Chapter 14
Riggs
Zoe exploring the wax museum fascinates me. It’s like experiencing the world in a new way. Before she came into my life, everything was beige. Now, I’m surrounded by technicolor. She embodies a lightness that no other woman I’ve been with has. Especially not Gretchen. Still, even with the excitement of the exhibit, we succumb to our hangovers. Zoe even falls asleep on the cab ride back to our hotel.
She rouses long enough to make it up to our room before kicking off her shoes and crashing into bed. As much as I want to join her, I have to make the call I’ve been dreading all day. I need to call my ex-wife. The allowance I continued to send her after Calla turned eighteen isn’t going to continue. I’m lucky Texas isn’t an alimony state, and I owe her nothing since our divorce settlement. Still, out of the goodness of my heart, I’ve always made sure Gretchen was taken care of. Now that Zoe is my wife, it isn’t fair to her that I continue funneling money to my ex-wife. Especially since Gretchen has a rich husband now.
Once I tuck Zoe in, I grab my phone and go into the bathroom to avoid disturbing her. Several deep breaths help prepare me for my call to Gretchen. She answers just before it goes to voicemail.
“Hello, Riggs.” Her voice is smooth like velvet, but nothing disguises the venom in her tone.
“Gretchen, hey.” I rub the back of my neck. Where do I begin?
“What’s this about you marrying some girl Calla’s age?” She jumps right to the point
I bite back a nasty retort, knowing that will only make what I’m about to drop on Gretchen worse. Instead, I take another deep breath and calm myself before speaking. “It’s true. I got married yesterday.”
“Do you know how humiliating this is for me? I had to find out from my hairdresser this morning. There’s a picture of you on the National Gawker website, kissing that girl. What were you thinking?” Leave it to Gretchen to make this about her.
How did they get a picture of Zoe and me? It doesn’t matter. That’s not the point of this call. “I didn’t want you to find out that way.”
“I know you’ve always been impulsive, but this is ridiculous. Did you even get a prenup? That girl is going to take all your money.” What she really means is she’s worried Zoe will affect her access to my money, which is true. Now that I’m married, Gretchen isn’t getting a free ride any longer.
“This wasn’t impulsive. Just because you weren’t informed ahead of time doesn’t mean we weren’t planning this. Her mom and stepdad are here.” Okay, so that’s a little stretch of the truth, but there’s no way I’m letting Gretchen get a leg up in this conversation.
“And Calla? You didn’t think she deserved to know about her father’s new bride?”
I sigh, rubbing my hand down my face. She’s got me there. “I didn’t want to cause any unnecessary tension between everyone. I realize now not telling Calla sooner was wrong.”
“Damn right it was.”
“Look, this isn’t why I called.”
“Riggs, this is beyond inappropriate. Our daughter is the same age as your new wife. I can’t believe you pulled a stunt like this.”
“This isn’t a stunt. Zoe and I are married. Calla will have to find a way to accept it. As for you, this is none of your business. I called as a courtesy because you’re the mother of my child.”
She scoffs, but I continue before she can say anything.
“I’m also calling so you won’t be blindsided when I cancel your credit card. Now that I’m married, I can’t spend money without consulting Zoe. You’re going to have to fund your shopping sprees another way from now on. Maybe your new husband can take over on that front.”
“You have no right! After all I sacrificed for you, this is how you repay me?” Her voice is so loud I have to jerk the phone away from my ear.
“I don’t owe you anything. You left me. In fact, you cheated on me and then left. I’ve been generous to you for the sake of our daughter, but that ends now.” Not wanting to hear whatever vile thing is next, I continue. “I’m hanging up now. As soon as I do, I’m canceling your credit card.”
“Riggs–“
I end the call without letting her finish. Then I type out a text to Calla.
Me
Hey, honey. Sorry I didn’t tell you about the wedding, and you had to find out from the tabloids. When I get home, you can come over for dinner and meet Zoe. I know you two will hit it off and become the best of friends. I love you.
Once that’s sent, I go online and cancel the credit card Gretchen has access to and power down my phone. I know there’s a shitstorm waiting for me when I get back to Dallas, but for now, none of that matters.
It’s my honeymoon, and I plan to enjoy it.