by Lea Hart
He slid out his phone and started researching places he could take her. One of the guys at the gym had told him about a restaurant that showed old movies. Bree probably would like that. As he tried to remember the name of it, he saw her drive up and then pull into her garage.
He opened his car door, got out, and decided to start romancing Bree like she deserved. He knew that he couldn’t get complacent and expect to keep Bree. She was a woman who deserved a man to chase her, even when he had her.
He walked up to her car and noticed how tired she looked. Maybe things had been going badly at work and she was overworked. “Hi, honey.”
“Hey.”
She pulled out her briefcase and then her handbag and gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Let me have your bags.” He held out his hand, took them from her, and then leaned down to kiss her. When she stiffened, his stomach dropped. What the hell was going on?
He followed her into the house and left her bag and briefcase on the bench in the hall. “Do you want me to order some food or do you feel like going out?”
“Maybe we can order something later on.” She slipped her shoes off her feet and dropped them at the foot of the stairs. “Do you want something to drink?”
“The way you’re acting is making me feel like I should ask for a shot of tequila.” The look on her face told him that something really shitty was about to happen.
He stepped over to her and enveloped her in his arms. When she didn’t return his hug right away, he wondered what had changed so much in the last two days. He’d left her house Wednesday morning and everything had been fine. Her arms finally wrapped around him and he let out a small sigh of relief. Whatever it was that was bothering her could be fixed. All he had to do was find out what it was. “You want to tell me what’s bothering you?”
She tipped her head back and nodded. “Let me go change and then we can talk.”
“Okay. I’m going to order a pizza and we can eat while you tell me what’s going on.”
“All right.”
He watched her pick up her shoes and then walk up the stairs slowly. Stay positive, he instructed himself. No need to panic. Maybe she was just having a rough week at work. He dialed their favorite pizza place, ordered their usual, and hoped like hell his worst fear didn’t come true.
***
Bree sat next to Matt on the couch and felt the tension roll off his body. Might as well get this over with. Procrastinating was only making it worse. She was about to start speaking but heard the doorbell. She started to get up and Matt stopped her.
“It’s the pizza. I’ll get it.”
She watched him stalk toward the door and knew this was going to be a difficult conversation for them both. He returned quickly and slid the pizza box onto the counter that separated the kitchen from the dining room.
“Let’s eat after we talk,” she called out.
Shrugging, he returned and lifted her up so that she was sitting in his lap. “What are you doing?” she asked as he settled them into the corner of the deep couch.
“I’m keeping us close so that when you tell me whatever is bothering you, we are entwined. I know it’s not something good, and whatever it is, we can handle it as long as we’re together.”
Sweet Jesus, he wasn’t going to make this easy. “I’m just going to say it, then.” She watched him nod and lace their fingers together. “I received the results from the background check the company had done when you signed with us. The guy who owns the company is a good friend from school and he personally delivered the file to me so that I could give you a chance to tell me what you wanted to do with the information.”
“Okay…I can’t imagine what he dug up that has you avoiding me, but I’d love to hear it.”
“Remember the first night we met when I asked you if you had a sex tape?”
“Yeah…”
“Turns out, you do.” When she studied his face for a reaction, she could tell that he really didn’t believe her. That told her what she already knew. Matt had no idea that the bimbo had filmed him.
“What the hell are you talking about?” he fumed. “I never had a camera anywhere near me when I was having sex.”
Hearing the words made her flinch, and she knew that now wasn’t the time to let her armor down. In fact, now was the time to make sure it was in place. She was in the unenviable position of being both a girlfriend and an attorney. Right now, she needed to treat him like a client and let him know what his options were. Later on, when he left, she could have all the hurt feelings she wanted. “Turns out a ring girl named Shawna did. The online file suggests that the incident was filmed five years ago.”
“Are you saying a ring girl I had sex with filmed us and you’ve seen it?”
“Yes, to the first part and not to the second. I made Maggie and Kendra watch it to make sure it was you and to see if there was anything that could affect your career.”
“What the fuck?” he roared.
Wincing, she tried to unlace their hands and move away. He wouldn’t let her. “Well, that’s where the good news comes in. She was clearly over eighteen, nothing illegal happened, and you were not wearing women’s clothes. It’s just a straight-up sex tape that’s been languishing on Shawna’s cloud account for five years.”
“And your friends watched it and told you what they saw, and you’ve been avoiding me for two days. I’d say there is no good news.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve seen these things derail a career, especially if animals are involved. The fact that it was straight-up sex hardly makes it newsworthy. She didn’t try to sell it to you or the highest bidder, which makes us believe that it’s nothing more than a vanity project for her. She has about eight or nine films on her cloud, so it’s not like she singled you out.”
“Well, let’s throw a damn party,” he replied sharply.
She finally got her hand free and scooted off his lap. “I get that you’re mad. But don’t blame the messenger. I’m trying to tell you that this is something we can take care of with very little fallout. Victor can scrub it from the cloud and no one will be the wiser.”
Turning, he pulled her closer and held her hands gently. “There are all kinds of fallout. You didn’t kiss me when you saw me and stiffened when I hugged you.” Tipping his head back, he let out a growl. “I don’t care if the world sees my naked ass. I care if the most important woman in my life is affected by something that happened five years ago.”
If she confessed what she really felt, it would crack the moment into a thousand pieces. The big girl lawyer part of her saw this as no big deal, but that wasn’t true for the part of her that was his girlfriend. “Well…”
“See, that’s what I’m talking about. You won’t even look at me.”
She took her hands away from him and wrapped them around her body. “What do you want me to say?”
“That it’s not going to change anything between us.”
As much as she wished that were true, she knew it was impossible. You can’t unknow something, just like you can’t unsee something. Granted, she hadn’t seen more than a minute of the tape, but it was enough to make her feel sick to her stomach.
“I can tell by the look on your face that it’s already changed things.”
“It’s been a hell of a week, Matt, and I’m doing my best to process this and some information that came to light about Grayson.”
“Are you comparing me to Grayson?” he shouted.
“No! Quit yelling.”
He leaned forward, laid his head against hers, and took a breath in. “I’m sorry, Bree.”
“I know.” She took one of his hands and ran her fingers over his scarred knuckles. He was a good man and she was trying to get back to the place they were before any of this happened. “Matt, I wish I could snap my fingers and get over this, but that doesn’t seem to be possible.”
“What are you most angry about? Please tell me so that I can fix it.”
“It�
��s not anger, really. More disappointment.” Leaning back, she shrugged. “It’s not even logical. I mostly feel sad.”
“Sad takes a while to get over. Mad is easier,” he responded. “If I knew there was a sex tape of you and some guy, I’d be pissed. I’d kill the son of a bitch who filmed you.”
“What would make you so mad?”
“Probably the same thing that is making you sad. I want to believe that what we have is so unique and perfect that it could happen only with the two of us. The idea of anyone else seeing you or giving you pleasure makes me want to tear something apart. Totally illogical, but there it is.”
“Unfortunately, this tape came up on the same day that I received a report on Grayson. The man I was going to marry has a serious gambling problem and a penchant for sex parties where he’s cuffed to a board or post.” Tipping her head, she shrugged. “I looked at the picture several times and I still can’t decide what it is.”
“I’m sorry, Bree.”
“For what…Grayson’s deception?”
“No. Yes. For the whole thing.”
“Why are you not more surprised by what I just told you?” She watched him look around the room and clear his throat. “Bruce told you. That’s what he and Bryce discovered the night they confronted him and that’s why Bryce lost his shit.”
“Bruce told me back in Houston when I told him that I wanted a chance with you. He gave me a big lecture about what you already went through and informed me that he would kill me if I didn’t have the best intentions toward you.”
“Oh… Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It wasn’t my place. I’m pretty sure that you could’ve gone your whole life without knowing the truth and been fine.”
“Maybe.”
He stood and held out his hand. “Let’s eat some dinner.”
Putting her hand in his, she stood, and let him lead her toward the kitchen. “Should I make a salad, so we can pretend that we’re eating something healthy?”
“Sure, why not? After all, I’ve got a fight in a couple of months and I need to stay in shape.”
She walked around the counter, opened the fridge, and started pulling things out. The fact that they were acting like nothing had changed broke her heart. Because she knew she couldn’t go back without taking some time to get over her hurt feelings. If she didn’t, then they would just bubble up at some point and she would do or say something irreparable.
Matt set out plates and cutlery and slid the pizza into the oven to reheat while she made the salad. “I’ll send you the file that Victor gave me as well as his contact information. If you want it scrubbed from the cloud, he can do it.”
Matt leaned against the counter and nodded. “Why did you bring Maggie and Kendra into this instead of watching it yourself in private?”
“A couple of years ago, Maggie’s husband Callum had a sex video that was in wide circulation. I watched it for her and she told me she would do the same for me if I ever needed it.”
“Callum Murphy, the defensive end for the local team?”
“Yes. Maggie had been his agent for a year and they had started dating when the video went up on YouTube.”
“And you say they’re married now?”
“Yes, they have been for about two years.”
“Happily married?”
“Yes, very happy.” She gave him a look and wondered why he was so interested in Maggie and her husband. When he gave her a faint smile, she realized that he’d latched on to the fact that Maggie had gone through the sex tape thing and was now happily married. “It took her a long time to get over it—she told me almost a year.”
“A year, as in twelve months?”
“Yes.” She tossed the salad and set it on the counter. “Let’s eat.”
He pulled the pizza out of the oven, set it next to the salad, and poured Bree a large glass of wine. He pulled a beer out of the fridge and then sat down next to her. “Honey, I’ll do whatever I need to and wait as long as it takes for us to get over this and move forward.”
Covering his hand with hers, she felt a tear slip down her cheek. “I just wanted something fun and uncomplicated and it seems impossible.”
“Not impossible, just challenging.”
“I’ve had my fill of challenging in personal relationships.” She served them salad and then waited while he put a slice of pizza on her plate. “I need a break, Matt.”
His head spun around and he was about to say something and stopped. When he opened his mouth again, he spoke slowly. “What kind of break?”
“You have to go to fight camp and I think we should take that time to reassess. Let’s see how we feel after you’re done with your next fight.”
“My fight is five months away. I’m not taking a five-month break. I’ll park my ass on your doorstep before I let that happen.”
“What about what I want?” She lifted her fork and stabbed her salad with more ferocity than the lettuce deserved. “I’m at my limit and I need some time.”
“Okay, I get that, but please don’t ask me to stay away for five months. I won’t be able to do it.”
“Matt, I just watched you having sex with a busty blonde bimbo. Please, don’t push me.”
“I thought you said you didn’t see much.”
“I saw about a minute of it and then I threw up.” Pushing her plate away, she rested her head on the counter. “I need some time, Matt.”
He stood and wrapped his arms around her. “Okay, Bree. Whatever you need.”
He kissed her head and ran his hand up and down her back. She tried not to let it affect her, but that was all but impossible. The time they spent together had made her addicted to him. His touch, his voice, his kindness. But she couldn’t let herself fall into him without taking some time to work through her sadness and disappointment. If she was lazy about this then she would regret it for the rest of her life. Because if they did come back together, she would probably never be able to let him go.
“Honey, I can’t make you fight for us, but please know that I will never stop.”
“I know,” she said quietly. It was something she was counting on.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Sunday, April 30th
Bree walked with Kendra up to Mrs. Bellamy’s door and waited while she unlocked it. Spring was on full display at the Bellamy home. The jacaranda trees were in bloom and the lovely purple flowers danced back and forth as the light breeze blew across the yard. “Your mama must be feeling better because her flower beds are perfect,” Bree commented.
“She’s definitely getting her energy back, but I believe the credit goes to the gardener, Milton. He’s made it his mission to ensure the yard is perfect for her.”
They entered the house and Kendra called out, “Mama, we’re here.”
“In the kitchen,” she called back.
“We’ve come to spoil you today,” Bree said as she set the vase of flowers on the counter. “We have lunch and champagne to celebrate the news you got yesterday.”
Standing at the counter, Lucy Bellamy gave them a blazing smile. “You girls are too good to me.”
Kendra set bags of food down on the counter and then went over to hug her mama. “Love you.”
“Love you more, baby girl.” Holding out an arm, she motioned for Bree to join them. “Come get in on this loving.”
Bree stepped over and gently embraced the woman who was like a second mother to her. “I like your new hair color.”
Stepping away from the girls, she fluffed her short bob. “My hair has grown back with some curl, so I decided to change my look and try red.”
“I like it, Mama. Makes you look sassy and ready for adventure.”
Laughing, she put her hand on her hip. “That was the intention. I’m sixty-five years old and cancer-free, so I’m going to celebrate and do some things that I’ve always wanted to.”
Bree pulled out containers of food they’d picked up from Whole Foods and asked, “What’s the first thing on
your list?”
“A drive across the country. I’ve talked two girlfriends into joining me and we’re leaving in June.”
“How long are you going to be gone?” Kendra asked as she pulled out plates.
“At least two months. We’ve decided to rent a car. If we want to fly back, we can.”
“That’s a great idea,” Bree said. “I’d love to make a trip like that someday.”
Kendra handed Bree one of the bottles of champagne. “Take Mama out to the patio while I get the meal together. Read her the last chapter of Tender Is the Night.”
“That sounds perfect,” Mrs. Bellamy replied. “Listening to you read the book has been such a pleasure. Something about your southern accent has made the story more enjoyable. Let me find the book and we can go out and enjoy the sunshine.”
“Perfect,” Bree commented. Hearing her phone buzz, she went over and pulled it out of her purse. It was a text from Matt. He had texted her at least twice a day for the last two months. At first, it had been nothing more than good morning and good night. But as time passed, he added more. Often it was something interesting that had happened that day or a picture. He’d done as she asked and was giving her space. But not enough for them to be disconnected.
At first, she’d been mad that he wouldn’t follow directions, but she eventually realized that he was doing exactly what he said he was going to do—fight for them.
Mrs. Bellamy came back in the kitchen with the book in her hand. “Found it.”
Kendra handed Bree glasses and the champagne and shooed them out of the kitchen. “Lunch will be ready in a bit.”
Once they were settled at the table with their champagne, Bree opened the book and looked for the place they’d left off. Just as she was about to start reading, Mrs. Bellamy put her hand on her arm. “Everything okay? I want to know how that fighter of yours is. I haven’t heard too much about him and I was wondering if you two were still together.”
