I know this is difficult for her. She’s been dealing with this kind of scrutiny since she was seventeen. I hate the attention that comes from being in a successful band, but what we endure pales in comparison to what Viv has to handle.
“You’re right,” she says, surprising the shit out of me. “I don’t want this to be like the situation with Reeve. I don’t want to end up broken or risk losing what we share.” She snakes her hands around my neck. “But it is hard to forget it exists. People have been sending me death threats, Dillon. People actually wish I was dead.” Her lower lip wobbles. “It’s hard knowing that many people hate me.”
“But they don’t, sweetheart. They don’t know you to hate you. They are projecting all their feelings of low self-worth on to you because it makes them feel better about themselves. This isn’t about you. Everyone that knows you loves you. Easton loves you, and I fucking love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love another human being. Can’t my love be enough?”
She inhales deeply. “You are so romantic, Dillon. You say the sweetest things.”
“I write love songs for a living, Hollywood, and I’m damn fucking good at it. I live and breathe romance.” I waggle my brows, grinning.
She rolls her eyes, and I count that as a victory. “I forgot about your ego,” she says, standing. “God knows how when it’s ever present.”
I grab the hem of her towel, whipping it away. “Careful what you say when you’re naked, sweetheart.” I glance at the clock by the bed. “We have just enough time for me to punish you for daring to mock me.” I wink at her, unbuttoning the top button of my jeans as she throws herself at me, wrapping her gorgeous legs around my waist.
Her eyes dilate, and she licks her lips. “Lock the door, and let the punishment begin.”
43
VIVIEN
We enjoy a casual lunch with our friends in a contemporary bar and grill in downtown L.A. Ash knows the owner, and he gave us a gorgeous circular table tucked away in a corner of the large stylish room. I’m surprised Alex agreed to come with Audrey, as he’s made his feelings clear about Dillon, but he’s been civil, and Dillon is behaving himself. Easton is in good spirits, chatting excitedly about Santa coming tonight, and he’s looking forward to going ice-skating.
Easton is delighted Jamie and Ash chose to stay in L.A. for Christmas, and he’s thrilled everyone is going to my parents’ house for dinner tomorrow. I know they are all making the effort because they understand how tough it will be for both of us.
“Thank you for organizing this,” I tell Dillon, wrapping my arms around him as he hands the waiter his platinum card to cover the check. “It’s exactly what I needed.” Yes, people have been gawking at us, but I’m feeling more confident surrounded by my closest friends, and I feel my bravado returning.
“That’s my girl,” he says, planting a passionate kiss on my lips. “How many fucks do we give, sweetheart?”
“Zero, babe.” I rest my head on his shoulder, smiling at Ash across the way. “Zero fucks given.”
Alex slides over to me when Dillon takes Easton to the bathroom. “You look happy,” he says. “Are you?”
I nod. “I know you don’t approve, but he makes me happy, Alex.”
“It’s not that I don’t approve, Viv. I want you to be happy. Both of you. I’m just cautious.”
“I get that, Alex, and you’re a good friend, but you need to trust that I know what I’m doing. Dillon has been so patient and supportive, and I could not have gotten through this without him. We’ve chosen to leave the past in the past and concentrate on the present.” I place my hands on my lap. “I can’t force you to like him, but I hope in time you can learn to at least forgive and forget.”
“As long as he does right by you and Easton, I’m sure I will.”
I look into his eyes. “This might sound crazy, but I’ve sensed Reeve around.” His eyes widen. “There have been a few occasions where I have felt his presence, and I chose to believe it’s his way of approving and encouraging me to live my life. I will always love him, Alex. I will never forget him, and Dillon supports me. He’s insisting we keep Reeve’s memory alive for Easton, and he has gone out of his way to ensure we never forget what he meant to us.”
“That’s good to hear, Viv. And I know Reeve would want you to be happy.”
Silence engulfs us for a few moments, and I see Dillon and Easton approaching from the corner of my eye.
“Easton loves him. That much is clear.”
“They bonded instantly,” I admit.
“Then I’m happy for you. Truly, I am.” His smile is genuine. “Perhaps when we move back next year, we can try a regular couples’ night out—get to know one another and try to let sleeping dogs lie.”
“I would really like that.” I lean in and kiss his cheek as my boys return to the table.
“Are we ready to go?” Dillon asks, quirking a brow at the sight of Alex sitting beside me. “Someone is super excited to get to the ice rink.”
“Me! Me! Me!” Easton jumps up and down before hugging Dillon’s legs. “Can we go now, puh-lease, Daddy Dillon.”
Dillon chuckles, taking his hand. “Come on, Hollywood, before this little guy explodes.”
I slide out of the booth, and Alex follows, high-fiving Easton. “Are you coming too, Uncle Alex?” he asks as Dillon threads his fingers in mine.
“I sure am.”
“Awesome.” Easton’s smile is so wide it threatens to split his face.
“Hey, man. Thanks for inviting us today.” Alex jerks his chin in acknowledgement at Dillon, and Audrey and I share a look.
“No problem. Easton wanted all his favorite people here, and Vivien needs to be surrounded by good friends right now.”
I squeeze Dillon’s arm, beaming up at him. I’m thrilled they are making an effort. I was a little worried things might be strained tomorrow at dinner, but those concerns have flittered away.
We head outside, and I do my best to ignore the finger-pointing, whispering, and the stares. We are walking up the sidewalk, heading toward where our cars are parked, when a woman steps out in front of me, appearing almost out of nowhere. “If it isn’t the slut who murdered her husband so she could fuck his brother.” Her eyes rake over me in a derisory fashion.
Dillon reacts fast, handing Easton to Jamie before turning around to glare at the woman. He puts his face all up in hers, and I would not like to be on the receiving end of that murderous expression. Camera flashes go off, and I spot a couple of paparazzi on the other side of the road, waiting to cross it. “Want to say that again to my face?” Dillon growls.
“I have no beef with you, and I can see the attraction.” She blatantly eye fucks him with a smirk, and a red haze coats my retinas.
I pull Dillon back. “I’ve got this.” I walk right up to the woman, loving the fact I tower over her by at least three or four inches. I enjoy looking down my nose at her. “How dare you approach me when I’m out with my family and hurl your hurtful accusations at me. You don’t know me. You think you do, because you’ve seen comments online and reports on TV, but you know nothing about me. I loved my husband, and I miss him every single day.”