Page 94 of The Husband Hour
Stephanie picked her up at the airport. It was strange to see her pregnant. Lauren hoped the baby was something they could bond over, hoped that impending motherhood would somehow soften her sister’s attitude.
But before they’d even pulled out of short-term parking, Stephanie said, “I think you’re making a mistake with this wedding.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
Where was this coming from?
“You can’t trust him,” Stephanie said. “Haven’t you seen that over the years? You’re signing on for a life of misery.”
“I don’t believe this!” Lauren said. “You’re about to become a mother, and you’re still jealous of my relationship with Rory.”
“I’m not jealous, Lauren. I’m just being honest. You deserve better.”
Lauren unlatched her seat belt and jumped out of the car.
“I really thought we were past all this,” Lauren said, shaking. “I was going to ask you to be my maid of honor. But if this is your attitude, I’m not sure I even want you at the wedding.”
And in the end, Stephanie didn’t show up at the wedding. Looking at her now, after everything that happened, Lauren thought it all seemed so silly. If nothing else, she wanted to fix their relationship.
Stephanie drove up to the front of Nora’s Café. Lauren opened the door, then turned around and said, “I’m glad you’re here this summer. And not just for the ride.”
Stephanie smiled.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
After sending the footage to Craig, Matt couldn’t sit still. He considered a walk to the beach but found himself wanting to see Lauren instead. Being around her gave him the sense that he was making progress even if he wasn’t technically working. At least, that’s what he made of the impulse.
“Hey! Matt.”
Matt, just outside of Nora’s, looked around. He spotted Stephanie in a parked car.
“What are you doing? Staking out the joint?” he said.
“For your information, I just dropped off my sister. What are you doing here?”
Stephanie’s hostility at the party the other night had surprised him, but he knew it shouldn’t have. He’d seen it before: an interviewee said something he or she regretted, then felt “tricked” by the filmmaker. Matt had weathered more than one strongly worded legal letter. The thing was, Stephanie hadn’t even made the incriminating statement on camera. What was he supposed to do with her drunken ramblings at a bar? Damned if he knew.
“Having breakfast,” he said.
“Why are you bothering her?”
“I think that’s your own guilt talking,” he said.
“You’re the one who should feel guilty, using my sister for your stupid movie.”
“If she knew the truth, I doubt Lauren would agree that I am the one who should feel bad.”
Stephanie’s lower lip trembled.
“If you tell her, I’ll deny it.”
Matt barely heard her. His mind kept going over and over the same question: Why had Rory betrayed Lauren?
Matt had footage of all the coaches and teammates and military guys extolling his virtues. He had Lauren, acknowledging his injuries and the difficulties in their marriage toward the end. But there was a missing piece along the way, a breach between the man and the myth.
He needed Stephanie back on camera.
“I don’t want to tell her, Stephanie. I have no interest in upsetting your sister or causing problems between the two of you. But if you’re worried about her finding out—and someday she might, because the truth has a way of coming to the surface—then I suggest you take this opportunity to own it.”
