“Oh shit.” He responded under his breath.
“He uses jokes to make us all think he’s recovered from being left at the altar. He’s hurting, but we’ve got him. He needs us. We’re here. Someday, he’ll get over it and realize that woman wasn’t the one and did him a favor. Then, there’s Imani.”
He returned his gaze to her.
Big brown eyes pleaded with his. “What? What about me? Please don’t embarrass me, Daddy.”
“I embarrassed everyone else. You’re no exception. Let me say this; I worry about you the most. Life is to be lived. It’s great to have goals, but every now and again you’ve got to look up and experience the space you’re in and not what you’re trying to do. I don’t know one serious boyfriend you’ve ever had, and I’m still trying to figure out why you ran all the way to Chicago to get your career going. You could have done that right here.”
Imani frowned. “Great. Now that you’ve put all of our business out here, can someone please pass the cream for my coffee?”
Garrett was touched by the wisdom of Mr. Jones, and the respect he commanded from his family. Clearly, his advice would be much cheaper than therapy. Garrett blew out a breath and thought what the hell. He went for it. “What do you do when your wife lies to you about the paternity of your son, and you find out someone you trusted completely is the father? And, he’s attempting to steal everything from you including a company you’ve worked hard for your entire life in exchange for not pursuing custody?”
Imani gasped. Aaliyah’s hand went to her throat. Felicia’s eyes widened, but Maddon responded hotly. “You beat his ass!” He turned to his mother. “Sorry, Ma, but that’s just too much.” Maddon had heard the story yesterday while Garrett was drunk, but it made him no less angry hearing it again.
Michael was more contemplative. He knew Garrett was reeling and grasping for solid footing. “No one should have to suffer that kind of betrayal. I’m sorry that happened to you, but if you’re thinking about revenge . . . don’t. It’ll eat you up on the inside while they go on to happiness. How old is your child?”
Garrett’s throat almost closed up. “He’s close to two and a half.”
“A father is more than just biological. If he’s your son, then he’s your son. If you love your wife, fight for her anyway.”
“I can barely look at her.”
“Makes it kind of hard to work things out.”
“I filed for divorce.”
“Are you sure?”
“Very.”
“Then, like I said before, you’ve been given one hell of a punch, yet you’re sitting here at our table. Don’t ever stop fighting for your son regardless of what the courts may say or do. You’re not down for the count. Sometimes, people can do you a favor, and they don’t even realize it. They can open the door for something or someone amazing. Leave that door open for amazing, and don’t clutter it up with revenge.”
Garrett wasn’t sure he could do that.
Imani hurt for the man sitting next to her. Again, she experienced the overwhelming need to want to comfort him. Instead, she stood up. “You know what? I think I will go to the Dusky. I might even play. I need to release some energy. Maddon, will Shawna be there?”
He cleared his throat. Suddenly his problems didn’t seem so significant. “Uh . . . yeah.”
“Good. I hated that girl. Make sure she’s not on my team. I’ll get two for the price of one. I’ll smash her and pretend it’s my former boss.” She turned her head slightly towards Garrett. “Today you can be an honorary Jones. We’ll knock some people on their as . . . I mean butt, and if only for a little while, it’ll take our minds off of everything else.”
Chapter 7
Maddon needed to send an e-mail off for work before he was ready to leave for the SanDusky. Imani decided to wait for him on the porch. When she stepped outside, Garrett was already sitting down in deep thought.
He seemed to snap out of it the moment he heard her come out.
While Imani had compassion for Garrett, she wondered if there was anywhere she could go, for just a few minutes, to escape from that man. Being in his presence rattled her. He was one hundred percent pure energy, and his intensity was overwhelming.
If she were honest, Imani didn’t really want to escape, but she also didn’t like not having control of her emotions. He threw her off balance.
She attempted to hide her warring emotions and smiled. “Hi.”
He returned it. “Hey.”
Imani stood next to the chairs with her arms folded looking out across the street. It was awkward. She felt out of her element. “Turned out to be a gorgeous day. Perfect weather for football.” Great. She was talking about the weather. Real smooth.
Garrett could tell she was nervous. There was an undercurrent of electricity flowing between them. He could see it in her eyes. Imani was not only beautiful, but she also intrigued him. If he were smart, he’d get up and walk back inside the house. Instead, he spoke to her. “I’m not a serial killer. It’s okay to sit down.”
Imani laughed a little and tentatively took the seat next to him. “Maddon told you about that, huh?”
“Yeah, and you two
