“He’s a stone-cold liar. Aren’t news reporters supposed to aim to deliver the truth?”
Beau holds up a hand to silence me. “Mrs. Shein, what he means is, we’ve served Dre with a cease and desist order to stop any further slander of my client. Usually unmarried exes are able to part without legal representation, however, Mr. Skinner has used his position and your platform to knowingly defame my client. The bottom line is Mr. Behr, my client’s boyfriend, is prepared to take Dre and his wife to court over the allegations for however long it takes. You need to decide where your station will lie in this matter.”
She folds her hands as she considers Beau’s warning. “So, you’re saying fire him or be dragged into his personal business with him? Do you have proof he lied? I can’t just fire him for fun.”
“Actually, Texas is an at-will state so you could, but yes my client has evidence that he lied.” Beau shows her screenshots of the threatening texts Dre sent Heaven. “Here are the things he sends her. Plus we have footage from the hotel and a bar that will show. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner were the pursuers and harassed my client the entire time she was in Hawaii with Mr. Behr.”
She reviews some of the evidence and holds up a finger as she makes a call. The Human Resources manager arrives shortly and hears the complaint then reviews the evidence.
He stares at us with worried, gray eyes before nodding. “I’ll start the termination paperwork then contact P.R. for a statement.”
“No need. My P.R. team has drafted one for you, since we had faith in your decision.” I slide the envelope across the desk. “But feel free to have your people check it out.”
Beau and I rise to shake their hands. “Just know Wassergot will continue our sponsorship."
I text Heaven from the parking lot to let her know I’m bringing company.
“Ready to meet your client?” I ask Beau as we climb into his rental.
I didn’t bother with a rental since I’m here with Heaven and she has a car. I’d ordered a ride to the station because I knew I’d ride back with Beau.
“You mean am I ready to meet the girl that has you falling?” Beau volleys while remaining completely serious.
“That too.” His observation doesn’t shock me because I’ve never been good at bullshitting myself. I know exactly how I’m beginning to feel. “How did you know?”
“We just got her ex fired. No, webothmade special trips to get her ex fired.”
“He deserves it.”
Beau’s bearded face cracks into the closest thing to a smile he can muster. “I’m aware. I have the evidence. He’s a piece of shit. I’m saying, when you come to me, it’s highly personal. Plus, you’ve never been known to join in on the petty. You’re usually the calm surfer who rises above. Not with this one. You’re out for blood.”
“True. I warned them, they didn’t listen. I should hate that I’m enjoying this, but I can’t muster the feeling.”
“I can’t wait for the meeting tomorrow.” Beau’s hands clutch the steering tighter than necessary as he follows the GPS’s directions. “I hate bullies. What kind of grown-ass man harasses his daughter’s husband’s ex just to side with his daughter?”
“What?” I know her dad is an asshole from Hawaii, but that’s the only incident I know from him.
“Yesterday, the online portion of his magazine posted an article ‘chronicling’ his daughter’s anxiety caused by Heaven and how he helps her through it. There are some bogus text messages she made up. I know they are bogus because I have Heaven’s records.”
I take a few relaxing breaths to keep my calm. They’ll see me, tomorrow. “Tomorrow,”
Saying it out loud helps calm the fury building within. Ashley has a problem, and her dad isn’t helping her by upholding her in her bullshit. That’s okay, I’m about to shock all of them out of it tomorrow. Ashley’s tyranny is over.
Once I let ourselves inside. Beau, whose pockets reach deeper than mine, looks around Heaven’s apartment.
“Cute.”
“I said the same thing.”
“And what’s that?” Heaven questions as she comes out of her bedroom. She’s freshly showered and wearing a halter top dress.
Now, that’s more like it.
“Your place is cute.”
“Is that rich man code for ‘look, how small?’ I can afford a bigger place, I just didn’t see the point.”
“No. I just mean it’s cute,” Beau counters with an outstretched hand. “Hi, I’m Beau Scott, and you must be Heaven.”
