Page 122 of Reputation (Tempt)

Everyone kept asking about the plans for the wedding. My plans for my future. I knew they only asked because they cared about me, loved me. But until I knew what was going to happen between Nate and me, it was difficult to make any decisions. And I hated that it felt like I was putting my life on hold for a man.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

“We have a problem,” Pierce said when I answered his call.

I was headed to Graham’s for a game of poker with him, Knox, and Jasper when Pierce’s name had flashed on the screen of my car.

I braced myself. “What kind of problem?”

I prayed it was something with the studio. Something that could be fixed quickly and easily. And preferably without much added expense. But judging from his tone, I didn’t have much faith that would be the case.

“Trinity’s lawyer is going to bring up your engagement at the hearing.”

“So?” I asked. We’d known all along that was a possibility. Hell, we’d been counting on it since my relationship with Emerson definitely improved my reputation.

“So,” Pierce sighed. “I’m concerned the judge will ask if it’s a publicity stunt. If it’s fake.”

“Maybe it started out that way, but I can honestly say my feelings for her are real.”

“Right. And that’s great,” he said. It had become something of a “don’t ask, don’t tell” topic since our conversation a few weeks ago. “And I’m happy for you. But if they ask if it was ever fake under oath, you can’t lie.”

I squeezed the wheel so hard, my knuckles turned white. “Fuck.”

The hearing was being conducted in open court, despite our request for it to be a closed proceeding. I had a feeling the judge was looking forward to his fifteen minutes of fame or however long he thought he could string this out. Pierce continued talking, but all I could focus on was the fact that everything I’d worked so hard for was unraveling.

“I thought we were only submitting written testimony,” I finally said, trying to think back through our last custody hearing. It had been years ago, and I’d wanted to block it out. But Trinity had reopened that old wound, and the memories were flooding in.

“We are, but the judge will swear you and Trinity in and then ask any questions he feels are necessary.”

Well, shit.I really was screwed.

“Are you sure we can trust Emerson to stay quiet?”

I practically growled. “Yes.”

Did he seriously just ask me that? After everything she’d done?

“But I will not ask her to lie under oath,” I said, cutting him off before he could even consider it. “Nor will I.”

“It wasn’t a strategy I was going to propose,” Pierce said.

“Good. Now instead of questioning my fiancée’s integrity, why don’t you find a solution.” I would not let Trinity drag Emerson through the mud. I would not let her take Brooklyn away.

“I’m working on it.” Pierce’s tone was terse. “But, Nate…” He paused, and I pulled into the parking garage at the Huxley Grand. “You need to seriously consider what you’re willing to do, because we’re running out of time.”

“I know.” I slammed my hand on the wheel.Fuck.

We ended the call, and I considered turning the car around and going anywhere but here. My fingers were poised over my phone, ready to text Graham that I wasn’t coming when I got a message from Knox asking where I was. I took it as a sign and shot back a quick reply that I was on my way.

I rode the elevator to the penthouse in silence, still seething from Pierce’s remarks. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. Besides, where else was I going to go?

My family had always been my safe place, my home. I could be myself with them. At least, that had always been the case until my fake engagement. Now, I was lying to them. I was putting on an act. And I was just…so tired from it all.

After my call with Pierce, I wondered what it was all for. What was even the point?

I stared at the doors, giving myself a moment. Justonemoment. To feel pity, anger, worry, and all the emotions swirling within me. Just one, and then… The elevator chimed, signaling my arrival at the penthouse. I straightened and smoothed back my hair before stepping out of the elevator.

Graham was sitting at the table, shuffling cards. But he glanced up when I walked in, lifting his chin in greeting. “Nate.”

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