Chapter 20
Beth
When we finally got off the roller coaster, Jacob was looking at me in a weird way. He has looked at me like this a few different times, but we just went on about our business. But now, he’s not taking his eyes off me and it’s starting to creep me out a bit. His grip on my hand as we leave the area is tight while we weave around the groups of people in line to buy tickets and huddled around a game at the end of the hallway. We finally get into an open space, though we’re surrounded by arcade games, children running around and parents yelling after them. Jacob pulls me so that we’re facing each other. He leans in and softly kisses me, brushing his lips against mine so softly that I yearn for more contact. Knowing we’re in a public place, I tone down my need and just live in the moment, this perfect moment. He smiles against my lips and then we part. He leads me downstairs, across the casino floor, up the escalator and to the doors to Hershey’s Chocolate World.
In silence, he grabs a bag and starts to stuff an assortment of Hershey’s Kisses into it. He looks back at me with a smile and I can tell that he’s up to something. Once he’s gathered what he wants, he grabs my hand again and drags me to the check out. Bewildered, I follow him, zig-zagging through mobs of people before we come to a stop in the middle of the pedestrian bridge overlooking the street. He turns to me, with the bag of Kisses between us, and leans into me, giving me another kiss. My arms wrap around his neck and before I can fully get into the kiss, he pulls back again.
Frustration and need blooms, until he smiles at me.
“If I could give you a kiss for every day, I would,” he starts, as he pulls on my hand and places the bag of Kisses in it. “But a kiss for every day wouldn’t be enough.” He leans into me again and kisses me then pulls back. “I didn’t do relationships before you, and that one night and amazing morning after Ty’s engagement party changed all that for me. While I was a fuck-up for letting those six or so months go to waste, I have to say that you are in here,” He pulls my hand to his chest, just over his heart. “It’s always been you. One night was never enough, and it will never be. You’ve broken through my wall and you’ve secured yourself a spot forever with me. Beth, I didn’t know what it was like to be a part of something bigger than myself. I didn’t know just how important some things were until this thing started between us. You’ve made me believe and you’ve made everything so much easier by just being you. And it’s you. I am irrevocably in love with you. I may do some incredibly stupid things, but just know that I do these things, I say these things, because I love you. Shit, that doesn’t even sound right. See, I’m so nervous that I’m fucking this up. What I’m trying to say is that I’m an idiot in love. With you. I love you. That wasn’t as romantic as I was hoping it would be.” He shakes his head.
I smile, and lean into him locking his eyes with mine.
“You’re perfect for me, and that was so incredibly romantic. I love you back.”
“You love me back?” he asks, as his eyebrows rise.
“You betcha,” I say, pulling his face down to mine.
We stood there in the middle of the bridge over South Las Vegas Boulevard, oblivious to our surroundings, as we kissed each other. Life happened in slow motion, sounds faded away, from the street below to the chatter around us. I’m unsure how long we stood there kissing. No one bothered us and we were in our own world.
This man with me was not perfect, and I’m not perfect either, but we are perfect for each other, faults and all. With a divorce in the works and my overprotective best friend being Jacob’s brother, we have our challenges, but we’ve made it this far.
We spent the rest of the day wandering aimlessly around the Vegas Strip, going from store to store and then ending up at Fremont Street and riding the zipline superhero style under the bright flashing lights, high above the ground. It was thrilling and by the time we finished, I wanted to do it all over again.
The day was perfect and, while I complained at first, I’m glad he powered through all my attempts at persuasion and seduction with the insistence that we went through with our day as he originally wanted. We topped off our night with the Cirque du Soleil show at the Bellagio. I’d never seen a Cirque show until now and, after watching it, I’m wondering just how flexible I can be in the bedroom.
It was late by the time we got back to our room, but we both weren’t willing to fall asleep yet. Jacob starts a bath for me and, as I sit in the water, he pulls a chair into the bathroom and sits by the tub, explaining that he just wants to be near me.
“Tell me your fears?” he asks, breaking the silence of the room.
“My fears? Hmmm, that’s a good question. I would have to say that a big fear of mine would be for my parents to never come to the realization of who I am now, what my life has become since they last knew what I was doing.”
“What do you mean?”
This is a subject that I rarely discuss. We briefly touched on my family on our first date. But at that time, I shared only surface things and now I feel that I should let him in even more into my life story. I didn’t exactly know if Tyson ever told his brother or mother any of it when I began coming around their family.
Right after I graduated from college – hell, as soon as I started college – my parents moved on with their lives. My bedroom was turned into a study, my parents refused to give me any help. They told me that they expected me to use my business degree to figure out how to get by on my own without any of their support. The relationship after that was torn and has never been mended. Thankfully, I had Tyson and he gave me my job and, while I am not using my business degree for what it was intended, I had a purpose. But my parents, they never reach out to me. No matter how many times I have made attempts over the years, conversations were cold and distant, so I ultimately gave up.
“It’s been five years since I’ve spoken with my parents. They wrote me off as soon as they could. After graduation, I had no job opportunities and when I went to them, they turned me away and told me I’m on my own and I would need to fend for myself. So, I ended up on your brother’s doorstep and from there, the rest is history.” I say sadly.
“I’m sorry.” he says, mirroring the sadness in my tone. While his mother is a piece of work, she’s at least present in her sons lives, and even though it’s not always wanted, I’m sure she inserts herself in their lives because that’s what parents do.
“What about you?”
“It used to be that I wouldn’t know myself, but I’m learning who I am now. So, I would have to say failure. Failure at us, failure at Mad Designs, and failure in not improving myself to be a better person overall.”
“Do you feel like you can accomplish these things?” I ask.
“I hope so. I think that we’re all a work in progress, some more than others, but I would like to think that I make a conscious effort now. How about you? Do you think that your parents and you can reconnect?” he counters.
“I would love the ability to, but unfortunately I think there’s no hope. I can only do so much, put forth so much effort. They know that my door is always open and, no matter how hurt I am, I have never and will never close it.” I say, hugging my knees to my chest.
“I’ll be your family. And I will stand by you when you face your parents again.” Jacob says, pulling a strand of hair away from my cheek.
“You’ve been my family for several years, Jake, but only now in a different way.” I admit softly as I look into his eyes and watch them dilate with my words.
“You want to know my short-term fear?” He asks, and I nod. “That this trial is going to get nasty and that it will ruin what we are to one another.”
“The case is cut and dry. You know that, I know that and so does she.”
“I hope you’re right.” he sighs.
***
I’ve bitten my nails down to the quick. I’ve picked at the extra-long hair on my arm (I know, gross)., And I’ve been worrying the inside of my cheek for the past several hours. Today is the first day that Jacob would be in court for this whole divorce fiasco. And today is be the first time that either of us would see Candy since the news was brought upon us.
I wasn’t afraid that she would be prettier than I am, and I wasn’t afraid that Jacob would want her. I was afraid that Jacob would see her and then remember everything that may or may not have transpired between them, laying a small bit of foundation as to why they got married in a Vegas chapel in the first place. That was something that I should have told him last night when we were discussing fears, but I didn’t. I couldn’t voice it out loud because I didn’t want it to become a major fear.
Today, I dressed in my powerhouse navy pinstriped pencil skirt with a light grey blouse. I didn’t do anything different to my hair other than pin it back away from my face. My make-up was light. I swear I wasn’t trying to look any different than I normally do, although I felt like I was trying to be better.
Better? Better than what? By who? I shouldn’t feel that I need to prove myself to anyone.
I know the judge would see me and likely, well, judge me. After all, that’s his or her job.Maybe it was the insecurity that laid within me that was adding the extra touch of jewelry or lipstick or giving myself an extra look over in my pocket mirror.
Jacob sat beside me in the back of the car with his hand on my knee, firmly grasping me as we were driven to the courthouse. Neither of us spoke a word as we approach the building. The car slowed and then came to a stop. Jacob took a deep breath and looked at me.
“Are you ready for this?” he asks.
“Not really, but we don’t have a choice, do we? I just want to get this over with.”
“Me too, babe, me too.” He kisses my hand as the driver opens the door.
Jacob steps out of the car and then turns to offer me a hand. I wasn’t expecting there to be hordes of people, let alone the press, outside the courthouse. All of them are shouting questions directed at Jacob and a few of them at me, asking if I knew of the marriage beforehand. Neither of us answer any of the questions, or look at any of the press. We kept our faces straight and our eyes forward as we march up the steps to the front doors hand-in-hand. Jacob’s hand was squeezing mine a little harder than he usually does. Once we’re inside the doors, we see his lawyer team standing off to the side.
We approach McKinney and, with his free hand, Jacob shakes his hand.
“What’s up with the circus outside? I thought this whole thing was being kept under wraps?” Jacob asks.
“It appears that someone leaked a bit of information.” McKinney says in a whisper as his eyes dart to the other side of the room.
Jacob and I follow his eyes and we see a young woman with her hair up. She has bleached blonde hair and the underside is either a dark brown or black. She looks like she could be young, in her early to mid-twenties, but the amount of make-up she has caked on makes her look like she’s in her late thirties. She’s wearing a too-tight top underneath a black button-up shirt, with her fake breasts practically popping out of the neckline. Her skirt was sequined, but missing quite a few from what I could tell from this distance.
She looks over at us and, by the look on her face, she was either squeezing in a fart or trying to not smile. I really couldn’t tell.
Jacob
Candy Waters and her lawyer stood several feet away from us on the other side of the room. I look her up and down and for the life of me can’t recall meeting her. I don’t recognize her face and I sure as hell don’t remember anything about her. She looks like your average plastic female, trying too hard to look pretty and obviously using her silicone to her advantage. Not one bit of me sees her as someone that I would know or associate with and not one bit of recognition is sparked in me. She looks like any other chick that I would maybe consider taking to bed. But that was before Beth.
She stares at us, or rather she stares at where Beth and I are joined. She eyes my hand around Beth’s waist and, with a snarl of her lip, finally looked away while talking in hushed tones to her lawyer.
The courtroom doors finally open after what seemed like forever and we follow the small crowd inside. Beth and I had to part, before we do I turn to her and brush my knuckles across her cheek gently, then kiss the space my hand just touched. I whispered that I love her and then, with a smile, I turn and head to my seat as she took hers directly behind me.
I take a deep breath and hear the doors behind us open. I turn in my chair and see my brother, his fiancée and my mother enter the courtroom. Relief floods me as I know that I have the full support of my family.
Tyson and my mother were witnesses today and would be testifying on my character and whether this sham of a marriage was legit. I knew that they were going to be here today, but as soon as I saw them sit down, part of the weight I'd been carrying lifted.
My brother knew me inside out and my mother was, well, she was my mother. I had all the odds in my favor, but of course the judge had to hear both sides. Since I was the petitioner of the divorce request, I was going first and I was prepared for it to be a long day.
Ahead of time, my lawyer had presented the court with documentation on security footage from the hotels that I stayed at while in town as well as the footage from the security from the strip club where Candy worked. At first, I was nervous about presenting the footage from stays at the hotels that I frequented, as it would show me going in and out of my hotel room with numerous females. With Beth being present, I was terrified as to how she would react, but when we initially discussed it the other night, I feel that it won’t hurt what we have. She knew who I was before she and I got involved and she still fell in love with me and she accepts me for the man that I am. I received word late last night from McKinney that Beth would be called up to testify to my character as a witness, so after her bath last night, we went over everything.
I feel confident now that she knows me better than I know myself.
The day went according to the outline McKinney narrated over the phone last night. My brother said exactly what I thought he would say, and my mother, cold hearted as she usually is, reflected the same demeanor on the stand and basically handed Candy’s lawyer a perfect rebuttal for every question that seemed to be in favor of her client. Mother showed indifference and no favoritism and I think that it played well for my case. At the end of the day, Beth’s turn to sit on the stand began. I focused on my breathing and stared in wonder as she spoke calmly and answered everything thrown at her. She defended my character, and proved to be my best ally. I cut a few glances to Candy, who looked disgusted, and shook my head.
“And finally, Ms. Matthews, it has been noted that you have known the Maddox family for several years. Have you ever been involved with Mr. Tyson Maddox romantically?” Candy’s lawyer asks.
“No, ma’am. Tyson Maddox and I are college friends as well as colleagues. There has never been a romantic relationship between the two of us.” Beth says.
“What you’re saying is that the photos leaked by the press of the two of you enjoying a romantic dinner would be just two friends eating together?”
“Correct.”
“Please explain this photo then?”
The lawyer holds up a photo of Tyson and Beth to the courtroom. It would appear they were walking past the paparazzi and Tyson had a grasp on Beth’s hand as he was leading her away. Beth had her clutch over her face and Tyson looked pissed.
“This was likely years ago. Tyson was used to being in the limelight, whereas I’m not. We had an evening out and he was getting me out of the place we were at quickly.”
“By holding your hand?”
My attorney interjects. “Irrelevant! Ms. Matthews stated she and the petitioner’s brother were only friends.”
The judge nods and looks sternly at Candy’s lawyer. “Ms. Montenegro, please get to your point.”
“The relationship between Jacob Maddox and Beth Matthews is a sham. She’s his beard. She’s been romantically linked to the brother for years. She’s not a credible character witness for the petitioner!” the lawyer squawks, looking pleased with herself.
“Objection, Your Honor.” McKinney bellows from his seat.
“Granted. The relationship between Tyson Maddox and Beth Matthews is not a matter within this hearing. Ms. Montenegro, do you have any further questions? Mr. McKinney, your witness.” The judge rolls her eyes while furiously writing down notes after Candy’s lawyer declines.
McKinney stands and buttons his jacket as he approaches the stand.
“Ms. Matthews, I’ve known you for several years, and you’ve known the Maddox family for just as long. Correct?”
“Objection, Your Honor, he’s leading the witness.” The opposing lawyer stands.
I snicker and shake my head.
“Sustained, please continue.”
“Thank you, ma’am. Beth, you know the true character of Jacob Maddox, is this correct?”
“Yes.” She nods.
“Please tell the court the Jacob Maddox you knew prior to your relationship status with him.”
“I’ve known Jacob for several years. Until recently, he was afraid of commitment. He was, as you saw in the video footage, a single man who enjoyed playing the field.”
“And in the time you’ve known Mr. Maddox, have you heard him reference a relationship?”
“None.”
“Thank you.” McKinney turns and heads back to our table with a wink.
The judge slams her gavel and dismisses the courtroom for the day. I take a deep breath, happy with the results of today, yet not looking forward to the day tomorrow when Candy presents her witnesses and supposed evidence of the marriage being valid. The courtroom empties out and I stand and go to shake my brother’s and mother’s hands.
I thank them and we briefly discuss their plans.,Bboth are heading back to San Francisco so we say our goodbyes. I turn to Beth and open my arms to her. She rushes to me and I breathe her in.
“We’re one day closer to this being over.” she says into my chest.
“You did great up there.”
“I hate how there is so much speculation on my relationship with your brother. You know we never were a thing, right?”
“I do. I get it, though. Guys don’t usually have hot chicks for just friends. Hell, I wouldn’t be able to be just friends with you without thinking naughty thoughts.” I playfully pinch her waist.
“Let’s get out of here.” she begins to pull me out of the courtroom.
***
I’m sitting on the couch in the hotel room with a beer in my hand and my girl to my right. She’s leaning into my body, her hand lightly running up and down my thigh as she watches Zombieland on the screen in front of us. Though everything went as planned, after the day we had in court, I want nothing more than to have a quiet evening and order room service. I have so much tension coiling in my body right now that I don’t even know what to do with it.
As if she was reading my mind, Beth looks at me with a seductive smile, then slides off the couch and opens my legs to get in between them. The view is spectacular. She’s dressed in a thin cotton tank top with no bra underneath. I can see the tips of her nipples poking at the delicate fabric of her top.
Her face is free of the make-up she had on earlier and her hair is tied up into a messy ponytail. She emanates beauty.
She unzips my shorts and pulls my half erect dick out. Smiling, she gives it a tug and then leans in to lick the length of my shaft, sending chills throughout my entire body, alerting my dick to full attention.
As soon as she put her mouth on my dick, my head thumps against the back of the sofa. I place one hand on her shoulder and, with the fingers of my other hand, I take a soft grip of her hair. I hear her breathe through her nose with each pull up. Her hand is working in tandem with her mouth. When she went up, her hand went up. When she went down, so did her hand.
From tip to base she would repeat the same, sucking as she pulls up and releasing a little as she goes back down. She would linger on the tip, lightly rubbing it between her tongue and then the tunnel her hand created, knowing how sensitive it was and how wild it drove me. My hand on the back of her head added a little more pressure and began to control the speed and the amount of my dick went in her mouth. My hand tightens and I mumble incoherently as her speed increases. She looks up and, with my head leaning back, our eyes barely connect through the slits as she continues. My mouth is agape, but no noise is able to come out, though all I wanted to do was release a massive groan in appreciation.
It wasn't long before I grabbed the closest anything on the table beside me to come into. Somehow, I manage to tell her that I was about to come and when she pulls away, I desperately stroke myself. After a few more long strokes my load comes crashing onto the towel as my whole body shakes from the experience.
Her lips appear swollen when I look down at her, a satisfied smile on her face. She looked disheveled. She looks well fucked, even though all she did was get on her knees to relieve some of the tension that the first day of court gave me. I spent all day composed and emotionless while I sat rigid in the chair and now I’m putty in her hands.