“No.” Jude puts a palm on my thigh.
“Not to your knowledge, anyway,” Tyson says, looking sheepish.
“I guess. It’d be a complete fucking shock, though.”
I swallow hard, my mind racing with possibilities. Just an hour ago, my biggest worry was whether Jude would get on board with my job offer. And now…I’m thinking about the possibility that my husband could have a child out there that he never knew about.
Iwant to have his babies. Our babies. The thought of another woman having his baby makes me…
Tearful. I have to fight back the tears. I almost can’t breathe for a second.
“Babe.” Jude looks into my eyes. “I swear to you, there’s nothing…nothing.”
“I…I know.” My voice shakes.
“Any woman you’ve ever rejected who may feel scorned?” Tyson presses.
Jude sighs deeply. “I mean…ever? Sure, I’ve rejected women.”
Tyson makes a note in the small notebook he always carries.
“Any woman you’ve ever tried to get with who wasn’t interested?”
“Again”—my husband’s voice is agitated—“ever? Of course.”
“These are the people we have to be considering before we know more,” Tyson says. “You know how these things are.”
“I know.” Jude blows out a breath. “This is nothing, I guarantee it. But that doesn’t stop someone from making an accusation that could cost me my career. My honor.”
“All we can do for now is hunker down and wait to see what breaks,” Tyson says. “You guys can’t leave this room for now.”
I nod, my head spinning. Tyson stands up and looks down at us.
“Think about it and talk about it with Reagan,” he says. “You know the drill—anything you think of, let me know so we can try to get out in front of it. I’ll come update you guys when we get any details.”
“Thanks,” Jude says solemnly.
We both stand as Tyson leaves the room, and then Jude turns to me, his dark eyes swimming with emotion.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” he says softly.
“It’ll be okay.”
“You believe me, right? I can’t do any of this without you beside me. I need to know you believe me.”
“I do, but—”
“But?” His eyes bulge with disbelief.
“But like Tyson said, this could be something from your past. Someone you turned down who wants revenge. We just don’t know what we’re dealing with yet.”
He nods and closes his eyes for a second, then walks toward me and puts his hands on my hips. “You can’t leave me, Ray. I’ve never been through anything like this, and I have to have you with me.”
“Well, Tyson quarantined us to this room, so…” My small attempt at humor falls flat.
“I mean after we get news, too. This changes everything. I need you by my side.”
To show the world he has a devoted wife. Memories of my father’s sex scandal hit me so hard, I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me.
