Choices (New Beginnings #1) (10 page)

"You don't know that woman," Chris said. "I told her I wanted to show her the area where I lived."

"So, you brought her to your bar? Every mother's dream. To see where their son gets plastered and meets most of the men he hooks up with." Chris shrugged and Jason chuckled.

"Leave out the men part, will you?" Chris was serious again. "I haven't figured out how much she knows about what went down with my dad and she won't talk about it."

"Scout's honor."

Chris's phone buzzed. He looked at it and scowled. "It's a client," he explained. "Will you tell my mom I'll be right back?"

"Sure thing." Chris disappeared outside and Jason poured himself another cup of coffee.

"Where is my son?"

Jason turned with his cup halfway to his lips and grimaced. The woman was looking at him with an accusation in her eyes, but that wasn't all. Her eyes were cold, calculating. He suddenly had no problem associating her with the man who had barged into Michaela's apartment and said all those horrible things about Chris.

"He had to take a call," Jason said carefully. "Would you like some coffee?"

"I'll take an espresso," she answered.

"Mrs. Matthews, I only have regular old coffee."

"What kind of place is this?"

"A bar, not a coffee shop." Jason handed her a steaming mug and sat down at a nearby table.

He studied the woman who raised Michaela and Chris. There was a family resemblance, sure. From the color of her hair to the narrow nose and slight build, she was so similar to Michaela. But the similarities were only skin deep. Chris and Michaela were both relaxed and open, whereas this woman was stiff and formal. She sat with her back perfectly straight and her shoulders square, almost as if she had a plank of wood holding her up.

Jason didn't grow up knowing his parents and had never understood when Michaela or Chris ignored their mother's calls or complained about having to go home. He would've given anything to have a home. But, just seeing this woman and knowing her husband, he began to get it. How had she raised a woman like Michaela?

Jason tried to push Michaela from his mind, but he found it impossible with her mother sitting there staring at him.

"So," Mrs. Matthews said. "You're the bartender."

"This is my bar," Jason answered. She looked around and nodded.

"I've heard about you from my husband."

"I'm sure you have." Jason couldn't help the snarl that entered his words.

"I know what you must think of him," she said, holding up a hand to stop him from interrupting her. "He is not a bad man. I’m trying to make everything right again."

"I'm sorry if it's not my place to say, but shouldn't he be the one doing that?"

"You're right, it isn't your place." She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose before taking a long drink of her coffee. "You are a friend of my daughter's?" Jason only nodded. Mrs. Matthews sighed. "I know so little of her since she moved to the city. Will you tell me, is she doing well?"

Jason shifted his eyes to the door, hoping Chris would finish his call soon. “Maybe you should ask your son about that. I don't know if I'm the right person."

"Chris is not being honest with me. He told me that Michaela is spending most of her time working in his office, and seems to be very happy."

"That could be true," Jason said carefully.

"No, young man, it couldn't. Despite what she might think, I know my daughter. She’d never be happy in a stuffy office like her brother or her father. She is meant for more than that."

They stared at each other for a moment before Jason asked, "What do you want to know?"

"Is she happy?"

"I think so," Jason answered honestly. "She does work for Chris's firm, but only part time." He then told her about Legal Services and would have sworn there was pride in her expression when he told her of the work she was doing there. He told her about her friends, only leaving certain things out.

Chris came back in and told his mom that Michaela couldn't meet them until dinner. To his surprise, she decided she wanted to go see the place where Michaela was working and couldn't be persuaded otherwise. They took their leave of Jason, but before they were out the door, Mrs. Matthews turned back.

"Young man, I want to thank you for being such a good friend to my Michaela. You care about her. I can see that. If things were different, it might matter a bit more." She left him dumbfounded. She’d almost managed to make him doubt Michaela's opinion of her. Almost.    

###

"Michaela." She looked up from her desk at legal Services to find Joey, the volunteer coordinator, staring down at her.

"Hi," she said. He sat on the corner of her desk and folded his arms across his chest. Michaela was supposed to be working on some transcriptions but she hadn't typed anything in over ten minutes. Her head just wasn't in it today.

"You okay to stay a little later than usual today?" he asked, but he didn't wait for an answer. "Kimberly's court date is coming up this week, and Katie and Melissa are taking you with them."

"What? Really?" This perked Michaela up. She’d grown close to Kimberly and wanted to see it through. Michaela had been to court before, but only with her father during one of the few corporate cases that made it there.

"It was Katie's idea." Michaela flinched, but Joey didn't notice as he continued talking. "You'll just be observing, but they need to prep you." She nodded her head, half in excitement, half in fear of working with Katie, whom she’d managed to avoid for weeks now.

Katie didn't look up from the papers she was reading as the Legal Services Lawyer, Melissa, let Michaela into the office.

"Take a seat," Melissa said. "Katie tells me you might be headed to law school." Michaela nodded and Melissa continued. "This city is always in need of good lawyers who deal with children and families. I know your father is David Matthews, which means you probably have the inside track to success in the corporate world."

"That world isn't for me," Michaela said. It was something she’d decided soon after starting her volunteer work at Legal Services. She’d never had a passion for law like her brother and father did because she pictured people in stuffy suits, sitting in quiet offices. She wanted to help people. It was only recently that she’d realized she could still do that by going to law school.

"That's good to hear." Melissa's grin spread across her face and transformed her from a frazzled, overworked woman to one whose passion shone through. "I want you to come observe some of the work we do. I truly believe we’re going to win this case, and you can be a part of that."

When Michaela exited the office two hours later, she was shocked to find Chris waiting for her with a woman who looked strangely like her mother. But her mom would never be caught dead in this part of the city. Would she?

Chris stood and smoothed out his suit jacket before giving Michaela a hug. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "When I told her you wanted to do dinner instead of lunch, she insisted on me bringing her to wherever you were. She's been with me all day."

"It's fine." Michaela looked over her brother's shoulder at her mother. She was looking around the crowded office with a curious expression on her face. Michaela would have expected distaste, but there was none of that. She was probably just afraid someone she knew would see her in this part of the city.

"Mom," Michaela said, "you ready to go?"

"Yes," she said, standing and hurrying towards the door.

"Michaela!" Kimberly ran towards her and Michaela bent down to give the girl a hug.

"I'll see you on Tuesday, okay?" She smiled and Kimberly nodded before releasing her.

Chris went to get his car while Michaela stood outside with her mom. She waited for the onslaught of words, but they didn't come. Her mom was silent. Michaela expected to hear about how this job was not suitable for someone of her station; how it was dangerous and classless. She watched as her mother looked around the trash littered street. There was fear in her eyes, but no disdain or disgust. She saw her back away any time someone came close. A car horn made her jump.

She still hadn't spoken by the time Chris pulled up and Michaela was confused and a little worried. Was she saving it up for an all-out attack?

They drove back towards their area of town. Their mother had made reservations at her favorite restaurant. It was a white tablecloth-and-cloth-napkin affair. Michaela looked down at herself, glad she’d worn her best work dress today. She went to the bathroom to freshen up before joining her mother and brother. They’d already ordered wine, and it was being poured into their glasses as she sat.

It all felt very familiar to Michaela. The three of them at a fancy restaurant. Her dad had been away a lot when she was a kid, so it had just been them and their staff.

"A toast." Their mother raised her glass. "To family." Chris snorted, and Michaela kicked him under the table before clinking her wine glass against her mom's.

A waiter came and took their order. When he’d walked away, Michaela's mom spoke again. "Michaela, honey." She set her glass down. "I’ve come to a decision."

"Here we go," Chris said lowly. Michaela shot him a dark look and then nodded for her mom to continue.

"You need to take up your place at Columbia Law next semester."

"Mom, stop." Michaela felt her anger rising. It might take longer to build than her brothers, but the explosion could be ten times as big. "I--"

"Hear me out." Her mom cut her off. Michaela could tell she was trying to remain calm. It wasn't hard to find where Chris and Michaela got their tempers. Their father could blow up, but it was nothing in comparison to their mother. "I've been making some inquiries. They have some great family law classes."

"Listen to me, Mom ..." Michaela stopped suddenly as her mom's words finally struck her. "Did you say family law?"

"That is what you'd prefer, correct?"

"Like Dad would ever allow that," Chris said.

"Leave your father to me. Michaela, if you come home for Thanksgiving next week, I will help you tell him."

"So that's why you're here?" Chris snarled. "To bribe Michaela to come home for the holidays and be sucked back in to your shit?"

"Your mouth, Christopher. Watch it. Contrary to what you believe, you’re still a part of this family, and you’ll be there as well."

"According to Dad, I'm not his son."

"You're father had a shock. Do you want to know how he found out? A junior partner who had been fired told the entire firm that he’d been your 'lover'." Chris blanched, knowing exactly who she must be talking about. "Let me tell you something about your father. Do you remember hearing about your uncle Charles?"

"The one who ..." Chris stopped, unable to say it.

"The one who took his own life, yes. He was of your ... preferences." She had Chris and Micaela's full attention now. They’d never heard this part of the family history. Uncle Charles died when he was eighteen, and no one talked much about him.

"Then how could Dad treat me like such a stain on the family name?" Chris asked.

"It was a different time back then," their mother said. "Charles had a hard time of it. His parents couldn't accept it, and the kids his age--"

"Is that why he--"

"Yes. We think so."

"But, Mom," Chris started, "It's not like that for me. I wish Dad could see that. If he's so scared, then why is he acting just like his parents did to Charles?"

"It’s brought up a lot of old memories that were better left buried." She took a sip of her wine and sighed. "You apparently have had years to come to terms with everything. Your father needs time. The least you can do is give him that. He does love you." 

Their food came, and Michaela saw Chris's shoulders sag under the weight of the newly revealed family secrets. Her own mind was reeling. They ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Michaela had a new understanding of her father. She looked over at Chris, imagining what it would do to her to lose him. She didn't think she'd ever recover.

"So, it's decided then," their mother said, smiling. "The Matthews will all be together for Thanksgiving."  

Eleven

Michaela had been to the courthouse just once before. Her father had let her tag along on one of his rare cases that went to court. It was rarer still that it was tried in the city. That case had been an emotional one. An ex-employee’s family was suing a company for gross negligence in the death of their loved one. She remembered being in awe of her dad as he laid out the case before the judge. He was stoic and aloof. His face didn't change when the opposing counsel described the man's death or his family’s hardships thereafter. She used to idolize her father for being tough in the courtroom. She used to want to be just like him. Now she could see that that wasn't a front he put on for his job, it was his personality. Just like at home, he was unemotional and unattached. That was not the person she wanted to be anymore.

Kimberly's case was similar in a lot of ways to that one. It was about a life. Just as that man's family needed the settlement for the welfare of his children, Kimberly's grandmother needed to win custody for the welfare of her. It was far from an open-and-shut case, but it wasn't impossible either. Kimberly's father was claiming he was trying to get his life together. He’d need to be able to prove that very quickly in order to overcome his past in the eyes of the court.

Michaela walked up the steps in front of the large white building. Standing among the pillars was the Legal Services team. Melissa stood with her arms crossed, nodding at something her paralegal was saying to her. Kimberly held her grandmother's hand. Katie saw Michaela and waved her over.

"We're about to go in," she said. They turned, but before they could enter the building, a man stopped them.

"Kimberly," he called. She looked up at him and shrank into her grandmother, who pulled her inside and out of sight of the man.

"Sir," Melissa stepped forward to block him from going after his daughter. "I can't let you speak to them. I'm sorry. We will see you in the courtroom."

The case didn't go as smoothly as Michaela had expected. John, Kimberly's dad, laid out all of the changes he’d made in his life. He claimed to be clean and sober and agreed to submit to a drug test. He was working. It seemed like things would go his way. Every now and then, Michaela would glance at Kimberly and her grandmother, who were holding each other. Kimberly didn’t want to go back to live with that man. Her age being what it was, though, her wishes wouldn't hold much weight.

Then John mentioned that his fiancée was living with him and was excited to be a mother to Kimberly and provide her a home. Melissa had found out about the fiancée only days ago, but she’d managed to have a background check run, and that proved to be their golden ticket. She had a record. Assault and battery. John seemed honestly stunned by this revelation. He slumped back in his chair, defeated.

In the end the court had granted custody to Kimberly's grandmother, and Michaela had never felt so good about anything she’d worked on in her life.

Michaela hurried home to get ready to leave the city for the holiday weekend. Even her impending trip home hadn’t dampened her mood. She was still smiling when Ethan called.

"Are you on your way home?" he asked immediately.

"Well, hello to you too," she responded, a little put out that his grumpiness was going to rain on her good mood.

"I don't have much time to talk, Michaela, so no games."

"Geeze, who stole your cat?"

"Michaela!"

"Fine, oh annoyed one, what do you want?"

"What time will you be home?" he asked.

"I don't know. We're leaving whenever Chris manages to get out of work. He said he should be here by one."

"Then you'll be back by dinner?"

"Yes, why?" she asked.

"I called your mom and she invited me over."

"Why did you call my mom?" she asked, alarmed.

"Stop with the pestering. It really isn't attractive. I'll see you tonight."

"Okay, love you."

"Yeah ... you too." 

###

"What do you mean you're working all Thanksgiving?" Maggie stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Jason across his apartment.

"I figured I'd stay open." He shrugged.

"Bullshit." Jason had to fight the urge to laugh every time his schoolteacher cousin cursed. She'd scrunch up her face, and the word sounded so foreign coming from her mouth. She'd hit him if he laughed, though.

"I'm really not in the mood for holidays." He busied himself in the kitchen, grabbing plates for the food she’d just brought.

"Oh, snap out of it. You’ve been in this funk for months and haven't done a damn thing about it. It's your own fault Michaela is with someone else, so I don't want to hear anything more of it."

"Okay." He tossed her a beer and sank down onto the couch with his food. He’d known for a while now that she was right. Thinking back on it, he had his chance. He just didn't understand why Michaela went running back to Ethan so quickly rather than talking to him.

"We're doing Thanksgiving at my place, like always. Elijah will be there, too, since he didn't go to his parents'. And, before you ask, Chris and Michaela went home for the weekend. So, I'll make dinner and the three of us can get fat and you can get drunk. Sound like a plan?"

"Fine. I'll bring the booze."

"You are a wonderful man, cuz!"

"Yeah yeah. Let's just watch the game." Jason flipped through the channels until he found the Rangers playing the Tampa Bay Lightning. "They're going to kill us," he said. The Rangers were having a hellish season. Injuries and bad play had derailed any hope for the playoffs, and it was only six weeks into the season. It was like watching a plane crash and you just couldn't tear your eyes away.

There was a soft knock on the door. Maggie looked at him and he shrugged, so she got up to answer it.

"Ummm, I think it's for you," she called back. Jason joined her to find Katie standing in the open door, wearing a tight-fitting dress that barely covered her ass, let alone her mile-long legs. Jason couldn't help it as his eyes raked over her. Her long hair was curled and thrown over one shoulder. The way she looked at him made his mouth dry.

If he was honest with himself, he wanted to tell Maggie to leave and pull Katie into his room and take her right then. Every guy who saw her probably wanted the same thing. He knew what she’d offer. No strings. Just physical. Those words brought a certain auburn-haired beauty to mind, and he backed up. He wasn't that guy. He wasn't the guy Michaela or Katie thought he was. With him, there would always be strings.

"I can leave," Maggie said from behind him. Katie grinned her approval, but Jason shook his head.

"Katie, you need to go. You can't just show up here."

"Oh, but you seemed to want me here the other night ... before you got distracted. Remember the invitation?" Katie's voice was a low purr. She tried to step into the apartment, but Jason blocked her.

"That was a mistake." Jason took a step back from her. "I wasn't myself."

"Because of Michaela?"

Jason wanted to slap her, but he satisfied himself by just curling his fists at his sides.

"You know she has a boyfriend, right?" Katie continued. "He calls her at the office all the time. You should see her smile when he does. He's going to be a doctor. You don't stand a chance, bartender boy."

"Honey," Maggie stepped in between them. "What Jason here is too nice to say is that he doesn't want you. So get over it and get out." Katie looked from Maggie to Jason and back again before turning around sharply and stomping off. Maggie was laughing when they shut the door. "I need to spend more time over here. It's so much more entertaining than my place."