Happily Ever After: A Contemporary Romance Boxed Set

by Piper Rayne

  A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth when I think about her. She does make me happy, but we’re in that beginning stage of a relationship when everything is roses. What if it doesn’t last?

  The front door opens and Xavier yells, “Grandma!”

  “In here, sweetie,” she says.

  In walks Xavier, Cade, and Fisher. I knew they’d never walk all the way home. None of them look my way as they cross the room and hug their grandma hello.

  “Cookies are in the kitchen,” she says.

  Xavier and Fisher walk out of the room first. Cade tries to move, but Mom grabs the sleeve of his jacket and tugs him back.

  “You two are going to talk.” She points at me and him, then at the couch. “Sit.”

  Cade might have a smart mouth with me, but not with his grandma, so he sits on the sofa without a word.

  “I’m going to make sure they have chocolate milk.” She leaves us alone.

  I would usually say something about the kids having too much sugar and chocolate this early in the day, but skipped the restaurant and I don’t have it in me right now anyway.

  “Listen,” I start because Cade would sit here silent forever if I let him. “I’m sorry about the radio thing. I know it puts you in a shitty position with your friends and the kids at school.”

  I get nothing in return. He stares out to the back of the house.

  “And it was irresponsible for me to get caught on the high school grounds. I should’ve been more discreet. I apologize for those two things—although one is out of my control, you can blame your gr—” I stop, not wanting to make this about her.

  Still he says nothing.

  “I also understand your issues with Jed, but you’re a good quarterback too. And whether or not you play quarterback doesn’t matter in the whole scheme of your life.”

  His head whips in my direction. That got his attention. “How can you say that? You played, your cousin Jeff played, Grandpa played. And now I’ll be the one who doesn’t.”

  “You are playing, Cade, and what did me playing quarterback in high school get me? I took over my dad’s business.”

  He sits up straighter and looks me in the eye for the first time in weeks. “Imagine another contractor came into this town and stole your clients and everyone bragged about how great he is compared to you.”

  My shoulders fall. I nod, understanding his point. “Gotcha. But all of that has nothing to do with Marla and me.”

  “Except that Jed is her son. And the kids are already saying shit about you two after you did the concession stand and went for pizza a couple of times after the games.”

  “And how does Jed handle it?”

  “He makes jokes like he doesn’t care. He calls me “cuz” in the hall.”

  I had a feeling Jed’s personality was similar to his dad’s, but I’m not sure if it’s an act or whether it really doesn’t bother him.

  I look toward the kitchen and back at Cade. “After your mom died, I didn’t think I would ever find another woman I could be happy with. Hell, I didn’t even think I’d date. I was so concerned with you guys and getting you through the loss of your mom that it was the farthest thing from my mind. Marla and I never dated in high school, but we did become good friends and I did have feelings for her then. When she came back to town, it felt like there might be something there. I wanted to explore if that feeling was still there.”

  “And?”

  “It is. I probably went about this the wrong way. But at the same time, I’m not apologizing for falling in love with an amazing woman. At some point, a parent has to live their own life, and if I thought she would be any kind of detriment to you guys, we wouldn’t be together. Have you thought about Chevelle or Adam or even Xavier? They’re young. Maybe having a woman in their lives would be good for them. Especially Chevelle.”

  “Are you going to marry her?”

  I would never admit to him that I can see Marla and me married at some point. Not yet anyway. That would make me seem crazy. “We’re not there yet. But I am in love with her.”

  He rolls his eyes and sighs, allowing his body to sink into the couch.

  “You don’t have to be okay with this, but you will treat Marla with respect when you’re around her. You have a choice, Cade, to accept it or not, but I will not allow you to be cruel to her or her kids. Do you understand?”

  He nods.

  I stand to allow him to think about what he wants to do. I’m just about to leave the room when he calls out to me. I turn to face him.

  “Can you at least just not kiss her and stuff in public?”

  I chuckle. “I’ll try not to.”

  He stands and breaks the distance with his head down. “I just miss Mom.”

  I put my arm around my oldest son. “Me too.”

  We walk into the kitchen. Just like when Laurie died, step by step we’ll get to where we need to be. If I learned anything from losing my wife, it was that you can come back from almost anything.

  16

  Marla

  * * *

  Things are normalish in both Greene households since Chip decided to listen to two senior citizens about spreading gossip on the local radio station. Of course, a few jerks like to call us “kissing cousins” as a joke, but for the most part, people seem fine with Hank and me dating. We’re out as a couple in public, holding hands, being affectionate, and having dates. It’s a great feeling not to be hiding anymore. The younger Greenes are enjoying having other kids their own age to play with—with the exception of our two oldest boys.

  I’m in the kitchen on a Friday afternoon, getting together some salad dressings. Two Brothers and an Egg offered to add them to the lunch menu. It’s a small start, but a start all the same.

  My phone rings and I press the speaker button, not bothering to look at who’s calling. “Hello?”

  “What the hell, Mar? You’re dating our cousin?”

  Jeff. I’m kind of surprised it’s taken him this long to hear about it. Then again, he doesn’t know anyone in Sunrise Bay. At least no one he keeps in touch with.

  “Clarification. I’m dating your cousin.”

  “I always knew you had a thing for him.” He disregards my comment because that’s what he does. “I think I’m gonna come take Jed and bring him down here. His high school coach came to me the other night and said they need him for the finals. You know that team is going to state.”

  I try to rein in my temper. The last thing I want to do is make him angry. Through all our years of marriage, I learned to walk the tightrope. “And how does Melissa feel about this?”

  “She’s fine with it.”

  “Really? She’s willing to give up all her Friday nights to go sit in a stadium filled with people and watch your son play football?”

  “Yes. She likes the sport.”

  “I’ll bet she does.”

  “This isn’t about her anyway. Listen, I talked to my lawyer.”

  “You what?” I drop the oil and it spills all over the floor. My hands shake. Did he really think I would agree to this? He can’t just yank his son around so he can live vicariously through him. “He’s old enough to make his own decision about where he lives.”

  “And he did. I talked to him last night. How do you think I found out about you and your cousin?”

  “Again, your cousin. He agreed?” I can’t keep the hurt from my voice.

  Jeff laughs. “Seriously, you should’ve stayed here in Arizona. Why you ran home like a little girl, I still don’t understand. Moving Jed up there his senior year, of course he wasn’t gonna be happy about it. Plus, if he wants to play in college, he needs to be at a top high school. Hate to break it to you, but Sunrise Bay isn’t on that list. Just ask your cousin.”

  I clench my hands at his sly way of referring to Hank not continuing his football career after high school. I’m not even sure Jed wants to play in college. He’s seemed happy the last couple weeks. Am I such a horrible mom that I don’t even know my own son
?

  “I have to call you back.” I click the phone off. My body sinks to the floor as I look at the oil spreading across the linoleum.

  Am I really so stuck in my own bubble of happiness that I didn’t realize my son wasn’t happy? What kind of mother does that? My children’s happiness means more than mine does.

  A vehicle pulls up in the driveway. I hear a car door shut, then the front door of the house opens and shuts.

  “Marla!” Hank calls.

  I don’t answer, but he finds me on the kitchen floor with my back against the wall.

  “What happened?” He steps over me, grabbing paper towels to clean up the oil. “Are you hurt?” He drops the towels on the oil and crouches to my level. “Marla?”

  “Jeff is going to take Jed back to Arizona, and apparently he wants to go.”

  “Who wants to go? Jed?”

  I nod.

  He sighs and his head falls back to look at the ceiling for a moment. “I’m here because we have something more immediate to handle.”

  I sit up straighter “What?”

  “Just be calm, okay? It’s about Cade and Jed.”

  My stomach sinks. “What happened?”

  “They’re in the principal’s office for fighting.”

  My eyes close and my shoulders sink. Hank stands and holds out his hand to me. I take his offering and he pulls me up.

  “Before we go.” He holds me to his chest. “We are a united front. I know we’re only dating, but I think I speak for both of us that this thing between us is only growing stronger. So when we go in there, we’re a team.”

  “What if Jed goes back?” Unshed tears sting my eyes.

  Hank shakes his head. “He won’t, and if he does want to, we’ll talk to him and change his mind. Don’t let your mind spin out of control. We should’ve fixed this earlier with the boys, but we didn’t. So let’s go and clear this up with them now. Let them know they need to be a team too.”

  I grab my phone and my purse, agreeing with Hank. But my mind is filled with so many what-ifs, I have no memory of making it out of the house or into Hank’s truck.

  We arrive at the high school, where both of us know the way to the principal’s office. In the waiting area, Cade is in one chair and Jed is in the one on the opposite side.

  Principal Torres comes out of his office when he spots us and calls us all in. “Marla. Hank.”

  We both get a nod. Principal Torres was our classmate. Great. It’s an extra layer of embarrassment that we have the delinquent sons.

  Hank looks at Cade with a disapproving glare while Jed holds his usual cocky smirk. It’s the one he uses in front of everyone who isn’t family.

  “These two got into it during lunch. They’re both refusing to tell me any specifics. I’m thinking of sitting them out of the game tonight.”

  “What?” Jed sits up straighter. Finally the smirk drops off his face.

  Cade shrugs as though he couldn’t care less.

  “Whatever you think is necessary,” Hank says.

  “Seriously? My dad would’ve fought for us to play! Your dad’s such a pussy,” Jed yells.

  Cade stands. “At least my dad can keep his dick in his pants.”

  Jed stands and they start toward one another.

  “Say one more thing about my dad,” Jed threatens.

  Cade lets out an arrogant cackle that I’m surprised to hear. “I could list everything wrong with your dad and you. You think you’re so cool and so popular. But you’re a high school quarterback, and when high school is over, you’ll be a has-been.”

  “Says the kid who lost his starting position,” Jed fires back.

  “Only because your lips are attached to Coach’s ass. Look at the record, hotshot. We’re not going to state. Almost every game you were quarterback, you lost.”

  “It wasn’t my fault the receivers can’t catch a damn throw.”

  Cade laughs. I step forward, but Hank stops me by putting his hand on my forearm. I look at him.

  He leans in to say to me, “They have to get this out.”

  “Get a clue. Your dad is friends with Coach. They played together here,” Cade says.

  Oh my God. How did I not think of that until now? I look at Hank and he blinks in surprise.

  “What are you saying?” Jed asks, but his cocky stance falters.

  “You got my position because Coach is friends with your dad, and he called in a favor.”

  “No.” Jed looks at me.

  I shrug because I don’t really know. I do remember Jeff playing with Coach Zeke, and I wouldn’t put that kind of manipulation past Jeff.

  “Before you got here, Coach was always bragging about his year and how they won state. How he and Jeff Greene are the reason they won.”

  Hank nods, apparently remembering it all. “I never thought he would… I mean… holy shit.”

  “What?” I ask him.

  Hank shakes his head with a look to say, “I’ll tell you later.”

  “You have no idea,” Jed says. “If I wasn’t better than you, then why does my old high school want me to play for them in the playoffs because they have a shot at state?”

  Cade shrugs. “I don’t care. Go back to Arizona. Make them lose for a change.”

  “Cade,” Hank’s tone is one of warning.

  He turns to his dad, holding out his hands. “What do you want from me? He’s taken everything away from me this year.” Cade slides by Jed and walks out of the office.

  Jed’s eyes search me out. “Is it true?”

  I shrug again. “I don’t know.”

  But Jeff has always found ways of manipulating people to get what he wants.

  “I trust you guys to handle this. They can play tonight, but detention all next week,” Torres says. “I’ll be talking to Coach Zeke as well.”

  “Thanks, Thor,” Hank says, referring to him by his nickname.

  This town is too small sometimes.

  “Jed, let’s go,” I say to him, then tell Hank that I’ll call him later.

  Jed touches his cheek where a bruise is forming, and he walks out of the office ahead of me.

  Hank grabs my hand and pulls me to his chest. “I’ll check in with you later. But…” He looks over my shoulder. “You need to talk to Jeff. Zeke is sporting a new fishing boat. He was bragging about it at the beginning of the season.”

  I huff. “You’re not serious?”

  “I am.” He bites his lip. “I’m sorry I didn’t put it all together sooner.”

  “Don’t be. It just means you’re not a manipulating asshole.” I kiss him quickly, and he squeezes my hip before releasing me.

  Jed is outside in his truck when I approach. I signal for him to get out of the driver’s side. He rolls his eyes but does it, and I climb into the driver’s seat. I send Nikki a text to say she’s in charge until I return home and there’s oil on the floor in the kitchen and not to slip.

  I drive Jed to his grandparents’ house. Not my parents’ house. Jeff’s parents’ old home. We park along the street and stare at the two-bedroom ranch that looks worse for wear.

  “What is this?” Jed asks.

  “This is where Grandma and Grandpa Greene lived.”

  “What?”

  “This is where your dad grew up.”

  Jed sounds surprised when he says, “Grandma and Grandpa have money. Why would they live like this?”

  “Your dad bought their house in Arizona. Your dad bought their cars. Your dad gives them an allowance every month. This is where they lived until your dad moved them to Arizona.”

  Jed’s jaw hangs open. “Why didn’t anyone tell us?”

  “Your dad is ashamed. He always was. That’s where his cockiness comes from. It’s a protection mechanism. He’s trying to act like someone he’s not. I stood by for too long and allowed you to do the same. Jed, wearing a mask your entire life and hiding who you are isn’t worth it. Did your dad pay Coach Zeke? I honestly don’t know, but I can see it. It’s your da
d’s way of making himself feel powerful and important, of making people do things he wants them to. And I’m sorry if you were one of his pawns. Maybe you weren’t. He probably did it all for you.”

  “Bullshit. He did it for himself.” He pounds his fist on the dash. “I’ve been an idiot. Playing week after week. Cade is right, I lost almost every game.”

  “But it wasn’t all you. You guys are a team.”

  He’s quiet for a few minutes and it’s until I hear him sniffling that I glance over. “I knew, Mom.”

  “Knew that Dad paid off Coach Zeke?”

  He shakes his head. “No. I knew Cade was better. It’s why I asked his two best friends to work out with me.” His head falls into his hands. “I’m just like him. I’m just like Dad. I manipulated the situation with the hopes that no one would notice.” His back wracks with sobs.

  Motherhood sucks sometimes.

  I put my hand on his back and rub up and down, just like I did when he was a little boy. “You did what came naturally. But the good thing is, you’re only seventeen. You can do the right thing and people will forgive you.”

  “Dad wants me to go back to Arizona,” he says to his hands.

  “He told me.”

  He picks up his head and looks at me, regret in his eyes. “He called last night. I told him about you and Hank.”

  I nod. “I know.”

  “I’m sorry. I was just so angry. I know it’s not an excuse.”

  I squeeze his shoulder. “No, it’s not, but you’ve been through a lot of change.”

  “I don’t want to be like him,” he says, looking me in the eye. “What if it’s, like, engrained or genetic or something and I destroy my entire life like he did with his?”

  I tilt my head, not understanding.

  “Cheating on you. He ruined his life by cheating on you. I always thought maybe Dad could change and win you back, but I see how happy you are with Hank. So much happier than you ever were with Dad.”

  I look at him with a sad smile. “I am. I’m glad you notice.” I take his head in my hands, willing him to really take in my words. “You choose who you are. You are the only one who can control you. You want to be a better person? You can. You want to be a better quarterback? You can. You want to be a better son?” He sighs, and I laugh. “You can.”