By the time I pull up to Jude’s school, I have a plan. I park and text her as I wait for him. She says I can stop by her office now. I tell her I’m waiting for Jude to get out of practice, then I’ll be over. Hopefully, she doesn’t tell Striker what I’m doing.
“Hey, Auntie,” Jude says as he jumps into my truck.
“Hey, kiddo. I have to make a stop on our way home. Okay?”
“Sure. No problem. Coach wants me to go over some plays.”
“What time does city league practice start again?” I don’t know how Lia keeps up with everything. Running her own business, being a mother, and being a sports mom.
“It’s tomorrow at noon until three.”
“Got it.”
We head further into town. Ridley’s office is in the same area as the salon. I pull up to the building that had to be renovated after an explosion took out Lia’s car months ago.
I glance at Jude. I’m not sure I want him to know what’s going on.
“Do you want to wait here or come in?”
“I can come in and wait.” I notice him tremble as he looks around. I didn’t even think of the memories coming back here could cause him.
“Okay.”
We head into the building, and I’m looking over my shoulder. The fact that the person had a picture of Callum and me tells me this person isn’t just a fan, they’re a stalker.
We go inside and head up to the office floor. When we step off the elevator, Ridley is waiting for us.
“Hello, Jude. How are you doing? Enjoying being a big brother?” Ridley makes small talk with him.
She starts moving along the walkway. The center is open, giving me a view of the floor we entered, a large garage filled with vehicles, and several rooms. This floor also has several glassed-in offices. She moves toward a conference room and grabs a remote.
“Here you go, kiddo. Watch whatever you want. Just no porn. Striker would kick my ass.” She chuckles. “Although I’d have to let him, because we both know I’m the better fighter.” She laughs harder at her joke. “Come on, Andi.” She leads me back the way we came to an office.
She moves to sit at a desk, and I look around. I’m so nervous. I don’t know what to do.
“Take a seat,” she says.
I sit down in one of the chairs and try to take several calming breaths.
“Before we begin, can we keep this between us? I don’t want Striker or Lia to worry. Unless you tell me that Jude is in danger, then I’ll tell them and step back.”
“What are we talking about here?” She leans forward and rests her arms on the desk.
“Let me back up and explain some past things before I give you the reason I’m here today.”
“Okay.”
“About fifteen months ago, so a year ago this past December, I was in the World Championship Rodeo in Las Vegas. I was competing as a barrel racer.”
“I know. I saw the accident. When you called, I looked you up.”
“Okay, well…” I pause.
No one knows this next part except me and my immediate family. Not even Lia knows. I work my lip, trying to get out the truth.
“It wasn’t an accident.”
I wait, but she doesn’t seem to comprehend it at first. When she does, her whole body stance changes.
