Page 88 of The Truth of Our Secrets

“What did he say?” The hatred in his voice bleeds over the line.

“He called Madyson some names, admitted to being a lowlife, and dropped off some pictures with a threating note.”

“Fucking hell. I’m sorry you have to deal with this. I’m glad she’s not alone.” We hear dinging and it sounds like he’s jogging. “Fucking bastard.”

The screen changes and Emmet accepts the FaceTime call.

As soon as the video connects, Emmet speaks. “Basically, he’s refusing to grant you a divorce.” He lets the word hang like a ticking bomb, then continues, “And he’s threatening to sue you for adultery and abandonment.”

I’m shaking with the truth exposed about our “marriage” and wondering what Emmet thinks. Is he mad at Peter or Jayce and me for lying?

“Oh, and he included photos of the two of you having sex as proof of the adultery.”

“What the fuck!” Jayce yells at the same time, I cry, “No!”

He hands me the phone and grabs the photos.

“Turn the phone so he can see too.” Emmet’s all business and it’s killing me.

“He was there, naked, and participating willingly,” Jayce says. “He said he wanted to capture us on the night our child might be conceived.”

“Are there pictures of him with Madyson?” Emmet asks.

“Yes, but I don’t have them. At some point, he deleted them off my phone.” Jayce scrubs his face with his free hand. “Are you okay?”

I nod but realize he’s focused on Emmet.

“This isn’t about me.” Emmet picks up the note to show Jayce. There’re only three words: never, adulterer, and abandonment.

“Fucking asshole.” Jayce’s gaze cuts away from the screen. “It’s not explicit blackmail, but it’s what he means. He’s clever enough not to incriminate himself.”

Jayce never wanted to come out publicly, and this divorce will force him. And Emmet must think we’re the worst. He assumes we’re married and we’re not.

“Emmet, this is about all of us if you want it to be.” Jayce leaves so much unsaid, but he’s giving Emmet a choice.

Emmet’s shaking his head and I can’t hold the sob in any longer. He pulls me into his chest and I wrap my arms around him, never wanting to let go.

“Call your lawyer.” Emmet’s back to business. “You’ll need to get character references and friends and family to dispute his claim.”

This only makes me cry harder. There are very few people who knew about our relationship while it was happening. We told people after we kicked Peter out. Alec isn’t speaking to me and the courts probably won’t put much weight in a childhood best friend’s testimony.

“That’s going to be tricky.” Jayce stares away from the camera.

Emmet doesn’t ask. I’d give anything to know what he’s thinking.

“You still need to call your lawyer and warn him. Don’t let him get blindsided.” The implication hangs in the air—we blindsided him.

“Will you stay with her?” Jayce’s voice cracks.

Emmet’s spine straightens. “I said I’d be here. I’m not going back on my word.” He delivers the sentences with no emotion.

“Thank you. Let me call my lawyer and I’ll call back.”

Emmet hangs up the phone and I’m terrified of what happens next. I stay buried in his chest. “We should talk.”

We sit at the table and I wish we were in the living room so I could sit with him, but he probably needs his space.

“Jayce was married when I met him. The media never discovered the marriage license. Neither wanted to make a public announcement. Jayce was afraid of homophobia in the league, and I think Peter was jealous of Jayce’s fame. He didn’t want to be the anonymous husband. The guy next to the famous person. Peter was an egomaniac and treated Jayce like a piece of shit.”

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