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“How about PR? I saw a few old interviews with him. He seemed good in front of the camera.”
He kissed the top of my head. “That’s definitely a good plan. Amber could keep a close eye on him. She’d love it. Thanks for the idea.”
“Anytime. Thank you for talking about it with me.” I wanted to give this man everything he needed: my love and support, my strength. I cuddled closer to him, then moved on top, propping my chin on his chest, looking up at him. Graham feathered his fingers up and down the sides of my torso, paying extra attention to my breasts. I squirmed against him. He groaned.
“You have more ideas, huh?” His voice was rougher now.
I licked my lower lip. “Plenty.”
He cupped my ass with both hands, squeezing a little. “Why don’t you show them to me right now?”
“I’m trying to decide which one to pick first.”
***
A few days later, after Milo fell asleep in the evening, Graham brought up Jeff.
“My accountant said that he hasn’t cashed that check.”
“Wow. Why do you think?”
“Talked to one of the club’s lawyers. He said Jeff’s likely waiting for the malpractice suit to be over to cash it; otherwise, he could lose that money too. I want my lawyer to draw up a document for that scumbag to sign that he’ll never bother you and Milo again, and if it’s okay with you, I’d ask him to give up parental rights too. I’d like Milo to see me as his dad one day.”
I swear my heart grew in size. “I’d love that, Graham. I’d love it.”
Jeff didn’t give in easily. His first reaction when we approached him with the document was to ask for more money. Then Graham and I brought out the big guns, setting up a meeting with Jeff and a sharp lawyer.
I made it clear to Jeff that not only would I drag him through courts for the accrued child support, but that we’d accuse him of extortion too. When the lawyer and Will—who’d insisted on attending the meeting and flashed his badge at every turn—explained to him that cashing Graham’s check could constitute proof of extortion, which is punishable by two to four years in prison in California, not only did he agree to sign our papers, he also returned the check and gave up his parental rights.
“See, brother?” I teased as Will, Graham, and I stepped out of the attorney’s office. “The badge does work on someone.”
Will winked. “Works on everyone I’m not related to.”
Graham kissed the side of my head, pulling me into a half hug. “Let’s go pick up our boy from school.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Graham
Two months later, I asked Lori to let me pick Milo up from a play date. My official story was that I was taking him to try out some new soccer equipment because he was outgrowing the one he already owned. We were going to shop for new equipment, but that wasn't all I had planned for today.
While I waited for Milo, I scrolled through my e-mails. There was one from the lawyer who’d handled our issues with Jeff. I’d asked him to keep us informed on the outcome of the malpractice suit. The final decision had been reached last week. Jeff lost every penny he had to his name, and the right to practice. He had it coming.
As for my father, I was trying out the new arrangement Lori and I came up with.
I'd told him that the monthly payments would stop. From now on, he'd pay his debts and earn a living as an employee of the LA Lords. He'd seemed pleasantly surprised that I'd allow him to be involved with the club again. My hope was that the job would make him grow up, especially because he’d be working under Amber's strict supervision in PR and didn't have any direct access to the club's funds. Our interactions were as awkward as ever, but Lori insisted that would change with time. Maybe it would work out. I wasn't holding my breath, but it felt right to make that change.
"Are we really going to the store?" Milo asked the second he climbed into the car.
"Yes, we are, buddy."
"Can we go to the toy store too?"
Since I was liable to be talked into buying the entire store if I said yes, I shook my head. "We promised your mom we'll all go together next time, remember?"
He jutted out his lower lip, but didn't press the issue. I loved the little rug rat. I couldn't wait for him to have brothers and sisters, but all in due time.
We arrived at the club's store about thirty minutes later. It was almost closing time, but I'd already arranged for Christie, the vendor on shift, to keep the store open longer for us. Milo was ecstatic as he tried on jerseys and shoes. He didn't need a new ball, but I bought him one anyway, because he'd been eying it since we stepped inside the store.
