Risk didn't take the bait.
Jamming his hands in the front pockets of his navy slacks, Romeo unfolded pieces of paper and business cards. He spread them out and quickly added them up. "Anyone collect more than thirty-six phone numbers?" he asked.
The count was on. Emptying his pockets, Chaser discovered twenty-five numbers and a purple thong. "Thong has to be worth ten numbers," he proclaimed.
"Rules state only five, unless it's red. Then you get ten," Psycho informed him as he turned his own pockets inside out. "Damn, only thirty-four. Thought I had you beat, Romeo."
The remaining Rogues players also fell short of Romeo's tally.
The third baseman's gaze shifted to Jacy. "I'm the man," he said.
"I need all you men outside," Stevie announced, coming up behind them. "It's time for the trophy presentation."
The Bat Pack strutted off, leaving Jacy, Risk, and Zen momentarily alone. Giving in to female curiosity, Jacy surveyed Risk's pockets. Until that moment, she hadn't realized how much they bulged. The man had a pocketful of phone numbers. "Time to tally, old man."
He shook his head. "I don't play those games anymore."
"Just a peek," she persisted.
"There's nothing worth seeing. Let it go, babe."
She wasn't about to "let it go."
He took a deep breath as she delved into his pockets and her fingers brushed more than paper. "Not so deep." He flattened his hand over her own, controlling her search.
"A phone book of numbers," she said as she laid out her findings. "As well as a red thong and six condoms inscribed with Batter Up in candy-apple red lipstick. There's a small photograph clipped to the foil packets. A blonde with lots of cleavage." She flipped over the picture. "She's Mandy from Miami. She loves the beach and having sex on the sand. She cooks naked in the kitchen. Reads erotica. She's listed her cell and home numbers along with her e-mail address: [email protected]."
Zen peered over Jacy's shoulder. "Major tally. Old man's got game."
"As do you, Einstein," Risk returned. "How many panties?"
Zen patted his pocket. "A pair or two."
Jacy sighed inwardly. She knew the Bat Pack played the field. The young power hitters scored nightly. She wondered how often Risk indulged in the softer sex. Judging by the phone numbers, he had his choice of women. Women who stuffed their panties in his pockets and carried condoms. Groupies like Mandy and her double D's.
She didn't feel insecure. Just more aware of how accessible women were to Risk. Day or night. At least she had him for the month of November. She planned to make the most of the days ahead.
"The caddies are gathered on the deck," Stevie called to them from across the room. "The president of Shadow Woods will present the trophies; then we eat."
"What about the phone numbers and photograph?" Jacy hesitantly asked Risk. "The condoms?"
Risk handed them to Zen. "Give them to Romeo."
As they walked toward the door, Risk nudge Jacy and teased, "Why didn't you slip your thong in my pocket?"
"I'm not wearing panties."
That stopped him in his tracks. Once outside, he took Jacy's hand and drew her through the crowd as he searched out Psycho. He found the young power hitter perched on the railing of the redwood deck, scarfing down a hot dog. Risk frowned. "It's not time to eat."
"It is if you're hungry." Psycho stuffed the remainder of the bun in his mouth.
"How many have you eaten?"
Psycho chewed and swallowed. "Three."
"Show some manners. Hold off on the fourth." Risk's tone brooked no argument.
Psycho wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Yes, mother."
Jacy stood quietly as Risk asked the most important question of the tournament. "Did you turn in our scorecard?"
"Damn." He slapped his thigh with his palm. "Thought Aaron had that covered."
"You kept score. It was your responsibility—"
"Gotcha." Psycho grinned. Incorrigible as ever. "One of the marshals found me, actually. He took the card for the final tally."
"The card, correct or creative?"
Psycho didn't miss a beat. "Correct for you, Zen, and Aaron. Creative for me."
Risk's gaze held Psycho's. "You shot an eighty-seven."
Psycho scratched his head. "You sure? Thought it was a seventy-eight."
Even with Psycho hedging his score, Risk took home the trophy. Jacy stood back, deep within the crowd and watched as he accepted the honor. Risk thanked Tommy Mitchell for his caddie expertise on the course. Risk's appreciation raised Tommy's status at the country club. The young man would be in demand by all the local golfers. Big tips were in his future.
As the presentation continued, Zen was awarded second place, Chaser third, and Romeo and Psycho tied for fourth. Only one trophy was awarded for fourth. Psycho snatched it from Romeo, then held the trophy over his head and did a victory dance. The caddies jumped back, out of his way.
"The man's insane," Risk muttered once he'd returned to Jacy's side.
"He walks a fine line," Jacy agreed. "Beyond the craziness, I think he's a little lost."
"Lost?" Risk spiked a brow.
"The entire Bat Pack has gotten too much too fast," she said slowly. "They're rich and get bored easily. Fans and fame are a dangerous mix. Psycho will take a hard fall before he picks himself up and sees life beyond the women and the thrills."
"As long as he doesn't take that fall during baseball season." Risk cast a glance at Psycho, who was circling the brick barbecue pit, once again eyeing the hot dogs and hamburgers. "He doesn't give a damn about much beyond baseball. He's a hell of a right fielder. The team needs him."
Their conversation was cut short as the country club president continued his speech, thanking the local volunteers and businesses for their support of the golf tournament. Since nearly every business in Frostproof stood behind the charity event, the list was long. Applause followed each name read, and time seemed to stand still.
Her mind wandering, Jacy scanned the crowd. Off to her left, she caught Natalie Llewellyn in a fashionable blue pantsuit staring openly, almost hungrily, at Zen Driscoll. Which seemed highly inappropriate with Aaron by her side. The twosome didn't at all appear the happy, newly engaged couple.