Chapter 11 – Rhiannon
My jaw goes slack.
Cain’s a... lawyer? For influencers?
I shouldn’t be this surprised, really. I was the one who made it clear we weren’t swapping personal details.
After our second night together, I still hadn’t learned his last name.
I’d slipped out before he woke up. Again.
The only difference was that this time it was his hotel room, not my best friend’s living room.
And just like before, he was left with nothing more than my first name and no way to reach me.
The memories of our two nights together flood back fast. He’d mentioned knowing Vanessa Mayers, and he’d been on set working for Davey’s music video. Two things that I hadn’t thought much about again until now. Now I understand why he knows them.
He’s some sort of entertainment lawyer. The guy who represents people like Davey, Vanessa, and apparently, the people who are suing me: Madison and Matt. Live Like an Influencer.
Leo clears his throat beside me, his eyes narrowing as he tries to decipher why I’ve suddenly turned into a statue.
It doesn’t take him long to connect the dots, his gaze pinging between me and Cain.
When recognition finally dawns on him, instead of realizing this is a horrible, awful, terrible situation, his lips twitch like he’s fighting a laugh.
He leans down, whispering softly, “Ah, what are the chances?”
Though I’d snuck out the morning after my birthday before either of them woke, Leo told me Cain had slept through him getting home from Chris’s place, and even through the noisy chaos of their coffee and breakfast routine.
He was out so cold Leo had considered checking his pulse to make sure I hadn’t killed him and dumped the body on his couch. When he confirmed that he was alive, he said my pussy had put him in a coma.
According to Leo, Cain had been confused when he woke up alone and realized I’d left him without a goodbye abandoned in my friend’s apartment. I’m sure it didn’t help when he saw his boxers were missing while trying to get dressed.
And now, Leo looks like a kid who’s just uncovered the world’s juiciest secret, and despite his usual professionalism, I see the faintest glimmer of mischief in his expression.
For a second, I think he’s going to crack, double over into laughter, but he reins it in, clears his throat, and steps toward the judge using the authoritative voice he pulls out only when he must.
“Excuse me, Judge Rander,” he begins smoothly, holding a crisp sheet of paper up in his hand. “I have a motion drafted to dismiss this case.”
“On what grounds?” the judge asks, hardly caring to look up.
“Lack of standing,” Leo replies confidently.
The judge nods, motioning for Leo to approach and hand it over.
As Leo steps forward, Cain follows, moving into position beside him.
The two exchange a brief glance, Leo looking unbothered and Cain completely unfazed, before turning their attention to the judge.
From what I can tell, Cain has no idea who he is.
The next few minutes are a blur of legalese as the judge reviews the motion, and the two attorneys state their cases in hushed whispers back and forth.
I strain to listen in and at one point catch Cain saying, “Your honor, she’s just some random, bored, nobody attacking my client because she doesn’t have anything better to do with her time. You should make an example out of her. Her videos are poorly edited, tacky and she needs a better hobby.”
I hold back a huff, bewildered by the gall he has describing me like that. If that’s the type of guy that Cain really is, he may be the biggest mistake I’ve made in my life.
Of course, he’d be a total dick about a few social media pages and support his client suing me. I should have known the moment he told me how much his stupid suit pants cost he was into creating lawsuits without any grounds just to make his money.
My pulse thrums in my ears, and despite knowing I shouldn’t, I steal a glance across the aisle at my opponent. Madison’s icy glare is locked on me, her expression so venomous it could curdle milk. She doesn’t look happy to see me, and I guess that isn’t surprising.
So much for us becoming best friends and collaborators.
I swallow hard, forcing composure while mentally screaming an SOS at the back of Leo’s head to wrap this shit up so I can get out of this sweaty suit and into something more comfortable.
Leo’s still at the judge’s bench; their voices a dull murmur as they discuss earnestly. I attempt to read his lips, but my attention betrays me, dragging back to Cain’s side profile.
His straight nose, sharp jawline, and broad shoulders drag me right back to the last time I saw him. Damn him. He’s even wearing the same suit he had on the day of Davey’s shoot. But the worst part of it all is that he’s wearing those black glasses and grew out his beard.
It doesn’t matter that he’s still in a several thousand-dollar suit, an obnoxious expense that I’ll never understand.
The beard and glasses do it for me. Not lumberjack-Santa Claus level, but no longer just mere scruff either.
It makes him look a little less untouchable and a lot more like the guy I had fun with on my birthday.
Leo turns sharply, a smile on his face meant just for me as he heads toward our table. And in that moment, Cain’s gaze collides with mine for the first time since he walked in.
For someone who entered the courtroom exuding confidence and swagger, his composure stutters, his glare turns sharper, and his tough, unshakable facade slips.
His eyes lock on mine so intensely, pinning me in place and punching the breath from my lungs.
It’s like there’s no one else in the room but us.
Then Madison’s hand snakes around his bicep—much too familiar and way too possessive—tugging him closer. Her touch snaps me out of my daze, and clarity slaps me in the face.
Oh. These two are together.
I don’t know why that thought makes my stomach twist. Maybe it’s because despite knowing Cain worked in some sort of corporate type job that I didn’t want to ask about, I never imagined him dating a client. Especially one who looks and acts nothing like me.
Leo’s smooth voice breaks through my thoughts. He steps in front of me, waving a hand to get my attention and block the view, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.
“I thought you said he was just a one-time thing?” He arches a brow.
“He was.” Well, twice. Okay, more than that if you’re counting in orgasms.
He chuckles and shakes his head. “I don’t think he recognized me. You were right though. The guy’s a total suit. Definitely not your type, but super-hot.”
“Trust me, I had no idea he was Madison and Matt’s lawyer for this case.” Or a mean dick. I shake my head quickly, trying to change the subject. “What happened up there?”
Leo’s grin deepens. “My admin will bill you. Fair warning, I’m very expensive. Especially when I win.”
I throw my arms around his neck, squealing loud and obnoxiously. The sound echoes through the courtroom, cutting through the soft murmur of voices. The judge who’s standing now clears his throat sharply.
“Ms. Carpenter,” he says, his tone clipped. “I suggest you and your lawyer take your celebration out of my courthouse before I reconsider my judgment.”
“Sorry, judge—uh, Your Honor,” I stammer, quickly detangling myself and grabbing Leo’s hand to drag him toward the exit. As soon as we’re in the hallway, I let out another, louder squeal and hug him tightly again, not caring who sees or hears us now.
“You’re the best!” I say, burying my face in his shoulder as relief floods through me. “Gabriel will be so relieved. Come out to Brookhaven and I’ll cook you a big dinner with all your favorites.”
He laughs. “I’m going to hold you to that, but it wasn’t a big deal. They didn’t have a case. And how long has this been going on for by the way? I stayed up and watched all thirty of your videos last night in preparation. You didn’t mention you had two hundred thousand followers.”
“You watched my videos?” I bat my eyelashes, trying to deflect from the extremely serious look that’s on his face.
He shakes his head. “You’re ridiculous, and your face isn’t even in the video. It was for research alone though Chris was super invested in a pair of socks that you recommended.”
I smile. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too, but you’re crazy. Don’t do this shit anymore,” he says, kissing my cheek and giving me another hug. As he pulls back, my eyes catch sight of Cain and Madison exiting the courtroom doors while Madison turns to make a straight line directly towards me.
“Quick, put your arm around my waist,” I hiss at Leo.
“Hey!” she shouts, now standing right in front of me.
Her face turns about the same shade as my suit, and though she’s always looked calm and collected on camera, right now she’s completely unraveling.
“I don’t know who you think you are, but two can play this game now that I know your name and what you look like,” she snaps. “That judge got it all wrong.”
“Madison,” I say evenly, “I can assure you I’ve never mentioned you in any of my posts, and I never would because my page isn’t about Live Like an Influencer. I’m just offering an alternative perspective. Sharing my perspective on life. It’s the same thing that you’re doing.”
She scoffs. “That’s bullshit and we both know it. You’re going down.”
Okay, I’ve played nice. I’ve looked at things from her point of view, but now this is getting a little hostile.
“What are you going to do? Ruin my reputation? Destroy my career?” I laugh softly.
“Good luck. There isn’t much to ruin. Can’t destroy my sponsorships either considering I don’t have any of those.
I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this because I’m trying to share another side of the conversation, just like you are. Neither of us have it all figured out.”
Madison’s brows knit together as she glares at me, confusion flickering beneath the anger, like she’s trying to decode what I just said.
I press my lips together and offer a small, understanding smile. I don’t like being threatened, but I get it. She feels like my posts are a direct attack, and she’s reacting out of fear, of losing influence, maybe, or credibility.
The truth is, you only take threats seriously when you’ve got something to lose. And other than my family, I have nothing.
Her heated glare flicks to Leo, and she looks like she’s about to unleash something sharp on him too, but then her mouth opens and closes like a stunned fish.
And I get it.
Leo has that effect on people—women and men alike.
One look at those piercing, ocean-blue eyes, framed by jet-black hair that always seems to be styled so perfectly, and people lose their composure.
Add in the corded muscles on his broad shoulders and his height, and it’s no wonder Madison’s at a loss for words.
He’s a big, handsome, guy, tall and broad, with arms thicker than my head.
When I first met Leo in middle-school, I was certain I was going to marry him someday.
I remember telling my mom that he was my future husband.
That is, until I realized he wasn’t into women.
So instead of a husband, I made him my best friend, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.
That doesn’t mean I don’t know just how good-looking he is.
Always game for my antics, Leo wraps an arm protectively around my waist, pulling me flush against his side, just like I’d asked. He’s so convincing that if I were watching from the outside, I might believe my best friend of over fifteen years was into me.
Madison’s scowl deepens, her eyes practically shooting daggers at me. But before she can say anything more, Cain’s joining our strange little trio. And he looks annoyed.
His sharp gaze locks on where I’m still snugly tucked under Leo’s armpit and he lets out a low, almost imperceptible huff, his jaw tightening as the tendons in his neck strain in the same way that I know they do right before he orgasms.
Oh my god, don’t think about that right now. This guy just tried to sue you and practically called you insufferable!
His eyes flick between Leo and me. It’s impossible to miss the recognition in his expression. He remembers Leo now.
“I’d tread very carefully from here on out,” Leo says, his voice as smooth as it is cutting. “We’ve already won a case against you once. I’d hate for my client to make it two.”
Madison’s lips purse into a thin line before she tosses her hair over her shoulder in an exaggerated dismissal.
“Whatever,” she snaps, before gripping Cain’s bicep, trying to pull him away. He immediately shrugs her off.
“I need to talk to you,” she hisses, lowering her voice.
“And I need to talk to you,” Cain says, directing his attention at me.
She glares at him, never looking my way. “Let’s go,” she whines.
Cain exhales sharply, clearly irritated, then gives a curt nod and follows her.
I watch them leave, my curiosity spinning. I have a strong feeling there’s more going on between them than what’s playing out on the surface. And it shouldn’t matter. It doesn’t matter.
I left Cain in that hotel room in Hartford, certain that I’d never see him again. But I guess that’s what happens when I think I have things figured out. I didn’t expect to see him on that dusty music video set, either. For some reason, Cain Prescott and my paths keep colliding.
The moment they’re gone, Leo releases my waist and turns me to face him, his hands firm on my shoulders. His blue eyes narrow as he studies me, equal parts curiosity and exasperation.
“Care to tell me what that was all about?”
“What?” I ask, feigning innocence as I pick at one of my chipped nails, avoiding his gaze.
He groans, tilting his head at me like I’m the most predictable person alive.
“I’m a lawyer, and I’ve always been able to see right through you,” he says, amusement threading through his steady tone. “I’m taking you to lunch, and you’re telling me everything that really happened between you and that suit. From the beginning.”
I sigh dramatically. “If you’re bribing me with free food, I’ll talk.”
He chuckles. “Predictable, Rhiannon. Now let’s go.”