Page 15 of Hot Damn
“Fucking prick. Did he at least leave money for the upkeep on the monstrosity?”
“Yeah. And Nat thinks she may have come up with a way to use it without living there. I can’t remember exactly what and with the start of the season on us she’s been distracted.”
“They’ve lived separate lives as long as I’ve known her. I honestly didn’t think he’d make things difficult for her.”
I look at Mom. “She’s his unlimited credit card. He’s got no money of his own and never had a job that I know of.”
“He worked for his father before they were married,” Dad explains. “Now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure Whitman senior cut him off around that time.”
“It would explain why he married Natalie.”
“You don’t think they were in love once?” Mom asks.
I can’t help the bark of laughter that breaks free. “Hell no. She told us she married him to unlock her trust funds. Although I will admit that’s new information. In all the years we’ve known her, she’s barely talked about him or their marriage. As you say, they’ve lived separate lives. I remember the documents we had to sign toguarantee he couldn’t touch Rogue sportswear and now the Rogues franchise.”
“With the money the Redding family has, I’m surprised she worried about that.”
I glance at Dad. “I think she worried about us, not herself.”
“Ah, yes, I can see that.”
“Speaking of deadbeat family.”
“Was that what we were doing?”
“In a roundabout way, yes.” I lock gazes with Dad. “You know she’s going to come out of whatever hole she’s in, right?”
“She can crawl out, but it won’t affect you.”
“I’ll be the first one she heads for.”
“Don’t talk to her. If you accidentally pick up a call because she’s got a new number, hang up and send me the number before blocking it.”
Dad’s words are firm, no room for argument, and to be honest, I’d probably do what he asked minus sending him the number anyway.
I have no inclination to talk to my biological mother. As far as I’m concerned, she doesn’t exist.
“Cam?”
“I won’t entertain her in any way. Call, in person, no matter how she tries to contact me, I won’t give her the satisfaction of getting to me.”
“If she does contact you, we’ll have another restraining order put in place.”
“We know that won’t stop her.”
“No, but it will make it easier to get her to go away.”
“I can get the paperwork drawn up, ready to go.” Mom laughs as we both look at her. “What? We all know she’s going to remember who she gave birth to once she sees you splashed all over the TV and internet.”
“Draper might dig.”
“He probably will, but I can blacklist him from a few outlets.I can’t really stop the gutter press from taking whatever he has to offer and that might be information on you.”
“Thanks, Dad, but I think we’ll see what happens before you call in any favors.”
“Say the word and it’ll be done. Of course he’s already blacklisted from the entire FNB network.”
“Since when?”
