Page 40 of Hell Bent

“I didn’t say hejumpedher,” LouAnn said. “I said he jumped onit.”

“I don’t get it,” Royce said, and LouAnn rolled her eyes.

I said, “Get over here and glue this pipe, Royce. LouAnn, get back to it.” They did, for about ten minutes. When we were wrestling a twenty-foot length of pipe into place,though, LouAnn asked, “Really? You went out with him on, what? Christmas Eve?”

“No,” I said. “He was busy. I saw him on Christmas. Set it down easy. There you go.”

“Yeah, he was busy,” Royce said, as we climbed out of the trench for another length of pipe. “Busy playing football. I figured, no way he’s hanging out with Harlan Kristiansen during the season unless he’s on the team, and he looked like it anyway, so I checked him out. Not that many guys named Sebastian, so he wasn’t hard to find. Sebastian Robillard, that’s who he is. Devils kicker.”

“Oh, nice,” LouAnn said happily but breathlessly as she lugged another section of pipe with Royce. “How much do kickers get paid?”

“I have no idea,” I said.

“Not like Harlan Kristiansen, that’s for sure,” Royce said. “Maybe two or three million? He’s kicking good right now, though, so …”

“Two or three million ayear?”LouAnn demanded. “Oh, my God. Did he take you someplace really fancy?”

“No,” I said. “He took me to a friend’s house for Christmas dinner. It was very nice. And as I’m not marrying the guy, his money makes no difference to me.” She had no answer for that, just gaped at me.

“Good kickers can make five or six million a year,” Carlton volunteered. He didn’t talk much normally, but apparently this topic was near and dear to his heart. Lucky me. “Only his second year, but if he keeps kicking like that, he’ll be looking to renegotiate his contract after this season. Consistency, that’s the big deal with kickers. Got to know you can count on that three when you get down there. Changes your whole strategy. That’s why my fantasy football team’s doing so good. It’s only part about the QB and the highlights reel. The other part’s the O-line, the defensive backs. And thekicker. You know what position scores the most points in the NFL? Kicker, that’s who.”

“I’m sure he’s great at his job,” I said. “I know he takes it seriously. The money part doesn’t matter to me. I’m fine as I am.”

“You’re working in the mud,” LouAnn said. “You’re already sweaty, and we’ve only been here half an hour. And you like thatbetter?That makes you batshit crazy, not fine. If you don’t want him, give him to me.”

“You’re engaged,” I said.

“Love means overcoming obstacles,” she said.

I laughed, but said, “Go get that wire ready to go. Less talking, more working, because no matter what you all think, I don’t expect to have an NFL player paying my bills, and I need this job. Just like all of you.”

You noticehow calm and rational I sounded there? I didn’t feel much like that when Sebastian texted me two evenings later, asking,Got a minute for a call?In fact, I had to walk around inside the trailer a few times before I texted,Sure,and went determinedly back to washing dishes.

He was calling me already? Had he been thinking about me, too?

You can probably imagine that when he did call me thirty seconds later and said, “I have to change the plan for Sunday,” I did not have a calm and rational reaction.

I did my best. I said, “Oh. OK. No worries. I have plenty to do. Grocery shopping. Cooking. Laundry,” rinsed my plastic chili containers, and wondered what kind of excuse you came up with for why a woman couldn’t come watch you play a football game. He’d have to exercise his imagination.

He said, “What? I didn’t mean you shouldn’t come. Look, I—”He broke off, then started again. “I’m going to have somebody else there too, that’s all.”

I still wasn’t calm. In fact, there seemed to be some upset happening. I said, “Polyamory’s popular, I realize, but I’m not interested. Not remotely. Go find somebody else.”

He said, “Alix. Wait.” Sounding urgent. Sounding bothered. I wanted to hang up, but I didn’t want to make him sad. Isn’t that stupid?

“Oh, wait,” I said in relief, “it’s something else. Your aunt’s in town or something. Your aunt had better not be twenty-five and blonde, though.”

“I don’t have an aunt to come to town, remember? No. My nephew.”

“Oh.” I was so relieved, I had to sit down. “Why didn’t you say?”

“I was trying to,” he said, “if you notice. Do you always expect the worst to happen?”

“Sometimes,” I said. “Saves time.” Which made him laugh, at least. “So,” I said, “what are you saying here? Do we take this kid out for hamburgers Sunday night or what? I assume he’s old enough to look after himself, or are you thinking I’m babysitting?”

Would I do that? I wondered. Honestly? I might. Sebastian was kind, he was funny, he was probably a great uncle, and he couldkiss.I might be willing to babysit for that.

“No,” he said, “of course you’re not babysitting.” A sigh, then, “I don’t know how to explain this. Even to myself.”