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Authors: Mj Fields

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BOOK: Love You Anyways
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“Good morning my Queen…”

“Did you see Ava on the news? Why aren’t my kids answering the phone when I call? I don’t want her around Harper Abraham
! Do you understand Lucas?”

“I did see her on the news. Logan and I drove in when I heard she may be in some trouble. She was sticking up for her friend.” I was ready to lose my cool, “Put Robby on speaker.”

“What makes you think…”

“The fact that I sent you texts last night and you ignored them! Put that fuck on the phone!”

“No.”

“Fine I’ll be over to see you both in ten minutes.”

“Like you know where I am.”

“Try me Ash. Put him on the phone or you can see exactly how much I know about you and your fuck buddy…”

“I’m here Links, but you will not speak to her…”

“You shut the fuck up and listen to me! You see the video of my daughter’s alleged attack?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Links. I came because Ashley was upset.”

“Hey Ash, you know I don’t give a fuck what you do. But we’re a team when it comes to our kids. When I’m off the phone Google that shit. Put Harper’s name in the search, her name is more likely to bring up the footage used by the police when they showed up and dragged our DAUGHTER and Harper to the
thirteenth precinct last night harassing them.”

“She was arrested because of Harper!”

“I’m so fucking glad I’m not in front of you right now Ash, I swear to God I have never wanted to slap the stupid out of a woman more than I do you right now.”

“That’s enough Links!”
“Fuck you. Ash, politicians are worms, why not ask him who else was involved in that. Remember, they lie and manipulate for a living.”

“I’m not a liar Links!”

“Good to know, who else was in the video Robby?”

“I haven’t seen the video Links.”

“Ash, that’s politician for, my fucking daughter and my niece. Robbie and Sam’s daughters, were the two little bitches who said Harper didn’t deserve Maddox and that it was good that she was beat so badly her baby died. You wanna talk shit about Harper saying she’s a bad influence. Telling Logan that Harper is a bad influence! Well your fuck partner’s daughter and niece were the bitches who fucked with my kid! And he sits there knowing full well this went down, lying to you Ash…”

“I came to tell her…”

“You shut the fuck up; I’m talking to MY WIFE! Ash, things between you and I will never be the same. Never! But you decide now which side to take and so help me God, you choose carefully. Cause if you think you can mind fuck our kids with lies you have no idea what I am capable of doing with the truth on my side.”

I heard a muffled sob escape her mouth, “No time to puss out Ash. Show me that I wasn’t wrong about you for twenty plus God
damn years. Do what’s right for your kids. They haven’t heard anything about your lies. I don’t want to hurt them and damn it I know that you don’t either. You stepped in a whole pile of shit, but shit washes off Ash. Regardless of what happens with you and I, for them pull your head out of your ass and do the right thing now.”

She didn’t respond.

“Robby, if your daughter so much as looks in the direction of my kids or Harper Abrahams again and I will kick your ass so hard you’ll wish you’d never been born. You put that little bitch Sam on a leash or I’ll fucking ruin you like I did him.”

“I don’t take kindly to threats.”

“Oh mother fucker that’s not a threat.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

“This is about you and I Links. What happened was purely coincidental.”

“My daughter and her friend being harassed wasn’t a fluke Robby. You’ve been warned. Ash, I hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into. You think you’ve seen me pissed? If anymore shit storms down on our kids you’ll see the mother fucking apocalypse. And Robby, she’s the mother of my children. Nothing will change that ever. You better make damn sure she’s safe from Sam’s bullshit too.”

“Lucas?”

“Ash?”

“Is she okay?”

“The kids are fine. You need to step back and get your fucking head on straight. They’re not toys Ash!”

“I never said they were.”

“Don’t pull that bullshit on Logan again.”

“You’re going to tell them anyway.”

“No Ash, I don’t want our issues to be their problem anymore than they have to be. June, that and peace is all I ask for. Gotta go. Text me and let me know you’re okay later. Goodbye.”

I pulled into the parking garage and sat trying to calm the rage.

Maddox was waiting for me.
Fuck I hope he didn’t hear anything
.

He looked at me and I smiled, he nodded. Damn I hope this kid could keep his mouth shut.

“You ready?” He asked.

“Sure am.”

When we got off the elevator Tessa was pacing at the end of the hall along with Harper and Ava, who am I kidding? Everyone except Maddox’s little sisters were out there waiting.

“She a foot stomper?”

He looked at me and nodded.

“It’s gonna feel like a heat wave outside for a while boy, and it’s fucking February.”

I patted him on the back and we walked down the hall to the angry mob
assembled.

“Links…”

“Dad, he didn’t even know I was following him.”

“Maddox I can speak for myself.”

“Lucas!” Tessa snapped at me and hell yes I liked it. “Where have you two been?”

“Brunch,” I laughed. “You guys eat yet? We have a game to get to.”

Chapter 8

 

Game Time

 

 

 

My kids, Harper, and Tessa’s boys piled in the SUV to head to the game. Maddox was being shunned, poor bastard; I knew how that felt at that age. Who the hell am I kidding; I knew what it felt like now.

I was so glad the storm came last night and we had all these extra tickets. Tessa and her kids needed to have one day to relax, and enjoy themselves. Just like Ava, her boys would be heading back to school in a couple days. I was making it my mission today to show them a good time and make sure Logan knew this was still our day. I could pull this off.

We pulled into the parking lot ahead of them and parked. I jumped out and opened the hatch. I grabbed the folding table and pulled it out first.

“What is going on?” Maddox asked quietly.

“Tailgate party Maddox.”

Logan and I set up a grill and Ava pulled out another massive cooler. She reached in and grabbed two drinks and opened one and handed it to Harper. Harper took a drink and nearly choked.
Bad influence my ass Ash. Bitch
!

“Be careful Harper.” Tessa laughed and patted her on the back.

Ava handed Tessa the other. “I shouldn’t.”

“Yes you should. We’re tailgating, come on let your hair down girl.”

Ava grabbed another and handed it to Maddox’s mom. “Thank you Ava.”

“Alright little ladies let’s go grab you some fan gear.” Maddox’s Dad took his sisters to a vendor walking around selling foam fingers and tee shirts.

Ava held her drink up. “A toast to you and a toast to me, and a toast to the boys that lick us where we pee!”

What the fuck did she just say
? I couldn’t even yell at her. I was shocked. All the girls laughed.

Logan held up his drink. “May the girls with Itty Bitty’s let me pet their pretty kitties.”

“Alright you two that’s enough.” Okay maybe a bit of a bad influence. I reached out for Logan’s beer, “Logan hand it over now.”

CJ held up his beer. “Here’s to the girl on the hill who says no way but her sister will.”

Matthew held his drink up. “To a fine selection, no rejection, a firm erection, a clean injection, and no infection.”

Tessa covered her face and laughed. It was great to hear her laugh again.

“To the hole that never heals, the more
I
rub it the better it feels.” Okay, so no, Ava is no worse than Harper.

I looked at Tessa who was still covering her face, “You teach her that one Tessa?”

She shook her head no and held up her drink. “Here’s to those who wish us well and those who don’t, can go straight to hell!”

“To the ones we love and the others who hate. May we know the difference while standing face to
face.” I took a drink and looked around at the crew we had gathered here. It was quite a crew. “Alright let’s cook some steaks.”

Ava jumped in and cranked up the radio. Seventeen by Warrant played.
Oh shit here we go, play it cool Lucas,
I told myself.

When she got out she wrapped her arm around my waist and announced to everyone, “Dad and I discovered some things while we were going through boxes the other night. I made a playlist of my favorites.”

“Good stuff huh Ava?”
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I kissed her head and went back to the grill
. Shit!

“Wallflowers?” Tessa asked and nudged me with her hip.

“What?” I tried to act like I wasn’t paying attention. “You need another drink?”

“No,” she laughed
but I handed her one anyway. I hoped she was drunk because I can only imagine what was next. Damn kids. “One Headlight. I like this song.”

“Yeah, I forgot all about the shit in the box. Cool find huh?”

The song changed to
It’s Been Awhile
by Staind.
Son of a Bitch
!

“It’s been awhile,” Ava started to sing and I looked over at her.

She was twirling Harper around and they were laughing. Sweet Jesus please let this not get any worse. I peeked out of the corner of my eye and Tessa was looking at me.

I held up another drink, asking if she was ready. She smiled and held up both
hands; one drink Ava had given her and the other I had just handed her. I was drowning here.
Son of a Bitch
!

My Own Worst Enemy
started and I couldn’t help it, this song was fucking awesome. I grabbed Ava, spun her around, and her and I sang. Even Logan joined in. I’m pretty sure his sister had snuck him a couple when I wasn’t looking. Logan didn’t loosen up like this normally. Damn it was good to see them happy.

“I made Loggie his own copy.”

“Good stuff Dad, for dinosaur rock.” Logan laughed.

“Dinosaur rock?” I laughed. “You can say that when you can out lift me boy.” I messed up his hair, which was a no normally. He had that Bieber hair going.

What’s My Age Again
was next. “Blink 182. High school stuff.” I laughed.

Both my kids looked at Tessa and she closed her eyes and shook her head in embarrassment.

“That’s not what I meant.” Holy hell!

Tessa’s kids laughed and so did she. She was getting drunk. Thank God because
Whatever
by Godsmack was next. She laughed out loud and so did I.

“Well this one was during that time.” Tessa laughed.

“To the good times, of long ago.” I raised my beer to her and she did the same to me.

Fuck
, I needed to get drunk. But no, Lucas was a grown up now, he couldn’t get drunk to get through an uncomfortable situation. Mother fucker.

And if I wasn’t embarrassed enough
Down with the Sickness
blasted through the speakers.

I looked at Tessa and she finished the drink in her left hand and giggled. “Angry
money song Lucas?”

“Love this song,” Baby, I wanted to call her that so damn bad right now, almost as bad as I wanted to watch her dance and sing.

The last straw was
Crazy Bitch
started. I cleared the coolers running to turn the damn thing off. I couldn’t even look at her.

“Dad!” Ava scolded when I came back over.

“Kids Ava,” I pointed to Maddox’s sisters.

Logan laughed.

“Mr. Links…”

“It’s Lucas, London.”

“Okay fine, but just so you know my dad and brother are rock stars, I can assure you I’ve heard worse than Buckcherry’s
Crazy Bitch
.”

Her parents gasped and I was sure I appeared shocked.

“London, bitch is a bad word,” Lexington, Maddox’s other sister, corrected her.

Everyone laughed except Maddox’s parents who scooted both girls away, I assume to correct them.

“You just got two little girls in trouble Ava,” I scolded my little girl.

I looked up at Logan who was trying not to laugh but was staring in the foul mouth little beauties direction. I looked towards London and she stuck her tongue out at Logan and he laughed as he lifted a beer to his mouth.

I snatched it away. “Logan, enough.”

“Sure Dad.” He smirked.

I looked at my watch, “Time to head in.”

We were finally going into the stadium. Ava, Emma, and Harper were extremely giggly. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, which made me happy. I saw Jose on the sidelines and shook my head.

I looked next to me and Tessa stood there, “You miss it?”

“Football?”

“Yes, Football. What the hell did you think I was asking?” She laughed.

“No. I wouldn’t give up all this for the game. Those two kids are everything I never knew I deserved.”

“So was football never really what you wanted?”

“I wanted it. Love the game.” She stood looking at the field. “Every part of my past brought me to where I am today. No regrets Tessa.”

She smiled and nodded. “I miss field hockey.”

“The game or beating the hell out of people during the game?”

She laughed and so did I. “Love the game Lucas. Every part of my past brought me to where I am today.” She used my words and smiled. Then she swallowed hard and I nudged her with my hip. I didn’t want her to cry and I knew she was drowning in her own need to take care of everyone around her when she just needed to fall the fuck apart.

“Right? That’s just what I was thinking.” I tried to joke and she forced a smile. “Without all that bullshit,” she looked at me. “The game Tessa. Without all you went through
, all you’re still going through, look at those three kids and never doubt or question a damn thing. Collin…”

“Please don’t,” she wasn’t angry she just couldn’t take it now.

“Sorry Bab…Tessa.” She laughed. “I know things will be tough for a while and I know as strong as you are, your strength sometimes burdens you further. The road you are on is right where you have always been meant to be. Don’t look back. Just forward.”

“Thanks.”

I looked at her and she looked at me. Really looked at me. At my eyes. Damn it had been forever since anyone’s eyes had reached as far inside of me as hers did. She closed her eyes as she looked down. My heart felt the same heaviness as hers did right now. I looked behind us and knew no one was paying attention. So I moved my hand next to hers and rubbed her thumb with my pinky.

She looked up and scowled. “You’re gonna make me cry.”

I didn’t say a damn thing.

“I don’t want to cry Lucas.”

“I don’t want you to either.”

“That’s the way we do it!” Logan yelled and she smiled as I pulled my hand away. He came up, “Touchdown Tessa!”

She held up her hand and Logan high fived her. I couldn’t hold back the laugh.

“Lucas!” she scolded me.

“What?” Logan asked.

When we were younger, my SU days, when I made a touchdown I got a prize from Tessa Ross. And when I say prize I mean a blow job. I adjusted myself just like I did back then. That was my way of letting her know I was counting on it. She blushed and looked away.

“I was just thinking how pissed Jose must be.” I answered Logan.

“Think our boys are gonna win this Tessa?”

“Let’s hope so. I hate the Giants.” She looked at me and raised her eyebrow. “Lucas at half time you should take him a hat. It’s cold out there.”

“You can give him mine,” Logan pulled his Navy beanie out of his back pocket. “He’ll be wishing he was sporting these colors by the end of the game when the Cowboys smoke their
asses.”

I was ready to scold
him when Tessa high fived Logan and laughed.

He threw his arm around her and pointed at the field. I watched
them laughing and talking.

Logan looked at Maddox, “Come here man let me explain football to you. This is the real shit not what you Brits call football.”

I noticed Harper and Ava had slowed down on the drinking and they were sitting now.

“Dad check out the score. Do you see that?” Logan yelled.

“I do. Jose is gonna be pissed at you for bringing his team bad luck.”

Tessa giggled. “Well Logan and I are pissed at him for coaching the Giants. So we’ll be even.”

Logan and she were doing a victory dance when the game ended. Ava and Harper were not.

Their heads rested against each other’s and they were nearly asleep.

“Sober up ladies. Twenty minutes until we go meet Jose.”

“Loc
ker room,” I heard Ava whisper to Harper.

Tessa laughed, “Are you excited Ava?”

“Yeah I am; we’re going to the locker room.”

“Outside of the locker room Ava.” I gave her the look, the Dad look. The one that stopped working on her at twelve.

She whispered loudly. “I’m sneaking in.”

I tried the look again and she laughed hysterically, she even snorted. My girl was a doll.

“She does that on purpose you know?” Tessa laughed.

“Uh huh. She better be joking.” I said loud enough for Ava to hear.

“Maybe I’ll go with her.” Tessa joked, or at least it better be a joke.

“Like hell you are.” I laughed and then stepped it up just in case she wasn’t. I’d had all I could take of her cuteness today. If she did that I may be forced to move quicker than I had planned. Tessa was worth the wait back then. I was a complete fucking idiot.

Jose walked out and I gave him a big hug. He immediately recognized Tessa, how could he not? She hadn’t changed a bit. He picked her up and hugged her, twirling her in a circle and she laughed the most beautiful laugh. Lucky bastard.

I introduced everyone and he chatted awhile before Ava and Harper started getting to
o much damn attention from the players leaving the locker room and Maddox looked like he had had enough of that shit. I completely understood.

BOOK: Love You Anyways
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