Chapter 2
Twin Talent
Trevor
The alarm callingfor the end of the session goes off, pulling me from the past. I blink and look around the room as I come back to the present. Pain I haven’t allowed myself to feel for years slices through me.
“Thank you so much for sharing, Trevor. That was a great start. I look forward to deep-diving some more in our next session. This was real progress,” Dr. Winsor says.
My phone buzzes before I can say what I really feel. I look down and see it’s Brad. He’s in town for a bit.
I’m supposed to be meeting with him after this session. My boys spent the weekend with him, and he has someone he wants me to talk to. I’m thinking of expanding my construction company to New York.
In order to do that, I need to have some connections and friends in high places. Brad has made a lot of those in the last two years. My little brother has made some big moves and I’m proud of him.
I freeze for a moment as I consider why I targeted New York for the expansion. I never thought of who’s in New York other than Brad and his family. Have I subconsciously been …
Naw, I shake the thought off. I closed that door a long time ago. I did what was best for Cakes.
I left her alone. She didn’t need my baggage and bullshit. When my daddy told me to do the right thing, I took that as him saying to own up to what I’d done in my anger.
I wanted to be a better man, so I didn’t try to find out why Cakes had blocked my calls. I locked my heart away and buried the happiest time of my life.
I shake my thoughts off and read the text from my brother. It’s better I stay in the here and now. It took a long time to let all hope of a life with Lynn go.
Brad:Out front.
Me:Be right there.
“Caleb, can I speak to you for a moment?” Dr. Winsor says as all the men in the room get up to make a run for it.
“Ma’am, my brother is outside waiting for me,” Caleb answers.
I look over at the huge blond. The big guy has always been quiet. In the last few sessions I’ve been to, he’s pretty much kept to himself.
“This will only take a second,” Dr. Winsor replies.
He nods and moves to her side. I collect my water bottle and head out. I don’t want to keep Brad or the others waiting. I could stand to eat, so this lunch will be right on time.
I walk outside and to my surprise find a guy who looks just like Caleb with a baseball cap on talking to Brad as two little boys stand on either side of him. I saunter closer as they continue to talk.
“Here’s my card. With an arm like that, he has a future. I’d be happy to mentor him. There’s a spot in the league for him for sure if you keep him on the right track,” Brad says as I stop.
“Thanks. I know more about baseball, but they love both.”
Brad narrows his eyes. “What did you say your last name was?”
“Perry. Cameron Perry.”
“Aw hell. I knew you looked familiar.”
“I thought you knew who this was,” Nico says as he and Uri exit the SUV and walk over. “Nico Donati. We spoke last week.”
“Right, the job offer in New York. M.H.D. Group, right? You need a batting coach,” Cameron says while shaking Nico”s hand.
“Not a batting coach, you. You’re right for Justice. He’ll listen to you. You’re what we need to earn him top dollar,” Brad says.
“As in Justice Mack? You guys signed him?” Cameron asks with narrowed eyes.
“Yeah, we got him and Tim Essex. Our MLB rooster has been shaping up nicely,” Nico says proudly.
“Dad, you’re going to coach J. Mack?” one of the little boys with Cameron says excitedly with awe in his eyes.
The other boy looks up at his father with expectation and pride. They’re cute kids. If I’m not mistaken, they’re identical twins.
Cameron places a hand on each of their heads. He shoots them both a smile. I hate to tell Brad, but I don’t think this guy wants the job. He’s interested, but I can see something is holding him back.
“I don’t know,” he finally says to his sons.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pressure you or anything,” Brad says.
“No problem. It’s a small world. Clearly, we were meant to meet. Give me some time to think your offer over and speak with my wife,” Cameron says.
“Sure, sure. My offer still stands for you boys. Actually, my brother’s boys are going to a friend of mine’s football camp this summer. I’ll be doing a workshop. I think I can get your guys in if you want,” Brad says.
“Yes, Dad, please,” the boys say in unison.
“Sounds good. I’ll text you for more information.”
Caleb appears and Cameron nods his goodbyes before placing a hand on Caleb’s shoulder and whispering something in his ear. Caleb nods and they all take off for their car. Cameron’s boys waving excitedly at Brad as they go.
As Cameron goes to get in the driver’s side of his car, Uri stops him and whispers something in his ear while pressing a piece of paper into his hand.
I watch as Cameron opens the paper then swallows hard. He looks over at the men with Brad as well as my brother. Then he brushes his forearm across his face.
My curiosity is piqued, but Brad draws my attention. “Scoot and Bam are back at the house with Tam and the kids. They want to stay a few more days. You know Snacks was welcome to come along too,” he says.
I chuckle and shake my head. My kids have the craziest nicknames. My youngest daughter, Paige aka Snacks, had plans of her own. Going to Uncle Brad’s will never hold a candle to her long-standing summer visits with Nanna.
“If you can pry that girl from Agatha’s side, you’re welcome to it.”
Brad pats his stomach. “She still cooking like she used to?”
“You know it. Snacks spends every summer in that woman’s kitchen.”
“I can’t blame her. Now I get that look on her face when I asked if she wanted to come over when I picked up the boys.”
I chuckle. Agatha Galveston has been a staple in my children’s lives. I tried to keep my distance. However, as I essentially became a single father when Jess was little, Agatha stepped in to help me. When my parents gave Cliff the ranch and moved, Agatha was the closest to me.
She and Darla would give me a hand with Jess. Then when the twins came, I was grateful to have them to lean on. Especially over the last two years as I’ve had four growing kids.
I don’t know where I’d be without the Galveston women. Pain sears through me as I think of the one Galveston woman I wish was still in my life.
My phone rings. I pull it from my pocket and look at the screen. A smile comes to my face.
“Your ears must be ringing. We were just talking about you. Snacks isn’t giving you any trouble now, is she?”
“No, she’s no trouble at all. Although, I will have to cut our visit short. Honey, Moses had a stroke. Darla didn’t want to worry me, so she just called. I hate to do this, but is it okay if I drop Snacks over with Cliff?”
“Of course. I’ll pick her up after my meeting. Is there anything I can do?”
“Brace yourself. She’s coming home.”
I freeze. I know who she’s talking about. Diving into the past has opened so many wounds.
Yet, I haven’t stopped to think about what that means for the woman my heart still beats for. Instead of figuring out where my marriage went wrong, I’ve only dug up old suspicions and questions I’d brushed under the rug.
“Trev,” Agatha calls.
I breathe, just realizing I’d stopped. “Yes, ma’am.”
“All Snacks does is talk about your pending divorce. I’ve been minding the business that pays me for years. I never questioned your decisions, but what happened between you and my Babycakes has never sat right with me.
“I don’t think you should drag her into your mess, but I think you both owe each other answers. I want to say I don’t have a horse in this race, but I have a few.
“You’re all my babies and I want to see y’all happy before I close my eyes and leave this earth. I’d like to beat your wife like she owes me something, but her day is coming.”
She takes a pause and sighs. “The devil asked that girl if he could use her and she happily said yes. I know in my spirit her crimes run deep. Deeper than you can image, but that’s not my assignment.
“What I’m saying to you, Trevor Monroe, is your second chance is coming home. Are you going to take it or are you going to allow your blessing to sail by once again?”
“I hear you, ma’am.”
“Well, I’ve said my peace. I’ll drop little Miss Snacks with Cliff. You say a prayer for my Moses, now. Although the man is too darn stubborn to die on us.”
“Thank you. Call me if y’all need anything. No matter what, I’m only a phone call away.”
“I will. Talk to you later, Trev.”
“Later, Nanna.”
I hang up and stare into space. I need this divorce to happen ASAP. I’m not letting my woman walk out of my life again.
However, Nanna is right, Cakes doesn’t deserve to be pulled into the middle of this mess. Although, it’s going to take strength I’m not sure I have to stay away until it’s done. I probably would have been better off not knowing she’s coming.