Lover

Chapter 11: Circles

It's been two weeks since I asked James for a divorce. I remember his words like it was yesterday "good luck getting my signature." And well after two weeks of my lawyer bugging his we have a meeting.
"Hello???" Kayla my friend asks waving her hand in my face.
"What?" I ask zoning back in.
"Are you coming out with us tonight?" She asks again.
"No, Nick invited me to a team event." I say packing up my things.
"You're so lucky." She sighs. The cheerleading committee agreed to let me hang out with the team members as long as Nick is around.
"Yeah so lucky." I say with a light laugh.
Having my own car is so liberating. If I want to go to the beach it's only a drive away and I don't have to rely on anyone.
I get home and get dressed in black pencil skirt and white blouse since it's a legal matter. Driving to the attorneys office makes me so nervous.
I see his car outside and my stomach turns. Do I really want to see him? Guess it's not up for debate. I enter the office and head to where I'm pointed to. I see my lawyer and sitting in front of James and his.
"Now that were all here we can get started." Tammy says grabbing some files. They talk about the legal stuff and then money is mentioned.
"What?" I ask.
"No prenup was signed and your attorney was adamant that you would take half so that would make 68.5 million dollars yours." His attorney explains and my stomach drops.
"No, absolutely not. I don't want any of that money." I say. "We never discussed this." I whisper to Tammy who furrows her eyebrows at me.
"You don't want it?" She asks.
"No!! Of course not!" I say.
"First client of mine to say that." She says with a nervous smile but I'm not laughing.
"We're going to go redraw these." She says before excusing herself. James' attorney follows.
"You really thought I'd take your money?" I ask him. "And you'd let me?" He only shrugs making me roll my eyes. We sit in silence for 25 minutes before he speaks.
"Why did you say that money?" He asks "as if it was the most disgusting thing to you?"
"I'm sorry if it came out that way. I certainly didn't mean it like that. I know you worked hard for your money James I genuinely meant no disrespect. that amount of money just scared me is all." I explain earning a nod from him.
They come back with revised papers and start all the legal talk.
I get passed the pen first. I gulp and shake the pen between my fingers before finally signing.
I hold the pen out to James with enough space to not touch hands, but instead he grabs my hand. I'm quick to move and leave him holding the pen.
"Can we get a minute?" He asks the attorney's. They look at me and leave when I nod.
"Do we really have to do this?" He asks.
"Yes. We got married in a fucking Taco Bell drunk out of our minds."
"We said we'd try to make it work."
"And we couldn't James, so please just sign the papers." I beg.
"You hesitated." He points out.
"No I didn't." I lie.
"Can you be honest?" He asks I nervously bite my lip and refuse to look him in the eye. "Katherine." He says I reluctantly look at him.
"Please sign it." I beg.
He picks up the pen again and the lawyers come back in.
He stares at the page for a minute before finally signing it.
"And it's over." Tammy says to me. I shake her hand and then head out.
I get to my car and just as I'm about to open the door, he calls my name.
"What?" I tiredly ask.
"Can we get some lunch?" He asks. I look up at him with glossy eyes and shake my head no.
"I just got divorced, I'm not really in the mood." I try to joke but neither of us laugh. "Maybe another time."

I get home and Nick is on the couch playing video games.
"Is it done?" He asks and I nod. "Back to Bosa." He laughs. "Katherine Garoppolo seemed like a handful."
"It came with a lot." I agree before setting my keys on the coffee table.
"Trent called." He mentions.
"Did he?" I ask sitting on the couch.
"Yeah, he said he's texted you a few times, but no reply."
"Seems definitive doesn't it?" I ask.
"C'mon Cub, he's a good guy." My brother says. "You should be going out more."
"Okay." I nod knowing he's right. "I'll message him back." I smile.
"Do it now." He smiles.
I pull my phone out and see the messages he's already sent.
Trent Taylor: Hey Katie
Trent Taylor: thought we could get some dinner sometime?
Trent Taylor: if you'd like.
Trent Taylor: I know this great sushi place
Trent Taylor: but of course we can go wherever you'd like.
Trent Taylor: sorry for blowing you up, but let me know(:
Trent Taylor: It's Trent by the way.
Trent Taylor: Taylor.
I smile at the spam of texts. He's a dork.
Me: Sushi sounds wonderful.
Trent Taylor: tonight?
Me: works for me.
Trent Taylor: awesome! I'll pick you up at 7. Can't wait.
I hop in the shower and start getting ready for my date.
I decide on something casual, a white lace bodysuit and black jeans with a jean jacket over. A little out there but I'm feeling myself.
Time flies and before I know it there's a knock on the door. Nicky opens it as I step out of my room. I see Trent dressed in a simple navy blue button up black slacks and brown dress shoes, they match his belt. He has a bouquet of flowers.
"Hi." I smile walking towards him.
"Hey, you look great." He smiles looking me from head to toe.
"Thank you, you do too."
"Eyes up Taylor." Nick warns making both of us laugh.
"These are for you." He says handing me the colorful flowers.
"Thank you, they're lovely. Go put these in water." I laugh handing Nick the flowers.
"Have fun." He smiles as we walk out the door.
"I was surprised you said yes." Trent says as we go down the elevator.
"Why?" I shyly ask.
"I don't know. You didn't seem too interested, but like a wise man once said, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
"Michael Scott is a wise man?" I ask as I laugh.
"Sometimes." He smiles.
"Well I'm glad you shot your shot."
"Me too." He smiles.
We get outside and he opens the car door for me. I thank him quietly and get inside.
"So how's practice been?" He asks.
"It's pretty hectic, but I was expecting it to be." I shrug.
"You're such a Bosa." He laughs.
"What?" I amusingly ask.
"The shrug, y'all are ruthless." He says making us both laugh. "How long have you been cheerleading for."
"14 years." I proudly say.
"Damn." He says with a low whistle. "That's a lifetime."
"Well I'm sure you have more years of football under your belt." I laugh.
"You calling me old?" He teases.
"Maybeeee." I joke.
"Ouch." He says,
We talk about music until we arrive at the restaurant.
"This is nice." I say as he pulls my chair out for me.
"I thought you might like it." He smiles.
"So how was your day?" I ask sipping on a glass of wine.
"It was great I ran some drills with Jimmy, got a good workout in. Pretty typical day. He's actually the one who recommended this place."
"Wonderful." I say then chug my glass of wine.
"Woah." He laughs.
"Yeah I'm going to need more of this." I say pointing to the glass.