Not Your Hero (12 page)

“Denton’s daughter. Melissa Denton. Well, now it’s probably hyphenated. Looks like Daddy did his research and found out some dirt on his new son-in-law. Hmm. Sucks for your little friend.”

He hands the paper back, but I refuse to take it. With my voice low and pleading, I ask, “You’re not gonna help?”

“Why should I?” he snaps.

“Because you owe me.”

He leans in toward me, and spits, “I don’t owe you shit.”

I run my hands through my hair. “I’ve never asked anything of you. What do you want? What can I do? Money. You want money?” I’ve only ever had myself really, so I’ve been able to save a lot. Plus, everything my grandparents had they passed down to me.

“Boy, I don’t need your money.”

“I know you don’t need it, but you were always hungry for more. What about the power, the chance to beat Denton in court? He’s about as big as you, right?”

“No. Find someone else.” He pushes the door, but I grab it and push back, stepping inside. The house looks the same. Cold and sterile. Unwelcoming.

“Please. I’m begging you. I know how fucking good you are. I’ll never ask you for anything else again. You’ll never have to see me again.”

He shakes his head, and I grab his arm. Shrugging out of my hold, he steps back.

“Please. I know you hate me. And I don’t understand why, but I’ve accepted the fact that you do. But I’m your son, I just . . . please.” I blink back the wetness suddenly hitting my eyes and lean against the wall in defeat.

He walks to the kitchen, but I don’t follow. Glass clinks, and a moment later, he returns with a tumbler filled with a clear liquid. He takes a large swallow then sets the glass on a table. Opening the paper again, he scans it. “I need documentation that she’s not a whore.”

“She’s not,” I snap.

He slowly raises his head. “I’m not saying she is, but that’s what they’re going to say. I need documentation of the hours she works, her bills, her debts, names of ex-boyfriends, friends, and relatives. I do this for you, we’re fucking even.” He glares at me, and I nod.

* * *

“What are you doing here so early?” Jim asks as I sidle up to the bar.

“I just got done talking to my dad.”

“Oh.” He grabs a shot glass and fills it with whiskey . . . I think. I slam it back and wave two fingers to show I want another. He pours and asks, “Why the hell are you talking to that asshole?”

“Courtney’s ex is suing her for custody of Ben, and she needs a good lawyer.” I shrug like it’s no big deal. I’ve mentioned Courtney and Ben before, so he knows about them. Jim understands what it means. He knows everything that happened since he was friends with my grandparents.

“So, your first thought is to ask your father? The man who made your life miserable?”

“Yeah,” I laugh, “it was. She needs the best, and unfortunately, he’s the best.”

“How long has it been since you’ve talked to him?”

“Eight years.”

“And after eight years, you have no problem walking up to him to ask for help for a woman?” He whistles. “She must be pretty damn special.”

I let his words sink in. She is. She’s so fucking special. And kind, and generous, and beautiful, and funny. She’s a great mom, a hard worker, and independent. “Yeah, she is.”

My feelings for Courtney have only gotten stronger when it hit me how much I have missed her over the past four weeks. I finally realized what she was willing to give me, and what an idiot I was for walking away from that. I don’t know exactly what I want, but I do know that I want to be a part of her life. Ben is part of her. I won’t let anything happen to him. Without asking for it, I have two people who mean the world to me, and because of my stupidity, I could have lost them. There’s no way in hell I’m letting her ex or anyone else hurt them. Once this is past us, I’m going to prove to her that she was right about us all along.

Courtney

Mona had just refilled my glass of wine, and she joins me on the couch after making sure Ben is asleep.

“Thanks.”

“Sure.” She takes a sip of hers and sets the glass on the coffee table. “What can I do? I feel so helpless.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “I don’t even know. I should have spent the day looking for lawyers, but every time I started, I realized that I have no money. I’m screwed.” Tears spill out again, and I curse myself for being so weak.

“I’ll help you. Take a cash advance on my credit card or something.”

“No. I can’t let you do that.”

“It’s not for you, it’s for Ben. Stop being stubborn and take the help.”

She’s right, and if this were any other situation, anything else aside from Ben, I would never accept money from someone else. But it’s my only choice.

“I hate that I have to,” I admit.

“Would you do it for me?”

“Of course . . . if I could, I would.”

“Then it’s settled. You call around and get an appointment with a lawyer, and I’ll go to the bank on Monday. We’ll get this figured out. He won’t take Ben.”

I wish her confidence was infectious, but I know the outcome of this. Poor single mother against a somehow rich man, using the best lawyers in the city. His word over mine. I work at a strip club. And I’m so pissed at myself for not getting anything in writing when I had Ben. All I did was list him on the birth certificate. I didn’t have him sign his rights away.

“Why was I so stupid?”

“You’re not stupid. Why would you say that?”

“I didn’t have him sign anything; I let him kick me out then I just left. What the hell is wrong with me?” I look at her in shock. “My parents were right. All this time I’ve been so stubborn. I should have listened to them, and now Ben will be taken away from me.”

If I could control it, I’d try to be quiet and not so dramatic. But I can’t. My entire body shakes, and the fear of losing my son has every cell running through my veins on fire. My vision becomes blurry, and Mona’s worried voice fades in and out. My breath is lost and I grip my chest, trying to find a way to breathe again.

Strong arms wrap around me and the timbre of Sam’s husky voice breaks through the density. I blink, and his handsome face becomes clearer, worry lines creasing his forehead. As if emerging from underwater, their words make sense again, and I cling to Sam for comfort. His woodsy scent and strong body make me feel safe for the moment, and I rest my head on his chest.

Mona’s frantic hands move all over me as Sam lays me on the couch. The nurse in her is coming out, and I wince when she shines a flashlight into my eyes.

“Stop. I’m fine.” I try to sit up, but become dizzy again. “Whoa.”

“Lay down, babe. You need to rest.” Sam has a wet towel and glass of water with a straw.

“What happened?”

He kneels on the floor, pressing the cool cloth to my forehead, and looks at Mona.

“You had a panic attack,” she says.

“Oh. That makes sense.”

“Here.” Sam offers me the straw, and I take a sip, immediately relieved when the cool liquid eases my sore throat.

“Mommy, what happened?” Ben stands timidly by the end of the coffee table. He shouldn’t see me like this.

“Mommy doesn’t feel very good, buddy. Let’s go back upstairs, okay? She doesn’t want you to catch her cold,” Sam says. He takes control of the situation and picking Ben up, disappears upstairs. He somehow knows that I don’t want Ben seeing me in this state.

“You okay with that?” Mona asks, motioning to where they just went.

“Yeah.”

I’m able to sit up and finally calm down.

“How did he get in here?” I ask.

“Used his key. He said he heard you crying and knew what happened, so he wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Oh.” My world is about to end, but I allow a small smile knowing he cares about me enough to check on me.

“How did he know?” Her accusatory tone is not lost on me. She’s not the biggest fan of Sam after what he did. I don’t blame her; I’d feel the same way if the roles were reversed.

“He was there this morning when I got the letter.” And just like that, the memory of the blonde leaving his place ruins any smile I had. It reminds me how much he doesn’t want more with me. That I was just a convenient lay. Even though deep down, there’s something there with us. I felt it.

“He’s asleep again.” Sam returns and sits next to me, resting his hand on my jean-clad thigh. “You feel better?”

“Yeah. I’m good. You can go now.”

He flinches but doesn’t make a move to get up. “I contacted a lawyer for you. A good one. He needs all sorts of documentation from you. Debts, pay stubs, lists of ex-boyfriends, family. He’s gotta prove that you’re stable and a loving mother.” He stops talking, and I continue to look at him with my jaw open, confused. He gives a small smile before finishing. “Of course, that won’t be hard because you’re a great mom. He’ll be in contact with you on Monday. So in the meantime, if you can gather up whatever might be useful and get it ready for him, that would help speed the process along.”

“Wait. Hold the phone,” Mona shouts. “What are you talking about?”

“I got a lawyer for Courtney. I told her I was going to this morning.”

“No,” I state, curling my legs under me so I can turn and look at him closer. “You said you’d take care of it.”

“Yes. And I also said I know a lawyer, and he owes me a favor.”

“But I don’t have the money for a lawyer.”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

“How can that be? Something doesn’t seem right here, Sam.” Mona steps next to me and offers her hand on my shoulder for support.

“Look. He’s good. Really fucking good. And he owes me for something that happened a long time ago. If it makes you feel better, I’m not paying him either.” He nervously rubs the back of his neck. “Once he wins this case, we’re even.”

“But I’ll still owe you something,” I say.

“What is that supposed to mean?” he snaps.

“Well, shit. What am I supposed to think? You ignore me for a month then just show up like a fucking hero with your super lawyer and shit. And you expect me to think you don’t want something. Wait.” I laugh bitterly. “You want to get laid again. Fine. Whatever. I already walk around half naked for money, what’s one step further?”

He stands and leans down, inches from my face. I look at Mona, who has her phone out, fear written on her face that Sam would lay his hands on me. I quickly shake my head at her. The last thing I need is for the cops to be called. And Sam would never hurt me.

“Don’t you ever talk about yourself like that again. You are not a fucking hooker.” He rests his forehead on mine and lowers his voice so only I can hear. “The past month has been torture. I was an asshole, and I owe you an apology. I have a fucked-up past, and it’s made me cynical. Please, just give me another chance. I won’t put any pressure on you. I know you’re dealing with a shit storm right now, but I want you to know I’m here for you, with you. Only you.”

“What about this morning, the woman?”

“She came by last night but nothing happened. She slept on the couch and left first thing. I swear it.”

I’m not sure I buy what he’s saying, and it must show on my face because he continues, “Her husband was killed overseas a while ago, and she’s having some problems adjusting. I promise nothing happened.”

Oh, no. I couldn’t imagine going through that. The sincerity on his face shows, so I drop my guard and let him in. I’ve missed having him with me.

“I’m scared,” I whisper and wrap my arms around his neck because I can tell he’s sincere. I don’t give a shit about what’s happened in the past month right now; all I know is he’s here now, and he makes me feel safe. That’s something I’ve never had before, so there’s no way I’m letting him go.

“It’ll be okay. I won’t let anything bad happen to you or Ben.”

And I believe him.

13

Sam

LAST NIGHT I BARELY made it to my bed before I passed out. Physically, I wasn’t tired, but my brain was fried. Seeing my dad went better than I had expected. If I could put a word to what I’m feeling, it would be a combination of relief and anger, I guess. Always anger with that man.

I don’t know what caused him to change his mind, but no way in hell am I going to question it. He’s too concerned about his reputation to not go balls to the wall and win this case, so I’m not worried about him screwing over Courtney.

After I had gone to the bar, Jim made me sober up before I drove home. I was about to go inside when Courtney’s cry had me rushing to her door. I knocked, but when she didn’t answer and her cries got louder, I used my key and let myself in.

Staying with her for a while and comforting her came so natural. Ben, too. I read him a book and he fell asleep in my lap. If I could have stayed with him longer, I would have, but I wanted to make sure Courtney was holding up all right.

If I’m being honest with myself, I was relieved that she believed me about Lisa. I was worried she wouldn’t, but her trust in me is just another thing that draws me to her.

Once I was positive she was okay for the rest of the night, Mona walked me to the door and glared at me right before slamming it in my face. I deserved it. She’s a good friend to Courtney; I can’t fault her for that.

I’ve just finished my morning run, and Mona’s car is gone. Since I’m all sweaty, I grab a quick shower before going to see Courtney. I’m sure she’ll need some help today, and I need to prove to her that I’m not an asshole . . . not anymore.

She opens her front door and even though exhausted, she’s fucking beautiful. No make-up and her hair’s all messy like she just ran her fingers through it. Don’t know how she can pull off sexy in a t-shirt and pajama pants with ducks on them, but she does.

“Hey.” She yawns.

“Hey. I thought I’d stop by and see if you needed help with anything.”

“Oh. Umm, I’m all right.”

I run my finger down the side of her face, and her eyes slowly close. “Let me help you. Not only because I need to make up for being a dick but because I want to.”

“I can’t deal with getting hurt by you again right now,” she whispers and slowly raises her lashes.

Her words burn, but I deserve her hesitation. I will prove her wrong. “You won’t. I’m not trying to-” Frustrated, I can’t get the words right, and I drop my hand and shove it in my pocket. How do I tell her that I want to be with her but expect her to believe me after the way I treated her and the shit I said?