False Start (Mavericks #1)

by Julianna Marley

  “Oh Alivia.” Mary’s voice cracked through the phone. “You have no idea how much I want to be there for my daughter.”

  Come again?

  “I have been begging Jim to go to the weddin’ ever since we received that invitation in the mail.” Mary sobbed louder, making it more difficult to hear over the clash of the tears and her thick accent. “Oh, it was so beautiful. And seeing ma’ babies name on a weddin’ invitation was an absolute dream come true.” Mary continued struggling to clear her throat. “It’s no secret that we didn’t approve of what she did. Leaving her job and family to chase that boy from city to city and getting pregnant before marriage, but she is a good girl. And I miss ma’ baby.”

  Alivia listened as Mary sobbed on. Her suspicions had been correct, Chelsea’s mama wasn’t being the stubborn Shaw. Her papa was.

  “I have a grandson I have never even met and a piece of ma’ heart dies each day I can’t spend with him,” Mary sniffed. “Alivia you have to help me,” She urged, and her heart cracked at the desperation in her voice. “You have to help me convince Jim to forgive our Chelsea. He is a stubborn old man and I don’t know how much longer I can take not seein’ ma’ daughter,” Mary paused to blow her nose. “I never imagined things would get this out of hand.”

  Silently thanking the good lord above, Alivia relaxed her shoulders. The conversation surely had taken a different turn, but she was glad because now that she had one Shaw on board for a family reconciliation, she only had to convince two more. And if memory served her correctly, it was the two most difficult.

  “Okay,” Alivia drew out, buying herself a few seconds to process all Mary had confessed.

  “I will be there on Saturday and we will fix this,” she promised, not quite sure how she was going to exactly keep that promise. Mr. Shaw still intimidated her the same as the day she had met him when she rode her bike across his rose garden, yelling and hollering at her. And Charles. Well, Charles was a brownnosing little crap. But she could handle him.

  “But this stays between us,” she urged quickly. If Mr. Shaw thought he was getting ambushed, she knew that he would shut it down before she had a chance to even board the flight.

  “You have my word,” Mary agreed.

  “I will be in contact with you before I head out there. We will set up a strategy than.” Alivia continued, grinning at the picture on her desk.

  “Alright, darlin,’” Mary said a bit calmer and her heart warmed at the hopefulness in her tone. “Thank you Alivia,” she said lovingly, “for doing this.”

  “Don’t thank me just yet,” she laughed without humor. For as optimistic as she wanted to be, she really had no idea how she was going to pull this off. Only knowing that she had no choice. “But it’s the least I could do for Chelsea.”

  The line was quiet again and she took that as her sign to hang up before anything changed. Ready to say goodbye, Mary’s thick accent filled the silence once more.

  “How is she?”

  Swearing her heart cracked a bit, she closed her eyes. Why this family was putting themselves through this torture was downright foolish.

  “Aside from missing her family,” she said carefully, “she’s wonderful.”

  After gushing over Asher and what wonderful parents Chelsea and Trevor were, Alivia wrapped up her discussion with Mrs. Shaw before running around town for a few more errands. She was beyond excited that she was the one picking up the girls from school, even organizing a play date with some of their school friends at the park. She had been pulling long hours and although she hoped she had been hiding it well, she was struggling to balance it all. Home life and work life. The seesaw of guilt running constantly. But she was alright. She just needed to get past the next week and everything would calm down. She would be able to calm down.

  Pulling into the driveway, she was surprised to see Jax’s truck parked out front. She figured he would have been gone most of the day working with the rookies at the training complex. Walking into the house, Mr. Beans attacked her feet, nearly tripping her off her wedges. Bending down, she kissed his speckled head, his tan spots laced with more gray hair proving her first baby’s age. Placing the dry cleaning on the table, she grabbed a diet Pepsi from the refrigerator as Magda walked into the kitchen.

  “Good afternoon, Miss. Liv,” she sang, her thick Italian accent filling the room. Having Magda around helped ease the ache of missing her own mama while she was off exploring the world. One year was way too long to be separated and she often found herself more times than not, secretly wishing her mama would cut her trip short and come home early for her own selfish reasons.

  “Hi Magda,” she said, giving her a long hug. Shooing her away quickly claiming she was filthy from organizing all day, she headed off towards the dining room like a woman on a mission. Why that woman loved to clean and organize so much, she’d never understand, but who was she to take away a sweet lady’s joy?

  “I thought I heard my beautiful wife,” Jax strolled into the kitchen, the smell of his aftershave entering the room before he did. He was freshly showered and looked delicious, sending her stomach into a tumble. Closing the space between them, he wrapped her into his arms. Relaxing into him, she met his lips for a sweet kiss.

  “Mm,” she moaned quietly, only for him. Running his thumb against her bottom lip, his mouth curved up on the one side, softening his hard face. Gently poking at the one indent on the side of his cheek, she winked. “I thought you were working with the rookies all day, no?”

  “T and I cut out early,” he said shaking his head. “Those boys need a lot of work.”

  “That bad, huh?” she asked, pushing his damp hair gently off his face.

  “Yeah. That bad. I’ll let the coaches handle them until camp,” he smirked, holding her gaze a moment. With the thought of training camp hanging between them, she wished she could just stay in his arms. Forever. She hated training camp. Four weeks without her husband and spending long days in the heat watching him practice, struggling against the frenzied media and passionate fans to squeeze in that thirty minutes on the field after practice with him before they had to go back home again. The girls cried every time, and she hoped this year they would better understand. The only thing making it all worth it was watching Jax in his element, bringing a presence to the field that was unmatched.

  “I have to grab some extra clothes for the girls,” she rested her head against his chest, pushing all thoughts of having to see him leave. Again. Into the back of her mind. And heart. “They have a play date with some friends at the park after school,” she explained, listening to the soothing sound of his heart bumping beneath her ear, stealing another moment to just lay in his arms.

  “Do you want me to meet you there?” he asked, rubbing her back softly with his fingertips, swearing that if he continued, she would drift off to sleep.

  “Mmhhhm,” she sighed, lifting her arm to look at her watch. She needed to go. Reluctantly moving off his warm chest, she smiled grabbing his face in her hands, smacking a large kiss on his delicious lips. “I have to go.”

  If she didn’t force herself to leave his warm embrace now, than she would never make it to the school on time.

  Tightening his grip, his eyebrow rose. “But you just got home?”

  “I told you, I only have to grab some play clothes for the girls and then go pick them up,” she smiled, kissing him again and heading up the stairs.

  “How about some play clothes for you?” he asked, leaning against the bottom rail looking her up and down.

  “What’s wrong with my clothes?”

  “You look too sexy just to pick the girls up from school, you should change.”

  “Oh really?” she chuckled. He always said she looked too sexy, which was absolutely absurd. Nothing about a skirt and blouse screamed overly sexy, but she liked watching him get territorial. It was cute.

  “Yes, really. There are too many dads that pick up their kids, I don’t need them checking out my wife’s legs.”r />
  Laughing again, she was glad that now he knew how she felt when he walked around just about anywhere. Damn man was too hot for his own good.

  “Alright,” she shrugged.

  “I’ll go throw on my cut offs and that crop top,” she smiled innocently. “You know the one that lifts my boobs up real nicely.” She pointed to her breasts. “The one I know you like,” she smiled, inching up the stairs. “Thanks baby. Good thinking.”

  Giggling to herself, she knew full well he wouldn’t let that happen, but it was still fun to get a rise out of him.

  “My ass you will,” he said, as she laughed harder. She hadn’t realized that he was taking steps two at a time behind her, chasing her. Laughing, she ran into the laundry room grabbing extra clothes from the piles folded inside the clean hamper. Hearing the door slam behind her she stood up, as Jax came behind her, pulling her against his chest. His resilient muscles glued to her back, she could feel his heart pounding between her shoulders. His erection pushing against her ass, she knew that leaving was about to get a whole lot harder. Taking the clothes from her hands, he tossed them aside, sweeping her hair off her shoulder. Skimming his lips on the hollow of her neck, she dipped her head back.

  “Jax,” she breathed, feeling him push his hard length against her back again, informing her just how ready he already was. “I have to go.”

  “You’re not going anywhere just yet,” he said against her neck. His large hands swept around her as he brushed his thumbs against her nipples through her black blouse. Sucking in a breath she fell back into his chest, allowing his hands to roam and fuse her body. Before she had a chance to blink, he turned her around in one fast movement, cupping her ass and picking her up. Squeezing her legs around his waist, her mouth collided with his. Wrapping her arms tighter around his neck, he held her a moment devouring her mouth as if he hadn’t just had it the night before. He was warm and rough, the spice from his aftershave filling her senses as he walked her across the room, sitting her on top of the washing machine.

  “Jax, I really have to go,” she pleaded, not moving as his hands slipped up her scalloped skirt brushing over her panties. Taking in a sharp breath, she breathed against his lips as he moved the thin material aside.

  “Give me ten minutes,” he whispered through her lips, sliding his fingers inside of her.

  Gripping his shoulders she watched him through a haze, his eyes lighting up.

  “You have six.”

  Not wasting a second, she felt her underwear completely rip in half before he pushed her skirt up to her waist.

  “Hey!” she cried, watching the thin material fly across the room.

  “I told you I would do it again if I had to,” he breathed, reaching for his shirt and lifting it up over his head. Skimming her hands across his warm chest, she could feel his heart pumping faster, admiring the loveliness that was her husband.

  “You’re so beautiful.”

  Pulling his shorts down, his erection was on standby springing to life under the mesh material. Pressing her palm against his hard length, he groaned grabbing her hips, moving her closer off the machine.

  “No. You’re beautiful and if I don’t get inside of you now, I’m gonna burst.”

  Without having a chance to blink, he plunged into her before sliding back out in one easy and glorious movement. Hissing against the invasion, she allowed him to ease her open, relaxing her body. Gripping the sides of her thighs, his body was tight and she knew he was making certain that she came. He was the most giving lover, always putting her pleasure before his own; a role he took seriously. He made love like he did everything else in life. Fiercely. Skilled. And with care. The way he worshipped her body, leaving her no choice but to feel like the most gorgeous woman in the world, her heart and mind responding almost as passionately. Burying her face into his neck, she matched each of his thrusts biting his smooth neck gently.

  “You feel so good, Star,” he said, his breathing labored as he cupped her ass with each heavy thrust, the chilled metal of the washer cooling down her burning skin.

  “Harder,” she moaned into his neck trying to be somewhat conscious of the fact that Magda was somewhere in the house. Digging her fingers into his back, she was equal parts pressure and throbbing as she gave him full control of both of their releases.

  “Come with me baby,” he ordered, diving into her. He was completely unchained and she could feel the urgency in his orgasm building, his groans cheering her on to her own release. Grunting in relief, he spewed off profanities filling the room, as she collapsed against the cabinet behind her, gasping for air.

  Leaning against the machine with both hands on either side of her legs, Jax dropped his head catching his own breath. Even with a quickie, he had the power to ignite every cell in her body. Mustering the energy, she checked her watch. She had to leave immediately if she had any chance of getting to the girls’ school before dismissal.

  Placing her hands on his damp shoulders, he raised his head, the strength of his eyes taking her off guard.

  “I love you, Liv,” he said, his eyes blazing in promise. “Always. No matter what, you know that, right?” he asked, making it impossible to suppress the flutter inside her chest. It still amazed her how far they had come. A few weeks ago she would never have dreamed of having her family complete again as she gained strength back after her incredible husband wrung her out from glorious pleasure.

  “I do,” she whispered, searching his face, finding nothing but genuine love. “I love you too. More than you know,” she said kissing his nose. “But I really have to go.” she said quickly, hopping off the machine.

  Reaching down on the floor for her white thong, now torn in half she shook her head. “You know, this is really becoming a bad habit.”

  Chuckling, Jax flashed his dimples for her viewing pleasure, full well knowing she could never stay mad at him with his boyish grin on that beautiful face.

  Throwing the panties into the trashcan across the room, she adjusted her skirt. “Guess I have to go about the rest of my day with no panties on.”

  She would never. But again, it was still fun getting a rise out of him.

  “Come on now, don’t do that to me,” he groaned, grabbing her hips. “You said you loved me.”

  She could feel that he was ready to go again, taking all her strength to leave him.

  “One more round?” he raised a brow, drawing her against him tighter. He was torturing her. It was hard enough for her to get anywhere on time, let alone being persuaded by the sexy man now moving his hands across her breasts. The torment was inhumane, really.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she watched him, his eyes lighting up again.

  “Begging?” she asked bringing his lips to hers for a small kiss. “Now you’re just embarrassing yourself, Captain,” she smiled, forcing herself to push away from him.

  Chuckling, she heard him laugh behind her mumbling something about “pay back” as she adjusted her blouse, stuffing her breasts back into her bra properly. Blowing him a kiss she quickly made her way down the steps, pausing to receive a smirk from Magda. Alivia laughed to herself again, passing by the front door the sound of the doorbell ringing stopping her in her tracks. She couldn’t even remember the last time she had actually heard her doorbell. All their friends and neighbors and heck, even the UPS man, knew to use the door off of the kitchen.

  “I’m never getting out of here,” she whined looking at her watch again and unlocking the door.

  “Can I help you?” she asked opening the screen door for the spotless man standing on her welcome mat. Why was a man in a power suit and dark sunglasses on her porch?

  “Alivia Monaghan?” he asked tersely not moving, which was sort of freaking her out.

  “Yes,” she answered, walking out the door a bit, hearing the laundry room door open and close upstairs.

  “Peter Hayes from Pascal and Smith Law,” the man said, reaching into his briefcase

  A law office?

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nbsp; “I’m sure you will have questions after reviewing these, so please have your attorney contact me at this number,” he insisted, handing her his business card.

  “Questions about what exactly?” she asked, looking between him and the card.

  Reaching into his briefcase once more, he handed her a blank envelope.

  “You have been served, Mrs. Monaghan.”

  Before she had a chance to look up from the white envelope questioning what in the world he was talking about, the gentleman was down her porch and starting back for his car.

  Served?

  Studying the envelope, she didn’t understand. Who would be contacting a legal office about her? She couldn’t think of any disgruntled past clients and even so, if they were to sue her than the papers would surely be sent to the office. Moving back into the house, she met Jax’s confused gaze at the top of the stairs. She held his eyes a moment before the carefree expression on his handsome face went stone, as if something inside his mind had registered. Without warning, he moved quickly down the stairs.

  “Liv, don’t open that,” he yelled skipping steps.

  “Why?” she asked, ripping open the envelope. “What is this?”

  Pulling out a stack of papers, she read the heading at the top as everything inside of her dropped.

  * * *

  Jax’s heart was in his throat and he didn’t think he had ever ran so fast in his entire thirty-one years of living. If his suspicions were correct about what was in that envelope, than there was absolutely no way Liv could see them. Reaching to grab the papers out of her hands, she moved back.

  It was too late.

  “Divorce papers?” she asked breathlessly. His breathing labored, he watched her a moment, the color draining from her face. And he was sure the color had disappeared from his as well. Pain, confusion, erratic flashing in her eyes and he knew that he had to choose his next words very carefully.