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“Piggybacking on item number three. Your jersey chaser, the one you invited to the dinner that your daughter wanted to have with just the three of us, hit on your son and me.” I drop that little nugget of information into his lap. His eyes grow wide, and for once, he’s not disputing my claim. That’s because heknows that bitch just as well as we do, and nothing is out of her jurisdiction if it gets her what she wants. I go on to give him the gory details of the night we ran into Lucinda in the hotel lobby.
“Bitch,” he mutters under his breath.
“She is. I’d love to tell you that you should never have touched her because you were married and all that, but I can’t find it in me to do so. You never having gotten your dick wet with Lucinda would have led to a world without Joey, and that’s just not something I can even fathom at this point in my life.”
He tilts his head to the side, studying me, but I don’t let it get to me. This man is nothing to me. He’s hurt her too many times, and I won’t stand for it. I know Joey was going to see her mom and that she’s done with her. She wanted to be with me today, but regardless of how this little information session goes, I want her to make her own decision about keeping her father in her life. I’ll deal with him. For her. If that’s what she wants. I don’t want her losing the only parent who obviously cared about her, even if it was in his own fucked-up way.
“And finally, item number four.” I smirk, holding up four fingers. “I love your daughter, Richard. It’s not just a passing fling. I feel as though I can’t breathe when she’s not near me. There is not a single second of the day that I’m not thinking of her. I’ll take our nights curled up in front of the TV at home over a night out with the guys any day. Right here.” I tap my fist over my chest. “She lives right here, and it’s her permanent residence.”
He surprises me when he doesn’t comment, instead letting the silence hang between us. That’s okay because I’ve got more to say, and then I’m out. He can take the information and do whatever the fuck he wants to do with it. I’ll be there for Joey, no matter what the end result may be.
“She’s my future. You can toss out rumors of a trade, you can pull strings to make that trade happen, but it’s not going to tearus apart. No, you see, when you love someone, and I mean really love them from the depths of your soul, you do what you have to do to be with them. Joey can come with me, which she’s offered to do.” I watch as shock registers on his face. “And I’m not above giving it all up for her.”
“Bullshit.”
I shrug. “I don’t need you to believe me. I know in my heart there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. If it means retiring once my contract is up this year, I’ll do it. She’s my entire world. I know you don’t understand that… hopping from woman to woman, and you’re what… on wife number four? It must suck to be you. I can promise you with every breath inside my body that the day that Joey and I say our wedding vows, they’re for life.”
“You’re getting married?” he croaks. Finally showing an ounce of emotion other than anger at my ambush.
“We’re not engaged, but it’s coming. Soon. I can’t imagine a day of my life without her in it. So, we’re at a turning point here. You have the chance to decide what kind of father you want to be going forward. Either way, she’s going to have two men.” I point to my chest. “And her brother to give her all the love and support she could ever need. Besides, that’s how it’s always been, right? Caleb has been the one to show her unconditional love until me. Now there are two of us.” Making a fist, I rap my knuckles against his desk. “I hope you do the right thing.” With that, I turn and walk out of his office. I feel lighter, having had the opportunity to say my piece. There is just one thing nagging at me, and I’m going to fix that now too. I’m marking both of these things off my list, and then it’s forever with my Sunshine.
I made the drive to Springfield in two hours. Joey called me five times on the drive, but I ignored her calls. It was hard to let each of those calls go to voice mail, but this is something I have to do. As soon as I’m done, I’ll call her, but I’m afraid if she finds out what I’m doing, she’ll talk me out of it.
The call I did answer was my mother’s. I made sure to tell her that Joey was the love of my life, and that she would—if I had my way—have those coveted grandbabies soon. At least I hope she will. She laughed, and if I’m not mistaken, shed a few tears, but told me that I needed to run that promise past my future wife before making it.
My future wife.
That sounds damn good. I have to force the smile off my face as I pull open the door tohisoffice.
“Good afternoon, may I help you?” the receptionist greets me.
“I’m here to see Skylar Davis.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No. I’m Brock Williams from the Kansas City Ramblers. I was hoping to have a few minutes of his time.” I offer her my most charming smile.
“Of course, Mr. Williams. Let me just check to see if his last meeting has ended. Please have a seat.” She points to the chairs in the lobby.
I nod, but I have no intention of sitting. I know everyone has seen the headlines. This woman appears to be in her early sixties, so maybe she doesn’t follow social media or the sports scene and gossip sites, but I know damn good and well, when Skylar hears my name, he’s going to know why I’m here.
I’m here for Joey.
When she turns to head down the hall, I follow along behind her. I get curious glances, but she doesn’t seem to notice. When she stops at his door and announces my arrival, I hear him tellher no. He’s too busy.Fuck that.I step up behind her. “I’ll take it from here, Cindy,” I say, repeating the name he just called her.
“Get out of here,” Skylar demands.
I ignore him and stalk toward his desk. “I’m going to cut to the chase. I know you know who I am.” My voice is low and lethal. “And that tells me that you also know why I’m here.” He stares at me, trying to keep a neutral expression, but I can see the fear written all over his face. He’s five-ten, maybe five-eleven, and what, a buck fifty? I have several inches and at least a hundred pounds on the guy. Thankfully for him, he’s smart enough to see my rage and keep his mouth shut and listen.
“I know what you did, Skylar. I know that you put your hands on the woman I love. I know that you threatened her, and you can imagine I don’t take that kind of thing lightly.”
He shakes his head, as his hands tremble at his sides. He’s scared. Good. This is nothing compared to what I’ll do if I find out he even breathes her name or touches another woman inappropriately.
“Do you know who I am?” I ask him.
He nods.
“So you know that I have money. Lots of money and lots of connections.”
