Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7) by Kaylie Hunter (great books for teens txt) 📗

had the one dizzy spell. It wasn’t a big deal.” Wild Card knew I was talking about when we were married, just before the divorce when I realized I was pregnant but didn’t tell him.

I’d had years to deal with the miscarriage, but I hadn’t confessed to him until last year. The day I found out I was pregnant had been the same day he’d brought home divorce papers. I should’ve told him, but I didn’t. I left instead and had the miscarriage the week after.

I’d kept too many secrets, not just the pregnancy. Our marriage never stood a chance. I hadn’t wanted it to. Not while I searched for my son. And I didn’t trust Wild Card, or anyone else, enough to tell them about Nicholas. I didn’t expect Wild Card to ever fully forgive me. I wouldn’t have forgiven him if the roles were reversed.

Wild Card’s jaw was locked tight, either in anger or frustration, I couldn’t tell which. He stared at the platter of cheese and crackers, not looking over at me. After a long, silent moment, he nodded before walking out the back door onto the deck.

“Why did Wild Card leave?” Reggie asked, stepping out of the kitchen to look toward the door.

“Fruit does sound good,” Hattie said. “I haven’t had much of an appetite today.”

Reggie glanced at the door again but went to the kitchen to cut up the fruit.

Jackson walked over and kissed the top of my head before following Wild Card outside.

“What are we working on, sunshine?” Hattie asked.

I turned my attention away from the sliding door to see Hattie pointing at my laptop and files.

“Everything and nothing, it seems. I haven’t gotten much done today.”

“Charlie emailed the basics on the Remirez family,” Bridget said. “I didn’t see anything useful, but they’re still digging. Maggie emailed that Jack Tebbs is trying to get a copy of the files the DEA has on Santiago, as well as whatever they’re willing to share about Sebrina.”

“Sebrina? Isn’t that the name of Grady’s ex-girlfriend?” Hattie asked.

“The same,” Bridget answered. “Sebrina… uh… Tanner.”

“What?” I said, standing and looking at Bridget.

“I wondered if she’d changed her name,” Shipwreck said, laying his forehead on the table. “Is it cocktail hour yet?”

“Are they still married?” I asked Shipwreck.

“This is getting good,” Reggie said as he set several bowls of fruit on the table. “Tell us all the juicy bits.”

“They divorced years ago,” Shipwreck said to me before rolling his eyes at Reggie.

“See?” Bridget said. “At least it’s not as bad as when you found out Bones was still married to Penny.”

“You dated Bones, too?” Shipwreck asked.

I leaned over the table, glared at Shipwreck and yelled, “Are you calling me a slut?”

Wild Card ran into the room, followed by Tyler and Jackson. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but Kelsey, let’s take a walk.”

I turned to glare at Wild Card. “I don’t want to take a walk!”

“Oh, shit, she’s pissed,” Bridget said, moving closer to Hattie.

Jackson picked up Nicholas who I’d forgotten was sitting at the breakfast bar. Jackson held him, ready to run if needed.

“Fricken…” I started to say. “Son of a…” I fisted my hands, stomping a foot to the floor. “Snapping turtle!”

Wild Card almost held a straight face as I allowed him to push me toward, then out, the back sliding door.

I crossed the deck, snaring the pack of cigarettes that were lying on top of the rail. It took me five tries, but I finally got the cigarette lit. I paced back and forth, glancing into the yard and seeing several security guards watching me.

“Mind your own business!” I yelled.

They all turned their backs to me and pretended to be scanning the field.

“Damn. I haven’t seen you this mad since I filled your boots with horse shit.”

“As I recall, I filled your bed with cow shit as payback.”

“Didn’t say I got the upper hand,” he said, stepping away and holding his hands up in surrender. “Why are you so mad?”

“Sebrina Tanner!”

Wild Card sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “Shit. I was hoping Grady would be back when you figured that out.”

“Why didn’t you tell me!”

“I couldn’t.”

“Why? Cat got your tongue?”

“Damn it, Kelsey! Don’t you think I wanted to tell you? That it’s been eating at me?” He stepped a few feet away, fists clenched. “It’s hard enough figuring out what you and I are to each other. Add to that juggling my relationship with Nicholas while trying to keep my damn mouth shut about you and Grady as a romantic couple! Grady and I used to be friends—and it’s just one big clusterfuck!”

“What do you mean, used to be? You’re still friends,” I snapped.

“Are we, Kelsey?” he asked, walking over and looking down at me. “How can Grady and I be friends? How does that work when we’re both in love with the same woman?”

“No, you’re not,” I said, turning away from Wild Card.

Wild Card grabbed my shoulders roughly, forcing me to turn and face him. I felt his anger as he held me, barely controlling his tightened grip on my shoulders. I was confused by his reaction, and then I saw it. I saw the truth I’d been hiding from. It was probably always there, but I’d been running from it. Wild Card was still in love with me. “Cooper…”

“Don’t! I’m not stupid. I know how you feel about Grady. I’ll do what I can to help you fix this, but don’t expect me stay after he wins you back!” He walked across the deck and down the stairs.

I stood there, watching him retreat until he rounded the corner of the garage. “This cannot be my life,” I said to myself.

“If it helps, I don’t think you’re a slut,” Shipwreck