“Miss Fierro,” Jamie exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
The teacher wrung her hands and stepped back, gesturing for Jamie to enter. “I’m Alyssa.”
“Alyssa?” Jamie sputtered, drawing a blank, as she glanced from Miss Fierro to Andrew coming toward them from the great room.
“Yes, Alyssa Rush, my wife,” Andrew said, putting his paw around Miss Fierro’s shoulder. “Surprised, aren’t you? If you hadn’t been so self-centered and focused on your own sex life, you might have noticed that other people have important things going on in their lives, too.”
“I’m focused on my boys. Where are they?” Jamie brushed her way past him.
“They’re asleep and doing fine,” Andrew said. “You no longer have custody of them. I’m sure your mother filled you in.”
“No, she didn’t.” Jamie whirled around and faced her ex. “She was hysterical because you kidnapped my sons in front of her.”
“I had a valid court order,” Andrew said. “I’m very concerned about the people you’re exposing them to. Meanwhile, Alyssa and I can give them a warm, loving, and stable home.”
“I’m their mother, and you two have no clue what it’s like to take care of Drew. I want to see them right now. Where are they?” Jamie made her way up the stairs.
Andrew grabbed her arm. “You’ll disturb them. Is that what you want? To confuse them? Why don’t you go back to your date with that dangerous ballplayer?”
“He’s not dangerous, and they like him.” Jamie felt like punching the smirk off Andrew’s face.
“Then you don’t know what I know,” Andrew said in a sing-song voice. “I dug up the dirt on him and I know why he got kicked off his college baseball team senior year.”
“That has nothing to do with what’s going on right now.” Even as Jamie defended him, she was shocked at how little she knew about Ryan. “How did you find out?”
“Want to know more?” Andrew tightened his grip on her arm, making it hurt. “It’s obvious he hasn’t been very forthcoming with you. He was well known in his hometown for being a disciplinary problem. Given to tantrums and destruction of property. Out of control.”
All of it meshed with his autism, but Jamie wasn’t going to make excuses for Ryan at this point. She needed to get her children and as much as it pained her, she couldn’t let Ryan go down for this.
“You can leave him alone, since I’m no longer dating him.” Jamie shook her arm from his grasp. “Cut the bull and let me have my sons back.”
“I only want what’s best for them,” Andrew said, sliding his arm around Alyssa. “Both Alyssa and I agree that we have the means to provide them a safe and secure environment, where they aren’t exposed to all the men you bring around.”
“This is ridiculous,” Jamie hissed. “All these years, I never dated anyone, and I go out one time with Ryan and you take my children away?”
“I don’t blame Ryan. In fact, I feel sorry for him. He’s autistic and incapable of controlling himself. Dangerous,” Andrew said. “I’m frankly surprised at you for endangering Drew and Ben. I thought you would know better.”
Jamie continued up the stairs and marched to the closed doors. “Where are they?”
“We should let her see that they’re fine,” Alyssa said to Andrew. “Then maybe she’ll leave.”
“Sure, but don’t wake them,” Andrew said. “It took a while to get them settled. Don’t get any ideas about taking them, either, because I have the cops on standby.”
As much as Jamie wanted to do the Rambo thing and rescue her sons, she knew that if she did anything stupid, she would be the one facing a restraining order and permanent loss of custody.
“The boys are used to me kissing them goodnight,” Jamie said.
“Yes, well, Ben is in this room.” Alyssa pointed her to a closed door. “He said his prayers and is really excited about the double header tomorrow.”
Andrew opened the door a crack and Jamie stepped in quietly. Ben lay on the bed, hugging his baseball glove. A tiny snore emitted from his lips. He was completely out, and he looked content and happy. Angelic.
Jamie sat at the edge of the bed and moved a lock of his hair from his face. Ben breathed steadily, not moving a muscle.
She leaned down and kissed his forehead, resigned that she would have to leave him. He would look after his brother. He was a good boy and hopefully, he’d tell the social workers and judge the truth on Monday—that she was a good mother and that he wanted to live with her—hopefully.
Like an exhausted zombie, Jamie rose from the bed and exited the room. “How is Drew doing? Did you put a diaper on him for the night?”
“Yes, it’s all taken care of,” Alyssa said. “As soon as we drove away from your house, he quieted down. I know your mother witnessed a meltdown, but I can assure you he was perfectly happy to get his new captain’s bed.”
“That’s strange,” Jamie said. “Drew usually needs everything exactly at the same place. Also, if he hasn’t taken his medicine, he could stay up all night.”
“We have all of his prescriptions,” Andrew said. “Dr. Sampson was very helpful in that regard.”
Another professional being bribed or blackmailed by Andrew, no doubt.
She followed Andrew to the doorway closer to the double doors of what she presumed was the master suite.
He opened it and Jamie’s jaw dropped. Unbelievable.
Drew lay on his back, holding a teddy bear.
“But he hates bears and other furry things,” Jamie said. “He lines them up on the sofa back for execution.”
Alyssa shuddered and sucked in a breath. “Don’t say execution. That’s a violent word.”
Jamie bent down to kiss Drew’s forehead. How could he have calmed down from his meltdown so fast?
She lingered, unable to make herself leave. Everything was completely wrong. Had they drugged him? And with what?
“Let him sleep,” Alyssa said. “He’s exhausted and tomorrow, we have a baseball game to go to.”
Jamie marched from the room and down the stairs. As soon as she reached the front door, she pointed an accusing finger at Andrew. “What medications do you have him on?”
“The usual ones he takes at your place,” Andrew said, listing off the names. “Why are you surprised that he’s sleeping so peacefully?”
“You must have put him on sleeping pills. That’s what I think,” Jamie grumbled.
“I was nice enough to let you see them for yourself,” Andrew said. “But again, you accuse me when it’s you who is unable to care for them. Why don’t you go back to enjoying yourself with that perverted man of yours?”
“He’s not a pervert.” Jamie opened the door and stepped out. “He’s a much better man than you ever will be, but I’ve broken up with him, so you have no case.”
“See you in court,” Andrew said. “You might have broken up with him, but you’re still guilty of gross negligence and faulty judgment. If you want visitation, they’ll have to be supervised. Goodbye.”
Jamie bumped smack dab into her mother as she ran down Andrew’s driveway. “It was so horrible. He’s got them drugged. We have to call the police.”
“Not right here,” her mother said. She’d left her car running and the lights on, and they were in front of Andrew’s house in his posh neighborhood.
“But we have to. They can take a blood sample. They can prove he’s abusing them.”
“You have to stay calm,” Mother grappled with her, trying to steer her to the car. “He’s got a valid court order, and he’ll only claim they were prescription drugs. You know how Drew has his anti-seizure medication and the ones that calm him down.”
“Yes, but he gave him an overdose. He’s lying there fast asleep as if nothing’s happened.” Jamie put her hands over her head and wailed. “Please, help me get my children back.”
Porch lights flicked on across the street, and a door opened and closed next door.
“Shhh, we have to
leave, now. You’re acting hysterical and they’ll call the cops on us for disturbing the peace.”
“I have to do something. I can’t just let him hurt them.” Jamie swiped tears off her face as she got into the car. “I should have gotten the restraining order. I should have had a warrant for him after he slapped me.”
“It wouldn’t have helped if he knows the judge,” Mother said. “Believe me, those policemen were on his side. I almost got myself arrested. The cop holding me back said the only reason he didn’t arrest me was because I reminded him of his own grandmother. That and the fact that I didn’t bite him.”
“Oh, Mom, what’s going to happen?” Jamie dug out her cell phone. “Where can I find a lawyer?”
“Maybe your therapist knows one. Call her,” Mother suggested. She pulled away from the cul-de-sac and the nosy neighbors looking from their windows.
Jamie punched in Dr. Sparks’ number and left a message with her answering service. She was glad she’d had a preliminary session with her earlier in the day, and the doctor was very sympathetic as well as no nonsense.
She’d warned Jamie about Andrew trying to take custody, but no one had expected him to get an emergency court order.
The doctor had also told her to stay calm and not get hysterical, which she’d already done. Going over to Andrew’s was probably a bad idea, but how could she possibly stay away?
Meanwhile, she hurt inside as pain lanced through her heart at how she’d dismissed Ryan. He’d refused to look at her when she got out of the car, not responding to her useless apology. She’d hurt him badly, and even worse, she did it knowing how vulnerable he was with his autism and how hard he’d fought to appear normal.
Tears streaked down her face as she thought about the magical evening they’d had on the rooftop and the love she’d declared to him moments before having all of it shattered by her mother’s frantic phone call.
“I don’t know what to do,” Jamie cried. “I feel like I’m dying. Everything is gone. My boys, my life, my sanity and Ryan.”
“What happened to Ryan?” Mother’s relationship radar perked up. “I noticed he wasn’t with you. Did you two have a fight?”
“No, it was worse than that.” Jamie sniffled and gasped as gobs of tears trailed from her eyes. “I had to let him go because his reputation is being ruined by Andrew’s false accusations. It’s not fair for him to be involved.”
“But I thought he wanted to be involved. He loves those boys.”
“I know, and that’s why I feel even worse. I love him, too. I love him so much it hurts, and I hurt him badly, because I told him …” Jamie couldn’t continue. Her throat ached and her heart bled at the lie she told him to get him to leave her alone.
“What did you tell him? That you don’t love him?” Her mother put a hand on Jamie’s shoulder. “He won’t believe that, and I’m sure he cares nothing about his reputation compared to you and the boys.”
“It’s worse than that.” Jamie felt her insides ripping into pieces, shredding at the hurt she doled out to Ryan’s pure, innocent heart. “I told him he was the reason Andrew got the emergency order. That it was because of him suggesting we go fishing and that he was at fault for having that meeting for Drew. I was an asshole. I pointed the finger at him so he would be angry enough to let me go.”
“Did he let you go?” Her mother turned to look at her and jerked the steering wheel when an angry blast of a car horn warned her back into her lane.
“Yes. Yes. He did.” Jamie’s voice was small like the weak bleat of an injured lamb. “He didn’t even say goodbye.”
“You’ll survive,” Mom said. “Every man I had talked a good game, but when the going got rough, they got going. You’ll survive.”
But Jamie didn’t want to only survive. She wanted to thrive. She wanted her boys to thrive, and she wanted Ryan so very, very much.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
The next day, Ryan walked into the clubhouse, feeling deflated and defeated. He was right back where he started, except he’d loved with all his heart and he’d lost.
“Hey, you okay over there?” Brock sat down on the director’s chair next to his clothes rack.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Ryan shrugged. “Just another weekend full of ballgames. I’ve got to get those rookies in shape and help Hideo with his focus. Thinking of some pregame drills to help him take the edge off his anxiety.”
“I wasn’t talking about pitching,” Brock said. “Jamie called Marcia last night. She told her everything and asked for statements. Marcia witnessed Andrew pushing Jamie around, and we all witnessed Andrew trying to forcibly remove Drew on Thursday night.”
“Oh, that’s right, I have a video of Andrew threatening Jamie.” Ryan patted his pants for his cell phone. “I didn’t catch him slapping her, but on it, she states clearly that he did.”
“You have to send it to her lawyer,” Brock said, his eyes narrowing. “Are you saying you walked out on Jamie? That you didn’t know she was collecting evidence?”
“We’re done. She chose her children over me.” Ryan woke his phone. “Give me the lawyer’s number, and I’ll send him the video.”
Brock took out his phone and texted the lawyer’s number to Ryan. After Ryan forwarded the video, he put his phone away.
“I can’t believe you’re walking away at the first sign of trouble,” Brock said.
“I have no choice. She asked me to leave, because she thinks it’ll up her chances of getting the boys back. She’s knuckling under to Andrew again.” Ryan tucked in his shirt. “I just hope it works out for her.”
He didn’t want to mention that he’d gone straight to his mother last night, and she’d introduced him to a lawyer to defend him against the false molestation charges.
There was not a shred of truth in Andrew’s accusations. Drew knew how to wash and wipe himself, and Ryan never helped him other than to take any soiled diapers and dispose of them in a plastic bag.
But how could he prove a negative? No matter what, there would always be people out there who’d believe Andrew’s lies.
“You’ll be sorry walking away from her,” Brock said, still lecturing him. “I know you don’t know what happened in the past, but the worst mistake I made was walking away from Marcia when she told me to leave.”
“It’s the way I was brought up,” Ryan said. “I need to respect women and the choices they make. I’m not going to be like Andrew and shove my face in where I’m not wanted.”
“You’re acting like a big baby,” Brock said. “At least find out why she sent you away.”
Ryan turned his face away from Brock and hunched his shoulders to pull on his cleats, signifying the conversation was over. He knew exactly why Jamie dumped him—to appease Andrew. Evidently, she didn’t love him enough to trust that he would help her, and as usual, she insisted on doing everything herself.
She also blamed him for the very reason Andrew sought custody in the first place. As if it was his fault Drew almost drowned and got lost. That in itself destroyed him, slaughtered his heart and cut him to the bottom of his soul. It was so cruel, he had a hard time believing she’d level the charges at him, but he not only had a photographic memory, he also had auditory memory and he could replay her words and loop them forever.
For the next few hours, he supervised the pitchers’ warmups. Coach Patterson had suffered a serious stroke and was in rehab, unable to talk and walk. Since Ryan was unable to pitch due to his spleen removal, he agreed to step in until a new coach could be hired. He was more determined than ever to return to baseball and put everything behind him.
After the warmups, the players returned to the clubhouse to unwind and get ready for the double header. Since they were still in spring training, everything was more informal, and now was the time where players brought any guests and VIPs.
Ben had been angling for another trip to the ballpark, but today was Josh Johnson’s turn at hosting a fan for the day. Besides, now that Jamie had cut him ou
t of her life, he would never get a chance to be with those boys he’d started to consider his sons.
With his heart aching and head pounding as if nails were being driven into his skull, Ryan sat in his director’s chair and put his palms over his eyes, trying to relax them. It was his usual pregame routine to clear his mind and channel all bothersome thoughts away. Even though he was injured, he never wavered from his routine. It was simplest to do everything in the same strict order each and every day. To keep to the orderly schedule he’d perfected through the years—living alone. No women. No distractions. No children.
And then he heard them. Little voices. Drew and Ben.
Was he hallucinating? They were coming toward him. But how was it possible when they’d been taken by Andrew? Was Jamie around then? Had she come to the clubhouse looking for him?
“Ryan!” Ben called and Ryan looked up.
The seven-year-old barreled toward him with his arms wide open.
Ryan froze, even as his eyes cast around for Jamie. Had last night been a dream? A nightmare? Had nothing happened?
Drew’s shrill scream shattered his mental fog and drilled through his eardrums. He was in Andrew’s arms, kicking and flailing and screaming louder than a train whistle.
Everyone looked over at Drew except Ben who hugged Ryan. “Is Mommy here? Can you tell me where Mommy is?”
“Your mother isn’t here.” And just like that, guilt piled over Ryan. He had left Jamie alone during the worst night of her life. Everything was true. Andrew had the boys now, and he was walking toward them. Jamie must be completely devastated. Why had he stayed in the cab like a dummy? He should have been there to support her, to comfort her, to love her as he’d promised.
“Stay away from my boy,” Andrew said, even as Drew continued to scream in his ear.
Ryan chose not to respond. His lawyer had warned him not to have contact with any of them, including Andrew and Alyssa, who had to be the woman standing at his side trying to calm Drew down.
His heart ached for Drew, but he couldn’t touch even a hair on his head, not with the serious charges railed against him. Although Andrew had not put the molestation accusation in the court order—even he was smarter than to file a blatant falsehood in court, he’d spoken about it freely to anyone within earshot.
Playing for the Save (Men of Spring Baseball Book 3) Page 27
