The Risk: Scott's Story (Runaway Love Series Book 2) (8 page)

Maybe I shouldn’t have added that last part, but he should know. It’s probably the whiskey talking. I wait to see if he will text me back, but nothing comes through. I must doze on the couch in the study for a little while because when I open my eyes, it’s dark outside. I get up because I need to go and tell Grace that I’m sorry for leaving her alone in the room. She’s lying in my bed, still awake, when I join her. She melts into my arms, and we both fall asleep without saying a word.

The next morning, I reach out for Grace, but I don’t feel her next to me anymore. I begin to think yesterday was a dream when I smell breakfast being made. I smile and tip toe downstairs where I find Grace dancing around with earplugs in her ears. She looks so carefree and like a different Grace moving around in the kitchen. I lean on the wall until she turns around and notices I’m watching her. She jumps and blushes as I walk over to her.

“I didn’t know you liked to dance!” I smile at this new revelation.

“Yeah, I always wanted to be a dancer, but I didn’t bother with it because I was always told I wouldn’t be anything.”

I give her a peck on the lips and tell her she can do whatever she wants to.

“So, is shopping fine with you today?”

“Shopping? Yes! Plus, I would like to see where you live in the daylight.”

“Okay. Let’s eat first and then we can figure out where you would like to go.”

I set the table and watch her place the food on the table. I love that she’s so comfortable in my home and it feels good. While we eat breakfast, Grace talks about all the places she wishes she can visit, and I tell her maybe we can or she and Scottie will go to the different places someday. I don’t even mention Tony because he’s not in the picture right now.

I clean the dishes while Grace gets dressed. She has to wear one of my shirts until we can buy her some clothes of her own. We walk along the street of stores in my town. Grace seems in awe of everything – from the gorgeous English architecture to the quaint English shops. I’m not surprised that the first thing Grace finds to buy is a cute little toy that Scottie would like. A boutique catches her eye, and I know my wallet is about to get a major workout. I sit by the dressing rooms and watch Grace try on every single dress and shoes. I tell her to buy whatever she wants, but she ends up buying only a couple of things and a book bag to last her through the weekend.

I take Grace to a nice restaurant to eat, and she’s so shocked at how different my lifestyle is now. A few people recognize me and ask for my autograph. Grace eyes widen as she takes everything in; I don’t think she realized how famous I am over here. I wish I had more than a weekend with her.

“Scott, how do you get used to this?” I watch her look around.

“It took some time getting used to, but I love the feeling”

“I can tell. I’m glad you chose to do something you enjoy. I know how important soccer was to you and remember how amazing you were on the field. You know, I used to love sitting at the window watching you and the other kids play.” She smiles and continues eating her food.

All I can do is smile because she appreciates how much I love soccer. I feel a little better at the decision I’m going to make. Today is the last full day I have with Grace, and I will end it with a special moment.

We finish eating and head back to my house. We chill out by the pool and drink some tea that Maria, my housekeeper, brings outside for us. I tell Grace this is what English people do; drink tea. I watch as she lights up with a beautiful smile on her face. Maria comes outside and drinks some tea with us. I explain to Grace how Maria’s something like my savior. When I bought this house, Maria pretty much came with it as she and her husband had lived and worked here for many years. Maria’s husband passed away shortly before I bought the house, and even though he left her with several gorgeous properties that they’d invested in, Maria only considered my house her home. She’s an outspoken lady who looks good for her age and has heart of gold. Maria clears the table, and I take Grace’s hand and lead her into the living room. This will be the hardest conversation ever, but we need this so we can move on.

I look at Grace and notice her beautiful freckles. She turns away from my stare and looks out the window. I reach for her hands and rub them in mine.

“Grace, this is going to hurt both of us.”

She doesn’t turn to look at me, but nods her head to let me know she’s listening. I take a deep breath.

“As much as I love you and want to share my world with you, I can’t. Hell, we can’t. You have a son and you’re married. Tony loves you and can probably give you more than I can. And I just can’t take away Scottie’s sense of safety and security by splitting up his family. I can’t be the reason another kid faces a messed up childhood like we had to.”

I have her full attention; she looks at me and turns away before I continue.

“You know it’s true, Grace. I love you and would give you the sun and the moon if I could, but I can’t. I don’t want to cause any more heartache. That’s why I’m sitting down with you and having this last conversation before you go back to your life in the States.”

“But why can’t you give me the sun and the moon? Why can’t I just give up my whole life to be with you? Don’t you want to know what I want before you go speaking for the both of us?”

She looks at our hands still joined together. She tries to pull away, but I pull them back.

“Listen, you know I grew up without my father. He chose to stay with his family instead of being with my mother even though he loved her. I don’t want you to leave Scottie or take Scottie away from his father because you love me, and I’m the one you want to be with. I’m the risk, and you don’t take chances with the risk.” I can feel the pain in my heart just for me saying this out loud.

I can see Grace crying because she knows I’m speaking the truth.

“Damn it, Scott! Why did I have to find you? What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to work on developing a relationship with Maxine…”

Grace slaps me the minute I say Maxine’s name and runs out of the room. I run behind her until we reach my bedroom. I pick her up and pin her to the bed before I start kissing her.

“I love you, Grace! Only you! You’ll always be number one! But, we have to stop this heartache between us. We have to stop hurting the people who care about us. They are the innocent victims in our messed up love affair.”

The tears are pouring down her face, and I kiss each tear drop and express how much I love her with my body. I can feel the energy from her body also. She understands what I’m saying is true, but we need to be together one last time. This is the only way we can say goodbye.

I wake up with our bodies still connected, and I run my fingers down the length of her body. Ugh, I’m going to miss her in so many ways, but I must be strong for her. I ease out of the bed and walk into my study. I send a text to Tony letting him know that Grace is heading home, and to make sure he treats her like the queen we both know she is.

I hear the shower running, but I don’t join Grace. I go into the other bathroom to take a shower. Keeping our distance will help and make it easier. I call my driver to come and pick Grace up.

I go in the kitchen with my robe on. I scramble a few eggs and make some toast so Grace can put something in her stomach before she leaves. I watch her take a seat and give me a smile.

“So, I guess this is it then?” I try to ignore the sadness in her eyes. I place a plate in front of her and sit across from her.

“I guess so. I called my driver to come pick you up and take you to the airport.”

I watch her eat her eggs until there’s a knock on the door.

“Well, I guess this is it then. Thank you, Scott, for being my first love and heartbreak.” I don’t reach out to give her a hug, and she doesn’t make a move toward me. Instead, she grabs her things and leaves out the door. We don’t even say goodbye.

What did I just do?

I haven’t talked to Grace since she left my house three months ago. I try not to think about her, but I can’t seem to get her off my mind for any length of time. Life has continued on while my hearts refuses to heal. I haven’t been back to the house since Grace was there. I’ve been staying at my flat in the city and spending more time with Maxine.

I’ve gotten to know her better in the past few months. There really is more to her than just being daddy’s tattletale. At my suggestion, she has stopped getting Botox injections. Thank God for that because she’s way too young for that shit. Now I can see and appreciate the beauty of her natural face. She also stopped modeling because she was only doing it to please her father. I convinced her to stop doing what her father wanted and focus on herself. She’s been doing really well and seems to actually be happy and secure in herself.

I pull up to the practice field and see Mr. Rivers leaning on his car, obviously waiting for me. Great, what does he want to say this time? He didn’t like the idea that I told Maxine she needed to stop getting Botox and doing things just to please him. I pull up next to him, grab my bag, and get out the truck.

“Hello, Mr. Rivers. To what do I owe the privilege of you coming down here?”

He smiles his smug smile that I’d love to slap off his face. “Well, you are dating my daughter and you’re still a client, so I have several reasons for wanting to see you. How have things been going for you?”

If I was still younger, I’d think he’s genuinely interested in me. But now I know it’s all smoke and mirrors with him.

“Things are going great. I’ve been in the gym and I’m ready to get on the field,” I inform him with fake enthusiasm.

I turn and start to walk toward the building with Mr. Rivers following behind me.

“I hope you had fun in the States because if you take another trip out of the country again without prior permission, you will be cut from the team.”

I stop in my tracks to turn around and look at him. He has that salt pepper hair going for him and a grim look. He’s plotting something, and I’m not going to fall for his trap.

“I’d usually have something to say to you, but I’m just going to keep my mouth shut. Just know you’re not the only person who wants me as a client.” I turn around and continue my walk.

“It’s okay, Scott. Grace wouldn’t want to be with an asshole like yourself.”

I don’t know what happened, but I flip the fuck out and charge Mr. Rivers. I choke him and remind him to never mention Grace’s name again. I get control of myself and let him go. I watch him cough on the ground. I pick up my bag and get ready to take my frustration out on the field.

All I hear is Mr. Rivers laughing in the background. I guess I made a deal with the devil. I’m going to get out of his contract one way or the other.

I work my ass out on the field and my coach is impressed. He thinks it’s because I’m officially dating Maxine, but that’s definitely not the case. I hit the showers in the locker room and check my phone again, hoping there would be finally be a text or call from Grace. There’s nothing from her. Fuck. I punch the locker.

As soon as I walk into my flat, I smell garlic in the air. I drop my bag on the floor and walk down the hallway to the kitchen. I turn the corner and I see Maxine in my shirt pulling garlic bread out of the oven. I smile. I’m impressed that she can cook.

“Hi, Maxine. Isn’t this pleasant?” She jumps at the sound of my voice, and I start to laugh at her startlement.

“Oh my God, Scott. Don’t scare me like that! Have a seat. Dinner is just about ready.”

I walk to the dining room and pour myself some whiskey before I sit down. Maxine really did a great job in setting up the dining room for us. I don’t ever eat in here, but I might have to start now. I watch her come in with food that smells absolutely delicious. My stomach rumbles in appreciation.

She fills up my plate, then hers, and takes a seat. I look at the food, curious if I should even eat it.

“Should I eat this? I never saw you cook a meal before,” I tease her.

She puts her fork down and rolls her eyes at me.

“Please. I can cook. Eat your food and tell me about your day.”

I pick at the food before I decide to eat. Hell, what’s the worst that can happen? I’m pleased that her meal tastes as delicious as it smells. I tell her about my day and what I did to her father. She isn’t upset and claims she understand why I did it. We finish our food, and I offer to wash the dishes since she cooked. She sits quietly and watches me clean up our mess. What is she up to?

“Turn around, Scott. Look what I did today.”

I turn around and Maxine is naked. My cock twitches in anticipation of dessert, but then I notice what she wants to show me. Fuck – I must have drank too much at dinner because I can’t really be seeing what I think I’m seeing. I shake my head and look again. Sure enough, she has a tattoo of my name with a lock and key on the left side of her chest. What the hell?

“Maxine, why did you do that?”

She looks bewildered and pulls my shirt back on.

“I thought you would like it. I did this for you.”

“For me? I didn’t ask you to do something like that. A tattoo is permanent. I can’t believe you did that.” I reach in my liquor cabinet and pour myself a glass of whiskey.