Page 20 of Striker's Foul
By the time Joely finishes my hair, she’s opened up to me a bit more. She said she’ll try to come by the roadhouse in the next couple of weeks. I also scheduled my next visit with her in eight weeks for a trim and facial.
I walk out to my car and decide I need to have that conversation with Julian before it festers any longer.
“Hello,” he answers on the first ring.
I know that since his sister moved here, he’s been spending more time with her and his nephew than he used to.
“Julian, I think it’s time we talk,” I say.
“I agree.”
“Where do you want to meet?”
“How about that café you like?” he suggests.
“Sounds good.”
I pull out of the parking spot and notice the motorcycles following me. I didn’t call Luke to check if I’d see him later. I don’t want to get my hopes up. I know what he said, but like I told him, I’m scared.
Pulling up to the café, I park near the front and make my way inside. Julian is waiting for me. He stands and pulls me into a hug. When I wrap my arms around him, I feel the familiarity we have always shared. He pulls out my chair and then takes a seat across from me. Like every other time, I notice he sits with his back to the wall, never the door. He eyes scan the entire room, watching for any sign of danger.
We order, and I still haven’t said much. I’m waiting for him to explain, and he’s waiting for me. It’s a game he usually plays well, but today I notice he’s fidgeting. He’s not as in control as he usually is.
“I’m sorry.” He breaks the silence. “I shouldn’t have kept such a big secret from you, but I did it for your protection.”
I bristle. “How can you say that? How is it protecting me to keep Jude from his own father?”
“I knew if you learned I sought you out to keep an eye on you for him, you’d push me away or even run,” he explains, raising a hand when I start to speak. “No, that’s not necessarily true. I knew you wouldn’t run. I just didn’t want to lose our friendship.I didn’t realize how much it meant to me until it was too late. But Striker is my closest friend too. He was with me when my brother-in-law betrayed my sister. I know you and I talked, but Striker was there. We saw it go down together. I was afraid of losing you both.”
I reach across the table and take his hand. “Julian, we are friends, and friends tell each other the truth.” I lean my head forward and hold his gaze, trying to get him to understand this is where he opens up.
“When Browser found the birth certificate with Luke’s name on it, I decided to come see you, to find out if you were purposely keeping his son from him. Luke only ever told me he had no choice but to join the military. That he left behind a life he wanted. I knew about the soccer. I eventually found the records that explained why he left. I doubted the charges right from the get-go.”
He pauses and brushes a hand through his close-cropped blond hair. “When I saw you and Jude, I thought it would be best to keep an eye on you both for him. I figured you and Luke needed to get your heads out of your assess and confront each other with the lies you’d been told.”
“But you knew I didn’t know where he was.”
The server arrives with our order. I sit there, picking at my salad. I’m about to get angry again when his body tenses. I turn my head to follow his gaze. Harold strolls into the café and walks right over to our table.
“Hello, I’m Harold Pierceson. I’d have to say you’re a far better match on paper than my daughter’s ex.”
Julian stands, towering over Harold. I stay seated. I won’t give the sperm donor the satisfaction of causing a scene. I’m sure that’s what he wants.
“Julian, sit down. It’s okay,” I say, but he doesn’t listen.
“I should show you how much of a better man I am than Striker. I’d have kicked your ass years ago for what you did to them. But I’m not giving you the chance to turn me into your five o’clock headline.” Julian gestures toward the photographer I noticed earlier.
“If you’re such a better man, then why isn’t that abuser in jail?” Harold raises his voice, and I catch on to his plan.
“Luke didn’t touch me,” I say, raising my voice just enough. “I was attacked by a would-be robber who broke into my restaurant last night. Luke would never do something like this to me, unlike you, who used to hurt my mama.” I make sure everyone hears me.
“Don’t lie.” Harold leans down into my space. “That rapist should have been in jail a long time ago.”
“He’s not a rapist. I never said he raped me.”
“He did it to others too.”
I can’t hide the smirk. I know the truth, and he doesn’t.
