by Taylor Lee
Seeing Emma run up to Jorden and throw her arms around his neck, Mac should have been gratified that they had a close, loving relationship. At her rational coach’s level, she was. She’d met Emma for the first time today and quickly learned that Emma Justice was an astonishing basketball player. She had the potential to be a heavily recruited college player, which was saying something about a ten-year-old child. Which meant that as her coach, Mac had the opportunity to help a budding superstar realize her talent. For a coach, and as a former superstar herself, that was an exciting proposition. It also meant that there was no way she could avoid the tall, distinguished man approaching her with a quizzical expression on his face.
Trying to ignore Jorden’s looming presence, Mac was discussing Sophia Ojakangas’ layups with her father when Paul saw Jorden and called out, “Mr. Justice, over here. I don’t know if you’ve met the new Wildcats’ coach, and if you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. Meet Mac Durant, who’s going to put our school on the map in girls’ basketball.”
Jorden’s voice was pleasant, matter of fact. “Thanks, Paul, yes, I have had the pleasure of meeting this dynamic woman.” He added with a tinge of amusement lighting his deep voice, “And I agree with you. She’s going to change this city of ours in ways we can only begin to imagine.”
Mac refused to meet his gaze, but couldn’t avoid shaking his hand when he extended it. She prayed that she was the only one who saw him squeeze it although she was sure none of the people surrounding them could miss the flush heating her face. It was bad enough that the fragrance of his expensive cologne and that damnable masculine scent emanating from him made her knees buckle. If he hadn’t reached out and grasped her elbow she might have stumbled.
Fortunately, at that moment Emma and Sophia burst into the group and began replaying their best shots for their doting fathers. Mac took the opportunity to excuse herself and join another group of parents who were eager to hear her verdict on the basketball future of their girls.
Mac knew that as the school psychologist, as well as basketball coach, dealing with parents was an important and challenging part of her job. Particularly in a school where the student body was comprised of precious “Fabergé Egg girls”, as Jared called his privileged nieces and their schoolmates. No one had to encourage these parents to get involved in their children’s lives. It was a given that the Wildwood parents would be high touch. Mac snorted at her unintended double entendre and tried to think of a way she could gracefully beat a dignified retreat from the hovering parents begging for her attention.
The opportunity to do so, or so she thought, presented itself in the form of Tom Reynolds, the senior basketball coach. He hollered out to her and she gratefully met him on the sidelines.
“How did it go, Mac? You see some potential Stephen Currys among the ten-year-old wannabes?”
Mac smiled and said with a confidential wink, “Not sure about that, Coach Reynolds, but I’ve certainly met some parents who are convinced they’ve spawned a LeBron or a Jordan, if only I’m skillful enough to develop their daughter’s obvious talent.”
Tom Reynolds laughed. “Parents are always the first to see that enormous talent that we coaches seem to miss, particularly in a school like this where there isn’t such a thing as an uninvolved parent or an ‘average’ child. Unfortunately, for many of them, their daughter’s success or lack of it is seen as a direct reflection on their parenting abilities.” He nodded at the group of parents talking on the sidelines, anxiously regarding him and Mac. “Brace yourself, Mac. Look at how they’re watching us, nervously waiting for us to post the team roster as if we hold the key to their children’s future.” He huffed. “I’m not surprised that a lot of these kids will go off the deep end. The pressure gets to be too much.”
Mac was inching toward the exit when Coach Reynolds tugged on her arm. “Here comes the exception. If ever a parent played down his girls’ talents, letting them develop as they will, it’s Jorden Justice. And he’s got maybe the most talented kid I’ve seen, and she’s only ten years old.”
Seeing Jorden’s intent expression and his purposeful approach, Mac resigned herself and met his gaze. The ironic smile she expected was front and center on his handsome face, but she didn’t miss the concern shadowing his slate-gray eyes.
“Glad you joined us, Jorden. Mac and I were just talking about you.”
Jorden quirked a brow and shot Mac a narrow grin. “All good, I hope.”
Coach Reynolds wrapped his arm around Jorden’s shoulder. “How could it be anything else?” Nodding to the parents huddled on the side of the court, he added with a snort, “No, sir, I was just comparing you favorably to all those over-achieving parents who look as though they’re waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain carrying the scroll that will determine their daughter’s future.” He added, “As I explained to Mac, whether she wants to be or not, she’s Moses since she controls the team roster.”
Mac managed to laugh with the two men and was gratified that Jorden stayed next to Coach Reynolds and didn’t crowd her.
“I know I’ve told you this before, Jorden, but I’ll say it again. We all know Chloe is talented. But holy fuck, man, Emma is a phenomenon.” He turned to Mac, “You agree, don’t you, Mac?”
“Yes, I do, Tom. Emma is impressive. I had to keep reminding myself that she’s ten years old. Watching her move down the court, she almost seems—”
Jorden broke in. “Unconscious?”
Mac laughed and for the first time allowed herself to look directly at him. “Exactly. That is precisely the word I would have chosen to describe the way she plays. Coach Reynolds is correct. That kind of ‘unconscious’ self-confidence is very unusual in someone as young as Emma.”
“I’m aware of that and am pleased to turn her over to both of your accomplished hands. As an over-the-hill basketball player, I’ve done what I can. Both of my girls have proved themselves worthy of professional attention, not just their biased dad’s two cents.”
Before Tom Reynolds could respond, Jorden reached for Mac’s arm and pulled her closer to him. As surprised as she was at his blatant move, she was even more surprised at his request—rather, order.
“I need to talk to you for a few minutes, Mac. Please excuse us, Tom. I have an urgent matter to discuss with Ms. Durant that has nothing to do with basketball.”
Seeing Reynolds’ surprised expression as Jorden led her into the corridor surrounding the gym, Mac angrily jerked back. “Jorden, stop, dammit. You can’t drag me out of here like a misbehaving puppy dog on a leash…people are watching us.”
Not letting go of her, Jorden continued to move into the corridor with her in tow. He murmured, “Hmm, a leash isn’t a bad idea, McKenna. I’ll have to look into that. Although the last thing you are is a puppy dog. Playful, rambunctious? Hmm, perhaps, on occasion. No, if I were to choose an animal that best describes you, it would definitely be in the cat family. Sleek, haughty, with claws that come out at the slightest provocation. A she-cat that undeniably requires a leash. But then there’s the pussycat side of you…a feline temptress. And there, a paddle might be more useful than a leash.”
Infuriated, Mac shoved at his hand, but it was no use as his grip was too tight. To make matters worse, she saw Paul Ojakangas following them.
Jorden looked back and nodded to him. Jorden’s voice was smooth, professional. “Thanks Paul, for joining us. I was about to explain to Ms. Durant that I need her professional advice on a legal issue. Since I’m more involved than I care to be, it’s difficult for me to be unbiased. Your insight will be helpful. There’s a small office around the corner where we can have some privacy.”
Ten minutes later, after Jorden and Paul explained the crisis and the decision they needed to make, Mac responded as carefully as she could. “I appreciate that this is a minefield for you, Jorden. Decisions that involve your daughters and their mother are fraught with tension. Having met the former Mrs. Justice, I understand your concerns.”
She glanced at Paul, wondering if it was appropriate to share her insights about Chloe with him.
Jorden intercepted her glance. “Feel free to say what you wish, McKenna. Paul is my closest professional colleague, and also my friend. It helps that his daughter, Marcia, and Chloe have been best friends for most of their lives. We are both open to your suggestions on how to deal with our teenage daughters.”
Paul agreed. “I suggested to Jorden that your advice could be helpful, Coach Durant. Plus, I’m reasonably certain that whatever Chloe is involved with, Marcia is as well.”
Mac breathed gave a long, hard sigh. “Please understand, Jorden, I haven’t discussed this with Chloe and I’m uncomfortable making assumptions about her behavior until I do talk with her. However, because you’re facing an imminent legal issue, I’ll go out on a limb and tell you what I’ve observed and the conclusions I’ve come to.”
Grabbing a breath and blowing it out slowly, Mac met Jorden’s narrow-lidded gaze. “Chloe is definitely seeing her mother. She’s doing so without your permission, essentially lying to you, which I’m sure is new behavior for her. That said, she has to be conflicted. Having met Francine, and knowing why you were given custody of the girls, you have every right to be concerned. We both know that Francine was using alcohol and illegal drugs at the birthday party. You won’t have difficulty getting witnesses to testify to that point. You could make that claim before Judge Mortenson, but because Francine wasn’t given a sobriety test and you went home with her, I doubt that would hold up.
“Here’s the crux of the issue, Jorden, and what you’re going to have to decide. Chloe wants a connection with her mother. She’s willing to lie to you to have that connection. Francine is more than willing to manipulate her daughter, making this about you, not her. She’s also willing to manipulate you. She knows your buttons, and how to push them. She also knows that if she can push you hard enough—for example, make you take an unbending stance—that she can make you the bad guy with Chloe and the court.
“Much as I hate to say it, because I truly believe that Francine is an evil person, conceding to Chloe’s desire to see her mother right now might be the wisest thing you can do. It puts you in good standing with the court. You’ll seem reasonable, willing to give Francine a chance to prove herself. It allows you to require restrictions that if broken, will void the arrangement. For example, any signs of illegal drug use in front of the girls would be grounds for immediate revocation of the visiting arrangements.
“Most important, it gives you an opportunity to heal the rift between you and Chloe, the one that Francine is doing her damnedest to exploit. You can make it clear to Chloe that it’s critical you’re honest with each other. Your best weapon against Francine is your long-standing, loving relationship with Chloe. The one that you’ve earned by being an excellent father.”
Mac wasn’t surprised at the conflicting emotions warring across Jorden’s face. He had to be furious with Francine, but also angry and hurt by Chloe’s betrayal. She wished she could put her arms around him and tell him that everything was going to be okay. The problem was that Pollyannaish outcome was uncertain at best. She believed that Francine was a truly wicked woman. Seeing how easily Francine could hurt Jorden was unsettling. It reminded Mac that she was inserting herself into a family dynamic that could very well bite her in the ass. Particularly, if she were honest, because she was falling for the serious man. She wasn’t foolish enough to call it love, but it sure as hell was lust. Which made it even more likely that it could blow up in all of their faces. She couldn’t hold back a deep, knowing shudder. If anyone knew the damage family crises could cause, it was Mac.
Chapter 12
“Dad, I’m sorry. I know I should have told you that I was with Mom. I’m really sorry…”
Chloe’s face was flushed, her eyes brimming with tears. Jorden wanted to reach out and hold her, tell her everything was all right. But it wasn’t. He remembered Mac’s advice to make his concerns and his expectations crystal clear.
“I know you’re sorry, Chloe, and I am too. But I’m also upset, and frankly, angry. You and I have always told each other the truth. Even when you were a little girl and bad things were happening, you and I were able to talk about them. I trusted you and you trusted me to tell the truth no matter how painful it was sometimes. From the time your mother and I divorced seven years ago, I have been very clear with you that your mother could only see you if she has permission from me and the visits are supervised. The reason the court made that ruling was because your mother did something very dangerous.”
Chloe protested, “But that was a long time ago, Dad. I was just a kid.”
“Yes you were, Chloe, which is why what your mother did was so serious. You were nine years old, Chloe, younger than Emma is now, and Emma had just turned four. She wasn’t even in kindergarten. Your mom took you and Emma to a cabin miles away from here without telling me where she was going. Honey, we had sixty police officers and sheriff’s deputies hunting for you for over twelve hours. I can tell you, sweetheart, those were the worse twelve hours of my life. Remember, we found you girls because of how brave you were. In the middle of the night, you took Emma and walked down a deserted road, found a gas station, and called me. Chloe, when we found you and Emma, your mother had overdosed on illegal drugs and alcohol. Three strange men were there with her, all of whom were high on drugs.”
“But, Dad, Mom has changed.”
Jorden shook his head. “I’m not finished, Chloe. Whether your mother has changed is not the issue that you and I need to address. I need to understand why you lied to me.”
Chloe’s cheeks flamed brighter and she wouldn’t meet Jorden’s gaze. “I…I didn’t really lie. I just didn’t tell you that I was seeing Mom.”
“Chloe, you know that is the same as lying. While you’re not responsible for your mother’s behavior, she was also lying to me and the court. As for how much she has changed, that remains to be seen. She was drunk at your birthday party and so was the young man she was with. It’s also likely that they both were using drugs.”
To his surprise, Chloe reared up in her chair and glared at him. “You don’t know that, Dad. Mom said you would say bad things about her that weren’t true. Besides, she and Bart don’t drink when I’m with them. And neither do their other friends. And I know they don’t do drugs, at least not with me.”
Jorden shoved at the bile billowing in his throat. He’d thought that Chloe had only seen Francine a couple of times, certainly not enough to know her companions. Seeing the defiance written on his daughter’s face, Jorden forced himself to tread carefully.
“Honey, I understand that you want to see your mother on occasion. I’m going to allow you and Emma to see your mother for short visits. We are working with the court now to lay out the ground rules for those visits.”
“Will I be able to stay overnight? Mom has a really cool condo right on Lake Superior. It has a swimming pool and a Jacuzzi, and all kinds of neat stuff.”
Finding it challenging to respond, Jorden grabbed a lungful of air and said curtly, “After we work with the court I’ll let you and Emma know.”
Chloe sneered. “Don’t bother talking to Emma about it. She’s such a baby and a daddy’s girl. She doesn’t want to go to Mom’s, and Mom said that was fine with her.”
Not knowing how much more he could tolerate of what he now realized was a much more serious situation than he’d thought, Jorden returned to the key issue in his mind. That was whether or not he could trust Chloe. The sick feeling in his gut confirmed that was an open question.
“Hmm, that’s interesting, Chloe. I’ll talk with both you and Emma after we hear from the court, but I want to go back to you and me. I need to know that you will not lie to me. That I can trust you to keep your word. Can I, Chloe? Can I trust you not to lie to me?”
When Chloe frowned and wouldn’t look at him, he said quietly, “I asked you a question, Chloe, please answer me.”
; She rolled her eyes and gave an exaggerated shrug. “Fine! I won’t lie to you, and you can trust me. I’m not stupid, Dad. And I’m not a baby. I’m sixteen years old and in high school. You need to stop treating me like I’m a dumb kid.”
“That’s fair enough, Chloe. I do need to acknowledge that you’re a young woman who will go away to college in a few years. You are anything but a dumb kid. But part of being a responsible grown up is being true to your word. Being honest has nothing to do with age, Chloe, it has to do with what kind of a person you are and who you want to be.”
****
After a grueling session with Mary Ellen Lundgren and Judge Mortenson to hammer out a visitation agreement, Jorden went back to his office and closed the door. He asked Cherise to hold his calls, knowing he wasn’t up to seeing or talking to anyone. Annoyed at the persistent knocking on his door, his protests lodged in his throat when Jude entered with Jared at his heels. He must have looked as shitty as he felt when neither of his brothers made light of the situation.
Jude spoke first. “Paul called and told us what happened. We could drag the details out of you, bro, and we will at some point, but Cherise told us you skipped lunch to go to Sylvia the Slut Mortenson’s Kangaroo Court. While I’m confident you have decent booze in your bottom drawer, how about we blow this popsicle stand and go someplace where we can eat and drink in earnest?”
Jared chimed in. “If you’re up for it, the Judge would like to join us. He suggested that we meet at the Ambassador Club, where we can indulge all we want and put it on the Judge’s tab.”
Knowing that his brothers wouldn’t take no for an answer, and admitting that getting out of this building was the best thing that he could do, Jorden put up his hands and said with a snort, “Where the hell have you guys been? I was beginning to wonder how long my brothers were going to let me wallow in self-pity and get your asses over here.”