Page 27 of Coach's Pet

“Why don’t we go up to the house. I’m sure there’s something we can find to eat, and I can prop up my foot. We can talk.” Having him in my home, willingly and not filled with hate for me, is a dream of mine.

“You were right all along. You’re the villain by design, but you aren’t the monster. I am.” He turns and walks out of the stall.

Following him as fast as I can, I frown. “Where do you think you are going?”

He can’t be serious, right?

“Away from you. I… No. My brothers and I don’t deserve to be near you.” He won’t look at me, and my heart begins to crumble.

“I want to meet them. You three are my only family left.”

This makes him turn around and crowd me into the barn door. “You chose not to help us after our mother died. What makes you think we want you in our lives now?”

His words are cruel, but his eyes are full of regret. I blink at him, and it takes everything I have to stand there under his judgmental stare.

“Fair enough, Jason.” I wish I could give him a reason to stay. I’m obviously not enough, and I won’t beg him to be in my life. Even if it rips my heart in half.

Jason pushes off the barn door and walks away, leaving me and my world tumbling down.

* * *

Six weeks have passedsince I last saw Jason. It’s taken a lot to put my life back together. Sure, I have the resources to go after the boys and press charges, but I won’t. I feel like Lucinda would want the hate to be over with.

After a small service for Jasper and Boris, I told my assistant that I needed to take some time. For the moment, put everything on hold because I wouldn’t be in. I don’t want to be seen or to see anyone else. Plus, all the fucking reporters loitering about.

At first, I thought the reporters were about the death of my two closest friends in the world. No. It was Jason and his brothers who used all the evidence and had their mother’s body exhumed. After a complete autopsy, they found a broken neck not consistent with a hanging. It was ruled a homicide, and a full investigation ensued.

What they found wasn’t what anyone thought they would find. Their father is very much alive, and he’s in Bangladesh. Since the country has non-extradition laws, they can’t force him back to the States.

I haven’t heard from the boys, and I’ve decided that’s for the best since I’m not sure I can forgive them for taking Jasper and Boris from me. Yet, every night, the nightmare I used to have has morphed into a sensual tease and need for Jason. In my dream, he isn’t mean or cruel.

Forceful?

Yes, but I wouldn’t want him any other way.

For the first time, I’m out of the house and visiting with my animals. They are all I have left. They miss Boris and his special treats. Spottie, the pig, is currently oinking at me as I throw feed to the chickens. If I ignore Spottie too much longer, he’ll charge me. He thinks he’s a bull, but he’s a softy.

“Hello, Crucinda.”

My hand stops mid-throw, and I drop the bucket of feed.

Turning around, I see Ricardo.

“How did you get back into the States?” My hands move toward my neck, and I take a step back. This…this cannot be happening right now.

His laugh is maniacal, and I move too fast, bumping into the fence. It’s bad enough that he betrayed his sons, but to come back and show his face after they’ve found out the truth? God, he really is crazy.

“I’ve come to take back control of my family. You’ve messed with my sons’ heads, you bitch.”

I gasp as he steps closer to me. “No. They found out you were feeding them lies. That you’re a psycho, and I’m not the villain.”

“You know, you are who you are today because of me. I should have made your father sell you to the highest bidder in Mexico. You’ve been nothing but a thorn in my side since the night I chose your sister.”

“Too bad your greed blinds you. You chose well. Lucinda truly loved you until you ruined it.”

“No. You did when you started helping her. Lucinda didn’t love you. She knew you’d be a bleeding heart and ran to you. Even in the end, she was using your ass.”

“That might be true, but she still chose me in the end, and that’s all that matters. You should go back to the hole you crawled out of. You were better off dead.”

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