My Twist of Fortune Rayne, Piper (top books to read TXT) 📖

Maybe she should move to a retirement community, but what would she do with the house? I can’t afford to buy it from her, and I know she doesn’t have the cash to pay for the rent at a place like Northern Lights Retirement Center. I mean, Dori’s family owns Bailey Timber Company. My dad was the best contractor in the county, but it’s like comparing peas and carrots.

I glance at my watch. Shit. I better go. Just as I climb into my truck, my phone rings and I curse.

“Hello. Hank Greene speaking.”

“Hi, Mr. Greene. This is Nurse Mindy. I have Chevelle in the office.”

I throw the truck into drive and head to the elementary school instead of the McAlisters’. This day just keeps giving and giving.

My day went from “meh” (the usual grind of getting five kids out the door), to fantastic (got to see Marla in a tight see-through cami), to annoying (picking up Chevelle from the nurse for the tenth time this month).

As I stir the chili I prepared this morning and cover up the Crock-pot, Cade pulls up in my old beat-up truck. He drops his book bag on the table, grabs a Gatorade out of the fridge, and heads toward the pantry for a snack. It’s his usual routine, except instead of telling me what happened at football practice, he’s quiet.

“How was practice?” I ask, breaking the layer of ice that’s fallen over the kitchen.

He plops down in a chair and opens a container of Pringles. “At least they won’t have to change the lineup.” He puts a stack of chips in his mouth, chewing and downing them with a gulp of Gatorade.

“What are you talking about?”

“Jed Greene. His arm, Dad.” He shakes his head. “It’s good. I mean… I look mediocre compared to him.”

“I doubt that.”

He stops drinking and slams his drink down so hard, orange Gatorade spills onto the table. “I’m serious. By the end of practice, I was on the bench and Jed was throwing the passes. When Coach finally called me in, he put me at receiver.”

“Well, receiver is a good position too. Remember when you said you wanted to play different positions? Maybe this is your chance.”

“Not my senior year! I’m the captain of the team. I’m the one who brought this team up in the ranks since freshmen year.” He jabs his finger into his chest. “The position isn’t supposed to be stripped away from me my last year of play.”

I run my hand over my forehead and drag it down my face. Laurie would handle this so much better than I’m about to. “Well, he is your cousin.”

“Technically, second cousin.” Chevelle comes in with my phone in her hand. She places it next to me. “Aunt Marla says tonight is fine.”

“Tonight for what?” Cade screeches and tosses his empty Gatorade container into the trash.

Chevelle ignores her brother’s outrage and leaves the room.

“Maybe basketball is more your sport,” I joke, but from the look on Cade’s face, he doesn’t find it funny. “I have to fix her water heater and Chevelle isn’t feeling well. Do you mind watching her?”

“Again? You need to take her to see someone.” He stands.

I’m thankful Chevelle left the room.

“Everyone deals differently.” I open the fridge and take out the cheese and sour cream, then I spoon some chili into a bowl for him.

“It’s been five years. She needs to talk to someone.” He grabs the cheese and dumps more than two handfuls into the bowl before sitting back down. “You do know my life is over, right? Maybe I should be the one in therapy.” He stirs his chili.

I watch for a moment, wishing I could take away his adolescent problems. “We went over this when we found out they were coming. There’s more than enough room for two quarterbacks on the team.”

He shakes his head and I wait for him to swallow his chili. “You know that’s not true. I mean, Jeff was a quarterback, you were a quarterback, and now Jed is coming in as a senior to take the spot. It’s not fair, Dad.”

I slide out my chair and sit down in the one closer to him. When your kids lose a parent, especially as suddenly as they did, it’s hard not to want to put them in a bubble and promise that’s the worst thing that could happen in this life. And in comparison to losing your mom, not being the high school quarterback means nothing, but telling a seventeen-year-old that isn’t going to get my point across.

“How about this weekend, we run some plays with you as receiver? I think you might like being the one who scores. And if Jed has the arm, maybe there’s more possibility for you guys to be an even better team this year.”

He nods and leans back, his hands resting at the back of his head. Sometimes I look at Cade and think I’m looking at myself at his age. He’s been a mini-me since he was born. Unlike Fisher, who is all dark features like Laurie.

“I’ll be back,” I say. “They have no hot water heater, and from the way you smell, I can’t imagine if Jed can’t shower.”

“Let him stink. You should see all the girls fawning over him too.” Cade rolls his eyes.

I smile at his jealous tone. “Every girl? I doubt Reese was.”

“I caught her staring at lunch. She said she was looking for resemblances to me, but I know better. I broke up with her.”

“Cade!”

He shrugs. “She can date Jed if she thinks he’s so fucking hot.”

“I doubt that was it. I’m sorry you think your world is ending because of Jed, but he is your cousin. You two share the same last name. You’ve got to get used to this.”

“No.” He stands then pushes in his chair before grabbing his chili and walking into the family room.

I hear Chevelle beg him to play a game with her.