Текст книги "Until You"

Автор книги: Jeannie Moon

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Текущая страница: 20 (всего у книги 22 страниц)

Chapter 27

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Marie brought crudités to the table in the dining room and examined the feast they’d prepared for their New Year’s Day guests. She loved to entertain, especially when it made Richard happy. He was arranging the wine cabinet and fussing over small details to make everything perfect. Marie couldn’t wait to marry him. She wanted to be his wife and the mother of his child. Things had been rough for the past two weeks, and they’d decided to take a two-month break from trying to conceive. They needed to re-center themselves, refocus on their own relationship after all that trouble with Kate.

As she thought about children, her mind drifted to Laura. It was almost noon and she still wasn’t home. Marie tried to call, but her cell phone was off. Jack must have shown her a wonderful time; so wonderful that Laura didn’t want to leave him.

Just seconds after she reentered the kitchen, Richard followed and kissed her cheek. “Everything looks brilliant. Thank you. Hopefully this will smooth the way for that professorship.”

“You’re welcome. It will be everything you deserve, I’m sure.”

He nodded. “Have you heard from Laura?”

“No, I’m sure she’s sleeping in.”

“I’m getting worried.”

“Richard, she’ll be fine. Don’t be so overprotective.”

“I’m not overprotective. I’m her father, let’s not forget that. I’m allowed to be worried.”

“She’s a young woman. You have to let her grow up.”

“She’s only seventeen.”

Just then they both heard the backdoor open and Laura stepped through. Marie smiled. She looked wonderful. Tired, but Laura was fresh with new love and knowledge.

“Hi,” she said quietly.

“Laura,” Marie said, going to her. “Did you have a wonderful time, my love? Was it all you hoped?”

“It was interesting.” Laura stepped away from the back door as Kate entered the house. “Mom can fill you in. I have to go upstairs and get a few of my things.”

Marie went cold when Kate stepped into her kitchen. This woman was everything she wanted to be and everything she hated at the same time. And now she was fouling their home with her presence.

“Why are you here?” Richard asked, but it was his physical response that made Marie take notice. His eyes surveyed his ex-wife’s body, and then he looked behind her. Once he saw her boyfriend wasn’t with her, he relaxed. What he didn’t seem to notice was that Kate was ready to tear him to shreds.

*

When Richard took an aggressive step toward her, Kate questioned the wisdom of coming here alone. David had offered to come, but Kate knew this was her battle to fight, and she had to do it on her own. Taking a deep breath, Kate realized that for the first time in twenty years, she wasn’t intimidated.

“Do you know where Laura was last night?” Kate asked.

“She was out, but why is that your concern?” Richard dismissed her with a wave of his hand.

“Really?” Kate began. He couldn’t possibly think this was going to work. That after all that had happened she’d shy away from him. “Are we going to do this again? I’m her mother, and it is my concern.”

Marie sniffed. “It’s not like she ever bonded with you, Kate. I mean, I’ve shared more milestones with her than you have.”

Kate really didn’t care what Marie thought, but she felt the need to clarify. “You may think you’re her mother, but I am. I gave birth to her. I would give my life for her. She’s my child, and while you two simply play at being parents, I am one.”

“You’re wasting time, Kate. We’ll get her back emotionally and we’ll gain full custody.” Richard said. “I have pictures of you and your fuck buddy.”

From the look on her face, it was obvious his crudeness surprised Marie, but not Kate. Kate knew exactly what was happening. Her ex-husband was becoming the vile pig she knew he was. He was reducing her relationship with David to crude basics, when plain as day, the sex calendar was on the refrigerator for all to see.

“Richard, honestly, you have a PhD,” Kate said. “Can’t you find a better way to express yourself?”

“You bitch,” he murmured. “You come into my house and tell me how to act?” He was clenching his fists and getting angrier by the second. “What kind of shit have you been telling her?”

He really was clueless. “You truly don’t have any idea where she was last night, do you?”

“She was with her friends,” Richard said. “This is pointless. We’re expecting guests…”

Kate didn’t give him a chance to finish. “She was with a man, Richard.”

“What? No she wasn’t, she was with…”

“A man. A twenty-one-year-old hockey player named Jack Nelson.” She looked at Marie. “He’s not a student. He plays for the Flyers.”

Richard ran a hand through his hair and Marie folded her arms. “And how do you know all this, Kate?” she asked. “Did you introduce them?”

“No I didn’t. She was at a New Year’s party being thrown by a member of the team. Imagine my surprise when I ran into her there.”

He gripped the edge of the counter so tightly his fingers turned white, and if Kate wasn’t mistaken, based on the color of his face, he’d popped a blood vessel or two. This should get him nicely pissed off.

“Laura started dating him in November. She met him when she cut school one day.” Kate decided to drive one of the nails into Marie’s coffin. “She was planning on spending the night with him, but of course you didn’t know that, did you, Richard?”

“No, I didn’t. I can’t believe she’d lie to us like this.”

“She lied to you.” Kate said. “And me, by omission. Marie knew what she was doing, and that she planned to sleep with him.”

Richard focused on Marie, his eyes piercing a hole right through her. “You knew all this?”

Marie was cornered, and not the least bit intimidated by Richard. Which was good from one standpoint; Kate wished she’d stood up for herself more. Unfortunately Marie was messing with her daughter’s life, and that was not okay. “She confided in me. It was something you wouldn’t understand.” Marie stuck her nose in the air and Richard almost exploded. Kate was wondering how Marie would react when that happened. It wouldn’t be long. Richard was thinking, processing what he heard. His eyes were starting to bulge. Any second now…

“I’m her father, you stupid bitch! I don’t care what the fuck you thought.”

“How dare you speak to me that way?” Marie snapped at him. “Control yourself.”

Richard’s temper was ready to flare, but something made him hesitate. Maybe it was because Marie wasn’t a vulnerable eighteen-year-old coed. Maybe it was because there were witnesses in the house. But Kate couldn’t worry about Marie or Richard, she had to keep her focus.

“You both realize this isn’t about either of you,” she said. “It’s about Laura.”

“Laura’s always been fine until you tried to get involved. You’re a pathetic excuse for a mother,” Marie hissed from the doorway.

“I’m a pathetic excuse for a mother? You didn’t know what was going on with her or who she’d been seeing. You allowed her to go out with someone you don’t know because why? He was cute? And then what was the garbage you were feeding her about sex, Marie? That she should just go for it? My poor daughter is so confused, she doesn’t know what to think.”

“She doesn’t need you and your archaic views of sex to pollute her thinking. Laura needed someone to trust, and to guide her. I made sure she understood her responsibilities and gave her the comfort she never would have gotten from you.”

“What responsibilities?” Kate heard Richard ask.

“I told her about birth control, about protecting herself.”

When Kate looked up, Richard looked murderous. “You call that guidance? No one is supposed to touch my baby girl.”

“Richard, really,” Marie sniffed. “I can’t believe you’re so naïve.”

“If that fucking Neanderthal touched my daughter…”

“Then good for him,” Marie shrieked. “I hope he made love to her until she cried.”

That was it. He snapped. Richard lunged toward Marie, but stopped just short of grabbing her when Marie’s hand shot out in a halting motion.

“Do not even think about getting violent with me. I’ll castrate you.”

Still spitting mad, Richard reined himself in, stepping back, but the words were still guttural, angry. “You’d better start thinking about how you’re going to explain yourself to me.”

“Screw you and your ultimatums, Richard. You’d better be prepared to explain yourself to me once that bitch is out of our house.”

Marie shot a wordless dagger in Kate’s direction and stormed out of the room. The woman was one of the most toxic individuals Kate had ever met, but she had had to give Marie credit. She didn’t take Richard’s shit.

Richard slammed his fist into a wall and spun on Kate. “I’ll deal with Laura. You can go.”

His words were typical, but his body language showed tension, weakness, and there was no way Kate was backing down or leaving without her daughter. The son of a bitch was done screwing with her.

“Don’t you dare dismiss me,” Kate said. “Especially considering what’s happened with Laura.”

“Marie’s poor judgment doesn’t change the fact that you are an incompetent mother. Laura will be with me full time, very soon; I’ll deal with it.”

“I’m incompetent? That’s funny. Let’s review. First, we have a joint agreement. While in your care, Laura’s been going out at all hours, several of her teachers have talked to me about her grades falling off, and your daughter, who is still a minor, has been dating a man four years older than her while your fiancée slips condoms into her purse. It’s possible the judge might view that as a tad irresponsible as she’s reviewing your petition for custody.”

“Don’t threaten me, Kate. You have no idea what you’re doing.”

She wasn’t scared. For the first time since he’d hit her, she wasn’t afraid. That was when Kate could see Richard had nothing. He’d lost his power.

“I know exactly what I’m doing. You aren’t getting custody. You aren’t turning her against me, and you are not getting another dime. Listen carefully: don’t ever underestimate me again.”

She left him in the kitchen and walked through the house. It was sparsely decorated and unremarkable. The dining room table was elaborately set, and Kate remembered the party she’d thrown at her house exactly one year earlier. Richard’s colleagues and several of the deans attended, as did Marie. Kate didn’t know the woman she entertained in her home was sleeping with her husband. Poor Marie. Kate thought. Richard was her problem now.

Climbing the stairs, she knocked on the only closed door in the upstairs hall. “Laura, it’s Mom.”

“Come in.”

Kate entered a room that a month ago would have been forbidden. It was decorated very much like her room at Kate’s house, with vibrant apple green walls and bold prints on the bed and windows. However, this room lacked certain touches—there were no posters of bands or sports stars. No whiteboard with notes scribbled by her friends. This room, while attractive, was sterile, like the relationships in the house.

“Do you have what you need?”

“I don’t know.”

“Talk to me.” Kate sat on the bed and patted Laura’s knee.

“Why do you even want me, Mom? I’ve hurt you, I’ve hurt Jack. I’ve lied to pretty much everyone. I’m so messed up.” Laura looked spent, and Kate knew Jack was just part of it.

Two weeks ago Kate had miscarried, Laura learned about her relationship with David, and she found out everything her father had told her amounted to a pack of lies. Messed up was certainly understandable. Her poor girl has a lot of healing to do.

“Oh, honey…” Kate reached out and pulled her close, dropping a kiss on her baby’s forehead. “Yeah, you screwed up and I hope you learned from it, but I’m your mother and I love you. We’ll get through this together.”

Laura shrugged lightly, but was quiet while she gathered her thoughts. “You know, you mentioned seeing that counselor. I’m thinking it might be a good idea.”

“I’ll make a call.”

“Did he tell me the truth about anything?” Her voice cracked, but she didn’t cry.

“Dad?” Laura nodded, and it took Kate a moment to give her an answer, especially considering Richard’s history. “He loves you. That’s the truth.”

Laura squeezed Kate’s hand and they sat quietly until Laura said what she was feeling. “I miss Jack. And Daddy’s gonna hurt him.”

“Dad doesn’t have the guts to hurt him, don’t worry.”

There was a noise and both Kate and Laura looked up. Richard was standing in the doorway. He had both hands in his pocket and she and her ex-husband locked eyes. He wasn’t angry anymore, but confused, maybe even a little humbled. In the twenty-two years she’d known him, that was something new.

Looking back at Laura, she saw her poor girl worried about her dad, and mourning her lost love. This was major. “Are you ready?”

Laura nodded and rose to face Richard. Kate watched as her daughter, for the second time in two days, let go of someone she loved. Her relationship with her father was so complicated. If it was going to survive, Laura had to set the boundaries. Kate could see she made her decision. “I’m going to Mom’s for now. In a few days we’ll talk.”

He nodded. “I do love you, sweetheart.”

“I know, but you did some really awful things.”

“What can I do to make it right? I’ll do anything to make you happy.”

Laura picked up her tote and walked past him on the way out of her room. “You’ll let me get to know my mother. I need her, so give us some space.”

Kate had been staring at the floor, but realized she was now in an interesting position. She had the power in the relationship, and the man in the doorway was at a loss. It was really nice when the stars aligned. When Laura was out of earshot, Richard turned to Kate.

“What did you tell her?” he asked.

“Everything. I threw you under the bus.” Kate rose and faced him. “She knows what you did to me, and everything you did to her by driving a wedge between us.”

He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose. Knowing what that meant, he shook his head and looked at Kate. “What happened with the guy?”

“It was a bad night and it’s over, but it never should have happened.”

“I should kill him.”

“Nothing happened. And quite frankly, considering our age difference when we met, you don’t have a leg to stand on.”

“That was different.”

Kate nodded. “You’ve got a point. The difference is that Jack is basically a good guy. You knew I was sheltered and naïve, and you took advantage of that.”

He started to say something and then stopped. It took Kate a few seconds to realize he was staring at her, rather intently. “What is it?” she asked.

“You’ve changed.”

“Well, I don’t have you to knock me down anymore.”

“I don’t know what to say to that?”

Kate wasn’t sure what to say either. This was the most civil he’d been to her since they walked down the aisle. Now he wanted to play nice? Pay her compliments? No, Kate wasn’t buying it.

“It amazes me that you can’t see what you lost.” He didn’t look at her, but that didn’t stop Kate from saying her piece. “I loved you, Richard. I loved you with all my heart. You reciprocated by abusing me, cheating on me, and trying to steal my child. There is nothing to say. However, you should be prepared. My lawyers will want another conference about custody.” He was squirming. Kate discovered she liked making him squirm. “Enjoy your party.”

Chapter 28

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Laura crept up the stairs to her mother’s office. So much had happened over the last few days, she couldn’t sleep. She’d lost Jack, had lost all respect for her father, and had lost respect for herself. Glancing through the door, she saw her mom, sitting cross legged in her chair, her earbuds in, and her head bopping around to the tune playing on her iPod.

Her fingers were flying over the keyboard and she knew Mom was immersed in her work. Laura found her focus incredible, and figured the words took over her mom’s brain the same way the music overtook hers. Not wanting to interrupt, she walked downstairs to the den.

Just as she thought, David was crashed on the couch, ice on his shoulder and his feet up on the ottoman. He looked so totally at ease in the house, it was like he’d always been there. She was certain he probably hated her now because of what had happened with Jack. But she couldn’t avoid him. He was part of Mom’s life, part of their lives, and she needed to set things straight with him.

And she needed his help.

Walking forward, he looked up from his book and smiled at her. It was tentative, though. Not quite as warm as even a few days ago.

“Hey,” she said. “Good book?”

“Eh,” he said. “It’s a little slow out of the gate.” He put the book next to him. “What’s up?”

Laura sat down and breathed out. “I was hoping you could help me with something.”

His eyebrow went up slightly. “Sure, I guess.”

“I wrote this paper for European History and I didn’t do too well.”

David sat up and moved the ice off his arm. Reaching out, he took the paper she offered. The red C- stood out, and he took a minute to scan the first page.

“I can rewrite it,” she said. “But, um… would you be willing to read it and give me some suggestions?”

His eyes met hers and he smiled just a little bit. Then he nodded.

“I’d be happy to. Did you talk to your teacher?”

“I did. He said getting another opinion wasn’t a bad idea. Mom said you majored in history.”

“I did. The French Revolution is pretty complex,” he said as he flipped through the paper. “But I can help you. It’s one of my favorite subjects.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Are you kidding? I’d love to help.” He looked at the first page again. “When is the rewrite due?”

“Like ten days.”

“Can I keep this? I’ll read it and we can talk about it the day after tomorrow. Is that enough time for you?”

“That’s fine.” She knew he had a game tomorrow and she wouldn’t see him. “Thanks, David. I really appreciate it.” And she did. By helping her, she knew he didn’t hate her for what happened with Jack.

“No problem, kiddo.” He leaned forward, placing the paper on the ottoman. “Something else on your mind?”

Laura had a lot on her mind, but more than likely David knew she was curious about one thing. “Is he okay?”

David blew out a breath. “It’s hard to say. He’s not talking much, but he’s not himself.”

“Oh.” Laura ran her hand under her nose as she sniffled. “I miss him.”

She felt the tears well up and spill onto her cheeks. She didn’t even try to stop them. Everything inside her hurt and it didn’t matter why it all happened. All Laura knew was that she would never, ever get over him. She was surprised when David reached around her shoulder and pulled her close. Laura gave into the sadness and rested her head on David’s chest. Her tears came a little harder. Her breathing was a little shorter.

“You must think I’m a terrible person.”

“No.” David reached behind him and came back with a box of tissues from the end table. Laura grabbed a handful, mopped her face, and blew her nose while she listened to him. “I think you made a mistake. That happens to everyone. God knows, I’ve made some big ones.”

“But I knew what I was doing. I did it anyway.”

“You screwed up, but no one’s going to die from this.”

Laura nodded and let out a shaky breath. David handed her another tissue. There were points over the last few days that she felt like dying, but she knew he was right. Nothing was fatal. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

“Are the guys on the team torturing him?”

David’s face tightened. She knew how the guys on the team treated each other. Jack had told her all about the verbal shots, and she could only imagine what they were saying about his high school girlfriend who collapsed at a party.

“He hasn’t had an easy time of it,” David said. “But I got them to back off a little.”

Laura wiped at her eyes again, fully appreciative of what David had done. “That’s good.”

He dropped his head and examined his hands as he rubbed them together. He was thinking, and Laura had a feeling it was her turn to make him feel better. “My mom is really happy.”

He turned his face toward hers. “That’s good. My goal is to keep her happy. And you, too.” He paused. “You’re okay with us being together?”

“At first it was strange, but I don’t mind. After what she went through with my father, she deserves to be happy.”

“She told you?”

“Everything.” Laura bit her lip. “He’s seriously pissed off right now. I’m worried about that.”

“I figured. That’s why I’ve been here so much.”

“I mean, I know a lot has changed, but Mom’s dealt with enough shit.”

“That’s the truth.” He looked her right in the eyes and his meaning was clear. “At least now she doesn’t have to deal with him alone.”

“Nope,” Laura said. “She has us.”

*

Jack was on the couch in his apartment playing hockey on X-Box and thinking about Laura. He should be out celebrating their win, but he didn’t feel like subjecting himself to the women who would be at the bar, and he was sick of the shit he was getting from the guys. Padre tried to get them to back off, so did Ty, but he was taking abuse at every turn. He fucking hated it and he hated how he couldn’t get Laura out of his head.

He’d left her house that morning before she woke up. He couldn’t go through another scene like the one they’d had in the kitchen. Holding her, listening to her cry, was hell. But he couldn’t let her go. They fell asleep together on the couch in her den. Well, she fell asleep. He stayed awake and held her, remembering how she felt nestled against him, how she smelled, how she sounded when she slept. He lay with her for a couple of hours, intent on imprinting everything about her into his brain. When Jack said this was killing him, he wasn’t lying. He loved Laura, he wanted her, and he couldn’t have her.

He had a clear memory of hearing the footsteps on the stairs and within seconds, Kate was glaring at him. She turned, walked out, and before he knew it, Padre was driving him home. The rest was a blur. He played the game that night on autopilot, came home, and slept through most of the next day. The last few days had been like that. No effort, he just did what he had to do.

He heard noise screaming from the TV and realized he’d been playing the video game the same way. He didn’t care. Suddenly, he heard a pounding at the door and Ty’s voice came from the other side.

“Open the door, Nelly. I can’t find my key.”

Jack walked to the entry way and threw the bolt, but barely stepped back far enough for Ty, who shoved the door and entered cursing. He stormed through the apartment, throwing his coat and knocking a pile of mail off the table. “I’ve been fucking traded.”

Jack wasn’t expecting that. “Traded? Where?”

“Long Island. I have to be there tomorrow. Which means I have to pack my shit tonight.”

“When did you find out?” Jesus, first Laura, now his best friend. This week was turning out to be a major kick in the ass.

“I’m standing at the bar at The Brick, having a drink with a goddess, and my cell rings. It’s my agent with the good news.”

“Holy shit.” Jack couldn’t help but worry that he might be next. “When did they finish the deal?”

“I dunno, while I was having my best point game of the season? I’ve fucking killed myself this season.”

“At least you’re staying in the division.”

“Oh, yeah,” Ty said. “That’s flattering. They don’t even care if I’m facing you guys on the ice.”

He dropped onto the couch next to Jack and leaned back into the cushions. “I did three years in the AHL after college. I think I’ve finally made it, and they traded me for fucking draft picks!”

“This sucks, man.” Jack grabbed the beer on the table next to him and took a drink.

“Tell me about it.” Ty grew quiet because there really wasn’t anything left to say, then looked over at him. “You doin’ okay?”

It was the first time his friend had asked him anything about what had happened with Laura. He hadn’t given him a hard time, but he hadn’t asked him anything either.

Jack shrugged. “It sucks. I’m still trying to get my head around it.”

“I can’t believe she’s seventeen.”

“I know.”

There were a lot of things hanging in the air. This wasn’t something he was going to talk about, but it was good to know someone gave a shit.

“I gotta pack.” Tyler stood up. “If I don’t see you before I leave…” Ty shook Jack’s hand and then pulled him into a quick hug. “Take it easy, man.”

“You too,” Jack said.

His friend walked a few steps and turned around. “Oh, and Nelly? Keep your head up.”

Jack nodded and grinned. That was all the warning he was going to get from his friend. When they met up on the ice, if he wasn’t careful, Tyler would check him into unconsciousness.

Ty closed himself in his bedroom to pack and make phone calls to his family. Jack grabbed the remote and started flipping channels on the TV. He stopped and reached into his pocket. He stared at his phone and without really thinking about it, pressed the speed dial. Laura picked up on the third ring.

“Hello?” Her voice was scratchy, like she’d been sleeping.

“Did I wake you?”

“Jack?”

“Yeah. Is it okay to call?”

“Umm, I guess. What do you want?”

“I, ah… I needed… Ty was traded.”

“Oh, no. Where?”

“To Long Island.”

“Isn’t his whole family in Connecticut? That’s good, right?”

“His mom drives him nuts.”

“Okay, so maybe it’s not good.” Jack didn’t laugh, even though she was trying to be cute. She grew quiet and then asked, “Are you alright?”

“I just wanted to talk to you.”

“Oh, Jack.” Hearing the sadness in her voice, knowing he shouldn’t have called, made him feel a little sick.

“I wish it could be different.”

“Me too. Are you worried you’ll be traded?”

“It’s always something I think about, but I should be fine.”

“That’s good.”

He could hear the strain in her voice, and Jack knew this had been a mistake. “I should go. I’m sorry I woke you.”

“Okay,” she said.

He heard her take a deep breath and then it hitched a little. She was crying. He was such an ass.

He was about to say good-bye when he heard another deep breath on her end. “Jack?”

“Yeah?”

“Please don’t call me again.”

Damn, she was tough. “Okay,” he whispered.

“It’s too hard.”

“I know. I needed to talk to someone…”

“You have to find someone else to call. I know it’s all my fault, but I can’t do this.” She sniffled. “It hurts.”

He paused, not knowing what else to say. Should he tell her he loved her? That he missed her? “Laura?” He didn’t say either, because she was gone.

There was no good-bye, no hysteria, the call just ended. Jack stared at his phone, and for a minute he found himself wishing he could trade places with Ty.