MERLOT AND DIVORCE AND DEADLY REMORSE

by Jodi Vaughn

  “Did you know? Did you know that Miles was having an affair?”

  “Me? No.” She looked at me with wide eyes, and I believed her. “But if I had known, I would have told you.” Sadness stretched across her face. “No woman deserves to be living her life without knowing where her husband’s loyalty lies.”

  “You say that like you know from experience.”

  “I do. My father was a serial cheater.” Meredith’s voice was heavy, weary. “I was eight the first time I saw my father kissing the next door neighbor.” Her tone grew tense. “I can remember how it made my stomach hurt when I saw him kissing my mother after that. My mother was a good woman. She’d do anything for anyone. Always kept a beautiful house, made wonderful meals, and made sure we had clean clothes. She never thought about herself, only her husband and family. Yet he disrespected her like that.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Me, too.” She looked out the window. “By the time my mother found out my dad was cheating, she was too afraid to leave. He threatened her, told her that she was nothing without him. He told her that she had it good and that she didn’t have the balls to leave him.”

  My throat ached for a woman I’d never met but could relate to.

  “What did she do?”

  “She stayed with him. And every Thanksgiving and Christmas, I am forced to sit through dinner while my father acts like we are one big Norman Rockwell picture. My mother isn’t the same vibrant woman I remember. She’s broken in ways that I don’t think will ever heal. She’s quiet, joyless. Hell, the only thing she likes to do is drink wine and do Sudoku puzzles.”

  “Don’t we all?” Tears gathered in my eyes, and I tightened my hand on the steering wheel

  Meredith cracked a smile.

  “My daughters hate me.” My words came out small and soft.

  My friend reached over and touched my hand, giving it a firm squeeze. “Listen to me. Your children don’t hate you. They hate what Miles did to you and to them. Deep down inside, they know this shit is his fault. It falls on his head. You didn’t make him cheat. He chose that.”

  My walls cracked, and a tear ran down my face. I nodded. I needed those words. Meredith wasn’t the touchy-feely type and didn’t have a filter when it came to speaking her mind. I knew from the look in her eyes and by the tone of her voice that she was sincere.

  “I wish I had told my mom when I first saw Dad kissing our neighbor.”

  “You do?” I looked at her and wiped at another tear.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “What do you wish your mother had done back then?”

  “I wish she had found the toughest lawyer this side of the Mississippi and taken him for everything. Even if she only ended up with half of the savings, it would have given her a start to a new life.”

  “Why are you telling me all this?” I studied Meredith and her delicate features.

  “Because I always had a bad feeling about Nikki. I always felt like she was blocking me from being really close to you. I think, deep down, she was jealous of anyone getting close to you.”

  “I don’t think it was me she was trying to get close to.” I snorted.

  “Oh, don’t believe that.” Meredith gave me a serious look. “I’ve seen you two together, and I’ve heard how wonderful she always spoke about you. You were her best friend. She will regret betraying you. Count on that.”

  “I wish I could believe you.”

  “Rachel, you know me. I’m not the kind of person to blow smoke up anyone’s ass. You just watch and see.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate everything you said,” I said. “Now, if you could just give me the number of an attorney, that would be great.”

  “Miles already took Harold?” Meredith arched her brow. Everyone in town knew that Harold Lang was the best.

  “Yep. I should have known that motherfucker would get to him first.”

  “I do have the number of an attorney that my girlfriend used. She seemed pretty pleased. The only thing is the office is based out of Memphis. But they are versed in Mississippi law.”

  She pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from her purse. She quickly scribbled something down and handed it to me.

  “Thank you.” I looked at her, and emotion welled up in the back of my throat.

  “He’ll try to make you regret what you’re about to do. Stand strong. For all the women who can’t. But, most of all, stand strong for your girls.” Meredith slipped out of the car and shut the door behind her.

  The school bell rang, drowning out the questions in my head.

  Meredith had just given me a lifeline. I needed an attorney, and she’d come through.

  I shoved the paper into my purse until I could get home and make an appointment.

  Chapter 7

  After dinner, my girls went to their respective rooms to do their homework. Tomorrow after school, they had soccer practice, which meant that it would be the first time I had to face the other moms.

  I didn’t look forward to it, but after the talk with Meredith, I felt a little stronger.

  I walked out into the garage and opened the freezer. After I had gotten home with the bucket of blood, I knew that I had to put it into smaller containers and freeze them. That way, when I needed some blood, all I had to do was heat them up in the microwave. Like a burrito.

  I’d gathered up all the plastic containers I could find. After filling them, I covered them with lids and then aluminum foil so no one could see what was inside. I’d put them in the bottom of the freezer and then placed frozen breadsticks on top of them.

  I opened up the freezer and looked inside. The breadsticks were still in the same place, which was good. I picked up the bread and looked at the plastic containers all lined up in the bottom. I picked one up and pulled off the lid. The blood had frozen, leaving a big, red, icy popsicle.

  I put the bread back to hide the rest of the blood and closed the lid to the freezer before heading back inside.

  I reached into my purse and pulled out the information for the attorney in Memphis that Meredith had given to me. I’d never heard of the firm, so I decided to see if I could find any reviews online before I called.

  I grabbed my laptop and settled on the couch in the living room. The sun was setting, and the light was fading away into the purple hue of twilight. It was my favorite time of day—even before I had been turned into a vampire.

  I keyed in the website of the law firm and watched as the screen came alive. The law firm of Dover and Cobbledick popped up on the laptop.

  I squinted at the computer. “Cobbledick?” Was this some kind of joke?

  I clicked on the two attorneys and read their bios. The male attorney was Dover. He was an older gentleman with white hair and a friendly smile. His bio said that he’d been practicing law for thirty years and was married to his high school sweetheart. He specialized in contractual cases.

  I hovered the mouse over the second partner of the law firm and clicked. There wasn’t a good picture of her. Instead, it was a profile picture of someone sitting behind a large desk with their leather chair turned to the side as if they were looking out the window of the office.

  The bio said that Cobbledick had been an attorney for ten years but specialized in divorce. She had many great reviews, and it said that she was a champion for the women.

  I still couldn’t get over the name. Cobbledick? I couldn’t imagine being in divorce court and her name being said in the large courtroom. Everyone would surely laugh. Harold and Miles would have a field day with that.

  I decided to maneuver off the website and just type in their names separately to see if I could get any non-biased reviews.

  A thread from a divorced Memphis woman popped up.

  I scrolled through the numerous comments, surprised by how many women had used Cobbledick.

  I had to admit that it bothered me what others would think about me having an attorney named Cobbledick as my attorney.

  It was vain, I knew it. But I
just couldn’t help it.

  I took a breath and made a mental note to call and make an appointment tomorrow morning. I hoped the law firm wasn’t booked up so I could get in fast.

  I shut the laptop and laid my head back on the couch. I wasn’t tired, not physically. But mentally and emotionally, I was exhausted. I felt like I was hiding out, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I mean, divorcing my husband was pretty bad. It couldn’t get any worse, right?

  I headed into the kitchen when my cell rang. I picked up the phone.

  It was Miles.

  My stomach tightened, and a sense of longing washed over me.

  I wanted to slap myself for having that reaction to him.

  I finally answered.

  “Hello?” I tried to keep my voice calm and even, but it cracked on the last syllable.

  “I’ve been trying to call you.” His voice sounded strange, dark and menacing.

  “I’ve been busy.” Yeah, busy trying to gather up the shattered pieces of my life.

  “Harold said you saw him.”

  Fuck. I should have known that Harold would run back and tell Miles.

  “It seems you beat me to him. Congratulations.” I lifted my nose in the air as my anger returned.

  “Rachel, the whole town knows everything. Do you know how you made me look?”

  Rage rushed through my heated veins. I couldn’t believe what this asshole was saying to me. “Excuse me? How I made you look?” My voice rose, and I fisted my hands at my sides.

  “Everything was going back to normal until you freaked out the night of the party and told everyone about the affair.”

  “You brought this on yourself, Miles. You acted like no one knew, you asshole. Everyone knew! Everyone knew except me! You took Nikki on the medical conference trip and paraded her around the other wives. Remember the conference where you said that wives weren’t invited? You said it was just the doctors. A guy’s trip. Well, you fucking lied to my face. I’m done with all of it. All your lies. Everything.” I could feel my face heating, and I wanted to kill.

  “I’m calling your bluff, Rachel. You won’t do anything. Oh, sure, you’ll be mad for a few weeks, and you probably already feel bad about embarrassing me at the party. Once that’s out of your system, you’ll come back. You will see the mistake you made. and you’ll want me back. Think of our family.”

  “I am thinking of my family. Unlike you.” I hung up the phone and hurled it across the kitchen. It landed with a thud on the quartz floor. The screen cracked.

  Hate and anger filled me like never before. I’d never felt so much rage, especially for someone I’d once loved with all my heart.

  * * *

  After tucking the girls into bed, I headed to my bedroom. I hadn’t slept in the master bed since I discovered the affair.

  I stood in my room and stared at the bed. It was a tall, canopied piece with custom-made drapes. I’d had them commissioned a couple of years ago when we got the bed. I had fallen in love with the workmanship when I found it on a trip to Charleston with Miles for our anniversary. Now, I couldn’t stand looking at it.

  I went to the linen closet and pulled out a couple of king-sized sheets. I proceeded to cover the entire bed with the soft blue cotton. Once I was finished, I stepped back with satisfaction.

  I had brought a bottle of Merlot into the bedroom with my favorite crystal wine glass. I was going to run a bubble bath and enjoy the wine while reading a new book that had been on my iPad forever.

  I had just uncorked the bottle when my phone rang. I sighed and picked it up, trying to read who was calling, but I couldn’t tell with the shattered screen.

  I hit the answer button.

  “Hello?”

  “Rachel? It’s Brad Stollings. Nikki’s husband.”

  My stomach dropped to my knees, and I thought I might pass out.

  “Rachel, are you still there?”

  “Yeah, sorry. I’m just surprised to hear from you.” I swallowed and poured an ample amount of the garnet liquid into my glass. I had a feeling I was going to need it.

  Silence hung heavy in the air.

  I wasn’t sure why Brad was calling, and I didn’t have a good feeling about it.

  “Brad, I’m sorry you had to get caught up in all this crap with Nikki and Miles.” I meant it. I wouldn’t wish the pain I was going through on my worst enemy.

  “How long did you know about them?” Brad quietly asked.

  “I found them in bed together. My bed. The night of the snowstorm.”

  I took a drink of my wine, waiting for Brad to continue the conversation. When he didn’t, I took a deep breath.

  “I don’t know if you’ve talked with…your wife. But I guess you know by now that Miles and I are getting a divorce.”

  “I was there the night of the party. At the country club,” he said. “I was by myself. Nikki said she was sick.”

  I froze. I had no idea he’d witnessed the whole ordeal.

  Brad was never much of a talker. In all the years I had known the couple, Nikki was the one who always carried the conversation. Brad and Miles were friendly but were never close. It had made me love and appreciate Miles even more because I’d thought he was enduring being around Brad for my sake since Nikki was my friend. Now, I was looking at things in a whole new light.

  “I’m so sorry you had to find out about them that way, Brad. I know…”

  “I knew about them all along,” he said softly.

  “What?” I nearly spit out my wine.

  “I saw Nikki’s texts to Miles. I knew they were having an affair,” he repeated.

  “Then why the hell didn’t you tell me?” I set the wine glass down on the bathroom counter and stared at my reflection in the mirror.

  “Because I knew Nikki would leave me if I confronted her about it. She was dropping hints for months about her and Miles. She was always talking about how we would divorce amicably if the time ever came when we didn’t love each other. I knew that as long as I pretended I didn’t know what was going on, then she would stay with me.”

  “And you’re okay with another man sleeping with your wife?” My mouth dropped open. I couldn’t believe what Brad was saying.

  “No. But I’m not ready to lose her. I love her. She’s my everything.”

  “She’s a lying, cheating piece of shit. That’s what she is.” I tightened my fingers around the phone. “Look, I’m not sure why you called me. Or what you hoped to gain. But you are crazy for staying with Nikki, knowing what’s she done to you.”

  “I’m not staying with Nikki.” Sadness was etched into every word he spoke. “She left me the night of the party. She said that she was never in love with me. Not the way she is with Miles.”

  White-hot anger flared in my stomach. “Nikki doesn’t know what love is. She’s selfish and self-centered. She tore my family apart, right along with Miles. And as far as I’m concerned, she’s dead to me.” I took a deep breath. “Do yourself a favor. Get a good attorney and get out of that toxic relationship.”

  I didn’t wait for him to answer. Instead, I hung up the phone.

  Brad knew. Yet he hadn’t told me. He must have known that if I knew about the affair, then Nikki would leave him. What kind of man stayed with a cheating wife?

  Chapter 8

  I turned on the water and poured in the bubbles. I quickly rid myself of my clothes and grabbed my wine glass and the bottle then set them both on the edge of the tub.

  I eased into the water and turned off the tap.

  I laid back and took a sip of wine. I closed my eyes and let the liquid slide down my throat. It wasn’t as good as blood, but it would do.

  “Is this what you do on your downtime?” Khalan said from the doorway.

  I jumped in the tub and spilled my wine into the bubbles.

  I pressed my hand over my heart. “Are you crazy? You scared me half to—”

  “Death?” He arched his eyebrow. “Not possible. You’re a vampire. You’re already
dead.”

  “That’s not funny.” I glared hard at him. I grabbed the towel off the side of the tub and pressed it against my chest. I knew Khalan couldn’t see anything through the mound of bubbles, but I felt exposed just the same.

  He slowly walked over to the tub and picked up the wine bottle. He sneered. “That’s a shitty year for wine.”

  “You’d know,” I shot back. Khalan was old. Hundreds of years old.

  “Is this what you’re going to do all night?” He cocked his head and stared at me.

  “No. I planned on finishing that bottle and reading.” I held out my glass for him to fill it up. He did so begrudgingly.

  “Sounds boring.”

  “I’m sure it does to you. As you know, I prefer a quiet night at home versus stalking and killing human victims so I can drain them of their blood.” I took a sip of wine and eased back in the bubbles. The towel rested on my chest. I tried to act cool, but my heart raced like a thoroughbred.

  “You’re such a drama queen. Anyone ever tell you that?”

  “No. Never.”

  He sat on the edge of the tub and wrinkled up his nose. “Is that lavender?” He dipped his finger into the bubbles and brought it up to his nose as he inhaled.

  “Yes.” I swallowed. My anger was gone, replaced by something else. Anxiety?

  It felt too intimate for Khalan to be sitting on my tub, knowing that I was naked under the sheet of lavender bubbles and a towel.

  “Let me guess. You hate lavender.” I tried to keep my tone light and calm, but inside, my stomach was a raring nest of butterflies.

  “I don’t hate it. It just brings back a memory.”

  That startled me. Even though Khalan was my Maker and had been responsible for turning me into a vampire, he had never shared anything intimate about himself with me. The closest thing he’d done to sharing was showing up at my house to give me his blood. I’d thought he might kiss me after that but, instead, he’d licked away some blood from the corner of my lips.

  “Hope it was a good memory,” I said.

  “I need you to get dressed and come with me.” He stood and walked over to the bathroom counter. He picked up a bottle of my perfume and lifted it to his nose then made a face.