Page 124 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

“I’ve heard you’re quite the heroine,” Mom says in a tone that could be mocking or serious.

“I did what anyone would,” June replies.

“Hmm... I have to disagree. You’re attractive enough in a subtle way. Not exactly Jake’s type. He always preferred a... flashy kind of woman.”

“Uh, thanks?” June looks at me, a little panicked.

She’s on the other side of the couch, and unless I jump over it, I can’t get to her fast enough. But Ryan does what I can’t. He throws his arm around June’s good shoulder and kisses her cheek. “June is a knockout. Anyone who can’t see that clearly needs glasses.”

“Charming.” My mother smiles without teeth, then turns to me. “You must be wondering why I’m here, Jake.”

“It crossed my mind.”

“I’ll cut to the chase. I know your father is hellbent on having you play for the Bobcats. I don’t know why he’s taken a sudden interest in your career, nor do I care to know. I’m here to make sure he doesn’t succeed.”

I frown, crossing my arms. “You’ve never done anything to aggravate Dad. On the contrary, you’ve always been the perfect and dutiful wife.”

“That was before he spent all our money on his many mistresses. If it weren’t for my inheritance, we’d be out on the street.”

“So, you’re going to thwart his plans out of revenge?”

“No, I’m doing it to protect Miles.”

My brows shoot to the heavens. “Miles Lavigne? The Bobcats’ owner? Why?”

I notice a glaring change in my mother’s posture. She stiffens and seems rattled. “It doesn’t matter. All I know is that if your father succeeds in bringing you to the Bobcats, he’ll try to use you against Miles.”

I rub my face, then glance at Lachy, Ryan, and June. They look as confused as I feel.

“Why do you care about Miles?” I ask.

“I’d rather not say.”

Ryan smirks. I’m pretty sure he drew the same conclusion I just did. “You’re having an affair with him, aren’t you?”

“It’s none of your business.”

Wow. I can’t believe my mother had the courage to cheat on Dad. I always thought she was spineless when it came to him. Maybe that was a ruse. “You’re right. That’s not my business. Tell me, what’s your plan to make Dad’s plan fail?”

She pulls a manila envelope from her purse and hands it over. “The next time your father brings up the Bobcats, mention what’s in this document.”

I frown. “What’s inside?”

“Proof that your father has been embezzling money from his clients for years.”

I gape at her. “How did you get this?”

She smirks. “It pays to be the dutiful wife. Well, I’d better go. I don’t want your father to notice I left New York.”

On her way to the door, she glances at June. “I’ll never understand modern relationships, but kudos to you, my dear. I can barely handle one dick. I can’t imagine juggling three.”

My jaw drops to the floor. My mother, the woman who never has a hair on her head out of place, never curses, just saiddickout loud.

“Wow,” Ryan blurts out the moment she’s gone. “I have no words.”

“Me neither,” I say.

June shivers. “God, and I thought my mother was intense. Yours wins by a landslide.”

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