Page 130 of The Way We Score

My eyes narrow, sliding between her and him, and I’m ready to say more when a voice I never expected to hear again sends ice through my veins.

“Hello, Olivia. My goodness, you’ve been busy.”

Turning slowly, I look up to see Warner Oberon III in the flesh, looking down at me with those cold blue eyes like a greedy cat finding a fat mouse.

“What the hell areyoudoing here?”

“I’m checking on my wife, of course.”

My head juts forward, and Gigi kicks hard in my stomach. “What are you talking about?”

“I must be out of the loop.” Allie blinks between us, and she shifts her stance to a defensive pose. “And you are…?”

“Hey, you okay back here?” That deep voice has me wanting to crawl into his arms for safety.

“Garrett,” I exhale relief, reaching for his hand.

He takes mine immediately, stepping up beside me.

“You must be Garrett Bradford.” Warner holds out his hand. “I’ve heard so much about you—and what I haven’t heard, I’ve read online orseen on TV!”

“That’s odd.” Irritation is in Garrett’s tone. “I haven’t heard a thing about you. Who is this, Liv?”

“Warner.” My voice is quiet fury. “Oberon. The third.”

“Aw, my bad,” Garrett laughs. “I have heard about you. You’re the dickhead who treated Liv so badly.”

“Even better, friend.” Warner leans forward as if he’s telling the most hilarious joke ever. “I’m her husband!”

The music ends, and the next song is quieter, one of those country ballads Craig likes to throw in. Nausea burns at the base of my throat, and I’m scoping out the nearest trash can.

“I’m sorry,friend…” Garrett’s voice takes on an edge. “What did you just say?”

“I’m her husband” Warner is more pompous, slapping Garrett on the shoulder. “Surprise!”

Now I’m really about to barf. Swallowing hard, I force my breath to steady. I force my brain to think as I trace through the possibilities of what he’s saying. I left Birmingham without another thought. I had all my mail forwarded here. Mason would’ve told me…

“What have you done?” Lifting my eyes to Warner’s I see the truth in his slimy smile.

“I haven’t done anything.” He takes a step closer to me. “You, however, have been a very bad girl.”

Garrett’s hand shoots out, and he grips the top of Warner’s shoulder, almost lifting him off his feet as he moves him away from me. “Unless you want to know what the inside of a dumpster looks like, you’ll back the fuck up.”

Warner starts to chuckle, and I wonder if he’s on drugs. Garrett is a head taller than him, and from the look on his face, two seconds from beating him to death.

“Hang on.” Holding up my hand, I turn away, digging my phone out of the pocket of my pants. “Just hold that thought.”

I don’t waste time on texting, and Mason answers on the second ring. “Hey, girlfriend!” His voice is cheerful. “You’ve been all over the news lately. I see best wishes are in order?—”

“They’re not in order, Mason.” I can’t hide my anger. “Warner just showed up in Newhope. He says we’re still married.”

“What?” Mason hisses a whisper, and I hear him shuffling in the background.

“That’s what I said.” My voice grows louder. “What the fuck, Mason?”

I hear laptop keys ticking. “I gave the contract to his lawyer months ago. He said he’d take it from there.”

“Did he?” My chest is caving in on itself, and I know the answer before he even finds it.

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