Emory smiled. “I suppose I’m used to that.”
“I’m about all fixed up now. As for the house, I thought we’d fix it up together. Maybe start a family one day?”
Her breath caught. Family? “Don’t we have to have sex first?”
“Ready when you are!” Mason led her towards the front door. “Now, the house won’t be ready for a couple of months -- I’m sure we’ll have sex by then,” he said, winking, “and you don’t have to move in until you’re ready, of course.” He opened the front door, but she hesitated again, staying on the porch. “Let’s leave all our baggage out here. It’s time to start fresh.” Mason held his breath, waiting to see if she’d take a step -- not just inside the house, but into their future.
Philippians? Another sign? Emory decided to leave her secret buried in the past and jumped ahead into his arms. “I love you, Mason! I can’t believe you bought us a house!” He twirled her around. “You’re so damn crazy! I absolutely love it!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Over the next week, Emory and Mason planned their new home, while Steven haggled mercilessly with Alexis and her lawyer. Mason, through Steven, repeatedly made offers to her, but each time they were met with counteroffers bordering on absurd. Alexis refused to budge off of her demands, even though her lawyer, though not particularly bright, seemed a fairly reasonable, plain-spoken man.
Mason insisted the fighting and haggling stop, and they each resolve simply to end his six-year mistake. But the over-arching problem was that Alexis didn’t see it as a mistake; she got what she wanted -- fame and fortune. It seemed to him she had some sick pleasure in dragging out the process, as if she never wanted to let Mason go or perhaps just didn’t want him to move on. She preferred to keep some contact with Mason -- even if through contentious negotiations -- than to bring finality to their relationship.
A turning point was Steven’s threat to file for divorce in Charlotte, where Mason had just bought a house and was a welcome addition to the community, participating in charity and other public events as much as possible. Mason would have the upper hand there. Alexis’ lawyer, of course, had pursued litigation in Texas, which already was expensive, and the thought of adding another forum -- Mason’s home turf -- was risky and cost-prohibitive. But Alexis was unfazed by Steven’s threat. It presented an opportunity to tarnish Mason’s reputation in Charlotte before he’d even taken a snap for the Panthers, and to drag Emory through the mud, too.
Her lawyer reminded Alexis that litigating in multiple courts undoubtedly would delay any resolution, leaving her with inadequate financial means potentially for years. She certainly didn’t want to have to get a job. Moreover, the lawyer told her Steven wasn’t afraid to present Mason’s case in a Charlotte -- or even a Texas -- courtroom, where his story of overcoming a horrific shoulder injury, and a season later potentially quarterbacking the Panthers on opening day, was a compelling one that would garner sympathy, particularly when coupled with Alexis’ abrupt departure. The lawyer didn’t like the odds: he thought the prenup would be enforced in Charlotte, and likely in Texas, too. Plus, he wanted this over, and more importantly, wanted his fee.
After days of effort, her lawyer finally convinced Alexis that Mason’s latest offer was too good to pass up. He sold her on the deal -- all property rights, a $5 million lump sum payment, and 35% of Mason’s future earnings -- and she’d get her wish to see Mason before she signed anything. Her lawyer didn’t know why Alexis wanted to see Mason, or what she planned to do, but figured it was just for closure. Steven expected there was some sinister motive, or perhaps not -- Alexis was a loose cannon whose moves couldn’t be predicted. Still, he knew putting Alexis and Mason in the same room likely would lead to disaster, and potentially jeopardize his months and months of work. Indeed, if Alexis mentioned Emory and threatened her to Mason, Steven was sure it would blow everything up.
But Mason wanted it over, and Alexis wanted to see him. Steven’s hands were tied; there seemed no other way to finalize. They all agreed to meet and sign the paperwork the following day at her lawyer’s office in Texas. Mason hopped on a red eye flight, and Emory tagged along to photograph Olivia and Noah.
* * *
Steven sat in his home office, as heavy rain thrashed against his window. He reviewed the final draft of the settlement agreement, just needing signatures at this point. The terms of the agreement would strap Mason, especially given the car and house he’d just bought. Steven could understand the car purchase but had advised Mason not to buy the house until the dust had cleared with Alexis, but he didn’t listen. Mason, as usual, did whatever he wanted.
Steven pulled open a cabinet and took out a file folder with the prenup agreement he’d drafted years ago. He stared at Alexis’ signature on the document, allowing her a lump sum payment of $500,000 and property rights in the event of divorce. The terms were clear as day. But now Alexis had negotiated, or threatened, her way to ten times that amount, plus a significant cut of Mason’s future earnings. Steven was disgusted with Alexis -- and himself -- feeling he’d failed his brother. He placed the final settlement agreement and the file folder in his briefcase, slamming it shut and lowering his head on top of it.
Olivia stood in the doorway, cradling Noah. “Honey, what’s wrong?”
“Just work stuff.”
Olivia walked over to him and sat on his lap. They looked down at Noah together, and he squeezed her waist, resting his forehead on her shoulder. “Is this about Mason? You don’t get upset about work otherwise.” Steven nodded. “Everything is getting settled tomorrow, right?” He nodded again. “Can we add a term that I get to rip that bitch’s hair from her head?” she blurted out, then covered her mouth for cursing in front of the baby.
Steven gave a weak smile and gently urged her to get off his lap. He stood up, walking to the window with his hands in his pockets, watching the rain fall from the tree leaves into puddles below. “I really can’t wait to see Emory again,” Olivia said, rocking Noah slightly. “I’m glad she decided to come. I know this must be awkward for her, but I’ll make sure she has a great time. She’s going to take some pictures.”
Olivia continued to talk, but Steven didn’t attempt to listen. His client was his brother, making irrational decisions at an emotional time, without the benefit of a seasoned divorce lawyer to guide him. He shouldn’t ever have represented Mason. Could I have fucked this up any more?
Olivia walked over to Steven and turned his face towards her. “Stop beating yourself up. When you finish this tomorrow, you’ll have helped him get what he’s wanted for years -- a life with Emory.”
* * *
Steven had never been to the lawyer’s office. They’d only ever spoken by phone. He knew the lawyer’s reputation was that of an ambulance chaser whose clients ranged from two-bit criminals to uninjured plaintiffs claiming damages in auto accidents or slip-and-falls. Steven had considerable difficulty even finding the lawyer’s office, located in a sketchy part of town, adjacent to a gas station and slightly hidden by a run-down grocery store. It was not in an area he and Olivia ever frequented, and certainly not with Noah.
Mason sat next to Steven on one side of a rickety table in a small, disheveled conference room, yellow legal pads tossed about, and overflowing banker boxes cluttering the floor and table. It felt more like an unorganized closet, with a musty smell, than a conference room. As Steven picked at a hole in the seat cushion of his chair, the brothers whispered amongst themselves, agreeing they were in hell, waiting for Alexis and her lawyer to appear. The receptionist offered them something to drink, but both men declined. Mason was too nervous, and Steven couldn’t rule out that Alexis might poison him.
Mason expected Alexis would’ve hired a prominent lawyer in a fancy suit to litigate her case, and that they’d now be sitting in some grand boardroom in a large downtown firm located on a high floor. But Steven was not surprised by where they sat: it made perfect sense to him. Alexis didn’t want to pay for any high-priced legal services, consi
dering herself more than able to conduct the negotiations herself, and she had. She didn’t need some well-to-do lawyer calling the shots. She also knew that her methods of threats and smears, of character assassination of an injured NFL quarterback, may not be palatable to square lawyers trained in more conservative methods. She needed a lawyer only as a formality -- one who could be her puppet, and who wasn’t afraid to cut a few corners if necessary. And she certainly didn’t want to pay the exorbitant hourly rates of downtown firms or concede any portion of her settlement to a high contingency fee. No lawyer was going to take her money, at least not much of it. She’d obviously retained this lawyer on the cheap. It pained Steven the lawyer had bested him or, worse, that Alexis had.
As Steven placed his briefcase on the table and took out the settlement agreement, the door to the conference room flew open, Alexis strolling in with her lawyer lagging behind. Her hair and make-up were flawless, and her low-cut, black dress fit perfectly, Mason noticing her red stiletto heels. Her lawyer provided a sharp contrast -- a tall, slender man in his mid-fifties, with slick, black hair combed straight back. His black suit a size too large, he left the top button of his dress shirt unbuttoned, and kept his thin, brown tie loose at the neck. He hadn’t shaved in at least two days, and looked like he could fill-in at the nearby gas station.
The brothers didn’t stand to greet them. Alexis and her lawyer walked to their side of the table, Alexis smiling directly at Mason along the way. He looked different to her in some way. Of course, she hadn’t seen him since his shoulder had healed, but it was more than that. She eyed him seductively, trying to figure out what was different. He looked refreshed but also nervous. Mason scanned her, too, an attractive woman by any standard, but her presence disgusted him, especially dressing as if she were going to a cocktail party. Steven could feel the tension radiating off of Mason and gave him a slight kick under the table. He needed his brother calm and cool to finalize the deal.
The lawyer stepped over a banker box and pulled out her chair. As she sat, her dress moved slightly, exposing her lace bra strap. Her lawyer motioned to her it was showing, but she waved him off. “I like the way it looks.” Her lawyer sat next to her, shuffling some papers, as Alexis turned to Mason. “You look well.” Mason looked away, avoiding eye contact, not wanting to get sucked in. Steven had warned him not to -- and, most importantly, to keep his mouth shut. Alexis turned her attention to Steven. “How are Olivia and the baby?”
“They’re fine,” Steven said dismissively, pushing the agreement across the table to her lawyer. “I’m sure you’ll find everything in order. Let’s get this done.” Before the lawyer could take the agreement, Alexis snatched it with her left hand, flashing her wedding ring, Mason squirming in his chair. Steven noticed the exchange. What the hell is she doing? Alexis ran her eyes over the agreement, then handed it to her lawyer to review.
“Everything looks fine,” the lawyer said. “Shall we sign?” He looked to Alexis, who offered a shrug, then turned her attention to Mason.
“How’s Emory?”
Steven heard Mason clench his jaw. “She’s fine, too,” Steven replied, tossing a pen across the table to the lawyer.
“Is she enjoying the new house?”
Steven gripped Mason’s arm and whispered to stay calm and keep quiet. “What game are you playing here, Alexis?” Steven asked, then looked at her lawyer who helplessly shrugged his shoulders.
“I’m not the one playing.” Alexis flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Mason’s been playing house with his home-wrecking whore.”
Mason jumped out of his seat. “You fucking bitch!”
“Now everybody just keep calm,” the lawyer pled.
Steven stood up and placed his hand on Mason’s shoulder, telling him to breathe and let him handle the situation. Mason ran his fingers through his hair and kicked a yellow legal pad on the floor into a box, as Alexis flashed a wicked smile at the brothers, clearly enjoying herself. Mason stood against a bookcase, glaring down at her. Her lawyer, too, looked at Alexis -- in awe. Of all his peculiar clients, he’d never had one quite like her, intent on torturing her adversary. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Steven sat down. “By the way, the house in Charlotte is not negotiable.”
“Relax, boys, I didn’t say I wanted the house in Charlotte. Although after your little outburst, maybe I should rethink my position.”
“Enough bullshit, Alexis,” Steven said. “Sign the damn papers, and we can all leave. I think I need a tetanus shot after being in here.”
The lawyer adjusted himself in his chair. Alexis picked up the pen and paused, holding it over the agreement. “I want a minute alone with Mason first.” The brothers exchanged a glance, and Mason shook his head. She put the pen down. “After six years, Mason, you owe me a minute of your time.”
“I owe you nothing,” Mason snapped. “Not even what I’m paying you.” Steven shot his brother a look, urging him to stop.
“And that’s the problem,” Alexis said. “I’ve always played second-fiddle to Emory.”
“That’s not true,” Mason said, but he knew Alexis was right. She was doing all this, making a big scene, because he was back with Emory. She’d initially challenged the prenup out of pure greed -- upon learning his career wasn’t over -- but ratcheted up her wrath when he reunited with Emory. And he’d done nothing to keep his new relationship out of the public eye; indeed, it was all over the papers. I should’ve listened to Mom and Steven. Alexis was always the prettiest woman in the room -- except when Emory was around -- and he’d given her the ammunition she needed. He’d pushed Alexis over the edge, now regretting he hadn’t done more to protect his assets and Emory.
“Can we speak alone?” Alexis asked for the last time.
“No.”
“Fine. I’ll say what I need to say in front of your brother.”
Mason motioned for her to proceed, Steven taking a deep breath to brace himself for the impact of whatever was coming. He couldn’t stop it. They don’t cover this in law school.
“I spent six years in her shadow,” Alexis said, a hint of sadness in her voice. “And when we broke up, you ran to her. It’s always been about her. Even when we had sex, you thought of her.” Steven hid his face, mortified, trying not to form a visual image. The lawyer kept his eyes fixed on his messy table.
“You forget that you broke up with me, Alexis,” Mason responded. “And our marriage, you know, never was based on love. I got a pretty face, and you got an NFL lifestyle. It was that simple.”
“It wasn’t that simple for me,” she pled.
“It seemed to be.”
“Well, it wasn’t. I wanted some attention, too. And not just attention from fans or other players’ wives. I would’ve liked some fromyou. But you were always just pining away for Emory, and I could always tell. You never even tried to hide it.”
Mason threw up his hands. “Jesus Christ!”
“I got your name, but she had your heart.” Alexis briefly diverted her eyes from his. “Did you ever stop for one second to think about how that made me feel?”
For the first time, Mason wondered if she’d actually entered their marriage with the hope of something more than a posh lifestyle. It didn’t really seem like it, but perhaps she had loved him and wanted him to love her, but he didn’t know how or was entirely incapable of loving any other woman besides Emory. But he knew that if Alexis truly had wanted love, her hopes for a loving marriage were dashed long ago, and she settled for financial security. And when that was threatened by his injury, she left -- because he had nothing else to give. Then Mason reunited with Emory, bringing back all of Alexis’ insecurities, and she was determined to make them both suffer for it. Is that what really happened? Mason felt a twinge of sympathy, his Catholic guilt churning inside.
Alexis whispered something to her lawyer and turned directly to Mason. “That’s why you owe me, and that’s why you’ll pay.”
With that, Mason’s sympat
hy and guilt disappeared, and his eyes bored into hers. “Nice speech.” He put his hands on the table, leaning over her. “Sign it!”
Alexis twirled her wedding ring. “I’m going to need to give this agreement some more thought.”
“Unbelievable,” Steven said.
“Alexis, we can go out and talk in my office, if you’d like,” her lawyer said, standing up with his client.
“This is a fucking joke,” Mason said. “I’m ready to get out of here.” He walked towards the door, placing his hand on the knob. But the door flew open at him, striking him in the chest and pushing him back, nearly causing him to trip over a box on the floor. He regained his balance and saw what his brother, Alexis, and her lawyer had already seen -- Kathleen standing in the doorway, polished in navy slacks with a crisp, white shirt and red peep toe pumps.
“Mom?” Steven asked, stunned.
Kathleen didn’t answer. She walked into the small conference room and surveyed the clutter, criticizing it with her eyes. She kissed both of her sons.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” Mason asked.
Kathleen again didn’t answer, but pushed Mason down into a chair. She looked at Alexis, still standing, herself confused by what was going on. “Take a seat, Alexis.” She slowly lowered herself into her chair, then whispered nervously to her lawyer. Kathleen pulled a chair to the table and sat next to Steven. “Sorry, I’m late.” She looked at her sons and shook her head slightly, indicating her displeasure.
“I’m Kathleen,” she said to Alexis’ lawyer. “Your client’s mother-in-law.”
“Nice to meet you,” he said.
Steven leaned over and whispered to his mother. “Mom, I’ve got this handled.”
Kathleen whispered back, “I was listening outside. It was a train wreck, Son.” She patted Steven on the cheek.
Mason mouthed to his brother, “You got Mom involved?” Steven shook his head, baffled by her appearance.
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