STARGIRL

31. Cocaine Cowboy

    Nina's deep blue eyes had a raging fire within them and they were intently focused on Stanford. She could feel the hate coursing throughout the veins in her body whenever she saw or thought of him.

Stanford swished around the dark brown bourbon in the crystal tumbler. He gazed down at the alcohol and saw his reflection.

Though Stanford knew it was true, he wasn't going to be branded a cheater or a liar by his family.

He refused.

"You've got 3 minutes." Nina had finally replied to his question. She sat up straight in the black leather chair and crossed a leg over the other waiting for him to speak.

Nina looked bored.

Stanford was standing by the fireplace with the tumbler of bourbon in his hand still. He threw his head back and tilted the glass up until the rim met his lips. Stanford savored the flavor and the burning sensation in the back of his throat.

He put his the crystal down on the top edge of the fireplace.

He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and shook his head rather slowly, "I don't know what to do anymore Nina."

His voice, deep and smooth flowed through the thick tension and sliced it in half.

"You..." Examining the flames from inside the fireplace he trailed off, "I don't see why you don't believe me."

Nina scoffed and looked away. She began to tap down on the top of his desk rhythmically with her French manicured nails.

"In all our years of marriage Nina, I never gave you one reason not to trust me-"

"That was until some woman called your personal phone from a private number right?" She unapologetically interrupted him.

Stanford walked towards her until he was standing right in front of her. He kneeled down and looked her in the eyes, "Nina, believe me."

She smirked and shook her head, "That's asking way more of me than you even know."

Stanford said nothing and clutched at the bottom of her gray Roland Mouret sheath dress. His fingers held the fabric tightly in between them.

"I know exactly what I'm asking of you." He slowly whispered as he met her gaze.

"I'm asking you to throw your doubts about me away and I'm also asking for you to believe me when I say I love you and I'd never do anything to hurt you or my son."

Stanford closed his eyes, "I promise you I didn't do anything."

Nina was torn. She wanted to trust him and have things go back to the way they were but that small voice of doubt kept getting the best of her. She was at a loss for words.

Nina was confused and upset but being around him in general, did that as of lately.

She smiled, lightly placing her hands on his she pushed them back off her dress. Stanford was confused, he watched her rise up from the seat and smooth over with her hands where he had been holding onto her.

"You were wrinkling the dress." She vehemently muttered making sure there were no more creases or lines in the fabric.

She felt power seeing him on his knees before her. Knowing that's where he belonged, groveling for her affection just like she had for the past 20 years.

Stanford felt uneasy at the shift of power. It was obvious she was currently the one in control and he would be lying if he said it didn't irritate him.