INE

eet like a cheap soda, fille

dn't heard in what felt like a lifetime. He never

" His voice was full of a playful affec

sing the same pet name he us

mouth, terrified a sound

learn was named Amber, purred on the other end. "You h

The realization was a block

"Is your wife suspicious

to them. I had given up my design career in New York, moved to

dismissive laugh. "Her? She doesn't know a thing. Al

tempt. He spoke about me like I

hot, landing on the back of my hand. Thi

way. Miami beaches. A suite in Vegas. All

y wanted to do to each other. I was a forced audience to their po

ime? On the sofa in your study... If your wif

Italian leather sofa I had picked out

into our home. Into the sa

orced my breathing to stay dead silent, my fingernails digging into the mattress until they bent backward.

e you going to tell her? I don'

in my throat. Y

retched on, each

Just give me a little more t

ty clause." As a top-paid star player, he explained, any negati

. Our marriage, my feelings-they were jus

d into a sob. I once thought our love was pric

tulant but yielding. "Can you co

"I have to be careful. She's..

topped. Di

Amber asked, her t

ne said vaguely. "Anyway, let's not meet up

ng pleasantries and then hung up.

hinking the torture was over, when I h

answ

Yeah... about Eveline bein