Tackled by Love (27 page)

“I don’t want you to give that another thought. Money is replaceable, you are not. I feel like I know the answer after last night, but I don’t want to make assumptions. We’re okay, right?” His eyes search my face while his eyebrows draw in, telling me that he’s concerned about my answer.

Laughing lightly at the absurdity of the question, given everything that went down hours ago, I say, “Of course, silly. I don’t know what kind of girl you think I am, but I don’t make it a habit of having sex with men I hate.” A cocky grin forms on his face as I throw his words back at him.

“Making jokes, I see. You’re gonna pay for mocking me like that.”

I can’t wait
is the last thought that goes through my head before his lips land on my neck and his hand cups my center.

***

Several hours later, and I’m standing in the shower getting ready to go out to dinner with Landon. All I really want to do is collapse on my bed and sleep since he thoroughly exhausted my body, but my stomach has other ideas as a loud growl echoes in the shower. Once I finish showering and get ready, I throw on my favorite pair of skinny jeans, a white long sleeved shirt, a teal scarf, and some brown boots.

Emerging from my room, I find Landon sitting on the couch watching TV. “Hey,” I say to grab his attention. “I’m ready to go if you are.” His gaze shifts from the television to me, and the obvious perusal he gives me sets my skin on fire and sends a tingle to my most sensitive area.

“Maybe we can
eat
in tonight.” He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, making me blush at his insinuation.

“You’re insatiable. There’s no
food
in the house, so let’s go. I’m starving.” I grab his hand and drag him up off the couch before leading him to the door.

“Can’t blame a man for trying.” Shaking my head at him while I grin, we both shrug into our jackets and leave.

***

When we walk into the little diner down the street from me, we’re immediately seated. It’s pretty dead in here, which is fine by me. People tend to stare at Landon when he’s out somewhere and it makes me uncomfortable sometimes. The extra attention makes me anxious and I hate it.

I’m looking down at the menu when I hear Landon shout, “Elliot.” Glancing up, I see him wave Elliot over. Landon stands up to shake his hand and give him a slap on the back. “Elliot, this is Autumn. Autumn, this is Elliot.” He gestures back and forth between us while making the introduction.

“Hi, we’ve never formally met,” Elliot says to me while shaking my hand. “This is my wife, Kelsey.” Placing his hand at the small of her back, he introduces us to her.

“Very nice to meet you both.”

“Why don’t you join us,” Landon suggests.

“Are you sure? We don’t want to interrupt.”

“Absolutely. You don’t mind, do you Autumn?”

“Not at all.” Kelsey sits beside me and Elliot sits across from her beside Landon. Trying really hard to be social and let my guard down, I start talking to Kelsey. She tells me all about her daughter and that she’s expecting again. She seems like a genuinely good person and she practically beams while telling me about her family. Although we went to the same high school, I never really knew her. Of course, I didn’t know many people, since I didn’t have any friends. At least she didn’t join in on the ‘let’s make Autumn’s life hell’ campaign.

“Landon,” she says as her eyes widen, “I can’t believe what Valerie did to you. I knew she was a bit of a bitch in high school, but to spend all your money and
still
get alimony…” Trailing off, she shakes her head and looks down at her plate.

Locking eyes with Landon, we give each other a puzzled look. How does she know about that? It only happened yesterday and I haven’t told anyone about it.

“How do you know she’s getting alimony?” With eyebrows furrowed and head tilted to the side, he waits for her response.

“It was on TMZ.” Her cheeks redden, apparently embarrassed by bringing up something so private.

“Sorry, Landon. She’s addicted to those gossip websites. She doesn’t mean to pry,” Elliot speaks up trying to do damage control.

“It’s okay, I just don’t know how they’d know that. I’ve only told a few people—most of whom are sworn to silence because of client confidentiality agreements—and the alimony thing just happened yesterday.” Scratching his eyebrow, he pulls up his phone. After tapping in a few keys, he starts to read. “Well I’ll be damned,” he says to himself.

“What does it say?”

“It basically calls Val a gold digger.” Handing the phone to me, I read it for myself.

The headline reads:
From Girl Next Door to Gold Digger

An anonymous source close to the couple gave details of a lavish spending habit, one she kept from her husband, Landon Stone, through their whole marriage. “It wasn’t until he had to retire,” the source tells us, “that he found out she had spent everything.” When asked what she spent it on, the source says, “Frivolous stuff. Trips to the spa, handbags, home décor, clothes. He was willing to stay with her after that too. But she filed for divorce, claiming he couldn’t provide the lifestyle she was accustomed to.” Can we say gold digger? It seems that the perfectly polished Valerie Stone isn’t as devoted to her soon-to-be ex-husband as she led the world to believe.

“In public she puts on this front of being this down-to-earth, devoted wife,” a friend who wished to remain anonymous told us. “We’re actually shocked to hear she’s so shallow and greedy.”

And as if that wasn’t enough, we’re told she’s going after Stone for the house and alimony. “I feel bad for the guy. She’s just sucking him dry. If he’s lucky, he’ll be able to keep his underwear,” our source says.

Here’s to hoping the judge sees Valerie Stone for the ravenous viper she is and awards her with nothing.

“Oh my God.” I cover my mouth as I devour each word of the article. “How did they get this information?” Looking up to Landon, he shrugs his shoulders.

“I have no idea. Most times those articles are full of shit, but that one is spot on. I want to know who this ‘source’ is.” Handing him back his phone, he gets up and excuses himself to make a few phone calls.

“Sorry,” Kelsey says quietly beside me.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. He would’ve seen it eventually I’m sure.” While I try to reassure Kelsey, there’s only one thought that goes through my mind.

Valerie.

I’m sure she’s going to make Landon’s life hell for this.

Once I’m outside in the cold, I quickly dial my lawyer’s number. I’m sure Valerie will have my balls for this article, even though I had nothing to do with it.

“Hi, Landon. To what do I owe the pleasure?” His greeting makes me suspicious. Usually he tells me I’m his favorite client. I’ll bet he’s already seen this and knows he’s going to have his work cut out for him to get Valerie to back down.

“I saw an interesting article published by TMZ a moment ago. Have you seen it?”

“Yep.” Really, that’s it?
Yep
?

“You don’t seem too worried about this.” I’m pacing in front of the diner, hoping this isn’t going to blow up in my face.

“Why would I be worried?”

“I don’t know, because of all the shit they said about Valerie. I’m sure she’s going to try to make me pay for this.”

“Relax, Landon. You just let me handle this, okay?” He’s too calm, even for him.

“Is there any way you can track down this source?” I want to know who opened their big fucking mouth. I know it’s not Autumn, so it has to be someone on my payroll, and if that’s the case, then their ass is fired immediately.

“No need to do that, I already know who it is.” I hear the sound of papers shuffling in the background.

“How? Who is it?”

“It was me.” The statement is so casual, like he doesn’t care the ramifications this could have on me and my pending divorce.

“Are you shitting me?!” I shout. “What the hell happened to client confidentiality?! You had no fucking right to put my personal life out there like that!” I’m fuming. Raking my hands roughly through my hair, I pace faster, like a caged animal.

“Again, let me handle this. It’s going to be okay. I know what I’m doing.”

“I sure as hell would like to know what you’re doing. How the fuck is this going to help my case?”

“Enough.” His tone is firm and stops my pacing as I listen to his explanation. “What’s the one thing Valerie values as much, or more, than money?” Drawing a blank, I remain silent. My brain is unable to think hard enough to figure out this stupid fucking riddle. When I don’t say anything, he responds, “Public image. How much hate mail do you think she’s getting right now? How many people are talking poorly of her on social media websites and other public outlets? You read what TMZ wrote. They called her a gold digger and a ravenous viper. Do you think she likes that?”

“No,” is all that comes out of my mouth. I’m actually quite stunned by all this new information and it’s a lot to take in.

“Exactly. I guarantee she drops the alimony claim real quick. She can’t risk the public knowing what she had to do in exchange for the alimony. It wouldn’t look good if everyone knew she lied to a woman she tormented relentlessly in high school, now would it? Plus, it’s the only way she’ll be able to save face.” I’ve got to give it to the guy, he’s a genius. I just hope it all pans out like he’s predicting it will.

“Thanks. But next time a little heads up would be nice.”

“Hopefully there won’t be a next time.” He promises to keep me in the loop before we hang up.

Taking a deep breath, I lean up against the wall of the diner and run my hands over my face. I can’t wait for Valerie to be out of my life and to have all of this behind me. It’s mentally exhausting. As I’m about to walk back inside, my phone buzzes. When I see the name that pops up on the screen, my body fills with dread. Knowing I need to get this over with, I answer it.

“Hello,” I say into the receiver.

“Landon, did you talk to fucking TMZ about me?!!” She’s livid, shrieking into the phone. Just as I suspected, this isn’t going over well.

“No, I actually just read the story myself about five minutes ago.”

“Then who the hell did?” I can picture her in my mind with her hip cocked out and hand resting on it. Her classic ‘bitch’ pose. How I ever found this woman attractive is beyond me.

“I really don’t know.”

“I can’t believe the shit they put in there! Now everyone will know I’m—“ she stops abruptly.

“You’re what? A bad person? A liar? Self-centered? Yeah, looks like the world is getting a glimpse at the real Valerie Lane.” Spitting my words at her, I grow angrier. Yet again, she’s making this about her. Fuck the fact that she’s making my life hell. I can hear her quietly sobbing on the other end of the phone. A part of me feels bad, but the other part knows this is exactly what she deserves. Karma is a bitch, and it’s coming to get her.

“I can’t believe you were willing to give up alimony just to save your relationship with Autumn,” she finally says, sniffling through her words.

“You know, I would’ve given it all up for you at one point too.”

“I’m so sorry for the way I acted, Landon. You know I loved you, right?” The venom that was in her voice is gone and is now replaced with remorse. A little late for that.

“No, Val, you didn’t love me. I don’t think you really know what love is, because if you did, we wouldn’t be where we are right now. I wish I could say I’m sorry that we’re divorcing, but I’m not.” In fact, I don’t regret severing my marriage with her at all. She completely blindsided me and I’m glad I didn’t waste another ten years of my life or bring kids into the equation for it to end in divorce anyway. Even though I didn’t initiate it, I think it’s one of the best things to happen to me. It brought me to Autumn, and I’m so grateful for that.

She cries for a moment longer. “I don’t know where I went wrong. It’s like all the money, fame, and luxury went to my head. It changed me until I became this person I don’t even recognize. I wasn’t always like this, you know that.” Her failed attempt to gain sympathy from me makes me laugh.

“You really believe that, don’t you? You were always this way. I’m just now finding out about it. You’ve been a mean, calculating, greedy girl since high school—hell, maybe even before that. All you have to do is ask the people of this town. I’ve learned all kinds of things about you since I’ve been home. Don’t call me anymore. All communication needs to go through my lawyer. I just want this divorce to be done and over with so I can move on with my life.” Silence is all I get on the other end. Looking at my phone, I verify that the call wasn’t dropped. “Goodbye, Val.” As I hang up, I get a sense that that chapter of my life is over. Yeah, the papers aren’t signed, but I don’t think I’ll be hearing from her anymore, and that’s an amazing feeling.