chapter 10
RILEY
HUNTER WALKS IN UNEXPECTEDLY, when he wasn’t here around his usual lunchtime I assumed he was busy and wasn’t coming in.
“Hey,” I say, surprised to see him.
“Hey,” he says, shifting on his feet. “We kind of have a situation, and I’m not even supposed to be here right now.”
“What is it?” I ask, brow furrowing. “Is everything okay?”
He glances around and then pulls me to the side. “Can you come outside for a second?”
He looks like he wants to say something but can’t. I nod and start walking with him to the exit. Oh God, I hope everyone is okay. Did someone get hurt? Is Kat okay? And the others? We quicken our pace as we walk through the parking lot, and I see Kat standing there next to Hunter’s car. When I glance down and see who is sitting at her feet though, I almost feel like crying.
“Bear?”
I know the minute he recognizes my voice, his ears perk, body going into alert mode. He starts to run toward me, almost pulling Kat to the ground in the process. She lets go of the leash, and we rush toward each other. I fall to my knees and wrap my arms around him, grabbing on to his fur as he licks my face and jumps all over me, so excited to see me, and the feeling is mutual.
“I’ve missed you so much, boy,” I tell him, smiling to myself. “What are you doing here?”
I glance up at Kat, who walks over to me and starts to explain. “We didn’t know what to do, but we were never here, Riley. We did not bring you this dog.”
I hold Bear closer, my brow furrowing with worry. “Tell me what happened.”
Kat glances behind me at Hunter. “You should go back to work.”
He hesitates but then nods and gets into his car. We move aside and watch him drive away before she continues.
“We got a call today that indicated we should look for Bear. Don’t ask me for any more information than that,” Kat says, sighing. “We called up a few of the shelters and asked if they had any Alaskan malamutes come in, and luckily one did. We’re going to need an explanation as to how you found the dog, and it can’t have us in the story.”
I pet Bear, feeling so grateful that they found him but also bad that they’ve been put in this position. “I’ll come up with something, don’t worry. This won’t fall back on you guys.”
I can’t believe this has happened. Poor Bear, he must have been so scared!
“Thank you so much for finding him for me,” I tell her. They didn’t have to do this. They’ve gone above and beyond to make me happy.
“You’re welcome,” she says, softening. “I better get back to work. And you better take him home before someone sees.”
I can’t believe Jeremy. How the hell did Bear end up in a shelter? I don’t even want to think what would’ve happened to him if they hadn’t found him.
I knew he was an asshole, but this is next level, after his claiming to love and care about Bear so much.
The man is a vindictive, spiteful liar.
Little does he know, I got what I want, my dog with me, and I don’t care what happens now.
I just never want to see Jeremy again.
MY COURT DATE FINALLY arrives, and I sit and listen as everyone speaks about me but not to me. It’s quite a weird feeling, like I’m watching a movie about my life except I’m not playing me. Hunter is everything I thought he’d be in court, strong and imposing, eloquent with his words and confident. Arabella argues right back, keeping up with him though, and I can see why Hunter wanted her to be my lawyer. She’s phenomenal.
“The dog in question was found in the pound, so I’m assuming Mr. Rodgers doesn’t care much for his whereabouts,” Arabella tells the judge.
“Your Honor, my client feels horrible that the dog got loose. Of course he cares about his dog and—”
“The dog belongs to my client, and she should be able to keep him instead of him being used as a pawn by Mr. Rodgers.” Arabella cuts him off. I’d be annoyed if I cared.
“The dog can stay with Ms. McMahon,” the judge rules, reading over the paperwork. “I understand Ms. McMahon doesn’t want any money from the separation, but I believe she is entitled to something after being in this union for many years.”
I open my mouth, then close it. I truly don’t want any of his money. I don’t want anything to do with him.
“Ms. McMahon can keep her business,” the judge continues. “Mr. Rodgers can keep his properties, except for one piece of land. As settlement, he will give her the land her business is on. Ms. McMahon will also receive fifty thousand dollars.”
Jeremy looks at Hunter and his face contorts in anger. “Your Honor, this is ridiculous. She shouldn’t get anything. Do you know what kind of person she is? She—”
The sound of the judge’s gavel interrupts his outburst. “That is enough, Mr. Rodgers. I’ve made my ruling. From what I can see, you had the opportunity to settle this out of court but instead you wasted everyone’s time, including mine. You’re lucky Ms. McMahon isn’t asking for half of your assets. I’d be inclined to give them to her.”
Jeremy’s face drops.
After the judge finalizes everything, the divorce is granted, just like that.
We will both get certificates to prove as much.
Jeremy stands up, clearly unhappy with the outcome, and I don’t know why, but I feel a little bad over the money thing. Maybe I could donate it, or something, I don’t know. I’ll worry about that later.
“You were supposed to prevent her from getting anything,” I hear Jeremy sneer to Hunter as I walk past them with Arabella. “You’re meant to be the best, and we just lost.”
“You didn’t lose,” Hunter replies, keeping his expression and tone impassive. “You had the opportunity to settle this out of court and you didn’t want to. This is the consequence. You’ve kept all of your properties, assets, and much more than half of your money. In a divorce, Mr. Rodgers, that’s considered a win.”
Jeremy mutters something under his breath, but Arabella pulls me aside, and out of earshot from their conversation.
“How do you feel, Riley?” she asks me, smiling. “I know you didn’t want the money, but I’m happy you got something.” She puts up her hand. “Save me your arguments. This is how divorce works. Think of it as a payout for putting up with his shit for so long.” She winks.
Jeremy storms past us, banging the courthouse door like a baby. I can’t help the small laugh that leaves my lips. “I don’t feel good about it, but I’m done stressing over all this. It’s over with; I’m free. My dog is mine. And I couldn’t be happier about it.”
Hunter walks past us, and Arabella reaches her arm out to touch his shoulder. “I’m calling it even.”
She gets a tight nod from him, and my own eyes narrow.
“Thank you,” he says.
“You’re welcome,” she tells him, then says goodbye to the both of us.
Hunter and I share a look, but I know we can’t discuss anything here. Why am I wondering if he’s ever slept with Arabella instead of enjoying my moment of freedom?
We walk to our separate cars and both get in. I head to Riley’s, knowing he’s going there as well. I beat him there due to traffic, and by the time he walks inside I’m already sitting down, nursing a drink. After calling Callie to update her on my way over, she arranged an impromptu “Riley is divorced” happy hour, and everyone starts coming to the pub.
“How are you feeling?” he asks when he finally arrives, sitting beside me.
“Wonderful,” I tell him, smiling. “Bear is mine, I’m free, and now I get a fresh start. There’s nothing to describe how I’m feeling right now.”
We all have a drink, toasting to my freedom—Kat, Callie, Preston, Cheffy, Jaxon, and Tristan joining us. I probably see Tristan, Kat’s husband and another lawyer at the firm, the least in the pub, but his blue eyes, brown hair, and dry comments are always welcome with me.
“Thank you all so much,” I say, my hand on my heart. “Especially Kat and Hunter. I can’t thank you both enough.”
“For the record, neither of us, nor anyone at the firm, did anything to help you. But off the record,” Kat says, lifting her beer up, “you deserve this moment, Riley.”
I feel like I’m about to cry. I never let my guard down, but if I learned anything from this mess it’s that these people are my family. I can let them in. Hunter pulls me against him and whispers into my ear, “Are you okay?”
I nod, overwhelmed. “More than okay.”
“Good,” he replies, kissing the top of my head.
He’s never done that before.
What does this mean?
Does this mean he’s done playing the waiting game?
Is it open season on my heart?
Did I really just think that?
I’m just going to savor this moment.