Calebs right eyebrow disappeared beneath a shock of wheat-gold hair. They do at that, Jardin. I stand corrected. As he lowered his laughing gaze, Caleb scrawled his name across the ball. Does the kid have a handle? he asked.
Skipper West. Uh...Skip. Just make it to Skip, Crystal said, giving Tanner points for not taking his irritation at her out on the boy.
Tanner handed her the signed ball. His eyes returned to the saxophone as he capped his pen.
Thanks. Skip will be in seventh heaven.
Youre welcome. If youre really a musician who wanted me to sign a kids football, why barge in here claiming to work for WDIX-TV?
I do. Im their business manager.
The same eyebrow shot up again. Busy lady. Business manager. Ace musician. Messenger for sick kids. Does that about cover your titles? Or is there a main man in the wings waiting to make you a missus something or other? Cale wasnt very discreet in grabbing her left hand to check for a ring.
Crystal laughed as she pulled away and stowed the football. In addition to my work, I play at the Jazz Pub in the Quarter a couple of weekends a month. And Im more than a messenger for sick kids, as you put it. I entertain in childrens wards around the city when I can, Mr. Tanner. Theres no time in my life for a man.
I thought we agreed. Its Caleb. And youre Crystal. Pretty name. Pretty lady. So youve sworn off guys. Pity.
The rough singsongy caress of Tanners voice spiked a shiver of caution in Crystals stomach. Cautionor longing. She shook off the feeling. I havent sworn off guys. There are six of em in Skippers ward. The oldest is twelve. They all got hurt playing ball. You dont happen to have five autographed photos hiding in that drawer, do you? I promised Id ask. She paused for a couple of seconds. These boys arent as lucky as you, Tanner. Pablo lost a leg dashing off the field after a wildly kicked soccer ball. He collided with a delivery truck. Skipper slipped and fell on a wet football field. Then four kidswho didnt know hed twisted his spinepiled on top of him. His injury may be permanent. Randy went for a basketball layup and slammed into a wall, resulting in major nerve damage that affects his whole left side. Crystal stopped because all color had leached from Tanners face. Sorry. I guess you understand what theyre going through.
Yeah, and Im real lucky, too. He slapped the mess of ropes and pulleys. Its been six weeks since I took the hit, and I still cant bear weight on my right leg. In case you were fishing, Ms. Jardin, thats not for publication. I will heal.
I told you Im not a reporter.
I know what you said. I also know what can happen if information like that gets to the media. Ill be out of a job. I dont think you want that on your conscience, Ms. Bleeding Heart.
Rumors are already floating around. Pablo heard the techs in physical therapy talking. Will you play for the Sinners this season?
Hell, yes! He tried to sit forward.
Stop. Crystal held him against the pillows. I dont want a repeat of yesterday.
Whos saying Im washed up? Caleb demanded, every muscle in his long body tensing.
Are you? Crystal gave him a penetrating look.
Cale shut his eyes and massaged the bridge of his nose with a thumb and forefinger. Im lively as an electric fence. Give me one good reason I should discuss any of this with you.
She let several silent seconds tick by, then reached for her handbag and pulled out the envelope. Since Cale paid no attention to the rustle of paper, she cleared her throat.
He threw her a wary glance. Crystal saw more than she wanted to see. More than he wanted her to see. The man was hurting, and not just on the outside. She doubted it had anything to do with his physical condition.
Whats that? Cale shifted his gaze to the neatly typed page shed unfurled.
An offer of employment from Lyon Broadcasting. One of our sportscasters took a job in L.A. Nate Fraser, the sports director at WDIX-TV, wants you to replace him. So does André Lyon, and Michael McKay, head of personnel. Its all in this letter of intent.
Im not some over-the-hill quarterback you can dress in a monkey suit and slap behind a desk to talk about the game. Im a player. A damn good one. Ive got six more years in me if Ive got a day. He plucked the letter out of her hand and ripped it in two. As the pieces settled, he said venomously, Tell Fraser to get the hell out of my face. Goes double for you, lady.
Once again Crystal changed her opinion of the great Caleb Tanner. He was a spoiled brat. An egomaniac, too. She slammed the lid on her sax case as the outer door opened. In whisked the wiry man shed seen leaving Tanners room yesterday.
Cale? I heard you shouting all the way down the hall. The newcomer trained his eyes on Crystal. I dont know the problem, so I cant apologize for my client. Im Cales agent, Leland Bergman.
Its a case of killing the messenger. I could have brought Nate back a simple no just as easily.
Nate? Leland rested his briefcase on Calebs bed.
Crystal hefted her sax and her handbag and started for the door, never glancing at Tanner. I had the dubious honor of delivering Nate Frasers offer to hire Mr. Tanner as a WDIX-TV sportscaster. She inclined her head toward the two halves of the letter. Im on my way now to relay Tanners refusal.
Hold on. Leland loped across the floor. He tugged Crystal back into the room. After releasing her, he fitted the letter pieces together and read them.
Caleb sat through the whole ordeal without moving, as if carved from rock.
When Leland finished, he dropped the pieces into Cales lap and waited until he bad his clients attention. Its a good offer, Leland said with a catch in his voice. I dont mind saying, Cale, itll make my news a little easier to take. The Sinners wont wait on another doctors opinion. Theyve given you the final sack, old buddy.
Crystal had to turn away and blink her eyes. The last time shed seen a man look so utterly devastated, shed been eight. The news had been as bluntly delivered. A doctor had stridden into a waiting room where Crystal sat with her father and announced that her mother had died in recovery after a simple tonsillectomy. Shed hemorrhaged, and no one had been able to stop the bleeding. Crystals worldand her fathershad shifted on its axis. Tanners had clearly just done the same.
Bergman was talking about a career change, not death. Still, Tanner obviously wasnt going to do it. In her opinion, WDIX would be better off without him, although Nate and the others would be disappointed. Shed better go call them. Except that she still hadnt fulfilled her promise to Skips friends.
Mr. Bergman, there are five kids in a ward down the hall whod love a signed photo of your client. They will always be his fans.
Caleb rallied, emerging from his misery. I forgot. Leland, are there any promo shots left in the bottom dresser drawer?
Leland found them and shoved a stack at Crystal. You want the little lady to hold off telling Fraser nodont you, Cale?
I want to play, Lee. Call Miami. They were sniffing around in the spring.
As soon as they hear the Sinners wire-brushed you due to injuries, nobodyll be interested anymore. At least consider Frasers offer.