Page 13 of Redemption

“She’s in an awful place, honey. I have my suspicions about why, but I need to have a long talk with my daughter to confirm whether or not it’s true. I’m not going to assume anything and give the gossipmongers any fodder based purely on a mother’s intuition.”

“I would never feed the rumor mill about anyone, Mrs. J, and quite frankly, I’m insulted you’d think so. And let’s not forget, you’re the one who called me.”

Another sigh. “I know you wouldn’t, and I’m sorry if I implied that, Beckett. I just meant it’s not my story to tell. The only reason I’m even calling you is to protect her. She’s not in the right mind to face you right now, or anyone for that matter. Just please, stay away from the house until I give you the okay to return.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “There’s one problem with this little plan of yours.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, seeing as I’m the foreman of this ranch, I’ll be all over the property doing my job. How exactly am I supposed to avoid her then?”

Mrs. J takes so long to answer, I have to check my phone to make sure the call didn’t cut off.

“I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t think Presley will be leaving this house anytime soon. I have a feeling it’s going to be hard enough coaxing her out of her room.”

My eyebrows draw together. “What the hell does that mean?”

“I’ve already said too much. I think she’s up, so I need to go. Can I depend on you to honor my wishes, Beckett?”

“Yes, ma’am. Of course.”

“Thank you.”

“You—”

Mrs. J ends the call before I can finish my sentence.

I take deep breaths, trying to get a grip. I don’t even know why I’m so pissed. The fact that Presley’s here? The fact that she left in the first place? The fact that she’s spent over a decade in another man’s bed? The fact that had she not run away to New York, I wouldn’t have felt the need to flee either? And if I didn’t do that, maybe I wouldn’t be so fucked in the head? How in the hell am I supposed to do my job, knowing she’s so close, but still completely out of my reach?

“Damn it!” I slam my open palm against the wall in frustration.

I fill my lungs a few more times before telling myself to man the fuck up and get out there because I have a job to do. There’s no room for mistakes when you’re working with powerful animals all day. And there’s definitely no room in my life for a woman who tossed me aside like yesterday’s trash.

Fuck Presley and whatever problems she came rolling back into town with. She’s not my concern anymore. She hasn’t been for a long time.

Chapter Nine

Presley

– Age 17

“Touchdown!” the announcer calls over the PA. “Number thirteen, Beckett Armstrong, just threw his third touchdown pass of the night, with two seconds to spare in the fourth. That’s another win for the Knights, ladies and gentlemen!”

I jump up and down, my gold and navy pom-poms waving high in the air, as Beck and his teammates celebrate their fourth consecutive win. Beck is the starting quarterback this year, which is unusual for a junior, but he’s been rocking it. There’s something to be said about small-town football. Everyone bands together each Friday to put the games on and support the home team as much as possible.

“Presley, that man of yours is on fire,” my fellow cheerleader, Nicky says. “If you ever get sick of him, I’ll take him off your hands.”

I playfully whack her with my pom-pom. “Sorry, Nic, he’s all mine forever and ever.”

She fans herself mockingly. “Oh well, a girl can dream. Oh, look, Mr. Hotness is making his way over here now.”

I can barely contain my joy as Beck runs across the football field in my direction. He’s sweaty, and he has helmet hair, but he’s still drop-dead gorgeous. I squeal when he pulls me into him and nuzzles my neck.

“Beckett, stop! Don’t be startin’ something you can’t finish.”

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