Page 134 of The Way We Score

“They know she’s my wife.” His eyes blaze. “I am not treated this way. I have an image, and her place is at my side. If she comes home now, all will be forgiven.”

“This guy reminds me of a snapping turtle,” I say to Zane before turning to look down on him. “You know what we do when we find an old turtle who won’t let go? We get a stick.”

“Look…” Zane steps between us. “This can get a lot more humiliating, or it can be over pretty quick?—”

A door slams in the kitchen, and we all look up. “Honey, I’m home!” A petite blonde in a bathing suit and a caftan walks into the room wearing a cheery smile. “Oh, hello, there. I didn’t know we were having company! I don’t think we’ve met.”

She’s obviously pregnant, and I exchange a glance with my brother. “I’m Garrett Bradford. This is my brother Zane, and this is Rhonda.”

“I’m Maren Oberon, Warner’s wife!”

We all step back, turning to catch Warner’s stunned expression. “Maren, what are you doing here? You were supposed to be at the pool all day.”

“I got tired. You know how it is when you’re pregnant.”

“I’ve heard.” I nod, stepping forward to take her hand. “I’m just curious—is this Warner’s baby? I was told he couldn’t have children.”

“Yeah, we did the IVF andvoila!”She exhales a little laugh. “I’m only a few months along. We’re having twins.”

“Congratulations.” I nod, feeling even more confident than before.

“So you and Warner are… married?” Zane asks the next question for me.

“Not officially.” She goes to the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water. “Warner has some shrew of an ex who won’t give him a divorce. So we did the wholeCold Mountainthing… I’m sorry, can I offer you something to drink?”

“Maren, you don’t have to tell them—” Warner starts.

“I’m good,” I interrupt quickly. “What’s theCold Mountainthing?”

“You know, from the movie! I love that movie. Nicole Kidman and Jude Law?” She holds her chest and gushes. “They couldn’t get married either, so they said three times ‘I marry you, I marry you, I marry you.’ And that was it!”

“Maren.” Warner’s voice sharpens. “These men are not interested in our personal life.”

“Oh, I’m sorry! Are y’all not friends?” Her blue eyes blink wide, and she looks between the four of us.

“It’s like this, Maren, we’re actually here on behalf of the ‘shrew’ ex-wife. She’s ready to get that divorce, and we just need Warner here to sign the papers.” Motioning to Rhonda, I smile. “We even brought our own notary public.”

“You did!” Maren’s voice is an exuberant squeal. “Warner, did you know this? Were you going to surprise me?” She tilts her head to the side, slanting her eyes as she smiles.

I take the papers from Rhonda and go to where Warner’s standing helpless. “Here you go.” Lowering my voice, I level my gaze on his. “Sign the papers before I break your jaw.”

With a disgusted glance at me, he takes the pen. I motion to the three places he has to initial, and Rhonda squeezes her seal over the last page and signs it quickly.

“How about that?” I can’t resist once she has the papers securely in her briefcase. “I divorce you, I divorce you, I divorce you.”

“But you’re not…” Rhonda laughs, looking from Warner to me, then her eyes widen. “Oh! I need to pee. Twins are no joke.”

She scurries from the room, and I clap hands with Zane. “Have a nice life, Oberon.”

“This isn’t over,” he hisses,and I break.

Turning quicker than Zane can stop me, I grab him by the neck, lifting him off his feet and shoving his back to the wall. “Yes, it is.” My voice is a low growl.

“Put me down!” His face is red, and he claws at my hand as his nose starts to run.

“Look at me, Warner. This is me beingnice.” My eyes laser into his. “If you ever bother my wife again, if you ever make her angry or make her cry, I’ll rip your throat out.” Lowering him to his feet, I straighten his shirt as he wipes the snot off his lip and gasps for air. “And if you ever bother my baby girl, you won’t have to worry about taking a paternity test ever again.”

“Are you threatening me?” His voice is hoarse, and his weasel eyes meet mine.

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