“Yeah, right now I’m just blaming my mother.”
“Well, when you get to the part where you blame yourself, give me a call, all right?”
“No, I’ll admit I’ve gotten myself into this, but I’m going to get myself out, and it’s not going to be with another man. See, my mom thinks another man can fix this. I know better now. It’s time I made some big changes.”
“It’s too soon to make any major decisions. You don’t want to do anything rash. Need I remind you that none of the women in our group have used another man to fix things? You think that’s a coincidence?”
“I just need to get all this out of my system first.”
“Haley, come stay with me. I have an extra room in my condo, and if you won’t need rent for a while, maybe you won’t do anything stupid. And don’t forget the pedicure party next week! If you won’t come for us, surely you have to get your feet buffed. It’s approaching sandal season.”
“Next week I’m making a little visit to our friend, Hamilton Lowe. Don’t worry, I’m announced, and I have an appointment. I go next Tuesday to say my piece.”
“Haley, no!” she says with all the emotion that our great actress friend, Rachel, lacks. “It’s better to use your energy for good. Stay away from Hamilton.”
I should. But I’m diving in. “In the words of the infamous Jay Cutler, if you want something done right, do it yourself.”
Chapter 8
Hamilton Lowe looks up from his desk casually. His eyes linger a tad too long for someone completely oblivious to us trophy wives, and he slides back in his chair, dropping his pen in one, smooth movement. “Haley, right on time. Wonders never cease.”
“Where’s linen girl?”
“She quit.”
“That was fast.” I look out toward the foyer. “I hope your dates last longer than that.”
“She was fearful an angry client was going to storm the office with a machine gun. I tried to talk some sense into her, but Hollywood violence makes it tough on a guy like me.”
I raise my brows. “Hmm. A gun. I didn’t think of that.”
He laughs. “I’m thankful for that. You looking for a job?”
“Not the kind I have to sell my soul for, no.”
It’s odd how comfortable I am in Hamilton’s office, considering what I think of the man. I suppose that comes from living in a cheap motel after a cold mausoleum for years. Anywhere you can hang your hat, feels like home. I position myself in a black leather chair and wait until I have his full attention. I’ve been ignored for nearly eight years, I’m not putting up with it from Jay’s lawyer. He makes too much money to ignore me. He finally folds his hands and looks straight at me.
“What can I help you with today, Haley?”
“You act like you were expecting something from me.”
“I was. Jay said you’d been harassing him. Apparently, you scared his girlfriend by entering the house uninvited and left his wedding ring for him. A wedding ring he personally sold.”
“No, no. You make it sound like I went back trying to get my husband back.”
“Didn’t you?”
“Of course not! Do you think I’m stupid? Wait. Don’t answer that.”
“You do realize what you did, that’s called breaking and entering?”
“I scared her? I don’t know how I could have scared her. She had the weapons. She’s the one sleeping with my husband!”
He sits back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Weapons?”
“Knitting needles. Two of them!” I can tell he’s still not convinced. “They were the really big, sharp kind. A girl could do serious damage with them.” I thrust my nails out like claws.
“She could have had a gun, and it would have been within her legal rights to protect herself from an intruder.”
“Please. She doesn’t even know how to work the alarm yet; you think Jay is going to trust her with firearms? You give her far too much credit. Have you seen her movies?”
“You’re avoiding the real subject.”
“Maybe I should go to law school! That’s what you do, right? Avoid the real subject and blame the victim. I can totally do that! I learned from the very best.”
“Are you through?”
“Not quite. The devil visited a lawyer’s office and made him an offer. ‘I can arrange things for you,’ the devil said. ‘I’ll increase your income fivefold. Your clients will respect you; you’ll work half-time, and you’ll live until a ripe, old age. All I require in return is your wife’s soul, your children’s souls, and their children’s souls for all eternity.’ The lawyer thought for a moment. ‘What’s the catch?’”
“I assume you didn’t come to tell me lawyer jokes.”
“No, but that’s a good one, huh?” I laugh. “I’ve been practicing on my way over. I’m not very good at telling jokes.”
“You don’t say.”
“Listen, I didn’t break anything, and Jay still hadn’t changed the codes on the house, so it wasn’t like it was difficult to walk into the crypt. If I were so threatening, you think Jay would have changed the locks to protect his precious girlfriend.”
“Are you threatening Jay, Haley?”
My eyes go wide with feigned innocence. “Only if you’re afraid of a little tabloid press. Some actors like it, you know. It’s good buzz. Helps their career and keeps them in the public eye, especially when they’ve got a new movie they could use the buzz on.”
“Rachel doesn’t need buzz, and neither does Jay. It’s very hard on her to see hateful articles about her.”
“Oh, the poor baby. I feel for her having to read about being the other woman.” I point a finger in the air. “I know!” I say in my most bubbly, cheerleader voice. “If you don’t want articles written about being the other woman…maybe.” I shake my palms. “Just maybe, and I’m only thinking out loud here, but maybe it’s a good idea not to bed other women’s husbands.”
Hamilton taps something into his laptop, obviously trying to buy himself some time. Lawyer stalling tactic. He speaks without looking at me. “You do know what the draft of the agreement says about your talking to the tabloids. By the way, I’m assuming since you’re back living here, you want the checks sent elsewhere.”
“How’d you know I was back living here? Oh, the church—”
“You do realize he can sue to get the money back if you break the agreement.”
“I do, and I also know Jay’s story is worth a lot more to the tabloids now that he’s dating an actress. A very popular actress; one who broke up our marriage.” I bring my thumbs and forefingers along, framing my headline. “Wife Speaks! Rachel Barlin Stole My Husband.”
“Haley, is this a ploy to get more money?”
“I’m the wronged wife. That makes me worth quite a bit of cash to the right bidders. More than Jay’s offer, I’m afraid. I am a businesswoman, Hamilton. I wasn’t married to Jay for so long without learning a few financial tricks.” Gosh, I feel so Alexis Carrington all of a sudden!
This posturing is so slimy, but if I learned anything from Jay, it was to play it cool. Remain calm and go for the throat. That’s what he used to say. Even if Jay doesn’t acknowledge my tenure in his office, I did pick up a thing or two.
“What are you asking for, Haley?”
“He was producing bad television sitcoms when I married him. He was living in Studio City. It’s simply not fair that he walks away and leaves me as though I never existed. He bought the house through his business to keep it solely in his name. You don’t think a good portion of that is fraudulent to protect his assets from his wife when he knew he planned to leave?”
“Haley.” Hamilton shuts his laptop. “Why do you even want the money? You never cared about things. Jay said you were upset when I sold your Nissan for the Porsche, so why care about things now?”
I cross my arms. “You bought that car? I loved that Nissan, and I was heartbroken when I got the L.A. car du jour.” Hearing Hamilton was responsible for the
disappearance of my beloved car makes me want to spit on him, but Alexis definitely wouldn’t do that.
“You got a Porsche!”
“I didn’t want a Porsche.”
“Everyone wants a Porsche.”
“No one ever asked me what I wanted, and I am a human being. You, as well as Jay, seem to forget that. Suddenly, I had to worry about being carjacked, about checking behind me before I got into the car, if I parked too close to a car in the parking lot. With my Nissan, I just got in it and drove. I had the oil changed, and that was it. Suddenly, I became a slave to a car. I was already Jay’s slave, wasn’t that enough?”
“Do you know how much trouble I went through to get you that car in black? I had to have them drive it down from San Francisco.”
“You should have left it there. I hate black. It’s depressing, and shows every door ding imaginable.”
“Now you’re being vindictive. I took my job seriously, Haley. I’m a lawyer, I don’t buy cars. But I did it for Jay because it was for you.”
“Why?’
“Let’s just say I thought you deserved the best.”
“What does that mean?”
“I really made no impression on you whatsoever, did I?”
I shrug, not understanding what he’s trying to say.
“Do you know that every time I came to the house on business, you greeted me at the door and offered me coffee, hung up my jacket, and offered me the sweetest smile. I always did think Jay was the luckiest man alive.”
I hate to tell Hamilton I did that for anyone who came to the house. It’s called common courtesy, but I can see by his expression he feels like he’s unloaded this dark secret, so I let it slide.
“I don’t need anyone making decisions for me. My head is not in the clouds anymore, Hamilton. It’s firmly rooted here,” I slap my hand on his desk. “In the present, and the present costs money. I’ve got an idea for my own business, and you have to remember, I gave up eight years of any career I might have had for Jay’s business. I’m just as good a producer as he is, I’ll have you know.”
“You have absolutely no experience producing, Haley.”
“That’s what Jay tells you. But I can tell you what every film boasting his name cost him to make and how much it returned. I bet you Jay can’t do that.”
“He was gone for six months on that last film. Where were you if you’re so integral to the business?”
“I was home doing the work, Hamilton. He didn’t have distribution for the film yet, but he’s off in Monaco acting like he needs to oversee the entire creative process. You know as well as I do that without distribution, that film was dead in the water. I don’t care who was starring in it. He was on-site, so he could be with Rachel!” I have to work hard to keep the screech out of my voice. No sense in appearing the shrew that I feel like. “She thinks he’s Oscar worthy, but you know as well as I do, there’s no money to be made in artistic films when flatulence will buy him a vacation home in Spain.”
“You’re reading a lot into his trip to Monaco, Haley. He always goes on location.”
“Look, I know you’re religious and all, you’re probably like my mother and believe the best in everyone, but study the facts. Can you do that for me? You’re helping this man take what’s mine.” I pound my finger on his desk. “And you’re telling me to back down because that’s the right thing to do. When really it’s the easy thing for me to do. It makes your job easier if I go away. What kind of justice is in that? Do you believe in a just God?”
This catches him off guard, and I watch him wince.
“He was producing bad sitcoms when I met him, Hamilton,” I repeat.
“How did the Trophy Wives Club go?”
“Your fan club, you mean?”
“I didn’t do what Lindsay probably claimed I did. I just asked a few questions of the pastor is all.”
“See, that’s why people don’t go to church. You can’t even get along in the church, and you want to teach everyone else how to live.”
“People are flawed in the church, Haley, but at least they know they’re flawed, and they’re trying.”
“I’m trying. I’m not ‘in the church’”—I put my fingers up in quotes—“and I’m trying. I’d rather live decently than do what you do and try to justify my actions. I’m done being a victim, that’s for certain.”
“So why are you here?”
“You know why I’m here. I want $250,000, and I’m not going away until I get it. You can relay my message to Jay. He can afford it. The question is, can he afford the alternative?” I walk toward the door. “It’s not that much for what I endured, and you know that, Hamilton. I suggest you let your client know he’s getting a good deal.” Shoot. I had to throw out the first number. Luckily, I made it a nice round one.
Hamilton rests his chin on his fist. “I’ll tell him.”
“Tell him that the tabloids would pay twice that. With pictures, even more.” Of course, I don’t mention that I have no pictures, but my dad didn’t teach me the poker bluff for nothing. Seeing that wedding ring in the shop made me snap. This is war.
Hamilton stands and walks toward me, his voice gentle. “Why are you doing this?”
“No!” I hold up a palm. “I am done being swayed by charm. You don’t have enough charm in this entire office to convince me that I should be a doormat and let Jay get his way. I’m a good producer, and I’ve started fielding manuscripts.” I haven’t, but he doesn’t know that. “I know all the secrets, so don’t even try me, all right? After all, someday you might want to work for me.”
“I’m not trying to charm you, Haley. If you want to win this, I have no doubt you will, but think what you’re losing in the process.”
“I mean it, Hamilton. Quit with the nice guy act. Everyone knows what you do for a living. You act like you’re Robin Hood, but you’re much more like a tax collector. You have no idea what some of these women endure. Oh, I’m not saying there aren’t a few who marry the guy for his money. There are, but I believe there are more of us who marry because we grew up believing in the fairy tale, and no one ever told us it was a lie.”
He stands up and walks around in front of his desk, leaning against it with his arms crossed over his chest. “It’s a lie, Haley.”
“I’ve seen men who really love their wives more than money. They exist. Just not in our world. You might think me insane, but I am happy for those women, but as for me? I’m going the Ivana Trump route. I’ll make my own money, and, more importantly, I will use it for things that matter. Not new Porsches.”
“After you take his money, you mean.”
His comment feels like a stinging slap across my face. I feel my brows furrow. A storm is brewing within me, and I hope Hamilton Lowe feels my thunder. “Did you just say what I think you said?
“If you didn’t marry him for his money, why blackmail him for more of it?”
“Because I gave up any hope I had for a career, my education, and my hope of a family for his dreams, Hamilton. Do you get that? Do you get that I tried to be a good wife by giving up everything I wanted? Granted, that may have been stupid, but here’s where I prove that I’m not stupid. Tell your client my offer.” I snap up my purse and head for the door.
My heels click with resolve as I head to the elevator. The empty seat left by Miss Linen makes me pause. Feeling sorry for men is exactly what gets me into these messes. Hamilton is a big boy, I tell myself, and if he can’t keep women around, even the ones he pays, he has only himself to blame.
Before the elevator comes, I hear Hamilton call my name. I turn to face him, and really, it is a wonder to see a man like him single with so many beautiful L.A. women. It doesn’t add up. He’s incredibly handsome, has a good job, seems to be a decent guy other than what he does for a living—which makes my skin crawl. There’s really only one answer that I can see. This job has tainted his view of marriage. Just like Jay has tainted mine.
“Haley, whatever you think of me? Don�
��t let that be what you think of God.”
“You’re thinking mighty highly of yourself. You’re comparing yourself to God now? Don’t worry, Hamilton, I’ll separate you in my mind, though it will be hard.” I punch the elevator button again.
“Haley,” Hamilton grasps my hand tightly, and he towers over me as he steps closer. “That’s not what I meant.”
I hate that his proximity makes it difficult to breathe. I hate it. Will I never learn? I avoid his eyes and focus on his expensive shoes. Please, elevator, come. Come quickly!
“I’m not here to assuage your guilt. I’ll get through this.” I punch the button again with my free hand. The poor button; it’s feeling my wrath! I meet his gaze. “Are you going to let go of my hand?”
He drops it like a hot potato. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize—”
The elevator door finally opens and inside is my soon-to-be ex-husband. “Well, isn’t this cozy?” Jay asks as he steps off the elevator.
Jay appears short standing alongside Hamilton. I don’t know why this makes me feel better, but it does. He looks like Mini-me standing next to Austin Powers. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but it still makes me rise up on my heels and stand to my full height. Jay studies me, as if to notice if I pass his inspection. I clench my hands into fists as I watch him take inventory. How many days did I wait expectantly for his approval? It inflames me that I was so pathetic, and yet truthfully, there’s something within that’s waiting right now.
“Didn’t your mother teach you not to stare, Mini?” It comes out before I can help myself. I realize he has no idea what I’m talking about, not being a fan of late-night reruns, but it feels good not to be edited by him, what can I say?
“Pardon me?” he asks, as though he’s not checking me out for any and all flaws. I imagine Rachel is better at hiding her flaws, or more accurately, paying to have them hidden, but hopefully, she’s better at not signing ridiculous pre-nups as well.
The Trophy Wives Club Page 11