Page 20 of 2nd Strike
I see the handsome face of the man I love pale. His eyes go flat, hard, as if he’s guessed what I’m about to tell him. “You’ve got to be kidding. You don’t mean—”
Before I have the chance to confirm it—as if we’ve somehow conjured one of the most important players in the case—a man appears in the doorway of my office.
“I tried to stop him,” Haley says, peeking over the man’s shoulder. “Sorry, Charlie.”
Sorry, Charlie. Like the old tuna fish commercial. “It’s okay,” I tell her, my bold self-confidence failing me once again as I see the look on my visitor’s face.
“They don’t match,” Carl says, ignoring JJ. His lips tremble and then he sets his jaw, clenches his fist as if he wants to punch me. His voice rises. “Ethan and I took new tests. They don’tgoddamnmatch!”
He must've ignored Lily’s proclamation. Good for him.
“JJ, you remember Carl Havers.” I round up my shoes and slide them back on, ready to do battle. “Why don’t you come in and have a seat, Carl?”
Both men stare at me as if I’ve grown two heads. They’re angry, perplexed, anticipating the worst. I don’t have time for dread or fear now. I have to take control and do what I do best.
Solve the problem.
“Okay,” I say, straightening my suit jacket with a little tug. “Ethan is not your son. Let’s figure out whose son he is and bring home yours while we’re at it.”
I sound like I’ve got my shit together. Inside, I’m a hot mess. I look to JJ, hoping he’ll put aside his shock and irritation, and jump onboard to help Carl.
“Bring home his son?” JJ taps a fist on my desk as if trying to bring me out of a dream—rap, rap, rap. “Did you seriously just say that?”
He appears appalled at my matter of fact tone. It's the best I could do, trying to instill confidence in Carl, and myself. “We have a problem, I’m trying to solve it.”
His eyes are lit with anger. “One you left me out of the loop on? This could affect my career, too, you know. When exactly were you going to tell me, Charlize?”
The expression he gives me suggests it might affect our relationship as well. Trust is an issue for each of us. “I was about to explain everything to you. I’m well aware of the consequences this unfortunate event places all of us in.”
His stare feels like he’s stripping my soul, a dozen questions in his eyes. “I swear, you…”
JJ shakes his head as if he can’t wrap his head around me not telling him. Everything is spinning out of control and I grab the desk, holding on.
I’m sorry, I want to say, and would if an angry Carl Havers wasn’t standing here.
Carl clears his throat, demanding my attention. I ignore him, keeping my eyes on JJ.
I swear I can see the wheels spinning. The damage my silence has done is a jagged tear between us.
Then my rock steps back, turns on his heel and does the one thing I don’t expect.
JJ walks out on me.
10
Meg
By the time I get to the conference room door, JJ is striding down the hall. All I see are his straight posture and wide shoulders brutally pinned back. He marches by Haley, offering a quick nod, but not a word.
I don’t know him that well. I’ve watched him do his magic in court, slinging his charm and brilliant smile like a master while jurors and witnesses sit enthralled. He’s good. Really good.
And when he squares off with my formidable sister? Gosh, that’s fun to see.
In all of that, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him truly, blood-boiling angry.
At least until this moment. One thing I know is he’s never left this office without at least a wave in my direction.
Whatever Charlie was thinking in not looping JJ in, I hope she can live with the ramifications. She loves this man. She may not have said it aloud or even admitted it to herself, but I know her and when she looks at him there’s a happy softness that’s reserved only for JJ.
