This Obsession of Mine (Raine Series #5) (12 page)

“What the hell is goin’ on in here?”

The three of us turned in each other’s arms and faced my father. I’m pretty sure he didn’t know how to react at the three of us cryin’ in each other’s arms, so he just shook his head and sat on the floor next to us, and held out his arms. It was the closest our family had ever been and it felt…weird.

“So which one of you got your mother high?”

Glenn and I both looked at each other, and then our dad, “Sheila’s boyfriend.” We announced in unison.

“I
knew
that kid was a pothead.” He laughed, and we all fell over laughing. “I guess that’s what you get when you date someone twenty-five years younger.”

We spent the rest of the day on our once spotless kitchen floor,
talkin’
of all things. It was the closest I had ever felt to my parents…ever. Christmas Eve had most definitely turned around for us, and I was pretty sure that this was the first time my parents had spoken candidly with each other in years. The way they were lookin’ at each other gave me hope that they would make things work. I mean, it wouldn’t be the worst thing if they stayed together.

Joey

Christmas Day

My mother tinged her glass tryin’ to get everyone’s attention, but unfortunately in a house full of rugged rednecks that wasn’t an easy task. “HEY EVERYONE, PIPE DOWN. MY MA HAS SOMETHING TO SAY.” A hush fell over the house, and my Ma looked at me in thanks.

“I just wanted to take a second to say thank you to everyone for coming over and spending their holiday with us. It has been a rough year to say the least, but we have had some enormous ups as well as downs. First off, I just want to say I’m so proud of my baby boy, Jo. He has managed to transfer to an amazing school where he is holding one of the highest grade point averages, and getting to play ball like he’s always wanted. Here’s to hoping the NFL comes knocking someday soon. To my oldest boy Glenn, I love you and Cami both, and I’m so thrilled that she is still with us to celebrate this wonderful holiday. Glenn please be careful on your tour, and we’ll make sure Cami is taken care of. To all of you wonderful and amazing people who we have come to call family, thank you for giving my boys a home when theirs didn’t feel like one. So everyone dig in, and Merry Christmas.”

Everyone clanked their glasses together, but Glenn and Cami were off in the corner whisperin’ about somethin’, and I didn’t want to feel left out so I made my way over to them to listen in. “What’s goin’ on guys?” I whispered.

“Jo, do you mind?”

“No, not at all. What are we talkin’ about?”

“Joey, it’s none of your business.” Cami growled before stormin’ off upstairs.

“Man, what’s up with grumpy pants?”

Glenn slapped me hard on the chest, “Dude, sometimes I swear you have the worst timing.”

“Sorry, bro. I honestly didn’t think it was somethin’ serious. Sorry.”

“We got another call from the adoption agency. Looks like the new mom changed her mind too.”

I immediately felt like an ass. “I’m so sorry, bro. I had no idea that was still even a thing. I mean, after the girl in Austin changed her mind, I thought y’all decided to wait?”

“I know, but when they called us about this mom we thought maybe it was our time. We just got the final call last night after y’all went to bed and I went home.”

“I’m gonna go apologize to Cami.”

“Do.” He pointed at the stairs and I started climbing them like a reprimanded little boy.

I knocked on Glenn’s bedroom door, and opened it slightly, putting my hands up in surrender, “Please don’t shoot. I’m just here to apologize.”

“It’s fine Jo. I holstered my gun. Come on in.”

“I love that you get my humor, sis.” I smiled as I jumped onto the bed next to where she was sitting. “Look, I had no idea what was goin’ on. I’m really sorry about the whole baby thing.” I put my arm around Cami’s shoulders and she leaned into my shoulder as she started to cry.

“I just really needed this, Jo. I needed to feel
human
again.”

“I know, I’m so sorry.” I was tryin’ to think of what I could say to make her feel better. “If it helps, I married a murderer.”

Cami’s head popped off of my shoulder real quick and her cryin’ instantly seized. “What in the hell?”

“Long story, for another time.” I laughed as I pushed her head back down on my shoulder. “Continue.” We both laughed.

“Thanks, Jo.”

“For what?”

“For always makin’ me laugh. You’re gonna make some guy really lucky some day.” She teased.

“What’s to say I haven’t already?” I laughed.

Cami and I made our way downstairs a short while later while everyone else was diggin’ into the delicious food my mom had made. Glenn stood and helped Cami over to her seat, while I glanced around the table at all the love around me. Even Mom and Dad were happy and kissin’…gross. Kayla motioned for me to take a seat by her and Madison, but I held up my phone and pretended that it was ringin’. I made my way out back where I was out of everyone’s line of sight, and dialed the only person I wanted to really wish a Merry Christmas. I wasn’t even sure if she would answer. If she was back home in London, then I was definitely callin’ too late, but I would take my chances. Unfortunately, it went straight to voicemail.

I was just about to go back in when I felt a pair of hands wrap around my waist from behind me, unfortunately, I knew exactly who those hands belonged to. “What are you doin’ here?”

“Well, it is Christmas, and I thought I should spend the day with my
family
.”

“
My
family is not
your
family, and as far as I’m concerned…” I suddenly remembered what Detective Sanders had told me, and I wasn’t willin’ to be her next victim. So I lovingly wrapped her in my arms and headed inside. “Everyone, Tanya will be joinin’ us today.” I could definitely feel the love when everyone looked up but then quickly looked back down at their food. “Oh, and she’ll be movin’ back to California with me.”

“I will?” Her excitement was unmistakable.

“Yeah, we’re married aren’t we?”

“Yes, of course.”

When everyone was done eatin’ and all the presents were opened, we all decided to go our separate ways, Tanya and myself included. “Well, it looks like we’ll be headin’ back tonight. Long drive and all.”

“Joey, why don’t you two wait until morning? I’ll worry less.”

“I know, Ma, but I have to get back before practice starts up on Monday. I love you.” I placed a chaste kiss to her forehead, and she hugged me tightly once more.

“Please be careful, and call me when you get there.”

“I will.” I turned to the rest of the household. “Merry Christmas everyone. I’ll see y’all real soon. I promise.” Everyone waived as I literally pushed Tanya out the front door towards her car. “We need to go by your house and get your stuff.”

~~~

I’d like to say that the drive back to California was an eventful one, but I’d be lyin’. Truth was, I didn’t say a single word to Tanya until we pulled up to our new place. Detective Sanders arranged for us to live in a “special” one bedroom apartment off campus. It was a bit of a shithole, but Tanya thought it was the Four Seasons compared to her last place back home. These next few months were gonna be torture.”

4 months later

My nerves were shot as I paced the entire length of the room they had me waiting in. It wasn’t every day that you have the opportunity to make your dreams come true, but today could very well be that day for me. I remember the first time I ever held a football in my hands. I was so tiny, and I remember thinking that there was no way I would ever be able to hold that regulation sized football. It all seemed so insignificant then, but looking back on it
today
, it suddenly made complete sense.

I pushed my hands back through my hair, cracking my neck every chance I got, and wearing a line in the carpet with how fast I was movin’ back and forth. It was a day that I knew I would never forget, but it was also bittersweet, because the only person I could think of in this moment, was
her.
I knew how lucky I was to have my family and friends around me, but everyone was here out of obligation, and I knew with her it was so much more. When I told her about my dream to play in the NFL, she could tell just how much it meant to me, and I could see it in her eyes that it meant just as much to her to see me fulfill that dream. All I knew was even though we hadn’t spoken or seen each other in over five months, there was no one in the world like her, and I would give anything to have her here with me today.

“Jo, you hangin’ in there?” Glenn’s hands clasped down on my shoulders gently rubbin’ them and I could feel some of my stress dissipate. Thank god for my big brother.

“Thanks for bein’ here, man. I honestly don’t know how I would get through this without you. It means a lot.” I turned and hugged my brother.

“You know there is nowhere else me, or any of us would rather be.” He looked back at everyone else in the room. “Okay, well maybe Tanya would rather be somewhere else, but the rest of us…” He laughed. “What’s goin’ on with all of that anyway?”

I shook my head, “Honestly, I wish I knew. There’s really nothin’ I can do. It is what it is.”

“Look Jo, I’ve kept my mouth shut about the whole
you-know-who
thing, but I refuse to let you go the rest of your life like this. Your miserable with her, and it’s only going to get worse if you get that phone call. You know she’s not gonna let ya move without her, but if you take her with…man, that ain’t gonna be a life worth livin’.”

Everything my brother was sayin’ was true. Unfortunately though, her and I were married, and wherever I went, she would have to follow. Or did she? I glanced at my watch realizin’ that we had all been stuck in this box of a room for almost three hours now. Tanya was sittin’ in the far corner all by herself while the rest of my family sat on the couches reminiscing about when I was young…blah, blah, blah. I wanted to join in on the conversation and have fun, but every time I looked over at Tanya, I couldn’t help but wonder what she was goin’ to do next to make me even more miserable than I already was.

“Hey, whatcha doin’ all the way over here?” I pulled up a chair to sit right next to her, but when I reached for her hand she unexpectedly pulled it away, and that’s when I noticed a stray tear fall from the corner of her eye. I wanted to reach out and wipe it away, try and comfort her, but somethin’ inside of me held me back from doin’ so. This was
my
day, and she couldn’t even find it possible to not make it about herself.

“Jo, can we talk?”

For the first time since I’d known her, she actually sounded sincere. “I suppose.” I muttered in response.

“Look, I know I’m not the best wife. Hell, I didn’t even ever want to be a wife, but I really want to try and make this work between us.”

I shuttered at what I knew she was about to say next, and right on cue she said exactly what I
didn’t
want to hear.

“That’s why I am willin’ to move if that’s what this whole thing comes down to.”

Damn it! Just when I thought I might have a chance of leavin’ her behind. “You don’t have to do that, Tanya.” And hopefully she would be behind bars before it got that far.

“But I want…”

“JO, PHONE!” I held up my finger to tell Tanya one second as my brother shouted across the room for me.

I ran over to him as fast as I could, snatchin’ the phone right out of his hand as I took in a long strangled breath. “This is Joey Green.” When the voice on the other end began talkin’ I wanted to shout like a schoolgirl.

“Mr. Green, Rich Grady here, I’m the head coach for the San Francisco Forty-Niners.”

“Yes, sir. I know who you are.” I instantly felt like an ass for interrupting him. “Sorry, sir.”

Luckily he let out an amused laugh, “No worries, son. I get it. Well Mr. Green, are your family and friends there with you?”

“Yes. Yes, sir.”

“Why don’t you go ahead and put me on speaker phone. I believe they’ll all want to hear this.”

“Hey everybody, come gather round the table. Hurry.”

“Why, what are we doin’?”

“Tanya, just get your ass over here.” Glenn annoyingly replied to her whining, and like usual, if Glenn told her to do somethin’, she instantly did as he asked. It was infuriating, and I could tell by the look on Cami’s face that I wasn’t the only one annoyed by her little act.

“Okay, Mr. Grady, shoot.” I clutched onto Kayla’s hand with my left hand, and Glenn’s with my right. It just so happened that the two people standin’ next to me were the two most important people in my life, and I needed them now more than ever.