Chapter Sixteen

Zave went on another road-trip. True to his word, he called me every night. If it was an early game, he visited with Tatum too; if not, we talked until it turned into a yawn fest. Talking like this definitely gave us a chance to get to know each other better. We asked each other all kinds of questions and got into some deep subjects.

Much to my relief, we found that we shared the same values, along with many of the same likes and dislikes. We also shared things about our daily lives and laughed a lot. I had no idea there was anyone out there like him. Hope for a strong, healthy relationship with a good man burned brightly in my heart.

It was Saturday once again, and almost time for work. Ready early, I took the extra time to do some research on my uncle, Simon. His name popped up connecting him to a number of businesses, but nothing shady came to light. I shrugged my shoulders. He must be okay. Maybe I should let it go. It seemed time for me to be more open to giving men a chance and that included Zave and Simon. Glancing at the clock, I closed my laptop, gathered my keys, and hurried out the door with Tatum.

At Joy’s house, I gave Tatum a hug good-bye. “See you later this afternoon, sweetie.”

“Joy, thanks once again for tending Saturdays. Love you, sis.”

“Love you more. Now go to work already. We have the Vog to battle today.” Joy grinned as her caped and hooded Batman boys ran into the kitchen, grabbed Tatum’s arm, and escaped into the family room with her.

I giggled as I climbed into the car. The warm Colorado sun and beautiful autumn leaves celebrated a lovely day with me. How lucky to have my sisters. The sometimes strange hours my job required would be almost impossible without them. It really did take a village to raise a child, and I was so blessed to have my “Village Sisters.” I laughed at my own dorky humor. Life was certainly looking up.

****

“This is Noelle Frost, CBS 4, Denver. Now back to you at the station, Jacob.” I continued to smile into the camera until the cameraman said, “That’s a wrap.”

“Thanks, Freddy. See you back at work next week.”

“Sure thing, Noelle,” he said as he packed up his equipment.

We were outside Schmidt’s Jewelry for this last shot. A small crowd had gathered. A man at the side had a familiar stance. My heart jolted. He looked like Dad. Same height, same frame, same smile. Then I realized it was Simon.

He maneuvered his way to me. “I saw the CBS 4 camera van and thought I might find you here working.” He sounded apologetic and a little sheepish.

I clasped my hands behind my back.

“May I buy you lunch?” Simon shoved his hands into his pockets like an unsure teenager.

“No, thank you. I have plans,” I answered with reserve. I still wasn’t sure what he was doing here in Colorado Springs…or who he really was. Although I was working on the trust factor, I wasn’t quite ready to give him a giant welcome back to the family yet.

“Another time, perhaps.” He clenched his jaw, turned, and strolled away.

Watching him, I realized my gut instinct told me to keep an eye on him. He may turn out to be the best uncle in the world, and if he did, great, especially for sweet Chrissy. She already looked up to him as kind of a surrogate father figure. But I needed to give it a little more time.

Then it hit me. I was beginning to listen to myself, even stand up for myself and trust my own judgement once again. It had been a long time coming. Blake had been so emotionally abusive that it had twisted my thinking and reasoning so that I didn’t know who I was anymore.

With a little “proud of myself” nod, I walked back into the jewelry store.

“Mr. Schmidt, thanks for letting me cover the theft and return of that incredible tiara. You came across well on the camera, and it’s great to cover a story with a happy ending.”

“You’re most welcome, Ms. Frost. I’m pleased to have it back.” The elderly gentleman smiled warmly.

“I’ve never seen a real diamond tiara. It’s so incredibly beautiful. That thief certainly has great taste.”

Mr. Schmidt leaned against the counter with a twinkle in his eye and asked, “Would you like to try it on?”

“Really? May I?” I hardly dared to even touch it.

He held it out to me.

I accepted it with both hands. The white gold frame felt sturdy, but light. The two hundred half-carat diamonds glittered like their own galaxy. I moved in front of the antique oval mirror on the glass counter and carefully set the tiara on my head.

A wave of sheer pleasure rushed through me as I stared at my reflection. I’d always wanted to grow up to be a princess, a mermaid, or a fairy. This was beyond fun, to see this elegant five-million-dollar diamond-laden masterpiece on my head.

I admired the tiara from a few different angles, then took several deep breaths and let out a sigh as I carefully removed it and handed it back to the owner.

“Thank you. That was a thrill of a lifetime. Maybe a bucket list item that I never would have hoped was possible.” Being a reporter could be so much fun. I flashed my TV smile at him, dimples and all.

“You’re welcome. It’s nice to see it on such a pretty young lady. It’s often rented by celebrities for special events, but it has never looked so lovely.”

“Why, thank you, kind sir.” I did a little curtsy and we both laughed.

The door chimed. A tall, ginger-haired young woman dressed in tight clothing and high heels sashayed across the room toward us.

I recognized her as the daughter of the owner of the Denver Nuggets, Rhonda Santori, the one who’d hung all over Zave not too long ago. My stomach tightened, and I found my arms crossing involuntarily.

“Hello.” Mr. Schmidt turned toward her. “May I help you?”

“I was driving by and saw the TV news truck outside. Is there a big sale I should know about?” She gave me a sideways glance.

I stepped away to let the owner do his thing. I certainly didn’t want to talk to her.

Mr. Schmidt smiled. “No particular sale other than the usual great value on our jewelry, madam. Is there something in particular you’d like…a new set of earrings or a lovely necklace?”

“Maybe, but I think I’ll just look around. I’ll let you know if I need some help.” She waved him off with her hand and then looked into the nearest glass cabinet.

I decided this was a good time to leave. She looked up as I tried to walk around her. “Oh, it’s you, the reporter lady—funny running into you here. I believe you know my boyfriend, the basketball player, Triple X.”

“I know Zave.” My lips tightened.

“He’s coming home Wednesday night. We’re having a special private dinner. I thought I would look around this place.” She waved her hand in the air. “I mean, it’s as good as any other jewelry store to look at engagement rings, don’t you think?”

The look in her squinting eyes was sheer spite.

“Well…” I cleared my throat. “Yes, this is a lovely store.” I cringed as my word skills once again failed me.

She stuck out her hand. “Let me introduce myself. I’m Rhonda Santori.”

I guess I looked at her hand for a moment too long. She shoved her hand closer to me. I reached out and took it. She shook like a limp fish.

“I’m Noelle Frost,” I said as I rubbed my right hand on my skirt.

“Of course you are. I’m glad I ran into you today. There’s this rumor going around that you have taken an interest in my man.” Her smiling mouth looked more like a sneer.

Wow, the woman wasted no time attacking. I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t surprised by rumors. I had heard plenty about Zave before and now that we were dating. Most of it had no basis or was so far off the mark it was laughable. I stood still, staring at her.

“Caught, are you? Well, listen to me, and listen good. Triple X belongs to me. My father owns him, and soon I will, too. He’s quite scrumptious, isn’t he? Like I said, I’ll pick him up from the airport Wednesday, and we’ll be having a private dinner—extremely private. I bought the most slinky, red dress—fits me perfectly.” She giggled and looked down at her skimpily dressed body.

Her attire left little to the imagination. I had to admit she looked pretty darn perfect. My stomach now ached as the tension buzzed around us.

“I’m sure he won’t be able to take his eyes off of me.” Rhonda smirked. “I expect to be engaged by the end of the evening.” She pinned me with her cold eyes.

Alarm shot through me. I had to get out of there, now. I turned away and wanted to run, but I forced myself to walk to maintain some dignity, although I walked fast.

I jumped into my car and looked back at the store. “Good, she didn’t follow me,” I spoke to the windshield.

I grabbed the steering wheel and squeezed it hard for a minute until I felt calm enough to drive. I figured I might run into her someday but was surprised how much venom she’d spewed. Zave was right. She was one determined lady.

A knock on my window made me jump. Rhonda peered in. She couldn’t possibly have any more poison to shoot at me. I rolled down the window.

She had a cell phone to her ear and spoke in a syrupy voice, “Yeah, X, dinner is going to be so nice—just you and me, baby, all alone. Wait ’till you see my red dress I told you about,” she oozed. “Uh huh, me too. I’m so glad you dumped that clinging little fan girl from the TV. Yeah, I know, I know. She was nothing but a passing fling.” She laughed. “I can’t wait to pick you up from the airport, lover boy.” She turned away for a moment, holding the phone with both hands and talking softly.

I clamped my eyes closed. I assumed she was saying a few choice things that weren’t appropriate. I took what I hoped was a calming breath, then opened my eyes to see that she had turned back around and looked directly at me with a wicked grin. She lowered her phone and pushed something. She must have put it on speaker phone.

“X, baby, I have someone who wants to talk to you.”

I didn’t think I could stomach much more.

I pressed the window button but stopped halfway when I heard Zave’s unmistakable voice say, “Hold on, Rhonda, I want to talk to you.”

Rhonda laughed then said, “I know, baby. I want to talk to you some more, too. Let me call you right back. Bye.” Then she let out the most ridiculous, shrill, disgusting giggle.

I stared at her in shock.

She stuffed her phone inside the top of her skin-tight blouse. “See? I told you. Stay away, Noelle. He’s taken. He’s been playing you. You see, he’s a player like me, but at least he’s my player.” She snarled at me.

Stunned, almost unable to breathe, I rolled the window up and started the car. She stepped aside as I backed out and drove away.

This made no sense. Why was she saying those things to Zave on the phone? Zave getting engaged on Wednesday—no way. I knew he was flying in late Wednesday, but he’d told me he had a dinner with the owner of the team, so he would see me Thursday.

“Oh, my gosh. He had dinner with the owner of the team which could easily include his daughter—or was it in reality dinner with just his daughter? It’s true,” I voiced out loud. A sword cut through my heart. The pain was deep and real.

Then anger flared. I squeezed the steering wheel so tight, my knuckles turned white. He said he wasn’t interested in her. He said he wanted to stick around and spend time with me…and Tatum. He said we grounded him and were a breath of fresh air in his crazy life. We made him happy.

It was Blake all over again. I thought Zave was different. He didn’t have any signs of being abusive like Blake, but the past image of Blake and his mistress together in the hot tub flashed through my mind. My stomach and eyes burned.

I thought I had finally broken the pattern. I’d met a nice guy and was beginning to trust him.

What an idiot I was. I smashed the steering wheel with one fist.

I didn’t have much faith in men and had tried to be cautious with Zave, had tried to keep him out of my heart, but he was so charming. No, it wasn’t just that. He seemed so sincere. He seemed so kind, so real, so considerate. I had believed him when he said he cared about me—that he cared about Tatum. I mean, he even talked to Tatum through the TV. He knew rumors would start from that interview, but he didn’t care.

He didn’t act like a player with Tatum and me. I had to admit that up until now, I thought Zave had the qualities that would make him a great husband and companion and a wonderful dad. Tatum seemed to think he was super. Oh, how I wished he hadn’t turned out like all the rest of them. A moan escaped my throat.

Now I knew different. Hope died in that moment I overheard Zave saying he wanted to talk to Rhonda.

Then the thought hit me that something must be wrong with me to keep allowing myself to get duped by these smooth-talking athletes. I must have gullible written on my forehead. Other women realized when they were being played, and they got out quickly, but maybe I’d ignored the signs because I craved love. Maybe I needed validation that I was loveable. For a reporter, one who bases life on facts, I sure was living in la-la land with my fairy tale version of romance. My version of love was just that—make-believe.

Sure, I knew there were women young and old, here and on road trips, who threw themselves at him. That went with the territory. But he said he wasn’t interested and wanted a wife and family. I had swallowed the nice guy act hook, line, and sinker.

Tears ran down my cheeks. I continued trying to work through this and realized every man had temptations, whether at work in an office, driving a truck, wearing a police uniform, CEO to ditch digger…or playing sports for a living. There were always women around. But good men weren’t interested in other women, no matter what. Dad had loved Mom, always, and now forever. There had to be more good men like my father. I believed now I would never find one.

My heart broke. I rubbed my chest with the heel of my palm.

I had to get off the road. I pulled into a convenience store parking lot. I slumped in my seat, then dropped my head into my hands and sobbed.

It hurt. It hurt so much, too much for six weeks of knowing someone. I was such a fool. Once again, I’d almost fallen for a jock. “Oh, stop kidding yourself, Elle. You fell down the Grand Canyon for this guy,” I croaked out loud.

I cried hard for a long time, until the sobs turned into ragged breathing.

I gave myself a pep talk to try to pull myself together. “Look at the bright side, Elle. You could never have handled all the women he met anyway. You weren’t cut out for that kind of life. This was probably for the best—especially before he got any closer to Tatum.

“Your sisters tried to warn you. You tried to be cautious. You were blinded by chemistry and that adorable lopsided smile…”

My bravado slipped and my heart did some slow, sad beats as a fresh batch of tears flowed.

“Oh, Mom, I wish you were here to talk to. You would help me get through this and…” I broke down into loud sobs again.

It took me at least a half hour to pull myself together once again.

“Stop it, Elle. You’re done crying.” I wiped my face and blew my nose and looked into the rear-view mirror. My eyes were puffy—my face streaked with mascara. I was a mess. I stared into the mirror.

“Well, he’s gone. Out of my life. Rhonda can have him,” I shouted as I smacked the steering wheel with both hands.

Tatum and I didn’t need a man to be happy. That much I knew for sure. I made a good living, and Tatum and I had everything we needed.

He was like the rest of them, and I would tell him that tonight when—or—if he called after his game. What was I thinking? I sobbed. He wouldn’t dare call tonight.

“Now how am I going to get past Joy to pick up Tatum?” I needed a little more time before I could face her. I’d better call.

“Hello, Joy. I’m running a little late. Are you guys okay if I get there in a half hour or so?”

“Sure. I ordered pizza, and I’m not sure Tatum would let you take her before she ate some, anyway.”

I let out a sniff.

“Are you okay?” Joy’s voice sounded concerned.

“Sure. Maybe I’m coming down with a bit of a cold. No worries, though. I’ll be fine. You know me. Got to go. See you soon.” I hung up before she could question me any further.