Inner Circle (26 page)

“Honestly, Callie, I don’t know what to think about you anymore. Ever since you started hanging out with those wife friends of yours, you’ve become a different person.” Drew picked up the photos of him and Carmen and tossed them at her. “What is this? You’re spying on me now? Spending my money on a private investigator like I’m some kind of animal you can just cage and trap.”

“Why?” Callie screamed out him. “Why do you think I do these things? It’s because of
you,
Drew. You and these whores!” Callie picked up the photos and threw them in his face. “I deserve better, and you know it.”

“She meant nothing to me,” Drew confessed. “Is that what you want to hear?”

“I hate you!” Callie cried out.
“Rompió el corazón.”

He grabbed Callie by the wrists and shook her. “So, I break your
heart and you break her face? Is that what you do? You could have killed her.”

Callie snatched herself free. “You defend her and not me?”

“You could’ve killed her!” Drew shouted, his voice echoing in the room.

“I didn’t do this,” Callie defended, throwing herself to the floor. She placed her hands over her face and wept aloud. “I would never hurt someone like that.”

“You would, and you have,” Drew said lifting his shirt to expose a scar that went from one side of his body to the other.

Shame covered Callie’s face as she locked eyes on Drew’s scar. It reminded her of a night she’d just as soon forget. Drew had just signed his first multimillion-dollar contract, and after a night of heavy drinking and celebrating, he and Callie had decided to put an end to what had just been one of the best nights of their life.

It had been obvious from the start of their relationship that Callie’s temper was an issue. She had given jealousy permission to run rampant in her life and often looked for opportunities to allow it to explode in any given situation. From meter maids, to store clerks, to flight attendants, Callie had a history of spearheading vicious confrontations which often led to cruel and venomous fights. As Drew excused himself to the bathroom just prior to him and Callie leaving the club that evening, he was confronted by a drunken female fan that met him outside of the bathroom. He struggled to unwrap the woman from his body, but not before Callie caught a glimpse of what she perceived as him engaging in inappropriate behavior. Like a hurricane, Callie unleashed a fury of rage, demolishing everything in sight and leaving both Drew and his female admirer with wounds that required one hundred and fifty stitches for him, and plastic surgery and an undisclosed settlement check for her.

In an effort to keep Callie out of prison, Drew had accepted a trade to a team in London two years prior before accepting his most recent offer a year ago to move his family to the United States.

Things between Callie and Drew hadn’t been the same after that. Even though she sought therapy, took medication, and even became a mother, Drew never quite held her in the same regard. And no matter how much she tried to repent of her sins from that dreadful night, somehow something always led her back to a place of remorse.

“Drew, I swear on our babies—” Callie pleaded.

“Don’t!” he stopped her. “Don’t you
dare
put anything on our boys.”

Callie crawled over to him. “Drew!” she pleaded.

Drew threw an unopened prescription bottle at her. “I know you stopped taking your pills.”

Callie grabbed the bottle and gasped for air. “It’s not what it looks like,” she appealed. “I’m preg—” She choked on her words.

“Stop it! Whatever you’re about to say . . . stop it!” Drew shouted, releasing his leg from her grasp. “Only because of our boys will I do something to help you,” he said walking out of the room and leaving her lying on the floor.

Callie’s body ached with sorrow. She didn’t know what was worse, being haunted by her past or not being able to believe in forgiveness for her future. She kneeled down once again and clasped her hands together. Then she took a deep breath, allowing her mind and thoughts to catch up to the confessions that poured out of the speakers of her Bose system.

“I am of God and have overcome Satan. For greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. In Jesus’ name . . . Amen.”

24

Eve
and Amber arrived at 1200 Wilshire Boulevard with fifteen minutes to spare. They sat in the car in the parking garage of the building while Eve gave Amber last-minute instructions.

“If everything goes well and as planned, we should be out of here in no time,” Eve said confidently.

“Why shouldn’t it go well?” Amber asked nervously. “We’re giving her everything she wants.”

“That’s true, but I just need you to follow my lead. Let me do the talking, and whatever you do, don’t mention anything about money. You got that?”

“For the hundredth time, yes, I got it, but I don’t understand it,” Amber said shaking her head.

“You don’t have to understand it. Just please do as I say,” Eve pleaded. “Trust me; it’ll all make sense real soon.”

“I hope we’re doing the right thing. As much as I can’t stand the thought of Sa’Myra carrying Sean’s baby, is it right for us to offer this chick money to abort it?”

“It’s fucked-up, I know, but listen, we’re not here to debate or discuss a woman’s right to choose. Besides, she’s already made her decision.”

“I just pray I don’t live to regret this. This life already comes with so many secrets,” Amber spoke softly.

“I know,” Eve said, without looking at Amber.

They exited the car in silence and walked the short distance to the elevators. The register indicated that the law firm of Turner and Thompson was located on the third floor.

“You ready?” Eve asked pushing the button.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Amber replied as the doors opened and they entered the elevator.

Shortly, the elevator doors opened, revealing a reception area that not only looked like it had been decorated in 1970, but from the thick layer of dust that covered the bookshelves, plastic plants, and water cooler in the corner, it was clear that the office hadn’t been thoroughly cleaned since then either.

Eve noticed a row of cheap metal frames hanging on the faux wooden paneled wall with several certificates belonging to Carl Thornton in them. Ever since Sa’Myra had mentioned that name, Eve couldn’t help but wonder if the Carl Thornton from the certificate could be the same Carl Thornton she briefly dated in Miami during college.

Eve smiled as she thought back to their short-lived relationship. It wasn’t that Carl was a bad catch—quite the opposite actually. Carl came from several generations of lawyers, including two uncles, his mother, father, and grandfather. It was just that no matter what she did or how much she tried, Eve couldn’t fake chemistry with him. Everything about Carl irked her! His corny little jokes, the way he chewed his food, even how he moved his lips around her mouth when they kissed bothered her. It didn’t take long for Eve to end things with Carl, stating that she just wasn’t ready to be in a committed relationship with anyone. Although he continually tried to change her mind with flowers, candy, tutoring sessions, the whole nine, she never budged.

To say that Carl was unhappy when she broke it off would be
putting it mildly. About a month after the breakup, Eve and a few of her classmates were reprimanded for using answers provided to them for a test. She would later find out that it was Carl Thornton who had informed the professor, but by that time, they had both graduated, and she had not seen or heard from him again.

Eve still remembered how she had to beg and plead with her professor not to report her to the dean, and how she had paid dearly with a slew of makeup tests and research papers. It couldn’t possibly be her Carl Thornton, Eve thought. There was no way she could be that lucky!

Before they reached the reception desk, a tall, handsome, brown-skinned gentleman approached. The brown-skinned cutie was in full attorney attire complete with a navy blue pin-striped suit and a matching tie. Although he was a bit older and a little heavier, there was absolutely no mistaking that the man who stood before her was in fact her Carl Thornton!

“Eve! Long time no see!” Carl said, shaking Eve’s hand with a broad grin.

Eve painted on a flirtatious grin and replied, “It’s certainly a pleasure to see you again. I only wish it was under better circumstances.”

“Do you two know each other?” Amber appeared confused.

“Carl and I went to school together. I was studying to be a paralegal while Carl was pursuing being a lawyer,” Eve quickly responded.

“I’d say we did more than that,” he rebutted.

“Hey, now!” Amber teased. “What exactly do you mean by ‘more’?” she inquired.

“Clearly, this isn’t the time or place,” Eve interrupted, determined to change the subject. “Carl, this is my client, Amber Jackson.”

Carl shook Amber’s hand politely. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Jackson.” He flashed a wide smile. “Well, it’s pretty apparent that perhaps we should get down to business,” Carl laughed. “Ladies, follow me.”

Eve and Amber followed Carl into the conference room where
Sa’Myra and another elderly lady were already seated. Eve and Amber chose seats directly across from them and focused their attention on Carl, who positioned himself at the head of the long rectangular table.

“Can I get you ladies something to drink?” Carl asked.

“No, in fact, Mrs. Jackson and I have another appointment after this, so I would prefer that we move things along quickly,” Eve responded.

“No problem,” Carl said. “So, let’s jump right on in, shall we?”

Sa’Myra grunted and folded her arms.

“Eve, I have already briefed my client on the fact that you and I know each other and the circumstances of that relationship. We are in agreement that there is no conflict of interest, and if you and Mrs. Jackson also agree, we can dispense with the need to address that issue.”

Eve turned to Amber who gave a nod of approval.

“Then there’s no conflict,” Eve replied matter-of-factly.

“Good,” Carl said, pretending not to notice how quickly their relationship had been dismissed. “Then let’s get this over with.”

Carl handed Eve the documented evidence of the abortion performed on Sa’Myra.

Eve checked the document thoroughly. “You do realize that if we discover this document is not legitimate it nullifies the entire agreement, correct?” she said, placing the document in her folder.

“Don’t worry, it’s legit,” Carl said flatly.

He pulled his copy of the settlement agreement from the file he had placed on the table. “I assume you have the original agreement ready for notarizing?”

“Yes.” Eve pulled two original copies of the letter from her file and handed them to Carl. “You do realize that there is no need to notarize as long as we both agree that the date and time shown on the faxed document is correct?”

“I know,” Carl said. “But humor me. It will make my client happy.” He looked at Sa’Myra who nodded in agreement.

Eve watched as he and Sa’Myra leaned in to read and compare the two documents to the one they already had. She felt her heart begin to race when she saw Sa’Myra point to something on the document that caused Carl to frown.

“Oh yes,” he said turning to face Eve. “Was it really necessary to include my client’s comment about the amount being just pennies to your client?” he asked as if scolding Eve.

“It is what she said,” Eve replied remaining calm.

“Same old Eve,” Carl said shaking his head as if in reproach.

“Excuse me?”

“You haven’t changed a bit. You never were very good at losing.”

“It’s hard to get used to something you don’t do very often,” Eve said.

Sa’Myra stirred in her chair. “Can we get back to business?”

Once they were convinced that everything was indeed intact, Amber and Sa’Myra signed both copies of the agreement and handed it to the elderly woman, who turned out to be a notary, to process.

“Everything looks in order to me,” Carl said, eyeing the documents.

“Is there anything your client would like to say?” Carl asked eyeing Amber.

“Nothing, except that I expect your client to adhere to the restrictions of the contract. Two hun . . .” Amber stopped as she remembered Eve’s admonishment regarding any mention of money. “I just want her out of my life and away from my family.”

“Amber, I hope there are no hard feelings. Guess this is just a reality of life,” Sa’Myra said smugly.

Eve placed her hand on top of Amber’s and shook her head urging her not to respond. She felt a twinge of nerves in the pit of her stomach as she pulled the envelope with the check from her file and placed it on the table. Sa’Myra quickly glanced at the envelope.

“Well, looks like we’re done here,” Eve said, sliding Amber’s copy of the agreement into her folder.

Carl extended his hand to Eve. “I want to thank you and your client for not making this difficult. There are no winners, only losers in these situations.”

“It’s not exactly like we had a choice,” Eve responded. “But somehow, I don’t feel like we lost.”