Page 42 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

WILLOW

Rowan slips a glass of wine in front of me, the encouragement of the gesture offering little assurance.

“Stacy, would you like a glass of wine?”

Her polite offer is laced with implication. Mom has been a client at Rendezvous for years, but she is a visitor in Rowan’s home, while I belong here.

“That would be lovely.”

The wine is served and uncomfortable silence resumes. I sip mine numbly, unsure what is happening in the media room, but praying it’s over soon.

“How’s your business? I’ve read some wonderful things about your growth over the last few months.” Mom opens a safe subject.

While Rowan assumes the small talk, I peek over and observe Mom.

Her appearance isn’t ragged but not nearly as polished as normal.

She’s lost weight and her clothes hang loosely, her make-up is subtle, and her jewelry is basic.

The mom I know is an accessory queen. Even a simple outing includes her favorite bangle bracelets and statement earrings.

All of that is missing. She’s wearing her wedding bands and a pair of birthstone studs my dad gave her years ago.

“Rowan, I owe you a long overdue apology for the occurrence in your salon.” At her statement, my eyes fly from their inspection to her face, noting her lips quivering. “We raised our children with respect and manners. Those are values we hold close.”

She could have hauled off and slapped the shit out of me and it would hurt less than her words.

Rowan’s face hardens and she slams her glass on the marble surface with a clink so loud, I expect it to shatter. “Are you inferring Willow acted out of disrespect and rudeness?”

Mom blanches at her suggestion. “No, I didn’t mean it that way.”

“There’s not a way to misinterpret. From what I’ve seen and witnessed in this short time, Willow and Chase are wonderful people, Stacy. You should be apologizing for that whack job of their sister.”

Rowan’s defense sends a stream of love and gratitude dashing through me. I sit up, the numbness and hurt fading.

Then my mom does something so rare, I can’t remember the last time it happened.

She breaks down. Her hands go to her face, shoulders drooping, and body quaking. A quiet sob escapes. “I know! I’ve been trying to apologize and you won’t take my calls.”

Her outburst is completely out of character.

I’m not sure exactly what to do, but I have to get this under control before it becomes more drama. “Stacy, you called me a handful of times in the last few weeks. We haven’t spoken in a year. Why would I answer?”

At my use of her formal name, her cry deepens. “I’m your mom.”

“This is true, but being a mom isn’t a selective choice. It’s not like one of your handbags that complements your outfit best. You chose Rylee.”

She shakes her head, taking the napkin Rowan offers. “I didn’t. It may seem like that, but I didn’t. My life is in shambles because I didn’t?—”

“Not fucking happening.” A deafening voice has me twirling right into the hard wall of Talon’s chest. His hands come to my neck and tilt it upward. “You okay?”

I want to tell him I’m fine, especially now that he’s here, but the absolute ferocious rage in his features has me shivering. His eyes relax a bit and he kisses me quicky before focusing over my shoulder.

“Want to explain why you’re bawling when you brought this shit on yourself? Your life is far from in shambles. Karma is a bitch and you feeling the sting is no one’s problem but your own.”

“Sterling?” Mom’s weary voice is a plea.

“Talon, we discussed keeping this civil.”

“That was before I walked into a woman sniveling about her poor life choices and backing Willow into a corner, forced to listen to that bullshit. Willow wants to hear her out, it’s on her terms.”

I link my fingers with his, lowering them from my neck. Stacy may not be my problem, but It’s best to move this along before Talon verbally annihilates her. I face them, keeping in Talon’s hold. Ford is next to Rowan, his face terse and alert.

Everyone is waiting for my lead.

“I appreciate trying to shield me from the next melodramatic episode in what has become the season of Willow Richards’ life, but you’ve had your macho-man powwow and it’s time to explain the reason for this little family visit.”

I’m pretty proud of the strength in my voice. Talon squeezes my hand and places his mouth at my ear. “Macho-man powwow?”

“Don’t distract me, Talon Simms.” Last time I was in any room with my mother, I was a crumbling mess. No room for diversions now.

She picks up on my determination, dabbing her cheeks and scanning everyone in the room. “Apologies for my emotional eruption. Sterling, what have you shared?”

“Everything,” he states, jutting his chin to Talon. “Not worth the headache of this guy.”

“When it involves Willow, I’m your first call.”

Mom’s eyes glint before she dips her chin with a little grin. Was that approval?

“Wynn came to Sterling and Stacy this week. He’s made a proposition.”

It wouldn’t be weird for Joseph to approach Mom. She was supportive of his relationship. But to Dad? “What kind of proposition?”

His anger has subsided. Not sure if it was my powwow comment or the fact I’m in his grip. “He’s asked they split Rylee’s balance so he doesn’t have to take the full hit. He’s suggested they use the wedding fund toward her debt.”

“Guess that makes sense. But it means he’s decided to call off the wedding and not just postpone the engagement. Is that why he showed at my house out of the blue? Was he expecting my forgiveness or my sympathy?”

“He’s worried. Said Rylee has been irrational and blames you.”

“Me? For what? She’s had every opportunity I did. Not to mention, she was sleeping with my boyfriend before we broke up!”

“You always had everything she wanted,” Mom offers remorsefully. “We didn’t help with spoiling her the way we did.”

Dad stares at her with sorrow and something so painful my heart aches. He still loves her and he’s hurting.

She draws in a breath and focuses on the napkin she’s picking at.

“She didn’t expect you to come to her wedding, but insisted on sending the save-the-date.

She reached out to Chase, and he refused her request for Wyatt to be in the ceremony.

Lynden and Rosie have been cutting her out.

The day we saw Bex in the mall,” she stalls, her mind spinning in a way I know from growing up that she’s regrouping.

“Let’s just say, seeing Bex made her realize she wasn’t getting her way. ”

“I guess we now know why she’s placed the blame on me. Dad, what are you thinking?” I question him, knowing this is ultimately his decision.

“That’s why we’re here.”

Talon grumbles and Ford slices his eyes to my dad in a way that has me holding my breath.

“I should say, that’s why I brought it to Talon first.”

I elbow Talon to let up on the overprotective act. “And?”

“Mom and I agreed. We’re lifting the restriction on Rylee’s trust and paying Joseph the full amount she racked up under his name.”

My chest clutches and I squeak in surprise. Ford’s gaze comes to me and transforms into hilarity. “Squeak,” he mutters and Rowan giggles.

“They must be pissed.”

Grandpa and Grandma have strict restrictions on our trusts.

They set them up to have staggered access at different ages.

Chase and I received one-quarter payments at twenty-five and used it to live off during our schooling.

We both had scholarships to supplement our income.

But Rylee chose not to continue her education after her degree in business management, claiming she wanted real-world experience.

They kept quiet until she turned twenty-four and had been through four jobs.

My grandparents are generous, but they are also practical. Rylee wasn’t coasting through life living on their hard work without doing something to provide for herself. They moved her age requirement to twenty-eight with stipulations.

“Lynden and Rosie have agreed these are extenuating circumstances.” Mom watches Dad for support.

“The money isn’t the problem, but it’s time Rylee learns some consequences. She’s moved back into the house with your mom, and our arrangement will come with conditions.”

“What does any of this have to do with me?”

“We wanted you to understand where we’re coming from.”

“And make sure you agree,” Mom adds to Dad’s explanation.

Talon’s arms tighten into a vice. “Princess, they want your approval.”

“Why would you need my approval?”

“Because we love you, Wills, and this isn’t another instance of us taking your sis-,” she bites her lip and rephrases, “Rylee’s side.”

“Oh, I don’t care what you do. It has nothing to do with me.”

“Lo, they are bringing you into the fold,” Talon clarifies unnecessarily.

“Appreciate the heads up, but it’s her inheritance she’s blowing. While you’re at it, you may want to…”I trail off before recommending they use her funds to replace things at the townhome.

Mom isn’t in our circle of trust regarding the investigation of Rylee. As far as I know, she’s not even aware there was an incident. Max is still working on tying it all together, so we’ve been quiet, not taking any chances on alerting Rylee we’re on to her.

Up until an hour ago, Mom’s alliance to Rylee was strong.

“While you’re at it, you may want to pay off her other creditors,” I suggest, finishing the earlier sentence.

“We considered that, but it would offset her taking responsibility for her actions.” The strength in Mom’s tone is new.

Maybe she is taking this seriously.

“Back to the situation at hand.” Dad focuses on me. “Will you be okay with our arrangement?”

“Of course. It’s not really my decision. Why should you pay for her mistakes out of your money?”

“It’s not only her mistakes at this point. We are bailing two people out.”

It hits me he’s referring to Joseph, and their decision will free him of much more than the debt.

A giggle bubbles out and before I can stop it, I’m laughing like a loon. “Dad, I-I-I?—”