Savannah's eyes widen, and she looks behind me to Lacey.
“I'm so sorry. Umm...Charlie isn't here, she didn't feel good, so she went home. I was takin’ her clients for the day but I..shit is that the time?” she asks, looking at the clock on the wall.
“Yeah,” I say glancing at the clock, “Are you okay?” I ask concerned.
“I'm fine. I...I'm exhausted honestly. Y'all had a meetin’, I'm guessin’?”
“Yeah. We can reschedule if you want. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. As you can see, I have a guest,” I say, nodding towards Lacey.
“Hi,” Savannah says smiling. “I'm Savannah.”
She extends her hand to Lacey.
“Lacey.”
My daughter smirks and I know I'm going to hear about this later.
“We can meet now. You've come all this way. Sit,” she says, motioning to the chairs opposite her desk.
She moves the mouse on her computer and clicks through a couple of screens before she gets to the one that she's looking for.
“So, you have a camp comin’ up?” she asks, eyeing the computer screen.
“Yeah, the orphanage in the next town over, Second Chances. They're actually bussin’ the kids over to the stadium, givin’ them a break outta the crap over there. I'm extending it, makin’ it an all-day thing. Bringin’ a food truck and stuff. Should be alotta fun,” I say, leaning forward in my chair.
She looks over to me and smiles.
“I didn’t know Charlotte planned that for you. They'll love that, it’s really sweet of you,” she says softly.
Our eyes lock and I'm reminded of the feeling of her lips on mine, her body coming undone against mine and I want to feel that again. I’ve tried to keep myself busy, if her blowing me off time and time again was any indication, I tried to not miss her. Now, sitting across from her, there’s no way I’m going to be able to stop thinking about her. I thought I built up the bathroom sex in my head, the alcohol clouding my memories, making it better than it was. No way in hell. There was no chance I was going to be able to just have this woman once. Once won’t even come close to satisfying this need.
“Should I leave? This is awkward,” asks Lacey, breaking me out of my thoughts.
Savannah shakes her head and looks back to her computer screen, a tint of red coating her cheeks.
“Why don't you go wait in the waitin’ room for a second. I need to talk to Savannah about somethin’,” I say, standing.
She nods and leaves the room and I move to the other side of Savannah's desk. She gets up from her chair quickly and backs away.
“Wh...what are ya doin’?” she stutters.
“Relax,” I say softly “I just wanna talk, but I don't want her to hear.”
I lean into her and whisper in her ear.
“She's havin’ a tough time at school. Girl's ain't bein’ nice to her, she's gettin’ into fights and the school’s not doing shit. Between all that and the whole Kat thing I.. I'm sorry I had to bring her, I just don't know what to do anymore.”
She nods and I back away.
“I understand. I'm sorry about Kat, Gabriel told me about the tabloid fiasco and I saw it I just...I've been sick and in a mess but that's no excuse. I should have called you, I'm sorry.”
“Don't Savannah. It's okay,” I say cupping her cheek.
She closes her eyes but then snaps them open quickly, backing away from my grasp.
“Speakin’ of which, did you change your number?” I ask.
“No…” I see her glance away quickly, her cheeks reddening. Got her.
“So you’ve just been ignorin’ my latest calls and texts because…”
“Jackson, can we not do this right now? I’m really not in the mood for it.”
I put my hands up in defense but then run a finger under her chin.
“I’ll drop it for now, but not forever.”
She nods and seems to collect herself, putting her business mask back in place over her vulnerability.
“I um....I can...I can help, with Lacey, if ya want?”
“Really?”
“Sure.”
She smiles and I nod, walking back towards the hall to let Lacey know to come back in.
“Hey Lacey, your dad and I were talkin’. I'm kind of in need of an assistant, since my sister in law that works with me is super pregnant and always bailin’. To be honest I think she is going to bow out on all events from now until the baby comes, so can I count on you? Think ya can swing that a couple times a week after school?” Savannah asks, leaning over her desk.
Lacey seems to perk up and looks over to me.
“That's okay?” Lacey asks me.
“Sure, if ya want to?”
“I can pay ya too. Kind of like a paid internship. It'll look great for college, just don't…” Savannah leans over her desk, closer to Lacey. “Keep the paid part between us. I hired my brother as an intern but I ain't payin’ him. Not yet at least, not until he can prove that he asked for this job because he really wants it, and not just because his wife works here, and he wants an excuse to…” She trails off clearing her throat. “Can ya start next week?” she asks changing the subject.
I smirk knowing exactly where her rambling was going. Gabriel couldn't ever keep his hands off his wife. I can't even imagine what it's like having the two of them in the same office space.
“That would be so awesome. Thank you,” Lacey says smiling.
Savannah nods and covers her mouth as a yawn consumes her.
“We can reschedule, you look exhausted,” I say getting to my feet.
“Well thanks, that’s exactly what a girl wants to hear,” she says shaking her head.
“I didn't...you look beautiful, as always. I just meant you yawned and...okay, I'm shuttin’ up. We'll talk next week.”
I get up from my seat and follow Lacey to the door.
“Thanks again, Savannah” Lacey says, hugging her.
The hug throws Savannah off guard and her eyes widen as her hands go out to her side. She smiles slightly and slowly wraps her arms around Lacey.
“You’re welcome,” she says softly.
They break the hug and I smile at Savannah.
“Call ya soon, make sure ya pick up,” I say winking.
She gives a smile and a small wave and we walk down the hall out of the office. I can't help the nagging feeling in the back of my head that something is wrong with Savannah. I was an asshole at the wedding, I get it, but she’s been so distant. That’s not the Savannah I remember. She didn't have to do that for Lacey, but she did, despite how big of an ass I was.
I always kept women at a distance. My mother abandoned me when I was younger, Savannah shut me out when Kat announced her pregnancy, Kat left me and Lacey. The women in my life don’t have that great of a track record. The difference between all of them though, is that Savannah still cares. Despite it all, I can see it in her eyes. She didn’t run away because she didn’t care, she ran because she cared too much.
I always thought keeping women away from me was also the best thing for Lacey, that was my first reaction at the wedding after having sex with Savannah. Seeing Lacey’s mood change with some female attention though, makes me think I've been going about this all wrong. Despite the fiasco at school, Savannah gave her something to be excited about. Maybe Lacey does need an influential woman in her life. Maybe that woman could be Savannah Gavinwood.
Chapter 2
Savannah
I hear a crash next door and roll my eyes. Those two, I swear. My cell phone rings on my desk as I'm about to go knock on Charlotte's office door and tell them to cut it out. Bunch of horny teenagers.
“Savannah Gavinwood,” I answer.
“Savannah, it's Andrew. Got a minute?”
“Yes of course, what's goin’ on?”
Andrew is my divorce lawyer. My divorce was finalized almost two years ago and for him to be calling right now, it can't be good.
“Are you sitting?”<
br />
“Andrew what is it?” I say getting irritated.
He exhales and continues. “Hugh is claiming you were unfaithful. I know it's bullshit but he said he has proof. He uh...he sent over some pictures. You might want to come to the office, so we can figure out a game plan.”
“That bastard. He was the unfaithful one!” I growl.
“I know Savannah but...there are pictures.”
“Pictures of what! I didn't do anything!”
“Pictures of you...well...when can you get here?”
“I'll be there in an hour. Thanks Andrew.”
I slam my phone down on my desk and walk to Charlotte's, knocking on her door.
“Y'all have five seconds to put yourselves together. I'm comin’ in,” I say, counting down.
Charlotte swings the door open when I get to two, her hair a mess and her cheeks are flushed.
“Gabriel, I'm seriously considerin’ firin’ you. The few times she's actually in the office, she's too busy bangin’ you to do any work,” I chastise walking into the office, pointing my finger at my brother.
“Hey, I wasn't around the last pregnancy. I'm just tryin’ to be a good husband and make up for the duties that I bailed on last time,” he says, putting his hands up in surrender.
“You're right Savannah, I'm sorry. This is so unprofessional. We can wait until we get home Gabriel, okay? Stop...just don't look at me, okay?” Charlotte says, glancing at Gabriel and then looking away.
He laughs and gets to his feet.
“Baby cakes, all I have to do is breathe within your vicinity and your beggin’ for my--”
“Stop!” I yell, putting my hands over my ears. “Don't you dare finish that sentence. I gotta go meet with Andrew, can I trust y'all not to...ya know...bang the office down?”
Charlotte nods furiously as Gabriel smirks. He seems to just have registered what I said because then his expression changes to something dark.
“What the hell did that asshole do?” he asks, his voice low and menacing.
Back when Hugh and I first started having problems, Gabriel ran into him at a strip club and broke his nose. It was a big reason why he was forced to leave the game and go down to rookie ball to coach. We really weren't talking at the time, but he still had my back and that really opened my eyes to the kind of man Hugh was.
“He uh...claims I cheated. He supposedly has pictures,” I say, shaking my head.
“That fucker. He's still tryin’ to get more money? He didn't take enough? I swear to God, I'll rip him to shreds,” Gabriel says pacing the floor.
“Easy,” Charlotte says, putting a hand on his shoulder to calm him.
“He doesn't have a leg to stand on, I never cheated on him. I'm just gonna see what bullshit he gave Andrew so that we can settle this.”
“Let us know if you need anything. We'll hold down the fort here. We'll behave, I swear,” Charlotte says in a serious tone.
I pin them both with a stare and walk back towards my office. I grab my coat and bag and make my way out to my car.
Reliving all of this shit from the divorce again is making me nauseous. Day in and day out I had to deal with so many different emotions and surprises that really screwed with my head. I thought I put this all behind me, but of course the bastard is never done.
I drive to Andrew's, my mind reeling with what the hell Hugh could have sent him. I park the car and walk into his building, waving to the secretary as I make my way back to his office. I knock once and open the door.
“Hey Savannah,” he says, standing from his chair.
He leans over his desk to shake my hand and I sit at the chair that’s opposite of him.
“So, what's goin’ on? Why the hell is he doin’ this now? Takin’ half my money wasn't enough?” I say with conviction.
Hugh Millers was a snake. Apparently, it seems he still is.
I graduated from Texas A&M in the top 5% of my business class and his jealousy should have been apparent then. My advisor, who also happened to be my senior management professor, applied for a grant for one student in the graduating class to start a sports management company, which he would oversee. I was chosen, and shortly after, Hugh started to express interest in me.
That was right around the time Jackson became a dad and I threw myself into the company. Building it from the ground up, breaking my back every day with the help of Professor Weiser.
Hugh started to hang around more, helping me with things here and there and slowly, our relationship turned romantic. It wasn't until the company took off four years later, that he proposed to me and I said yes.
I was very focused on growing the company even bigger and Hugh encouraged me every step of the way. We put marriage on hold for a few more years and Hugh and his all-consuming love, took up my 20’s.
When we were ready to get married, Professor Weiser, still a close mentor, advised me to draw up a prenup. Hugh came from old money, so the prenup made sense and his parents already had one drawn up. They didn't really trust a girl from a small town in Louisiana, despite how successful my company was. I thought it was fair and fool proof, but there are some things you can't predict. My heart slowly cracks at the thought.
“Take a look at these,” Andrew says, breaking me out of my pity party.
He slides a manila envelope across the desk and I reach inside, taking out the pictures. My eyes widen, and I feel my cheeks heat as I look through each picture, each one worse than the previous.
“What the fuck,” I whisper.
I look up to Andrew and I hold back my tears.
“You looked at these?”
“It's part of the case, Savannah. Believe me, I wish I didn't have to, but I'm your lawyer.”
His voice is dripping with sympathy and I slam the pictures down.
“These were all taken without my knowledge! Isn't that illegal?” I yell.
“So...this is you then?” he asks slowly.
“Of course it is! You can see my face clear as day!”
“I just wanted to make sure they weren't photoshopped or anything. Shit. So, it's you, okay.”
“Yes Andrew, dammit, but these are in our bedroom! This is durin’ our marriage with him! This is Hugh!” I say loudly, pointing at the pictures.
“Can you prove it's him? You can only see his back in every picture. It could be anyone,” says Andrew.
That bastard must have set up a camera in our bedroom. God, the whole time he had this plan, how the hell could I have not seen this?
I look down at the pictures again and shudder. From an outsider's perspective, it's just a couple clearly having sex. I flip through the rest and land on another picture. Another of a naked woman, with a man on his knees, face buried between her legs. That bastard barely ever went down on me, it was only for the camera.
“Dammit,” I say, slamming my hand on the desk, getting to my feet.
One clause in our prenup was unfaithfulness. If Hugh cheated, I received 50% of his inheritance and if I cheated, Hugh would get 50% of my earnings from SG Sports. I didn't have anything to worry about because I wouldn't dream of cheating. I'm a faithful person, I always have been.
The second part of our prenup, the one that royally fucked me, was our dependent clause. It was to my understanding that every year we were married, we would each put aside 25% of our earnings for our future kids. If we decided to ever go our separate ways, any dependents we had would inherit that money.
That part of the prenup didn't bother me because I always wanted to have kids and they were important to me. Giving up a portion of my earnings to put into an account for their future is something I would have done anyway. The prenup ensured I wasn't the only one investing in our child's future. The rest of our possessions would go back to who they belonged to.
I bought our house and everything inside, so that would stay with me. It was the only reason I stayed with him as long as I did. If we split before the five years, everything would be split down the middle. The money in the
account would still go to the kids, if we had them, but what I kind of tuned out, was what happens if there were no dependents.
I wanted to have kids before the ink was dry on our marriage certificate, so I didn't bother to pay attention when that part was explained. If there were no dependents, there would be an equal split of whatever money was in the dependent account. Should be fine, since we were both putting in 25% of earnings and Hugh had a hefty inheritance, except it wasn't.
Going, Going, Goner (Double Play Series Book 2) Page 3
