LLucy’s Revenge(Divine Creek Ranch 15)(120)

“Stop.” He couldn’t help the big goofy grin on his face.

“Breasts. They’re called breasts, Beck. It’s a nice word.” She started giggling so hard she snorted. “Breeeeeasts.”

Beck grinned again. “Breasts.” They both laughed and Chloe told him she was glad he’d called. As he hung up, he was, too.



* * * *



Patrick rose from the chair in front of his dad’s desk at his office in Morehead, his stomach in knots at what his father had just told him. “If you think you can resort to emotional blackmail to get me to give in to your demands, you have another thing coming, Dad.”

“You give it some thought before you throw away your relationship with me, your mother, your siblings—”

Patrick scoffed in disgust. “Please. I’m an adult. I can see Mom anytime I want. Same thing with Roberta and Rhonda. And if they don’t like my lifestyle, Rhonda and Roberta can kiss my ass, too. And you can’t do a thing about Maizy. She’s an adult and we’ll continue being close as always. You overestimate your power as the family patriarch. And you need to consider what this is doing to Mom, rather than your own needs for once. She deserves to see PJ on a regular basis.”

His dad looked at the closed office door as if worried someone might be lurking outside it listening to their conversation. “And if you don’t change your perverted ways, she’ll be seeing much more of him.”

“No judge will give you custody of PJ and you know it. He’d wind up going to Paggs’s family, or Elizabeth’s if I lose custody, which I don’t plan to. If you’re willing to sacrifice the pitiful shell of a relationship that you and I have because I choose to love and be with whom I choose, then so be it. It’s your loss.”

“What about a cooling off period?” His father asked in a rough voice, harrumphing as he yanked at his shirt collar. “Date some other people. Date Tabitha. She’d be a delight to have as a daughter-in-law.”

Patrick squinted at his dad. “Dad, your suggestion just shows me how truly warped your powers of reason and perception have become. It disgusts me that you think I’d ever have anything to do with that gossip-mongering witch. I wouldn’t wish her hateful presence on my worst enemy.”

“I disagree. She is perfectly presentable. All women gossip.” His father sat up in his chair and tapped the papers stacked on his desk to a neat edge as if he was very busy. “Well, I’ve said what I needed to say. Expect to hear from my lawyer in two weeks’ time.”

Patrick braced his hands on the desk and leaned toward his dad. “Bring it on, old man. PJ is staying where he’s safe and where he rightfully should be—with me. If you try to take me to court over this, you’ll regret it—and you’ll do irreparable harm to Mom in the process.”

“It’s perverted—”

“It’s not. In my estimation it’s love in its best form, true and selfless. It’s also your new reality.” He turned to leave the office.

“Son, don’t fight me on this. You’ll rue the day you pursued this illicit relationship.”

Halfway to the door, Patrick stopped and looked at his dad. “I told you once before, Dad, I won’t do as you’ve asked and place appearances and public perception over love. If that doesn’t suit you, I don’t give a flying fuck. My lawyer would be more than happy to talk with your lawyer. Good-bye.”

Papers tapping noisily against the blotter were the only sound he heard as he left his father’s office to head for home.



* * * *



Lucy tidied up the day spa while she waited for Val to get dressed and come out of the small massage room. Tamara had already left and it was nearly time to lock up for the evening. Lucy smiled, thinking that the awed look Tamara had given Val as he’d walked in for his appointment might’ve been a deciding factor for her becoming a massage therapist.

While she’d given him privacy earlier to get undressed and on the table, Lucy had whispered to her. “They don’t all look like that, you know.”

“Yeah, but when they do, bow-chicka-wow-wow. I envy you.”

Lucy had smiled and done her job like any other day. An enjoyable day, but like any other day nonetheless.

Val’s shoulders and back had been a mass of tight knots, which she’d done her best to loosen up.

He came out of the massage room, fastening the last button on his black button-down shirt, and she met him at the reception counter. After the transaction was completed, she walked him to the front door.

“How are Beck and Patrick doing?” Val asked as he tucked the receipt in his wallet. They were standing in the open doorway.