Disclaimer is listed on chapter 1
Chapter 3 – Prove It
Evie sat in the common area, going through her notes and the appointment book she kept for Hunter. She had her Walkman on, listening to a local radio station, when she saw a movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see what it was, when all of a sudden a huge hand came down hard on the table, scattering some of her papers.
She looked up at the offending person as she took her headphones off. "Bradshaw, can't you say hello like a normal person?"
The big Texan grinned at her. "Evie darlin'! What'cha up to?"
"Work, which is more than I can say for you." She looked at the floor then back at him. "You mind picking those up?"
He bent down and picked up the papers he had scattered, shuffled them together and put them back on the table. "So, when are you gonna ditch Hunter and be my personal assistant?"
"When hell freezes over," she responded in a teasing tone.
"Damn. Well can't blame me for askin'." He leaned over the table towards her. "So, what's the talk I hear about you tryin' to jump The Game last night?"
Evie sighed in exasperation. Bradshaw was the fourth person who had asked her about that rumor. "Just that. Talk. We stayed in separate hotels if you really want to know."
Bradshaw smirked. "So, the Billion Dollar Bitch is at it again, huh?"
"You got it," Evie answered shortly.
He leaned closer to her, so that his face was almost inches from hers. "Well then, what are ya doin' tonight?"
"Why? You asking me out?"
"Maybe." He grinned at her. "We got a card game goin' on later tonight. Wanna join in?"
Evie raised an eyebrow. "Card game? It wouldn't happen to be strip poker, would it?"
"Nah, but we can play that if ya want," he leered.
"I think I'll pass. Knowing you two, it will turn into strip poker." She gathered up the papers and put them back into their folder.
Bradshaw laughed. "Well if ya wanna join us, lemme know."
"Oh, don't worry, I will."
"Okay then." He dropped her a wink as he walked away.
She shook her head as she put everything back into her bag. Lita walked by just as Evie was getting up from the table.
Lita stopped next to the table. "Hey, Evie."
Evie adjusted the strap on her laptop bag. "Hey, Lita. What's up?"
"Nothing, just getting some water. What's up with you?"
"Same crap, different day," she said sarcastically.
Lita laughed. "I hear that." Her voice lowered as she glanced around conspiratorially. "So, what's the story Evie? You and Hunter got something going or not?"
A scowl appeared on Evie's face. "Gimme a break will you?"
"That's what I thought. Someone mentioned it to me earlier and I told them it wasn't true."
"I know. Bradshaw just asked me about it." Evie shook her head. "For someone who thinks she's so tough, she sure is insecure."
"Yeah, she is. I wouldn't worry too much about it though. It'll end up like the last rumor she was spreading around about Hunter firing you." Lita grinned.
Evie returned the smile. "Yeah well, things don't always happen the way we want them to."
Lita laughed as she gave Evie a thumbs up. "I'm glad someone around here gives her a run for her money. Just watch your back, Evie."
"I always do," she replied as she hoisted the strap of her bag over her shoulder. "I'll talk to you later."
Lita waved as Evie turned and started walking down the hall to Hunter's dressing room. She ran into him halfway there.
He hooked a thumb in the direction of the room. "I need to talk to you," he said gruffly.
"What's going on?"
He just shook his head, indicating that he didn't want to talk in the hallway. She followed him into his room and put her bag down on the sofa. He shut the door and turned to face her. "I'm gonna need a ride again tomorrow. Is that going to be a problem for you?"
"No. Why?" All of a sudden she was Hunter's chauffeur too? Five bucks says he doesn't want to deal with Stephanie.
"Good. I don't wanna ride with Stephanie. She's up to something. I don't know what it is, but apparently it's something big."
"How do you know? You've hardly spoken to her all day."
A twisted smile appeared. "Her interview with J.R. She's got the idea in her head that she's gonna prove her love for me next Monday in front of the whole world."
Evie rolled her eyes. "And that means a production."
"Yeah. What else is new?" he asked matter-of-factly.
A sigh escaped Evie's lips. "Apparently nothing." She sat down on the sofa.
He looked closely at her. "What's the matter?"
Evie pulled her hair band out, letting her long hair fall free. "Honestly Hunter, I don't know how you put up with this crap." She pulled a comb out of her bag and ran it through her hair, then twisted her hair up a knot and used the hair band to hold it in place.
He watched as she put her hair up, but as soon as she looked at him, he averted his eyes. "Neither do I. My patience is wearing out." He started pacing the room. "I've had just about all I can take from her."
"Well, she's still your wife." That sounded almost convincing, she thought sarcastically.
He smiled wryly. "I'm starting to wonder about that."
"I think a lot of people have been wondering about that," she muttered.
He looked at her again. "What's with you? You seem pissed about something."
"You mean besides the rumor that I was trying to screw you last night?" she said angrily.
"Why are you so worried about it? It's just a rumor. Everyone knows that."
Evie scowled. "And that's why everyone keeps asking me about it."
"You know she's just doing it to get to you, right?"
Before Evie could answer, the door flew open and Stephanie pranced in. She stopped in front of Hunter. "Were you watching, honey?" she cooed.
"Yeah." He crossed his arms over his broad chest. "So?"
"So, I'm going to prove how much I do love you. I'm going to prove it to everyone," she said in a sweet tone that set Hunter's teeth on edge.
She never ceased to amaze him sometimes. Here she was, spreading this story around about Evie and then she turns around and tells him she is going to express her undying love for him. Unbelievable.
"Really? And how are you going to do that?" he asked indifferently.
She batted her eyelashes at him. "It's going to be a surprise."
He turned away from her to take a drink of water. "I'm sure it will be."
"Well I couldn't very well…" she trailed off as she saw Evie sitting on the couch. "What are you doing in here? I thought I told you I didn't want you in here with him when he's alone."
"Oh come off it Steph. She's just doing her job. Leave her alone."
"I'm sure you're one job she'd like to 'do'," Stephanie muttered.
Evie stood up, bristling. "According to you, I've already done that."
Stephanie glared at her. "And just what is that supposed to mean?"
"How could I not hear about how I tried to screw your husband last night? I find it awfully interesting since we stayed in separate hotels."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Stephanie retorted.
Evie started moving closer. "The hell you do…"
Hunter stepped in before it got any farther. "Steph, I really don't have time for this. So, if you don't mind, there's the door."
"Oh I see. I'm your wife and I have to leave. She's only the personal assistant and she stays. I've asked you countless times to get rid of her…" she whined.
He cut her off. "Time for you to go!" He gripped her upper arm and steered her towards the door.
He moved so fast that she was caught off guard. "What? What are you doing!" she exclaimed as she shuffled alongside him, trying to pry his hand from her arm.
"Bye, Steph." He propelled her out into the hallway and shut the door before she could say anything else.
"Thanks," Evie said quietly.
He ran a hand over his face. "Yeah well, I'm glad you didn't say anything. I really didn't feel like breaking up a cat fight."
"Cat fight? Hunter, you insult me."
"Sorry. I'm just trying to keep some of my sanity."
"I know," she said softly. "You want me to leave?"
"If you don't mind. I could use some time to think."
Evie stood up and shouldered her bag. "Just let me know when you're ready to go."
"Thanks." He opened the door for her and watched as she walked out. As soon as she started down the hall, he closed the door and went to sit on the sofa.
He thought about Stephanie's interview with J.R. earlier. Just what I need, a surprise. Why can't she do anything without the whole damn world watching?
He shook his head. She was turning into quite the little egomaniac lately. It's not all about The Game anymore. It's all about The Game's wife.