Foolish Games(100)
“I didn’t have to ask her,” he shouted. “She sold me out for money so she could start a new design company.”
“Nah.” Brody shook his head in disbelief. “She didn’t need money that badly. The gown she designed for my sister was worth an easy fifty grand. I tried to pay her several times and she wouldn’t take my money. It’s gotta be something else.”
The burning sensation had returned to Will’s throat, as well as every other part of his body. Brody was talking nonsense. Will really wanted to hit him, but the room was spinning again.
“Dude, maybe you should ask her why she did it. She could have a perfectly logical explanation.”
“I told you why she did it,” Will bit out.
“Your theory doesn’t make sense.” Brody stepped away from the wall. “But I forgot. You’re William the Conqueror. You have ice water running through your veins. You’d rather live your life thinking the whole world is against you. Or keep your teammates at arm’s length. Hell, you’d even rather believe the worst of the only woman who, besides your mother, probably actually loves you. Suit yourself, Connelly. It’s your life.”
He headed for the door.
“Brody,” Will managed to croak out.
Brody stopped in his tracks but didn’t bother to turn around.
“Leave the key,” Will commanded.
“No way, dude. If you pickle yourself silly and die tonight, I want to be able to get your behemoth ass out of here before the stink sets in.”
He closed and locked the door behind him as he left.
Twenty-eight
The small anteroom where Roscoe and Will waited was blessedly quiet. After running the gauntlet of reporters and video cameras staked out in the rotunda and along the marble halls of the Russell Senate Office Building, Will was glad to be able to have a few minutes to catch his breath before the hearing. He leaned his pounding head back against the wall and closed his eyes, while Roscoe stared out the large window overlooking the garden courtyard below them.
“I could get used to working in a place like this,” Roscoe mused. “The history and the architecture of this building can be a little awe-inspiring.” There was a touch of reverence in his voice.
“You’re starting to sound like Gavin.” Will didn’t bother opening his eyes; they still burned from the assault of the strobe flashes on the video cameras. Or maybe it was the aftereffects of the bourbon. Both, most likely. “He’s always waxing on about cornices and fluting and masonry and porticos. Sounds like a woman half the time.”
The chair next to Will creaked as Roscoe eased into it. “I’ll be sure to tell your best friend you called him a girl.”
Will grunted.
“Are you gonna be able to make it through this thing?” Roscoe asked, his tone equal parts concern and annoyance.
“I only have to repeat one line the entire time. A monkey could do it.”
“Yeah, but most monkeys aren’t fighting a colossal hangover. Stupid move on your part.”
“It felt good at the time.”
Roscoe snorted. “It always does.”
The sounds of Roscoe clicking through his messages stirred the quiet of the room. “Uh-oh.”
Will cracked an eyelid. Roscoe was scanning his iPhone.
“Shit! I cannot believe she did this.”
“Your wife posting compromising videos of you on YouTube again?” Will teased.
“Not my wife. Yours.”
That got both of Will’s eyes open. “What?”
Roscoe was scrolling through his phone. “She just released a statement to the press.”
What remained of the previous night’s bourbon rolled through his stomach, cresting in a wave that threatened to spew out of him. What bombshell had she dropped now? Was there any more damage that woman could do to him?
“About?” Will managed to grind out.
“Huh,” Roscoe said as he continued to scroll. “About her new company. Apparently she’s designing baby clothes now.”
Will had to admit the concept made sense. Julianne’s priorities had shifted, and this way she could focus her talents on something that allowed her to include Owen. He quickly snuffed out the burst of pride he felt knowing she’d begun drawing again, though.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Roscoe mumbled.
“What?”
“She’s manufacturing the clothes in a textile factory located just outside Chances Inlet.”
Will felt his weary muscles tense along his spine. “Great. Now I’ve got another reason to avoid that place.” It was ironic that his fake wife had found more acceptance in his hometown than Will ever had.