Serenity (Inevitable #5)(133)

"Hey, Dad," ventured Casey somewhat timidly, as the driver exited the freeway. "Does this mean that you and Sasha can maybe get back together? I know you miss her a lot."

"Maybe," mused Matthew. "But it's a little premature to start thinking about that, buddy."

In actuality, the possibility of getting Sasha back had been nearly the first thing that had crossed his mind after Casey had blurted out that Hayley's pregnancy was all a lie. But he couldn't get too far ahead of himself, he thought cautiously. He was going to have to tread very carefully over the next day or so in order to bring this whole ugly mess to a head, and use the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

And right after they settled into a table and ordered their food, Matthew took out his phone and placed a call to his attorney after all - except that the purpose of the call was no longer to inquire about potential adoption agencies. Instead, it was to share the good news that he'd finally figured out a way to force Lindsey to sign those damned divorce papers.





Chapter Twenty One




"Well, this is so nice," gushed Lindsey. "I can't remember the last time we all sat down to dinner as a family. I hope it's just the first of many more nights like this."

Matthew didn't offer up a reply, simply taking a sip of his iced tea as he observed the others at the table. Casey was tucking into his meal hungrily, since very little seemed to affect his appetite. Hayley, predictably, was merely picking at her food while texting one or more of her friends at the same time. Only Lindsey looked happy, her features practically glowing at this opportunity to have everyone together. And Matthew was willing to bet that she was silently congratulating herself on finally getting the results she'd plotted and schemed for these past months. He was pissed off enough - not to mention vengeful - to let her go on believing that for a few more minutes. After all, it would be that much more satisfying to see the look on her lying, deceitful face when he confronted her with the truth.



       
         
       
        

Lindsey had been ecstatic when he'd called her earlier today and said he'd be home to have dinner with her and the kids this evening. She had almost squealed with excitement, in fact, and Matthew had felt more than a little repulsed at her enthusiasm. She had made a big show out of asking him what he'd like for dinner, and then promised to cook everything herself.

Matthew wasn't the least bit fooled, however, and knew very well that the chicken parmigiana, Caesar salad, and garlic bread had been prepared by Maribel. But the food was admittedly delicious, and he took two helpings of everything. Ever since Casey had met him at the airport yesterday afternoon, food had quickly sounded appetizing again. And life - his life, in particular - suddenly felt like it was truly worth living once more.

But he still had to let all of this play out, had to slowly, one by one, reveal all of the cards he currently held in his hand. And if getting Lindsey's hopes up, if letting her believe that she had finally won him back, only to demolish it all in one fell swoop was cruel, it was no less than she deserved.

Matthew caught Casey's eye as the boy reached for another slice of garlic bread, and gave a slight, almost imperceptible shake of his head. Casey glanced back down at his plate, practically shoving the whole piece of bread in his mouth at once. But Matthew knew that his son had received the signal loud and clear - to stay out of what was about to unfold until the time was right.

Over greasy burgers, fries, and milkshakes late yesterday afternoon, father and son had rather gleefully plotted how they would handle the situation with Lindsey and Hayley. Casey had wanted him to confront his mother and sister the second they arrived home, but Matthew had cautioned his son to be a little patient.

"There are other things at stake here, Casey. Things that I've got my attorney checking into for me even as we speak. And until I hear back from him, which will probably be tomorrow morning, then you and I need to keep our cool. Your mother isn't going to get away with what she's done, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can use all of this as leverage to finally get that divorce."

Casey had nodded, but a wistful expression had crossed his face. "I know. It must have really sucked for you these last few months, Dad. But at least it was cool having you back home for a little while. I'll miss you when you move back out."

"Hey." Matthew had rumpled his son's hair affectionately. "What if you moved out, too? I can tell my attorney that one of my new conditions is that I insist on having custody of you."