Uncovering His SECRET

by Crystal Perkins

  “Now that you’ve unloaded your little bastard, right? I heard there’s a boy on the ranch. He’s yours isn’t he?”

  “Yes. Our son is at the ranch,” Caleb says, opening the door wider to stand behind me. “Not that it’s ever going to be any of your business.”

  “Caleb,” she says, smoothing down her hair. “I didn’t realize you were here.”

  “Obviously. Why don’t you run on back to your ranch—you know, the one that was paid for with my son’s life.”

  “Are you sure he’s yours?”

  “You need to leave,” I tell her.

  “Ask for the paternity test, Caleb. Before she gets you to buy more than this house for her.”

  “She bought the house herself, and even if Ethan didn’t look exactly like me, I’d trust Tegan enough to be honest about our son. Like she said, you need to leave.”

  I close the door in her face before she can say more. Caleb starts massaging my shoulders as I lean my head against the wood. I want to bang my head against it, but I know she hasn’t left yet and I don’t want to give her the satisfaction of knowing that she’s gotten to me.

  “Mommy Dearest is a bitch,” Wayne says.

  “Yeah.”

  “Don’t let her get to you, honey. She’s just jealous of you. She always was.”

  Caleb’s arms come around me, and he rests his chin on my shoulder.

  “Jealous of a pregnant teenager? And you can’t call me honey while you’re keeping my son from me.”

  “No. Jealous of an amazing girl—and now woman—who was smarter, sexier, more compassionate, and just plain better than she’ll ever be. And I want to talk about Ethan…and us. I faced some hard truths about myself earlier, and I think I’m finally ready to hear your truths, too. I don’t want to hear it all from Brad, though. I want you to tell me everything. About the past and what went on a few days ago.”

  “Let me put some clothes on, and then we can talk.”

  “I have a better idea. How about we have an evening picnic at the creek later? I’ll help Betty make all your favorite things.”

  “That sounds like a date. What about talking? And the restraining order? Just because you tore it up, doesn’t mean it’s not valid. Is this just a plan to get me thrown in jail?”

  “I’ll take care of that damn thing. I should never have done it in the first place. I’m sorry, and I swear to you that this isn’t some crazy plan to hurt you anymore than I already have. We can talk, or you know, not.”

  “I feel like I’m getting whiplash from the two of you,” Wayne says. “On, off, on.”

  “Which is why we need to talk. Just talk, for tonight at least. Because I can’t keep up anymore, either. Either we’re going for it, or it has to be over for good. Shared custody and acting like a real divorced couple.”

  “See you at seven then?”

  “Yes, and tell Ethan that I love him, please.”

  “You can tell him yourself when I have him call you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I know we’re talking tonight, but I need to tell you how sorry I am. I don’t know everything, or really anything, but I do know you. And I should’ve trusted you. Then and now. It’s too little, too late, but I need you to know that. Even if I don’t like what you have to tell me later.”

  “I think I’m going to throw up.”

  “Shut it, Wayne. I’ll see you later, Cal.”

  He leans down to whisper in my ear, so Wayne won’t here. “Clothing’s optional, of course.”

  “Talking only tonight” I whisper back.

  “So we’ll stay out until midnight, and then I can use my mouth for other things when it’s officially tomorrow.”

  “Go home before I do something that needs to wait until after we talk,” I tell him, smacking him on the arm.

  “Yes, please, because I can only take so much of this shit.”

  “Bye, Wayne,” he says, winking at me as he walks out the door.

  “Other than the slap from your mom, I’d say that went really well for you.”

  I walk over to Wayne, and try to hug him. “Put some clothes on first, lady. I only have so much self-control.”

  “I don’t mean to hurt you, or make things difficult for you. You know that, right?”

  “Yeah. I do.”

  “We’re going to find you a girl who’s going to knock your socks off. I just ruffled them a little.”

  “You really think so?”

  “Yes.” Tough love time. “I think you love the idea of me. I mean, I know you love me like a friend, but I think seeing Stella and Kace so happy makes you want that too. And I’m convenient because we had sex.”

  “Sex we had because you were using me in Stella’s mission.”

  “You know I feel like shit about that.”

  “Don’t. I enjoyed it. But seriously, maybe you’re right. I would do anything for you, but I’m pretty sure I could live without you. You can’t say the same about him, can you?”

  “No. I wasn’t living when we were apart. Getting by, yes. But not really living.”

  “I’ll still take part in killing him if things get any worse between the two of you.”

  “Well let’s just hope they get better.”

  * * *

  Caleb

  “Hi Betty,” I say as I walk into the kitchen. I try to grab one of the cookies she just pulled out of the oven from the baking sheet, but she slaps my hand.

  “Those are for Ethan.”

  “He won’t eat them all. You could let me have just one.”

  “I’m not feeling too charitable towards you right now.”

  “So you won’t help me put together a picnic for Tegan?”

  She turns towards me, hands on her hips. “You’ve come to your senses, then?”

  “Maybe.”

  “That girl was the best thing that ever happened to you.”

  I know Betty loves Tegan. When I brought her in here for the first time when we were just little kids, Betty took one look at my girl and made her up a heaping plate of food. And when Tegan was too shy—or embarrassed—to eat like she needed to in front of me, I was shooed outside. They baked in here, and Tegan always had a meal waiting for her when she came over on weekends. I heard Betty cursing her parents to my mom on more than one occasion.

  “I know.”

  “And Ethan, my God, that boy is just beautiful. Inside and out.”

  “I know that too.”

  “You know so much, do you?” she asks, whacking me with a wooden spoon.

  “Ow.”

  “That girl’s too smart to keep coming back to you when you act like you have no brain. You better appreciate her this time around.”

  “I do. My brain’s fully functioning at the moment.”

  “Good. Keep it that way. Now, what are we making for tonight?”

  “I was thinking pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, homemade chips, and biscuits. Definitely biscuits.”

  “What about dessert? That girl needs her dessert.”

  “Brownies.”

  She nods. “You better get to working.”

  “I need to have Ethan call her first, and then I’ll be back.”

  “Bring him with you. He’ll want to cook for her, too.”

  She’s right. He will. “Be right back.”

  I find Ethan in the sunroom, reading a book while my mom plays solitaire. He didn’t bring any books, so it must be an old one of mine. I like that, sharing my things with him.

  “What are you reading, E?”

  “Some book about brothers who solve crimes.”

  “Ah, The Hardy Boys.”

  “Yeah. They’re pretty cool.”

  “They were my favorite when I was your age.”

  “Did Mama read them?”

  “No, she read Nancy Drew. Although, sometimes Nancy and the boys helped each other out. We both read those books.”

  “Mama has Nancy Drew books on her shelf in her room. They look old.”


  “They’re hers from when she was little,” my mom tells him. “We bought them all for her, and she had her own shelves in our library. When she left, Brad took them to her.”

  I’d forgotten that. I hadn’t wanted her to have them, and I tried to stop him. It’s the first time I ever thought he would hit me. The look on his face scared me enough to let it go.

  “We used to go around the ranch trying to find a mystery to solve.”

  “Now she does that for her job.”

  “Yeah, she does. It’s the perfect job for her because she was always better at solving our little mysteries than me.”

  “Yeah, you’re like a mad scientist, and she’s a superhero.”

  “I wouldn’t classify myself as ‘mad,’ but I can work with that. Speaking of you mom, she would love it if you’d call her.”

  “You had a good talk with her?” he asks, immediately abandoning his book.

  “I did. We’re actually going to talk more later.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “She will be. Your other grandmother came by while I was there, and that was hard. But we took care of it together.”

  “What did she do to my mama?” he asks, his eyes blazing.

  “She slapped her and said some bad things.”

  “You stood up to her?” my mom asks, and I see murder in her eyes.

  “Yes, and so did Tegan.”

  “Good. That woman is a disgrace to the word ‘mother.’”

  “I don’t think I ever thanked you and dad for letting Tegan be over here so much when we were younger. And helping her with clothes and stuff.”

  “It was our pleasure. I think your father—and grandfather—secretly hoped you’d marry her just so she could one day run the company.”

  “You may be right.”

  “Phone, please,” Ethan says, holding out his hand.

  “After you talk to her, would you like to help me and Betty make a picnic meal for her?”

  “We’re going on a picnic?”

  “No. I’m taking your mom on a picnic so we can talk.”

  “And you can kiss her.”

  “That, too. If she’ll let me.”

  “Are you making brownies? She loves brownies.”

  “Yes, we are making her brownies.”

  “She might kiss you if they’re good.”

  “Um, hello. We’re making them. How could they not be good?”

  Ethan makes his call to Tegan, during which he looks both ecstatic and chastised. He’s on the other side of the room, so I can’t hear what he’s saying, but I’m a little intrigued by his conflicting emotions. When he hangs up, he comes over and gives me a hug.

  “I’m sorry, Dad. I would never have talked to Mama like I talked to you. I should be more respectful.”

  “I would love it if you respected me, but I also understand that she’s going to always come first. I want you to defend her.”

  “Even when I’m being a little jerk?”

  “Did she tell you that?” I ask, holding back a laugh as he rolls his eyes and nods. “Yes, even then.”

  “I’ll try to be better as long as you’re nice to her.”

  “Deal.”

  That’s an easy one to make because I want nothing more than to be nice to my wife. I still can’t believe we’re married—and almost got divorced already. I need to check my insecurities at the door from now on. Or at least tell her how I feel before flying off the handle. Now that I’ve admitted them to myself, and part of my family, it should make it easier to admit them to her. Should being the operative word. Easy or not, I’m baring my soul to her tonight. She deserves nothing less than that.

  Chapter 14

  Tegan

  After talking to Ethan earlier, I drove up to Houston to pick up a few things. Wayne brought me some clothes Stella packed, but I wanted something just for Caleb. I’m not going commando, but I do have on a new bandeau bikini underneath my flowery sundress. I got a sexier bikini too, but I don’t want to wear it yet. We aren’t back together, although after this morning, things are looking pretty good. So for tonight it’s a sundress, a cute bathing suit, and, of course, cowboy boots.

  I see headlights outside my front door and wonder if Caleb decided to come get me. When I open the door, I realize that it’s definitely not Caleb. From what I can tell, I’m looking at eight members of the high school football team, all wearing their jerseys. I press my arm to activate my distress signal because I’m not exactly sure what’s going on, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. My friends are already on their way here from Vegas, so if I don’t really need help, it won’t be a terrible inconvenience.

  “Hi boys. Is there some reason you’re all on my property?”

  “We wanted our turn with the town slut,” the kid who steps forward says to me. Apparently he’s the leader of the group. Probably the quarterback.

  “First of all, I’m not a slut. And second, I’m not interested. Thanks for stopping by, though.”

  “You act like you have a choice.”

  “I do.”

  “There’s eight of us.”

  “I can see that.”

  “I don’t mind if you put up a fight. I’m not afraid to hit a girl.”

  “Exactly how many have you hit?” I ask, getting angry.

  “A few.”

  I glance around again, trying to find the weak link. I think it’s the guy closest to me on my left. He looks unsure about what’s going on. I turn slightly towards him.

  “You know you’ll go to jail for this, if you live.”

  “What do you mean, if we live?” he asks, his voice shaking.

  “I have some very powerful friends.”

  “The sheriff will protect us.”

  “From the FBI, CIA, Homeland Security, and every other organization you can think of, not to mention some men and women who like to shoot things? Because that’s who I’m talking about.”

  “You have friends like that?”

  “Yes.”

  “How many of them have you fucked?” the main one asks me.

  “Less than I can count on one hand.”

  “Yeah, right. We’re taking you regardless.”

  “Your funeral,” I tell him with a shrug.

  “Let’s go, then.”

  “You really think I’m just going to go with you? That’s not gonna happen.”

  “I told you I’d hit you.”

  “You wouldn’t be the first guy to hit me, and you probably won’t be the last.”

  “Eight to one odds aren’t in your favor.”

  “Maybe not, but I’ll hurt a few of you at least.”

  “Suit yourself,” he says before charging me.

  I move to the left and take out the weak one with a chop to the neck. I take down a second one before the shocks begin. Fuck—the little bastards are using cattle prods on me. I still fight as best I can, but with five guys prodding me, and one throwing punches, I can only do so much. As darkness overtakes me from the latest punch to the head, I can only hope that all that electricity hasn’t messed with my tracker too much.

  I wake up hours later, and I know I’ve been drugged. I’m tied up on the floor, but since I can’t open my eyes, I don’t know where. I can hear them talking, but that’s mixing with flashbacks from my past. I can’t even move my head enough to shake it, so I try and just piece together what I can.

  “What are we going to do with her?”

  “Tegan, let me get you a drink.”

  “Just a soda or water, Greg.”

  “We can’t fuck her, that’ll leave too much evidence. If she really knows all those people, they’d find us. Even with a condom. We shouldn’t even be touching her.”

  “I feel hot, Greg. Should I take off my shirt?”

  “Yeah darling, take off your clothes if you’re hot. Let’s go back to my room.”

  “We have to do something. We can’t just waste this opportunity.”

  “Something’s wrong with me. Where’s
Caleb? I need Caleb?”

  “I don’t know where Caleb is. Just lay down on my bed, and we’ll have some fun.”

  “I have an idea.”

  “I’m going to be sick.”

  “Here, throw up in my trash can.”

  “In town square?”

  “What’s going on? Why am I only in my bra and panties?”

  “You wanted to have some fun with me, Teeg. You’re just sick now, so you forgot or something.”

  “No. I didn’t. I wouldn’t. I need to get out of here. Get out of my way.”

  “That could definitely work.”

  “You’re just a slut. Why I ever wasted all this time on you is beyond me.”

  “What should we write?”

  “You will not have this baby. You’re already a disgrace to us. You disgust me.”

  “That’s perfect. We need more words, though.”

  “You’re the one who married me one day, and was out whoring it up the next.”

  “Let’s put her on the table, and get to work.”

  I feel myself being picked up, and I want to fight, but I can’t. Whatever they gave me was strong enough to keep me too relaxed. I’m guessing it’s some kind of animal tranquilizer. I just have to keep praying that my friends get here soon, especially when I feel my dress being ripped off of me.

  The action clears my mind enough that I can make myself focus on the here and now. Their conversation is still confusing as hell, but at least I can hear it all now. And maybe know what’s coming.

  “Damn, it’s a bathing suit. I was hoping for something lacy to show her off in.”

  “Does it really matter what she’s wearing?”

  “No, I guess not. Grab some sharpies, boys, and let’s have us some fun.”

  They untie me, but I still am too lethargic to move, even when I feel them writing on my skin. What are they doing? I can make out a letter here and there, but not what the actual words are. I’m glad no one’s raping me, but whatever it is they are doing can’t be good.

  * * *

  Caleb

  I’m starting to freak out a little. It’s seven thirty and Tegan’s not here yet. She’s not answering her phone, either. It can’t be anything I’ve done because I haven’t talked to her since this morning. I know she was excited about the picnic.

  My phone starts to ring, but it’s Brad’s ringtone, not Tegan’s. I answer, hoping maybe he knows something. “Hey, Brad.”