The Singles Game
Page 79

‘Can I talk to you for a minute?’ he whispered, leaning in close.
‘Who’s your friend?’ Marco asked, appearing vaguely interested for the first time.
‘You know Dan,’ Charlie said, looking at Marco with a surprised expression.
‘Dan Rayburn. Charlie’s hitting partner. We’ve met probably a dozen times before,’ he said neutrally.
Marco squinted, trying to place him, and laughed. ‘Sorry, man. I did not mean to offend. You know how it is with these women – they’re all so … how do you say it? Change their mind all the time? Fickle. That’s it. I know you seem familiar, but the hitting partners, they come and go all the time.’
Charlie could see the flash of irritation on Dan’s face, and she pulled him off to the side, telling Marco she’d be back in a moment.
The sun was just beginning to get low in the sky; the city of Naples looked far prettier in the hazy glint of dusk than it had driving through it at high noon.
‘What is it? Marco? Don’t let him bother you,’ Charlie said, noticing the way Dan’s knuckles were almost white from gripping the railing.
‘Bother me? You’ve got to be kidding. He doesn’t bother me, I just hate the fact that you’re dating such a douchebag. There. I said it.’
Charlie was shocked by Dan’s outburst, and she hated the way she sounded, but she couldn’t stop herself. ‘You had something to tell me? Presumably something other than criticizing my romantic life?’
Dan’s whole neck and cheeks had reddened. ‘Jake called to tell me he’ll be joining us tonight.’
‘Wow, Todd must be really worried his little Delinquent Princess is suddenly going to go hog wild and start blowing heaps of cocaine while doing a striptease for the whole boat. I get two babysitters? And the great irony is that Natalya may very well go down on every single male on this boat, NFL boyfriend or not, and no one seems to care about that. I’m the slut. I just love it.’
Dan coughed. ‘Jake said that the charity people had an extra spot for someone from Elite Athlete Management, so he’s taking it.’ He paused. ‘I don’t think there’s any more to it.’
Charlie was quiet.
‘They were going to put him in the crew quarters, but I had Johanna move my stuff there so Jake can stay with you. He’ll be more comfortable.’ What he didn’t need to say was: I’m sure we both will be, too.
Charlie softened. ‘Thanks,’ she said. It had been weeks since she and Jake had had a face-to-face conversation. He hadn’t even texted her about his arrival. Just Dan. He’d stayed in Europe to smooth over her public relations nightmare at the French Open, and she hadn’t seen him since.
‘No problem.’
A steward walked over and handed a glass of Pellegrino with lime to Charlie and a beer in a frosted mug to Dan.
Despite not even being offered a drink of choice, it was impossible to remain in a bad mood. Especially as the sky turned purple over the ocean once the sun set and dinner was served. Jake joined them mid-meal and flashed Charlie a Do you f’ing believe this look, making her laugh. Across the table and down a few seats, Dan was doing his best to feign interest in one of the billionaire wives, and Marco was doing the same but looked to be enjoying himself a whole lot more. Natalya was practically curled up in the lap of an oil magnate while Benjy talked with Jake. Everyone was drinking except Charlie.
Before dessert and aperitifs were served, Bono stood at the head of the table to welcome everyone. Even these world-famous CEOs appeared awed by him. ‘You all know how strongly I feel about our work in Africa,’ he said as the group applauded politely. ‘Each and every one of you – whether a player donating time or a business leader donating funds – is contributing enormously to our AIDS treatment and prevention efforts.’
Charlie filed every detail away, preparing to text everything to Piper when she got back to her cabin. When Bono and the rest of the band left during dessert to set up for a jam session in the screening room, Jake sounded like he might pass out.
‘A jam session? How can they even call it that? It’s U2, for god’s sake. U2!’
When they’d made their way to a banquette on the outermost part of the deck, another steward materialized to bring Charlie more Pellegrino and Jake a martini.
‘I could get used to this,’ she said, taking a sip. ‘Do you think they’ll help me shower?’
‘Definitely. Just ask. Actually you probably don’t even have to ask. Just think it and it’ll happen.’ They laughed together.
They both watched as Benjy pushed back from the dinner table and made his way to the stairs. He looked like he was going to hit his massive head on the ceiling, but he ducked at exactly the right time. He rubbed his elbow as though trying to work out a muscle kink.
‘Nice guy,’ Charlie murmured.
‘Who?’ Jake asked, although he, too, had been staring at him.
‘Benjy. You were talking to him during dinner.’
‘Oh. Yes.’
‘He seems okay. I don’t know what on earth he sees in her. He doesn’t seem as dumb as he could be, being a football player and all.’
Jake’s eyes squinted and his lower jaw jutted out. ‘She’s a vile human being. And she certainly doesn’t deserve him,’ he said heatedly.
‘I’ve been telling you she’s awful for the last ten years. You’re just getting it now?’
Jake shook his head. ‘Dad said he told you about Eileen.’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘They seem really happy together.’
‘How long have you known?’ Charlie twisted her fingers in her lap. She had apologized and told her father that she was happy for him and that of course she’d support any decision he made. But things were still strained when she left.
‘A while now, I guess.’
‘Really.’
‘Don’t be mad, C. He specifically asked me not to tell you because he didn’t want to distract you.’
‘Distract me?’
‘It was just never a good time. You were always right in the middle of, or right about to start, or en route to a major tournament. It’s been a big year for you, with the injury and the surgery, the new coach, the image overhaul, and, well, I just think he—’
‘You’ve known for a year?’ Charlie knew she sounded angry, but more than anything, she felt so detached. Her own father was in a serious relationship – now ready to get married – and she hadn’t known a thing. He hadn’t told her, but she hadn’t noticed either.