by Molly McLain
“My gut tells me he’s in on this somehow.” Tito’s brow furrows. “He acts too innocent.”
I agree, but I can’t figure out his role.
“Maybe he’s doing Bria,” Trey offers. “Not to say I think there’s actually a kid, but maybe it’s all a big scam to get back at you for bumping up to the pros before he did.”
“That’s awfully petty.” And McKinnon knows damn well that he could have my status if he’d just pull his head from his ass. Nothing to be jealous about there, except a lack of motivation. “And he’d have to be hung to get Bria and my agent to join him.”
“Your former agent,” Dante corrects with a knowing smile. “I’m telling you, Colton, I could help you annihilate her.”
I tell them about the fine print in our contract and my lawyer’s take on the outcome. “I’m glad it’s not a lot of money, but I still can’t get over why she’d do this. She’s been with me from the beginning.”
“People get greedy.” Trey’s agent lifts a shoulder. “Money is the biggest motivator of all time. Well, that and love.”
I snort. “Yeah, I know.”
Trey rolls his eyes. “Look, man, it’s not just your reputation that’s at stake here.”
“No shit. I’m just not convinced that fighting fire with fire is the way to go. I’d rather this just die a slow death and disappear.”
Dante shakes his head. “Never works out that way. Not in the celebrity world.”
“I’m not a celebrity,” I grumble. I’m just a guy from Wisconsin who wanted to set up a nice nest egg for a future family. Maybe have a few wild rides during the process. The spotlight? Fuck that. It’s never going to be me.
“Think about it.” The agent slides his card across the table, as if he hasn’t given it to me a hundred times before. “Actually put my number in your phone this time.”
Maybe.
“If nothing else, I’ve got some friends who work in investigation. We could always have them poke around and see what they can find out.”
Tito nods. “Not a bad idea.”
Finding out anything more at this point would be helpful, since this isn’t a puzzle that’s going together easily.
“Call ‘em up,” I tell Dante. “Then we’ll talk.”
Chapter Ten
Taylor
“The guys were in town today for some racing parts and dropped by to see me,” I tell Colton later Tuesday night, as I lay on my bed with the pillow he slept on hugged against my chest. “Shane asked me to be his plus one for the wedding.”
“Hmm.” Col’s voice is low and gruff. “I don’t know about that.”
“Oh, come on. Shane’s such a good dancer. It’ll be fun.”
“Forget dancing. Did you tell him you have a man?”
I laugh at his possessive growl. “Actually, I did. I hope you don’t mind.”
A moment of silence weighs down the connection before Col asks, “So, how’d that go over?”
“I only told him because Matt was being an ass and I almost lost my shit on him. You know Shane won’t say anything.”
“No, but he’s probably gonna kick me in the nuts as soon as he sees me.”
Ah, so there’s the real concern—his precious balls. “He will not,” I laugh. “Matt, on the other hand…”
“I’ll deal with Matt. He shouldn’t be giving you shit when his real beef is with me.”
I hate that I can’t talk to Matt like I used to, so Colton’s probably the best bet at this point. “He’s just so angry with you.”
Col scoffs. “Well, yeah. He doesn’t think I can take care of you and, let’s be honest, I haven’t done the greatest job so far.”
My heart clenches. “You thought you were doing the right thing. That counts for something.”
“Not good enough,” he says adamantly. “If I were in Matt’s shoes, I’d feel the same way.”
“It’s not like either of you are bad guys.”
Colton laughs. “It’s a dude thing, babe.”
Clearly. So I change the subject. “How did the meeting with Dante go?”
“He thinks he can take on Liz.”
“And what do you think?”
“I’m not sure how hard I want to go at her. I just want to get this over with and move on.”
That’s what I want, too, but if a little drama means Colton can clear his name, why not grin and bear it? “What about Trey?”
“Swears he’s in the clear, which is making Tito nervous as hell.” He tells me about Dante’s investigator friend, who’s going to look into what the motive might be for Liz and Bria, not just for Colton, but Tito and Trey, too. “I have a meeting with Louie first thing tomorrow morning. At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulls me from the show this weekend, since I’ve missed three days of practice.”
Aside from his broken wrist, Colton’s never missed a ride. I can understand his disappointment. “Maybe he’ll understand.”
Col grunts. “Doubtful. He’s a battle axe about practice, not to mention he has no tolerance for media drama, unless it involves a win.”
“Well, you did win last weekend…” And it boggles my mind that the circuit manager wouldn’t want to do anything he could to support one of his number one riders. “I think if—” I break off when an incoming call sounds in my ear. “Hold on a second. I have another call.”
“At eleven o’clock?”
“Yeah, weird.” Even weirder that my caller ID shows my childhood phone number. “It’s my parents. Let me call you back.”
“Okay. Love you.”
“Love you, too.” I quickly switch over to the new call. “Hey, everything okay?”
Instead of an answer, the line fills with sobs. My mother’s sobs.
“Mom, what’s wrong?” Sitting upright, I try not to panic, but my heart is already in my throat. “Is Dad all right?”
“I can’t do this anymore, Taylor. I’m sorry. I tried for you, but I…I just can’t anymore.”
“Can’t do what?” I ask, although my gut—and my heart—already knows the answer.
“I’m leaving your father.”
- - -
Colton
Mom’s leaving Dad. I’m headed home. Call you when I’m on the interstate.
I blink at Taylor’s text in disbelief. My first instinct is to hit her number on speed dial, but that’ll just make her antsy while she drives. As if she isn’t going to be already. Damn it, she knew something was going on with her parents.
Anxious for her call, I pull on a pair of sweats and pace to the kitchen for a beer. Tito’s out tonight, working a volunteer gig for kids, so the apartment is quiet. Normally, I’d welcome the silence, but not while I’m worried sick about Taylor. Maribel is a good three hours from Madison, so Taylor’s looking at a two in the morning arrival time. Looks like I won’t be sleeping again tonight, either.
Fortunately, I’m only halfway through the beer when my cell rings. “Babe?” I ask, sticking the phone to my ear in a rush.
“Sorry, but no.” Bria sighs on the other end of the line and my back goes stiff with annoyance. “The fact that you’re finally answering must mean you’re back home.”
“What the hell do you want?”
“Always so on edge. I take it you didn’t get laid this weekend.”
“So help me God, Bria…” I grind my teeth. “Tell me what you want or I’ll hang up.”
She makes a throaty sound and I slide my thumb up the disconnect button, giving her exactly two more seconds to spit it out. “I thought you might want to know that Liz is working with ProFit to get you cut from the campaign. I’m sure you know that if you or I leave, the money is split between the remaining parties.”
I count to three. “Yeah, I know.” Stupidest fucking terms ever.
“That’s a chunk of change, Colton. You’ve worked too hard to just give it up.”
I tip back a swig of beer and pace again. “Why are you telling me this? I thought you and Liz were buddy-buddy.
”
“Not when it comes to money.”
“If I leave, you get a bigger cut.”
“If you leave, this campaign goes down the toilet, Colton.”
Probably, but it’s not like she’d lose her ass. “Why’d you lie about fucking Trey?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You told Tito that Trey drugged you.”
“He told you that?” she gasps. “Jesus, that man can’t keep his mouth shut.”
“Yeah, well, he also said he slept with you in Vegas, so how about you tell me what the hell is really going on with you?”
She sighs and I can practically hear her rolling her eyes. “Trey’s a goddamn liar and Tito was a mistake. Tell him not to worry—the baby isn’t his.”
“Whose kid is it then, Bria? And do you even have any proof that you’re actually knocked up? As the alleged father, I should know this shit.”
“Screw you, Colton. I don’t owe you anything.”
“The hell you don’t. The world thinks I got you pregnant.”
“Not for long, I’m sure. You’ve probably already got your lawyer working on a way out of that.”
“Damn right, I do. I’m sorry you’re in bind, but you’re not using me to get out of it.” I’ve done enough favors for this woman as it is. “You tell Liz to watch her own ass, because I’m not the only one who can get the shaft.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“She can be cut out as easily as I can.” And if Richard can make it happen, that’s exactly what I plan to do.
“What the hell happened with you two anyway?”
“That’s a great question. If I had the answer, I probably wouldn’t share it with you anyway.”
She huffs in my ear. “God, you’re such a pain in the ass!”
“You two made me this way, so what’d you expect, Bri?”
She mutters something under her breath, then, “Just watch your back, Colton. I have a feeling things are about to get really messy.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’m at my best in the dirt.”
- - -
Taylor
The streets of Maribel are dead at just before two o’clock in the morning, but it’s just as well, because I’m speeding like my ass is on fire, trying to get home before all hell breaks loose.
I find my mother at the kitchen table, still crying as hard as she had been on the phone. Next to the door is every piece of luggage we own, bulging at the seams.
“You didn’t have to come,” she says quietly, dabbing at her tear-soaked eyes. “You have your own life to worry about now, Taylor.”
“Of course, I’d come.” I wrap my arms around her and, for several long beats, I just hold her. “Where’s Dad?”
“He’s asleep,” she answers, as I pull a chair close to her and sit. “The new medication knocks him out cold. He’d sleep through a tornado if I weren’t here to wake him up.”
“So, he doesn’t know…” I wave my hand toward the mess of suitcases and she shakes her head.
“Nope, and I’m not sure he’d even get it if he did. He thinks he can go from being a monster to Mr. Perfect and I’m just supposed to forget all the horrible things he’s said.” She presses her fingers to her mouth and whispers, “I can’t, honey. All I see when I look at him now is the man who belittled me.”
Her words hit me hard and I flinch. I cried most of the way here, my mind going a million miles a minute, but now that I’m home, I’m just…numb. I can’t say I didn’t see this coming, yet I didn’t expect it either. If she was going to leave, I thought she would have done so much sooner.
“I’m not happy, Taylor, and seeing you go off to do something for yourself made me realize that I’m letting my life slip by, too.” Her entire body trembles as fat tears slide down her cheeks. “Please don’t hate me,” she cries.
“Mom, I could never hate you.”
A loud, hiccupy sob rushes from her chest and I’m on my feet again, holding her tight. There were so many times since Dad’s accident that I wondered how she could go on like she was, sticking by his side when he was so venomous and hateful.
“I miss me, honey. I miss the happy-go-lucky person I used to be.” Her fingers wrap around mine as I hug her from behind. “That woman had friends and a job. Hobbies other than caregiving. Passion.”
Oh, how easily I relate to that last bit.
“I have a meeting with a lawyer in the morning to file for divorce, and then I’m taking some things over to Grandma’s. I’m not sure if I’ll find my own place or stay with her for a while.” She swallows hard and I close my eyes. “I wanted to tell you, because I’m sure he’ll call you. I’m sure he’ll…need help.”
For the first time, the reasoning behind her reluctance hits me: If she leaves, will I be expected to move home again?
“I don’t know if you’ll want to stay here when you come home for Casey’s wedding, but your dad might like that,” she says softly, and another piece of my heart cracks.
Just like I told Colton—there’s a difference between loving and being in love. I can’t fault her for wanting more.
“You let me worry about that, Mom.” I kiss her temple and squeeze her tight. “You just worry about you.”
- - -
Mom decides not to wait until morning to leave, which means I’m the one who gets to answer Dad’s questions when the sun comes up. I still haven’t wrapped my head around all of this, but it wasn’t like I could try and keep my mother here for my own selfish reasons. She deserves to be happy just like the rest of us, though right now my own future is looking pretty bleak.
“She’s gone, Col,” I cry into the phone, the emotion I’ve been holding back finally breaking free. “She took her things and went to Grandma’s.”
“I’m so sorry, baby.” His voice is clear, sleepless, even though it’s after one in the morning in California. “I wish I was with you right now.”
“There’s nothing you could do.” I hug my arms around myself and watch the streetlight outside the living room window sway with the wind. “Though I might not think the same in the morning when Dad wakes up.”
“Taylor,” Colton says tightly. “I’ll come in a heartbeat. Just say the word.”
“No.” I won’t be that selfish. “We’ll be fine.” I hope.
“We?”
I bite my lip and nod. “Yeah. We.” He’s my responsibility now, isn’t he?
“You have finals to get ready for, don’t you?”
I pinch my eyes shut and bite my lips together. “Yep.”
“Taylor, your father’s a grown man,” he quips, clearly frustrated.
“A grown man with a major head injury.”
“A head injury that’s being treated. With medication that’s working.”
“So?”
“So, you don’t need to stay there and take care of him.”
“Well, I can’t just leave either.” Can I?
“Yes, you can,” he says firmly, but his words aren’t condemning or judgmental. “You’ve come too far to do this again.”
“But…he’s my father,” I say softly.
“Baby, I know, but you didn’t do this to him. He did it to himself, remember?”
I hear what he’s saying, but, “What if this puts him over the edge? What if he stops taking his meds again? What if—”
“What if you give up on you, baby? What’s that going to feel like, huh?”
I hold my breath and press my forehead against the cool glass. I could never forgive myself if something happened again. Especially knowing that I did nothing to prevent it. “I don’t know, Col, I really don’t.”
“Well, I do, and giving up on school right now is going to hurt way worse than walking away tonight could ever. Believe me. You’ve worked too damn hard for it not to.” He’s pleading now and the agony I hear in his words fuels my own.
“I’m scared,” I whisper, yet I’m already halfway to the kitchen, my eyes on the door.
“Sometimes courage feels like fear. That’s what makes it so powerful,” he says, like he can see me right now. Like he’s guiding me on my way. “Go to my house tonight, then in the morning, get back in your car and go home. Take your finals and make me fucking proud.”
By the time I reach my car, I’m crying so hard I can barely catch my breath. “I love you,” I blubber, my hands gripping around the wheel until my knuckles turn white.
“Ah, baby, I love you, too. I’m so proud of you.” I can hear the smile in his voice as I start the engine. “But do me a favor and dry your tears before you drive, okay? Catch your breath for a minute.”
I do as he says, pulling air in through my nose, then exhaling through my mouth until my vision clears. The house in front of me sits dark and I chase away the guilt that keeps threatening to overwhelm me.
He’s a grown man, I keep hearing Col say over and over again.
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” I admit. “Aside from letting you walk away from me two months ago.”
Colton makes a grateful sound. “And while it hurt at the time, it all worked out in the end, didn’t it?”
So far, yes. “Stay with me while I drive across town?”
“As long as you need me, baby.”
Chapter Eleven
Colton
“I’m not happy, Wade. Not one goddamn bit.” Elbows on his desk, Louie steeples his hands together in front of his mouth. His short, salt and pepper hair matches the goatee on his chin, but his eyebrows are jet-black and, right now, one of them is cocked at me like a pistol, ready to fire.
“I owe you and High Octane an apology.” I hate kissing ass, but, to be fair, Louie isn’t to blame for any of the shit with Liz and Bria. “I thought I was doing the right thing by all of us, joining up with ProFit. Obviously, things got out of hand, sir.”
“Don’t give me that sir bullshit,” he spats, pushing away from the desk to lean back in his chair. “You’ve never used it before, so don’t start now just because you think it’ll appease me.”
Okay, then.
“Just be honest and tell me what that pretty agent of yours talked you into this time.”
I eye him carefully, trying to figure out if that’s really annoyance for Liz I hear in his voice or if he’s being sarcastic. Then I realize it doesn’t really matter, because I’m done doing and saying shit to make people happy.
