The Blake Legacy (The Blake Boys) (6 page)

“Don’t worry, I’ve already put in an order for a skank-o-meter. I’m going to keep him innocent as long as I can before some trollop gets her hands on him.”

Nina took a bite of her cupcake. “How was the return to the bookstore?”

“Great. Michelle is the best. Store runs like clockwork when I’m not there. Are you still working part time?”

Nina nodded. “I’m micromanaging my staff. I have two more jobs then I’m hanging up my event-planning shoes. Unless you want me to organize a fundraiser for you.”

“Baby steps, Nina. I just got over my fear of speaking in public.” Morgan licked at the icing on her cupcake.

Nina pulled Morgan’s hand to her stomach. “Can you feel that karate chop?”

“Your baby girl likes sugar.”

“I don’t know if I’m ready for a girl.” Nina groaned.

“No? I would have thought you’d have her enrolled in the divas training academy already. If there’s one person I know who should have a girl, it’s you. You have that femininity thing down to a science.” Morgan batted her eyes at her.

“Patton is talking about buying guns and building a fortress somewhere. He’s going nuts.”

Morgan poured them both a glass of milk. “I think it’s nice he’s becoming psychotic in the name of protecting his daughter. I’ve been on the receiving end of that psychosis. You bitch and fight, but you feel safe too.”

Nina looked at Morgan for a while then finally said, “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For giving me that
Late Bloomer
book by the woman who had trouble conceiving. I did the things she suggested and it worked. I have my baby now and everything is fine. Thank you for helping me believe in miracles again.” Nina burst into tears.

Morgan rounded the island and gave her a tight squeeze. “You’re welcome, you big ole cry baby.”

Nina laughed through her tears. “I’m going to miss you if Seth decides to leave the Titans.”

Morgan sighed. Suddenly Seth’s impending career decision was on everyone’s mind. Nina had called her that afternoon after the sports show, and they’d talked for a long time about the prospect of Seth going with another team.

“I don’t think we’re friends because of proximity. We would keep in touch and visit, no matter what happens.” Morgan handed her a box of tissue.

“Do you want to go to Texas?”

“Am I ready this very minute to transplant myself there forever? No. My family is here. The bookstore is here. I’ve been making progress with my non-profit.”

“Then tell him you don’t want to leave.” Nina pouted.

“It’s not that simple and you know it.” Morgan sighed. “These cupcakes are making me hungry. Want to get Chinese food?”

Nina patted her pregnant belly. “Yes.”

Morgan retrieved the menu from a draw and gave it to Nina. “I like everything on their menu.”

Nina looked it over. “By the way, a friend of mine from
New Day
magazine reached out to me. They want to do an article on you. She asked if I would run it by you. I told her I would only mention it if it was a real interview and not some puff piece like how it feels to be the quarterback’s wife. I know you hate superficial bullshit like that.”

“Really? What does she want to talk to me about?”

“
New Day
magazine focuses on modern family living. Interracial marriages, same sex unions. Stuff like that.”

“And again, why does she want to talk to me?”

Nina chuckled. “I don’t know if anyone has told you, but you and Seth are an interracial couple.”

Morgan put her finger to her lips. “Why am I always the last to know everything?”

Nina hunched her shoulders. “You get a chance to plug your non-profit. So, I can give her your number?”

“I’ll talk to your friend then make my decision about the interview.”

* * *

The Slap Shot bar was owned by one of Seth’s dearest friends, Derek Popovich. After Patton had informed Seth he’d all but disappeared since becoming a parent, he felt guilty about ignoring his friend. He wasn’t proposing a wild night out, simply a few drinks and maybe a meal at Derek’s bar. Morgan didn’t mind; she’d readied for some girl time with Nina.

A few of the guys from the team were at the bar, not to mention a few basketball and hockey players he knew. The most interesting thing about the establishment was that Derek didn’t allow any televisions, which proved to be stressful for the clientele who were mostly self- centered professional athletes who loved to see themselves on sports commentary shows.

Derek offered a lavish décor as a great consolation prize. The bar was furnished with leather couches, fine art work, and a space design that maximized the comfort of a large crowd. Soft music played through a premium sound system, but never so loud you couldn’t hear your dinner guest. Patton and a few of the guys from the team had hated it the first time he’d brought them but eventually appreciated the serenity of getting away from the spotlight.

It was usually crawling with beautiful women who were looking to bag themselves a rich athlete. Seth had learned a long time ago not to dip his toe in this particular dating pool, and he was damn glad he was out of the dating game all together. What had once seemed sublime—finding a gorgeous woman to spend some time with until they both tired of each other—now left a bad taste in his mouth. He definitely wouldn’t have met Morgan there.

Sheena, the bartender, made her way over to Seth and Patton with a drink. “Seth, a woman at the end of the bar bought you a drink.”

An
expensive
drink. The generous lady had sent over a glass of the best top shelf single malt scotch Derek kept in his inventory.

“Sheena, please send it back. I’ll reimburse you for the drink and the tip.”

Sheena nodded and took the drink away.

“I bet it’s that chick that’s been gawking at you for the last hour,” Patton said. “The stink of wedded bliss has made you more attractive.”

Seth shook his head. “Pat, it’s getting better. My neighbor Svetlana knocked on my door a couple of weeks ago.”

“Damn, I remember Svetlana. She’s the one who walks through the lobby of the Ashcroft in a bikini.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you two ever…?” Patton waggled his eyebrows.

“No. Whenever she was in the country, she would drop by to see if I was finally ready to ‘taste the nectar of her sweet fruit.’ Her words, not mine. But this time, she rang the doorbell, and Morgan answered. Svetlana had on a full-length mink coat and a bikini underneath. Svetlana said she’s hot and needs to see me.” Seth’s cheeks reddened.

“Oh, shit! What did Morgan say?”

“She threw the bottled water she was holding in her hand on Svetlana and said, ‘That should cool you down.’”

Patton burst out laughing. “I think Morgan and Nina were separated at birth.”

Seth couldn’t help but laugh with him.

“Seth Blake, you handsome devil.” The owner of the feminine voice behind him placed her hand on his back.

He moved out of the way and turned around, shocked to see Morgan’s cousin Charisma. Her hairstyle had changed since he’d seen her at the barbecue, but he knew it was her. She was dressed like she was on the prowl, and her tight white dress accentuated every curve she had. The expensive heels she wore gave her some height, but she wasn’t that much taller than Morgan.

Seth tightened his jaw. “Charisma.”

“What a surprise seeing you here. I thought Morgan kept you tied up in that penthouse of yours.” She gave him a wicked smile.

“What can I say? I love being in the company of my wife.” Seth smiled sincerely back at her.

Charisma seductively ran her finger around the rim of her wine glass, but he kept his eyes fixed on her face. Surely she knew that he knew what she was trying to do. Thankfully Patton didn’t move from his spot on the stool. Seth just stood there, not encouraging any further conversation.

“Jake is a beautiful baby,” Charisma said. “Has those green eyes of yours.”

“I think he looks like his mother.”

Charisma sucked her teeth. “My little cousin sure lucked out with you. It’s amazing how she blossomed after that awkward bookworm stage of hers. She was a tomboy for years.”

“Lucky for me I think nerdy women are hot.”

“I’ve seen the women you dated before you married Morgan. There was nothing nerdy about any of them.” She cackled.

“All of those women were a dime a dozen; that’s why I never proposed to any of them. Even in this bar there are plenty of beautiful women here on the hunt looking for a man with money. I don’t have to worry about that. Since the day we’ve met, Morgan’s only wanted me.”

Charisma pouted at Seth’s constant rebuttals. Whatever she had set out to do when she came over, it was obvious it wasn’t working. To make matters worse, a small crowd was starting to form, listening to their conversation. He wondered if she’d learned anything from that confrontation at the barbeque. He didn’t want to humiliate her, but she wasn’t getting away with throwing digs at his wife.

“It was good seeing you again.” Charisma leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek.

Seth moved out of the way. It was getting awkward. “You have a nice night, Charisma.”

She pivoted on her stiletto heels and walked over to a table where a group of women sat having drinks.

Patton whistled. “Who was that?”

“That was Morgan’s cousin. She’s the one who sold that story to the tabloids.”

Patton shook his head. “She was pushing up on you hard, man. She’s lucky Morgan wasn’t here.”

Chapter Three

Seth’s suggestion they take a road trip to Pittsburgh to see Tate’s concert instead of flying was a welcome surprise. They were both in a celebrating mood after getting the green light from her gynecologist to resume intimate activities. Her six-week checkup after delivery had gone quite well. The doctor said she was physically in good shape and told her not to worry so much about those pesky few pounds that lingered. Morgan looked at him like he was crazy. A few pounds were pesky, but she felt like the remaining eight were enough to sink a tugboat.

After loading up her new SUV, they dropped Jake off with Sydney and Morgan’s dad. She and Seth had had a long talk the night before about taking the trip. He was OK if she didn’t want to leave Jake, but he pointed out that Sydney and her dad were looking forward to keeping the baby for the weekend. Guilt hit her the minute she left her father’s house, but she kept marching on to the Range Rover.

“I like the way your SUV handles.” Seth maneuvered effortlessly onto the highway.

“I have to admit it has a lot of room.” Morgan sighed. “But I do miss my old car.”

Seth laughed. “I could fit that thing in my pocket.”

“Stop exaggerating. It was a cute car,” Morgan said as she spied the display on her cell phone.

“He’s OK.” Seth squeezed her hand.

“I was just making sure I could get a signal out here in the country.”

Seth gave her a sideways glance.

“Honest.” She held her hands up.

“So, what’s new in your world, Mrs. Blake? Besides being a kick-ass mother and wife?”

“I had a chat on the phone with a reporter from
New Day
magazine yesterday. She’s a friend of Nina’s.”

“What did she want to talk about?”

“She wants my opinion on being in an interracial relationship in this day and age.”

“Are you going to do it?”

Morgan looked at him. “Before I made that decision, I thought we’d talk about it first. We’ve never really talked about…”

Seth smiled. “How much we love each other?”

She laughed. “That’s never been an issue for us.”

“Exactly.”

“I agree, but you’re a high profile celebrity. Sometimes you become a poster child and don’t realize it. We may be two evolved people, but I’m afraid our children will still have to deal with it.”

Seth squeezed her hand. “And we’ll be there to help them through it. Look at the two of us. The biggest difference between you and me is that you were born in the city and I’m a country boy.”

“You know if this were the not so distant past, loving each other would have been socially unacceptable and even criminal. We would have been ostracized.” She gazed out the window at the greenery on the side of the highway, not really seeing it.

“And I would have fought for us, Morgan. I’ll always fight for us. No matter what comes along, we will face it together.” Seth kissed her hand.

“Damn right.”

“Sounds like you’re going to do the interview then?”

Morgan smiled. “I’ll ask Daniel to contact the magazine and hammer out the details.”

* * *

Tate didn’t disappoint with his performance. Morgan couldn’t tell which heated up the stage more: the elaborate lighting or Tate strutting around with that guitar like it was a sex toy. He possessed energy like no other musician she’d seen in a live venue. When he wasn’t flirting with the women in the crowd, he was flirting with his female band members. In one of his calmer moments, he gave a shout out to Morgan and Seth, whom he introduced as his brother and sister-in-law. He then introduced a new song he’d written titled, “A Man’s Glory,” citing the couple as his inspiration for writing it. Morgan was so touched by the song, she cried.

As soon as the concert ended, four surly looking bodyguards came to the front row and retrieved them. They could have watched from backstage but Morgan enjoyed being among the crowd. They were escorted through a maze of amped-up people and finally led to Tate’s dressing room. Tate was taking a shower and yelled he’d be right out.

“Come in here with all your clothes on, McGill,” Seth said as he and Morgan took a seat on the couch.

“Scared I might take your woman?” Tate emerged from the bathroom dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt.

“You’d have to do a lot more with that guitar—”

“Seth!” Morgan put her hand over his mouth.

Tate came over and kissed her on the cheek. “I love driving him crazy. How are you, darlin’?”

Seth ducked when Tate tried to kiss him too.

Morgan snickered at that. “I’m good. Great concert.”