Chapter 45
LINDY
A week went by and I didn’t leave Mallory’s couch. She made me food, set it on the coffee table, but didn’t say anything other than offered me a shoulder to cry on. I don’t remember showering. Bridget stopped by every day, then left. So did Aspen. Neither mentioned Dex or any of the James brothers.
I didn’t care what happened with the house or that I wasn’t getting updates.
I didn’t go to work, calling in sick. I didn’t check my email for the book back from the editor.
I didn’t touch my phone or watch TV as I had no interest in anything beyond this living room.
I sat and stared at movie after movie on Netflix and the other streaming services Mallory had.
I didn’t even have a list.
In her usual flurry of energy, Mallory came through her front door, Bridget, and Aspen right behind.
“Okay, time’s up,” Mallory said, dropping beside me on the couch.
Aspen went to the front window and opened the blinds, letting the sunlight stream in.
Bridget settled into the chair beside the couch.
Scout, who I hadn’t seen, hopped up beside me and licked my face.
I laughed and gave him a pet.
“Time’s up for what?” I asked.
“Moping.”
“We gave you room to wallow in your own filth. God, you smell. It’s time to spill,” Bridget said. “You have to admit, Mallory’s been really good at holding off the interrogation this long.”
The corner of my mouth tipped up. It was impressive.
“Fine.”
Mallory turned, brought her leg up and bent her knee to face me.
“What happened?”
“You don’t know?”
“We heard Dex’s side of it, but not yours,” Bridget said.
She saw Dex. I thought my tears had dried up, but they welled once again.
“Tell us, Lind. What happened?”
“Like a lot of other people in Vegas, we got drunk and got married. I’m sure you’ve seen the pictures by now.”
“He didn’t make you?” Bridget asked.
“Get married? Too much alcohol did that. I don’t even remember.”
“This is so not like you,” Mallory said. “I love it.”
“Mal,” Aspen scolded.
“You obviously don’t want to be married to him. What did he do wrong?” Bridget prodded.
“OutdoorNow wants him as sponsor, but they were hesitant because of the bad boy image from that bar fight that went viral.”
Mallory huffed. She knew what I was talking about.
“I guess they saw the photos of us at the rink last week and of Dex volunteer coaching. Both are a better image for them. They ultimately decided to send the contract after his agent showed the wedding photo. A happily ever after–Vegas style–for their new face.”
“You mean he married you as a publicity stunt?” Aspen asked, her eyes wide, as if she couldn’t believe it.
I shrugged.
“Why else would he marry me?” I asked, petting Scout.
“Because he loves you,” Mallory said.
I swallowed hard, shook my head.
“He’s never once said that. Besides, he was a fling and… and now I’m married to a man who used me. I can’t even marry anyone else!”
“If this was just a fling, Lind, then why are you so upset?”
“Because my heart got involved!” I shouted. “Why do you think I fought it, argued with you two about sleeping with him, because I knew it couldn’t just be sex. Not for me. I knew it would be hard to see him leave to go back to pre-season training.”
“But he married you, a guy you care about, for the wrong reasons,” Aspen clarified for me. Thank God because it hurt saying it.
“Do you really think Dex is that… shady?” Mallory asked, her voice soft. “I mean–”
Her doorbell rang. Mallory stood to answer it. “I’m looking for Belinda Beckett. Is she here?”
I didn’t recognize the voice.
I stood, went to the door. “That’s me.”
“You’ve been served.” The guy handed me a large envelope, then disappeared.
I turned around and the girls huddled me into a circle. On the front the return address was a lawyer’s office in Denver.
Opening it, I pulled out a few pieces of paper. At the top, in big, bold letters: COLORADO PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE.
Mallory gasped as she leaned in. “This makes no sense.”
Bridget wrapped an arm around my waist, set her head on my shoulder. “He’s giving her what she wants. The chance for someone else.”