Page 112 of Ice Cold Hearts
“What sort of drama?” Gretchen coaxes. “Don’t leave us hanging.”
“This girl they’re all seeing—” Liza starts.
“All of them?” Gretchen interrupts.
“All three, yes. I’ve seen them out at my favorite club many times, and they were all over each other.” Liza shakes her head.
“How selfish.” Gretchen laughs. “Why do you think she’s not content with just one man like the rest of us?”
“No idea,” Liza answers, “But I’m not sure how she does it. She was constantly calling my office trying to see where Oliver was and what he was doing whenever they weren’t together. She’s even shown up to my office a few times trying to track him down. I’d be exhausted doing all that snooping with one man. I don’t know how she’s managing with three. Poor thing must be exhausted.”
“For more reasons than one,” Gretchen quips.
They both laugh, and I feel my hands curl into fists so tightly my fingernails are digging into my palms. Emily takes my hand, then starts uncurling my fingers and massaging the tension out of it.
“She’s just jealous,” Emily soothes.
“How are you so calm?” Oliver demands.
“There’s nothing she can do to hurt me anymore. Why should I care? You already know my big secret. She’s got nothing on me,” She answers.
“And how did that impact you?” Gretchen asks.
“I tried to be friendly with her and convince her I was on her side, but she was cold and very possessive over Ollie—excuse me, Oliver.” Liza grins. “She hated when I called him that.”
“You know, I have to wonder how this whole four people in a relationship works. I know this isn’t their first rodeo with a single heifer, if you’ll pardon the pun, and since you’re an insider, I was wondering if you could shed any light on the matter. Do they rotate who spends time with her over the week or…?” Gretchen trails off insinuatingly.
“Now, I’m a proper lady and I don’t have any experience being passed around like that, but from things I happened to overhear when Oliver was on his phone, it seems like these men aren’t too good at waiting their turn.” Liza grins.
“Are you saying everyone participates at one time?” Gretchen asks.
“The only thing I’ll say is this. Some relationships are like solitaire, just the player and the cards. Other relationships are like a gaming console. Multiple ports to plug into.”
“Are there even enough ports?” Gretchen laughs.
“Oh, who knows with people like that?” Liza shrugs. “I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them play offense and defense, if you know what I mean.”
“What do you think they’re all getting out of this?” Gretchen asks.
“Who knows. Alexei is so frigid, I wouldn’t be surprised if nothing could warm him up to” —she pauses poignantly— “play the game. Ian is emotional enough that I don’t think he has the sense to make intelligent decisions, and Oliver is so codependent that he couldn’t bear to be left out of anything.”
“And her?” Gretchen prompts.
“Oh, she’s probably trying to decide which of the other two she wants to father her next child. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was trying for a hat trick. That girl would be set for life thrice over if she could pull that off.”
“Wait a minute,” Gretchen exclaims. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“A good agent doesn’t tell secrets.” Liza smiles secretively. “However, I will say that she turned up at my office around five years ago, ready to pop, demanding to speak to Oliver. I didn’t believe her at the time, but the dimples don’t lie.”
“There you have it, gossip straight from the horse’s mouth. Let us know your theories in the comments!”
I set the phone down, shocked and horrified at what we all just witnessed. I can feel my hands shaking with repressed fury. I haven’t felt this out of control of myself since my shoulder injury. Alexei isn’t faring much better. His knuckles are white, the muscles in his neck are pulsing, and his eye is starting to twitch. Oliver is a pale shade of green and looks like a kicked puppy. I can’t imagine how much this betrayal has hurt him. I wish I knew how to help.
Before I look at Emily, I brace myself and try to be ready for any reaction she’s having. She got the worst of the abuse in the interview, and I know she went in with a brave face, but if it were me, I’d be devastated right now.
She’s bent almost completely in half with her head in her hands. Her whole body is shaking.
You never should have let her watch this. You should have protected her.