Page 102 of Vain

“So arrest her for being a lying ho.”

“What’s a ho?” Mia asks. Aiden cracks up beside me.

Wade turns and glares at his wife. “It’s something you use to dig up weeds with, pumpkin.”

“Oh. I want a ho, Daddy.”

I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing.

“We’d better get going. It takes us ten times longer to get ready with a kid in tow. See you guys at Blake’s,” Wade calls out, ushering his family along.

“Bye, Matilda. Bye, Aiden.”

“Oh, so you did see me then?” Aiden teases.

She waves him off. “She’s my idol. You’re just Aiden.”

With that, I do crack up, wiping tears from my face as Wade practically drags her away. “She’s a hoot.”

“She keeps Wade on his toes, for sure.”

“Hey, Aiden.”

He looks over as a pretty brunette approaches. “Laura.” He nods his head in greeting.

She looks at me and blushes before taking a deep breath. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I’m a reporter. I’m here today shooting pieces about the fair. I’m not here for you.” She holds up her hands when she sees me tense. “I just wanted to say that the talk show host should be ashamed of herself. And don’t get me started on your mother or Cora,” she practically spits her name. “It pisses me off because a little investigative reporting would have shown both of them were full of shit. But of course, shows like that just care about the ratings.” She sighs. “It ends up giving the rest of us a bad name, and that’s why I’m sorry. You deserved better.”

I study her. She looks like she’s about to puke with nerves, which makes me like her more. I look up at Aiden in question.

He answers the question I never vocalized, “She’s good people.”

I look at Laura and spot her cameraman behind her, but his camera is respectfully facing away from me.

“I don’t have much time.”

“Oh, of course, I didn’t mean to keep you.”

I shake my head at her. “How would you like an exclusive interview with me?” I look at Aiden. “You want in on it? No pressure, I just think it’s time I set the record straight.”

“You sure?”

I nod.

“Then, fuck yes, I’m in.”

“I’m sorry, what’s happening?” Laura asks, confused.

“Everyone has been vying for my side of the story and I’ve kept quiet until now. I’m willing to let you film both me and Aiden and I will give you the full exclusive story. Under one condition.”

She stares at me in shock. “You’re serious?”

“Aiden says you’re good people, and I trust him.”

“Holy crap. Yes, I’m interested, of course. What’s the condition?”

“Okay, make that two conditions. One, you don’t edit shit out to make us sound better or worse. I want this interview to be authentic and honest.”

“Done. What else?”