Page 54 of The Billionaire Benefactor

Chapter 16

After dropping off Lucy and Matt with her parents, Jenny got a coffee and headed home to get ready for moving day. She was dreading this for so many reasons, not the least of which was that Roman was sending some of his buddies, but not himself. Did they know that she asked him not to come? Did they think she was awful? She had been doubting and regretting her conversation with him for the past week. Was she right to tell him to back off for so long?

Her phone rang as she arrived back home. It was a number she didn’t recognize, but could be one of the guys Roman sent. She had Blake’s number, but not Tony’s or the third guy he was sending.

“Hello?”

“Hello again, Jenny.”

Her heart clenched. That familiar, sharp voice. “Hello, Amanda.”

“Look, I’ll cut to it. I need more money. I know now that you have it, so it’s time to cough up some.”

“I’ve told you that I don’t have any money,” Jenny said.

Amanda laughed, a humorless, sharp sound. “Sure. You said that. But it’s clearly not true.”

“I don’t know what you’re—”

“I don’t have time for games. I want a check sent to me by the end of the week. Or you know what will happen. I’m not playing around, so stop trying to feed me the poor widow story. I’ll expect to hear from you in a few days.”

Amanda hung up, leaving Jenny’s hands shaking. The emptiness of the house made her feel even more alone. Tiny was staying with her best friend for a few days, just to keep him out of everyone’s hair. The kids were gone. The house echoed with all the area rugs pulled up and folded and the pictures off the wall.

She felt so terribly isolated.

Why did Amanda think she had money? What made her think that Jenny was playing games? She would have to call Roman and ask about the lawyer again. But would he still want to help after she told him she couldn’t date him right now?

The doorbell rang and she took a few deep breaths before opening it. “Hey, Blake. Tony.” They each gave her a quick hug.

“This is L’Trel,” Blake said. Jenny shook his hand. He was a head taller than both of the others, which was hard to even believe. He ducked coming in the doorway.

“Where’s your giant horse-dog?” Tony asked. “L’Trel didn’t believe me when I said your dog was bigger than him.”

“I sent him to a friend’s house for the week. Too many people coming in and out. He’d probably run off.”

“Roman sends his regards,” Tony said. He handed her a manila envelope. “And he gave me tickets for you. It’s for our first preseason game. I hope you can come and bring Matt and Lucy. I think there are enough tickets for your parents as well.”

Jenny ducked her head. “I feel really bad that you guys came—that he asked you.”

Blake gave her a sweet grin and patted her arm. “Stop. We’re glad to help. Truly. Training camp is about to start and we’re about to do nothing but football. This is a nice break. And Roman was really insistent that we take care of you.”

“Now show us to the work,” Tony said.

Jenny nodded and led them into the house and pointed out what needed to be moved in various rooms. Other than the three of them, Charles would be coming along with a few other people from church. But she suspected that Blake, Tony, and L’Trel might do all the heavy lifting by the time anyone else got there. When she took a break from telling them where to load and carrying some of the smaller boxes, Jenny sent Roman a text.

Jenny:Thanks for the tickets! Will be fun to see you play in person. Thank you also for sending the guys. They’re making quick work of things.

She hesitated, her fingers hovering over the phone.

Jenny:I have to say that having them here and not you is making me wonder about my crazy requirements.

Jenny:In other words—wish you were here.

Blushing furiously at her boldness, she shoved the phone in her back pocket and carried two lamps out to her car, where she was putting a few more delicate things. Blake stopped her as she was about to go back in the house. He had a bandana over his forehead and it was soaked in sweat. Late summer in Houston was the worst time to move. Again she felt guilty that they were helping her.

“Hey,” Blake said. “It’s not my business, but I wanted to ask if you’re sure about this break from Roman thing.”

She felt her cheeks heating. “He told you?”

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