by Tori Brooks
Flynn’s In
by
Tori Brooks
Flynn’s In
Tori Brooks
© 2011, 2013 Mike’s Basement, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-940476-10-0
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from Mike’s Basement, Inc. For permission requests (outside of the scope of "Fair Use" doctrine), contact: [email protected]
This book is a work of fiction. The characters and events described are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events or people, living or deceased, is purely coincidental. Except for the baby gate incident, that happened.
www.toribrooks.com
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Marie Tilley for editing and A&L Brewerton for the cover design. My special thanks to my husband and family for their continued support. I acknowledge my addiction to Dr. Pepper and Appletini Crystal Light. I also acknowledge teenagers are what they are and I’ve gotten off easy. So far. It’s not over, but so far. (Now that I’ve said that . . .)
Table Of Contents
Copyright Notice
Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
See Also
Coming Soon
Author’s Note
Chapter One
Flynn shortened his long stride and slowed his pace. The woman not far in front of him on the crowded New York sidewalk wasn’t Teri. He already saw her profile when she turned to talk to the younger woman she was with, but she looked like Teri, from behind anyway. Flynn sighed. He needed to let it go. He already followed this woman nearly two blocks out of his way.
She stopped at a crosswalk and Flynn waited with the growing crowd for the light to change. This was insane. His divorce was final three months ago; he lost his wife and he lost the woman he, for all intents and purposes, left his wife for. Teri was happily snuggled in the bed of another man.
The light changed and Flynn followed the short, curvy brunette across the street at a discreet distance. Her stride was different from Teri’s, more brisk. Flynn shook his head, this was beyond insane. Never mind obsessing over a woman he couldn’t have and probably shouldn’t, eventually someone was going to recognize him. He dreaded a fan asking where he was headed. Besides, with his marital track record, the best thing he could do for Teri is stay away from her.
What really bothered Flynn was that he never got a fair chance. By the time he met her, Paul Lovett had already invested an unimaginable amount into his pursuit. Flynn couldn’t compete with that right out of the gate. Of course he was a rock star, he should have pressed that advantage, Flynn thought bitterly. If there was one thing he knew, it was seducing women.
The woman turned into a shop with her companion. Flynn glanced and did a double take: it was a tobacco shop. He didn’t see that coming. Briefly, he considered following her in, but Flynn didn’t smoke anymore and the woman wasn’t Teri anyway, so he loitered outside for a moment while he thought.
He wanted Teri, although he decided not to pursue it when the private investigator he hired gave evidence Paul moved in with her. But he couldn’t put her behind him. Maybe it was time to look again. Paul was a prick. Maybe Teri was ready to move on.
“Flynn Alexander Peterson?”
Flynn turned, thinking a fan finally found him, standing in front of a tobacco shop of all places. Wait . . . his full name?
“Yes?” Flynn sized up the man. He was a suit. Flynn had too much experience to think he was about to be served lawsuit papers. This guy was a novice and wouldn’t last if that was his job.
“I have a message for you. Paul Lovett would like to see you, sir.”
“What?” Was it possible Paul knew he hired someone to follow Teri? No, that was months ago; if Paul found out he would have done something about it then.
“He’d like to meet you. In his office if that’s agreeable.” The man seemed to be remembering a set of instructions and contingencies. Flynn knew the look well from his manager’s never-ending parade of assistants.
“And he sent you out to wander New York looking for me?”
“No, sir. I went to your apartment building. I’ve been trying to catch up with you for over three blocks.” The man glanced at the tobacco shop and back to Flynn, his brow furrowed slightly. Flynn didn’t feel like commenting on why he accidentally led Paul’s lackey on a merry goose chase, he just decided to accept a reason for the walk more satisfying than chasing a dream.
“Why does Paul want to see me?”
“He didn’t say, sir.”
The idea of meeting with Paul was distasteful. Nothing good could come of it. Regardless, he found himself nodding. Damn his curiosity. “Fine. I’ll see him.”
• • •
“Flynn, please come in.”
Flynn hesitated for a moment as Paul stood and gestured to a pair of comfortable chairs in front of his desk. He still wasn’t certain of the wisdom of agreeing to meet Paul in the first place. He was here now though, so he crossed the room and took a seat, barely glancing at the exquisite décor of Paul’s office. Flynn expected as much. The man had money, he knew that when they competed for Teri’s affection. Paul used his resources better, unfortunately. The realization left a bitter taste in Flynn’s mouth.
“Ms. Nguyen, will you —” Paul began.
“Tim’s already on his way.” Paul’s secretary smiled and closed the door leaving Paul and Flynn alone. Instead of sitting behind his desk, Paul chose to sit in the other chair beside Flynn.
He wants something, Flynn decided. A magazine lay open on the desk with a picture of Teri on Paul’s arm attending a charity banquet. Flynn stared at it and didn’t feel inclined to do Paul any favors.
“You got a divorce,” Paul said. The reminder of his third failed marriage didn’t endear him to Flynn.
“So? You’ve got Teri, I’m not a threat anymore,” Flynn said, glancing again at the magazine. It was the current edition.
“Do you still want her?”
“What?” Flynn was sure he heard that wrong. Paul worshiped Teri. He looked into their relationship while he went through the divorce. Except for the lack of wedding bands, they seemed cozy and happy together. Women sometimes changed their minds, frequently in Flynn’s experience, it was the reason he was single again. Flynn was hoping to encourage Teri to change her mind. He didn’t expect Paul to.
“Flynn, I have to ask you not to repeat what I tell you here today. It won’t be for long, but it’s important.”
Flynn frowned, but finally nodded in agreement.
“I’m dying.”
Flynn sat up straight and looked at the man he thought he hated. He didn’t know what to think. Paul gave him a weak smile.
“Teri doesn’t know. I have an aneurysm. If caught in time, medication or surgery could take care of it. But it wasn’t caught in time and there are complications. It’s a fluke we even know, and the specialists it doesn’t look good. If I’d
known, I never would have pursued Teri. She lost her husband to a heart attack. I don’t want to put her through this again. I’m doing what I can to make it easier on her.”
Flynn stared at Paul in shock. The door behind him opened and closed as Tim, Paul’s assistant, joined them. His footfalls echoed in Flynn’s mind and the chair behind Paul’s desk creaked softly when Tim sat. Finally the reality of Paul’s statement reached Flynn’s consciousness. He nodded silently before he found his voice.
“What can I do?” Flynn offered, his voice hoarse.
“Teri’s a proud woman. She’ll need a shoulder to cry on, but she won’t ask and won’t accept if you offer. Of course she has Nicholas, they’ve been friends for a long time. He’ll be there for her, but she’ll need more. I’ve drawn up a will that will cause quite a bit of tension when it’s read. You’re included. Unofficially, I’m leaving you Teri.”
Flynn furrowed his brow and shook his head, not understanding how that was possible. Not daring to believe. Paul held up a hand.
“There is a subtle plot behind this and I need you to help me carry it out. As my goal and yours will be the same, you have a chance of success. Teri told you about her son, Dev, and his band.”
Flynn nodded. He tentatively planned on using her son’s band as his ‘in.’
“I might be biased, and I’m certainly not an expert on the music industry, but I think they have potential. I’m setting aside a trust for the boys to develop their abilities and to produce an album. I’m putting you in charge of that, if you’re willing. You’ve been in the industry a long time, your band is successful, your involvement is reasonable. Naturally it means you’ll need to hang around the house quite a bit. That will give you a reason to be there and, because she already knows you, Teri will hopefully be able to lean on you when needed.
“Give her time, of course, she’ll be upset. I’ll leave you a letter also asking you to look after her for me. Don’t show her that right away, with any luck you won’t need to at all. Try to get her out of the house. She loves the Seattle Aquarium, The Space Needle at sunset, and the zoos. Choose your timing. But if she resists, and you think it’s time, show her the letter. It might throw her into tears, but she’ll most likely be cooperative after that. Once you can start getting her out of the house, you can take it from there.”
Flynn nodded, still unsure of what to say.
“I suspect you’ll get along fine with the kids. Teri has two: Cassandra and Devin. Cassie and her best friend, Tiffany, are nearly inseparable so you’ll see Tiffany sleeping over quite a bit. The girls are easy going and they’re heading off to NYU next fall. I don’t expect you to have any problems with them.
“Of the boys, Dev is the youngest in the band, two years younger than Bryan and four years younger than Kenny and Jess. Jess is quite the ladies’ man, but he’s not exactly clever. I suspect he’s capable of using his mind, he just hasn’t needed to. Kenny is smart and talented as far as I can tell. He’s the drive behind the band. He writes their songs and makes their decisions. Kenny doesn’t get along with Cassie, and it irritates him whenever he sees Jess fawn over her. Bryan is the patient one who holds them together. Dev fights with Kenny and Jess, Bryan sooths the frayed nerves. They act like brothers, with Jess and Kenny as oldest and Dev as the youngest, used to getting his own way. Bryan is the stereotype of a middle child, he fades to the background except when he’s keeping the peace. Unfortunately, Bryan doesn’t actually live there, he just sleeps over quite a bit.
“Dev is a smart kid; really smart, watch him. He’s got a knack for computers. Shortly before I came into the picture, Teri grounded him for a month because he got mad at her and wrote a virus to disable her cell phone. He likes to outwit Jess too. Oddly, that doesn’t annoy Jess as much as it probably should.”
“Cell phone virus,” Flynn repeated weakly.
“Yes. I doubt he’d do it again, and don’t let him know I told you. I don’t think he knows Teri told me. She just wanted to warn me because Dev and I tend to butt heads. Also, Teri’s raising them to uphold abstinence, including the boys but with limited success in Jess’s case. No success actually. Dev threw quite the fit when he found out Teri and I . . .
“Teri can be seduced, but don’t rush it. She’s very conservative. Once you get there, she’s really . . . ah, energetic.”
Flynn felt his face grow hot as Paul continued and opted to stare out the window behind Tim instead of face the man telling him how to seduce the woman he loved. Flynn noticed Tim watching him, and the heat spread to his ears. He looked away from Tim. Why was he here? The thought to stop Paul didn’t occur to Flynn, but a witness to the uncomfortable conversation made it even worse.
“Luckily you don’t have a tour planned anytime soon, of course I don’t know when it’ll happen,” Paul continued, unaware of Flynn’s wandering mind and growing discomfort.
Flynn turned back to Paul and simply nodded in acknowledgment.
“It’s a lot to take in.”
“More than a little unexpected,” Flynn agreed.
“Tim will help as needed.”
Flynn looked back at Tim, finally understanding his presence. Tim didn’t smile, but nodded in agreement of Paul’s assurances.
“Anyway, I generally try to be prompt, but there is no specific time frame for this.” Paul smiled at his little joke.
“Will it . . .” Flynn faltered, unwilling to ask if it would hurt or even if he was in pain now. Paul understood what he was asking, however, and looked away before he answered. His voice changed now that he wasn’t thinking about Teri.
“They say it’ll be fairly quick, with little or no pain or warning. Obviously things that increase my heart rate increase the likelihood . . . I’m not changing anything. I won’t live like that.” Paul paused and Flynn looked to Tim, but received no further answers. “I might have six months, they’re not sure.”
“Are you going to tell her?”
“No. I’m preparing as much as I can and I don’t want to ruin the time we have left. As far as Teri’s concerned, I’m retiring. With any luck, I’ll finish my retirement plans and actually get to spend more time with her. Of course, it might be better if it happens while I’m away from home.” Paul sighed and looked back to Flynn. “Either way, she’ll know afterward that I knew. I have a letter for her, and it’ll be clear when the will is read.
“On that topic, while the arrangements for the trust and management of developing the kids’ band are already underway, they won’t be notified until the reading of the will.”
“Don’t you want to see their happy little faces?” Flynn smiled.
“Not concerned about it, no. Dev would just be suspicious. He’s accused me several times of trying to buy him off. He doesn’t approve of my relationship with Teri. I can’t marry her. It’s complicated and he doesn’t understand. Teri does and that’s what’s important. She knows I want to do this for them, and believes Tim’s still looking into the details. The reason I’m waiting isn’t anything to do with the kids, it’s because I want you at the reading and it gives a plausible reason for you to be there.”
“Fine. Why?” Flynn was rapidly becoming a bundle of raw nerves. Paul was so calm about dying. He was planning everything, giving the woman he fought so hard for to another — him. Flynn couldn’t do what he was doing. A sickening realization burrowed through Flynn: the best man did win Teri. And she was losing him. How could he fill those shoes?
“I expect trouble and I want her to have as many people there to support her as I can.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“My wife and children will be taken care of, Flynn, but they won’t be happy with my division of assets.”
“Paul, it’s only fair to give Flynn a brief explanation about your wife,” Tim said. Paul looked at him, then nodded and turned back to Flynn.
“My marriage failed due to mistakes we both made. One point that hopefully won’t come up is that none of my three children are actually
mine. They’re adults now and I don’t know if they suspect anything. I raised them so I’ll always think of them as my children. It might be a shock to them if they don’t know.
“Sara is bitter and refused to grant me a divorce at any price. She’s holding the children’s paternity over me, threatening to ruin the lives of three other families if I sue for a divorce. Teri met her and decided she’d rather live with me in sin than let Sara get her way.”
“Does your wife know?”
“Yes. Knowing about Teri isn’t the problem. It’s that if she’d given me a divorce, Sara would have gotten quite a bit of money. I’m not feeling quite so generous in my impending death. I’m also treating Dev and Cassie as my own children, they’re inheriting equally. In addition, I’m leaving a little to Tiffany, Jess, Kenny, and Bryan. They’re at the house enough they’re almost like Teri’s children too.”
“And you enjoy the idea of how Sara’s going to react to the point you’re making,” Tim said quietly.
“I’ve waited a long time to make this point. It’ll make things uncomfortable though. I’m doing everything I can to take the heat off Teri.”
Paul paused. Flynn stared out the window at the clouds drifting by over Tim’s shoulder. Paul’s eyes weighed on him.
“It’s a lot to think about.” The slight change in Paul’s tone startled Flynn and he looked at the man beside him. He saw Paul in a new light now. He wasn’t the opponent he lost the prize to, now he was a comrade who needed his help in the final fight.
“Yes, it is. I’ll do what I can for her. Even if things don’t work out between us, I’ll do what I can,” Flynn answered sincerely, looking Paul in the eye for the first time since they sat down.
“Thank you,” Paul whispered. “That’s all I can ask.”
Chapter Two
Kyle Mercer sat quietly behind his desk and waited as people arrived for the reading of Paul Lovett’s will. He knew what was in it, of course, and tried to dissuade Paul for Teri’s sake if no one else’s. Paul was not to be deterred, so Kyle did everything in his power to make it incontestable. He even took it to another senior partner to look over. When he couldn’t find any loopholes, Kyle took it to an ambitious junior attorney with a habit of playing dirty. It was solid.
