After working with a couple of new horses all day, I need a drink or two to wind down. I head home, take a long, hot shower, and pour myself a glass of wine as I wait for Trent to finish up his day so we can begin dinner.
I click on the TV and close my eyes. I’ve been feeling overworked lately. Between all the wedding planning and extra horse training I’ve had, I doze off and don’t hear him come in. My eyes flutter open, and his back is to me as he walks around. I begin to sit up until I notice how he’s speaking quietly to the person on the other line. Not wanting to give myself away, I close my eyes and lie there, listening to every word that comes from his mouth that’s filled with venom. He’s shaking his head, and I’m so thankful I can’t see the look on his face because I know he’s wearing a scowl.
“I told you to stop fucking calling me,” he whisper-shouts as if he’s mad but trying to keep his voice low.
My heart races and pounds hard in my chest, but I somehow steady my breathing.
“No. Stop. Just stop it. If you need more money, you need to contact my lawyer. I’m not having this conversation right now.” He pauses for a short moment. “Listen. To. Me,” he continues, seething between gritted teeth. I hear him pacing, then the front door snaps closed.
The breath I was holding escapes from my lungs, and my eyes open wide as I replay every single word he said. I can still hear him outside talking, but I have no idea what he’s saying. Who the fuck is he talking to? Who does he owe money to? And why didn’t he feel like he could tell me about this?
I wish I had my phone, so I could text Addie and tell her what I just heard, but I left it in the bedroom. Sucking in a deep breath, I stand and find the courage to open the front door instead. Trent immediately turns around and forces a smile.
“Okay, well we’ll deal with this later. I’m glad she’s doing better. Alrighty. Bye,” he says quickly, then steps toward me.
“Hey, baby. I was going to let you sleep.” He pulls me into his arms and kisses my forehead.
I look up at him and smile, keeping my tone light and fluffy. “Who was that? Everything okay? You sounded upset.” I add the last part, hoping he’ll tell me what's going on because when I opened the door, he was yelling. By the surprised look on his face when he saw me, he knows I heard him.
He leans down and kisses my lips as if it were nothing at all, though I’ve not seen that side of him…well, ever. “Oh, that was Mrs. Parsons. She was wondering if I could come to check on one of her horses that’s limping pretty badly. Bad horseshoes or something. I really can’t stand it when people don’t have the experience to put on shoes but do it anyway. Apparently, she allowed her nephew to do it, and now the horse is in pain.”
I smile, but when I look at him, I have a feeling he’s lying straight to my face with a long-exaggerated story. It’s unsettling, but I force it away for now. I’m trying to give him the opportunity to be honest with me, but he’s not taking it. Or maybe I’m overreacting, and he really was talking to Mrs. Parsons, but my gut instinct tells me otherwise. Not to mention the money conversation that’s still lingering in my head. We have separate business accounts and created a joint bank account when I moved in with him to put money in for our monthly bills. I’ve refused to fully depend on him and want to take care of my share. “Are you ready for dinner? I was going to put some burgers on the grill tonight.” He easily changes the subject.
“Yeah, that sounds perfect.” I keep the smile, not allowing it to falter, but it’s hard. Somehow I keep it together, not wanting to make a big deal out of something that might not actually be anything. Wedding jitters, I remind myself. That’s all this is.
Trent takes my hand and leads me inside. I grab my empty wineglass and pour it to the top as he washes his hands. He looks over his shoulder at me and gives me a wink as he takes the hamburger patties from the fridge and seasons them. Once they’re ready, I follow him outside to the back porch, and we chat about our day as he grills.
Purple and dark pink streaks of clouds paint the sky, and I find myself lost in my thoughts as Trent chats about horses.
“I ran into your parents today at the grocery store,” he tells me.
“Yeah? I’m supposed to have lunch with my mama tomorrow.”
“Your mom mentioned something about Mrs. Bishop baking our wedding cake.” He looks over his shoulder, giving me a pointed look.
I smile, but I can tell by the look on his face that he’s not thrilled about it.
“Yeah, she usually does that for people at the church,” I remind him. “She made Emily’s cake for the bridal shower, and you said you liked it.”
“We don’t need anything from the Bishops. Not a damn thing.” Trent keeps his back to me, and I suck in a deep breath. Lately, he’s been like this about anything to do with the Bishops, and it’s starting to wear on me, considering he knows the relationship I have with all of them.
“They’ve been family friends since before I was an apple in my mother's eye, Trent. You’re gonna have to get over this. But while we’re on the subject, I want Jackson to be in the wedding party. We’ve talked about your cousins and sister, and I think it’s important that one of my best friends is as well.” Now seems as good a time as ever to bring it up since it’s been on my mind for the past two weeks, but I just hadn’t found the opportunity to mention it. When I talked to Emily about it, she warned me Trent would probably flip out but encouraged me to do it if that’s what I wanted, which I do.
He sets the spatula down on the side of the grill and turns around. He’s seething, but I refuse to allow it to bother me.
“I don’t think so,” he tells me, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t want him to be there at all.”
I mirror his stance, not willing to back down. “This isn’t a negotiation, Trent. Jackson is one of my closest friends, and I want him in the wedding party. Getting married is something I’ve dreamed of my whole life, and it’s important to me that he’s up there. So I want to ask him the next time I’m at the Bishop ranch.”
I’m not trying to start an argument with him, but I’m putting my foot down.
“I don’t understand your obsession with him.” He huffs, shaking his head, then turns around as he continues to speak. “But do whatever you want. Seems like you’re going to anyway.”
Now, I’m pissed.
It’s always something between the two of them, and I don’t know why. Trent has no reason to be threatened by Jackson, considering he’s the one I’m marrying. Instead of taking this to a level it doesn’t need to be, I calm down and walk over to Trent. I snake my arms around his waist and rest my head against his back.
“I love you, Trent. I love you so damn much, even when you’re stubborn as hell. Don’t forget you’re the man I’m marrying, okay? If you don’t want him to be there, then I’ll do what you want, but it’s important to my parents too. I’ll just let them know you said you’d prefer him not to be there.”
He stills for a moment, then turns around and pulls me into his arms. His demeanor completely changing.
“No, it’s okay, babe. I know you’re marrying me, and you’ll be mine for the rest of our years. If you want him there, then I’m okay with it.”
I look up into his eyes, and he leans down and kisses me. It’s almost frightening how he can change from being pissed to happy in all of five seconds. Maybe my words affected him?
It’s been almost a week since Trent and I had our discussion about Jackson being in the wedding party. A few days ago, I asked Jackson, and he gave me shit about it, but hesitantly agreed. Before he did, though, he asked what Trent thought about it, knowing they have a mutual hatred for one another. I gave him a smile and told him Trent didn’t mind, though I’m sure he didn’t believe me. The truth is, I need Jackson there.
Growing up, he was my number one support system when big decisions were made, and without him being there on a day that I’ve dreamed about since I was a little girl, I didn’t know if I could do it. Though, when I used to think about getting married, it was to him, but now I know he’s not the marrying type of man, so it would mean everything to have his blessing.
After rinsing my hair in the shower, I turn off the water and reach for my towel. Trent and I are going on a date night. He was recently hired by a large rancher in the town over and wanted to celebrate, so we’re going out for a fancy steak dinner in San Angelo as soon as he gets home.
Just as I finish drying off, I hear my cell phone ring and hurry to the bedroom where I left it. Once I reach it, I see it’s my mother. She’s been enjoying the wedding planning process, but considering there’s so much to do in such a short amount of time, I ended up hiring Jessica to help.
“So, we set up the rental for the tent for the second weekend in October, if that’s firm.”
I smile. “Yes, Mama. That’s the date we’re planning on. It’s going to be here so soon.”
She’s giddy with all this, and it makes me so damn excited. “I spoke with Rose yesterday, and she said she could round up all the boys to help set up the tent so we wouldn’t have to pay to get it done. Apparently, they’ve had lots of practice with all the Bishop weddin’s they’ve been having.”
“That sounds great, Mama.” I set my phone down and put her on speaker as I get dressed.
“All we really have left is to pick out the flowers and order them, decide on the food so we can let the caterers know, and finalize your last dress fitting. Oh, before I forget, I spoke with Tracy, the lady who has that string quartet at church, and she said they need a deposit to schedule your date. Since I know how adamant Trent was about paying for them, I’ll just need to get a check from you. I’m supposed to see her tomorrow if you can drop it off tonight,” she says.
“Oh right, hold on one second,” I tell her, grabbing my phone so I can send a text to Trent.
Kiera: Hey babe. Mama needs a check to book the orchestra. Do you have any extras? I think I used the last one for the chair rental deposit.
Trent: Yep. In my desk, top drawer. Should be a checkbook right on top. Almost done here. I’ll see you in thirty minutes. Love you.
Kiera: Thank you! Love you too.
I smile, then go back to my phone call. “Yeah, Mama. I can bring you one in the morning before I feed the horses if that’s okay. Trent and I are going out for dinner tonight.”
“Sure, sweetie. That’ll be fine. Just put it in the mailbox. I know you’ll be at the ranch early or if you wanna drink coffee with your dad in the morning.”
“I just might,” I say.
“Well, I’m gettin’ another call, Kiera. I’ll see you first thing tomorrow. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Mama.”
I end the call, grab my wet towels and throw them in the hamper, then go into Trent’s office. It’s tidy inside, and he usually spends a few hours in the afternoon catching up with paperwork once he’s back home.
Equestrian books line the walls along with different award-winning horses he’s owned over the years. I sit in the big executive chair and slide the drawer out. Right on top just as he said is the checkbook. I open it and see both of our names on top and know it will eventually say Trent and Kiera Laken. I rip out a check before placing it back. As I’m about to close the drawer, I catch a glimpse of an envelope with another bank name on it, one that isn’t familiar. I sit there for a moment, but then curiosity gets the best of me, and I open it.
Studying the statement, I don’t recognize any of the information except his name at the top. Deposits are made monthly, and then on the first of each month, a direct withdrawal of a thousand dollars gets taken out. My heart races as I look in the drawer and find a stack of these statements, all with the same transactions, dating all the way back to four years ago. Immediately, my mind goes to the worst possible place. Who is he paying this money to, and why does he feel he needs to hide this from me? I think back to the conversation I overheard earlier this week, and every terrible scenario fills my mind. Is he cheating on me? Is he addicted to drugs? Is he living a double life?
With shaky hands, I put the envelope and statements back where I found them, then put the checkbook on top of it all. I place the check on the kitchen counter and go to the bathroom.
I’m in complete shock and don’t know what to think. This month marks a year we’ve lived together, and it’s frightening to know there are still things I don’t know about him. I halfway doubt everything, our relationship and the foundation of trust it was built on, and I know deep down something isn’t right. He’s hiding something.
I don’t know what to say or how to start the conversation, so when Trent comes home, I don’t say anything at all. I pretend as if everything is fine because I’m afraid I’d sound accusatory if I bring it up now before I have time to really process it.
As always, he pulls me into his arms and tells me how beautiful I look before he plants a kiss on my lips.
“I’m so hungry, but I need a shower,” he says with a smile before walking to the bathroom. “I’ll be quick.”
“You better!” I call out, plopping down on the couch and allowing my mind to wander. I text Emily, giving her the details of what I found.
Emily: I’m going to stay neutral on this, but maybe you should bring it up?
Kiera: I can’t tonight, not right now, but I’m going to have to before the wedding.
Emily: All I have to say is he better tell the truth. We’re four months away from a wedding. If he’s seeing someone else, you kinda need to know now.
I sigh, because I know she’s right.
Kiera: I don’t think he’s cheating.
Emily: For his sake, I hope he’s not. There are too many Bishops that would kick his ass and go all big brother on him.
Her words make me smile.
Emily: Not to mention me bitching that ass out too.
Kiera: And we all know how fierce you can be when it comes to your bestie.
I can imagine her smiling and laughing. When I hear the water stop running, I tell her I have to go.
Emily: Please keep me updated.
Kiera: You’ll be the first to know once I find out.
Trent walks into the living room dressed in a button-up shirt and nice slacks. His hair is parted to the side, and he looks really handsome. We head outside and get into the truck, and on the drive to the restaurant, I try to push the thoughts away, but they continue to haunt me. All I know is, I will get to the bottom of this, especially if I plan on spending the rest of my life with this man.