Queen of the Universe (In Love in the Limelight Book 2) by Geralyn Corcillo

Author:Geralyn Corcillo [Corcillo, Geralyn]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Blackbird Press
Published: 2015-10-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 44

ARLEN

Arlen watched Lola pull back and lick her lips. Then she ran her tongue along the inside of her cheeks, as if her mouth went dry all of a sudden.

“Well,” she said, “let's turn things around and make them so they're not so sad any more. Believe me, if you quit, making the studio go after you, things will get very sad. There must be a better way to deal with this that won't destroy you. We can just talk to your wife—”

“I don't have a wife.”

“I mean your ex-wife. We'll explain—”

“Lola, no.”

“What are you so afraid of?” She looked at him with such hope and encouragement, like she could help him cross any street in America.

But Arlen was about to crush out all her sparks. If she would just shut up and listen, for once in her goddamned life. But no, she had to keep trying to rewrite the story, and she didn't even know what the hell the story was.

“Nothing, Lola.” He put up a hand as she got ready to talk some more. “I'm not afraid of anything. The thing I feared most has already happened. And I have to undo it.”

“And we can't talk to your ex-wife?”

“I don't HAVE an ex-wife! I've never been divorced. So just shut up.”

“Okay! Whatever! The woman who gave birth to your kids. Whatever your relationship is, we'll talk to her.”

“We. Can't.”

“Why not?”

“Because she died.”

Lola's face went blank, all expression dropping off. “What?” she whispered. “When?”

“Three years ago,” he said, putting his voice on automatic pilot. “We'd been married for six years. She died in a car accident, and the kids went to live with their father.”

“I thought you were their father.”

“I am. I was since the second I met them.”

“Met them? So you're their stepfather?”

“Rachel's ex-husband was a total deadbeat,” Arlen explained. “He was hardly ever there for Katie and Matteo. And he took off before Ella was born. Hell, we only saw him twice the whole time we were married. For six years.” He shook his head. “Arlen and Rachel Black, with our kids, Katie, Matteo, and Ella Robin.”

Lola didn't say anything.

“Jon Fucking Robin,” Arlen continued. “When Rachel died, he showed up and decided it was time for him to step up. Her death had been his wake up call. He took the kids. Just like that. I lost them. First Rachel, then the kids. Everything. In the space of three weeks.”

Lola stared at him, her eyes wide in her pale face. “But,” she finally burst out, “you must have had rights!”

Arlen nodded. “Sure. You would think. I was ready to fight. But ...” He swallowed.

“But WHAT?”

Arlen looked up at Lola. “You know, people always get all rah-rah like that. 'Keep fighting, no matter what.' I think it's because they think that if you don't give up, you're bound to win. But some things, some people, are not worth risking. Not to me.” Arlen shook his head. “Jon wanted to move the kids to Tacoma, start all over with them.

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