Page 153 of Curveball

June St. James has always been a bit of a contradiction. She’s an extremely attractive woman. Ripley very much resembles her…outwardly. Inwardly, June plays her cards close to her chest whereas Ripley doesn’t. I’ve known June since I was ten, but I don’t trulyknowher at all. You only see what she wants you to see.

Teenage boys and every grown man in our hometown used to froth at the mouth for her. Hell, she probably went out with every one of the single men at some point.

She was a teacher at the high school. My friendsfawning over her was a daily occurrence. I wasn’t in high school at the same time as Ripley, but I can’t imagine it was easy for her.

June slept around, never caring about her reputation or whether it impacted her daughter. She was, however, always there for Ripley, coaching every single team Arizona and Ripley played on until they left for college. She spent countless hours with them, helping to make them into the all-American players they both became.

I walk in and see her. She’s in tiny spandex shorts and a sports bra, her standard workout uniform. Her straight, red hair is pulled into a ponytail. She looks up when she hears me walk in. “You didn’t go for a walk with them?”

I shake my head. “Not today. I need to get in a little workout and stretch a few tight muscles.”

We move about in comfortable silence for a bit until I break it. “Can I be blunt with you, June?”

She smiles. “If you’re going to ask for her hand in marriage, you’re a little late for that.”

I let out a laugh. “No, not that. Though she’ll marry me again one day.”

She gives me one small nod. “I know.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“She’s always been in love with you. Even as a little girl, you walked on water to her. I’m just happy to see you finally returning the sentiment. I didn’t believe you ever would.”

“I’ve always loved her. I just didn’t think I could give her what she wanted. But I want to try.”

“I’m happy to hear it. Ripley is my everything. I don’t want her to struggle like I did.” She places the freeweights she’s been using onto the ground and stands tall. “What is it you have to say to me, Quincy?”

“I want to know more about her father’s family.”

Her face falls. “What do you mean?”

“Something is off with the story she told me and those people that were here yesterday. Don’t bullshit me, June. I refuse to let anyone hurt her.”

She blows out a breath. “What has she told you?”

“That you had an affair with an affluent, older, married man. You loved him. He was prepared to leave his wife for you but died before Ripley was even born. His wife paid you off to go away, and you used that money to move to our neighborhood when you did.”

She nods. “That’s all true.” She swallows. “His wife’s family was more than just affluent. They were and still are one of the most powerful in Canada. We’re talking about real, old-school money. She feared me upsetting the applecart. Because of her long reach, no one would employ me, no one would house me, and I couldn’t even find a lawyer that would represent me to assert paternity against his estate. I didn’t care about it for me, but I did for Ripley. She was owed that money. Lucas promised to always take care of her. At the time, I had a small amount of notoriety in Canada because of the Olympics. Before I was pregnant, I did a bit of modeling to make ends meet, but that well dried up when I fell pregnant. I’m pretty sure she also had a hand in the sudden ending of my offers. I eventually became desperate. I set my pride aside and began banging on her door until she finally offered me a fresh start to disappear.”

Tears begin streaming from her eyes. “I know Ripley was entitled to more, way more, but I had no means to get it for her. I signed away my rights for a relativelysmall bite.” She hangs her head. “I’m ashamed and feel like I failed her, but I was so desperate, Quincy. You have no idea what it’s like to be unsure how you’re going to feed your child.”

She looks around at our luxurious surroundings. “I’m grateful to you that Kaya and Ripley will never know the same struggles I endured.”

“I will always provide, but Ripley doesn’tneedme to provide. She’s strong and capable of doing it on her own. You raised an incredible woman.”

She hangs her head. “You’re right, but trust me when I tell you that it’s easier this way. It’s not just the money, Quincy. It’s you. She loves you to her core. Do you think I want her to be the brokenhearted town tramp that I was? Someone who has to numb themselves in random men to feel alive? When she came to live with me when she was pregnant, that’s what I feared. She said she was ready to move on from you, but she, like me, would never be able to. Loving you is as natural as breathing to her. God help you if you hurt her again. I don’t have many resources, but I’ll use every single one to rain holy hell down on you.”

I can’t help but give a small smile, loving how much she loves Ripley. “I don’t want to hurt her again. I’m trying to be a better man for both of them.”

She nods. “I know you are.”

“Tell me about the Canadian Bonnie and Clyde.”

She shrugs. “I don’t know much. I put that part of my life behind me when we moved. Their mother passed, and they claim to have just found out about Ripley. They said they needed to meet with her urgently, but I told them I wouldn’t pressure Ripley. It had to be on her timeline. They called me every few days, mostly Colette, which Ididn’t relay to Ripley because I wanted it on her terms. I don’t owe those two shit. Only my daughter concerns me. It was up to her if and when she wanted to meet them. She said she did, and I arranged it.”

“I think their French fucking contract is bullshit.”

“I agree. There’s something off with it. They were all business. They’re hiding something.”

---