The Marriage Rival

“C’mon, Pres, that’s not fair. The guy is trying.”

Of course, he takes Haden’s side.

“That’s right… you’re Team Haden.”

Noah shakes his head, letting out a sigh. “There are no teams, Pres. You, of all people, should know that when it comes to marriage, the hardest part is working through the troubled times. You’ve hit a rough patch, and the two of you will get through this. You haven’t gone beyond that moment, and trust me, you don’t want to get there or you’ll end up like me.”

I am not going to pity Noah anymore. He stuck his dick into some other woman and fucked-up his life. And if he wants to take Haden’s side in all of this, then I don’t need to stand here and bother trying.

I storm out, grabbing my purse, telling Maria I am leaving for the day.

Walking for an hour straight, in pumps that pinch my toes, gives me a chance to clear my head. I stop at a café, order lunch, and take my time. The longer I give myself, the more logical my thinking becomes.

If I want answers, I need to go straight to the source.

And that source needs to be alone.

Without John.

Without Charlie.

I make my way back to the office. Maria is surprised to see me after my earlier exit but uses the opportunity to inform me that Clint is looking for me. He can wait, I have something more important to deal with.

Marching toward Haden’s office, I stop dead in my tracks at his door. Sitting across him is a woman. Platinum blonde hair, almost recognizable in a French braid.

The woman flicks her braid to one side in what I know to be a conscious act, flirtatious as she exposes her diamond earring dangling from her ear. Whatever she says makes Haden laugh until his gaze meets mine, and his face freezes on the spot.

He almost looks scared.

With a polite smile, I open the door to introduce myself until the woman turns around to greet me.

My mouth falls open, my posture stiffening suddenly. A heavy feeling settles in the pit of my stomach, turning into a burning sensation. My breaths become coarser, and faster, choking my ability to speak.

It is the final nail in the already fragile coffin.

Eloise.

Seventeen

Haden

“Let me explain.”

Presley is standing inside my office, a visible flush in her cheeks. Eloise left minutes ago, and yet in the space of that time, silence surrounds us.

Timing was fucked-up. Eloise had arranged to meet Noah, not me, except he got called into another meeting. I didn’t think it would be a big deal since Presley stormed out of the office hours ago, telling Maria she wouldn’t return.

“Eloise was here to meet with Noah. They’re working on something together. I’m not involved, marketing is all Noah’s team.”

Her lips are pressed flat, and pupils flare with her angered expression. I know she despises Eloise. But she has to know there’s nothing going on which should warrant any jealousy. I fucking love Presley.

“Will you say something?” I ask her, raising my tone in frustration. “But, I guess, you wouldn’t care what I do unless it involves Sandy, right?”

My words seem to resonate, sparking a furious stare coupled with silence.

“How long has this been going on?” she grits.

“There’s nothing going on!” I shout, irritated by her assumptions. “She called me a while ago, and I gave her Noah’s contact information. That’s it.”