It could belong to anyone.
During my soul-searching, I realized I’m no different from the achievements that hang on his wall and line his shelves. A trophy wife in every sense of the word.
I know what I want out of today. I want a way out. And just because I’m more self-aware than I’ve ever been, that doesn’t mean I’m not terrified of slipping back into the role I’ve played my entire life. My father and my husband have had years to shape me into the woman I am today, one who does what she’s told, one who doesn’t go against them. Today, I’m hoping for something that will balance the scales. Evidence of his bad behavior that will speak louder than I ever could.
Aubrey thinks we’re in this together, and that whatever I find I will share with her.
And I might. Ben has lied and hid things that have hurt us both.
But…I also might not. The only people who need to know what he’s done to trigger the prenup clause are my family and our divorce lawyers.I’m hoping I’m strong enough to leave him, but I’m not sure I’m strong enough to weather the inevitable scandal that would roll through this city if what he’s done is made public.
Is this fair to Aubrey?
No, it’s not. And I feel really bad about that.
But as Ben likes to say,“Fair is where they sell cotton candy.”
Chapter 6
Camille
BEFORE THE ALIBI
Thursday, September 3
My phone vibrates with an incoming text from Hank.
Heads up! Dropping Ben off in five
He’s hammered
Also he bought some hunting trip to Argentina
It’s late. Close to midnight. I must have dozed off while I was waiting on him to get home from the Ducks Unlimited banquet. After liking Hank’s first message, I throw off the covers and head downstairs in case he needs any help getting Ben inside.
Part of me is pissed I’m having to deal with this in the middle of the night, but mostly I’m struck by how out of character this is for Ben. He isn’t a big drinker. It’s not that he doesn’t drink, he just keeps a strict limit on the amount.
But over the years I’ve realized the lack of drinking is more aboutcontrol. Ben likes control, and getting drunk makes him lose it. When he drinks, he speaks more freely. Drops his guard in a way that makes him vulnerable.
I’m more curious about what brought on the loosening of his usual ironclad control than I am bothered to have to tend to him in this condition.
By the time I make it to the kitchen, headlights flash across the room as Hank pulls up the driveway. I open the side door and watch Ben struggle to get out of Hank’s truck. It’s a massive vehicle, very different from the sleek SUVs Ben prefers. It suits Hank, though. The DU event was his idea. It’s an annual dinner where duck hunting enthusiasts raise money to support wetland conservation. There’s always lots of things to bid on during their live auction, including, I guess, hunting trips to Argentina. Ben isn’t much of a hunter but has been known to go on trips for either the social or business networking aspect. He was less than enthused to attend, but something must have changed his mind when he got there because he’s all smiles now.
“Cammie! Want to go to Argentina and shoot some ducks?”
Ugh. I’ve made it very clear how much I detest that nickname.
“Not particularly.” I look at Hank, who has grabbed Ben’s briefcase from the back seat of his truck and is steering Ben toward the door. “I should make you take him to your house.”
Hank lets out a deep laugh, the kind that makes you want to laugh too. “Not on your life,Cammie. He drank enough Scotch that it’s likely to come back up at any moment.”
I elbow him in the side when he passes by me to get Ben through the door and he just laughs again. Ben’s eyes are glassy and his cheeks red. He is in rare form and has completely zoned out. As soon as he’s closeenough, he falls into my side. His arms wrap around me while he buries his face in my neck. Yeah, drunk Ben is very different.
Hank steps away, holds Ben’s briefcase up. “I’ll just put this on the counter.”
By the time I maneuver Ben to a chair at the kitchen table, Hank is shutting the door behind him.
“Sit here. I’ll get you some water and Advil. Did you eat anything?”
