High Line by T.A. Chase

Author:T.A. Chase [Chase, T.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

CJ turned the car off, staring at the house he grew up in. The single level ranch was painted a dark green every year. When he’d received his first big endorsement check, he’d paid off the mortgage. His father’s pride had been insulted at first, but CJ explained it as fifteen years worth of rent he’d never paid.

He took a deep breath. It was now or never. Both of the cars he’d bought for his parents were in the driveway. Climbing out, he made his way up the steps and opened the door.

“Mom? Dad? Are you home?” he called.

“Christopher,” his mother cried, running to him with open arms. “You’re all right.”

“Sure I am, Mom.” He stumbled a little when she threw herself into his arms. Her familiar rose scent filled his nose and eased his nerves slightly.

He looked over her head at his father, who stood in the doorway leading to the living room. Their gazes met and Dad nodded at him.

“Why didn’t you call us?” His mom shook him, glaring up at him. “We were so worried. All those terrible lies Rachel said about you. Poor thing. She needs to get help.”

A jolt of surprise hit him.

“To think she’d go to such lengths to hurt you. I never knew Rachel was so vindictive,” Mom continued to babble.

Again, he looked at his father, who shrugged.

“Mom, can we sit down? I need to talk with you and Dad.” He gestured to the living room.

“Certainly, dear.”

With both of them sitting on the couch facing him, he didn’t know what to say. His mouth was dry and his lips refused to frame the words. A vise settled around his throat, forcing him to cough. His mother gave him an encouraging smile. Dad’s face was blank like he had idea of what CJ was going to say. All he ever wanted was their approval and to make them proud of him, and now all of that hard work could blow up in his face.

How did someone go about destroying all the carefully constructed walls he built to protect himself? Where had Garrett and Kasey found the courage to tell their parents? He wished he had asked them that before he left. Maybe it would have made his own admission easier.

“I talked to Chick,” Dad said.

He shot a startled glance at his father. “Really?”

“Yeah. He called me a day or two after the interview came out.”

No clue in his father’s expression or tone told CJ how he was dealing with the situation.

“I’ve had several conversations with Brad. He says we can sue Rachel for libel.” Mom frowned. “Or was it slander?”

She gave a shaky laugh. “Doesn’t matter. We should do something to stop her from spreading all those filthy lies about you.”

He looked at the picture over the fireplace. He’d been so excited and proud at his first official NASCAR race. He’d worked so hard to achieve that goal and it was gone now, all because of his ex-wife’s childish need to hurt him.

With a phone call to his agent, Brad, and a lawsuit against Rachel, he could get his ride back.

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