That Ring: Chapter 16

“Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Jennifer Edwards,” I say to my parents, who have just arrived.

They often come over to stay with the kids when I go out of town for games. We had a nanny when Lori lived here, but after she left, I decided to let her go, too.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” my mother coos.

Of course, I’ve coached her on what to say, what not to say, and how I don’t want her fangirling.

My dad, on the other hand, can’t hide his excitement. He kisses both of Jennifer’s cheeks, something I’ve never in my life seen him do in greeting, and puts on the Diamond charm, clearly trying to impress her.

“We’ve seen all your movies,” he says to her.

“Did you like them?” Jennifer asks in reply.

“Yes, we did, of course,” my mother butts in. “But we’re not here to talk about that. We want to know what your intentions are regarding our son.”

“Mom!” I blurt out.

“I’m just teasing,” Mom says to Jennifer, rolling her eyes toward me. “He’s been a little nervous about us meeting and gave me a big list of things I’m not allowed to say. I had to say it just to get a rise out of him.”

“We’ll get along just fine,” Jennifer says with a grin.

“Grandma! Grandpa!” the kids yell, rushing down the stairs and handing out hugs.

“Damon, why don’t you carry their bags up to their room?”

“Nonsense,” my father says, flexing his forearm. “I know I’m getting old, but—”

Jennifer grabs my dad’s bicep and gives it a little squeeze. “Impressive. I bet you could give your son a run for his money.”

“Don’t I know it!” Dad laughs.

I take a deep breath.

“Your father and I are going to unpack and freshen up,” Mom says to me, “and then we’ll be back down to entertain Jennifer and the kids with embarrassing stories of your youth.” She gives me a hug. “I know you have to get going. Play hard. Stay healthy.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“We’ll go help them,” Devaney says. “And they need to meet their new granddog!”

Once they are all upstairs, I lead Jennifer into my bedroom and kiss her.

And kiss her.

I can’t kiss her enough, and for the first time in my life, I’m not looking forward to leaving to go to a game.

“I should probably get going,” I tell her.

“You look super sexy in a suit,” she says, pulling on my tie and making me want to rip off my clothes and have my way with her before I leave.

But I can’t.

I probably have time for one more kiss though.

“I’m going to miss you,” she says when her lips leave mine.

“I’m going to miss you, too. Are you sure you don’t want to come to the game with me?”

“I’m sure. I want some more time alone with you before the world knows about us. And we need to figure some things out, like you said. And Jadyn says you have to get through Wednesday. Once you and Lori agree to the settlement document in court, there’s no changing anything. Jadyn’s afraid us being together will—”

“I know.” I give her another kiss. It seriously has to be the last one. I hand her a couple of notes. “Will you give these to the kids tomorrow morning? I usually give them to my mom, but you distract me.”

“Damn right I do,” she teases, kissing me again.

“I don’t want to stop kissing you, but I really have to get going.”

Jennifer plops down on my bed with a fake pout, looking sexy as hell.

“I want you in this exact spot when I get back.”

“That’s a deal. Good luck, Danny.”

What she says makes me smile. I can’t remember the last time Lori wished me luck.

“You get going,” she says, getting up and smacking me on the butt. “I’ll take care of the notes.” She sits down at my desk. “I think I’ll write them one, too.”

I kiss her one more time and then reluctantly grab my overnight bag. I already told the kids good-bye before my parents arrived. I’m grabbing my car keys and wallet off the table in the foyer when the front door bursts open, and Lori waltzes in.

She looks at me and then around the house in horror. “Danny! What did you do to my house? Where is all my furniture?”

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“I came over, so I could prep the house for the party tomorrow. You know the football players’ wives all get together here if you are playing away on Thanksgiving Day. What did you do to my house?” she says again, walking past the entry, through the kitchen, and into the family room. “This is hideous. Way too casual. I’ll just have to tell everyone that the good furniture is out for cleaning or something. Did you really change everything? No, wait. Let me guess, Jadyn designed it. Made it more casual for you?”

“She designed it the way I asked her to. I’ve never been about show.”

“Oh, Danny, you are show. Always have been,” she snarls.

“Whatever. You aren’t having a party here.”

“Give me one good reason I shouldn’t uphold our tradition.”

“Well, for one, you aren’t a football player’s wife anymore,” I try to say it calmly and not with the acid I’m feeling.

“Danny,” she says, using her creepy, calm voice, “technically, we still married. We announced our divorce to the team yet, and , it needs to be business as usual.”

“I’ll tell everyone tonight then. If you still want to be involved with the football wives, that’s completely fine with me. But you’ll have to hold the party at Richard’s house.”

“I would, but it’s not big enough.”

“That’s your problem.” I shrug. “You’re not having it here.”

“Danny, to be honest, I’m doing it for our children. I don’t want them to be upset. They love getting together with the other families. It’s tradition.”

“Dani! Damon!” I yell out. “Do you want to go to a party with all the other football families to watch the game tomorrow?”

“Oh gosh, Dad! No!” Devaney yells from upstairs. “I have plans with—” Dani walks to the catwalk, sees her mother, and stops abruptly. “Mom, um, I didn’t know you were here.”

Lori scowls at her. I’m praying that Jennifer doesn’t come out to see what the ruckus is all about. “And what plans do you have?”

Dani doesn’t say anything, but Damon does. “We’re too old for that, Mom.”

“That’s because your father is so old that he’s practically obsolete,” Lori sasses back as Angel comes flying down the stairs, yipping and jumping on Lori.

“There’s a in my house? Get it off me, Danny! It’s shedding all over my ivory slacks!”

I pick up Angel, cuddling her in my arms, not caring if I get a few hairs on my suit. “So, the answer is no, Lori. No party. And you probably shouldn’t just come into the house without knocking.”

“Who shouldn’t come in without knocking?” Jennifer says, coming out of my bedroom. “And what’s got Angel all upset?”

She stops dead in her tracks when she sees Lori standing there.

I don’t want to piss Lori off. Not when we’re so close to a divorce. And Jennifer coming out of my bedroom while the kids are in the house doesn’t look good.

“Danny,” Lori says, her eyes steeled with anger, “I’d like to speak to you in private,”

“I wish I could, Lori.” I glance at my watch. “No time. I’m on my way out the door.”

“And what about ?” she says, pointing at Jennifer. “You’d better not be leaving my children with this .”

“My parents are upstairs in the guest room.”

“And where is she staying?”

Jennifer saunters over to me, gives me a sweet kiss on the cheek, turns me toward the door, and pats me on the butt. “You’d better get going, or you’ll be late.”

“Uh,” I say.

She’s right about being late, but I can’t leave her alone with Lori. It’s like cutting her artery and throwing her out to the sharks.

“I’ll be fine,” she whispers.

“Bye, Dad!” the kids yell.

“I’ll call you tonight,” I tell Jennifer. I really don’t have a choice at this point.

Thankfully, Lori follows me out to the car.

“Oh, Danny, she’s going to hurt your career. And I, for one, don’t want to see that happen to you.” She’s such a liar. “But, if you don’t let me have the party, I might have to tell people a few things about our marriage that probably wouldn’t be seen in a flattering light. And I can’t cancel because I’ve already sent out the invitations. I already have the caterer booked.”

“Tell people whatever you want about me. I don’t care at this point, but there will be no party in my home.”

“You’re going to regret this,” she warns.

I’m so pissed that I can’t even reply. The nerve of her. I get in the car, slam the door, and peel out of the driveway, actually squealing the tires.

At least she’s out of the house.

As soon as I’m out of her range of vision, I call Jennifer. “Don’t let her back inside. Lock the doors.”

“What happened?”

“She told me that if I didn’t let her have her annual Thanksgiving Day party for the football wives, I was going to regret it.”

“What do you think she will do?”

“I wasn’t actually planning to tell the team until it was official, but I’ve decided to do it today. Not make a big deal out of it. Let them know we split in May, signed our divorce agreement, and that it will be final in a few weeks. That, for the kids, we wanted it kept quiet.”

“I think that’s good. Just the basics.”

“Yes. Although I’m dying to tell them about you. It’s hard to keep the smile off my face when you’re around.”

“That’s good because I plan on being around a whole lot, Danny Diamond.”

Later that night, after calling both my kids and my parents, I call Jennifer. “It’s almost lights out, but I wanted to talk to you before I went to sleep.”

“Ask me where I am,” she says.

“Where are you?”

“I’m in your bed. And I’m alone.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The kids and your parents asked me to spend the night. Your mother wants to teach me to make what she says is her famous French toast first thing in the morning. I think she sort of assumed I have been spending the night here anyway, but I let her know that I have been staying next door.

night.”

“And who’s with you?”

“Um, well, it’s Angel. I know.

She’s not supposed to be on the bed, but she’s tired. Your dad was having a ball playing with her, and she’s bushed. Adorable and pathetic. Damon and Chase are still up, playing video games, so she’s in here until he’s ready for bed.” She lowers her voice a notch. “I will admit though, I kind of like it here.”

“I can’t wait until you spend every single night in my bed,” I tell her, meaning every word.

“I can’t wait for that either. I might even be counting down. Did you know that there are only fourteen more days until your court date?”

“I’ve been counting down the days, too. Does that mean once it’s official, you’ll consider moving in?”

“Let’s just say after that, I’m definitely open to discussing it. Play good for me tomorrow, and, Danny, I’d love to see another one of your sweet signs on television.”

“I think I can do that.”

I hang up, feeling incredibly happy about our future together.