CHAPTER SIXTEEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T he tears had flowed for most of the night and into the morning. She’d pulled herself together in order to get the kids off to school, but she was a mess. It was so stupid to cry for Terry, but she couldn’t help it. His dream to win the Cup might slip through his hands and it was all her fault. He’d never played like a thug. He was crisp, clean and calculated. That’s how he’d played his entire NHL career, but last night he’d played different.

She was scheduled to bring the kids to Winnipeg in the evening, but she wondered if it was a good idea. The fate of a hockey team couldn’t rest on her shoulders. She’d tossed the option of skipping the game to the kids and they’d shot her down. Rianne reminded her of her promise to find Rex, and Wayne loved missing school. Too bad she couldn’t hide under a rock for a few days. Soon this would all blow over, at least she hoped.

“One, two, how you do?” TJ sang a make-believe song, making her laugh. He’d woke from his nap in a great mood.

“Nice.” She patted the top of his head. They sat on the floor in his room, playing with his bucket of cars. “Can you sing it again?”

“Actually, how about you get your trucks and line them up for a race? Mom and I need a moment,” Terry said, startling her. His voice was gruff as he leaned against the doorframe.

“Daddy.” TJ ran to his father and hugged his leg. “Play trucks with me.”

He lifted the boy, hugging him against his chest. “I’d love to play with you. Like I said, line up all the cars for me and I’ll be right back.”

Their son nodded. He raced to the bucket and emptied the contents onto the carpet. She stood and followed Terry into the kitchen. TJ’s door remained open, and she could still see him playing on the floor. He was a great boy and growing up too fast.

Terry cleared his throat and licked his lips. “Are you still fucking the kid?” His crudeness caught her off guard. This wasn’t like him at all.

She straightened her spine. “Those tabloid articles you sent sensationalized the story. I spoke with Luka and got the facts. He’s no more dangerous than you.” She hugged the column separating the kitchen and dining room.

He huffed, running his fingers through his hair. “So, you plan to continue seeing him?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. It’s—”

“Thought you might not be reasonable.” His lips formed a thin line as he reached into his back pocket and slapped an envelope on the counter.

She looked at it and then back at him. “What’s this?” She reached for the manila package and opened it. Divorce papers.

“I had a new document drafted. You want a divorce; these are my terms,” he barked.

“Let me read them,” she said, grabbing her glasses off the counter. She glanced once more at her son before sitting at the table. Scanning the pages, her heart ached. Bile rose into her throat. She didn’t need to read every word to see the hate reflected. By the time she reached the last page, she was speechless.

“I’ve already signed.” He leaned over her shoulder, pointing to the signature section. He dropped a pen next to her. The clatter made her jump, and he placed his hands on her shoulders, keeping her in the chair. “Is this what you want,” he breathed into her ear.

The document gave him full custody and left nothing as a settlement. He wanted to take her kids and everything else. She’d be penniless.

She crumpled the papers and ripped them in half. He could keep the money, but she’d never give up custody. “I’ll never, ever sign that garbage. Why waste your money having a lawyer draft it?”

“I’ve got another copy. Don’t forget, I know everything about you, Jill.” His breath tickled her neck, and she twitched, slapping him away. “This seems fair,” he said, stepping away from behind her.

She stood on shaky legs, holding onto the top of the chair for support. “What are you talking about? I wasn’t being unfair. I suggested a fifty-fifty split of all assets and custody. Given what you did, I don’t—”

“I loved you and supported you,” he sneered. “I gave you everything you ever wanted, and this is how you repay me.”

“We supported each other,” she shot back. “We were a team until you changed the game.”

“You are breaking my heart and destroying our family.” He placed his hands over his heart. “I hope he’s worth it because I’m disgusted by your actions. The kids will be too.”

A slap would have felt less hurtful. “I never hated you until now.” A tear leaked down her cheek and she wiped it away. “No judge would take my kids away. If you want a battle, then we’ll fight, but it doesn’t have to be this way.”

He snickered and dropped into a chair, plopping his feet on the one next to it. “Remember the psychiatric treatments. Remember the meds. I’ve got enough to paint you as an unfit parent.”

His statement stole the oxygen from the room. She felt dizzy and moments from collapse. Those doctor visits had been his suggestion. A way for her to deal and move past the vasectomy. The medication had been prescribed to help her sleep, but she’d never taken them. She fell back into the seat as her legs gave out.

“What do you want?” she whispered.

He tugged on his hair and stared at her. “What I’ve always wanted. You. I don’t expect to kiss and make up right now, but in time you’ll see I’m right.”

A nervous laugh escaped. “Are kidding me? I can’t stand the sight of you.” She clutched the edges of the table to stop herself from jumping on him and clawing his eyes out. “A million years could pass, and I’ll never forgive you for this moment.”

“You’ll get over it.” He dropped his legs and scooted his chair closer. “Just like you got over carrying more of my babies. You took a few months, but we made love again. Eventually, you begged me to make you come. I know how to work your body like nobody else.”

She looked down and her tears dripped onto the floor. “Stop,” she breathed.

He gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “I’ve been patient this past year. I miss making love to my wife. Your need to fill the void is understandable. Hell, I’ve been tempted too, but you’re the only woman for me. And I am the only man for you.”

“You cheated on me,” she whimpered. Her body was shaking, and he refused to let her go. “It’s over, Terry.”

“No. I understand that bitch’s claims pull at your heartstrings, but one mistake will not define me. My legacy is with you and our children.” He kissed her tears and buried his face in her hair.

“Let me go. Please,” she begged. “This isn’t you. You’re a kind and decent man. Dig deep and find that guy again. Don’t let this asshole tyrant win.”

He dropped his hand and chuckled. “You’re being over dramatic. I want us both to win. Don’t you get that?”

She bolted from the seat and circled the counter, putting as much distance as possible without running from the house. That possibility wasn’t far from her mind. “There is no winning in this for me. I can’t believe you’d resort to blackmail or whatever this is.”

“Daddy,” TJ yelled from the other room. “Come.”

Terry stood, and the chair screeched. “On my way, buddy,” he responded.

“Don’t do this. Please don’t do this,” she begged, barely holding it together.

“You’ve got two choices, Jill. Take me to court and lose your family, or stop the affair and let me move back in. We can move past this. I know what I’m rooting for.” He turned his back to her. “I’ll check in with you before I leave.” His swagger never faltered as he rejoined their son.

Neither choice was acceptable. She rounded the counter so they wouldn’t see her as she fell to her knees. “I hate you. I hate you,” she repeated until the sobbing morphed into hiccups.

Tears wouldn’t change her situation. She was screwed. The city viewed Terry as a celebrity and a hero. He didn’t have so much as a parking ticket on his record. If he went for custody, there was a chance he’d win. She refused to accept the possibility.

She needed help, but first she had to get up. It took a gargantuan amount of effort to scrape herself off the tile floor. Once on her feet, she collected the divorce papers and ripped them into pieces. Her hands shook as she held her shattered dreams. Her chance at happiness was torn to shreds like the pages.

In the other room, she heard the devil playing with TJ. The two laughed and joked without a care in the world. She poured a large glass of wine and chugged it. Her nerves were still frayed after the second glass. She put the bottle away and stared out the window. There were no answers to be found on her back porch.

“I have a flight to catch, and I’d like your answer before I go.” His voice was smooth and even. No hint of hesitation. He was serious. “Are you cheering for me, or against me?”

She didn’t turn. His reflection in the window made her skin crawl. “You’ve left me no choice. I won’t lose my kids for love.” She’d once thought when you loved someone, it never stopped. Boy, was she wrong. Staring at him, she no longer carried an ounce of love for this man. His selfishness had reached new heights and she no longer recognized him.

The option to use his secrets against him and stoop to his level wasn’t an option. She wasn’t raised to be cruel. She couldn’t stomach hurting her children for her own gain. There would be no winners from any of this.

“Good answer. I’ll have the moving truck bring my things while we’re in Winnipeg. Let’s wait till after the game to tell them the good news. See you there,” he pivoted, running his hand along the wall. “You might not like my tactics, but I’m doing this out of love. I love you and we’ll be happy again.”

The moment the door closed, she ran to TJ’s room and picked him up. She twirled him around, hugging him tight. More tears leaked as she contemplated the horror of never feeling his soft breath on her cheek or seeing his tiny fingers wrapped around hers. That wasn’t an option. She wouldn’t live without her three beautiful babies.

“Mom, down,” he protested after she held on for too long.

“I love you,” she said, kissing the top of his head.

He smiled and returned to his toys. “Daddy gone.” He picked up a truck and drove it around the track on his table.

“He’ll be back.” She closed her eyes and dreaded seeing him again. His actions weren’t done out of love for anyone but himself. He was punishing her for daring to move on. He knew her weakness and had exploited it. The threat of taking her kids was enough for her to bend to his will, but if he thought for one second he’d won, he was dead wrong.

 

 

She tried not to focus on the threat that loomed over her head as she traveled with the kids. Rianne’s desire to find her friend took precedent. She welcomed the distraction. They made a plan for the next day and discussed options for Rex. There were several shelters and if they weren’t suitable, Jill was willing to pay for a halfway house or something. No kid should live on the streets.

The next morning, instead of going to Luka as they’d planned, she told him something came up. She refused to break it off with him. Not yet. There had to be a way around Terry’s disgusting ultimatum. As the day wore on, she became less hopeful.

They searched the streets of downtown for over an hour with no sign of Rex. Jill wasn’t too upset about it, but her daughter’s concern grew with the passing minutes.

“I met him here last time.” Rianne pointed to a bench near some thick bushes. They’d been to the same spot earlier. The sun loomed overhead, getting hotter by the minute. “It’s not far from the hotel,” she added.

Used needles littered the ground and garbage covered the grass. She was glad she’d left Wayne and TJ with another player’s wife. Searching parks for the homeless boy wasn’t a fun adventure. “I don’t see anyone,” she said.

They sat on the bench and Rianne kicked a pebble. “Maybe he found a place. It’s too bad he didn’t have a phone or something.”

“Are you looking for me,” a man said from behind them. He had an accent that reminded her of Luka.

Jill craned her neck and stared at the young man as he approached. “I’m not sure,” she answered.

Rianne stood and ran to him. He wasn’t a boy. The disheveled hair and dirty clothes made her heart sink, but then he touched her daughter. The hug lasted far longer than she liked. When he pulled away, he looked to be the same age as Luka. He was attractive, with finely cut features and bright green eyes.

He looked nothing like she’d expected. No matter how good-looking, he was a man, and he had no business talking with teenagers. Something about him rubbed her the wrong way.

“I’m glad we found you, but I kinda wish you’d found a place by now,” her daughter said.

He held her hand and smiled. “I was waiting for you. How’s your head?” His fingers grazed Rianne’s cheek.

Jill stood. “My daughter filled me in on your living conditions. Are you still living here, or have you secured housing?” The sooner she found a way to help this guy, the quicker he’d be away from her little girl.

“Mom.” His eyebrows rose together, and his steps slowed. “I would have guessed sister. My situation is complicated. This beauty here mentioned she was from Montreal and we hit it off. I’ve always wanted to travel there. Did you drive this time?” He directed his question at Rianne.

“We flew,” Jill answered. “I’ve investigated some housing options. Can we buy you food and talk about them? We don’t have much time, but we’d like to help.”

He shook his head. “Appreciate the offer, but I already ate. I’m well connected in this city, but…” he chewed his lip, eyeing Rianne like she was a feast on the menu. “I’m glad you came to see me.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What do you mean well connected?”

He smiled, raising her hackles even higher. “I can get you anything you want. Up, down, high or low. Whatever you’re in the mood for. What would you like, Rianne?”

Her daughter giggled and shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing. I mean, I’m good. How about you?”

“I’d like to spend more time with you. Maybe—”

She’d heard and seen enough. This guy was a sleaze-ball drug dealer. His charm was wasted on her.

“If we’re going to make it to the game on time, we need to go. I’m sorry we couldn’t help you.” She held out the research she’d printed of available beds, not that she expected him to use it.

He stuffed the paper in his pocket without looking at it. His arm covered Rianne’s shoulder, and he whispered something into her ear. Jill watched her daughter melt into his touch. It didn’t seem right that a good-looking well-connected man would flirt with teens.

Luka’s words ricocheted through her brain. Targeted teenagers. She pulled her phone from her purse and searched for articles online. The drug bust was big news in this city but hadn’t traveled east. She scrolled through several pages before pictures of the criminals appeared. Rex Reeza was a wanted man. The same big green eyes stared at her from the screen. There was no mistaking the two.

“It’s time to leave,” she said. Looking from her phone, she caught his back as he disappeared behind the bushes. “Where’d he go?”

“He’s meeting someone. Why?”

“Walk with me.” She grabbed her hand and pulled her along. Jill scanned the area as they exited the park. Once they were on the street, she handed her the phone.

Rianne walked a few steps before she gasped. “No way.” She searched around them, but they were alone. “We need to call the cops. That’s Rex. Holy hell. He didn’t even change his name.” Her hands shook as she returned the phone.

“You’re safe.” She covered her daughter’s hands. “Thank you for telling me about him. I’m so glad I was with you tonight. You’re not allowed out of my sight while we’re here.”

“Okay,” Rianne answered without protest. “He seemed so normal. That’s scary.”

They called the police as they raced back to the hotel. Their description of the suspect and his location was entered into the system. The police took their contact information for future reference. She hoped it was enough to catch the guy, but men like that were slippery. She shivered, thinking of her ex.

Rianne wasn’t feeling up for the arena and asked if they could watch the game from the hotel. Jill was happy to avoid being there in person. Too bad she couldn’t avoid Terry forever.

With the high from his win at home, Terry played like a champion. Montreal showed Luka and his teammates what they were made of. They came away with the victory, and Jill hated not being there for Luka. He needed her support, and she was MIA. That was easier than the alternative.