Chapter 9
9
MAC
I arrived before Rainn and hung out in my sister’s office while she met with clients in the conference room.
Leaning back in my chair, I put my feet up. How am I going to explain this? First, drinking when that’s always been a hard no for both of us. Then, a Vegas wedding. To my best friend.
“Comfortable?”
I snap forward and my legs get stuck on the desk. After flailing for a few minutes, I sit up straight. “Hey.”
Casey crosses her arms and watches me with amusement. The corner of her mouth ticks up. She raises an eyebrow.
“How was your meeting?”
She shakes her head. “Get out of my chair before you break it.”
I let her by and sit in front of her desk, suddenly wanting to be anywhere but here. Please don’t ask me questions yet.
“When do you and Rainn go back to school?”
I smile in relief. “End of August.”
“Plenty of time to get into trouble.”
This feels normal, except for the insinuation in her words that it’s too late. Did she hear about what happened at the bar?
Thankfully, the bell rings, announcing a customer. Or Rainn.
My heart jumps in my throat. It’s just nerves. I’m not looking forward to the upcoming conversation with Casey. That’s all it is. And I hated not seeing him for days. Rainn’s deep voice is clear as he talks to Silvia. My heart sounds so loud in my ears that I can’t hear anything else. Casey’s brows scrunch together and I jump up and race out her door just in time to hear Rainn’s freak out. I clap him on the back and my hand wants to stay there. I focus on the moment and not the fantasies I’ve been having about my best friend. Rainn grins when he sees me, and everything settles into place.
I try to hold in my happiness at seeing Rainn as we settle into Casey’s office. After her initial question, she grabs Rainn and gives him a hug. All I got was a pat on the back.
Rainn sits closest to the door. I envy him. I feel trapped in the corner.
“Enough stalling. Let’s hear it.”
Rainn drags a hand through his hair. “You know about the wedding—non-wedding—with Cher?”
She laughs. “The world knows about the wedding, Rainn. And Jesus, what a way to come out.”
“Yeah.” He glances over at me and then back at my sister. “So we need some help. Information mostly. Options.”
“I might need more than that.”
“On annulments?—”
My sister is usually good at keeping her expressions locked down. Now? Not so much. Her eyes are trying to take over her face. “Holy crap, Rainn. Did you and Cher get married in Vegas? I mean, it’s a dumbass place to go for a non-honeymoon.”
“It is,” he agrees. “But no.” He shakes his head, his cheeks turning from pink to bright red.
“Okay, so no Vegas wedding?”
He stares at his hands and coughs. Good Lord.
“Yes. There was a Vegas wedding,” I say since he’s obviously not going to. “But Rainn didn’t marry Cher.”
“Holly? That girl is?—”
“Not Holly.” I’m unreasonably irritated. “Not. A. Girl.” I pull the chain from around my neck and hold it up. The gold band catches the low light of her office, sending sparkles dancing on the wall.
Her mouth drops open, and her head swivels from me to Rainn and back. Huh. I’ve never seen my sister speechless. I wait for her to find her voice, having no doubt she will. She clears her throat. “You and Rainn?” At my nod, she whispers, “Holy Jesus.”
“Can you help us?” I snap for no reason.
Rainn puts his hand over mine and smiles. “Give her a minute, okay?” His voice has that teasing quality he reserves for me.
Casey sucks in a breath, and I move my hand away. “What are our options?” I try to keep the words as calm as possible, even though my anxiety is bubbling over.
“Depends. Do you want to stay married or not?”
“Casey,” I say, no longer keeping the frustration out of my voice. “What the heck?”
She grins at me. “Just teasing. Obviously, if you’re here, you want the divorce options.” Turning to her computer, she does a few quick searches. Is she just Googling it?
“Sorry,” she says and flinches. The next sorry is there as well, but she doesn’t say it. “I just wanted to check a few things. You both live in Missouri, which is a no-fault state. Which means you don’t need a reason to get divorced. An annulment is quicker though.” She darts a look at us and clears her throat. “Did you—” She waves her hand, and her cheeks turn slightly pink. Huh. She’s actually flustered. I’d enjoy this more if I wasn’t so freaked out.
“No,” I say before she can get the rest out.
“Not sure,” Rainn adds at the same time.
She tilts her head. “I’m talking about consummation of the marriage.”
“No,” I say again.
“Not sure.”
I glare at Rainn. “What are you doing?”
“Being honest. We don’t know.”
Now, her mouth is practically on the floor. “You don’t know? Was there drinking involved?” Her eyes capture mine.
“Does it matter?”
Her expression goes blank. Professional. I remember that look well. It was the way she survived our childhood—pretending nothing mattered. We never talked about the fact that neither of us drinks. Ever. The apology is on my lips, but I hold it back. That would only make things worse. “It matters in that you can’t get an annulment if you consummated the marriage.”
I freaking hate disappointing my big sister. We’ve been through so much together.
“There’s no indication we did anything but…cuddle.” I keep my eyes forward, but I can feel Rainn’s eyes on me.
Normally, this would get a snarky remark from Casey, but instead, she nods and does more typing. “I need to check on a few things. And I have another appointment in a few minutes. Can I get back to you guys on this?”
“Of course,” Rainn says, standing and giving her his charming smile. “Thanks, Case.” She nods and stands. Rainn steps into the hallway, and I know what this is. He’s giving me a chance to talk to her.
But I don’t have the words, so instead, I jump up and grab her as she walks by, throwing my arms around her. “Thanks, Sis.”
“Are you okay?” she asks as she hugs me.
“I’m fine.” But I think we both know that’s a lie.
I catch up with Rainn in the hallway. I’m already choked up. The affection in his eyes doesn’t help with that.
Brinnnng . He flinches at the sound of his phone ringing and checks it. His brow furrows. “Hello?”
The person on the other end of the call is loud enough for me to hear. “Rainn, dear? This is Mama Gladdie.”
Oh heck. Why is Cher’s mom calling?
“Hi, Mama Gladdie. Is everything okay? Did Cher get home safe?”
“She did. She’s right here.” She pauses like she’s building up to something. Oh boy. “Rainn Harding, I cannot believe you left my baby at the altar and married that boy instead.”
I glance around. Thankfully, we’re alone in the lobby.
“You tried to sabotage the wedding.”
“Pshaw. I did no such thing. Still, not even waiting?—”
“Mama.” Cher’s voice holds a note of frustration. More than a note.
“Oh right. That’s not why I called, dear.”
I exchange a puzzled look with Rainn. “It’s not?” he asks. “Then why did you call?”
“There’s someone at our house to see you.”
I resist the urge to grab the phone and demand answers. “Who?” I ask instead.
“Is that your best man? He’s a sweet boy. A little intense though.”
“Mama,” Cher says again.
“Oh right. Rainn, dear, you need to get your cute little behind over here right now. Your sister’s here. And she says it’s urgent.” Then she hangs up before Rainn can get in another word.
Rainn stares at the phone and then at me. “I need to go.”
“Wait.” I grab his arm. Panic races through me at the thought of him leaving. But I’m also really, really confused. “You have a sister?”