The Circle of Friends, Book V...Heather

II-4

Turning into a cul-de-sac, Heather pulled up to a Ranch-style home with a double garage. Three vehicles were present, but Mark’s Spyder was not among the cars parked in the driveway. Considering the condition of his brother’s garage, she found that feat to be rather impressive. Heather suspected it was only a matter of time before clutter overtook Matt’s garage and forced one of his vehicles to reside in the driveway.

Heather rolled onto the long driveway and parked behind a small pickup. As she approached the front door, she could hear music emanating from within the house. She hoped the sound of the doorbell would not go unnoticed. After driving all the way from Clemson, she’d be furious if no one let her inside.

A moment later, her concerns were put to rest as the door opened. Mark appeared in the doorway, a cue stick in his hand. Dressed in jeans and an old t-shirt, Heather hardly recognized him. His feet were bare underneath tattered jean legs and even his short, wavy hair had lost its air of professionalism and hung uncombed from his head. His eyes met hers and Mark’s entire expression brightened.

“I knew you’d make it,” he said, moving aside and gesturing for her to enter. “Come on in.”

Heather nodded and stepped inside the house. Mark closed the door and pointed to an adjacent room with his cue stick.

“We’re in the middle of a game right now,” he explained.

Heather walked through a double doorframe and found herself in an oversized room. It should have been a formal dining room, but Mark had no need for entertaining guests in that manner. He had placed a billiards table in the center and installed a bar at the far end of the room. Music emanated from speakers set into the wall and Heather guessed a central stereo system resided somewhere in the house. There were few prints on the wall, but a long, stained glass light hung over the pool table. The room was decorated in typical bachelor design of “simple and uncluttered.”

In addition to Mark, there were six other people scattered throughout the room. A short man with sandy blonde hair was bent over the billiards table, lining up his shot, while the others watched with great interest. He tapped the cue ball, sending it scurrying across the surface. It ricocheted once off the side before striking the eight ball and sending it into the corner pocket. The young man let out a triumphant cry, echoed by moans from those gathered in the poolroom.

“Damn, did you just put that ball down?” demanded Mark, his voice booming over the commotion.

“Sure did!” the man said, reaching for the blue chalk.

“Rack ‘em again,” growled Mark, reaching into the nearest pocket and tossing the balls onto the table. Glancing at Heather, he gestured toward her with his cue stick.

“Everyone, this is Heather,” he announced by way of introduction. “Her family lived next door when I was a kid.”

There were greetings from around the room. Heather nodded, her eyes scanning the room for a familiar face. A tall, dark haired man moved closer and offered his hand.

“Dennis,” he said, giving her hand a firm but gentle shake. “Are you any good at pool?”

“I’m okay,” she said with a shrug.

“Next round,” Mark interjected. “I’ve got to kick someone’s butt first.”

He tossed another ball toward the man with sandy hair. The blonde began to rack the balls in preparation for another game. Mark straightened and looked at Heather.

“Want a beer?”

“More than you know.”

Grinning at her ready answer, he winked and sauntered over to the bar. Heather remained in place, feeling self-conscious in the room without Mark’s close presence. Dennis retrieved his beer from the floor and turned to her.

“So where do you work?” he said before taking a sip from the bottle.

“Clemson University,” she said, straightening her shoulders. “I’m an assistant coach for the girls’ basketball team.”

“Really?” he said, one brow raised in surprise. “Wow, that must be exciting.”

“It will be when the season begins. Right now it’s a lot of work.”

“So how are the Lady Tigers going to do this year?” called a young woman from across the room.

Her question made everyone pause. Heather found herself the center of attention as all eyes turned in her direction.

“Damned good if I have anything to do with it,” she declared.

That elicited laughter from Mark’s friends, putting Heather at ease. She did not recognize any of those gathered, not even from high school. None of the young men had been present at the dealership on Wednesday. She assumed Mark preferred not to associate with his co-workers and couldn’t fault Mark on that decision. Heather entertained similar feelings about her fellow assistant coach.

Mark returned to her side and offered a beer. Heather accepted the bottle with a brief smile and noticed the foreign label. She had never tried this brew before and took a sip.

“Hey, where are you hiding the good stuff?” the blonde man exclaimed.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” said Mark, retrieving his cue stick and circling the table.

Heather stepped back and settled in to watch them play. Mark appeared determined to best his friend, whom she identified as Lee. Keeping clear of the two competitors, Heather found herself conversing with the only attached couple in the group, Hunter and Paula. The brunette who had asked about Clemson was single and had no inhibitions. She flirted with every man in the room, Mark included. He didn’t notice though, and returned none of the brunette’s advances. Heather wondered if her presence prompted either’s behavior, but dismissed the notion that Mark was playing it cool. He appeared to treat everyone with the same casual indifference.

Heather was enticed to play a round. She bested Lee by sinking the eight ball before he had an opportunity. Mark teamed up with her for a round of doubles and Heather soon found herself enjoying the company. Aware of her own exhaustion and the report awaiting her attention tomorrow, she limited her consumption to just two beers. Crashing at parties might have been acceptable at college, but Heather had work to do on Sunday.

Time got away from her and Heather did not notice the late hour until Hunter and Paula announced they were departing. Mark’s clock signified that it was now after midnight and she opted to slip out with the couple. To her surprise, Mark passed on the next round of pool and offered to escort Heather to her car.

“Glad you guys could make it,” he told his three departing guests as they walked down the sidewalk.

“Hey, any chance to see Lee’s ego get knocked around,” proclaimed Hunter, leading Paula toward their vehicle.

“Glad I could provide you with entertainment, then,” Mark said. Since Heather’s arrival, Lee had lost every match, three of those at the hand of Mark.

“We still going to Charlotte next Sunday?” Hunter called as he opened the passenger door.

Mark hesitated, one hand on the roof of Heather’s car. “As far as I know.”

Hunter grinned. Closing Paula’s door, he slid across the hood of his Mustang. Laughing at his antics, Mark told him to go home before he hurt himself. Hunter swung into his seat, his foolish smile still in place. Heather bid them goodnight and slipped behind the wheel of her own vehicle, the effects of the long day beginning to show. She reached for the handle and realized Mark’s hand on her door prevented her from closing it just yet. Looking up in surprise, Heather discovered Mark peering in at her.

“So is it comfortable?” he said, referring to her new Corolla.

Heather leaned against the seat, her keys clutched in her right hand. “Yes, it is,” she admitted.

“Never settle for the bottom of the line,” ordered Mark. “Ever.”

“Is that your motto?”

“One of them,” he said. “Glad you made it tonight. Think you needed unwinding.”

“Yeah, I guess I did,” Heather admitted.

The front porch light glowed behind Mark, making it all but impossible to see his face. Heather wished she had a clear view of his expression, although she doubted it would reveal his thoughts. Mark possessed a very stable, even disposition, reflecting neither joy nor laughter in his dark eyes. By his very nature, he was a rock.

Mark stepped aside and prepared to close her door. “Good to see you again, pretty lady,” he told Heather before giving her door a firm push.

Heather inserted her key in the ignition, her eyes on Mark as he strolled up the sidewalk. His behavior remained a mystery. It amused her to think Matt’s older brother might be interested in her. Nothing could be more ironic, although Heather questioned the plausibility of the idea. Not only was the situation unimaginable, but she had far more pressing matters in her life as well. The years of avoiding a relationship were catching up and causing her thoughts to wander.

However, there was no denying the obvious. Heather had enjoyed Mark’s company tonight.