Page 69 of Wicked Player
“Everett despised Caleb Brown, seven years his senior, from that moment on. He vowed to get his revenge one day, to make him pay. But Everett was not a violent man, and he wasn’t stupid either. He knew he couldn’t go to jail. He had to be there for his little sisters. He had to get his revenge in a different way, and that way was me.”
“That’s kind of awful too,” I say, “but he did fall in love. He was hurt, he wasn’t acting rationally when he first met you,” I argue. For some strange reason, I want to defend Everett. I’m rooting for him.
She smiles. “I took it that way too,” she tells me. “After I heard what Caleb had done, I confronted him, and I was shocked by the complete lack of remorse he showed. He had killed a mother of three, a wife, a wonderful woman, and it couldn’t have bothered him less.”
“You went back to Everett?” I ask, already knowing the answer. It really is a forgone conclusion.
She smiles wide. “I did, and we lived happily ever after.”
I sigh. “Oh… I love a good ending. So Everett, he’s your children’s father?”
She nods. “Turns out the problem was never with me. It was with Caleb all along. Everett and I were married not long after, and nine months later, we welcomed little Andrew into this crazy world.”
“What a wonderful story, Judy,” I tell her. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”
“I’m done.” Christian is waiving his letter book around. The letters in it are all colored, very hastily from the looks of it. I think he was in a hurry to get back to us, to join the party.
“Great job,” I cheer. “You want to have some cookies and milk?”
He stands tall. “Yes.”
“I like the sound of that too,” Judy cheers.
I laugh. “Oh, I know you do.”
* * *
Saturday has finally rolled around, and I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I’ve been looking forward to it all week. Cassie has agreed to look after Christian. When she heard that Colton had invited me for a private date at his house, she was beyond excited. I’m the one who is usually living vicariously through her, but this time, it’s the other way around, and that feels kind of weird.
“You need to make sure he brushes his teeth before bed,” I remind her. She knows all this already, but forever the doting mom, I can’t help but go over it all over again.
She smiles. “I know, I know. Don’t worry, and just have fun.” She shoots me a wink. “And by ‘fun,’ you know what I mean.”
I smile as I frantically search for my phone.
“You look fantastic by the way,” she says.
“You think it’s nice enough?” I ask, not sure. I’ve worn dark skinny jeans and a loose plaid shirt, tied at the waist.
“Those heels look fabulous on you,” she gushes. “They look better on you than me.”
I laugh. “I doubt it.” I’ve borrowed Cassie’s studded red heels, the ones she bought especially to go with that red dress she didn’t get to wear because of me.
I kiss Christian goodbye. “You be a good boy for Cassie, okay.”
He nods enthusiastically. “Yes… I’ll be good.”
I hug him tightly. “Bye. Love ya.”
I stand and hug Cassie, and thank her again.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she teases. “So in other words… go crazy.”
I smile, and kiss her on the cheek.
* * *
I’m a bundle of nerves as I step into my Jeep, but I’m starting to like going out, the excitement of getting dressed up, zooming off, feeling free.
