Page 82 of Undeniable Love

Hanging up, Lucy let out a happy little sigh. “Okay, one down, and it wasn’t so bad at all.” She knew they weren’t totally in the clear; that was just one phone call with one brother. She had an entire family to deal with and some friends. “Probably should have warned Gemma that we were doing this.”

So she tapped out a quick text and promised they’d get together for lunch as soon as she got back.

Feeling good about it all, Lucy walked out of the bedroom and was about to share her good news when she noticed that everyone was eerily quiet. Glancing around, she wasn’t sure what to do or say.

“Jax just got a call from the Vice President of the Warriors,” Noah said flatly.

“How do you know?”

“He said it before he answered. He took it outside, but…it doesn’t sound good from what we can hear.”

And there went her good mood.

That’s when her phone rang with a call from her mother, so she took it back in Jax’s bedroom.

“Hey, Mom!”

“Are you going to try to convince another wealthy man to marry you just to get out of South Creek?” her mother cried. “And with Jax, of all people? Where did I go wrong with you, Lucy?”

Oh, good Lord…

The sigh of frustration was loud. “That’s not what this is,” she replied tightly. “Jax and I started spending time together while working on the camp and things just…evolved. I don’t owe you or anyone an explanation, and you know what? I’m kind of tired of your nasty accusations! I get that you really liked Blake. But you know what? What he did to me was far worse than me not being in love with him! So instead of making me out to be the bad guy in this, maybe be a little supportive of your only daughter!”

She contemplated hanging up, but she didn’t. Instead, she walked over to the door that led out to the screened-in porch and spotted Jax pacing. Her heart broke for him, and she couldn’t even imagine what he was being forced to listen to. If it was anything like this call, she totally felt for him.

“If you’re looking to fight with me, it will have to wait until I get home because I’m not missing out on the short time Jax and I have together,” she snapped. “And whether or not you choose to believe it, we’re together because I genuinely care about him. Hell, I think I’m in love with him!”

“Lucy? Really? With Jax? Are you sure? All these years…”

“Believe me, Mom, I know. It’s weird for me too. But if you don’t mind, I really don’t want to get into this with you right now. We’ll talk when I get home.”

“Just…I’m sorry, Lucy. I just…I guess I couldn’t understand how you would even consider marrying someone you didn’t love. Now I realize that you were always fiercely independent and did things your own way. And if going through what you did with Blake made you realize that you shouldn’t settle for anything less than true love, then…then it’s a good thing.”

“Mom…”

“We’ll talk when you’re home. Give our love to Jax, but tell him your father is not exactly thrilled.”

That made her smile. “I’ll be sure to tell him.”

The call from the VP then went to a call with the legal team. That call led to a conference call with his coaches, and lastly, a call with Beau Reeves, the team owner, who he was currently talking to. All Jax wanted to do was throw his damn phone away and stop talking about this subject to death. His career had been everything to him for so damn long and he’d worked hard to get where he was, but right now, football was the last thing he wanted to think about.

Somewhere in his house, Lucy was dealing with her family and he hated that she was doing it alone without him being right there to support her. Tyler had called, but there was no way Jax could have put anyone else on hold to take it. Once his friend knew everything that was going on, he’d understand, but he had a feeling that right now he was seeing Jax’s refusal to answer the call as an act of cowardice.

I wish…

“Our PR team will prepare a statement,” Mr. Reeves was saying. “Everything will be sent for your approval and when you meet with everyone at the stadium tomorrow, it will all be finalized. Any questions?”

“No, Sir,” he said politely, even though inside he was seething. “I thank you for taking the time to call and speak to me personally.”

“You’ve been with the Warriors for a long time, Jax. You’re part of the family. That’s why this whole situation has been…upsetting.”

He nodded. “I apologize for my poor judgment. Believe me, I learned my lesson, and it won’t happen again.”

Mr. Reeves laughed softly. “I appreciate that. Now let’s get back to the business of football, okay?”

“I’d like that. Thank you.”

“Enjoy the rest of your day, Jax. Take care.”