The Jackpot Screwer: Enemies to Lovers (Love In Dayton Valley Book 2)

by Nikki Ashton

  He folded his newspaper and gave her a smile. “Thought I might stay for dinner, if that’s okay.”

  The way Darcy’s face lit up, I guessed it was more than okay.

  “Want to have a quick word with Carter too.”

  My stomach rolled at the thought. It wasn’t that I was scared of Jim, more that I respected him. The thought he was disappointed in me didn’t sit well and worried me more than him ripping me a new one.

  Darcy gave me a comforting pat on the arm and left Jim and I alone.

  “So,” I said with a grimace. “I guess this is where you punch me, right?”

  Jim raised his brows and pointed to the couch. “There’ll be no punches thrown in this house. Now, sit.”

  Carefully lowering myself onto the couch, I kept my gaze on him, just in case he changed his mind.

  “I’ve known you all your life,” Jim said resting his hands on the arms of his chair. “You’re a good boy and maybe I’d always hoped you and Bronte would eventually see each other for the good people you both are. All that fighting and arguing since Bronte could first talk was a little much at times, but Darcy always said it was foreplay to a great love.”

  I grinned and wanted to high-five his wife. “She wasn’t wrong.”

  “You being apart doesn’t actually back that up though, does it, buddy?”

  “Not my choice, Jim.”

  “I know, I know.” He nodded slowly. “But, got to wonder why she’s pushed you away.”

  My shoulders slumped as I thought about how Bronte saw me. It was disappointing that she didn’t think I was committed to her and the baby, that I wasn’t up to the job. Admittedly before her I’d been a player, going from girl to girl and only caring about how I’d spend my paycheck at the end of each month. Then my Lollipop made my heart flip inside out. It might only have started out as one night of sex, but I’d quickly realized that one night wouldn’t be enough. She changed me.

  “She’s worried I’m not in this for the long haul, Jim. But I am.” I took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eyes. “I swear to God. Her, the baby, they’re all I want. I’m ready for this. It’s what I want.”

  Jim leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees, his blond hair was greying at the temples, but his blue eyes, a mirror image of Bronte’s, were bright and youthful. The stress of his relationship had taken its toll over the last few months, we’d all seen it, but watching him now it was clear that he was in a better place.

  “That’s good to hear, Carter,” he replied. “Words don’t mean anything though. It’s actions that prove you’re telling the truth. Thing is, son, you need to make sure you get that balance right. I thought buying Darcy anything she wanted or needed and just saying I love you was enough. As you know, it wasn’t, and we ended up having problems. Her defense mechanism was to distance herself from me because she thought I didn’t want her any longer. And actually, I thought she didn’t need anything from me, except money.” He sighed heavily and glanced at a picture of them on their wedding day. “We should have talked. I should have talked. I should have told her that I loved her how she was. I should have showed her instead of just writing a check. I should’ve supported her more with her mom. Betsy going into the home broke Darcy and I just let her deal with it alone, because I thought she could.”

  “But you’re getting back on track, right?” I asked hopefully, not being able to stand the thought that they may crumble and never rebuild.

  Jim nodded and smiled. “Yep, we are. I’m still staying at the apartment, for now, but it’s great to be getting to know each other again. Starting afresh if you like.”

  I breathed out a sigh of relief. “Good, that’s real good.”

  “Yeah, it is, but I don’t want that for any of my kids. I want them all to know how hard it is to keep a relationship going and to be sure that they and their partner always make the effort.” He sat back in his chair and ran a hand through his thick hair. “Maybe, it’s our fault that Bronte is second guessing you and her and I’m sorry for that. You’re a good man and I believe you when you say she and the baby are what you want.”

  “They really are, Jim.”

  He nodded. “Okay. So, you need to prove that you have the staying power to her. That you’ll be the guy who always makes an effort with her, even thirty years down the line.”

  “I will, I swear.” And I meant it. “A life without Bronte isn’t something I even want to contemplate – now or in thirty years. I know it sneaked up on both of us after a lifetime of fighting, but now I can’t picture my life any other way. Honestly, Jim, I love your daughter. I know I’ll always love your daughter and I’ll do whatever I can to always show her that.”

  Jim smacked the arm of his chair. “Okay then. I guess you have some work to do.”

  “Yes sir, I do.” I pulled the shopping list from my pocket. “I came to talk to Bronte about maybe going shopping for all this. You think she’ll go for it?”

  Jim leaned forward, took the list from me and read it.

  “That’s a pretty long list,” he said with a whistle. “And you know me and Darce will help out.”

  “No need. I’m good for it.”

  As he handed the piece of paper back to me, my mobile shrilled in my pocket and Darcy came into the room with a glass of water.

  “Here you go, honey,” she said, placing it on the coffee table as I pulled my phone from my pocket.

  “Thanks, Darcy.” I smiled up at her and then read the message. “Oh shit, sorry. I need to go. A horse has been caught in an RTA on the Middleton Ridge road.”

  Jim stood at the same time as I did. “Damn that’s gotta be bad.”

  “Oh no,” Darcy gasped. “I hope it’s okay.”

  “Thanks for the chat, Jim,” I said and moved for the door. “Will you tell Bronte that I called on her.”

  “Yes, sure, son. Now go and drive safe.”

  As I drove my car away from the house, I heaved a sigh of relief. Even though I was about to go and experience something pretty awful, it could never be as scary as facing Jim Jackson about his pregnant daughter.

  “Hey, honey,” Mom said as I walked through the door. “You just missed Carter.”

  My heart skipped a beat. “Carter was here? He didn’t wait?”

  “Had to go to an RTA,” Dad answered as he came into the living room and kissed my head. “A horse is involved.”

  “Oh my God,” I gasped. “I hope it’s going to be okay.” My heart lurched at the thought of Carter dealing with an injured horse in what might be a dangerous situation. “He’ll be okay, right?”

  “The horse or Carter?” Dad asked with a wry smile. “I’m pretty sure both will be fine. Carter’s a great vet and the highway patrol will make sure he’s perfectly safe.”

  Chewing on my bottom lip, I stared out of the window to my car.

  “No, sweetheart,” Dad said, running a hand down my hair. “Don’t even think about it.”

  “I-I wasn’t.”

  Mom laughed. “You can’t fool us.” She pulled me down onto the couch with her. “Honey, why are you doing this to yourself? You obviously love him.”

  Dad sat down on his chair, at least I supposed it was still his chair seeing as he didn’t live with us any longer. Which was another thing, why was he at the house? I knew he’d called in for lunch with Mom, but it was way past that.

  “I know you want him to be sure, sweetheart.” Dad’s eyes were full of concern as he looked between me and Mom. “And I’ve spoken to him and am pretty sure he’s all in.”

  “You spoke to him?” My eyes widened as worry pulled at me. “You didn’t hit him, did you?”

  “No,” Dad said around a laugh. “Of course, I didn’t. We had a good talk.”

  “He’s telling the truth, honey.” Mom gave my hand a squeeze. “They just talked, and Carter was all in one piece when he left here a half hour ago.”

  “So, what did you talk about?” I asked.

  Dad grinned.
“What do you think? No need to worry though,” he said, holding up a hand. “It was all perfectly amicable. I got to say sweetheart, I do believe he loves you and is committed to you and the baby.”

  “Dad’s right,” Mom added. “Maybe you should both talk.”

  Inhaling deeply, I flopped back against the many throw cushions Mom insisted on having on the couch.

  “What is it?” Dad asked, leaning forward in his chair. “What’s holding you back? Is it me and Mom?”

  “Jim!”

  “Darce no.” Dad held his hand up to stop her. “We have to accept that our problems are going to impact the kids. It’s bound to make them cautious.”

  Mom turned to me. “Is that true?”

  I nodded slowly. “I guess so. I mean if you and Dad can’t make it, what chance in hell do I have with Carter. The man’s an interminable teenager. How the hell is he going to bring a child up?”

  “Well firstly,” Dad said, raising his brows. “Your Mom and me, well we’re fine.” He glanced at Mom, whose eyes were shining with love for him. “Well at least I think we will be. We just lost our way a little. But you know all the reasons why. We told all of you everything after our counselling sessions, so please don’t let our mistakes color your future, sweetheart. No one wants you to be with someone you don’t love, or want to be with, but I don’t think that’s the case with you and Carter. You should give it a go with him. And if it doesn’t work out, you and the baby will always have a home here, with me and your mom.”

  I grinned and looked between my parents who were both smiling. “So, you’re coming back home?” I asked tentatively.

  Mom inhaled sharply as Dad paused to look up at the ceiling. It felt like time stopped for the few seconds it took him to reply.

  Finally, he said, “Yes, if your mom will have me, but maybe not for a few weeks.”

  I looked over at Mom finding tears in her eyes. She’d missed him so much, but she knew him staying away for a little while was the best thing for them.

  “Okay,” she said breezily and pushed up from the couch. “I’m going to get dinner started. Dad is staying.”

  Dad cleared his throat and gave Mom a playful smile which made my heart skip a beat. They really were getting there and I hadn’t realized how much I’d needed to hear it. The happiness it brought was the best feeling. Maybe Dad was right, maybe I should give Carter a chance.

  “Do I have time for a shower?” I asked Mom.

  “Sure honey. Austen isn’t home from football practice yet anyway.”

  As I got up from the couch, a car pulled up on to the driveway. “Who’s this?” I asked looking out the window.

  “I don’t recognize the car,” Mom said, joining me at the window. “Do you, Jim?”

  “Nope. Don’t know anyone with a red sedan.”

  “Oh my God,” Mom cried, rushing from the room. “It’s Shaw.”

  My brother Shaw was at Harvard and wasn’t due home for Spring Break for another week.

  “What’s he doing here?” I turned to Dad and saw he looked worried.

  “No idea, sweetheart. But I guess we’re about to find out.”

  We heard Mom open the front door and then squeal with joy that her baby was home. Before we had time to join them, she was dragging him into the living room.

  Shaw looked tired with dark circles around his eyes, his blond hair was a little longer than he usually wore it and he looked thinner. I looked over to Dad and knew he’d noticed to; his mouth thinning into a line and his eyes narrowed on my brother.

  “Hey, son. What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Is something wrong?” Mom looked at Dad. She appeared to be clueless that Shaw looking a mess and being home a week early meant that of course there was something wrong.

  My brother took a deep breath and rubbed at his forehead with his fingertips, his shoulders moving slowly up and down as the three of us watched him.

  “Shaw, son, what is it?” Dad pressed.

  “I don’t know… Dad, I…”

  Mom took his hand in hers and pulled on it. “Shaw, honey, what’s wrong? What’s happened?”

  He looked conflicted as he looked between Mom and Dad, anguish in his eyes.

  “Shaw, tell us,” Dad insisted.

  “I’m sorry but I got suspended.”

  “From Harvard?” I cried. “Oh my God, Shaw. What did you do?”

  Looking at him carefully, his appearance told me there was only one thing it could be.

  “You damn idiot,” I hissed. “You’ve been caught doing drugs, haven’t you?”

  Shaw took a step back and murderous eyes stared at me. “What the hell, Bronte? I wouldn’t do drugs; don’t you know me?”

  “Well, you look a mess,” I protested, throwing my hands into the air.

  “Well, that’s because I’ve been travelling for almost eight hours. Not to mention putting in an all-night study session last night, seeing as I won’t be around to hand in a paper next week.”

  “Well, you look like a meth-head,” I protested.

  “Hey, hey, hey,” Dad said. “Just calm down the both of you. Son, tell us what got you suspended.”

  “Oh Shaw,” Mom groaned. “I can’t believe this. You worked so hard to get into that school. Do you know how privileged you are to be there? You could have been studying law there in a couple of years.”

  Shaw turned to Mom. “Of course, I do. I know exactly how many hours I put in to get there, you don’t need to tell me.”

  “Hey, don’t speak to your mom like that,” Dad said. “Show her some respect.”

  Shaw looked suitably reprimanded and leaned to kiss Mom’s cheek. “I’m sorry. I’m just so damn pissed about it all.”

  “So, tell us what the hell happened.” Dad put his hand on Shaw’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

  “You’re not going to like it.”

  “Shaw,” Mom cried. “Just tell us.”

  He dropped his head. “My girlfriend, Monique, well, she’s pregnant.”

  My mouth dropped open as Dad made a noise like he was being strangled.

  “How the hell… you can’t be serious,” Dad groaned. “Two grandkids. What the hell?”

  “Actually, no,” Shaw replied, his tone low. “It seems she’s been sleeping with our history Professor and he got her pregnant.”

  “Oh, my goodness, honey you must be devastated.” Mom pulled him into her arms and kissed his cheek.

  He maneuvered himself free and smiled at me. “No offence to you sis, but it’s actually a relief. Kids are not on my schedule for a while.”

  My hands went to my belly and it hit me that I couldn’t imagine babies not being in my schedule, particularly the baby already growing inside of me.

  “The baby is the professor’s then?” Dad asked. Shaw moved to stand in front of the fireplace, turned to face us and nodded. “And that got you suspended why?”

  Shaw’s face colored up and he cleared his throat. “I kinda punched him,” he said quietly.

  “Shaw.” Mom rolled her eyes. “Please tell me you didn’t.”

  “I think he did, Mom.” I began to laugh and high-fived my brother. “Good for you.”

  Shaw grinned back at me. “Put him right on his ass.”

  “You do know that this is your future you might have messed up, don’t you?” Dad ran a hand through his hair and paced up and down. “What length of time are we talking? Have they said whether it’ll affect you taking your law degree? Will they note it on your transcripts? Have they said? Did you ask?”

  “Yes, Dad, I asked all of those questions. It won’t affect my chances of Harvard Law if I get my undergrad degree and a good LSAT score. They’ve also agreed to keep it from my transcripts as long as I don’t do anything like it again. Although,” Shaw said with a sigh. “It’s kinda soured my view of the place.”

  “You’re not dropping out, son,” Dad growled.

  “No, I don’t want to. I’ve worked too hard.” Shaw blew out a breath. “
But I am thinking of applying to Baylor, or Texas Tech—I can do a clinical program with them, and I kinda like the idea of that.”

  Mom’s face shadowed with worry, and when I glanced at Dad, he looked the same. Shaw had worked real hard at high school because Harvard had always been his goal. He must have been feeling bad about everything to consider transferring after his undergrad studies.

  “But you can stay and apply to HL if you want to?” Dad scrubbed a hand over his chin as he contemplated everything.

  “Yeah, I can,” Shaw replied.

  “Did you get it in writing?” I asked. “Because they could say that now, but…”

  “I go back after Spring Break and I got the Dean’s word,” he replied with a smirk. “They don’t want the scandal of one of their professor’s getting a student pregnant.”

  Mom laughed. “Like that’s a scandal. I knew three girls at college who got pregnant by professors—one actually had the Faculty Dean’s baby.”

  “Yeah, well, Mom,” Shaw said. “This professor has four kids and is married to the actual Dean. The Dean who happens to be about to star in a reality TV show about running an Ivy League college.”

  “Really?” I gasped. “When does that start? Carter and I love reality TV shows. Oh, my goodness, I need to make sure we watch that.”

  “Bronte, sweetheart,” Dad growled. “You think we could focus on the fact that your brother just got suspended from Harvard. And, while we are talking about all of this, who the hell does that car belong to? Don’t tell me you stole the damn professor’s vehicle as well as punching him.”

  “Shit, Dad, no,” Shaw protested. “It’s a rental from the airport. I figured it was better to get here and then tell you what happened.”

  “Shame.” I peered around Dad to look through the window. “Nice set of wheels.”

  “Cool eh,” Shaw responded. “Drives like a dream.”

  “Hey.” Dad clapped his hands together. “I said, focus.” He turned to Shaw. “And you’re sure that this isn’t going to come back on you after your suspension?”

  “Yes, Dad. Dean Roberts doesn’t want the scandal. As well as the show she doesn’t want it affecting her sideline.”

  “What sideline?” Dad asked, putting fisted hands to his hips.