Chapter 4 – Lies and Suspicions

The next week proved to be more than Evie could handle. Stephanie had gone on television to 'prove her love' to Hunter by asking him to renew their wedding vows. Hunter had adamantly refused and she became upset. He yelled, she cried and Hunter started to leave the ring when Stephanie dropped the bomb. She announced that she was pregnant. Hunter stood there for several seconds before embracing his wife, an ecstatic look on his face.

Evie, who had been watching on the monitor, walked away from the TV disgusted by the whole scene. She went out to the parking area to get some fresh air, not wanting to be around when Hunter and Stephanie came backstage.

She leaned back against her car and looked up at the stars. She had come to terms with the fact that she had some strong feelings for Hunter. She had contemplated telling him, but had held back. As long as he was with Stephanie, she would say nothing. It would only complicate things.

Of all things, he had to be married. Couldn't be a nice normal guy with no strings, no baggage. Damn girl! You really did it to yourself this time.

In all her twenty-nine years, Evie had been practical about relationships; except for Davis. She was young and naive in thinking that it was love. On the surface he had treated her well enough. And when he eventually asked her to marry him, she had said yes. That's when his true nature had begun to surface.

And I regretted every minute. She winced inwardly at that thought.

She swiftly dismissed the memories and turned her thoughts to the scene that had played out on the monitor earlier.

Stephanie's announcement of her pregnancy had come out all too sudden. Evie had to admit, it was incidental with the failing relationship between her and Hunter. Stephanie seemed to be grasping at straws.

I wonder… If your husband was about to walk out on you, what would it take to make him stay? The answer … Tell him what he wants to hear. She had a feeling that Stephanie was lying to keep her husband.

A noise caused her to look up. She saw the couple getting into a limo. Hunter still wore that goofy grin on his face. The door slammed shut and the limo started moving out of the parking area. Evie watched them go, and then walked back into the arena to get her things.

She picked her bag up from the common area and turned to leave. As she did, she almost collided with someone. She looked up, her eyes blazing. "Damn Bradshaw!"

"Well hello to you too." He looked her over. She seemed to be in a prickly mood. "Leavin' so soon?"

She gave him a caustic look. "Yeah. Why?"

"Kinda figured you would."

"Yeah well… If you'll just get out of my way, I'll be going," she said testily.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked as he folded his arms across his chest. Something was up with her. He wondered how much it had to do with Stephanie's announcement.

"Nothing. I just want to go to my hotel room and get some sleep," she bit out impatiently

"Can I ask ya something?" he questioned softly.

She rolled her eyes in exasperation. "What?"

"Can I hitch a ride with you? Faarooq left already."

An exasperated sigh escaped her lips. "Yeah I guess so."

"Lemme get my gear then," he said and then hurried off before she could change her mind.

Evie started walking towards the parking lot. She was so engrossed in the thoughts from earlier that she didn't hear someone calling her name. She drew up short when she saw a hand waving in front of her face. She looked to her right and there was Lita.

"Evie are you okay? I was calling you, but you just kept on going." She looked concerned.

"Sorry I didn't hear you," Evie admitted.

"Obviously not." Lita smiled. "Thinking too hard again?"

"Something like that." She shifted her bag. "Did you need something?"

Lita shook her head. "No. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You seemed to be off in your own world."

"I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind right now," Evie said, trying to end the conversation before it headed off in the direction Evie didn't want.

Lita laid a hand on Evie's arm. "Anything I can help with?"

Evie shook her head. "No, but thanks for asking." Thankfully she saw Bradshaw coming up the hall. "I gotta get going."

"All right. If you need anything, let me know."

"Thanks." Evie turned to face Bradshaw. "You ready?"

"Yeah," he simply replied.

Evie waved at the other woman as she and Bradshaw walked out the doors.

Once they were in the car, "Where are you staying?" Evie asked as she adjusted the steering wheel.

"Holiday Inn five blocks over."

"Figures," she muttered as she started the car and shifted the gear into drive.

"What figures?" he asked innocently.

A smile appeared, despite her mood. "That you would be staying at the same hotel."

"Well darlin', I've always had a soft spot for ya," he teased.

She laughed as she pulled out of the parking area and onto the street. "I knew it. You're stalking me aren't you?"

"Guilty," he said. "I just can't stay away."

She giggled. She was glad he was in the car with her. Bradshaw always managed to make her feel better somehow. Beneath the brash, beer swilling, fist fighting, card playing exterior was a man with a big heart.

They arrived at the hotel within a few minutes. Once Evie parked, they made their way across the lot and into the hotel lobby. Bradshaw noticed that the lounge was still open. "You wanna have a drink?"

She glanced at him. "I don't know. It's... "

"It's still early. Or is it you just don't wanna be seen with me?" A rakish grin appeared.

"Oh okay. Twist my arm." She asked the clerk at the desk if they could leave their bags behind the counter. She said that was fine. They left the bags there and walked into the lounge.

The bartender walked up as they sat down at the bar. "What can I get for you folks?"

"A shot of Bushmill's and a Guinness," replied Evie.

Bradshaw ordered a Budweiser. He looked at Evie. "Feelin' okay?"

"Feel fine. Why?"

"A shot and a beer?" he asked incredulously. He'd never seen her drink like that before.

Evie just shrugged as the bartender brought their drinks. She downed the shot and then took a swig of the dark ale. Looking up, she saw Bradshaw shaking his head.

"What?" she asked as she wiped the foam from her mouth.

"Nothing. Just never seen you drink like this. Something must be bothering you."

"I told you, I'm fine." She didn't sound very convincing, even to herself.

He decided to get right down to it. "Something to do with Hunter?"

Her eyes narrowed and he was almost sorry he had asked. "Whatever gave you that idea?"

"C'mon Evie, I saw the look on your face when that bitch made her little announcement." He shifted on the barstool. "I'm not stupid."

"I didn't think anyone noticed," she said quietly.

Bradshaw took a swallow of his beer. "Really sucks don't it?"

She looked confused. "What are you referring to exactly?"

He looked her directly in the eye. "I'm talkin' 'bout your situation. Does he know?"

"No. I haven't said anything to him, and I'm not planning on saying anything."

"Why the hell not?" he demanded.

"Because out of respect for him and his marriage, I am keeping my mouth shut." She took another swallow of her beer. "Besides, he's got enough crap to deal with already."

"That's an understatement if I ever heard it." Bradshaw was quiet for a minute, then; "Ya know, I betcha she's lyin' about bein' pregnant. She's fakin' it."

That caught Evie's attention. "Why do you think that?"

"Well look at it this way; she's lost her business to daddy and doesn't get along with him. Now the only thing she has to hold onto is her husband's coat tails. If the rumors are true, that marriage is pretty much in the crapper. So what does she do? The only thing she can think of; tell him she's knocked up."

Evie was kind of surprised. Bradshaw had told her almost the same thing she had been contemplating earlier. She wouldn't put it past Stephanie. She had become so power hungry over the past eight months that she would be willing to do anything and use anyone to get what she wanted, including her own husband.

Considering Hunter's attitude towards his wife, Stephanie would do just about anything to keep him from leaving her. Once she lost him, she'd lose her last bit of leverage until she could find someone else to manipulate.

Bradshaw continued. "That's what I think anyways. Hell, she's lost everything else at this point."

"It wouldn't surprise me," Evie said before taking another swallow of ale.

"If it isn't true, there's gonna be fireworks," Bradshaw commented as he shook his head.

Evie steered the conversation to small talk as they finished up their drinks. She resolved to think about the whole Hunter/Stephanie thing later. They left the bar and picked up their bags from the clerk. Once they were in the elevator, Evie punched the button for her floor.

She looked at Bradshaw. "What floor?"

"Same one as yours," he replied as he looked at the control panel for the elevator.

She smiled. "Just can't stay away from me eh?"

"Nope." He smirked. "Shoot, if you were my assistant, we'd be sharin' a room."

"Yeah but you'd be sleeping in the bath tub," Evie retorted.

"I'd rather share a shower with you," he said suggestively.

She laughed and the banter died down as the elevator stopped. "Thanks John," she said softly.

"Thanks for what?" he asked.

"For listening," she replied as the doors slid open.

They walked down the hall towards Evie's room, stopping outside the door.

He swept his cowboy hat off his head. "Well darlin', I'll say goodnight."

"Goodnight then." She swiped the card through the lock and the door beeped. She opened the door slightly, hesitated and looked at him. "You wanna come in for a bit?"

He shook his head as he smiled. "Nah."

"Not even for a game of strip poker?" she teased.

He shook his head. "As much as I'd like that, I'll have to pass on that tonight."

She sighed. "Oh well. Your loss." She gave him a peck on the cheek and disappeared into her room.

Bradshaw stood outside for a few seconds, his eyes wide with amazement. "Well how 'bout that." He chuckled as he walked off to his own room.