Accused (Troubled Boys, Strong Men Book 1)

by Wendy Byrne

  When Sam’s truck pulled into the driveway, a guilt-filled dose of happy slid into her body. She shouldn’t be so glad to see him; he was helping her with Travis, that’s all. Geez, she was thirty-seven years old. Why did her heart do that juvenile pitter patter thing every time she saw him?

  “I was hoping to catch you home. I figured you could use some company and a meal, so, stopped for pizza and beer.”

  “Sounds wonderful. I have nothing in the house except canned tuna and coffee and am too lazy to go to the store. Come on in.” She held open the door for him.

  He followed her to the kitchen and set the pizza on the counter. “Are you sure I’m not imposing?”

  “Are you kidding? I drive myself crazy with worry every damn night. You’re a welcome distraction. She pulled open a drawer and handed him a bottle opener for the beers and grabbed some plates and napkins from the cabinet. “It’s a beautiful night. Do you want to sit on the back deck?”

  “Perfect. Travis told me about the telescope you bought him.” He pulled open the slider for her to precede him.

  “Let me light the fire pit and turn on some music.” She arranged the logs and ignited one of the kindling sticks. Within seconds, the shimmering fire brought waves of warmth as the sun began to set. “If we had neighbors close by they probably would have called the cops on Travis and me since we usually blast the stereo.” She shook her head and smiled. “He likes rock. I like some of the old stuff my parents used to listen to. We alternate selections and I make him dance with me out here. He says he hates it, but I think he kinda likes it.”

  “Ah, that’s where he gets it. Rumor has it the ladies are quite impressed with his dancing. At least that’s the banter in the locker room.”

  “I told him it would pay off. Ladies love a man with smooth moves I always tell him.” Bittersweet memories rolled through, causing pinpricks of pain along the way. She could only hope they weren’t the last memories she would have of the two of them together on this deck.

  “Now if I could just understand his fascination with climbing. I’ve found him shimmying up the goalpost, climbing the framing under the bleachers while the other kids cheer him on.” Sam relaxed back in the seat, stretching his arms behind his neck.

  “I don’t know where he gets it from.” She sipped on her beer. “Heights have always scared the crap out of me. But I loved this house from the moment we walked inside and knew I had to buy it despite the fact it’s perched on a mountain.” She shrugged, “it sounds weird but it felt more like home to me than the house I lived in the last seventeen years in Orange County. Maybe because I grew up in Connecticut, I felt a symbiotic relationship with the surroundings.” She laughed. “Okay, now I am being weird. But I did feel it, even though I can’t explain it.”

  “I get what you’re saying.”

  “Well, it’s good to know you don’t think I’m crazy, or at least have the good grace not to say that to my face.”

  He laughed. “Ask any of the kids on the team, and they’ll tell you I don’t sugarcoat anything. If they blow a play or miss a signal, they’re sure to hear about it. And if I think you’re being a little squirrelly I’ll tell you.”

  “I guess that’s a good thing.” She smiled as a kind of mellowness she hadn’t felt in what seemed like forever wove through her. “I really did love this house, and have learned to love the deck as well. As long as I don’t look straight down, I’m good.” She took a bite of pizza and finished it before she spoke again. “Travis, on the other hand, climbs over the railing and goes into that big tree there. The first time he did it, he about gave me a heart attack.”

  “That’s what boys are famous for—trying to give their mothers heart attacks.” He chuckled and snagged a piece of pizza for his plate before taking a sip of beer. “Despite your fear of heights, I can see why you bought it. It’s so quiet and peaceful.”

  A sense of comfort she hadn’t felt in decades seeped through her. “Here I throw on a pair of Levis, an old sweatshirt and I’m good to go.” She bit off a laugh. “Of course I did the same thing in OC but everyone gave me the evil eye.”

  “It’s amazing any kid comes out of that environment halfway normal.”

  “That competition for the best, the newest, the most expensive, gets old pretty fast. Unfortunately my ex was all about having the most toys in the toy box.”

  “Travis told me he’s a producer.”

  “He’s been around Hollywood for a while and has had some pretty big name stars in his movies. Of course, like everyone else, he’s also had his share of clunkers.” She shook her head and tried to think about the Archie she’d met so many years ago in New York. He’d seemed so different from the way he was right now. “I’ll be thirty-eight on my next birthday. He’ll be fifty this year, so there are quite a few years between us.” She bit off a laugh. “Of course, not as much as between him and his latest girl-of-the-month.”

  He chuckled, “I hate when men do that.”

  “I kind of got used to it, I guess.” She held up her hand. “I’m not being a martyr, I’m just saying Archie has had…well…let’s say a lot of women in his life. He’d be gone for months at a time. In the beginning when Travis was little, we’d all go. But as Travis got older, it got more and more complicated, and eventually I didn’t want to go through the hassle.”

  “Do you think you grew apart?”

  “Yes and no. Our marriage was probably never as solid as it needed to be. I think Archie liked it when I needed him. When my art started to sell, and I got some press for it, he began to pull away. He’d put on a good show for the cameras, but I never felt that sense of pride from him when it came to my work. By the end when I had a gallery showing, half the time he’d make excuses and end up out of town. Then Travis got in trouble and that was the proverbial nail in the coffin. It’s been pretty contentious between us since then.”

  “Before we start football, I have the guys write a paper about things going on in their lives that might interfere with academics or football. If they have roadblocks, I try to work with them on problem solving.” He shrugged. “I guess what I’m saying is much of what you’ve said Travis already told me, which is why when I heard about what happened I knew I had to come to court.”

  She took a swig of beer. “I shouldn’t be surprised since before everything happened I figured you must be superhuman the way Travis talked about you.”

  “Now that you mention it, I do have one of those red capes in my truck.”

  She laughed and tried to suppress the guilt. Was it wrong for this to feel so normal?

  ***

  “I didn’t realize Travis was such a pack rat. All these comic books and car magazines.” Sam pulled another box down from the shelf in Travis’ closet.

  “They were used to cover up his stash of Playboy magazines.” She chuckled. “I guess it’s normal.”

  “Very normal for sixteen.” Sam wasn’t sure what they should be looking for, but at this point understood her willingness to look at anything and everything.

  He held up the magazines one by one to see if any notes fell out. By the time he hit the second box, he was more than ready to give up on the strategy.

  “Okay, you’re spending way too much time on the magazine section,” she teased as she went through the bookshelves.

  Just as he turned to respond, a slip of paper fluttered to the floor. After barely glancing at the title, he stuffed it in his pocket before she had a chance to notice. At least he hoped she hadn’t noticed.

  Shit.

  Did that paper say what he thought it did?

  “What makes you think Travis hid something in his room?” Sam tried not to think about what the piece of paper titled “Kill List” meant.

  She shrugged. “He’s always loved reading and I thought it might be the only place the police didn’t look when they searched his room.”

  “You’re thinking there might be a name or phone number or something?” Oh man, he felt like an asshole. Then ag
ain, maybe what he’d spotted wasn’t as damning as it had looked at first glance.

  “It was a long shot.” She shrugged.

  “Why don’t we take a break and go watch a movie?”

  “Sounds like a plan.” She unfolded herself from her cross-legged position on the floor and led the way into the living room.

  Instead of dwelling on the fact he could potentially be keeping a damning secret from her, he focused on how beautiful and sexy she was. The fact that she was oblivious to it amazed him. The only time he’d ever seen her wearing even a hint of makeup was that first time in court. She never fussed with her hair, preferring to pull it back into a ponytail or braid most days. The jeans she wore were plain old Levis and had the worn look people paid a fortune for. But he knew hers got that way from wear. He could see why she’d never fit into life in OC.

  More importantly, was this attraction interfering with his good sense? And when the hell was he going to tell her what he’d found?

  ***

  This whole thing was kind of a rush. There wasn’t any way in the world he could ever get caught. Making money hand over fist wasn’t too shabby either.

  Murder for hire, without even taking the risk. It was the perfect crime. His fingerprints were never on the scene. He was never even close to what happened, ensuring he had an ironclad alibi.

  He’d learned so much over the years. Experience had paid off in a big way. He’d learn how to manipulate people to do his bidding without much trouble at all.

  Piece of cake.

  Poor Travis.

  He laughed so hard, his sides hurt. The fact that his mother and her little group of wannabe detectives were running around in circles only added to his amusement.

  After everything was said and done, they were all pawns in his game.

  He didn’t have the reputation for being invincible for nothing. No, he’d worked long and hard to establish that kind of reputation.

  No one doubted what he said. After all, he was the best.

  ***

  Jillian couldn’t even remember falling asleep. But somewhere between the late news and the movie they’d started afterward, she must have. The embarrassing part was when she opened her eyes, not only was the sun up, but she found herself snuggled into Sam’s chest as if she’d done it a hundred times before. If she had known how insomnia could be solved by simply using Sam’s chest as a pillow, she wouldn’t have bothered with those crazy sleeping pills Dr. Stern gave her.

  His breathing was soft and light beneath her ear. For a few stolen moments, she relished the kind of serenity and comfort it gave her before guilt and reason flushed away the sensation. When she moved, he shifted as well, but his arm remain looped around her shoulder for a few seconds before he awoke and spoke.

  “Oh man, what time is it?”

  She eased away and glanced at her watch. “Looks like seven-thirty.”

  He got up and helped her to stand. “The guys will be at practice in a half hour. I’d better get moving.”

  “Let me get you a cup of coffee. Maybe it will help clear some of the cobwebs.” Without waiting for an answer she sprinted into the kitchen. “It will only take a second. Is Kona blend okay?”

  “Sounds good.” He came in to join her moments later.

  Was it wrong of her to get that squishy feeling deep inside when she looked at him? This time of the morning, his short hair was sticking out in strange ways but still managed to look sexy. His gravelly voice making him even sexier.

  She fought back the feeling. This was wrong. Wrong. Wrong. She had to be there for her son. Having a fling with his coach was not an option.

  Still, she couldn’t help wondering if he was attracted to her. He seemed to keep his distance, but at the same time when he looked at her, she swore she felt it down to her toes. It had been a very, very long time since she’d felt that zing. It might have even been in high school. She certainly didn’t ever remember feeling that with Archie.

  He stood at the counter and stretched his arms overhead. “People our age should not sleep on a coach all night, no matter how comfortable.”

  She handed him his cup of coffee. Somehow she wasn’t surprised when he took it black. “Hey, speak for yourself.” She sipped her own coffee. “Okay, you’re right. I think I might need a massage later.” Smiling she twisted her torso to alleviate the tight muscle running down her side.

  “I’ve got to go. Do you mind if I take the cup with me?”

  “Not at all.”

  “I’ll give you a call later.”

  “Sounds good.” She walked with him to the door. “Thanks so much for all your help.”

  “What are you doing today?”

  “I’m planning on visiting Travis. Do you know if Cole found out anything about Casey’s Pool Service?” Since by this time her ponytail must have looked like a fright, she slipped the band off and shook out her hair. “I was thinking about flirting with some pool guys to find out if there are any good neighborhood parties I might check out.”

  “Let me know if you need an escort.”

  He stopped awkwardly at the door for a second before pulling her into a hug. He felt so solid she wanted the hug to last much longer. The surprise came when he bent down and placed a chaste kiss on her lips.

  ***

  Sam felt like a total scumbag. He’d managed to pull off the pretense all night long and into the morning to keep her unaware. But once he saw the words ‘Kill List’ and later recognized several names listed, including Lexie’s stepfather as well as Archie Beckett, he knew he had to talk to Travis first.

  Maybe he was being a chicken shit, but he couldn’t think of a good way to bring up the subject to Jillian. Last night had been out of the question, especially when he was still trying to digest the information himself. This morning, he figured he couldn’t drop a bomb like that on her and leave.

  Hopefully he’d get a chance to talk to Travis in private soon because what he’d found spelled disaster for the kid’s case.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  “What are you doing, Lexie?” Travis’ heart pounded inside his chest. “You know I don’t do that anymore. I signed that pledge with Coach. No drugs or drinking.” Man, he wanted to leave. This whole thing was making him nervous. All he needed was for the cops to show up and he’d be back in juvie.

  “I need to have some fun for a change, Travis. You know how it is with my mom.” She rolled her eyes and took a hit on a joint “I don’t know why you’ve got your boxers in a wad over that dumb ass coach of yours.”

  “You don’t get it.” He wanted to say more but she wasn’t paying attention. “Just another minute and then I’m gonna bounce.” That creepy sensation crawled up his back.

  “Travis, are you awake?” The nurse came inside, startling him out of the dream.

  He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. Like it or not, he seemed to be remembering at least pieces of information.

  “Kinda.” He rubbed his hands down his face and thought about food as his stomach growled.

  “I’ve got good news for you. We’re removing the IV, so you’ll be a lot more mobile soon.”

  “Aren’t they going to handcuff me to the bed or something?”

  “I don’t think so. There’s still an officer outside.” The hot nurse was looking especially hot today.

  For the first time in a couple of days Travis was feeling halfway decent, which probably wasn’t great news. No doubt they’d be sending him back soon.

  Crap. He hated the idea of going back there. More than likely Slash would be hanging around waiting to kick his ass again.

  “What day is it?” He asked.

  “Thursday. Why?” She checked his pupils then pulled the IV needle from his arm, covering the puncture spot immediately with a Band-Aid.

  “My first football game was supposed to be tomorrow. I was really looking forward to it.” He guessed in the shithole that was his life right now that was a minor obstacle. “Coach said I was good, and he p
layed in the NFL so he should know. If I don’t get sent to prison maybe I can play football in college.”

  She came to his side and touched his arm. She had that no-way-in-hell-he’d-go-to-college look in her eyes. “I hope that works out for you.”

  “You’re not afraid of me, are you?”

  “No. Should I be?”

  “Because of what they’re accusing me of, people think the worst.” He shrugged. “I guess it’s understandable, but it seems weird. I’m nothing like those kids in there.”

  “I’ve been working this unit for five years and what I’ve found is that ninety-nine percent of the kids that come here from juvie are nothing like you’d expect them to be. They’re not big time thugs, they’re only confused kids.”

  “I guess you’ve never met Slash then,” he mumbled.

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Dr. Davis will be in shortly to check on your progress, but I think maybe the judge might want to see you.”

  “Cole warned me that might happen.” Consequences of actions would be what his mother would say.

  “I forgot Cole Matthews was your attorney.” She got that dreamy look in her eye that most women around this place did. “Did he say he’d be back in to see you?”

  “Not that I know of.” Before he had a chance to say anything else, the door opened and his mom rushed inside.

  “Travis, you look so much better today.” When she bent down to kiss him on the cheek, the smell of her shampoo drifted into his nostrils. It was those little things he missed the most. While she wasn’t a cookie-baking kind of mom, she was always there for him. Like today when she brought in a bag smelling like Taco Bell. “I brought you something.”

  “You’re the best.” Before the nurse even left the room, he opened the bag. It felt like days since he’d eaten. He gobbled it all down in less than five minutes and still wanted more.

  “Glad you’ve got your appetite back.” She pulled the chair over to sit by his side.