Chapter 27
Let’s Talk
Lynn
“Here,”Maggie says as she and Elise come out to sit on the porch with me and Matt.
I take the wide mug of coffee she offers me and take a sip. It’s been a long day, and it’s only early evening. My body aches with the stress. We spent so much time on the books and coming up with a plan, I missed visiting hours at the new facility Daddy is at.
I talked to Nanna, and she filled me in on some of what’s been going on. I plan to speak more to Daddy and get an understanding on how things got like this. I’m missing something here.
“I want to thank you guys for this. For always being there for me. The two of you have gone above and beyond what you’ve promised.”
“Ut-uh,” Maggie says with a smile as she sits on the swing across from me next to Elise.
“She thinks she’s about to get rid of us,” Matt chuckles.
I snap my head to him. “What?”
“We can hear your brain working. You want to move here and help your family. You think that means we’re going to want to find other employment,” he says.
“Well, don’t you? I don’t know how much longer I plan to tour and make albums. This next one might be my last.”
“Texas has been growing on me, and it looks like there’s plenty for me to do here. I like Trevor. We have some things in common. Besides, there’s something else here that’s had my attention for some time,” Matt replies.
I follow his gaze to find Maggie blushing behind her mug. Oh wow, when did that happen? I look at Elise and she shrugs.
“I made you a promise, so I don’t know where that will take me, but no matter what, I’ll still be here for whatever you need. You can’t get rid of me,” Elise says.
“And you’d be willing to be here, in Texas with your family?”
“Seeing you happy has shown me how much I want to be happy again. All that bullshit is their problem. If this is where I end up with or without him, this time it’s my life.”
“I’m just going to sip this tea because singing on stage or not, I’m always going to be here to get you right. You know how much time I’ve put into that look and keeping that hair healthy and growing? Them white girls you started out with were using foundation three shades lighter than you and those weaves and tape-ins were horrible.
“They never matched your hair and weren’t needed in the first place if they knew how to deal with textured hair. You’re tripping, Cakes. Not only do I love my job, you’re my girl. I get to move back home and do what I love. Where am I going?”
I laugh. “I wasn’t expecting any of that,” I say.
“I don’t know why not,” Elise mumbles.
Matthew stands, looking out at the road. I turn to see what he’s looking at. Two SUVs are making their way toward the house. Trevor comes out the house and tugs me into his side.
“You expecting someone?” Matt asks.
“No, but I know those vehicles,” Trevor replies.
The vehicles park in front of the house on the little cobblestone driveway between the front lawn and the house. Nate is first to step out of the SUV out front. A smile comes to my lips as my cousin comes into view.
I note Elise and Maggie have moved around me protectively. Matt is standing on alert as well. I shift my focus back on Nate as he opens the back door of the vehicle he stepped from.
Out steps the woman I noticed with Trev’s attorneys yesterday. I don’t believe she was one of them, but too much was going on for me to ask. Now that I think of it, I don’t know why Nate was there either.
My mind had been so focused on what I needed to say and do for Trev. Now, my mind is racing with questions. Nate is in real estate development and has an internet company. It would make sense for him to connect with Trevor, but why was he there yesterday?
My thoughts go to his offer to my daddy for use of the land. Now that I think about it, I don’t know what they used to train for in the first place. I was too young to understand or care to ask back then. I was just excited to join in and learn.
Assets?That sounds kind of dangerous now that I think about it in the context of the training.
I’m pulled from my thoughts as a tall blond steps out and moves to the woman’s side. Another sister steps out followed by another man with dark hair.
“Shit,” Elise hisses.
“What? Are you okay?”
“No, I might have to fight that one. And if she’s here … damn, I look horrible.”
“Huh?”
She waves a hand at me and turns to rush back into the house. I’m thoroughly confused at this point. I look up at Trev and he shrugs.
I want to run after her, but something tells me I need to be here by my man. I shake it off and turn back to our visitors. These two men are large, so I’m shocked when another big guy steps out after another taller woman. He looks like a mountain. His green eyes are fixed on me and Trevor.
I’m intrigued by these people but what gets my attention is when Cody steps out of the second SUV. Another sister and another blond step out with him. The two come to line up with the others and Cody comes to whisper to the woman with the dark-haired guy with the light eyes.
Something about the two reads power, not that I don’t feel the same energy coming from the others. How can I say this?
The chocolate brown sister and the tall dark-haired guy look as if they run all of whatever they have going on. It’s like watching one of those mafia movies and knowing which guy is the head don. This is the vibe I get from this couple, which is weird because I get the sense she’s the female equivalent to the man standing next to her.
She nods at whatever Cody has said, and he takes a step back. I look at Cody and knit my brows. Something is different about him. I don’t miss that his eyes are now fixed on the house behind me.
“Nate, will you do me the honor of introducing me to my cousin-in-law?” The chocolate faced woman asks.
“Lynn, this is Tasha. My brother-in-law’s wife.”
“And this will be the last time we address each other that way. You’re my cousin, my family. These are your sisters. You have a problem, it becomes our problem,” Tasha says.
“You should watch the evening news. This will be the last you hear of this,” Nate says.
“Last I hear of what?”
“Watch the news, sis. Bobby, Paige, and Nate are the best at what they do. They were going to handle this anyway, but then Matthew told Cody about the fuss your label was making. This needed to be squashed immediately,” Tasha says.
I glance at Matthew and give him a confused look. I had a feeling he and Cody keep in touch about me, but I didn’t think he would tell him about this. I have so many questions.
“Trevor, I got your text. You should come by the ranch. We will sit down and talk over your options. I’m sure we can come to an agreement,” the dark-haired guy says.
“Aye, we’ve already prepared a place for ya. Changing the plan now doesn’t work for me,” the mountain looking guy say with an Irish accent.
“Da, you, my friend, one we want. It’s already agreed,” the large blond with the Russian accent says.
“Now, tell Elise to get out here. She and I need to have a talk,” Tasha says.
“Tasha,” the dark-haired one says in warning.
“No, LaSalle. This ends today. I warned her.”
Cody’s cheeks turn red, but he widens his stance and clasps his hands in front of him. This is totally a different side of the man I know. The LaSalle guy chuckles and shakes his head.
I’m still shocked and confused about what the heck is going on. Then Elise steps back out the front door looking like sin in a pair of tight cutoff shorts and a crop top that shows off her midriff with a pair of cowboy boots. Her hair is pulls up on top her head in a big puff.
I nearly burst into laughter. While she looks gorgeous, glossy lips and all, I now realize she saw Tasha and realized Cody could be with her. Elise knows a lot more about Cody’s work life than I do.
I’m figuring that’s how she knows the woman. I look to Nate questioningly, but he only smirks. Cody opens the door of the SUV. Tasha folds her arms over her chest as she glares at Elise and nods for her to get into the vehicle.
Without a word, Elise moves off the porch to the SUV. Cody gives her a heated once over as his jaw works beneath his skin with the restraint he’s holding onto. Elise looks up at him then ducks her head and climbs in. Tasha, LaSalle, and Cody follow as the others go to get in the other vehicle.
The mountain stops and turns back toward Trevor and me. “Know that this isn’t a request. It’s a summons,” he says to Trev.
As they get in the vehicles and drive away, I look at Trev. “What just happened?”
However, it’s Matthew who answers. “You’ve always had powerful friends and family. I believe they just revealed themselves to you. Now, Cody and Elise, I think she’s about to get a needed kick in the pants.”
“I think I need some wine,” I mutter.
***
I’ve been gluedto the TV waiting for the evening news. Elise has yet to return to the house. If Cody wasn’t with her, I might be concerned.
I know that man would never allow anything to happen to her. I saw the look on his face. If anything, I could see him tossing her over his shoulder to kidnap her and take her somewhere until she agrees to reason.
Not my monkey, not my show. I’ve stayed out of grown folks’ business. If Elise didn’t feel safe, she wouldn’t have gotten in the car.
“Look, I think this is it,” Maggie says, pulling me from my musing.
I focus on the TV as someone turns it up. They are down at our old high school. It looks like they’re having some type of rally.
“We’re down at the old high school of Bradley Monroe, the formal NFL star quarterback. The same high school his older brother Trevor Monroe attended. It seems the community has come out in support of Trevor Monroe after recent accusations of violence against his now ex-wife.
“This community claims this isn’t behavior Mr. Monroe is known for. To them he’s a loving, hardworking father of four. A few have brought Miss Lancaster’s character and credibility into question but have agreed on one thing as a whole.
“Mr. Monroe has been a protector of those in the community, never a predator. If you listen to the chanting behind me. You can hear them say I stand with Trevor Monroe.
“Oh wait, they’re about to have someone else speak. Let’s listen in,” the reporter says.
“My name is Courtney Jennings. I was born and raised three towns over. Heck, Trevor Monroe and I were rivals in high school. Now that I know he’s dating LG, I’m really jealous. Don’t tell my wife I said that.”
The crowd laughs at this as he chuckles. I hold my breath, wondering where he’s going with this. This could backfire in an instant.
“When I heard about this, it broke my heart because that’s not the kid I knew, and it’s not the man I know now. We lost a game to Trevor and y’alls football team my junior year. I dropped a pass that could have won us the game.
“My team was hard on me. I had some things going on at home at the time too. Trevor noticed and pulled me aside. His words that night restored my confidence and made the ride home on that bus bearable.
“That weekend, Trevor Monroe was waiting on this very field like he promised to toss the ball around with me. He helped me up my game and eventually I ended up in the NFL.
“When I came back to Texas with a wife who knew nothing about the area and a small child, Trevor Monroe didn’t just design and build a house for me. He had his sister help my wife out to learn the area and babysit a time or two while I was away on the road.
“That’s the Trevor Monroe, I know and the Trevor Monroe I support. I stand with Trevor Monroe,” Courtney finishes.
“And there you have it, folks. These are the types of speeches we’ve been hearing here at this rally of support. It seems LG isn’t alone in her support of the local construction worker. Not a bad picture has been painted of the man or his character. Back to you, Chris.”
I turn to Trevor and see his eyes are moist. That place was packed. People in the bleachers and on the field.
I pull Trev into a hug and hold him tight. When I lock eyes with Matthew, I mouth thank you.
He shoots me a nod and winks. I think we can start to put this one behind us. Crisis one averted.
* * *
Trevor
I had textedLaSalle to let him know things are changing for me. I don’t know if New York is the right thing for me now. Cakes and Moses could use my help here.
Stupidly, I had thought I was backing out of the deal. I hadn’t thought he and the others would show up and let me know that’s no longer an option. I guess it makes sense after all they’ve done for me.
“Are you thinking about what happened earlier?” Lynn asks as we lie in bed.
“A bit,” I reply honestly.
“You want to tell me what that was all about?”
I reach for her and tug her onto my chest. She comes to me and snuggles closer. I trace her spine with my fingertips.
“Brad’s wife is friends with—the blond who didn’t speak—Uri Donati’s brother, Nico. Nico and Uri helped Brad to start a sports agency for his wife. When he retired from football, he joined the firm.
“He now lives in New York part of the year. LaSalle is one of his silent partners. To start a construction company in New York takes capital and connections. I have the capital to an extent. Not to do things at the level I can with LaSalle and Uri backing me, but they have the connections.
“When Brad suggested I go into business with them, it made sense. Now, I don’t know if that’s what I want. My heart is here in Texas.
She sits up and looks down at me. “Are you trying to give this up for me?”
“You have a lot to do with it.”
“Trevor Paul Monroe, you will do no such thing. I will figure this business with the ranch out. You don’t have to stop your plans because of me. We’ll make it work.”
I don’t tell her I don’t think we have any other option. I’m just happy to see that fire turn on inside her for us. My wild heart is still in there. I’ve been watching it come to the surface.
I nod. “We’ll figure it out, darlin’. Now come here.”