Page 78 of Keeping Score

Part One

Darius

13 years later…

Leah Lockhart.

My wife, my perfect fucking woman. She changed the entire game for me, I miss her when she isn’t in the same room. Being together for as long as we have, I thought the need to have her in my eyesight, or just wanting to feel the heat of her body against mine would lessen but?—.

“Darius Cameron Lockhart!”

Well, she is perfect, that is until she full fucking names me!

I debate making a run for it, maybe hiding out at Corvin’s next door until she calms the fuck down. I have no damn ideawhat I did this time to get the full-name treatment, but I don’t want to stick around and find out. I creep out of my office and look both ways when I realize she must be upstairs. I make a break for the front door. I’m almost within reach of it when she suddenly appears out of thin fucking air. I slide along the wooden floors and screech to a stop, right before colliding with her.

Her eyes narrow as she looks up at me, then to make her point further, she places her hands on her hips, and I know without a doubt I’m in some fucking deep shit!

“Goldie—.” I try to plead, but then she scrunches her face and I snap my mouth closed, bracing for impact.

“Who the fuck is Vivian Tempest?” I reel back as if she sucker punched me, and instantly raise my hands, surrendering to my wife, knowing it's always best not to aggravate her further when she’s in this type of mood.

“Goldie, I have no idea who that woman is, I swear?—.”

“Oh save your bullshit ass excuses, Lockhart.” I cringe and smile sheepishly.

“Baby, that is our last name, and you know how I feel about you using it in that tone.” Her face slackens and I step back. My wife has always been hot-headed and quick to pop off, but ever since my sperm landed in her egg, she has been a ticking time bomb. My brothers avoid me, refusing to come over because they don’t know if she is going to cry, or rage at me. Well, she rages at everyone, aside from fucking Beckett. That motherfucker seems to be the only male exempt from her rage, which pisses me the fuck off.

When tears start welling in her eyes, all my defenses fall, the urge to protect my girl overwhelming me and I reach for her, pulling her body into mine. She begins sobbing as I wrap my arms around her and hold her close. I may be a heartless piece of shit to every other motherfucker, but never her. She is my haven,my home, my fucking everything, and I’ll never admit it but I’m terrified to become a father. I’m scared I won’t be able to love our baby as much as I love her. I’m terrified that I’ll end up being a fucked up parent, just like mine were.

“Baby, you have to stop crying or I’m gonna be forced to find this Vivian bitch and hurt her for making you sad.” That gets a watery chuckle from her and I sigh in relief. She pulls back, looking up at me with that doe-eyed look she always gives me, and I’m done for. She could ask me for the world and I’d find a way to give it to her. Twelve years ago I made her my wife. At thirty-seven, I never thought I would become a father, but I know becoming a mother has always been a dream of Leah’s, and we’ve been trying for years. We were on the brink of giving up and exploring the possibility of adopting, and then suddenly, our little miracle happened.

“Who is she, halfback?” She whispers brokenly, anger soars through me and I instantly want to hunt this bitch down, and destroy her world for upsetting my girl.

I cup her face and brush away her tears with my thumbs. “Baby, I swear on my life I have no idea who the fuck you are talking about.” She opens her mouth to argue, so I push on. “The only woman I have eyes for is you! You are still the only girl I have ever loved, you were my first kiss and you will be my last. Never doubt that.”

“We have to go to Becky’s.” I grit my teeth and try to calm myself. Even after all these years I still get jealous when I know I have no reason to. Beck is married to Val, and they are happy with each other and their kids. I know Leah and Beck don’t love each other like that. The bond they share is one I will never understand but will always support because Beckett loves my wife, and he would lay his life down for her. Their love is more of a siblings, and best friend type of love.

“Why?”

She rolls her eyes and pushes me back. “Because this bitch has been looking into Becky, my brother, Crue, and Saint as well.” Instantly my hackles rise, it’s been over a decade since we have had someone sniffing around our shit. The last person brave enough to was Saint’s father. I reach around and pull her coat off the hanger, helping her pull it on before reaching for my own. I interlock our fingers as we walk out the front door, and see Corv and Alexa heading to Beck and Val’s too.

“Jailbait, I didn’t do shit!” I smirk at the sound of my best friend going through the same fucking thing I just did with his own wife.

“Shut the fuck up, Reaper, I’ll deal with you after I sort this bitch out.” Alexa snaps as she storms ahead of him. I wipe the smirk from my face when Leah looks up at me.

“How did you find out about this Vivian chick, Goldie?” I ask, walking along the sidewalk.

“Katie found her trying to hack into her server or something., She was trying to find information about all of you.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. We have no idea who she is, but Katie called and told us girls to get our guys and head to Beck’s.” I mull over what she said as we make our way into Beck's head into the living room, and I can’t help but frown at the sight of all the guys standing on one side of the room, and the girls on the other. Leah tries to let go of my hand but I tighten my hold, drawing her gaze to me.

“I can feel the tension and see the divide already, we aren’t them.” Her brows furrow. “You and me, we are fucking united. You stay by my side.” She softens instantly and leans up on her tiptoes, pressing a kiss to my lips.

“You’re mine, halfback, and I’ll cut a bitch if she thinks she can try and take you from me.” She says quietly.

I grip the back of her neck and rest my forehead against hers. I stare into her green eyes. “My heart is yours, Goldie. You own me, no one will ever come between us. After we sort this, I have a surprise for you this Christmas.” Her eyes widen and a broad smile stretches across her face.

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