Free Finding Infinity by Layne Harper Page A

They’re definitely not earrings that I’ll wear every day, but when I do, they’ll make a statement from my Statement.
    He gives my neck another kiss. “They don’t hold a candle to you, Charlie. You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”
    I smile and drink in the image of us together. Yes. Indeed. Tonight we look like we were made for each other. Happy thirtieth birthday to me.
    “Ready to go my love?” he says as he wraps my arm around his elbow.
     
    * * * *
     
    Colin drives us to the restaurant after being reassured by his main security guy, Jamie, that the media has not gotten the news that we’re going to “dinner” there tonight. Aiden is sitting in the front seat with Colin. Rachael and I are in the back. Colin and Aiden are in a heated discussion about something regarding football. Rachael and I are talking about nothing of importance.
    It feels nice that the gate on the gilded cage has been opened. For the first time in a long time, I feel like Colin and I are on a double date. He’s not a household brand with a media-generated prescription painkiller addiction, and I’m not the flavor of the month. Colin and I don’t have to be censored with Aiden and Rachael. They’re not going to sell our story to one of the gossip sites, for the equivalent of beer money.
    All too soon my happy, normal thoughts fly out the window when we all see the media camped outside the restaurant/club. “Fuck!” Colin says as he whips out his phone.
    He hits something on the screen, and I presume that he’s calling Jenny. “Is there a back entrance?” he asks without saying hello.
    “I know. I’ve had my phone off,” he says, much more resigned.
    Even if I didn’t know that this was my surprise party, I would have been tipped off by the media attention outside. I take off my seatbelt and scoot to the edge of my seat so I can tap Colin on the shoulder. “Baby, I know about the party. It’s okay. We’ll just go through the front door.”
    I can see Colin’s shadowed face as we pass under the streetlights in Highland Park. He’s so disappointed. “Hang up with Jenny,” I instruct.
    He hits end on his phone and slams it down. “Fucking vultures.”
    “It’s not a big deal. Pull over and let Aiden drive. You, I, and Rachael will run into the restaurant. Aiden can deal with the valet.”
    “I’m sorry your surprise is ruined.” He sounds so disappointed. I feel a little bad for snooping now, but I guess it’s hard to keep a secret when you’re the biggest name in sports.
    “It’s the thought, baby. I love you for trying. What’s important is that we get inside so we can see all the people that matter to us,” I reason with him.
    He pulls into a parking lot, and we all rearrange our seats. Colin is now in the passenger seat. I move to the seat behind the passenger. Rachael is behind the driver. She makes a crack as we pull up to the restaurant, “This is so much easier than sneaking a married politician out of a known prostitute’s house.”
    I look at her, not sure if my best friend is kidding or not. When our car stops, the valet rushes over to the driver’s side. Colin and I throw open our doors. He immediately has his arms wrapped around me, protecting me from the flashes. The cameras are snapping around us. I’m temporarily blinded by their strobing lights.
    It’s not a long walk to the front door of the restaurant, but it feels like it’s forever away. He’s whispering sweet epithets in my hair, “Beautiful, smart, mine.”
    I try to focus on Colin’s words and not on what’s being yelled at us, but I can’t help but hear one of the questions as Colin is nearly dragging me inside. “Is it true that you use crack cocaine?”
    Then one male voice rises above the rest. “Colin, how long will this marriage last?”
    I stop walking. Freeze. I’m furious. “What the hell did he just say?” I ask very loudly as I turn to find who said such an awful thing.
    “Walk, Charlie,” Colin