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Mack had no desire to be alone. He focused on searching for Sariah. The party was starting to thin out and he worried she’d left. If she had, how was he going to find her again? Hyde’s request that he stay away from Sariah was so faded he could hardly remember how Hyde had phrased it. Especially when Mack had the remembrance of her waist in his palm and her dark eyes focused on him as she leaned closer in that garden.
CHAPTERFIVE
Sariah wanted to talk to Mack before they left, but the room was crowded throughout the awards and dinner and she, Lily, Hyde, and Teresa stayed close together. She didn’t want to just disappear and she didn’t want to have to explain her obsession with someone she barely knew.
It was obvious Teresa was tired and some of the party-goers were starting to head out. Hyde said he’d go get his Lexus from the valet. Sariah leaned close to Lily after he left and whispered, “I need to go say goodbye to someone, can you take Teresa to meet Hyde and I’ll be right there?”
“Sure.” Lily winked. “As long as I get to hear all about this ‘someone’ back at the hotel.” Lily still lived and worked in Golden at the gym where she and Hyde had met. After she and Hyde married, she would relocate to Atlanta. Sariah knew the long-distance relationship hadn’t been easy but they were very in love and a solid couple.
Sariah nodded quickly, nervous. She’d only have a minute as she didn’t want them waiting for her and wearing out Teresa even more. It had been an exciting night for Teresa between her proud Mom moments with the awards Hyde received and the flirtations that didn’t stop from Bucky.
She hurried toward the spot she’d seen Mack talking with a group of players and stopped in her tracks. Mack was leaning in close to a beautiful redhead, speaking intently to her. The woman kissed his jaw and then whispered in his ear. As she pulled back, Sariah recognized her. Scarlett Lily. The famous and beautiful action movie actress.
Mack’s eyes followed Scarlett as she walked away in an off-the shoulder black dress that was flattering and alluring. Her skin was smooth, deeper-toned than most redheads Sariah had seen. The thought of Mack gazing at, and possibly touching that lovely skin made Sariah’s stomach churn. The truth she’d ignored while talking to Mack in the garden hit her again. She could never be in the same class as Scarlett Lily, or any of the wives or girlfriends of these players. She could never be with someone like the glorious Mack Quinn.
Pulling her hair tighter around her burn marks, Sariah spun on her heel and hurried to meet her sister. Tears stung at her eyes, which was ridiculous. She hardly knew Mack and had no rights to him because of a couple of silly interactions. She was immature and had no clue how relationships with the opposite sex worked. Obviously, she’d been smart to keep her distance from men after Tyler destroyed her emotionally and his girlfriend, Denise, hurt her physically. This just reaffirmed it.
Lily and Teresa were waiting for her in the entry. Lily pumped her eyebrows but Sariah shook her head and looked away. She’d be in for a grilling later, but right now she just wanted to make sure she didn’t burst into tears.
CHAPTERSIX
Mack lost all decorum as he searched every spot in the mansion, where the public were welcome to roam, to find Sariah. He’d tried to play it cool earlier but now he was desperate. Finally, he conceded that she’d left and he made the rounds with a heavy feeling inside. He said goodbye to teammates and coaches and finally met Bucky close to the door.
“Thank you, sir, for everything.”
Bucky shook his hand vigorously. “Thank you, son. It’s been a great couple seasons with you on board.” He released his hand but pinned him with a gaze. “Beautiful young lady I saw you with.”
“Yes, sir, she is.”
“Anything happening there?”
“Unfortunately, not.” He forced a smile.
Bucky threw back his head and laughed. “Ah, us poor men. You’re a good one, son.” He slapped him on the shoulder and moved on to the next person waiting to say goodbye.
Mack’s feet were too big for his body as he trudged out the front door and off the porch, handing his ticket to the valet. They finally brought his Range Rover to him and he tipped the valet and then scrunched himself inside, obviously, the valet had to move the seat forward to be able to drive it. Pushing the programmed seat button, Mack relaxed as the seat pushed back and he could stretch out his legs.
Puttering down the tree-lined drive, he debated what he could do, if anything. Calling Hyde wasn’t going to get him anywhere. He shook his head, frustrated. Sariah. She’d been right there, and he’d lost her again.
He thought through the night and remembered the conversation with Scarlett. He needed to try to contact Griff and give him Scarlett’s message. Sometimes Griff went off the grid and the family couldn’t contact him, but he always got back to Mack later. He had told Scarlett the truth, his brother was a great man who did what he did to protect others.
Wait a minute. Griff! His brother could find information no person should be able to find. He pushed the button on his steering wheel and asked to call Griff Quinn.
A few rings later and his brother answered, “Mack.” Griff was never warm with anyone, but Mack knew he was a little softer for him. The entire family was. He appreciated their devotion to him, and tried hard never to take advantage of it. Tonight, he might change that.
“Hey, bro. You home?” Home for Griff was Sutton Smith’s sprawling mansion in southern California. Griff had plenty of money, but seemed to have no desire to have his own place or settle down. He lived to protect innocent people and put himself in danger.
“Belize.”
“Oh.” Mack used to ask what Griff was up to, try to have a normal conversation with his brother. He learned quickly Griff wasn’t interested in normal or sharing much of anything. “Thanks for answering my call.”
“I always try to answer yours.”
Mack knew that response was about the kindest thing Griff would ever say to anybody. He turned onto the side road leading toward the freeway, increasing his speed. “Hey, I met someone who said she knew you from college.” Griff didn’t respond so he continued. “Scarlett Lily.”
He heard an audible intake from Griff. Mack paused, thinking this was the strongest response he’d ever gotten from his brother and wondering if his brother would reveal anything to him.
“And?” was all he got.
