His face drops in horror. “No, he’s not. Over my dead body is he going to a public school.”
“Why not?”
“I’m paying for it, so what’s it to you where he goes?”
“I don’t want a spoiled brat of a kid.”
“It’s an education, Ashley.”
“With a bad fucking attitude if his father is anything to go by.”
He glares at me as his jaw ticks. “Listen to me, Ashley, and listen good. This is a warning. Do not go back to that club. You are bringing up my child. The fathers of Owen’s future friends go to that club, and I will not have you disgrace our family.”
I sit back, shocked at his audacity. I watch him for a moment and finally reply, “You go there, Cameron.”
He glares at me.
Tears fill my eyes. “This is why I don’t want my son anywhere near your rich boy culture. In my world, you stay loyal to your wife,” I whisper. “You love your wife with your whole heart.”
His eyes hold mine. “When I meet her, that’s what I intend to do.”
Pain slices through my heart.
If he hit me with an axe, it would have hurt less. I stare at his blurred face through tears.
I’ve got nothing.
I stand and push my chair in. “Let’s go.” I murmur sadly.
There’s no comeback for that, there’s nothing I can say that makes that comment from him hurt less.
I need to get away from him.
He’s destroying me blow by low blow.
I walk nervously out into the sunny courtyard of Zooms; the place I have arranged to meet Natasha. I don’t know if she comes in peace or with a weapon, but I’m hoping since she asked me not to tell Cameron, it may be in peace.
I look around at the busy tables and I see an arm fly up. I glance over to see Natasha and Adrian sitting in the corner.
Shit. Adrian’s here. My heart starts to beat at double speed and I walk over to the table. “Hello.” I smile as I pull out the chair.
Adrian smiles and stands and kisses my cheek. Natasha gets up and comes around to my side of the table to hug me.
I close my eyes against her shoulder and my stupid eyes tear up. Damn it. Don’t be nice to me, I’m on the edge.
I sit down, embarrassed, and wipe my tears as they both look on in sympathy.
“I’m… I’m sorry,” I stammer. “I’m ridiculously fragile today.”
Adrian smiles and reaches out to take my hand in his. I squeeze it and feel like howling to the moon.
“Are you alright?” Tash whispers, concerned.
I wipe my eyes again. “I am until someone is nice to me.” I laugh. “So stop being nice.”
Adrian smiles cheekily. “Okay, what’s up bitch?” he asks and we laugh.
“Oh God.” I shake my head. “You two must think I’m a piece of work.” I sigh.
“Not at all,” Tash replies. “But we are wondering what the hell is going on?”
I shrug. “Basically, my life is one big fuck up.” I sigh and the waitress brings over three Diet Cokes.
“Oh, we ordered a salad for you. Is that okay?” Natasha asks, concerned. “We knew you would have to get back to work quick.”
“Thank you.” I smile and I look between the both of them. “I don’t know where to start…”
“At the beginning.” Adrian smiles as he continues to hold my hand in his.
I blow out a breath. “Okay, so I met Cameron in Vegas.”
“Yes, I was there. I met you that night,” Adrian replies.
I nod and smile. “He walked by when this sleazy guy was trying to hit on me, so I grabbed Cameron and introduced him to this man as my husband just to get rid of him.” My eyes flick between them as they both listen on. “That started some kind of fun game between us. He was calling me his wife and he was putting bets on what he could make me do. He told me he was a mechanic and I was calling him grease monkey. Stupid shit like that.”
“Oh God.” Natasha rolls her eyes.
I laugh. “He was fun and we hit it off instantly. I was a total slut and ended up back at his room having wild sex all night.”
They both look at me blankly.
“In my defence, I hadn’t had sex in two years and… and he was the drought breaker,” I stammer.
The both laugh.
“Anyway, we were speaking to each other in French and German, and we just had this instant connection. He took