Page 25 of Cougar

“I love you, too, Jaybird.” He kissed the top of her head and whispered, “Do you remember what I told you?”

She nodded against his chest. “To trust my gut, follow my heart, and never, ever settle for anything less than I deserve.”

“Always.”

* * *

Before Marcus was diagnosed as terminal, he had his hands in several projects: a coproducer and judge forAmerica’s Voiceand the charitable foundation he’d started called the Mayhem Foundation.

Project Mayhem is a subsidiary of the Mayhem Foundation. It was Marcus’s baby, and its sole purpose was putting music back into schools and awarding scholarships to underprivileged kids who wanted to pursue a career in music or performing arts.

Raising money for Project Mayhem wasn’t an issue. Not when you’re Marcus King. Finding the right school to test out the project was the challenge.

While Marcus was planning our transition to Heritage Bay, I suggested he speak to David Avery, the principal and founder of Heritage Bay Academy, and an old friend of my parents. Marcus and David spent months on the phone going over the details of the new addition to the school, a performing arts building, which Marcus funded personally.

“How’s the building coming along?” I ask Alex as he enters the living room, followed by two of my nephews, Dylan and Cole. All three take turns giving me a hug.

“It’s coming,” Alex replies. “Even with all the rain, they’re still ahead of schedule.”

“They’re putting it right next to the gym,” Cole adds.

I smile at his excitement. “She doesn’t know anything yet, so keep it to yourself.”

Cole’s brows pinch together. “What’s the big deal?”

Cole has always been close to Jay, so I feel as though I need to reiterate how important it is to keep quiet about what’s in the works. “I haven’t told her about the move. I just got her home and she’s doing really well so far, but she still has her days.”

“Just don’t tell her about my job.” Alex winks. “I want it to be a surprise.”

Dylan chuckles, shaking his head in amusement. “Oh, she’ll be surprised all right.”

Project Mayhem will eventually be handed over to Jay when she’s ready, but for now, Alex is in charge in the classroom. He’ll work with Jay in a student-teacher environment while teaching her how to be a leader.

This opportunity is to benefit Alex as much as Jay. They’ll spend more time together bonding over their mutual love for music and, unbeknownst to Jay, their father.

* * *

Cam

“You about ready?” Liam asks from the doorway as he pulls on his tuxedo jacket. “The car’s here, and we need to swing by and pick up Jasmine.”

“Dude, please tell me you’re not bringing one of your diamond dolls to Marcus’s charity fundraiser.” I grab my jacket from the bed and slip it on. “Your sister will not be happy.”

An annoyed expression crosses his face. “Relax. I’m bringing Doc.”

“Doc?” Tyge Reynolds, Liam’s current roommate and LA Heat’s new hotshot pitcher—my replacement—steps out of his room, straightening his bow tie.

“You mean Jay’s therapist?” I raise a brow. “Emerson will kick your ass if you fuck her. Wait, have you fucked her?”

“Not yet.” He grins.

“Dude, she’s like forty,” Tyge adds.

“At least she’s old enough to drink,” Liam fires back, then turns to me. “I don’t care how old she is. She’s hot.” He shrugs. “All I can picture is those long legs in high heels and her wearing nothing but that white lab coat. Mmm.” He rubs his hands together, wiggling his eyebrows. “That woman is wound up so tight, and I’m gonna be the one to unravel her.”

Tyge barks out a laugh and I shake my head. “You’re unbelievable.”

He brushes away the invisible lint on his jacket and sniffs arrogantly. “Don’t hate the player.”

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