Page 11 of Cursed Fox

I was a Pioneers fan. I knew all about Jimmy Green and the season he’d had. As a fourth-round draft pick, he was supposed to be exactly what the Pioneers needed to have a winning season. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Sportscasters loved to comment about how he was clearly overrated in college or how he couldn't hack it. None of that meant he should be receiving death threats. And certainly not ones that threatened his mother.

"Do you plan on staying here while you're in town?" Jimmy asked Nancy.

I continued to listen to the conversation in the room, partaking only when absolutely necessary.

"If you don't mind."

"Of course not, Mom. The room is just how you left it last time."

I didn't let my face show it, but internally I smiled at the interaction. From everything I’d seen, Jimmy was a great son. He cared enough about his mother to give up his dream to protect her. And unlike others who’d made it big in the NFL, he was humble enough to show respect to the woman who’d helped him get there.

"And what about Lex. Where will he sleep?"

"The couch is fine." I spoke up before any other suggestions could be made. Although, I glanced over at the offensive piece of furniture and knew immediately it would be a rough night. I was a big man, and there was no way that couch was long enough.

"No way," Nancy argued. "You can't sleep on that thing. The bed is big enough, you can sleep in there as well."

Jimmy cleared his throat. "I'm not sure I'm okay with that."

The kid just earned another few points in my book.

It didn't matter, though. There was no way I was sleeping in a bed with her. I never slept in bed with anyone, and for good reason.

"I appreciate the offer, but the couch is fine," I insisted. Hell would have to freeze over before I ever allowed myself to sleep in the same space as someone. It was too dangerous. I was too unpredictable.

"You expect me to believe you'll be comfortable on that thing." She pointed to the couch in question and I hid a wince.

No, comfort wasn't what I would get on that, but I didn't tell her that. Instead I said, "I've slept in worse places. I'll be fine." And it was true. Nothing could be worse than sleeping on a dirt floor after being beaten and tortured for hours on end.

"Just because you have doesn't mean you should." Nancy refused to give up, but thankfully Jimmy stepped in.

"Mom, if he wants to sleep on the couch, let him. It's really not that bad. I've done it before." At least the kid was able to say that while looking her in the eye. Which meant at least part of what he was saying was true.

"Fine." Nancy threw her hands up in the air and walked down the hall. I was almost sure it was followed by, "Stubborn-ass men," but I couldn't be sure.

"Thank you." I waited until she entered what I assumed was a bedroom. "And no matter what you hear tonight, keep your mother away from me. You as well. It's safer that way."

Nancy's son nodded his head in agreement, but didn't get the chance to question me because his mother was coming back down the hall.

"I need to go downstairs and grab my bag."

I shoved the letter in my pocket. "I'll go grab them." I headed for the door and was out in the hallway before either of them could argue.

I needed a minute alone. Time to think about the favor Wes asked and what it would entail.

Oh, and I needed to call the man. I pulled the phone out of my pocket and, as predicted, he answered on the first ring.

"Everything okay?"

"The last letter Jimmy received threatened to kill Nancy if he didn't quit," I said without preamble and listened as Wes ran through a whole gambit of colorful words.

"It kills me that I can't be there."

"How's Jennie?" Small talk wasn't usually my thing, but in this case, I would make an exception. It was horrible to think what my friend and his wife were going through.

"Sick. Chemotherapy is kicking her ass, but she's a fighter. And she doesn't want this to affect Sarah, so she's putting on a brave face."

Sarah was Jennie's daughter from a previous marriage, but Wes had adopted her. The girl was the light of my friend’s eye, and it sucked that the three of them were having to deal with something as toxic as cancer. Jennie had been through enough already in her life, so it made all this that much worse.

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