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I nab a tissue off the back of the toilet and scoop up the spider. I turn toward the bowl, intent on flushing it, but Juniper yells, “No… don’t kill it.”
Rolling my eyes, I offer her the tissue and spider. “Do you want it?”
She cringes, trying to melt backward into the wall while still clutching the shower curtain in front of her. Pointing with her free hand, she says, “Let it go outside.”
“Jesus, Juni. Still a regular fucking Snow White with the critters.”
I act affronted as I leave the bathroom but truthfully, that was the real Juniper Ryan. The woman who wanted to save even the creepiest of little creatures and found joy in the songs of birds. It’s nice to see it.
So there’s a smile on my face as I trot down the staircase to let the spider go per her request.
With that done, I head back to my bedroom. The desire to jack off is gone, but I’m still feeling good about Juniper’s afternoon. I want to see her happy and today was a good day for her. I change into a pair of sweatpants and another T-shirt. In the kitchen, I grab a bottle of water and then settle into my home office to watch game video of the players I’m going to attempt to acquire the day after tomorrow when the free agency period opens. I’ve been over the video already, but I want to watch it again. Later I’ll go over the stats sheets as well as the financial matrix that the accounting department put together. I can plug in and remove players and the cap will automatically adjust.
I’m deep into watching a compilation of hits that Rafferty Abrams put on his opponents last season when there’s a knock on the door. It’s not closed, but it’s Juniper’s way of making sure not to intrude.
I hit pause and smile at her. She’s wearing leggings and a tank top, her hair is partially dried and her face is free of makeup. She looks fucking sexy as hell. “What’s up?”
Juniper walks in, holding her phone. She settles into one of two wingback chairs I have by the window and curls her bare feet under her. “Julia called when I was in the shower. I need to call her back but thought maybe… um…”
Her words trail off and her gaze drops to the phone cradled in her lap.
“Thought what, Juni?” I ask, intentionally using her nickname. It’s informal and I hope it makes her feel closer to me as a friend.
Her head lifts and she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’d like you to be involved in the conversation. I want to make sure I’m doing the right thing and I’m afraid that maybe I’m not able to be objective. When I last talked to Julia, she wanted to know so much information and I’ve got all these emotions swirling around that… that… I’m afraid I’ll say or do something wrong.”
“I’d be glad to,” I assure her, then nod to her phone. “Want to give her a call right now?”
Juniper nods with a smile and dials the attorney. I rise from my desk and move over to the other chair angled by the window. Juniper puts the phone on speaker and sets it on the small table between us.
The lawyer answers with formality. “Julia Bend.”
“Hi… it’s Juniper Ryan.”
“Hey, Juniper.” Julia’s tone softens, exuding a warmth reserved for clients you can tell the woman truly likes. “How are you?”
“Settling in nicely. I’m sorry I missed your call. I’ve got Callum listening in.”
“I finally heard from Joshua today,” Julia says, and I can’t help but notice that Juniper’s fingers, which are laced together, turn white at the knuckles as she tightens her grip.
The asshole has been completely nonresponsive to Julia’s repeated requests to open discussions. Juniper doesn’t need his permission to file for divorce and all she has to show is they’re incompatible and the court will grant it, but there’s a lot of money to divide up.
“And what did he say?” Juniper asks, fingers twining nervously.
I can’t fucking help myself. I reach over and take her hands in mine, stilling the movement and grazing my thumbs over her skin soothingly.
Her eyes come to mine and we stare at each other as Julia fills us in. “He said he’s not going to cooperate. Says he doesn’t owe you anything.”
“And that’s it?” Juniper inquires.
“No, he said a lot more. A lot of assholish things I won’t bore you with. But none of it matters. This is a community property state and you’re entitled to half of what he has.”
“I don’t really want it,” Juniper says, her gaze dropping from me to the phone. “Just enough to take care of my dad.”
“While that’s admirable of you to say,” Julia says dryly, “for what this man put you through, you deserve so much more. And I’m going to get it for you.”
Julia has her fighting gloves on and I know we chose well in an attorney. My question is more direct. “What exactly will you have to do to finalize the divorce and get Juniper what she deserves?”
“I’ll file some papers with the court to start the action but if he fights us every step of the way, it will take months. I’d like Juniper’s permission to play a little hardball with him right now.”
