by J. E. Taylor
“Tom isn’t talking,” Steve said. “He’s got this insane idea that protecting the team is better for everyone involved.”
“What about the other guys?”
“No one else pressed charges,” Steve said and his eyes narrowed. “Where’s your shirt?”
CJ shrugged and glanced at Sandy and then down at the floor before he finally returned his gaze to Steve. He crossed his arms over his bare chest and shifted his weight, uncomfortable with his lack of attire under Steve’s blatant stare.
Steve balled his hands into fists and met Dan’s glare. “Are you kidding me?”
“That’s why he was just leaving,” Dan sneered from the other side of the room.
Steve’s lips pressed tight together and he shook his head, conveying a world of disappointment in that one motion. CJ dropped his gaze.
“I suggest you find your shirt and high tail it back here. Now.”
“Yes, sir,” CJ whispered and headed back upstairs.
* * * *
Steve waited until the kids were out of earshot before he turned toward Dan. “I’m sorry about all this,” he said trying to diffuse the angry thoughts sailing through Dan’s head, all of which included stringing CJ up in some fashion.
“You know what they were doing?” Dan pointed toward the front hall. “Under my roof?”
He crossed closer. “Does that really surprise you?” He knew how CJ felt about Sandy and while he wasn’t pleased with CJ’s actions, he really couldn’t blame him. CJ and Sandy had been together for as long as he knew the boy.
Dan’s face reddened. “I thought she’d grow out of CJ. The thought of his son and my daughter together just burns me to the core.”
“CJ isn’t Ty. If he was, those football players would be dead instead of just a little banged up and CJ wouldn’t have a scratch on him.”
“That doesn’t make this any easier,” Dan said. “Eric and Emily never screwed around under my roof.”
Steve burst out laughing. “You just didn’t catch them,” he said.
Dan glared at him.
“Oh, Eric screwed around plenty.” Steve tapped his temple. “And I’ve got the memories to prove it.”
Dan’s jaw tightened. “I don’t want them together,” he growled.
“We don’t always get what we want,” Steve shrugged. He knew firsthand what it was like having a father-in-law who didn’t want him in the family. “You don’t get to choose who you fall in love with.”
“They don’t know the first thing about love,” Dan argued.
“Let me give you some friendly advice,” Steve said and put his hand up when Dan opened his mouth to protest. “My wife’s father hates me, and because of that she has chosen not to see her parents very often.”
“What the hell does that have to do with this?”
“I’m just saying choose your battles, because if you try to push a wedge between them, you may end up losing your daughter.” He offered a shrug. “It’s your choice.”
* * * *
CJ stood in the bathroom, perplexed as to where his shirt had gone. It wasn’t in plain sight like his other clothes had been and he glanced at Sandy. “Is it in your room?”
“No,” she said and tried not to smile.
“This isn’t funny. Your dad is pissed.”
“I know, but you look so damn cute right now.”
CJ raised an eyebrow and glanced at his reflection. “I look like shit.”
She stepped closer and kicked the door closed before wrapping her arms around his neck. “Nah, the black eye just makes you a whole lot sexier.”
He smiled. “Any regrets?”
“Just that my dad caught us.”
CJ nodded. He could have done without that drama, too, and he glanced toward the door. “I found my shirt,” he said nodding toward the crumpled fabric the door had hidden until she closed it.
“When am I going to see you again?”
The question cut him and he offered a sad smile. “I don’t know,” he said and palmed her cheek. “You’re welcome at the house any time, you know.”
“I know, but I don’t have my own car, so…”
“Maybe I’ll buy you one for your birthday,” he said and leaned in to kiss her.
“Oh, yeah, my dad would just love that.” She rolled her eyes.
He chuckled. Dan definitely didn’t like it when he showered her with gifts. “Maybe that isn’t such a good idea.” The humor fizzled and he broke from her grasp, slipping the bloody shirt back over his head. “I have to go,” he whispered. Pain bloomed in his chest and it had nothing to do with his bruises.
“I don’t want you to.”
“I don’t want to leave either,” he said. He just wanted to curl up with her in bed and forget about everything at home, but he knew that wasn’t possible. Running away crossed her mind and he tilted his head, studying her.
“I couldn’t do that to you.”
“Why not?”
“Running away isn’t an option. If I start running now, I’d end up no different than my father,” he said and she knew how much he hated what his father did. “I’ll come back down as soon as things blow over at home.”
“Promise?”
“I promise,” he whispered. “There’s nothing on heaven or earth that could keep me away. Not even your father.” The kiss lingered, steaming his skin with desire and he pulled away, breathless. Taking one last look at her, he memorized the pouty lips and her beautiful hazel eyes before turning and leaving without another word.
Chapter 22
Steve walked back into the family room of their house. “CJ’s on his way home and we’d like to lodge a complaint against Bear Whipple for the assault on Tom.”
Detective O’Keefe tapped the arrest warrant against his palm and his gaze dropped to the semi-conscious boy on the couch. “Are you sure?”
“Six stitches, a broken cheekbone, four broken ribs, a broken wrist and a concussion? You bet your ass I’m sure. What they did to him is inexcusable.”
Tom’s unblemished eye opened.
“Did Bear Whipple do this to you?” Detective O’Keefe asked Tom.
Tom’s gaze dropped to the floor and his eye closed. “Ya,” he mumbled through swollen lips and gave a single nod.
“You’re not just saying that to protect your brother?”
Tom’s eyelid fluttered up and he shook his head. Leaning forward he grabbed the pad and pen on the table, scribbling and then turning the sheet so the detective could see. “No. If CJ hadn’t stepped in, they would have killed me.”
“They?”
Tom scribbled again and turned it back toward the detective. “Bear led the charge. He’s responsible for the pack mentality.”
O’Keefe turned back to Steve. “Bear said CJ attacked him without provocation.”
“I doubt that. CJ’s not the type to throw the first punch,” Steve said and crossed his arms. He got enough from Bear’s memories to understand what happened.
O’Keefe nodded and pocketed the arrest warrant. “I’ll talk to the Whipples.”
“I still want Bear charged with assault,” Steve said.
“Even if they are willing to drop the charges against CJ?”
“Regardless of whether they drop the charges or not I want that kid to understand what he did was wrong.”
Tom scribbled on the paper. “The entire lunch room witnessed what they did.”
“That’s good, because a situation where it’s your word against his isn’t going to bode well for someone charged with murder,” O’Keefe said, he turned his gaze from Tom to Steve.
Steve refrained from commenting and crossed to the door, opening it for the detective. “I’ll call you when CJ gets here.”
O’Keefe nodded and headed outside. The press went into action at the sight of the detective, shouting questions through the fence at both Steve and O’Keefe.
Steve closed the door and crossed, taking a seat next to Tom. “How are you feeling?”
“My head hurts.”
Steve nodded and looked down at his hands. “CJ got his fair share of bruises as well,” he said and glanced at Tom, smiling at the shock reflected in his eyes.
“He didn’t use his power. It was a fair fight,” he said and huffed. “Well, as fair as seven on one can be.”
Tom rubbed his eye and then signed, “If I had seen them coming…”
“You would have fared a lot better. I know. Clocking you with a tray was the act of a coward. Bear ambushed you and his intent was to kill, not just send you to the ER.” Steve shook his head, unable to believe the audacity of Tom’s ex-best friend. “I got the whole download of what happened when I saw him at the hospital.” He met Tom’s gaze. “I know he was your friend and maybe when this whole thing is over, he might be again, but I want to be very clear. Bear is not welcome in this house.”
Tom didn’t argue and Steve squeezed his shoulder.
“Are you going to fix me?” Tom signed.
“I can’t. Not since I’m pressing charges,” he said. “Both you and CJ are just going to have to live with this for a little longer. If Bear’s family drops the charges against CJ, I may reconsider, but until then, you two will have to suck it up.”
Chapter 23
CJ pulled through the gate, ignoring the press swarming his car. Getting out this time was worse than at Sandy’s and he nearly collapsed when his muscles seized. He gripped the door and counted to ten, willing the knots in his muscles to relax until he got inside.
His limp to the front door was caught on camera and he sent a glare toward the television cameras outside the gate. “Malfunction,” he whispered and sent a targeted blast toward the cameras. The red lights blinked out and he turned away before the smile surfaced.
He stepped inside the house and closed the door, slipping his sneakers off before he crossed to the family room. The air in the back of the house was heavy with onion and garlic and he glanced toward the kitchen. Steve was busy at the stove and he wondered where Jennifer was.
“She went to Boston to talk to her agent today, so she has no idea of what type of shit storm she’s coming home to,” Steve said to the unspoken question. He glanced over his shoulder meeting CJ’s gaze.
“Oh.” CJ couldn’t think of anything else to say so he turned his focus to his brother. “How are you?”
Tom looked up from his spot on the couch and shrugged.
Steve approached from the kitchen with the cell phone to his ear. “CJ’s home,” he said and hung up and pocketed the phone. “You are batting a thousand today. First the shit at school and then sleeping with Sandy, what the hell were you thinking?”
Tom’s mouth dropped open, his gaze traveling from CJ to Steve. “You slept with her?” he signed.
CJ nodded. “Uncle Dan caught us,” he said and Tom started laughing.
“Tom, he’s in enough trouble. I don’t need you egging him on,” Steve interrupted.
“So am I still a fugitive?”
“I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out when Detective O’Keefe gets the message.”
“I didn’t throw the first punch,” CJ said.
“You didn’t give them a choice. That little ultimatum really struck a nerve,” Steve said.
CJ bit his lip and shrugged. “How’d you find out?”
“Bear was at the hospital when we left,” Steve said. “He didn’t exactly tell the truth about what happened either, so unless you’ve got someone that can shed some light on this, you’re screwed.”
“Joe saw everything,” CJ said. “Including Bear’s little stunt at the end.”
“And your display,” Steve added.
CJ nodded. “Yep. They know I’m not normal,” he said with finger quotes.
“Ey away ew you wer orma,” Tom said with a grin. They just never said it to your face.
“Oh yeah? Well, at least I don’t have a reputation for tagging anything in a skirt.”
His eyebrows shot up and he sent a snide thought. At least I never got caught.
“Fuck you,” CJ said and turned, storming up to his room, ignoring the pain wracking his ribs with every step. He slammed his bedroom door and crossed to the computer, flipping it on. The need to see Sandy over-ruled anything else.
When the door opened behind him, he stiffened and turned his head, glaring at Tom.
“owy,” Tom said and limped to the bed, sitting down with a wince.
“Do you mind?” CJ pointed to the screen and the Skype logon.
Don’t make me get up again, Tom thought and dropped onto CJ’s pillow.
CJ sighed and nodded. “So, beyond the stitches and cast on your wrist–what else is wrong?” he asked and logged onto Skype at the same time.
Cracked cheekbone, four cracked ribs and a concussion.
“And that shit head filed a complaint against me?” CJ shook his head in disgust and pressed the call button, waiting for Sandy to come on.
Steve filed one against Bear too.
“Good, he deserves it.” He focused on the screen and after a few buzzes, he sighed and cut off the connection. “I bet Dan took away her computer,” he muttered, angry that he couldn’t see her tonight.
He really walked in while…
“Not during, after,” he said. “I didn’t even hear him come in.” CJ rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m usually so much more in tune than that.”
You were a bit preoccupied. Tom grinned. So how was she?
CJ tried his best not to smile, but it snuck through and he glanced at his brother. “Look, no disrespect, but I’m not discussing this with you.”
“Come on, spill,” Tom signed and then pushed himself into a sitting position.
“All I’m going to say is she was worth waiting for.”
The buzzer on the computer rang and CJ pushed the connect button. Her picture popped up on the screen and he smiled.
“Hey, I made it home and Tom’s here with me, so…”
“So watch what I say?” She winked. “Hey, Tom, how are you?”
CJ turned the screen toward Tom so she could see him. He waved his good hand.
“Jesus, you’re more of a mess than Chris.”
Tom rolled his eyes and shrugged and pointed toward the door. He attempted to stand.
“You don’t have to go. I can’t stay on long, anyway.”
CJ turned the screen back toward him. “How’d it go after I left?”
“Let’s just say getting my wisdom teeth pulled was more pleasant.” She glanced over her shoulder and then faced the computer again. “What about you?”
“The marines haven’t landed, yet.”
She sighed. “But the night is still young.”
“Yeah,” he said and leaned his elbow on the desk propping his cheek on his palm.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been run over by a train. But nowhere near as bad as Tom.”
“Why doesn’t Steve make it all go away?”
“He will, eventually,” CJ said.
Sandy gasped. “Dad’s coming, I gotta go,” she whispered and her picture disappeared.
“Shit,” CJ muttered and closed the computer. He glanced at Tom. “I’m not sure Uncle Dan is going to let me see her again.” A cold fear wrapped around his heart and he closed his eyes. “What if I completely fucked it up today?”
The girl loves you. How could you fuck it up?
“I don’t know, I guess I’m just being paranoid.”
Chill, everything will work out, Tom thought. I’m going to go lay down until dinner’s ready.
“Do you need a hand?”
Tom shook his head and hobbled out of the room.
Chapter 24
As soon as he lay down, the room tilted, blurring in front of him until he blinked it back into focus. Tom shivered and his breath plumed from his mouth. He turned his head slowly and his gaze landed on Tanya.
“Hey,” he said.
Her wide eyes scanned him and a pained
crease appeared between her eyes. “What happened to you?”
“I had a rough day.” He reached out and took her hand, pulling her onto the bed despite the bone chilling air surrounding her. At least in the bathroom, the heat from the shower had kept the cold at bay.
She stretched next to him, tracing his wounds with her fingers and prisms of ghostly tears slid down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” He wrapped his arm around her and inhaled. She still carried the fruity shampoo scent he remembered and it made him smile. “I miss you.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” she whispered.
Tom stiffened and turned, meeting her gaze. “You can’t stay indefinitely. Heaven’s waiting.”
“This is my heaven.”
The weight of her words hit him, pulling the air out of his lungs and leaving him struggling for oxygen. He closed his eyes tight; willing the air to flow in and out of his lungs until he was sure his voice wouldn’t shake. “This isn’t heaven, babe, not by a long stretch.”
“Don’t you want me here?”
Tom dropped his head back on the pillow. “You know I want you here. That’s why you are here instead of wherever your…” he caught himself. She didn’t know what condition her body had been left in and he wasn’t sure what the information would do to her.
“Instead of where?”
“Where ever they have your body,” he said.
“I think I was cremated,” she said.
He exhaled, knowing she was right. The papers had reported her cremation along with the scheduled memorial service. The fact he wouldn’t be able to say a proper goodbye ate at his nerve endings, and he wasn’t sure he could send her on now that she was here.
He glanced at her and wondered if he ever would.
“Not that I’m complaining, but why did you come here after everything you said?”
“I should have never broken up with you,” she sighed, sending a wave of cold air over his chest. “And now that I can hear you and kiss you and all, I’m not in a rush to leave.”
“Ah,” he said and closed his eyes. Exhaustion settled over him, dulling his pain and the soft stroke of her fingers over his temple lulled him to sleep.
