Junior went straight to his room, grabbed clean clothes, and showered.
He had always been in love with Sarah or so it seemed. After high school, they’d tried to keep a long-distant relationship going, but she’d told him it wasn’t something she wanted anymore.
They’d met up several times over the years she’d been in pre-med. After their fight five years ago, Junior had decided it wasn’t healthy to pursue her, she had her whole life in front of her and she would be a success. She’d only proven it today. Maybe with the Steel MC and his success in town she’ll start looking at him a little differently. For now, though, he needed to concentrate on the todays instead of always looking back on what could have been.
Trying to remember what they’d been through, he couldn’t process it all really. He hoped she was happy. Maybe they could resolve their issues and they could be friends. He paused when he remembered the way he’d lost it and kissed her, telling her she was his. He rolled his eyes. Who am I fooling?
After the shower, he dressed in his sweats and T-shirt. Grabbing his cane, he hobbled his way down the stairs where most of the family had gathered for dinner.
The conversation was loud and happy as they all shared their day with each other. Junior was lucky he had such a close-knit family who enjoyed each other’s company.
His stomach rumbled with hunger. He didn’t quite remember the last time he ate. His back sent stabbing pain down both legs as he found his chair. He winced from the sharp pinpricks as he sat down.
“You okay over there?” Caleb asked.
“Yeah, just over did it a little,” Junior groaned as he tried to get comfortable in his chair.
Damien coughed, before leaning his chin on his fists. “Yeah, too many extracurricular activities.”
Everyone laughed with Damien, all but Junior who moaned, “Damien, you’re an ass.”
His father cleared his throat. “None of that language at the dinner table.” He slammed his hand on top of the table rattling the dinner plates.
“Sorry.” Junior lowered his head.
“Dad, easy does it. We’re laughing because Junior met up with Sarah at the hospital. I’m surprised he isn’t supporting a black eye. The last time they were seen together, she threw something at him.” Caleb winked.
Junior’s anger spiked, but at the same time, he knew they were right. He shouldn’t have followed her. The old memories had only made his mood worse. She’d moved on with life and he didn’t want the pain in his heart, knowing he’d lost her forever because of his stupidity. He shrugged but underneath the table, he kicked his brother on the shin.
“Ouch!” Caleb yelled.
“Eat your dinner, Caleb.” Junior pushed the mashed potatoes toward his brother. Following tradition, they all enjoyed teasing each other.
The table was silent for a few minutes while everyone dished their plates family style.
“Junior, I’m glad you’re home. I couldn’t handle worrying about you anymore. This girl needs to concentrate on her volley ball and singing career,” Vivian shouted out.
“Thanks, Vivi, I’m glad to be home and you and I need to talk.” He pointed back and forth. “Singing, really?”
“Here, here,” his mom chimed in. “So, Junior, your father tells me you’re starting your house soon.”
“The builders are coming by next week, Mom.”
“Are you sad, you can’t ride bulls anymore?” Mary Beth, his disabled sister chimed in. She was the toughest of the Mullins. Born with several disabilities he looked over at his sister who’d always had to walk with crutches because of a spinal disability from birth.
“No, I don’t miss it. I have the motorcycle club now and I’m already moving on to bigger and better things.”
Everyone silenced until Junior chuckled hoping the rest of them would join in the laughter.
Soon, the whole family was and for the first time, it felt normal. It felt like home again.
Junior was tired of the family treating him as if he might break or something. He wiped his tears away from laughing. “To answer your earlier question, Mary Beth, I’m a little sad but not for the reasons everyone thinks. I miss all my friends and definitely the stardom of being one of the best damn bull riders in the USA.”
His father held up his cup. “To Junior, we’re happy to have you home with us. And, yes, you were one of the best.”
“To Junior!” They all held up their glasses and cheered.
Junior knew his face turned bright red, he hoped the tan covered it up because he hadn’t worn his hat to dinner.
Mary Beth got up out of her chair and made her way over to him. “I’m sorry they embarrassed you, I love you.” She kissed his cheek.
“I love you too, Mary Beth.” Junior kissed her forehead.
“Are you angry at the bull?” Maggie asked.
“No, not anymore. I’m just another cowboy Big Red stomped. Maybe someday, I’ll go after him but this time stay on him for more than eight seconds.” Junior teased.
“You will not!” his mother shouted.
Junior laughed. “I’m just kidding, Mom. Hold onto your panties.”
She smacked him on the arm. “You’re horrible, Junior.”
Everyone chuckled then started eating their food. Not much time for conversation. Once everyone finished up their plates, his mom went into the kitchen for the pie.
“Hey, Vivian, how old are you now?”
“Almost thirteen, I’m in seventh grade though. The school moved me up one grade because I passed all the smart tests.”
Vivian had always been brilliant and he was proud of her. “Still holding that 4.0 grade average, kiddo?”
“Yep!”
“That’s cool. Every time Mom and Dad came to visit me in the hospital, they told me how smart you were. I’m proud of you. With all of your questions, I knew you were too smart.” Vivian frowned. “Thank you, but why do you say it that way?”
“Well, you asked me, if I was mad at the bull?” Maggie nodded her head.
“I’m angrier at myself for taking on Big Red. When I drew him, I should have left it alone. He is the meanest, ugliest, SOB ever born. There hasn’t been a cowboy in history to ride that beast eight seconds. That bull must’ve been built by Satan. I was stupid to think I could conquer and stay on him. He beat me at my own game.” Junior still felt upset for being careless and taking on that stupid bull. What did he accomplish anyways? His body was fucked up and hurt permanently.
“You’re angry more at yourself?” Rayna asked.
“Yes, I am. My back is messed up and I’m not quite thirty years old. It was my own stupidity I have no one, especially the bull to blame, but me.” Then he decided to change the subject. “Now that we have everyone here, but Kalvin…how is it nobody in this household told me about Sarah having a daughter until today when Harlow, here…” he pointed at his brother two seats down from him, “…told me.”
Nobody said a word, Junior heard a few coughs, Lilly cleared her throat, and Lacy giggled. Rayna stared at him with her big blue eyes and the boys at the table hung their heads. Nobody was going to say anything.
His mom walked back in with the pie. “Junior, why don’t we leave that conversation to you and Sarah?”
“You’re right, Mom. But damn it, I feel as if she cheated on me or something,” Junior mumbled.
“What the hell?” Damien slammed his hand down on the table.
Junior knew he had no right to be angry. “I’m just jealous I guess. How stupid, huh?”
Lilly’s intake of breath alerted Junior to something other than himself. When he glanced over at his twin, her face was white as the tablecloth. “Hey, you okay, Lilly?”
She shook her head, her phone in her hand.
Damien stood up and walked around the table behind her. “God damn it, Dad. We need to call Uncle Ben. She got another one.”
“Call him!” his father yelled.
Damien pulled his cell from his front pocket and called their uncle. “Ben, she got another one.” Damien then nodded a few times as he listened, then he gave Lilly the phone.
She listened for a moment then nodded. “Thanks, Uncle Ben. I appreciate it.” After she handed the phone back to Damien, she glanced up at her family. Her dinner untouched. “They can’t trace the messages nor the calls. He’s sending in a protection detail for me until we figure out what’s going on.”
“What the hell is going on? You know I’m part of this family and the MC will be called in on this one. I’m not taking any chances with you,” Junior asked. He remembered earlier talk about threatening phone calls and texts but he didn’t realize it was this serious.
Caleb started, “Lilly has been—”
Lilly held up her hand. “I got this, Caleb. Junior, someone has been threatening me and leaving notes, letters, and voice messages and they’re getting very scary. I’ve put up with them for months now, and it isn’t going away. Uncle Ben said it might be someone I helped put away.”
“Are you afraid to stay at your house?” Junior wanted her to stay here at the ranch.
“I haven’t received anything at my house, so I don’t think they know where I live. I’m not afraid. I do own a gun.” Lilly smiled and tried to show she was brave.
Junior could tell she was terrified and not comfortable with what was happening. He sure as hell couldn’t bring up the subject of Sarah again, knowing Lilly was going through something like this. His problem seemed so minor compared to this.
“I wanted to tell you about Sarah, Junior,” his father finally addressed the subject. “But you know it wasn’t any of our business. I let the subject die a natural death around this house. It was a long time ago when you dated her. I never once thought you’d like to know. Besides, all we know is some low life left poor Sarah to raise a child on her own.” His father closed the subject.
“You know what, Dad? Let’s not worry about that. We all need to pull together to help Lilly right now.”
“Oh, I agree. Thank you. When is Ben coming to town, Lilly?” his father asked.
“He’ll be here in a little bit. I’m sorry to bring all this down on the family. But he doesn’t want me to go home until I have a bodyguard.”
“Good idea, my brother doesn’t take chances. He takes his business and jobs seriously. Besides, you’re his niece and family is important.”
Junior ate a few bites of the pie. After he thought about the entire conversation, he still had to wonder if Sarah’s child was his. His heart clenched, his pulse quickened and his head started to throb to the same tune as his back. “Do you think she’s mine?” Junior let the words fall upon the shocked looks of his family.
“No way. She would have said something,” his mom spoke out, defending Sarah.
“I did the math. I also talked to her this afternoon. She didn’t say anything about having a child,” Junior said.
His parents looked dumbfounded, his siblings had the same reaction.
No, Junior wasn’t dumb, his siblings had all known something, especially Lilly. “How long have you all known?”
Lilly leaned forward. “Honestly, we weren’t for sure Junior. Sarah always denied it. But, when you see Emmy…well, she looks like a mini me.”
“Why didn’t you all tell me?” Junior asked again.
“It’s not my business. As far as I knew, you left her. That night in the bar, you were making out with Lucy. You tore her heart apart, Junior. What the hell was she supposed to do?” Lilly held her cell phone up to her ear to reinforce what she was saying to him, “Call you up and say, ‘hey, Matt, I’m about to have your baby, I know we aren’t together anymore, but could you come home now from your rodeo gig?’” Her words were harsh and definitely meant to hurt him.
“I’m sorry, Lil, you’re right. I honestly, didn’t know. I wouldn’t have stayed gone if I’d known.” Junior pushed back his chair. Pain shot down his left leg. The nerves inflamed from doing too much. He should just wait until tomorrow to go to Sarah. The trouble with that was he’d already opened his mouth to his family. His back wouldn’t cooperate right now with his head though. Maybe if he rested a bit, he would be able to drive back to town. “Maybe, I better get some sleep and go into town tomorrow.” He struggled to get back up.
Damien tried to help him.
He pushed his brother’s hands away. “Damien, don’t! I got to do this on my own.”
Damien frowned then he ground the words out between clenched teeth, “Junior, you’re an ornery son-of—”
“Damien, enough!” His mom scolded.
Junior sat back down.
The rest of his family was quiet and seemed uncomfortable.
Junior looked up. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
“No, Matt, I’m sorry we keep bringing up Sarah. It’s your business and that’s that. Let’s just enjoy the dinner and move on.”
He looked over at his father, who’d become extremely quiet. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m just not feeling the greatest, been having these chest pains. The doctor says its anxiety. I’ll be going in for a stress test at the end of the week. Make sure the old ticker isn’t giving out on me.”
“Well you let me know I’ll be happy to drive you.”
Junior’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He looked down and it was Cady McCoy. ‘Junior, I have some free time on Wednesday to see you?”
He texted back. ‘Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you Wednesday? What time? Where?’
‘I’ll meet you half way. Austin?’
‘Sure, where?’
She sent the address of the clinic she’d been able to borrow an office there once in a while to do treatments. Junior was excited to see if she could help him with his back and the pain. ‘Meet you there, looking forward to it. Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome. Anything for a friend of Joseph’s.’
Junior knew he needed someone to ride with him. “I need to head to Austin on Wednesday for an appointment with a new physical therapist, anyone care to ride with me?”
Rayna Lynn raised her hand. “I can go with you. I have that day off work.”
“Okay, perfect, we need to leave early in the morning to make my noon appointment? You okay with that?”
“Sure, it’s good. Anything for you, Matty.” His sister’s favorite nickname for him since she was a small child slipped out.
“I like it when you call me Matty, it means you’re not all grown up.” The family chuckled.
He sat back and watched the family’s dynamic during the rest of the dinner. Everyone seemed to get along and they all had a lot to talk about. He knew the subject of Sarah wasn’t going to come back up. He’d hoped to see her and try and straighten out this hatred she had for him. If not, maybe she could, at least, forgive him.
But, before he could do all that he wanted this chance to recover and be a man again. This limp wasn’t acceptable and he hoped Cady McCoy will be able to give him hope again.