Page 34 of Players Like Us
Neal recalled the summons to his father’s library, a place he and his siblings were forbidden to enter unless invited. The old man must have seen the scrape on the Mercedes back fender. Damn, it just happened last night and his mother told him if he backed the car into the garage, his father probably wouldn’t notice. That would buy them enough time to get it to the garage and have it fixed or create a story about what happened—other than the real one. If the old man found out Neal was racing on the back roads of town and had a bottle in the back seat of the car, he’d never drive again.
We have a situation.
A situation? The old man loved the art of being vague. In fact, he was a master of it.
Yes, one that requires your assistance.
Now that was a first. What kind of assistance?
This situation is delicate. It appears Marybeth Carruthers is pregnant.
Neal remembered the name. What a mess that had been. What does that have to do with me?
Unfortunately, the woman fancies herself in love with the father.
And that’s unfortunate?
The baby carries Alexander blood.
Tate? No way would he have pictured that one.
Of course not, but the father has a family and it could be very uncomfortable for them.
If it wasn’t Tate, then it could be Harrison or…Carter? The man was a real hound. Is it Carter?
The brief spark in his father’s eyes revealed the truth, even if his words did not. I can’t divulge that information. It’s better for you if I don’t.
What do I have to do with any of this?
If the woman insists on pressing this issue and naming the father, you will claim to be the father.
Me? I don’t even know the woman. Why would I—
It won’t be an issue, but she needs to think it will be. You’re seventeen, which makes you underage. She’s not. Imagine if you press charges? What would that look like?
You want me to lie about getting a woman I don’t even know pregnant?
I want you to do what’s necessary to protect this family.
I won’t do it. I won’t lie.
Laughter filled the room, choked out Neal’s refusal. You’ll do what’s necessary. It’s not as though you’re unfamiliar with the tactic of lying, now are you? If you’re worried about the sudden conscience you’ve developed, think of who will be hurt if the pregnancy is pinned on the real father?
He meant Aunt Camille. Bad enough to be humiliated by gossip, but a paternity suit? Neal clamped his mouth shut, but deep down he knew if he were forced to lie about this, he wouldn’t do it. He’d go to Tate first and tell him the whole sick request. Tate would know how to handle this...he always knew what to do.
His father took his silence for agreement. Good, just remember how devastating the truth would be to the innocent. Once I threaten the woman with this, she’ll change her mind and stay quiet. I plan to deposit money into your account as an extra incentive. A nod and then That will be all as he dismissed Neal from the room and his life, relegating him once again to the insignificant son.
Whatever play the old man executed must have worked because Neal never heard another word about Marybeth Carruthers or a baby. Neal thought about that afternoon, the disregard his father had for other people’s lives. He’d certainly screwed up Neal for a long time, but there were people who had it much worse and survived. At some point, a person had to own his actions and move on and that’s what Neal had finally done when he partnered with Dominic.
And now he had another moral dilemma, one with dark hair, amber eyes, a sharp wit, and the most delicious mouth he’d ever tasted.
22
Neal Alexander was as complex as a Rubik’s Cube and just as exasperating. He’d said more by not speaking than his words revealed. Well, it was time for them to have an honest conversation, one that involved words and the truth. Rachel had stopped at Tate and Charlotte’s but Tate told her Neal wasn’t home. Not sure where he went, but I heard your brother stopped by...
The look said it wasn’t a casual “how’s it going” conversation. Right, as if that were a surprise. One of these days soon, she and Daniel were going to have a long conversation about respecting privacy and minding your own business.
Rachel could only think of one place to look for Neal—Goose Creek. If he weren’t there, then she’d have to wait until after the birthday celebration to confront him. When she pulled into the lot, she spotted his BMW. She’d been unable to sleep last night, her brain filled with too many questions and no answers. Now, she would get her answers. Rachel followed the same path they’d taken last night, spotted him leaning back on a gray blanket, dark head turned to the sky. Peaceful. Quiet. Perfect.
