“Do you want something to drink? Water, beer, tequila?” I ask, and he laughs, shaking his head.
“I’m good,” he says, and I just look at him. “I’m guessing you saw the article?”
“I did,” I tell him. “Manning, I’m so, so sorry.” My heart breaks for him knowing that he’s the most private person I’ve ever met. “You must be beside yourself.”
“It was me,” he says, and I just look at him, not sure I heard him. I must spend too much time blinking because he continues. “It was all me.”
“I don’t.” I start to say. “I don’t understand.”
“I told you before that I started this plan before today,” he says. I walk to him, and I put my hand on his chest. He puts his hand on mine. I tilt my head back, and he bends to kiss me. “Let’s sit down.” He walks over to the couch and sits, and I sit next to him. “When I left here after we broke up . . .” The way he says it hurts my heart. “I knew that I lost my shot at happiness.” He looks at me shyly and then looks back down. “I called Becca, my agent, and I asked her to hire a PI.”
“But you knew she was cheating?” I say, and he nods.
“I did, and I had video and pictures, but I didn’t want to use those. I needed to have neutral pictures so no one would know it was me.”
My mouth opens and then closes again with no words coming out. “When she came after you, I knew it was now. It was going to be today. I didn’t care what pictures I used or if they knew it was me. End of the story, it was happening.”
“Your reputation is on the line,” I say. “Why would you do that?” I get up now. “For me.” I shake my head. “I could handle her. I mean, now that I know she knows, I can handle her.”
“But it’s not about that,” he says, leaning forward and putting his elbows on his knees. “It’s about me being free of her. It’s about me starting my life. It’s about Jaxon living in a normal household without a mother and father who hate each other.” I just look at him. “She did not take it well.” He tells me about the showdown at the house. “I don’t know what the future holds,” he says, his eyes suddenly looking tired. “I know she is going to fight me every single second.” His head hangs down now, and I walk to him.
I get down on my knees in front of him, touching his cheek with my hand. “Manning,” I say, leaning in and rubbing my nose on his cheek.
“It’s not going to be easy. I already filed for divorce with an emergency order that she not leave the state with him, and she has twenty days to respond. It might be the longest twenty fucking days of my life, but the first step is done.” I lean in and kiss his lips softly. “I was going to kick her out of the house, but then I thought about it. I hate that fucking house. It was my jail cell. I felt trapped and after spending time here”—he looks around— “this is a home. I want to give Jaxon a home.”
This man sacrificed everything he has for his son. “Becca rented a house, and I didn’t even know. I had no other thoughts except getting away from her.”
“What about Jaxon?” I ask, and he looks at me.
“He’s with my mother,” he says, his voice cracking. “Becca called her, knowing I would need help.”
“I wish I could help you,” I tell him. “I wish she didn’t know about us, and I could help you and be by your side.”
“I don’t know what the future holds, Evelyn.” He takes his hand and puts it on my face, moving his thumb up and down. “I know it’s not going to be easy, but what I can tell you.” He moves his hand to trace my lips with his thumb. “That it’s going to be worth it.”
“I will be here with whatever you need,” I tell him, my heart hammering in my chest. “You just tell me what you need.”
“You,” he says softly. “All I want is you.” He puts his forehead on mine. “Knowing that.” My hand touches his face. “Knowing you’ll be there is . . .”
“It’s us,” I tell him. “In here,” I say. “In here, it’s just the two of us.”
“I don’t know what I did,” he says as his other hand cups my face. “But I’m so fucking happy that I went to that dinner.” I smile now. “I’m so happy that . . .”
“That you flirted with me shamelessly,” I joke with him. “You know this is the second time today you’ve come to see me.” I smile.