I try to push the thought to the back of my mind. I can't afford to go down that rabbit hole this evening.
The event isn't far. The driver parks in front of the red carpet, and Riggs gets out. He reaches in for me, and camera lights flash as soon as I step out. Reporters scream questions, and Riggs leads me through the crowd, answering questions with brief responses, then stops at the top of the steps.
"How long have you and Blakely Fox been dating?" a man hollers.
Riggs tightens his hand around my hip, securing me next to his body. "We're not dating."
The crowd laughs.
He announces, "Let me introduce all of you to my wife, Blakely Fox-Madden."
There's a brief moment of stunned silence before the shouting chaos reignites. Riggs spins me and leads me inside. He murmurs in my ear, "Now everyone knows you're mine."
My flutters reappear. I tilt my head and smile at him, stating, "And you're mine. You're off the market, Mr. Madden."
He asserts, "I was off the market the minute you stepped on that stage, pet."
My heart soars. I open my mouth, and Ears's voice tears through the air. "Blakely! You look stunning!"
We turn, and Ears embraces me, then kisses my cheek. "I heard Atlanta went well?"
I nod. "It was great."
We make small talk, and more people from the studio arrive. Riggs excuses us, stating we need to make our rounds. He leads me through the room, saying to each group of guests, "You know my wife, Blakely, correct?" or "Let me introduce you to my wife, Blakely."
The look on those who know me through my parents is always the same. Pure shock. But something else registers on the faces of some of my parents' friends. I can't put my finger on it, and it makes me a bit uncomfortable. I eventually realize that the common denominator is all of them are country club members.
I chalk it up to the fact I've never enjoyed any of them and push it out of my mind, standing tall next to Riggs, feeling loved and powerful.
After a glass of champagne, I tell Riggs, "I need to use the restroom."
"Excuse us," he tells a group of people and then guides me to the restroom.
I go inside, do my business, then reapply a coat of lip stain to ensure it stays fresh. One of my mother's friends comes inside and says, "How have you been, Blakely? It's been so long."
I nod. "Yes, it has. I'm great, Cheryl."
She scans my face, then asks, "Have you talked to your parents recently?"
My face heats. I lift my chin. "No."
She opens her mouth and then snaps it shut.
I need to get out of here. No need to give her any other ammo for the gossip.
"Nice seeing you," I state, then exit the bathroom and freeze.
My heart pounds hard against my chest. I grip the wall to keep my balance.
My father and Riggs are in a heated conversation. My father has never looked so disheveled. He appears to have aged at least thirty years. It makes him seem small and weak.
My father seethes, "Blakely Fox-Madden!"
Riggs boasts, "She's mine, and you're going to stay away from her. I don't know how you got in here, but you aren't welcome. Leave."
My father's eyes turn to slits. He snarls, "Does she know you sent all those pictures of her to me? Or what about the porn videos or audio clips?"
Goose bumps pop out of my skin.What is my father talking about? Surely Riggs wouldn't do something like that.