That Ring: Chapter 23

I get up early and decide to make breakfast for the kids.

“Wow,” Damon says, coming down the stairs. “You’re cooking bacon!”

“And pancakes. Go tell your sister.”

“Dani!” he bellows. “Get down here!”

I roll my eyes and chuckle.

“I’m getting ready!” she yells from her room.

“Dad made pancakes!”

“Oh,” she says, rushing down the stairs. “What’s up?”

“Today is the day,” I tell them as I dish them up each a plate. “It’s our court date.”

“Are you nervous?” Devaney asks.

“No, but I wanted to talk to you about a few things that are happening regarding me and Jennifer.”

“Are you getting married?” Devaney says at the same time Damon asks, “Did you get her pregnant?”

“Um, neither,” I reply. “But if those things to happen, how would you feel about it?”

“Thumbs-up on all accounts, Dad,” Damon says. “Including the bacon. It’s perfection. Crispy but not burned.”

“Well, thank you.”

Devaney shakes her head in agreement and smiles. “It’s obvious you’re in love with Jennifer. You’re almost silly around her. Mushy. If it wasn’t so gross, it might be cute.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” I laugh. “I think you both know that Jennifer has been—”

“Dad, stop hemming and hawing around and just spit it out already,” Devaney says. “I still need to curl my hair.”

“Fine,” I say. “I asked her to move in with us. I’m going to propose at Christmas, and I want your blessing, I guess. You’ll always be my—”

“First priority,” Damon finishes. “We know, Dad.”

I roll up my sleeve and show them the tattoo I got on Monday night. “She told me she wouldn’t move in until we had some kind of a commitment.”

“You got a tattoo? Of her name?” my daughter says, looking slightly horrified. “Isn’t that a little, um, permanent?”

“Yes, that’s the point,” I say.

My daughter studies my arm. “It almost looks like she wrote it.”

“That’s because she did. The night we met all those years ago, she signed my arm, just like this,” I admit.

“Hmm,” Devaney says. “I’ve been wanting a tattoo, and Mom says that I shouldn’t get one unless it means something to me—that it’s personal. Like, kind of thing. All your tattoos are deeply personal, aren’t they?”

“Yes, they are. Your birthdates. My championships. My college.”

“Has she seen it?” Devaney asks.

“Not yet, but I’m hoping she’ll think it’s enough of a commitment for now. So, what do you think?”

“I think it’s really romantic, Dad.”

“She’s a good cook,” Damon says, “and my friends all think she’s hot. I’m all for her moving in.”

“Would you like some privacy tonight, Dad?” Devaney asks.

“What do you mean?”

Both kids roll their eyes at me. “

“Oh. Actually, I was thinking you might want to come out with us tonight. Celebrate. Let her know you’re happy to have her.”

“Where would we go?” Damon asks.

Devaney smacks her brother. “It’s not always about your stomach.”

“No, this is about Dad’s dic—”

“Damon!” I scold.

He just snickers. “Well, it is.”

“We need to choose a place that Jennifer would like. Right?” Devaney says sweetly.

“I think that would be nice,” I agree.

“Has she ever been to our favorite barbecue place? It’s nice but not too fancy,” Damon offers.

“On our first real date, I wanted to take her there but didn’t. Your mom and I weren’t divorced, and I was worried about us being seen together, so I brought home takeout.”

“So then, it’s perfect. We’ll go there for dinner, and when we get home, Damon and I will make ourselves scarce,” my daughter says with a grin.

“Cool. I love that place,” Damon says.

I clean up the kitchen, send the kids off to school, and then call Jennifer.

“I don’t know what I should wear,” I say.

“I’ll be right over.”

“What’s the problem? You look very handsome,” she says to me, eyeing my navy suit when I answer the door. “Are you ready for this?”

“I don’t know that you’re ever ready for something like this. I want the divorce, but I’m still sad about it.”

“That’s understandable. Fifteen years of marriage is a long time.”

“Yeah,” I say, finding it hard to put into words how I’m feeling.

She glances at her watch and kisses me good-bye. “I guess, next time I see you, you’ll officially be a free man.”

“Yeah,” I reply.

I go outside, get in my old truck, and drive to the courthouse.

I’m barely through the front door when I see Lori. She’s dressed like she’s going to a funeral—black knit suit, black stockings, and designer patent leather pumps. I take a seat on the bench next to her, and when she looks up at me, I’m surprised to find tears in her eyes.

“It’s sad today. Isn’t it?” she says.

“Yeah, it is. I’m sorry for whatever I did or didn’t do.”

“That’s just like you, Danny, shouldering the blame for something you had no control over.”

“Say what you want about our marriage, but two great kids came out of it. And I hope we can all get along for their sake. And that means you not trying to jeopardize my relationship with Jennifer.”

“I was hoping she’d rush off and not tell you. But then Richard came back, and I didn’t care anymore. I didn’t like it though when she came out of your bedroom.”

“You can thank for being adamant about not sleeping with me when the children were there before I was divorced. You should know, however, that we’re dating exclusively now.”

“Oh, you’re boyfriend and girlfriend. How cute,” she mocks. “I hate what you’ve done to the place.”

I chuckle. “That doesn’t really surprise me.”

“Look around you, Danny. At all these people. They all seem sad. There was a guy who just went in who was begging his wife to give him a second chance just minutes before they went inside. I don’t feel that way though. Your world seemed so big, and mine seemed so small. And it made me feel lonely. And when you feel that way, you start looking for attention. Richard pays attention to me. He thinks I’m interesting. And it’s nice to be the center of attention when you walk in the room. At one point, Richard told me I didn’t need any work done. He told me I was beautiful.”

“I told you the same thing.

the time.”

“But coming from you, it didn’t matter. The truth is, I earned every dime of what you’re giving me in the settlement because I became Danny Diamond’s wife. I lost myself in you. I’m going to marry Richard, but if he doesn’t make me happy, I won’t wait fifteen years to end it.”

“Are you saying that you’ve been unhappy for our entire marriage?” I ask incredulously.

“I wouldn’t say unhappy. I just never felt secure in our marriage, and that was exhausting. I’d tell myself that we were just growing up, getting older, that we had kids, that your career was different than most. I made all the excuses for us, but it boils down to one thing. You didn’t love me the way I wanted to be loved.”

“I’m sorry you felt that way. I tried hard to make you happy.”

“I know you did,” she says. “But I will always be the one game you could never win. It didn’t matter hard you tried; I wouldn’t let you. Honestly, I’ve been cheating for pretty much our entire marriage. I felt the need to compete with you. It’s not you; it’s me. My insecurity. I know that now. Richard made me see that.”

“Sounds like he’s perfect for you,” I say as a bailiff calls our names.

We stand up, and together, we walk into a small courtroom. There’s only a judge. And us. No lawyers. No mediators. No family or friends.

Just us.

“I have your signed affidavits and financial and custodial agreements in front of me. Lori Diamond, do you agree to these terms and the dissolution of your marriage?”

“I do,” she says, which is kind of funny, being that those are the same words we said to start this all.

“And you, Daniel Diamond, do you agree to these terms and the dissolution of your marriage?”

“I do,” I answer.

He signs a paper and says something about how we are officially divorced.

As we’re walking out, Lori says, “That was over faster than I expected.”

“Just fifteen years too late,” I reply under my breath.

Jennifer is waiting for me outside the courthouse, leaning against a gorgeous exotic car. I can’t believe my divorce is over. That I’m free to start a new life with her.

In the courthouse, I felt sad. Sad that my marriage had come to this point. I know that it takes two to make a marriage fail, and I obviously wasn’t giving Lori what she needed to be happy. But I think she was right that part of the problem was that she wasn’t happy with herself. That her insecurities consumed her. I really hope that, with Richard, she finds what she’s looking for.

I’m about to say something to Lori when she turns to me.

“It’s so embarrassing, you being with .” The hatred is clear in her acidic voice. “Acting like you’re in love.”

“No, Lori, what was embarrassing was you cheating on me. I’m lucky though. Jennifer is so easygoing. It’s such a refreshing change from life with you. And I owe you for that. So, thank you.”

“For what?”

“For leaving me. For filing for divorce.”

“Wow, that’s harsh,” she says, shocked I would ever say such a thing.

“No, it’s not. I wanted a divorce many times in our marriage, but I worried about the kids. Although I don’t like the way you went about it, at least you had the guts to do what I couldn’t.”

“Devaney said you met Jennifer a long time ago. When she was little.”

“Yes. When I was in LA with my agent. I knew back then that she was the one, but we were newly married, and Devaney was only a few months old. I told Jennifer we couldn’t even be friends because I knew if I didn’t, I eventually cheat on you. And that’s something, no matter what kind of ups and downs we had, I have too much integrity to do.”

“And here I thought, Jadyn was the perfect one. Apparently, it’s you,” she snarls.

“I really don’t get your jealousy over her. You should see a doctor about that.”

“It’s just so sudden with Jennifer. Is that what you want to teach our children?”

“I’ve been honest with our children. They know I met Jennifer years ago, and they know about the choices I made because I explained it to them. Have you explained choices?” I stop. There’s no need to get into this. I don’t have to argue with her ever again. “Look, you’re happy, and I’m happy. We have two beautiful and amazing children. Our marriage wasn’t perfect, but whose is? We need to show the kids that we’re adults who can get along—just like we always have. And, now, you can marry Richard.” I don’t call him Dick like I usually do, just to be polite.

“Jadyn once told me you broke girls’ hearts, but they all still liked you after you were gone. She thought that was an admirable trait. I wanted them all to hate you.”

“Maybe you need to work on your confidence, Lori. Because the man you chose to marry with looks at women’s body parts all day. I only look at footballs.”

“So, I’m a bitch?”

“When we met, people fawned over me. You didn’t. I liked that about you. Still do actually,” I say sincerely.

She smiles. “I’m sorry, Danny.”

“I’m sorry, too. If you’re going to be home today, I thought we’d bring the Ferrari over to Richard’s place and drop it off.”

“Are you going to marry her?” she asks, looking toward Jennifer again.

“We have a lot to figure out logistically, but I hope so.”

“Well, at least I don’t have to go to any more football games and pretend to enjoy them.”

“Have a good life, Lori,” I say.

“Is that what this is? You’re being nice to me at the end, just like college?”

“Life’s too short and too precious to waste it on making people hate you.”

“Oh, yes. Danny Diamond wants everyone to love him.”

“Yeah, I do.”

“I’ll be civil with you for the children’s sake, Danny, but I’m not sure I ever really liked you. I just happened to fall in love with you.”

I don’t bother to say anything in reply. It’s not worth my effort.

But what’s standing out in the parking lot is. I take off and run toward Jennifer, pick her up, twirl her around, and kiss her deeply.

“What are you doing here?” I ask her.

“I know you have to give up your Ferrari today, so I thought I’d give you something better. This is a divorce gift from me.”

“Weren’t we supposed to pick something out together?” I say, not letting go of her. I don’t ever want to let go of her.

“Well, I had this car in my collection, and I thought you’d like it. I mean, if you don’t love it, that’s cool. We can go shopping for something else. Mostly, I just wanted this memory of me giving you this car and telling you what we’re going to do in it later,” she says and then whispers something naughty in my ear.

I raise my eyebrows in delight. “I love it.”

“Perfect,” she says, “because I love you.”

“Whoa, this car is dope,” Damon says, coming out into the driveway when we get home and taking in the black Lamborghini Centenario roadster. “Where’d it come from?”

“Your mother got the Ferrari in the divorce, so Jennifer is letting me drive this.”

“Actually,” she says, “I’m not just letting him drive it. It is a gift for your father.”

“Sweet. Can I go for a ride in it?” Damon asks.

“Sure. Why not?” Jennifer replies.

“Can I drive?” he asks.

“I don’t think so, Damon,” Jennifer laughs. “This car has a highly responsive V12 engine with seven-hundred-seventy horsepower on a carbon fiber frame. It’s also a limited edition. One of only twenty made to commemorate the hundred-year anniversary of Ferruccio Lamborghini’s birth. Good try though.”

“Sounds expensive. And you’re just giving it to my dad?”

“Yeah, I am,” she says.

“You’re crazy. I don’t care how in love I am,” Damon says, shaking his head and staring lovingly at the vehicle. “I’d give a car like this away.”

When they get back from their drive, Jennifer finds me in my study, going over the playbook for our game against LA on Sunday. And it’s got me thinking.

Jennifer sits in the chair next to me.

“Is it weird you haven’t shown me pictures of your house yet?” I ask.

“No,” she says adamantly, “because I want you to experience it the first time the way I did.”

“And how was that?”

“I only saw a picture of the outside of it. And I knew right then that it was the one. My realtor thought I was crazy when I told him I was going to make an offer before stepping foot inside. If I show you pictures, you’ll have already seen it. It will be familiar. I want you to see it for the first time when you walk through it with me. I want to see the wonder in your eyes as each part of the home unfolds.”

I can’t help but smile at her. “You are very passionate about this house. Do you talk about me like that?”

“If I could tell people about you, I’m sure I would,” she sasses back.

I lean over and give her a kiss. “You can tell the world now. And the kids and I are taking you out tonight to celebrate. Remember the barbecue we had here in the dining room?”

“Yes, it was delicious.”

“That’s where we’re going.”

“I see. It’s our coming-out party?” she says with a smirk.

“Sort of. But no one will pay much attention to us there. If we fly out to LA together on Friday after my practice and you come to my game, well, that might be a different story.”

She leaps onto my lap and kisses me again. “Oh, Danny! That will be so much fun! Can we take the kids with us? Or Phillip and Jadyn? We could all go to the game.”

“Hmm,” I say, running my hands up under her shirt. “I thought you might want me to yourself.”

“It’s a big house, and the master bedroom is quite private,” she says in a sultry voice. “I promise we’ll have plenty of alone time.”

“Let’s ask Phillip and Jay to join us then.”

“Perfect. That way, I’m not sitting there alone.”

“I could get you a ticket with the other football wives,” I offer.

“You know what?” she says. “My agent has a box suite. His wife, Palmer, is a huge football fan. I’ll see if we can sit with them.” She starts to get up.

I grip her hips. “Wait. I have something to show you. Roll up my shirtsleeve.”

She looks at me kind of funny. “Um, okay. Why?”

“Just do it, please?”

She does as I asked, revealing my Jennifer tattoo.

“Danny! Is that permanent?”

“Yep.”

“When did you get it done? Why am I just now seeing it?”

“Because I’ve been hiding it from you since I got home from the game Monday night. One of the guys on the team is a tattoo artist, and he did it on the plane ride home. That’s why I asked you to sign my name before I left. And I kept it covered during the game, so it wouldn’t rub off.”

“It’s beautiful,” she tells me, softly running her finger across her signature. “That’s my name permanently tattooed on your body for all the world to see. Forever.”

I push her hair away from her face and lock eyes with her. “That means, you’re going to have to stay with me forever.”

“I think I can do that,” she says, pressing her lips against mine.

After a good five minutes of kissing, I tell her, “That, or I’m going to have to only date girls named Jennifer from now on.”

She gives me a playful swat and leans her head on my shoulder. “I swear, this feels too good to be true. How did we get so lucky, Danny?”

“I don’t know, but I’m not going to screw it up this time.”

“Me either,” she says dreamily.

“I know it’s not exactly a proposal or anything, but your name is tattooed on my arm. I feel like that’s a pretty big commitment. Move in with me. Today. Immediately.”

She tenderly kisses my neck, working her way up to my ear. “I’d love that more than anything, Danny. Let’s go get my stuff.”

I’m lying in Danny’s bed. In Danny’s house. My clothes hung neatly on one side of his closet.

We had a wonderful evening. Dinner with the kids, who both seemed genuinely excited that I was going to be living with them and who suspiciously had lots of homework to do in their rooms when we got home.

Danny carried me over the threshold to his room, bolted the door shut, stripped me naked, and threw me on the bed. Sex with him is indescribable. He’s passionate. Bold. Incredibly hot. Full of stamina. His tenderness is the thing that probably surprises me the most though. And the love. It’s a heady mixture that fills my head with visions of our happily ever after.

After our romp on the bed, he led me into the bathroom where there were bouquets of orange roses everywhere.

We took a warm bath and talked about everything. Life. Love. And most importantly, our future.

Together.