaze. The corner of his mouth twitched. He didn't look all that upset.
    "You got cut."
    "That was the bad news.” His eyes were bright with tamped-down excitement. She knew him well enough to notice.
    "What's the good news?"
    Simon trotted by. A lone spur dangled from his mouth. Rachel lunged for the thieving Lab. The dog faked left and escaped to the right. She grabbed at nothing but air. Derek snagged her arm before she hit the ground and hauled her to her feet in a smooth move that betrayed how often he'd rescued her in the past.
    "You okay?"
    She nodded. “I'm fine. But are you?” His behavior seemed odd for a man who'd lost his grip on his dream.
    Derek literally bounced on the balls of his feet with pent-up energy. “I'm more than fine. I'm back on the team."
    "What?” Was he drunk? She sniffed the air. He didn't smell like alcohol. His eyes didn't look glassy or unfocused. In fact, they danced with excitement. A Jacks duffel bag was slung over his shoulder.
    "I was off the team and back on within twenty-four hours.” He flashed a grin brighter than stadium lights on a clear night. “I made it, Rae. I made it."
    She smiled too and forgot about the spur theft. She rarely used the things anyway. “Oh, Dare. I'm so happy for you."
    "Thanks.” He made a move toward her, then appeared to have second thoughts. “Now I have to work my ass off to prove myself."
    "You can do it.” She believed he could if she didn't destroy his dream first.
    "Thanks. Your faith means a lot to me.” His brown eyes searched hers, causing her heart to slam in her chest. With a superhuman effort, she resisted the urge to throw herself into his strong arms and hold on tight. His male magnetism beckoned her back to forbidden ground.
    "Well, congratulations.” Rattled, she backed up a step and glanced around for a distraction. Her gaze settled on Simon, now sitting at Derek's side and panting happily, minus the spur. “Can't you keep that animal locked up during the day?"
    "I try, but his ability to escape rivals his thieving skills."
    "Why doesn't that surprise me?"
    "He's attached to you."
    "Wonderful. Maybe you could find a girlfriend for him to hang with."
    Derek laughed. “The answer to every man's problems. Hey, I'll buy you dinner tonight. I'll make an offer you can't refuse."
    Any offer by him would be an offer she should refuse, but she knew she'd accept.
    A few hours later, they sat at a table at Character's Corner, the neighborhood bar. Derek bit into a greasy taco as he surveyed the room. The place was quiet. A few hardcore Mariner fans watched the game from a corner booth. A couple of regulars sat at barstools and nursed their drinks. No one paid notice to him,