The Setup and the Substitute by Jiffy Kate

Chapter 34

Owen

When I’m finishedin the locker room, I can’t get back to the house fast enough.

Sophie brought Molly and Ryan to the game today, but she sent me a text right after saying both kids were ready to go home and they’d meet me back there.

I also got a text from Hank about an hour ago, saying the detective he’s been in contact with has made a positive identification on Lisa’s photo, which has my head spinning.

Lisa is either using, selling, or both. Perhaps even more than that, if what Hank suspects is true. I’m not sure and I really don’t care to stick around and find out. The last thing I want is Molly and Ryan, or Sophie, mixed up in that.

This morning, I came to the club house early and spoke with Buddy, giving him a brief synopsis of what’s going on and asking if I could take the next two games off. He agreed to take me out of the bullpen rotation until after the All-Star break, giving me almost an entire week to get this shit sorted.

He also agreed getting ahead of this is the best course of action, so he brought in Christy, our public relations manager, and alerted the proper chain of command.

On our way back to New Orleans last night, I had a lot of time to think and as we were waiting in the airport, I made a quick call to my mom, letting her in on everything going on with Lisa. She insisted I bring the kids to Detroit. At first, I told her no. But after some thought, I realize it makes the most sense, and it puts my mind at ease a little when I think about getting them out of town and away from Lisa.

But now I need to talk to Sophie.

As I unlock the front door, my heart races.

Sophie is sitting in the living room with a worried look on her face.

I’m to blame for that.

When I got home late last night, I didn’t have it in me to discuss all this, so I put up my walls and went to bed alone, just like I have every night for the past couple weeks. I’ve been pushing her away—I know it and she knows it. As much as I hate it, it’s probably for the best right now. Until I know exactly what Lisa is up to, I wouldn’t want to bring Sophie into this any more than she already is, for her own safety.

“We need to talk—” I start.

“I have something to tell you,” Sophie says at the same time.

My stomach drops at her tone. She sounds like I feel—on edge and unsure.

“You first,” I tell her, walking over and taking a seat on the chair across from her.

She traps her bottom lip between her teeth and furrows her brows, as she looks up at me beneath her lashes. “Someone came by the house today,” she says quietly, eyes darting toward the hall that leads to Molly and Ryan’s bedrooms.

I can hear the television playing.

“They’re watching a movie,” she says, turning her gaze back to me.

I nod, swallowing down the ball of worry that feels like it’s lodged in my throat. “Who came to the house?” I ask, wanting her to continue and put me out of my misery, because I’m getting a bad feeling about this.

“He said he’s a friend of Lisa’s but didn’t tell me his name.”

My blood runs cold. “What did he look like?”

Inhaling, she runs her palms down her jean-clad thighs. “Dark jeans, black t-shirt. Nothing too identifiable… but the way he looked at me…” She shudders and I stand, going to her and pulling her into my arms.

“Did he say anything else?” I grit out, trying to rein in my anger. If I’m being honest, I’m also scared and worried and freaking the fuck out. Because if someone is coming around looking for Lisa, that means Hank is right and she’s mixed up in some serious shit.

“Just to let her know,” Sophie mutters, her hands fisting in my t-shirt to keep me close.

I wish we could get closer.

I wish I could carry her upstairs and lose myself inside her for hours.

But I can’t.

Not right now.

Kissing the top of her head, I pull back.

“What did you need to tell me?” she asks, swallowing hard.

“Is Lisa here?” I ask, realizing she could be upstairs.

Sophie shakes her head. “No, that's the other thing I needed to talk to you about. I checked her room when we got back and it looks empty, like she took her bag when she left earlier. I didn’t notice, but she could’ve taken it to her car at some point. I haven’t said anything to the kids yet.”

Shit.

It doesn’t surprise me knowing what I do now. Lisa might’ve gotten ripped off by someone, a friend. Perhaps the same one that came to my fucking house today.

Honestly, it’s better she’s gone.

But that makes twice she’s bailed on the kids without saying goodbye, leaving me to break the news to them.

Fuck.

Maybe I need to look into having her parental rights terminated. I’ve never wanted to take their mother away from them like that but I can’t just sit around and let her waltz in and out of their lives anymore. They deserve better than that.

“I talked to the private investigator. He had some news about Lisa and it’s not good,” I tell her, pulling her back against my chest and soaking her in for as long as I can. “A friend of his is a detective in LA and he confirmed that Lisa is part of a drug trafficking ring. We’re not sure exactly how deep in it she is, but it’s not good.”

I feel Sophie’s body tense and her hold on me tightens. “Like selling drugs?”

“Selling, probably using again, and bringing them across state lines, which makes this a federal case.”

“Oh, God, Owen,” Sophie whispers. “What are we going to do?”

Leaning back, I take her by the shoulders. “We aren’t going to do anything. I’m going to hand this over to the detective who’s in charge of this case and he’s going to handle it. In the meantime, I think it’s best to get the kids out of the city.”

“Okay,” she says, taking a step back and putting space between us as she starts to pace in front of the sofa. “Where to? What do you need me to do?”

My heart clenches. “I’m taking them to my parents’ house. I spoke with my mom last night and she suggested it. Her and my dad haven’t seen the kids in a while and I think it’s a good idea. I need to get them out of the city and as far away from Lisa as possible for now, until I know they’re safe. Plus, the All-Star break starts in two days and Buddy agreed to give me the next couple games off, so I’ll have about five days…”

“Alone?” she asks. “Without me?”

I swallow, nodding slowly. “I need a few days… to clear my head.”

Sophie’s lips form a thin line and the crease between her eyebrows deepens. “Right, yeah… of course. I’ll just go to my apartment and…”

“Stay alert,” I say, sounding a little more demanding than I mean to. But I need her to know how serious I am about this. “If you see the guy who came by today, call the cops. I’ll give you the local detective's number as soon as I have it. But you should be safe.”

She’ll be safe, I repeat in my head. Without me and the kids here, Lisa will more than likely head back to California, if she hasn’t already.

Sophie nods, her eyes locking onto mine. “Sure, I’ll be fine.”

“Maybe Greer can stay with you,” I suggest. “Or you could stay with her?”

“Don’t worry about me,” she says with a sad smile that breaks my heart. “I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself.”

I know she can. I’ve never once doubted Sophie’s ability to take care of herself or anyone else. And in my gut, I know she’ll be safe, but I’d never forgive myself if something happened to her.

My kids are my main concern, and the two people Lisa could use for leverage if she’s desperate enough, which is why I want to get them away from here… and all the bullshit. And I really do need to take a few days to clear my head.

“Our flight leaves at nine,” I say quietly, already feeling the distance between us and hating it.

“I’ll go pack the kids’ bags and get my stuff together,” Sophie says. Then she turns and walks out of the living room, leaving me standing there.

Missing her already.

* * *

“Come here, my angels!”My mom opens her arms wide and Molly and Ryan don’t hesitate to run straight into them. “Oh, I’ve missed you so much. Did you have a good trip on the airplane?”

“We gots to see where the pilot drives the plane!” Ryan says, excitedly. “And the nice lady who passes out snacks gave us wings,” Molly adds, pointing to the pin on her sweater.

“Wow, that’s so special. Pops and I have a lot to live up to during this visit. I’m sure we’ll think of something fun we can do,” Mom says with a wink. “Let’s go get you all settled.”

Later, when my dad has the kids with him outside, Mom and I are in the kitchen. I know she must have a ton of questions, so I decided to stay inside and help with dinner, giving her an uninterrupted opportunity to ask what she wants.

“So, I know you left out some details during out phone call. What are you not telling me?”

I shouldn’t be surprised by her intuitiveness. My mother has always been able to read between the lines, so I tell her everything. Starting at the beginning, I tell her about my relationship with Sophie, which she claims to have predicted months ago, and I follow up with the latest on Lisa.

“And now there’s a warrant out for her arrest?”

“In L.A., yes. Not sure if it’s happened in New Orleans yet but it could be any day.”

Mom tosses a kitchen towel over her shoulder and leans against the counter, deep in thought.

After a minute or so, she shakes, sighing. “I hate this for those babies. You know I’ve always tried to stay out of things when it comes to Lisa. I know she’ll always be connected to our family. But I can’t help the extreme feelings I’m experiencing at the moment.”

“I know,” I say, letting out an exhausted exhale. “I feel the same way.”

Stepping away from the counter to stir the sauce that’s simmering on the stovetop, she looks at me over her shoulder. “And what about Sophie?”

“What about her?” I was dreading this part of the conversation more than telling her about Lisa.

“Should I be expecting another guest?” With her back to me, I can hear the pleasant upturn in her voice and there’s an unmistakable hopefulness in her tone.

“No,” I say, feeling the same gut punch I felt when I told Sophie the same thing. “I need some time and I think she does too. Before Lisa showed up, things between us were… I don’t know, moving fast, I guess. Lines were blurring. I just need a few days to get my head on straight.”

When she turns to face me with her hands on her hips, I feel like a teenager again and not the grown-ass man standing before her.

“Don’t let Lisa ruin another damn thing.”

Swallowing, I nod, but don’t give her a verbal response. I have no plans of letting Lisa do anything, but she seems to swoop in and out of my life without notice.

“Where will Sophie be staying while you’re here?” she asks, turning her attention away from me and giving me a reprieve from her knowing gaze.

“I told her it’d be better for her to stay at her apartment or with her best friend,” I admit sheepishly.

“So, you mean to tell me, your ex rolls into town, stirring up trouble again, and you decide to tuck tail with your children and run away, leaving her to fend for herself? Am I understanding that correctly?”

I don’t have a good response, so I hang my head and look at the ground instead.

“Is she safe, at least? Lisa doesn’t know how to find her?”

These are two of the questions that have plagued my brain the entire flight up here.

“I believe she is,” I answer honestly. “I don’t think Lisa has any interest in Sophie.”

And I hope to God that’s true and she doesn’t try to look her up, especially knowing how rich and powerful the Callahans are. Just thinking about Lisa going after Sophie makes me sick to my stomach.

What the hell have I done?

My mother has resumed her position against the counter, with her arms crossed, giving me a look and letting me know she’s disappointed in me, and I don’t blame her.

I deserve it.

I’m disappointed in myself, to be honest.

For a lot of things.

The number one disappointment is that I allowed Lisa back into our lives, putting my children in danger. I should’ve followed my gut and kept her at arm's length, regardless of how much Molly wanted her there.

I’m not trying to win popularity points with my kids.

I’m trying to keep them safe and loved.

But the fact I gave into Lisa so quickly and easily has messed with my head. It’s making me think having the walls up is better.

At least when my heart is guarded, there’s no chance of infiltration.

Maybe I was so distracted by Sophie, so open, I didn’t even see the danger coming.

And that scares me.

“Well, I hope you’re right.”

“Me too.”

Just then, my phone begins to ring, the shock causing my heart to slam in my chest.

Assuming it’s news about Lisa and her impending arrest, but hoping it’s Sophie, I look and see it’s actually Lisa’s mother calling. Other than her periodic emails to check in on the kids, I don’t communicate with her very often, but I know deep in my gut, the timing of this call isn’t coincidental.

Looking up at my mom, I hold up my phone. “It’s Lisa’s mom; I need to take this.”

She motions for me to answer, so I step into the living room and hit accept. “Hello, Carol.”

“Owen, how are you and the kids?”

“We’re fine. And you?”

Carol has always been good to me and the kids. I’ve always appreciated her support, but I know she has a soft spot for her daughter and has been guilty of enabling her over the years.

I can’t help but wonder if it’s safe to tell her where we are right now.

Cutting right to the chase, she says, “I have some news about Lisa.”

Dammit.

What now?

When I don’t respond, she continues. “As you know, Lisa was set to receive full access to the trust fund given to her by her grandfather on her thirtieth birthday, which is only a few months away. Since her struggles with addiction have not improved like we all hoped, my father has decided to add the stipulation to the trust that she may not inherit anything until she’s truly clean and sober. All of her assets have been frozen and she’s been cut off from her father and me, so I fear she may become quite desperate soon. I just wanted to warn you.”

“Has a detective or anyone called you?” I ask, wondering if she knows what kind of trouble Lisa’s already in and that she's already reached a level of desperation I never saw coming.

There’s a long pause and when she sighs it’s full of emotion. “I’m so scared for her,” she says, her voice breaking. “But more importantly, I’m worried for my grandchildren. I know we don’t see them often and they probably have forgotten who we are, but I still love them and care about their well-being.”

“They’re safe,” I assure her.

“That’s all I ask,” she says, clearing her throat and regrouping. “Lisa has made her bed and her father and I are not bailing her out of this one. She’s on her own.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me. “I hate to say this, but I’m relieved. Not that I want anything bad to happen to her, but I think the best thing that could happen right now is for her to be away from everyone who is still enabling her and give her a chance to get clean, for good this time.”

Prison sounds like a horrible thing to wish on someone, but Lisa’s been in desperate need of a re-start for a long time. And as sad as it sounds, this may be her only chance to turn her life around.

After a few moments of silence, I add, “Maybe we can come see you when the season is over? I know the kids would love that.”

“So would we,” she says sadly. “Thank you.”