Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
The news of his marriage broke in the morning while they ate breakfast in bed, but it didn’t break in the way Sam expected.
Pop Star and Former Member of Sweet Destiny Adrienne Dodson Marries in Surprise Vegas Ceremony Hours After Ex Sam Shoop Does the Same.
There were variations of the headline being sent to him by an irate Inger, who was also asking if he wanted to comment on any of the stories. The content of the articles was mostly focused on Adrienne, who had been very willing to comment on the reports in the middle of the night.
“We got swept up in the moment,” Dodson gushed, “and decided to go for it.” About her planned wedding ceremony in the coming weeks, Dodson says they still plan to go through with it to celebrate with friends and family. “I just want to celebrate being in love!”
Sam texted Inger back.
Sam
I don’t really have a comment. I did get married, but you don’t have to confirm or deny. The record is public. I’d appreciate it if you squashed any stories about Lacey
Inger
You’re going to have to give them something else
Dangle a vague carrot. We’ll come up with something.
The amount of information the press had already gathered about his wife was disturbing. The devil worked hard, but the media worked harder. Underpaid interns couldn’t have gotten much sleep last night.
Not even ten minutes after he’d settled things with Inger, his group chat went nuclear.
Brunch Bros
Peter:
YOU GOT MARRIED
IN VEGAS
WITHOUT US!?!!
Graham
What the fuck? Where was the heads-up?
Jordy
I COULD HAVE GOTTEN ON A PLANE AND BEEN THERE IN AN HOUR WHAT THE HELL
Sam
None of this looks like “Congratulations!”
Peter
I’m mad at you.
Sam
For getting married?
Peter
For not inviting us.
Sam
It was a quick decision. I didn’t even have time to get a ring.
Jordy
We’re going to need a FULL debrief soon.
“I don’t think I want my phone anymore,” Sam said, tossing it down to the foot of the bed.
Lacey blew on her coffee to cool it down. She had the satisfied glow of a well-fucked woman. And she should. They’d made the most of their dog-free night and fucked two more times before going to sleep. Sam was pretty sure he’d shot dust instead of cum the last time, though.
“I’m going to ignore mine as long as possible,” she said. “What are we telling people?”
“It was a quick decision. Keep it simple.”
“Smart.” She sipped her coffee. “When are we going home?”
“Soon. I know it’s recital week for you.”
That earned him a kiss. Sam was confused but wasn’t about to look that particular gift horse in the mouth. If remembering a major event that she’d been stressing over for weeks got him affection, he’d memorize her entire schedule down to the due dates of her bills.
That reminded him.
“Totally random,” he began, “but now that we’re married, if it comes down to the wirethis month and you haven’t gotten your money from the lawyers or whoever is sending it, you’ll let me help you, right? It could be a loan, if that makes you feel better. You can pay me interest in blow jobs.”
That made Lacey laugh, which had been his plan. If he softened the suggestion with a joke, maybe she’d take it.
“Okay. But only if it gets really close.”
Their first week of marriage was spent largely apart. Lacey was so busy with recital prep that she left their house early in the morning and came home late at night. She was incredibly grateful for Sam; without him, she’d have survived off of protein shakes and granola bars. And because the universe was cruel and refusedto let her have too many nice things at once, she started her period early and burst out crying when Sam brought her lunch at the studio. He’d been doing that for weeks, but he was her husband instead of her boyfriend. It felt different.
And Saturday night he was backstage for the recital, volunteering his sanity to help wrangle the dancers.
If she wasn’t in love with him already, that would have sealed the deal.
But there was a horrible, insidious voice in the back of her head that said every sweet thing he did in public was to keep up appearances, to convince their town that they were truly married. There would have been more questions if he didn’t show up to the recital.
Lacey hated those thoughts. She wanted to know how he felt. And if she could ever stop being a fucking coward who was afraid to rock the boat, she’d ask him.
After she got her money. At least then she could afford to hide in shame.
She’d planned on Sunday being a “slug day”: she was going to lay around the house in her pajamas and stare at the ceiling. She wasn’t going to think a single thought. Her brain was fried from the last seventy-two hours. So she was surprised to see Jenna’s name appear on her phone while she was mindlessly scrolling. The two had exchanged numbers in Vegas, but Lacey couldn’t imagine why Jenna was calling.
“Hello?”
“Lacey!” Jenna cheered on the other end. “How are you? How was the recital?”
“I’m good. Exhausted.” She rubbed her eyes. “The recital went really well. I had to go on stage with the littles, but they’re so cute no one cares.”
“I’m so glad. So, I remember Sam saying something about how you used to be a professional dancer? Or maybe you said that? I don’t know, but I have you linked with professional dancer in my brain. Is that true?”
Lacey sat bolt upright on the couch. “Yes, that’s right.”
“Okay, obviously nothing is for sure because you’d need to audition?—”
Her pulse blasted into outer space like a rocket.
“But I lost a dancer for my tour that starts in the spring. And I thought of you!” Jenna laughed nervously. “I thought it would be really fun to have you on tour. If you’re interested, I’m totally willing to fly you down for the audition.”
“Oh my god.” Lacey was stunned. Her brain was simultaneously flying at a million miles per hour while also not moving at all.
Jenna was offering her the opportunity she wouldn’t even allow herself to dream about. She could be a professional dancer again. She’d be on tour with a legit musician. Dancing with Jenna Fox could open all kinds of doors that had been shut in her face.
Her debt was about to be wiped out, and she had a job offer on the table. She wouldn’t be in danger of being dependent on Sam anymore. With her own career and her own money, Lacey could go to him as a confident woman with her shit together and something to offer besides great sex.
“Lacey? Are you still there? Did I lose you?”
“Yes! I mean, no.” It was Lacey’s turn to laugh nervously. “No, you didn’t lose me, and yes, I’m still here.” She stood and started pacing. “What if it doesn’t work out? What if you’re wasting your time with me?”
“Not to get your hopes up, but the headliner really likes your personality and I’ve heard she has a lot of creative say.” Jenna hinted with all the subtlety of a herd of stampeding elephants wearing bells.
“Okay. Yes! When do I come down?”
“Can you come down tomorrow? I know that’s super short notice but?—”
“Yes!” Lacey interrupted, unable to stop smiling now. “The studio I work at is closed for winter break, so I have a little bit of free time.”
Jenna squealed. “I’m so excited! I will get everything sorted and send you the information. I’ll see you tomorrow, Lacey!”
“Bye—and thank you!” Jenna had already hung up. Lacey squealed, literally jumping for joy.
Sam emerged at the top of the stairs, looking a bit like a meerkat poking its head out of its den. “What’s going on?”
“Jenna offered me a job! I’m going on tour!” Lacey blurted, and squealed again, spinning in an excited circle. When she stopped, Sam was staring at her with a blank expression on his face.
“What?”
Her joy fizzled. “Jenna just called. She’s flying me to LA tomorrow to audition for her tour. But she also said it’s basically a done deal.”
“What does that mean?” Sam asked, his voice eerily calm. She’d expected a bigger reaction from him. More excitement. Any excitement.
“It means that I’m going to be a professional dancer again. I’m going on tour for—shit, I have no idea how long her tour is. I guess it doesn’t really matter.” Lacey’s wheels were spinning but not getting any traction. Sam wasn’t having any kind of reaction to anything she was saying. “I’m sure we could be divorced before the tour starts. Oregon doesn’t require a separation period. Since it’s uncontested, it should only take a month or two.”
“You looked it up already?”
She hadn’t. She’d overheard one of her dance moms talking about her own divorce when they’d been setting up for the recital dress rehearsal. But she’d filed the information away in case she needed it.
“I thought it was good to know.”
Sam put his hands in his pockets. “Okay then.” He turned and went back downstairs.
Lacey stood rooted to her spot. Had that actually happened? Had Sam not put up a single ounce of emotion when she told him that she was leaving? No joy, no shock, no anger or indignation.
She really was a stupid, hopeless romantic who had a penchant for getting played by musicians.
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
Jenna Fox
What’s your middle name? For the ticket.