“You’re being crude.”
“That’s who I am.”
“No, it’s not, and I understand that, White. You were looking for a child and a marriage and I can give you that. I can give you that better than Kayla ever could.”
“I—”
“I’m serious, White,” she interrupts. “I fit into your life better than Kayla ever could. I’ve been in the world more. Your lifestyle is the kind that I live daily. I know how to be exactly what you need not only in bed, but in your career. I can help you advance and network.”
“My career?”
“Exactly. You want to be the star quarterback in Dallas. I can help make that happen. The woman in your life is a reflection on you when it comes to your bosses and the general managers of other teams. I know how to fit in and behave, to make you proud. Kayla would only ever embarrass you.”
“You have it all figured out, don’t you, Rachel?”
“I do.”
“You forgot one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I no longer play football.”
“What? Of course you do! You’ve just been on—”
“Medical leave, and as of yesterday, that was made permanent. The shoulder is never going to be game-ready again. So there is no big team dinners, no networking to be done, no hopes of ever being the best quarterback in Dallas.”
“What are you going to do? You need to talk to the doctors and make sure they know how important this is!”
“But it’s not.”
“It’s not?”
“Without Kayla, none of it is important. She’s the love of my life.”
“You’re not going to be playing football anymore?”
“Hell no. You’re looking at a washed-up has-been,” I tell her, finding a certain amount of satisfaction in the look on her face.
“What will you do?”
“Do?”
“For a job?”
“I’m going to take up ranching and help Blue.”
“Well, I mean, with what you made in the past, I’m sure you’re not really hurting for money, so I guess whatever makes you happy. But you’re not cut out to stay in the backwoods.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t care if I ever step foot into the city again.”
“But…”
“None of this is your business, Rachel. You really need to leave. I’ve got more important things to do, like visit the outhouse.”
“I don’t remember you being so crass before.”
“You weren’t trying to fuck up my life before. What I don’t understand is what you could possibly hope to gain from this shit. You and I both know there’s no way I could be the father of your kid.”
“You were drunk.”
“Drunk enough to pass out, not fuck.”
“You could have—”
“Besides, my dick hasn’t fallen off, and I’m pretty sure if it got anywhere near you that it would have.”
“I’m going to leave. I obviously can’t talk to you when you’re in this mood.”
“Before you go, here,” I tell her, handing her the envelope that I’ve been staring at for the last thirty minutes.”
“What’s this?” she asks, taking it from me.
“You’ve just been served.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Those are from my attorney. If you insist on this shit, then you better fucking believe I’m going to be demanding DNA, medical records, everything.”
“I thought you didn’t believe we slept together!”
“I know we didn’t, but you’re so fucked up that I wouldn’t put it past you climbing on me while I was asleep… dreaming about your sister. So let’s get this clear. Whatever game you’re playing, it’s not going to work.”
“You can’t get DNA while I’m carrying the baby.”
“I can when you get so far along, and believe me, Rachel, I’m big enough of a bastard to demand that.”
“I’ll fight it.”
“I wonder between the two of us who can afford to fight the longest.”
“You bastard.”
“Glad you’re starting to figure that out,” I tell her and watch as she sizes me up and then walks out the door. I didn’t get what I wanted, but it’s a start.
CHAPTER 60
KAYLA
I have to sit down. It’s physically impossible to remain standing. I fall back in the chair.
“Without Kayla, none of it is important. She’s the love of my life.”
“You okay, Kay?” I look over at Black and there’s a million and one things I should be concentrating on, but the only thing I can say, the only thing that I can comprehend right now is…
“He loves me.”
“He does.”
“Maybe he just said it because I was listening?” I question, then immediately get mad at myself. White’s not like that. If he said it, he means it. He loves me as much as I love him.
“Kayla, honey, you have to start having confidence in yourself. In White. You’re selling yourself and him way too short. You’re an amazing woman and my brother finally has a brain.”
“I know he loves me. I’ve always known that. But there’s a difference in being in love with someone and loving them.”