Page 19 of Defensive Indifference

“You know that bakery owner?”

Marco snickers and hits me on the back of the head with a towel. “Do we know the bakery owner? What kind of dumb question—wait, no! She’s the kid’s mom?” He lets out a low whistle. “I bet her husband was all over you.”

“Nope, not married.” I slip my shirt over my head and adjust it before hoisting my gear bag into the locker. “And we had a whole civil conversation about her son after the one-on-one. I think I’m officially forgiven for ruining her life. Bonus is the kid’s great.”

“And the news coverage about your family is starting to die down,” Marco adds. They guy was a thorn in everyone’s side not long ago, back when Andrew still pitched for the Sharks. His insecurities, not unlike Dustin’s, almost ended his career before he really got started. He finally leveled out, and he’s become one of the best pitchers the team has ever had—thanks to Andrew’s constant coaching, of course.

“Thank the Lord for that. Katie still won’t come out of her room for breakfast, and I’ve made her favorite every day,” Spencer says. I don’t miss the way he says her room as if it’s permanent, nor do I miss the point that he’s been doing everything humanly possible to lure my sister out of depression.

Guilt burns in my throat. I need to be more present for my sister, and since the drama with Evalina seems to be behind me, now is as good a time as any to focus on my family and what we can do to normalize our lives as much as possible while our father is under investigation.

“I’m out. See you all—” The door swings open and Eleanor strides in. Despite being fully clothed, several of the men still leap for cover as if they’ve done something wrong.

“Koa, Peterson called me. He didn’t know you were at practice, but he has an important update. I thought you’d want to know since you’re taking forever in here like a primping princess.” She raises her phone as if to say don’t make me take another call for you and disappears back into the hall.

“She’s a beast.” Marco’s hushed statement proves he’s just as afraid of her as he is our team owner—probably a good idea since any interest in Eleanor Dawson by anyone on the team will lead to homicide…or so I was told.

“She’s not so bad. Pray this is good news,” I say, and dig for my phone as I head out. Peterson answers my call quickly and with a glee in his tone that immediately lifts my spirits.

“Today is a good day, my friend!” Peterson is half out of breath and the background noise indicates he’s walking outside. Where to, who knows, but I want to hear this good news, so I wait patiently until he slams his car door shut and his phone links to his car. “I am on my way to meet with another client, but you and your sister can expect your things to be returned immediately. Your accounts have already been unfrozen, Preakness is set to be returned this afternoon, and your vehicles later this week. As for your home, feel free to break the security locks and sleep in your own beds tonight.”

I freeze while Eleanor stares up at me. “Wait, what happened? Did they drop the charges?”

“No, your father is still under investigation, but the feds failed to properly file a notice of seizure.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means they were required to inform you that your property would be taken, and they didn’t do that. Not correctly, anyway. And, since you have an amazing attorney, I convinced them that refiling to steal your hard-earned property would lead to a lengthy lawsuit they would likely lose, and they agreed to expedite the return of your property.”

Eleanor, who doesn’t seem to know when to mind her own business, falls in line beside me, keeping in stride as I rush to the car. Once there, I open her door and practically slam her into it. “So I can tell Katie her horse is okay? We’re really past this?”

“Indeed. The only thing that might be of concern is anything your parents paid for in the past ten years. If they discover any links between your property and dark funding, they will likely file to seize that property.”

“I can’t think of anything I haven’t paid for myself other than college, and they can’t exactly seize that.”

“I’d think not. Have a good day, Koa, and let me know if there is any damage to your property.” With a quick goodbye, Peterson moves on to help another client while I maneuver the parking lot.

“Where are you taking me? What’s going on?” Eleanor looks around, probably still getting her bearings in Savannah.

“That was the best news I’ve gotten in a long time. The feds didn’t properly file some paperwork, so we’re getting everything back. Looks like I might not need you for much longer.”

“Gee, sorry it’s been so rough on you having me around.” Eleanor’s faint smile proves she has a funny side. “That said, you know I drove to the field in my own car. So my question stands, where are you taking me?”

I grumble and turn the car around to take her back to her car. “I’m dropping you off at your car and going to tell my sister the good news. I think I can manage my image for that long.”

“Don’t dismiss me just yet. I’ll talk to Quade, but he’ll probably want me to stick around to make sure things stay as neutral as possible for you and your sister.” I stop by her car and exit to let her out. When the passenger door is open, she steps out and smiles. “I’m not trying to be a mother hen, but you might not be out of the woods yet. You understand?”

“I do. I also genuinely trust you have my best interests at heart, but what trouble can I get into from here to Spencer’s place to get my sister?”

Eleanor presses her lips into a thin line but nods. “Against my better judgment, I’ll allow it. Keep me posted on things so I can be sure to avoid any potential potholes.”

She slips into her ridiculously expensive car—not that I have much room to talk—and starts it before shutting the door and rolling down her window.

“I will be on my extra best behavior, and I’ll call you if anything seems even slightly amiss. Good?”

“Acceptable. Congratulations, Koa. Most people aren’t so lucky.” The quirk of her lips catches my attention, but she backs out of the space before I can question it. Even so, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to pick up what she put down. I am lucky, but there’s one person I know who has had the worst luck imaginable the past few weeks.

Hopping back in my borrowed car, I move out of the parking lot and find myself headed in the wrong direction—not home, not to Spencer’s to get Katie, but somewhere else altogether. Eleanor would have a heart attack if she knew I changed the plan last minute, but what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. Besides, it’s not like I’m going to Sparkly’s to throw donuts again.