“I’ll go get our friends.” He eyed the coach directly before striding from the room.
The coach’s eyes brimmed with tears, but he sat in his chair belligerently silent.
“You know what the worst part is?” Annabeth wrapped her arms around herself. “Will worshipped you. And I let him.”
Tears streamed down her face again as the league representatives sheepishly entered the room, one of them setting up a video camera.
“Come on.” Hank quietly ushered her down the hall and out into the backyard. Annabeth took fortifying breaths of fresh air as she brushed the tears off her face. Coming up behind her, Hank wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his body.
“Shh.” His warm breath was comforting on her neck. “It’s over. You did it.”
She turned in his arms, burying her face in his chest. “Yeah, it only took me thirteen years.”
“Whoa, whoa!” Hank put his hands on her shoulders, putting an arm’s-length distance between them. “This was not your fault. The man in there would have found someone else to prey on if he hadn’t found that girl. Trust me on this, Annabeth, you didn’t do anything wrong.”
“But I didn’t tell anyone. I didn’t report it.”
“From the looks of it, the girl’s family didn’t report it, either. Obviously, they found out who the father was. If they wanted to charge him, they could have.”
“They took his money instead.” Annabeth had been disgusted when she met with Bethany’s parents the other day. Coach Zevalos had been a gravy train for the struggling family. Marie Zevalos would likely not see the money she expected when her husband died. Sadly, she’d probably never know why.
“Annabeth, look at me,” Hank commanded.
She lifted her gaze to meet his concerned one.
“From this moment on, you are not to blame yourself for this. Do you hear me?”
She wanted to, but she still carried so much guilt. “I let Will go play for him,” she whispered through her tears. “He was so excited to go to Yale and take advantage of all the opportunities it would provide. I couldn’t tell him. I let my son go off with that creep so he’d have a chance at his dream. A career. A life outside of Chances Inlet. He looked up to the man. He was always so distrusting of people, men in particular. I didn’t want to shatter his illusions. I’m a terrible mother. “
Hank pulled her in against his body, holding her while she cried. “You did what you had to do. The best you could. No one is blaming you.” She felt his lips brush the top of her head.
“I’m sorry for all this.” Her words were smothered against his chest.
Reaching a finger beneath her chin, he tipped her damp face up. “We already covered this back in Baltimore. Don’t apologize for being a good mother to your son.”
“But I dragged you to this horrible interview . . .”
Hank stepped out of their embrace and her body nearly went limp without his warmth. He pointed to the house.
“That? Are you kidding, Annabeth? I wouldn’t have missed that performance for all the money in the world. You were brilliant! My God, generals on the battlefield would weep at the magnificence of your strategy.” He wrapped her in his arms again, pulling her body flush with his. “And, if I’m being honest here, I’ve never been more turned on in my life.”
Laughing through her tears, she tossed her head back, giving Hank better access to her neck.
“And now.” He kissed his way along her collarbone. “Per our agreement earlier this morning, you’re mine. Prepare yourself, Annabeth Connelly, because we may not make it back to Baltimore. In fact, I know a place in Atlantic City that has big, comfy beds and an amazing shower.”
His mouth found hers in a searing kiss. Annabeth wrapped her arms around his neck, letting herself relax into his body. She could not have gotten through today without Hank. Thankfully, she wouldn’t have to go through any more days without him.
His cell phone vibrated at his waist. He muttered a few choice words as he pulled the phone out. “It could be the office,” he explained as he checked the screen. “Nope, just Sophie.” He began to return the phone to his belt.
“Sophie!” she squealed, grapping the phone and hitting the talk button. “Hi, Soph!”
“Annabeth? Hi,” Sophie gushed over the phone. “Ohmigosh, it’s so good to talk to you. We just boarded the cruise ship and it’s soooo cool. Well, except for the twins jumping from their bunks. Be quiet, guys!”
Annabeth could hear the joyous shouts of the two boys in the background.
“Arghhh,” Sophie groaned. “Hey, so why are you answering my dad’s phone? Everything’s okay, right? Is he there? Ohmigosh, are you guys together somewhere?” Sophie’s voice rose an octave as she began to put two and two together. Thankfully, she couldn’t see her father’s hand kneading Annabeth’s bottom while his mouth made a beeline for her breasts.
“He’s right here,” Annabeth breathed, her pulse ricocheting.
The look Hank gave her promised retribution in the near future, and her body throbbed happily with anticipation.
“Hey, Soph.”
“Wow, Dad!” In her excitement, Sophie spoke loud enough for Annabeth to hear. “What’s happening between you and Annabeth?”
“Nothing if you keep interrupting us.” Hank winked at her.
“Hank!” Annabeth mouthed.
“Wow, Dad, this is so cool. I was gonna tell you all about the ship, but this is so much better.”
“I’ll call you tonight and you can tell us both all about your trip.”
“Ohmigosh, I’ve got to tell Mom!”
“Sophie Claire, do not share my personal life with your mother!”
“Sure thing, Dad. You two have a nice day! Bye!”
They both could hear her screaming for her mother as she hung up the phone.
Hank swore. “Now we’ll have the two of them badgering us all day.”
Annabeth grabbed the lapels of his suit and pulled him flush against her body. “Tell me more about this amazing shower. I’m pretty sure we won’t be able to hear the phone in there.”
He framed her face with both hands. “Annabeth Connelly, have I told you lately how smart you are?” He didn’t wait for an answer, instead kissing her with all the promise of an exciting life ahead.
Twenty-seven
“I was serious when I told you that you and Owen are welcome to stay at our house,” Carly said with a huff as she snapped one side of the portable crib into place.
Owen dozed in his bouncy seat, his face puffy from the tears he’d been crying off and on all day. Seven hours confined to a car seat had been too much for the baby who’d passed the last month in the arms of one person or another. He’d spent most of the trip either indignant or annoyed that he wasn’t being held, letting everyone between coastal North Carolina and Baltimore know about it.
Her son’s distress had only added to Julianne’s agitation. Will hadn’t bothered to call or text in nearly three days. She’d resorted to bullying Brody to find out if her husband was still alive. Brody’s affirmation that Will was in fact working out at the training facility had only infuriated her more.
“I told you, we’d just get in the way. Owen still doesn’t sleep through the night. Besides, I don’t want to put Shane in an awkward position with his teammate.” Julianne pulled out the crib sheets from the travel bag.
Originally, she’d hoped to take Carly up on her offer, longing for the familiarity and understanding her best friend would provide. But when her friend had first offered, Julianne could hear the hesitation in her voice. It wasn’t hard to see where Carly’s loyalty now lay. Fortunately, Sebastian had already rented a fully furnished house for him and Nigel. When she’d told Carly she and Owen were staying there, the relief in her friend’s voice had been palpable. Worse, her friend hadn’t brooked any ar
gument.
This arrangement was the best for everyone. But that didn’t mean Carly’s defection didn’t hurt. Perhaps most painful of all, Julianne sensed that her friend accepted the story that she had deliberately told Stephen about Will.
Julianne’s only confidante, Annabeth, had made her own way up to Baltimore, citing an appointment she had early today. Patricia had volunteered to drive with Julianne and a howling Owen, claiming to want to check out the competition, a bed-and-breakfast in Annapolis. It seemed they’d made the trip for nothing, however, because Will hadn’t bothered to contact Julianne about seeing his son.
“Besides,” Julianne said as she unpacked Owen’s clothes and piled them in the dresser drawers, “I’m not even sure how long we’ll be in town. I hope to get back to Chances Inlet as soon as possible.”
Carly looked up from what she was doing with a speculative pause. “You’d stay there even without Will?”
Julianne tried not to bristle at her friend’s question. “It’s Owen’s home now, too. And it’s where my new designs will be manufactured.”
“When you mentioned you were designing again, I didn’t think you’d progressed so far as to begin manufacturing.” Carly’s statement was more of a question.
Julianne shrugged. “There’s no sense in waiting. People need jobs, and I’ve got the means to employ them. It will be a huge boon to the town.”
“That’s good, I guess,” Carly said. “It’ll certainly keep you busy. But how will you handle starting a new company and taking care of the baby?”
“Will’s mother is going to help. And I have Sebastian to take care of the business end of things.”
Carly totally ignored the second half of her statement. “Will’s mother? I’d think she’d be on his side. I mean . . .” Her voice trailed off.
“She’s on Owen’s side.” Julianne struggled to keep her voice steady. Clearly, her friend thought the worst of her. “It’s best if Owen puts down roots in one place so that he’s not shuffled around constantly. Locating the company in Chances Inlet will allow him to have a more stable life.”
“Wow, you’ve really thought this through.” The surprise in Carly’s voice burned through Julianne. Once again, she was reminded of irresponsible decisions she’d made this past year, but she didn’t think that qualified her for being a total nitwit.
“Try not to sound so shocked,” Julianne said, unable to keep the bitterness from her own voice.
Sorrow and regret shimmered in Carly’s eyes, forcing Julianne to look away. Fortunately, she was saved from continuing their conversation by the sound of the doorbell. Julianne’s heart leaped instantly.
Will had come at last.
She raced to the front door, checking her frazzled appearance in a mirror as she passed by. Smoothing down her wild hair, she pasted a bright smile on her face as she pulled open the front door. Her smile vanished quickly, though, when she caught sight of the man standing on the front step.
“Roscoe?” Carly said from behind her.
Disappointment surged through Julianne, forcing her to tightly grip the doorknob so she wouldn’t collapse onto the tile floor. She glanced past Will’s agent, but he was alone. Will wasn’t coming, after all. Her throat constricted and she was glad Carly was asking questions because she wasn’t able to speak at all.
“What are you doing here?” Carly asked.
Roscoe lifted the baby seat he held in his hand. “I’ve come to get Owen for a visit with his father.”
Julianne rocked back on her heels, her fingers white-knuckled around the doorknob as she tried to process Roscoe’s statement. Not only was Will not coming, but he’d sent his obnoxious agent to fetch their son. Was this how their life was going to play out from now on?
“Don’t look so surprised, Julianne.” Roscoe set the carrier down on the floor and assumed his belligerent lawyer stance. “Your text said Owen would be available this afternoon for a visit, so here I am. Obviously, Will would prefer to have as little contact with you as possible, so I’ll be the go-between until we can set up a more formal procedure.”
If Roscoe intended his words to wound, he was definitely on target. But Julianne would die before she let this man see that. “I’ll pack some things,” she said as she stiffly turned away from the door.
“Not necessary. Will has already bought everything he’ll need. Today’s visit will only be for a few hours, anyway. He and I still have some legal prep work to get through before the hearing tomorrow.”
This time, Roscoe hit the bull’s-eye. Guilt swept through Julianne’s limbs and she sank down on the small bench in the entryway. This mess was all her doing. If only she had kept her mouth shut.
“Why don’t I go get Owen?” Carly’s offer saved Julianne from having to negotiate with her protesting body to stand.
Roscoe handed over the new baby carrier and Carly disappeared into the house to get Owen. No doubt Will had an entire nursery decorated and ready at his loft. Obviously, he’d thought of everything. Including a strategy to never see her again.
“I’m surprised he didn’t send you with Bubble Wrap,” she quipped.
One corner of his mouth twitched before he apparently remembered she was the enemy. He pulled an envelope from the pocket of his suit jacket. “Your copy of the separation papers. I filed them this morning.”
He held the envelope out for her, but Julianne was having trouble making her arms move. Roscoe finally tossed it down onto the bench beside her. “The divorce will be final one year from today. For now, you share joint custody. But we’ll revisit that after we finish with the hearing tomorrow.”
Julianne’s hand flinched as the envelope grazed her fingers. The rest of her body was numb. “How annoyingly efficient you are, Roscoe. I hope Will pays you well.”
If he answered, she didn’t hear him because Owen had begun crying again. His forlorn wails filled the foyer as an anguished Carly handed the baby, now strapped in his carrier, to Roscoe.
“Shh.” Roscoe gently swung the car carrier as he brushed a thumb over Owen’s temple. Owen calmed measurably as his mouth settled around the pacifier Roscoe offered him.
Julianne wrapped her arms around her midsection in order to keep from grabbing her son back. If she touched Owen, even kissed him good-bye, she’d never be able to let Roscoe leave with him. “Please,” she pleaded. “Be careful with him.”
Empathy touched his eyes. “I have twin boys. They’ve made it almost three years with me as a parent. Owen will be just fine. I’ll have him back, safe and sound, by eight o’clock.”
He whispered something to Carly as he walked back out the open door.
“Roscoe!” Julianne called, springing to her feet.
He turned to face her, his bland expression returned to his face.
“Will,” she stammered. “Is . . . is he okay?”
She wrung her hands, chewing on her bottom lip as he seemed to take ages to answer her. It was as if he were trying to come up with the words that could hurt the most. And he did.
“No.”
Julianne watched as he walked down the sidewalk, a whimpering Owen swaying by his side. Mercifully, Carly closed the door just as Julianne landed in a pile of devastation on the floor, sobs wracking her body.
“My God,” Carly said as she crouched down and wrapped her arms around Julianne. “You love him. You’re in love with Will.”
Julianne would have laughed at Carly’s incredulousness except she felt as if her body had broken and she’d never feel joy again.
“You don’t know how happy I am to know this,” Carly was saying as she stroked Julianne’s back. “Shane swore you’d told your brother about Will to get back at him for forcing you to marry. But I told him you’d never, ever do that. No matter how mad you were at Will, you’d never sell him out like that. It’s just not in you. It was actually our first big fight.”
Her words propelled Julianne to sob harder. Not only had she torpedoed her own marriage, but she’d caused tension in Carly and Shane’s as well.
“Oh, Jules, I don’t know how this happened, but we’re going to make this right. We have to make Will believe you didn’t do this.”
Julianne shook her head violently. “But I did do it, Carly. I did!”
Carly’s face was incredulous again. Her hand stopped mid-stroke on Julianne’s back. “I don’t understand.”
“It was an accident. I told Stephen, but I didn’t mean to. Honest, I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“Does Will know this?
“I tried to tell him,” Julianne croaked out. “But he wouldn’t listen. He and his cretin agent found my notes on the new company. It was supposed to be a surprise. For Will.”
“Jules, I’m still not following you. What does one have to do with the other?”
Julianne brushed the tears off her face and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “My new clothing line. It’s for infants. I want to manufacture them in Chances Inlet. I was . . . am going to give the company to Will. He thinks everyone in that town looks down on him because of his circumstances as a kid. It’s his hometown and he feels like he doesn’t belong. This will give him that chance to feel a part of Chances Inlet. Not only will he be giving people an opportunity to work, he’ll get something back: pride in his hometown.”
“Go on. Where does Stephen come into all this?” Carly asked.
“I needed to borrow against my grandmother’s trust. I asked Stephen to facilitate it. While I had him on the phone, he started going off about Will and this Bountygate mess. He played me like a violin, Carly. I defended Will, of course.” She gulped around a sob. “I had no idea he was heading up the Senate hearings. Until it was too late.”
Carly smoothed the hair back from Julianne’s face. “Of course you defended him. Because you love him.” She gave Julianne a knowing smile. “Now we just have to make him see how much you love him.”
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