CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T rue to his word, Terry had sent the movers. Her home was once again filled with his stuff. When she entered her bedroom, his boxes sat at the foot of her bed. She stared at them, unable to move. If he planned to share a bed with her, he was delusional.

Despite the new paint and furniture, memories of her marriage filled the space. If she inhaled hard enough, she could still smell her ex on the sheets. Her stomach roiled. The entire house was one giant reminder of their relationship. She hated it. From the second they’d moved into the ostentatious home, she’d never felt comfortable. The renovations had only masked the issues. It wasn’t the small details that failed; it was the structure itself.

She kicked the top box to the floor and screamed. Giving into his demands was like selling her soul. All night and into the morning, she’d formed her attack plan. She wouldn’t go down without a fight. Accepting his terms wouldn’t make either of them happy. If he would only look past his bruised ego, he’d realize the truth.

“Everything okay?” Wayne poked his head into the bedroom.

No! Everything was the opposite of okay.

“It’s fine,” she answered. “When I told your dad he could store things here, I had no idea what I was in for.” She plastered on a fake smile and joined her son in the hall, slamming the door behind her. Her phone slipped from her pocket onto the floor.

He bent over and picked it up. “There are lots of boxes. How long is the house going to look like this?”

“Not long. Your dad is on his way over and we’re going to talk about it.” She hugged him and led him towards the living room.

Her phone rang, and Wayne answered before she could steal it back. “Hello,” he said, running down the hall away from her. “She’s here, but you have to talk to me first.”

She chased him and tackled him onto the couch. He giggled as the person on the other line spoke. His laughter increased as she tickled his sides.

“Give me the phone.” She held out her hand, but he refused to hand it back.

“No. Oh, that’s cool. Really. Yeah,” he laughed louder as she dug her fingers into his armpits.

She wrestled the device from his hand. “Sorry,” she wheezed into the mouthpiece.

“Don’t apologize,” Luka said, making her heart beat even faster. “Are you decompressing again?”

She laughed as Wayne turned the tables on her and tickled her sides. “No.”

TJ joined them on the couch and double teamed her. “Give me a second,” she said between giggles. Jill rolled off the couch onto the floor. “Boys, Mommy needs to take this call.”

“Okay,” they replied in unison.

“Luka are you still there?” she asked, escaping to the kitchen.

“Your laugh is beautiful. I wish I was there to see it,” he replied. “Can we meet today?”

“I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “There are a few variables I have to take care of first. It won’t be easy for me to get away today or tomorrow. It might be a while before we can be together. There’s stuff going on and—”

“You seem to embrace complications,” he huffed. “I hear many excuses from you not to see me or return my calls. Am I misreading you?”

She leaned on the counter and pictured him tugging on his beard as he spoke. Maybe because that’s what she wanted to be doing. Touching him and feeling his hairs against her face. She wanted so badly to be in his arms again. “I am a magnet for complicated,” she admitted. “If you can bear with me a little longer, I’ll figure it all out. Give me time.”

“Again, with time.” He took a big breath and exhaled. “I will give you what you need. In return, I ask you to meet me halfway.”

“Compromise.” She smiled. Terry never compromised. “What can I do for you?”

“Honey, I’m home,” Terry yelled, and goosebumps raced across her skin. “Where are you, baby?”

“Is Manor there with you?” Luka’s voice lowered.

Her blood pressure shot to the moon. “He just walked in the door. I need to go,” she choked on the words.

“I want to trust you, but—”

“You have to. Goodbye.” Jill hung up and placed the phone down as her ex sauntered into the room with a sinister grin on his face.

“There you are,” he said, pressing his hands onto the counter across from her. “Are you ready to give the kids the good news?”

She shook her head. “No. Sit with me.” Her voice trembled along with her nerves. She walked over to the table and sat, not trusting her legs to keep her upright.

He folded his big body into the seat next to her. “Did you start unpacking my stuff? I’d like to sleep here tonight, before the big game tomorrow.”

“That will not be possible,” she croaked, then cleared her throat. “I’ve had time to think about our conversation the other day, and I’m hoping you had suffered a fit of momentary insanity. You—”

He snickered and grabbed her hand from her lap. “Jill,” he said, gripping it tight.

“No.” She pulled away. “Don’t touch me. We kept your affair and your child a secret, but if you refuse to be reasonable, I’ll spread your story everywhere. Your perfect image will be ruined. We both have skeletons and I’ll keep custody of the kids. Playing dirty isn’t what I want, but you’re leaving me no options.”

“Go ahead,” he spat. “I pay child support.” He smiled, leaning into her space. “I have done nothing wrong. We were separated at the time. I’ve got a PR team ready to go. I won’t lose.”

“We were most definitely not separated,” she shrieked. “And my heart breaks for the boy you’re neglecting.”

His laugh choked her airways. “It’s all how you spin it, baby. When I bring the Cup home, they’ll give me the key to the city. I’ll have everything. Do you want to test me? Your boyfriend tried and got his ass handed to him on the ice.”

The salt and pepper shakers rattled as she slammed her hands on the table. “You’re bluffing. I can’t stand your blasé attitude. You begged me to keep your secret, so it wouldn’t hurt the kids, but they deserve to know about their brother. Our kids need a mother and a father, even though you’re far from a stellar role model these days. Luka is twice the man you are.”

“Don’t fucking say his name around me,” he fumed.

She pushed away from the table and stood. “This is bullshit!”

“Feisty,” he snickered. “Face it, Jill. I get what I want, and this time won’t be any different. You’re right to some extent. I don’t want that ugliness to surface any more than you want to never see your kids again.”

“Are you seriously threatening me?” Her body trembled with rage and her eyes filled with tears.

“If you don’t give me what I want, consider it a promise,” he replied.

“Mom?” Rianne stepped into the room with wide eyes.

Terry’s chair screeched as he stood. “How much did you overhear?”

Her daughter’s face was pale. Jill flew across the room and wrapped her in a hug. There was no protest. She inhaled her sweet vanilla scent, drawing strength from her presence.

Rianne squeezed her mother’s shoulder. “I heard enough. What boy? What’s going on?”

It was time for him to own his actions and accept the consequences. “Your father has something to tell you,” she answered.

Terry used both hands to pull at his hair. “Fuck,” he cussed and closed his eyes. “It’s a long story. Will you sit with me?”

Rianne looked to her, and she nodded. “Okay.” She took one step then stopped. Their eyes connected. “Wait. Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Yes, I met someone. A wonderful man who makes me happy. One day soon, I’d love for you and your brothers to meet him. Only, when you’re ready,” she added.

“I knew this day would come,” Rianne said, twisting her fingers and shuffling her feet. “It’s so weird to think about you with anyone but Dad.” She chewed her lip and looked back and forth between her parents. “I want you happy though, so I should probably meet this guy pretty soon. Make sure he’s worthy or something.”

Jill smiled and hugged her daughter again. “Thank you for being so mature. I’ll tell Luka you’re willing to meet him. This will make him very happy. I’m sure you’ll like him.”

Terry coughed, and she heard his molars grinding from across the room. “I don’t approve of you introducing that man to my kids.”

Her lips thinned. “You don’t get to have a say. Focus on your relationship with our kids and doing damage control once you tell them what’s been going on for the past two years.” Having the truth come out lifted the guilt and the responsibility off her shoulders. She inhaled and let the air fill her lungs. “Rianne, I’ll be in the other room if you need me.”

“Aren’t you going to stay and help me out?” he asked. His bravado from earlier had disappeared.

She rubbed her daughter’s arm and stared at her soon-to-be-ex-husband. “I’m not helping you ever again. I can’t be around you anymore. If you want this house, keep it. Otherwise it’s going on the market as soon as possible. You can’t threaten and force someone into loving you. The divorce papers are on my desk and I expect you to sign them.” She walked out of the room with her head held high.

The boys sat on the couch, watching cartoons and laughing. Her favorite sound in the world. She collapsed next to them and sighed. The conversation in the other room worried her, but it was about time the truth surfaced.

Adrenaline coursed through her for the next few minutes. She couldn’t sit still. When Rianne entered the room with tears streaming down her face, she bolted upright.

“Mom,” she cried and ran into her arms. They hugged. “I want to meet him, but dad refused. Can you introduce me? Please,” she begged.

“Oh, honey. I’ve only met him once. Your dad’s the only one who knows where they live. I’ve been trying for months to get the address, but—”

“Hire a PI or something. He can’t keep my sibling from me,” she said, wiping away the tears. “I hate what he’s done to our family.”

“Rianne,” Terry said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Give me time. Please, don’t tell anyone yet.”

“Tell anyone what?” Wayne asked.

“Nothing, buddy,” Terry answered.

“You’ve had plenty of time,” Rianne said, walking towards the front door. “Dad, I don’t think you should be here. You can’t change what happened, but you get to decide how we handle it moving forward. Make the right choice or don’t come back.”

Terry waved at the boys who stared at the scene, not knowing what to say. “Love you guys. After the game tomorrow, I’ll come over and we can talk again.” He tried to hug Rianne, but she shrunk away.

After he’d stepped out, she slammed the door behind him. “I’m beyond mad right now,” she exclaimed.

“Are you mad at me?” Jill asked, holding her breath.

“No. Not really. I mean, I wish you’d told me, but it’s his doing. He told me not to take it out on you.” She shrugged her shoulders, looking far older than sixteen. “You’re just trying to pick up the pieces. Right?”

“Right,” she agreed.

“This is a lot to take in.” She returned to the living room and sank onto the couch between her brothers. “Do you guys wanna go to the park? I’d like to do something fun.”

The boys jumped into action and raced to get their shoes on. “I can show you how fast I can climb the pyramid now. I’m way faster than last week,” Wayne said, tying his laces.

Jill bent and helped TJ. “Do you mind if I meet up with you all later? I’d like to go see someone.”

“The boyfriend?” Rianne asked.

She cleared her throat. “Yes, but I don’t have to go see him if it bothers you.”

“What do you guys think? Should we let Mommy have fun?” Her sons nodded along with Rianne. “Go. I’ve got these monkeys covered.”

She smiled and hugged her children. “You three are the best. I am the luckiest lady alive.”

Once the kids were out the door, she drove to the hotel. She wanted to surprise Luka. When she entered the lobby, she was the one surprised. He sat on the couch surrounded by young women. The two beside him had their hands all over him.

She marched towards him with her hands on her hips. “What’s going on?”

He unfolded his hands and smiled. Some of her unease lifted just from seeing his face. “I did not think I’d see you today.”

She lifted her eyebrows and eyed the girls. “Clearly.”

His laugh bounced around the room as he brushed the hands away and stood. “Are you angry?” Luka stepped around the coffee table. Pictures of him and other players littered the tabletop.

Her foot tapped, and she huffed. “Should I be?”

“Should I be angry?” He threw the question back at her as he took her hands. His thumbs caressed her knuckles.

Their last conversation had been cut short and her actions were suspect. He had every reason to be upset with her. “Angry. No,” she snorted.

“Because I should trust you.” He pulled her closer, lifted her hands and kissed them. His mouth hovered over hers. “Does that work both ways?”

“Yes,” she breathed and pressed her lips to his.

He responded and opened to her advance. His tongue slipped inside her mouth. She moaned as he nibbled her lip. Being with him was exactly what she needed.

“These ladies asked for autographs and cornered me and Theo. He just escaped. Lucky bastard,” he whispered into her ear. “How long do I have you?”

Deep down, she’d known the scene with him and those girls was innocent. For some reason, she kept pushing him. It wasn’t fair of her to test him for Terry’s mistakes. Luka wasn’t him. She thanked her lucky stars for that.

“Forever,” she answered. “Does that work for you?” She tugged him away from the girls and towards the elevators.

He growled and pinched her ass. “Forget what I said about no sex. I don’t want to wait another minute to be with you. I promise to do whatever you want, but I’d like to make love. Over and over.”

A second later, her lips claimed his. This man belonged to her. She had no intention of ever letting him go. Her fingers dove into his hair as she wrapped her legs around his waist. The primal urge inside her couldn’t be restrained. She loved him too much to hold back. He carried her in his strong arms to his room and followed through on his promise.