Page 5 of Our Lips Are Sealed
Scrambling to stand, she pressed her face to the glass and saw Devon on the dock, holding a long rod in the air. His mouth moved as if he were counting down, and a shrieking tail of smoke whizzed out of the thing in his hand, shooting an array of glimmering light over the water.
The twins were with him, jumping in delight around their father.
Yet another thundering blast echoed over the inlet. Rebecca covered her ears with half a mind to go out there and shove all of them into the bayou. Devon was a menace, holding no control over his wife or children. The twins were total hellions. Abe was into everything, completely unable to sit still for even a second, while Annabeth was a snobby brat, acting as if she were better than everyone else. She and Cecilia were close, calling each other sissy as if they were actual sisters.
Rebecca hardly saw her youngest anymore, only catching glimpses of her on the lawn from time to time.
Devon let off another round, and standing there planning his demise, a stabbing pain struck low in her abdomen, forcing a grunt from Rebecca. She had slept the day away, and it was time for a second dose of medication.
Charlie had left her pills on the nightstand, and as she swallowed four more, she heard him coming in through the front door.
“Becca, come out here.”
Pulling on her clothes, she went into the living room. Charlie sat on the couch with two neat white lines laid out on the glass top coffee table.
“What’s this?”
“A little treat.”
With no baby in her belly, Rebecca sat with him and eagerly inhaled. The tingling numbness that came with the rush had been so sorely missed, and she tipped her head back to get it all in.
Charlie groped her breast roughly, grunting in her ear. “You’re so sexy when you do that.”
“I can’t fuck you yet.” She jabbed him with her elbow, and noticing the champagne on the table, picked it up to read the label. “Where did you get this?”
Disappearing into the kitchen, he returned with two glasses, filling them to the top with golden bubbles. “From a store.”
“But with what money?”
“My money,” he replied, handing her a glass. “Ben completed the buyout as of last week.”
Rebecca leaped off the couch to hug him, spilling champagne on them both.
“Calm down.” He peeled her arms from around his neck. “That’s not the best part.”
“What could be better than that?”
Devon released more fireworks off the dock, the noise startling her. She jumped, losing the small amount of liquid left in her glass.
Charlie chuckled, grabbing the champagne bottle to refill her drink. “Vivian met someone, and wants a divorce,” he said. “According to the prenup, if she petitions first, not only will my remaining shares in Fairweather stay with me, but she also can’t touch any part of my inheritance.”
Rebecca squealed, dancing in place. “Are you serious?”
He nodded. “I’m free.”
Happiness sang in her, wiping away the noise building since she woke.
Charlie was free.
Free to spend his money, free to live his life, and free to be with her. The days of being stuffed out here, forgotten and alone, were over. It was her turn to live in the sun and be the one to shine.
“Is that why you met with Ben?” she asked, her cheeks hurting from smiling so much. “To get the money he owes us?”
The excitement on his face faltered, and Charlie cleared his throat. “There was more to the discussion.”
He splashed another helping of champagne into his glass. “I’ve agreed to release my shares to him, and in return, he’s going to help launch me into a couple of real estate ventures.”
“Real estate?”
