No Strings Attached

“Do you love Ellen?”

The question hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity before Ross replied, “To be honest, I’m not sure. Ellen’s a great girl, and I like her a lot. But I’m not sure if what I’m feeling is love or just comfort at being with her.”

Samantha’s words rang in Jack’s ears: Ellen is Ross’s security blanket.

“You’ve been dating this woman off and on for two years. Talk about stringing someone along. If you’re not serious about her—”

“I don’t know if I’m serious. If you haven’t noticed, Ellen’s not the most exciting woman in the world. She’s so structured and naive. I’m just not sure I could stand that for all eternity. Hell, I’m already bored. What would another twenty or thirty years bring?”

“Have you spoken to her about it?”

“That would be like kicking a puppy. I don’t want to hurt her.”

Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “You and Samantha are a lot alike. You never make things easy on yourselves.”

“Is Samantha still trying to sell her book?”

Jack decided to not tell Ross about his sister’s plans to get pregnant. No sense borrowing trouble when there wasn’t any…yet. “Yes, she’s very determined to be published.”

“At least Samantha knows what she wants. I wish I were that lucky.”

“Maybe you should explore your options. Try coaching for a while, do a few other things and see if you like any of them. You’re not going to get any answers sitting on your ass being rude to those who love you and are only trying to help.”

The tall man sighed. “I guess I owe everyone an apology for the way I behaved at dinner.”

“You sure as hell do.”

Ross appeared genuinely contrite. “I hate that.”

Jack laughed. “Yeah, men never like saying they’re sorry. We think it’s too wimp-ass.”

“Lucas shouldn’t have baited me.”

“Lucas has been baiting you since the day you were born. That’s what brothers do. But he loves you and I’m sure he’s concerned. You don’t hide your feelings very well.”

“He’s a good guy, even if he is my brother.”

“Look,” Jack began, “if things don’t work out for you here or you need a place to work things out, come to New York for a visit. There’s always something happening there.”

“Thanks. I’ll think about it. I guess I’ve got a lot to think about.”

Jack sighed. “Don’t we all?”

CHAPTER SIX

BY THE TIME Jack turned off the interstate on their way back to the city the following Sunday, rain was coming down in torrents, making visibility poor and road surfaces slick.

Samantha worried that their return trip was an accident waiting to happen and judging by Jack’s exaggerated breathing, he did, too. “Maybe we should turn around and go back to my parents’ house,” she suggested. “It’s not safe driving in this weather. I can hardly see a foot in front of the car. And if I’m having trouble, then others are, too.” She swiped at the condensation forming on the windshield with the palm of her hand, and then turned up the defroster to clear it.

“It’s too late to turn back. We’re more than halfway and the weather isn’t going to be any better in the other direction. I think it’s best if we keep going.”

Unease skittered down Samantha’s spine. “I hate thunderstorms. They creep me out.” She’d no sooner said that when lightning cracked loudly overhead and a boom of thunder bellowed, making her jump in her seat and causing the seat belt to nearly choke her.

“Don’t think the guy upstairs liked your thunderstorm comment.”

“Yeah, I’m getting that impression. I just wish this stupid rain would stop. I don’t want to die in some horrible car crash. If I have to go, I want it to be in my sleep.”

Jack smiled at her dramatics. “The storm’s caused from the unusually warm weather we’ve been having. All that humidity builds up. Sort of like an orgasm.” He grinned when Samantha’s cheeks flushed red.

“Ha! We’re going to die and you’re making jokes.” Now was not the time to think about orgasms, especially when Jack was sitting next to her in a humid car. Her nerves were too frayed to concentrate on orgasms and dying at the same time.

Samantha rocked back and forth to the constant swishing of the windshield wipers, too nervous to think about anything except the horrible storm. Suddenly realizing what she was doing, she forced herself to stop and focus on something besides the weather and Jack’s provocative comment.

“Did you enjoy visiting your family?” he asked, and she was grateful for the opportunity to get her mind off org—uh, the storm for a moment. “I had a great time.”

She nodded, but didn’t take her eyes off the road for an instant. “Yes, but I’m always homesick after I leave them. Guess I should visit more often.”

“You have a great family. You’re very lucky. But I guess you already know that.”

“You should have visited your folks while you had the chance. Mom said your mother’s been asking about you.”

“I might have, if my dad hadn’t been there. I really don’t want to see him. I’m afraid we’ll get into it, and there’s really no point in rehashing all that old crap. I’m done with that.”

Samantha silently debated whether or not to tell him what she knew about his father; she didn’t want to distract him from his driving. Finally deciding she should, she said, “Mom said your dad’s been going to AA for the past six months. Maybe a visit from you would have been therapeutic for him. It wouldn’t hurt to support his efforts.”

Jack seemed surprised by the news. “I spoke to my mother just the other day. She didn’t mention anything about him going. I wonder why? She usually confides in me about stuff like that.”

“Because your dad told her not to. He’s afraid he’ll fail again and you’ll be even more disappointed in him than you are already. Your opinion means a lot to him.”

Jack’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. “How do you know all this?”

“My mother told me. She wanted to tell you, too, but I told her it would be better if it came from me. I wasn’t sure how you’d react to the news, and I didn’t want you to take offense and think my mom was interfering in your business.”

“I would never think that about Lilly, you know that. And this treatment program is nothing new. Dad’s been to AA many times before.”

“I know. But your mother seems to think that this time is different. Charlotte told Mom your dad is really making an effort. Apparently he hasn’t touched a drop of liquor in six months.”

Jack released a sigh. “My mother always thinks that, which is why she’s still with him. And she always ends up disappointed. I’ve spent my whole life waiting for Martin Turner to change. He never does. I’m not putting myself through that again. It’s just not worth it.”

Hearing the hurt in Jack’s voice, Samantha decided to change the subject. Besides, driving in this miserable weather was bad enough; he didn’t need any more stress to deal with, at the moment. “Did you find out what’s bothering Ross? He seemed in better spirits after talking with you.”

“Ross is confused about what he wants out of life. I think he feels totally lost and useless without football.”

“Football was a sport he played. It didn’t define who he was or is. My brother needs to figure that out. And what about Ellen? Did he mention her?”

Jack paused a moment, as if weighing whether or not to say anything. Finally, he replied, “He’s not sure about her. Ross has feelings for Ellen, but he doesn’t know what they are.”

“Ellen’s a nice woman. But as I said, I’m not—”