When she’d finally composed herself, she called Amy.
“What am I going to do?”
“What’s happened? Did you talk to Adam?”
“Yes, it’s bad, Amy. He saw me with Ross at the club and imagined the worst. He had divorce papers drawn up.”
“Did you tell him you don’t want Ross and you don’t want a divorce?”
“I tried. I spoke to Dillon and he knows the truth. Instead of telling Adam, he sent him over here for me to tell him. Adam thought he was coming here to collect the signed papers. I tried to talk to him. I tried to seduce him. Nothing worked. He thinks I’m with Ross and I’m trying to compare them so I can make up my mind. He…he called me… a slut.”
“Adam called you a slut? That’s not Adam. What did Dillon say? Was he an ass to you?”
“Believe it or not, Dillon wants us to work it out.”
“I think I need to have that talk with Dillon. Maybe between the two of us we can bring Adam around.”
“I really think Adam’s mind is made up. Ross coming to town has just made things ten times worse than what they already were. I love Adam…I’m as sure of that as I’m sure my name is Ashley Brant. But he won’t believe me.”
“Leave things to me. I’m thinking of a plan right now but I’m going to need Dillon’s help. I’ll get back to you.”
“I don’t think it’s going to do any good, whatever it is you’re thinking,” Ashley replied sadly.
“Calm down, drink a glass of wine, and leave it to me.”
“I’m going to bed. I can’t deal with this anymore today. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Braydon told me to take a few days off to sort all this out.”
“I knew I liked that guy,” Amy answered. “I’m going to call Dillon, you get some rest.”
“That’s the understatement of the year.”
Ashley hung up and fell into bed. After mulling everything over in her mind several times, she finally fell into a deep, dreamless slumber.
When she woke, she checked her phone and saw that there were no messages. She got up and went to the kitchen to warm up a can of soup. She didn’t have an appetite but knew she had to eat. She was going to need every ounce of strength she could muster to fight for her marriage in the days and weeks to come.
“You’re in for the fight of your life, Adam Brant. I won’t give you up without a fight,” she said as she poured her dinner into a bowl.
Chapter Seven
Amy walked into the gym and looked around. She’d been hoping to find Dillon there and she wasn’t disappointed. He was lifting weights on the other side of the room. Determined to enlist his help, she headed toward him.
“Hey.”
“I was hoping you’d be here. We need to talk about your brother and my best friend.”
Dillon set down the weights and walked over to her. Pulling his hand on the small of her back, he guided her to the snack bar. “Let’s go in here and get some juice.”
“Adam and Ashley need our help. I’m afraid this whole thing has blown out of proportion and with Ross back in town, it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any better. I was hoping you’d be willing to help me.”
“I’ve actually been thinking about calling you. I agree with you. They need help. Adam won’t listen to me. He thinks he’s doing the noble thing, giving Ash her freedom. He’s hurting like crazy, but he loves her enough to let her go because he thinks it’s what she wants.”
“It isn’t what she wants. That’s the problem. She loves your brother. She didn’t ask Ross to come back here. She has no use for that jackass.”
“She told me. You know I was against the two of them getting married so quickly but I’ve grown fond of my sister-in-law over the past few years.”
“Are you willing to help?” Amy asked, holding her breath as she waited for his reply.
“What do you have in mind? I’m not sure we can do anything to make this better.”
“I think we need to do the old-fashioned interfering routine. You get him someplace and I’ll get her to the same place…they can take it from there.”
“He’ll never go back to the club where he saw her kissing Ross.”
“There’s always the Slippery Noodle,” she replied with a grin.
“Ah, yes, the old Slippery Noodle. Okay, Saturday night, eight o’clock. I’ll get him there and you get her there. But don’t be disappointed if this doesn’t work. It may be too late for Adam and Ashley.”
“He loves her. You said so yourself. And she loves him. How can it ever be too late?”
“Typical female reasoning, love conquers all,” he replied with a chuckle.
“Try it sometime, you might like it,” she retorted as she got up to leave.
“So, Amy, are you going to dance with me Saturday night?”
“Are you asking?”
“I reckon I am,” he said with a wink.
“We’ll see.” She smiled and walked away, leaving Dillon staring after her with an open mouth and a twinkle in his eye.
One down, two to go. Dillon was on board, now she had to worry about Ashley.
Amy pulled into Ashley’s driveway and sat for a minute before getting out of the car. Finally she went to the front door and rang the doorbell. The house was cute, in a nice neighborhood, and was a great place to raise a family. At least that had been the plan.
Ashley opened the door. “Come on in.”
“How’re you doing today?” Amy asked as she followed her friend into the living room.
“Not good. I must have picked up the phone a hundred times to call or text Adam.”
“But you didn’t?” Amy asked.
“No, I didn’t. I was afraid he’d hang up on me or not even answer.”
“Let’s go out again Saturday night. We can go to the Slippery Noodle. It’s been ages since we’ve been there. What do you say?”
“After what happened the last time you and I went out? Are you crazy?”
“Probably, but what are the chances of Ross being there? You just need to get out to pass the time a little until you can get Adam to see reason. We don’t have to stay long. You can’t stay cooped up in this house hiding from the world forever.”
“I’ll have dinner and we’ll see about staying for some of the entertainment but I’m not making any promises. I guess I have to get used to girl’s night out again since it looks like I’m going to be single. Adam’s not going to give up on this divorce thing.”
“Great. I’ll call you Saturday.” Amy stood up. “I’ll let myself out. Are you going to work tomorrow?”
“If I can force myself to get out of bed in the morning, I’m planning to.”
“I’m so sorry, Ash. It’ll get better, one way or the other.”
“Yeah, right,” Ashley replied.
Amy drove to her apartment. Ten minutes after she’d sat down, her cell rang.
“Hello.”
“Amy, Dillon here.”
“How’d you get my number?” she asked.
“I got it from Adam’s phone while he was in the shower,” he replied with a deep laugh. “I can’t talk long but it’s a go on this end for Saturday.”
“Same here,” she answered. “Call me Saturday and we’ll work out the details.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Goodbye, Dillon.” She hung up the phone and shook her head. As hot as she thought Dillon was, he’d made it clear he wasn’t a one-woman man. No point in getting tangled up with him. Besides, there were more important issues at hand.
Chapter Eight
Ashley ran to the phone. Disappointed to see it wasn’t Adam, she almost didn’t answer it because it was a number she didn’t recognize. Curiosity got the better of her though, and she did answer. “Hello, this is Ashley.”
“How are you, babe?” the deep voice on the other end asked.
“How the hell did you get my number? This isn’t the same number I had when we were together. Apparently, you’ve changed yours, too.”
“I have my ways, sweet thing. So, how’s it going? Are you over your little fit about me kissing you the other night? You know, you’re still pretty hot when you’re mad.”
“I could care less if you think I’m hot or not. I told you, I have a husband.”
“Not from what I hear. The scuttlebutt is hubby wants out.”
“Where do you get all of your information? Whoever you’re talking to doesn’t know what they’re talking about.”
“When are you going to wake up and realize the guy’s done with you? I have a remedy for your blues. Go out with me Saturday night. Show old what’s-his-name you don’t need him,” he said with a chuckle.
“Never in a million years would I ever go out with you,” she replied tersely.
“Suit yourself, babe, but you’re missing out on a good time.”
“Grow up, Ross. Life isn’t all about good times.”
“You need to chill out. See you around.”
“Not if I can help it. Goodbye, Ross.”
She threw her phone down. “Get out of my life, Ross!”
When the phone rang again a few minutes later, she picked it up, looking first to make sure it wasn’t Ross. “Amy, thank God it’s you.”
“Who were you expecting?”
“Ross just called and asked me out Saturday night. Can you believe that guy?”
“Well, you have plans with your best gal pal Saturday night so too bad for Ross. That’s what I’m calling about. How about I pick you up at seven? That way we can eat before the band gets going?”
“Fine, whatever,” Ashley replied without interest.
“I’ll see you then, got to run.”
“Yeah, see you, Amy.”
Ashley sat down on the couch and groaned. “Why did I tell her I’d go?”
The phone rang again. This time it was Dillon. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Have you talked to Adam since the other day?”
“No, why, is he okay?” she asked, concern in her voice.
“I don’t know. He never came home from work and he’s not answering his phone. I thought maybe he’d come to his senses and was over there with you.”
“I’ll try to call him but I doubt he’ll pick up for me.”
She hurriedly hung up before Dillon could reply and dialed her husband’s number. Adam answered on the fourth ring. “Ash, what do you want?”
“I’m calling to make sure you’re all right. Dillon said you didn’t go to his place after work. He’s worried about you.”
“Dillon’s going to have to learn not to bother you with my whereabouts since it’s not really your concern anymore. I’m fine. I had to work late. I didn’t know I had to check in with my baby brother or my soon-to-be-ex-wife.”
“Adam we need to talk. This isn’t resolved yet.”
“Have you signed the papers?”
“No.”
“Then there’s nothing to talk about. I have to go.”
“Adam, please…” she begged. But he was already gone.
Resigning herself to another lonely night, Ashley took a bath and went to bed where she cried herself to sleep.
The next few days she kept busy at work and Carrie, Braydon, and the rest of the staff at the accounting firm tread lightly in her presence. By the time Saturday arrived, her stomach was in knots at the thought of going out. And by the time Amy picked her up at seven, Ashley was ready to back out and go to bed with a book.
“Snap out of it, Ash,” Amy said as she pulled out of the driveway. “It is what it is. You have to go on living.”
“I don’t know if I can do that, Amy, at least not yet.”
When they’d placed their dinner orders, Amy leaned over and teased her friend. “Smile, Ashley. Or at least try to look like you’re having a good time.”
Ashley attempted a light laugh. “You’re right, Amy. If Adam wants to be an ass, let him. He’s missing out on a lot of quality time with me right now. When we get back together, he’s going to have a lot of making up to do.”
“That sounds like it might be fun. And I like the positive attitude, girlfriend.”
They were just finishing dinner when Dillon and Adam walked in.
“Oh, my God, there’s Adam. He’s with Dillon,” Ashley said as she watched the two men sit a few tables away.
“Now might be a good chance to talk to him,” Amy suggested with an innocent smile.
“Maybe not, there’s some chick talking to him.”
Amy turned around and caught Dillon’s eye. He winked at her. , “She didn’t stick around long. Apparently Adam told her he wasn’t interested.”
“I don’t think they’ve seen us yet,” Ashley replied.
She watched their table to see what happened next. After the two men ordered drinks, Dillon looked up, saw her staring and waved. He got up and walked toward their table while Adam remained behind.
“Fancy seeing you two here,” Dillon said as he stood next to Amy, smiling.
“Hi, Dillon,” Amy replied.
“Hey, Dillon,” Ashley said.
“You two girls doing the town tonight?” he asked.
“Amy talked me into coming out for dinner.”
“Is that right? Well, I had a heck of time talking your husband into coming out with me, but here we are. Small world.” The band began to play. Turning to Amy, Dillon asked innocently, “Would you care to dance with me?”
“Sure.” she said. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Go on, have fun,” Ashley replied. “I’m going up to the bar to get another drink. I don’t think the waitress will be back anytime soon now that the crowd’s picked up.” Ashley watched her friend and her brother-in-law walk onto the floor as she stood up. She walked to the bar and ordered her drink.
“I’ll have what the lady’s having,” a male voice said.
She turned. “Adam.”
He paid for their drinks and replied, “You wanted to talk. I guess this is as good a time as any. Start talking.”
“This really isn’t the time or place.”
“If you want to talk to me, it’s going to have to be here and now. How’ve you been?”
“How do you think I’ve been, Adam?”
“I think you’ve probably been pretty happy lately. Am I right?”
She looked at him sadly. “You’d be very wrong is thinking that, Adam. I’ve been…”
An arm draped itself around her shoulder. “Hey, babe, sorry I’m late. Are you ready to hit the dance floor?” Ross looked at Adam, extending a hand. “Hi, I’m Ross.”
“I know who you are,” Adam growled. “I guess we’re done here. See you around, Ash.”
Ross shuddered. “Wow, friendly cuss, wasn’t he?”
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Rescuing you, of course,” he answered. “After all, you’re a married woman as you keep reminding me. When I saw that dude hitting on you, I thought it my duty to come to your rescue.”
“Ross, that dude was my husband and we were having a conversation,” she replied angrily.
“Didn’t look like he was very interested in continuing it,” he said. “In fact, it looked to me like he took my coming over here as an excuse to get away.”
“I’m going to tell you one more time. Stay away from me. Get out of my life. You did it before with no problem, I’m sure you can do it again. Go back to Florida. Go to Timbuktu for all I care, just get the hell away from me.” She stormed off, returning to her table. She noticed Adam hadn’t left. He was sitting at the table with his drink staring into space. She was debating about whether or not to go over and try to pick up the conversation when Dillon and Amy came back to the table.
“Are you all right, Ash? We saw what happened,” Amy said as she sat down.
“I am. I told Ross to leave me alone. Now I’m trying to decide whether or not to go over and try and talk to Adam again.”
“Uh oh,” Dillon said.
“What?” Ashley
turned around in time to see Adam walking to the dance floor with the girl who’d talked to him earlier. “Damn it, what is he doing?”
“It’s all for your benefit, I’m sure. Don’t get all riled up,” Amy said soothingly.
As Ashley looked at the dance floor, Ross caught her eye from the bar and raised his glass to her and grinned.
Ashley quickly turned around, ignoring him.
“I want to go home,” she announced.
“Are you sure?” Dillon asked.
“I can’t watch my husband out there with that…that…husband stealer.”
“You two need to grow up and quit playing games. What happened to that couple who couldn’t keep their hands off each other, made everyone around them sick, and ran to the altar three months after they met?” Dillon asked heatedly.
“I’m afraid that couple doesn’t exist anymore,” she replied sadly.
“Honey, don’t leave. Maybe Adam will talk to you later,” Amy said.
“I just want to go up there, rip him out of her arms, and haul his ass home to bed where he belongs,” Ashley replied.
“I say go for it,” Dillon said with a chuckle.
Ashley looked at Dillon, stood up, and walked proudly to the dance floor. With shaking knees and a knot the size of a softball in her belly, she tapped the girl in Adam’s arms on the shoulder. “May I cut in?” she asked sweetly.
Giving her a dirty look, the girl looked back at Adam. “Better do what she says, that’s my wife.”
The girl reluctantly stepped out of his arms. “Take care of this one, honey. He’s a keeper.”
Surprised Adam had spoken up and called her his wife, Ashley was encouraged. She stepped into his embrace and he put his arms around her. Just hold me the way you used to do.”
He wordlessly pulled her to him as she placed her head on his shoulder. They swayed to the music, neither of them speaking, as they savored the moment. Ashley’s heart was beating fast and the knot in her tummy was dissolving as it was replaced by a familiar heat. Adam kissed her neck. “Baby…”
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “Take me home.”
If You Love Me Page 4
