Serenity (Inevitable #5)(97)

It had been a rotten month for sure, he thought now, running a hand through his hair tiredly. In addition to all of the drama with Lindsey and Hayley, there had been all manner of issues to deal with here at MBI - the release of a new product line, several speaking engagements that he'd agreed to, hiring a replacement for the company's longtime marketing manager who'd been lured to a rival firm. And that was on top of all of his usual obligations, meetings, and daily tasks.

The only thing - correction, the only person - who had managed to keep him sane during this very trying time had been Sasha. Whether she had been giving him a massage, taking a few minutes to meditate with him, making love with him, or simply letting him vent about how horrible his day had been, she had offered her support and understanding and love every single day. Matthew honestly didn't know how he would have survived these past weeks without her, and vowed anew that no one and nothing would compel him to give her up.





"This isn't working, Hayley. Whatever you've been telling your father hasn't done the trick. I just got off the phone with him, and he won't even consider the possibility of moving back in here."

Hayley glowered at her mother. "I told you this was a stupid idea," she reminded Lindsey. "And Dad is definitely not stupid. No matter how many times you whine and cry and beg him, he's not coming back to you, Mom. Honestly, don't you have any pride at all? I mean, you're in good shape for your age, and you obviously don't have any problems getting guys. So why are you still hung up on Dad? Frankly, he's a big dork. So go find some hot guy ten or fifteen years younger than you are, and have a good time with him. You know, like Dad is doing with Sasha."



       
         
       
        

Hayley's indifference to the matter, not to mention the careless reminder that Matt's girlfriend was so much younger than she was, only made Lindsey angrier and more determined.

"Good thing you don't have any ambitions to be an actress," she snapped. "Because you obviously suck at it."

Hayley scowled. "Sorry if I'm not Sandra Bullock or Cate Blanchett. I haven't exactly had any drama classes or anything you know. Let's just call this whole thing off, okay? I'm tired of all this bullshit. If you want Dad back that badly, figure out how to do it yourself. I'm done with your stupid games."

Lindsey bristled with indignation. "I don't think so, young lady," she hissed. "Did I forget to mention that one of the solutions to your so-called problems your father mentioned involved shipping you off to boarding school?"

"You wouldn't dare," hissed Hayley.

Lindsey smirked. "Oh, I'd dare all right. In fact, I was just reading up on a wonderful school the other day, one that's guaranteed to have results with rebellious teenager. It's a lovely campus, out in the countryside in central Utah - no cell phones, no cable TV, no internet unless it's for homework. Oh, and since it's a Christian school, there are prayer services twice a day plus a wonderful Bible study group. I think it would do you a world of good, Hayley."

Hayley gaped at her mother in horror. "There is no possible way that Dad would ever agree to send me to a place like that," she whispered.

"Oh, but I wouldn't really need his consent," assured Lindsey. "I have primary custody of you and Casey, after all, and I can make those sort of decisions all by myself."

Hayley shook her head emphatically. "Dad would set his foot down and you know it. All I would have to do is call him."

"Really?" Lindsey arched a brow. "Be sure to tell him at the same time that all of these dramatics have just been an act on your part, then. That you agreed to act out in order to lure him back home. Bet he'll be really proud of you for that, Hayley. And not even a tiny bit disappointed."

Hayley chewed at her bottom lip uncertainly. "You wouldn't really tell him that, would you?" she asked in a quavering voice.

Lindsey's green eyes narrowed menacingly. "I won't if you agree to cooperate with me. If you fulfill your end of the bargain and do whatever has to be done to get him back."

"Fine." Hayley threw up her hands in surrender. "I'll go along with whatever nutty schemes you and your crazy friend Nicole have cooked up." 

Lindsey smiled. "That's my good girl. Now, obviously what we've done so far isn't quite enough. So, speaking of Nikki, she and I will have to really play dirty now. I'm meeting her for lunch tomorrow, and knowing her she'll think of something good. There's a reason why she came out of all three of her divorces with a bucketload of money. Having the best divorce attorney in the state was only part of that."