The Blake Legacy (The Blake Boys) (13 page)

“Well, I’ve always excelled at stirring up trouble.” Caine smirked.

“Don’t I know it.”

Caine shifted in his seat. “Listen, you know I had to come and clean your clock, right?”

“Did you really?” Seth looked him in the eye.

“My baby sister called me up last year crying because you didn’t love her anymore. I know she’s a grown woman, and she knows what mistakes she made. Still, it does something to my heart when she hurts. So, I decided to hurt you as much as she was hurting.”

“That doesn’t exactly sound rational.”

“You have a family now. Wait until you have a daughter. I’m expecting to see you on the news, often.” Caine laughed.

“Probably.” Seth laughed too.

The order was ready so they headed back to the bar. The Dirty Rascals were playing a set for Tate, who had apologized for the ruckus cutting their performance short. Everyone was in a good mood as they took a break for lunch.

“Everything OK with Caine?” Tate said as he heaped coleslaw onto his plate.

“Yeah. Penny cried. He reacted. He told me to wait until I have a daughter to see his side.”

Seth and Tate looked at each other for a while.

Tate finally said, “We’re going to need to build a moat around the ranch.”

“Exactly. How did it go with the Dirty Rascals?”

“I like their sound. I’m going to make a few calls to my manager,” Tate said. “Man, I love coming home.”

Seth patted Tate on the back. “Me too.”

* * *

That evening Bo and John Jacob tended the grill while the brothers kicked back, drinking beers and talking about all the hard work they’d done for the Bright Star, which looked better than it had in years. With Channing’s help Morgan had the projector set up and aimed at the broad wall on the side of the house as a mock screen. When the sun began to set, she turned it on and sent everyone back in time. The Blake boys appeared on screen. They were a handsome brood of rowdy, hyperactive boys. She immediately knew which one was Seth; those eyes popped right off the wall at her. They were the eyes of her son, filled with kindness and sincerity.

It was easy to see the pattern: Seth followed J.J., Tyler followed Seth, and Channing followed Tyler. Tate popped up from time to time, meshed in the middle. He was part of the family back then as he was now. Morgan noticed a few shots of Teri-Lyn giving him hugs. It seemed to do young Tate a world of good to get affection from her. The love, friendship, and closeness they all shared now was years in the making. Morgan glanced over at Seth, who was smiling and laughing while giving commentary to Jake.

She loaded the next reel, marked S.J.’s Greatest Hits. As soon as the footage started, Seth’s fresh face appeared on the screen. He looked about twelve, his hair styled in a shaggy bob, and he was just developing that legendary million-dollar smile. The football game began, and she could see how much of a natural he’d been on the field even back then. There was no hesitation when he played. When he had the ball, all that mattered was the execution leading to the next play. His reflexes hadn’t changed. He still had a lightning speed precision that surprised her on many occasions.

He’d won that game. Seth took off his helmet and ran toward the camera to talk to John Jacob. Teri-Lyn took over the filming and zoomed in on father giving his son a pep talk. Morgan wished she could hear what he’d said, because little Seth smiled and rejoined the team. The reel continued for a while with shots of the boys playing on the now empty field as the sun was setting. The last shot was of a little Tyler and Channing holding up a homemade sign that said Texas Tomkats. Morgan laughed at the misspelling and at how the boys were barely big enough to hold it up before falling on the grass. Seth rubbed them both on the head, and the reel ran out as the boys were walking off the field.

Jake’s applause at the end of the movie tugged at her heart. He was cheering for his dad. She asked Channing to load the next reel while she retrieved some more food from the house.

“Woman, what are you doing?” Seth leaned against the doorframe.

“Just getting some more potato salad. Tyler confiscated the bowl I put out and won’t let anyone near it.” Morgan took the dish out of the refrigerator.

“Can I help?” Seth sauntered over to the sink.

“Want to tell me what’s on your mind?” She smiled.

Seth ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve been concerned about global warming. The polar ice caps are melting at a rate of—”

Morgan threw a kitchen towel at him. “What a smart ass. How about what you were thinking when you had Jake in your arms a few minutes ago? You were pointing to something in the home movie.”

“I was just telling him about some boyhood escapades. Stories his Momma won’t want me telling him.” Seth looked at her for the longest time before he asked, “How would you feel about me joining the Tomcats next year?”

She took a deep breath. “I want you to do whatever makes you happy.”

“And I want to make you happy.” Seth came over and took her into his arms.

Morgan rested her head on his chest and took a breath. “It’s sooner than we talked about. I thought we would have more time.”

“I know. And I know it’s a lot to ask, taking you away from your life in Philadelphia.”

Morgan’s eyes teared up. “You and Jake are my life.”

“Maybe there’s a way we can split the time like we do when we come here. Or if you want, you could stay in Philadelphia and—”

“I don’t want a part time marriage. That wouldn’t be fair to Jake or to us.” She sniffed.

“I don’t know how to fix this,” Seth said quietly.

She looked up at him, wiping away her tears. “Some things can’t be fixed. Sometimes we have to make decisions and accept the consequences of those decisions. If you have a chance to follow your dream, you have to try.”

Chapter Seven

As soon as they touched down in Philly, life for the Blakes resumed full speed. The talk they’d had at the ranch had lit a fire under Seth. He made an appointment with his agent, Luke, for the following day to develop a game plan for his future. Going home had given him the clarity he needed to move forward. He was taking his father’s advice and going with instincts that had never failed him so far. Morgan insisted that she agreed with his decision, but he saw the look of sadness in her eyes.

He wanted to kick himself for suggesting they have a long distance relationship. It would kill him if he didn’t wake up and see his wife and son in the morning. She was right; being apart was never good for a marriage, no matter what the intentions were. For the first time in his professional career, he had to think about someone other than himself. It was scary taking a gamble when the woman he loved seemed so conflicted about it.

He’d sworn to himself that his career would never get in the way of his marriage or her happiness, and here he was turning her life upside down. He was going to chase a lifelong dream and hope he didn’t jeopardize his future with Morgan.

* * *

Morgan’s heart did a happy flip to see the teen book club meeting for the fifth time. Avery and her friends loved spending time at the bookstore. Michelle’s enthusiasm didn’t wane when the club got underway, and she was officially the facilitator of the group. Morgan spied the signup sheet and saw five new names.

She cleaned the café tables and straightened the magazine racks, anything that would keep her busy while she waited for Seth and Jake to pick her up.

“Hi, handsome.” Morgan beamed as Seth and Jake entered the bookstore.

“Hey, baby.” Seth kissed her.

Morgan shook her head. “I was talking to my son.”

Seth laughed. “What, I’m just an afterthought now?”

Jake lurched at Morgan, but she caught him just in time. She hugged him close and looked back up at Seth. “What have you two been doing today?”

“Went shopping for your dad and Sydney’s anniversary present. We found some nice things, and Jake and I got new suits for their party.”

“Aw.” Morgan smiled. “My baby’s first suit. I bet its precious on him.”

“It comes with a little tie, which I don’t think he’ll keep on, but he will make a grand entrance.” Seth rubbed Jake’s head.

“Well, if anyone can teach him how to do that, it’s you. I like it when you wear a suit.” Morgan eyed him up and down. He had a great sense of style. Today he looked like a catalogue model dressed in jeans, a nice pair of brown shoes, a scarf dangling around his neck, and a khaki jacket. He often found complementary clothes for Jake to match his wardrobe color scheme. No one believed her when she said she wasn’t responsible for father and son wearing matching clothes.

The book club meeting in the cafe was ending. Michelle closed with a few notes about the book and the girls were busy packing up their things. Avery looked up, spotted Seth, and came over.

“Hi, Uncle Seth.” Avery smiled, showing off her braces.

“Hey, pretty girl.” Seth winked at her. “How was the book club meeting?”

“It was great.” Avery blushed, then turned to Morgan with her cell phone. “Aunt Morgan, my dad is on the phone.”

“Hey, Robert.” Morgan chatted with her brother for a few minutes. “Not a problem at all.” She hung up and turned to Avery. “Avery, you will be spending the night with us. Your dad got a lead on a case he’s working on and your mom will be back tomorrow from her work retreat.”

Avery jumped up, her eyes wide with excitement. “Cool!” But then she frowned. “Dad was supposed to drop off three of my friends.”

“Babe, Avery and I can drop off her friends. I’ll leave Jake with you. When I come back the four of us can go to dinner. Avery, you choose the cuisine.” Seth smiled.

“OK.” Avery floated off in the direction of her friends.

Morgan let out a deep, sinister chuckle. “You don’t know what you just did.”

“What? Was I not supposed to offer?” Seth frowned, puzzled.

“We’ll talk when you get back from your excursion. Jake, do you want to ring up customers or stock the inventory?”

Michelle came over, shaking her head. “What are you doing?”

“He doesn’t know.” Morgan smirked.

“Can one of you tell me?” Seth said.

Michelle looked at him like he was crazy. “Every girl in my book club went mute when you walked through the door. They were so flustered I thought the sprinklers were going to go off.”

“Remember that cheerleaders-in-the-locker-room story Tate told that night around the bonfire? Think of them as little cheerleaders in training.” Morgan laughed at Seth’s clueless gaping.

“Oh.” Seth blushed.

Morgan shook her head. “Avery doesn’t give a crap about having dinner with
me
tonight.”

Seth paled as Avery and her three friends giggled by the door.

Michelle patted Seth’s shoulder. “Try to belch or something, a fart wouldn’t hurt either.”

“Michelle,” Seth drawled.

“Yeah, don’t do that sexy southern accent thing.” Michelle shook her head.

Morgan pushed him toward the door. “We’ll be ready when you get back. Try not to break any hearts.”

* * *

The small article in
New Day
magazine turned into a full spread feature. Morgan wanted to run for the hills when they asked if she would grace their cover.

She called Nina, hyperventilating. “Why the hell do they want me on their cover?”

“Because you’re pretty.” Nina laughed.

“Nina, I can’t do this. I am a nobody. The magazine will have their lowest-selling issue ever.”

“Remind me to slap you when I see you. I know Seth probably tells you that you’re beautiful all the time, but it’s the truth. You would look great on that cover. The article would be a great piece on your life and that non-profit you hold so dear. If you don’t want people peering into your life, then tell them you won’t answer invasive questions. You can highlight that you’re married to a great guy who happened to be a quarterback, you have a beautiful son, and you are a crusader for literacy. It’s not about you, it’s about getting a platform to sell the ideal that everyone is entitled to read, and get enjoyment from it, and what a valuable tool it is.”

“I hate when you’re right.” Morgan moaned.

“I’ll go along with you. This is so cute that you, Seth, and Jake have magazine covers this year. That pic of the two of them on the
Sports Page
cover is too adorable. It’s my screen saver. All you need is a family cover.”

“Nina!” Morgan yelled into the phone.

“Well, it would be.”

* * *

Morgan attended the African American festival every year, but unlike the previous years where she’d attended alone, the entire Reed clan was there. They were walking around, enjoying the activities, while she manned her booth with the help of Sydney. The book sales were more than decent this year, although she suspected some people just lingered around the table for a glimpse of Seth, who was walking around the grounds with Jake and Avery. Seth appeared back at the table an hour later, bearing lunch.

“Ladies, this is baked chicken and steamed vegetables. Avery, Jake, and I are going to get something to eat while we listen to the jazz quartet perform.” Seth set down the food on the table.

“Does he need changing?” Morgan spied her son, who was rummaging through bookmarks he’d picked up off the table.

“Nope, we’re good.”

“Blake!” Patton yelled out about a half mile away. After saying hello to a few fans, Patton made his way to the table. He gave Morgan and Sydney a kiss on the cheek.

“Patton, glad you could make it.” Seth gave his friend a pat on the back.

“You know I’m ready. I did my stretches and everything before I came here.” Patton rubbed his stomach.

“You stretched to eat?” Morgan said.

“Yes, Ms. Morgan, I did.” Patton pinched her cheek. “You know I’m mad they didn’t add the eating contest. I put that in the suggestion box last year.”

Morgan laughed. “Nina sent me a text and wants to know if you overeat. So I’ll be watching.”