Page 35 of Scooter's Endgame
Eventually, just when I’m about to beg her to say something,anything, her shoulders drop, and her body relaxes a bit. “Can you forgive me for being an ass?”
“Yeah, I guess,” she answers on a sigh. “Right now, I’ve got a serious problem on my hands and no idea what I’m to do about it.”
“My offer was sincere. I have a friend who’s an attorney. If she can’t help, she’ll certainly know who to refer us to.”
“Beckett, I can’t afford an attorney. You know my situation. Even the last little bit of savings I have left over won’t be enough.”
“I can help you –”
“No.” Scrubbing her hands tiredly over her face, Kathleen shakes her head. “I’m sorry, that was rude. But no, thank you. You can’t keep bailing me out every time a new shitstorm blows into my life.”
“Would it make you more comfortable if I offered to loan you the money, rather than giving it to you? We can work something out that’s affordable on your salary. I’ll even get my attorney friend to draft a contract if you like.”
That seems to seal the deal. “Much as I wish I didn’t need to, I’ll accept your offer to loan me the money and the contract to make it all legal and official,” she finally says hesitantly. “My options are pretty limited at this point. I can’t lose my son. It’s simply not an option.”
“Consider it done. I’ll go give her a quick call.”
“No, Beckett, wait. It’s Sunday –”
“Yeah, and?”
“And she’s entitled to her downtime.”
“Under normal circumstances, I’d agree with you. But not today. I’ll see you in a bit.” Not giving her a chance to voice any further objections, I hurry back to my house to make some calls. If Gonzo thinks he’s going to fuck with Kathleen, for whatever juvenile reasons he has, he’d best rethink his choices.
Not only am Iablebut, more importantly, I’m more thanwillingto run interference for her. Kathleen will get to keep her son, and I’ll have the satisfaction of derailing his plans. Listening to the phone ring on the other end, I smile in anticipation of teaching the fuckwit a lesson.
17
KATHLEEN
Three Months Later
“We’re as prepared for tomorrow as we’re ever going to be. So, hang tight and this will all be over soon, okay?” Lindsay Seymour, the attorney friend Beckett recommended, says.
“Easier said than done, I’m afraid. But I’ll be there, bright and early, in the morning.”
“I’ll see you outside the courthouse at nine a.m., yeah?”
“Nine a.m., yes, ma’am,” I reply.
“See you then,” Lindsay says before cutting the call.
I sit back in my chair, breathing out a deep sigh. The past few months have been such a weird mix of emotions. Anger at Jeff for the emotional hell he’s putting me through, anxiety over the outcome of the court case, a deep appreciation for the support that Beckett’s been during this goat rodeo, and something a little more I’m not ready to examine until the custody battle is over.
Checking my watch, I see it’s time to get dinner going so it’ll be done on time. The house is clean, laundry done, just dinner left to distract my thoughts. Beckett was away on a mission for a few weeks, only returning a couple days ago, and there’s been little to do around here. So, I’ve taken up learning to knit.
I know people call it a granny activity, but the challenge of learning has kept my mind occupied instead of worrying. I planned on making Luke a scarf for winter, but considering what the mangled mess on my needles looks like, I’m thinking that’s the last thing it resembles.
I guess I’m going to have to rip it all back and start again. And since the case gets underway tomorrow, it’s probably not a bad thing. I’m determined to master this and welcome the distraction of learning this new skill.
Just as I slide the rack back into the oven, the front door opens. My breath catches as the light silhouettes Beckett, highlighting his muscular frame and the breadth of his shoulders. Dressed in jeans and a Henley, as he is today on his day off, he’s oh so yummy looking, but that man in a uniform? Hot, hot, hot, with a capital H.
My heart beats a little faster at the thought of spending some time in his company, just the two of us. Luke is staying with a friend for a few nights, just until I know how proceedings run and what time I’ll get home each evening.
The thought of alone-time makes me feel guilty, considering the current situation, but I can’t help looking forward to it anyway. Feelings I’ve ignored for years are demanding attention, and I find myself craving time in his company. There are a million things I wish I had the right to say – to tell him – but I’m unsure of exactly how Beckett feels about me.
The fear that we aren’t on the same page emotionally stops me from giving voice to any of my thoughts. I really need this job – it’s not back-breaking labor, long hours, or unpleasant work, the money’s good, and I have fabulous perks. But that’s not the only driving force keeping me silent.
