Page 4 of It Never Happened
Jack and his senior partner loaned them a lot of money, and basically Lief Nilsson was indebted to Jack for life. January was furious when she found out. She was mad at Lief for not consulting her, then mad at Jack for what felt like him going behind her back, even though she had essentially washed her hands of the store. She had big emotions she was dealing with at the time, and it was easier to be mad than to actually deal with the loss. Jack explained it wasn’t his place to tell January, Lief should have done that, but she wouldn't see reason. I couldn't blame her either. Even though she wasn’t there, she felt responsible for the debt too. After a big blowout with both her brother and Jack, she essentially cut ties with them both. I was stuck between them, and I definitely did not want to get wrapped up in the family drama.
But then Jack abandoned them like he abandoned me. He took on numerous large accounts that I wasn't sure he was ready for and which required a ton of attention, and he let Lief linger in the background. According to Jack, he did what Lief asked of him, but he wasn’t helping him manage the money and it wasn’t enough.
No one in the Nilsson family knew how to run a business, and when they couldn’t count on Jack, things got dicey.
A few years later, I found out Lief and Jack made amends, but I don’t know why it was so easy for Lief to accept him back. Maybe it’s because they don’t share a son together or a love that once was.
Another ring from the phone draws me back to the present, and I answer, “Hello?”
“Courtney.”
“Jack, what can I do for you?”
“I was wondering if I could come over tomorrow and bring dinner for Joey. And you. We all need to eat, right?”
I hesitate before giving an answer. These little glimpses take me right back to where we used to be. Even the tone of his voice is taking me back ten years. And I want to say yes and shout it from the rooftops, but I have to stay grounded in my present. This will be just another passing visit for him. I don’t know if it’s Christmas season making him feel nostalgic or if he’s honestly trying to be better for Joey. He called me last month and asked if it would be okay to bring Joey back to New York with him for the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Fear shot through me immediately because one, I don’t want to be without my son, but two, I wondered if he would take him and not bring him back. So showing up early has me on alert. I can’t imagine he would do that because he would not be able to take care of him while he’s working. But it’s always a concern.
“Dinner? Are you sure this is a good idea?”
He grumbles something about not knowing anything anymore, and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to hear that.
“Excuse me?”
He clears his throat, “Like I said, we all have to eat. I would like to spend some time with my son, Courtney. Please allow me the chance to do that.”
“You’ve had six years to do that. Why the change now?”
I hear him huff a laugh on the other end and prepare for the fight that is coming. Like every time we talk, he pushes and I push back, and we end up in a screaming match that solves nothing. Just more animosity and more reason that my leaving him was the right decision. But this time, he again catches me offguard.
“I know I haven’t done right by him,or you,but I’m trying here. I don’t know how to do this. I just know I want to see him.”
I’m shocked into silence hearing his words, and my heart beats loudly in my chest with hope for my son. Because, in the end, it’s not about Jack and me, it's about Jack and Joey. And Joey needs him.
“Okay,” I whisper. "You can come for dinner. We don’t get home until after five, so give me a little time. He also goes to bed at eight so please don’t show up right before that.”
Please just show upis what I want to say.
His voice perks up. “I’ll be there at six. Is there anything he can't eat?” he asks quietly, and it’s just another reminder that he basically does not know his son at all.
“He's allergic to strawberries. But other than that, you’re fine.”
“Like me,” he breathes out in wonder.
“Yes, Jack, just like you.”
He sighs. “Strawberries. Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks, Coco.” He clicks off his end of the call, and my head spins at hearing the nickname he used to call me.
Chapter 4
Jack
Ican’t believe she said yes to dinner. After seeing her at the school, it took everything in me not to run to her. She still has that thick, wavy brown hair I always loved feeling on my bare chest as she laid next to me in bed. And a body to die for. Long legs that I loved to feel wrapped around my waist and amazing thick hips that fit my grip perfectly. Courtney Becker has curves that I still dream about.
But her eyes, although still that gorgeous chocolate brown with gold specks, seem duller this time around. She has double the stress now being a single parent, and I can’t help but hate myself for doing that to her.
Since Courtney walked out on me five years ago, I haven’t been able to shake her from my thoughts. The problem is, I never did anything to get her back either.
I'm sure she thinks I’ve been living it up in the city, dating and partying, but it’s the furthest thing from the truth. I work twenty hours a day. I fill my time with account after account and earning money to eventually get them both back one day. The guy who took me under his wingand believed in me enough to bring me on as his partner retired eight months ago. He’s young, no older than fifty, and I couldn't believe it when he told me he was leaving.
