Deceived

Chapter Twenty

Chapter 20: Planning and Plotting

Time: Fall 2008

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Brock met with Jack in Dr. Morgan's office. Brock relaxed on the liberty-burgundy chenille-style patterned sofa while preparing to start the conversation. Jack sat down in his smooth coffee-colored leather chair and waited for Brock to start the conversation. His mind ran to a scene six months before when he and Reba were getting hot and heavy on that particular sofa. Now, their relationship had hit a road block in the form of the sandy-haired dentist, who was still Reba's husband. He shook thoughts of the lovely redhead out of his mind as he sat ready to listen to his rival.

Brock cleared his throat, rubbed his sweaty palms on his dark denim blue jeans, and looked the good doctor right in the eye. "I'm here to talk about Reba. I'm here to make you a deal. I need you to leave my wife alone."

Jack's face formed a small smile. "Reba and I have been together on and off for the last two years. You can't just turn off feelings like that, Brock."

"I've been incredibly patient so far. I am married to this woman, legally wed and confirmed in a court of law. We have four children and two grandchildren together. I've known Reba for twenty-four years. That's some important history there."

Jack nodded in acknowledgment. "You cheated on your wife. You should have known that would end your marriage."

"I'm not disputing that I screwed up, but she forgave me. Our marriage was back on track until those goons kidnapped me."

"And yet, she's not flying into your arms at your eagerly awaited return. In fact, she's more firmly committed to me than ever." Jack's tone revealed confidence.

Brock wanted to wipe the floor with Dr. Hunky's face, but he figured that wouldn't earn him any points with Reba. The tension in his voice grew. "You are partially to blame for what happened to me. You knew about Alex, and you did nothing about it. Not only that, but I heard about you. I heard that you've tried to pull the wool over Reba's eyes many times. You tried to make Reba the other woman. You should've known better than to try that. Maybe you don't know her as well as you think you do. If she holds resentment against me for my past misdeeds, then you should think about your own. Do you ever wonder how she still feels about the wrongs you've done. Think about it." He smirked at the doctor. They were evenly matched now. "You're a liar and a cheater, too, Morgan."

Jack pondered that thought for a second. He pulled slightly at the buttoned collar of his blue shirt. "Okay, that's true, but let's think about you for a second. "Are you thinking clearly? Are you? I know that you've been through a lot of trauma."

"Don't try to shrink me, Doc. Didn't you take an oath when you got your license? First, do no harm. I have to say, Doc, you're doing a lot of harm to my marriage. That doesn't speak too well of your reputation as a marriage counselor. That wouldn't be too good for your business, if word got out."

"So, you plan to ruin me as a therapist. That's your plan, Brock."

"You have to admit, it's doable. Why not? Your actions speak for themselves. I didn't make you do any of this. All I have to do is expose you. Whatever happens to you now is your own d—n fault. Of course, we could make sure that no one ever has to hear about this."

Jack's eyebrows arched at Brock's words. "Really? What does it take for me to make it go away?"

Brock looked Jack square in the eye. "I just want my life back. Leave my wife alone."

Jack unbuttoned the sleeve of his dress shirt, rolling up the sleeves. "Of course, there is the chance that no one would care, Hart. Why would I want to risk my relationship with Reba on the chance that no one would believe you? I love her."