A Game of Secrets, page 10
“How’d that work with her living in DC?”
“If Avery had her way, she’d relocate here.”
“Linc is a Trotter.” Derrick gave a quick head shake. “He’d never leave the capitol.”
“Would you move to DC, Jake?” Cayden asked.
“I might end up buying a place somewhere in the area but my roots are in Point du Sable.”
Jake returned to work and put in several hours before having dinner and enjoying a Bulls game from one of the owner’s suites. It was late when he returned to the estate. He didn’t care. He had some questions to ask his sister. He reminded himself that he was angry with Sasha, had no investment in her future, no intention of seeing her when she returned to PDS. Still, something wouldn’t let him totally dismiss her. At least from his mind. No one else had to know about that right?
Instead of parking near his spread on the north wing, he pulled up to the side where his sister resided. If Reign wasn’t up, she would be, shortly. He entered her domain and walked directly to her suite.
Passing through the marble columns that marked the entrance he called out, “Reign! Are you up?”
Within seconds, a pajamas-clad Reign emerged from her room. “I am now,” she said, yawning and squinting at the clock. It was after midnight. “Why are you waking me up?” She plopped on the couch and put her bare feet on a coffee table. “Missing Sasha?”
Jake sat down in a nearby chair. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but obviously you’ve been talking.”
“Only to family. Didn’t she go home for Thanksgiving?”
“I guess.”
“Then you totally know. I don’t blame you, brother. She’s way more beautiful than I remembered. She’s also TJ’s sister. And—” she used air quotes “—engaged.”
“I know all that. What you got to drink in here?”
“Everything.”
He stood. “You want something?”
Reign shook her head. He left and soon returned with a bottle of beer, determined to detour the subject from the very reason he’d come to her suite. “Hey, we never talked about your trip to LA. How was it?”
“Warm. Crowded. Ace and London’s fashion show was a hit, as always.”
Jake nodded.
Reign’s look was one of mischief. “So...you came over here at midnight to talk about clothes?”
“Outside of business, what do you know about her fiancé?”
“You mean her husband, Ace?”
“Not London, Sasha.”
“The one you had no idea I was talking about?” She laughed. “Not much.”
“She told me the two of you had lunch.”
“We did. This may come as breaking news, but women talk about more than men. He has an older sister,” she continued when Jake remained silent. “His dad works in politics.”
Jake knew about Elijah Trotter. His son was the enigma.
“I’m not talking about information that’s public knowledge. I’m talking about Linc’s personal life.”
Reign chuckled. “I know. Their families seem to be longtime friends but honestly, she didn’t talk about him much.”
“What did the two of you talk about?”
Reign shrugged. “My trip. The Point. You.”
“What about me?” he casually asked.
“Where you went to school, if you were dating, stuff like that.”
“What did you tell her?”
“The truth. You’re a whore.”
Jake almost spewed his drink. “Sis!”
Reign laughed out loud. “Just kidding, brother. I’d never reveal your secrets.”
“I am not a whore.”
“No, you’re not. You just like variety.”
“I’m a healthy, single man. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing.”
“My tastes are very discriminating.”
“Who are you trying to convince?” Reign yawned. “Looks like the two of you had a good time at the party.”
“You saw us together?”
“Briefly. At one point I was heading over to speak with you when someone else came up. I got sidetracked and didn’t see her again.”
“Sasha didn’t stay too much longer after that.” Jake pondered how much he should tell his sister and decided to stick close with what she already knew. “The woman that came up to us is Linc’s cousin.”
“That’s no big deal. Is it?”
“Could be. Sasha and I were fooling around. Lightweight, nothing serious. Except the cousin may have seen us.”
“She’s no longer engaged. You don’t know?”
“It’s not official. I know. The families don’t.”
“Oh.” Said with much more understanding than seconds before.
“They’re supposed to announce the breakup this week.”
“Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Yeah. Right.”
Reign stood. “I’m flying out early mañana to attend Trenton’s game, and need sleep.” She headed toward the hallway, stopped just before turning the corner. “I haven’t seen you this interested in a woman in a long time. For the record, I like Sasha. She likes you. I don’t know why you’re fighting it.”
“She lied to me.”
“About what?”
“That’s her story to tell.”
“Why’d she do it?”
“Lie? I don’t know.”
“Maybe you should ask her. Night, Jake.”
Thanksgiving was filled with fun and family. Reign’s words stayed on Jake’s mind. So did Sasha. More than once, he started to call her, especially later the night she was supposed to break the news to her family. Not getting a call or text from her made him change his mind. If she went through with her plans and made the breakup official, he’d then begin to think about searching out more details on why she’d continued to deceive him after the party, once she’d figured out the identity of the man behind the mask. Based on her answer, he might be open to seeing where life could lead them. She never called but by Friday night, he could admit that he was looking forward to her returning to Point. He was ready to take Reign’s advice and at least hear her out. From what his mother told him from talking with Val, that would be Monday, just days away. When Cayden called with a game night invite, Jake was ready for fun.
He reached the block of his destination and took in the corner building with a critical eye. It was a popular sports bar named Third & Long. He pulled up to the valet stand, noted the cars that lined the block and the boisterous-looking crowd that could be seen from a line of huge square windows. Inside, he instantly noted a few familiar faces along with a wink or wave from more than one appreciative female. He nodded a cordial response but kept moving toward his destination, the VIP section on the second floor.
“Jake! What’s up, man?” The bouncer held up a bear claw otherwise known as a hand for a fist pump and leaned over for a one-shoulder tap. “Cayden hasn’t been too long getting here.” He nodded toward a booth behind them.
Jake spotted Cayden along with several familiar faces. He turned back to the bouncer. “Good seeing you.”
“Always. If you need anything, let me know.”
After stopping to chat with a client who played pro baseball and another athlete hugged up with a popular Instagram model, Jake reached the booth and slid inside.
“About time you got here,” was Cayden’s greeting.
“Busy man, what can I say?”
“No worries.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here,” Jake said looking around. “I like what they’ve done to the place.”
The bank of televisions across the bar, not to mention the picture being projected against the entire back wall, gave everyone on both floors a front row seat to the action of multiple games across several states. Most of the screens were on the local basketball team’s matchup against a big rival, but a few were tuned to other games in the league. His eyes swept the room, admiring the sophisticated decor that featured stone walls, mahogany floors, stainless steel tables for four and semiprivate booths covered in brushed kid leather.
“Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”
“Buying the business?”
Cayden nodded. “Taking it private. Upgrading to a full-service restaurant and transforming the third floor, now basically used for storage, into the VIP lounge. We could make the Jake and Bake magic happen again.”
They both laughed at the high school nickname they’d been given. Cayden leaned forward, his grayish-green eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “What could be a more perfect fit for the person who handles many of the top player’s finances than to add a sports bar to the equation?”
“That may be the problem. Keeping a professional distance from these guys is how I maintain the edge.”
“I get that.” Cayden thoughtfully rubbed his five-o’clock shadow. “You could be a silent partner.”
Jake nodded. “That’s a possibility.” His phone rang. He looked at Cayden. “Here’s another one, potentially.”
“One what?”
“Problem. Linc Trotter.”
Cayden’s brow rose.
Jake answered the phone. “Jake Eddington.” He pulled an earbud from his pocket and put it on to hear better. “Not really. Hanging out. Knocking back a few beers...Oh, really?...Yes, it’s detailed. I wanted it that way. What’d you think?”
Jake gave Cayden a thumbs-up. “Glad to hear that, Linc. And glad you called me. I didn’t want that little dustup about Sasha to get in the way of business...Hey, man, no worries. I would have behaved the same way. I totally understand...No, next week is perfect. Great, we’ll talk then.”
Jake ended the call, feeling uneasy. That it was the day after Thanksgiving and Lincoln still sounded very much like a man engaged gave Jake pause. Clearly, Sasha hadn’t made the breakup official. What his potential business partner didn’t know increased his discomfort—the accidental Halloween tryst. His growing feelings for someone off-limits.
“Linc read the proposal. He thinks it’s solid. Wants to talk next week about how the company might be structured. He has several high-end contacts as potential investors.”
“Working that close to Sasha isn’t going to be a problem?”
“Not for me.”
“But she’s the potential of a problem you mentioned before answering the phone.”
Jake nodded, remembering that Cayden didn’t know about the secret breakup, or what had happened between him and Sasha. He decided to keep it that way until next week, when Sasha returned and she was officially single. If that was even the case. Given Lincoln’s upbeat tone, Jake wasn’t sure.
The guys ordered dinner, then socialized with several mutual friends. A second round of games began. His vision settled on a TV screen beyond Cayden. Jake saw that the Wizards were playing tonight. Seeing the Washington, DC, team made him immediately think of Sasha and wonder how she was. What she was doing. He imagined her dropping her bombshell news sometime that weekend, and the fallout from disappointing her parents. Who would help her get through it? He wished it were him. He almost called TJ but thought better of it. Knowing how much TJ loved basketball, Jake figured he might be at the game. He shifted over to the screen on the wall, the one showing another of his favorite teams. Halftime was approaching on several networks. Jake considered leaving and watching the rest of the games at home.
“Look at the lovebirds.”
He turned to see what had caused the sarcasm and slight shock in Cayden’s voice.
Cayden leaned forward, his voice low as he asked, “Isn’t that Sasha?”
Jake viewed the screen he’d just turned away from. It was indeed Sasha on the KissCam with Lincoln beside her. Kissing her. Before he could process that bit of information, there was more to take in. Lincoln held up Sasha’s hand, one very much sporting a ring. The one she never wore while in Point du Sable. The crowd went wild. Jake became numb. It appeared that Sasha and Linc were still very much engaged. For whatever reason, she’d lied again. Sasha wouldn’t return to PDS a single woman. The reason she’d changed her mind didn’t matter. Only the facts, which were now clear.
Jake felt like a fool. It was time to move past that night with Sasha. It was time for him to forget the tigress. Bury the secret that existed between them. Put that night behind him. Everything happened in divine order, the girlfriend of one of his clients once told him. In possibly getting ready to work with Linc, being clear about the status of his engagement had been necessary. Knowing that Sasha lacked integrity was crucial. Knowing the truth was for the best.
Thirteen
They’d been in the car twenty minutes and still Sasha hadn’t spoken to Lincoln, who’d followed her out of the arena, down the VIP tunnel and into the parking lot. With paparazzi nipping at their heels, Sasha had conceded when he’d led them to his limo and eased her inside. But now, in the private confines of the shiny black car, Sasha could finally react to Lincoln’s audacity, what he’d taken public against her wishes, and in a way, forced her hand.
Or so he thought.
Lincoln’s actions had shocked her into clarity. They had solidified for Sasha what until now hadn’t been definitively acknowledged. In breaking the engagement, she’d absolutely, unequivocally made the right decision. There was no going back. When it came to her and Lincoln being a couple, Sasha was done. She hated to disappoint Lincoln’s grandparents, along with their families and God knew who else, but Sasha would not continue being dishonest. With Jake, she’d learned again what she already knew—lying didn’t pay. The feeling of incredulity followed by shock, then hurt, then anger that had hit her in the middle of the arena, with the spotlight beaming and her stunned face plastered on the KissCam, had morphed into one of steely resolve. Her desire to live a life she chose with the person she desired outweighed any fear from however the chips might fall because of her decisions. She felt the tightness of tension in her shoulders and relaxed them. Her sigh was audible.
She glanced over at Lincoln’s expression, unreadable as he gazed out the window. “I can’t believe you did that.”
“It wasn’t planned.” When he turned to face her, his look was sincere.
“I can actually believe that part.” Sasha’s eyes drifted from his to look straight ahead. Looking at Lincoln made her angry. Being mad was not productive at a moment like this.
“I also know that once you saw us on the screen, with millions watching, you made a conscious decision to make even more public a relationship you know is over. Just like you orchestrated your grandparents’ visit. To try and force me to remain somewhere I don’t want to be.”
“What do you expect me to do? Let you ride off into the sunset with the man who betrayed the trust of me and your family?”
“Jake didn’t betray anyone.”
“But you don’t deny that you’re seeing him.”
“This has nothing to do with Jake.” She took a breath before turning to look Lincoln in the eye. “No, Jake and I are not seeing each other. However, I won’t deny that there is an attraction.”
“Was Chrissie right, that the two of you were together at that party?”
“We were both there and ran into each other. I was having fun, teasing and flirting.”
Another pause and then, “I kissed him.”
“Just like Chrissie said! That’s probably not all you did.”
Sasha was not going to tell Lincoln about what happened at the other party.
“Even though we’d secretly ended things, I shouldn’t have done it. Don’t get angry at Jake for what happened. It was my fault. Something I initiated. This news has to hurt and I’m sorry. I wish things could have ended differently.”
Sasha began to remove the engagement ring.
“Don’t.”
“Linc, this is over. It’s time you accept it. I shouldn’t have given in to your pleas. I shouldn’t have perpetuated a lie this weekend by wearing this ring.”
“What about Sunday’s dinner? Grand and Pop are so excited. Everyone will be there.”
“And everyone will know my decision. It will be very difficult for me, Lincoln. But it has to be done.”
She eased the baguette cut off her finger.
Lincoln turned toward the window. “For God’s sake, don’t do that. I’m not taking it back.”
“I can’t keep it.”
“I don’t want it,” he repeated through gritted teeth.
The remainder of the ride was silent torture. When they reached Sasha’s condo, she was not surprised to feel tears.
“Linc...” Words caught in her throat.
“Look, Sasha, save it, okay. We’ve been through this before. I believe you really mean it this time. So just go.”
“We were friends first, Lincoln. I hope that someday, when we’ve healed from the breakup, we can be friends again.”
Silence.
“I’ll always care about you. I know this hurts. I’m sorry.”
“Driver, show Ms. McDowell to her door.”
Sasha made sure Lincoln saw her place the ring on the seat, then eased out of the car. A wave of sadness washed over her. She let the tears fall. Part of the anguish was due to what happened tonight. Part was in anticipation of what would happen next.
The fallout was worse than expected. Dinner was a disaster. It was all Sasha’s fault. The day started out well enough—perfect actually—much like the day before. That Saturday she’d made up with TJ and spent enjoyable quality time with her family. Lincoln seemed to have finally come to terms with her decision, so much so that she changed her mind about meeting with Grand. It was no longer necessary to receive marital advice. Still, Lincoln demanded she wait until the end of dinner to make the announcement. She reluctantly agreed. Almost immediately upon arrival, however, she knew that waiting was a bad idea.
