Chapter 27
27
MAC
Rainn’s phone rings as we’re leaving the house. He holds it up so I can see Cher’s name. “Hey. Now’s not a good time.”
“I don’t fucking care, Rainn.” She’s loud enough that I can hear her. Heck, half of California can probably hear her.
Rainn pulls the phone away and rubs his ear. “What’s going on?”
“You promised to help me!”
Rainn has had a hard enough day. This is the last thing he needs. I step closer. He puts his hand on my chest and shakes his head.
“Sorry, Cher. We have a lot going on. And you might want to take the volume down a notch.” His eyes flick to me.
I can’t hear her next words, but Rainn’s face goes all soft, and I know before he even speaks. “Don’t cry, Cher. Of course I want to help.” He nods. “What’s going on?”
Zye and Miles are already in the car. Probably calling Isaac. I wave my fingers and Rainn holds the phone between us so I can hear. “… agreed to do this, Rainn. You were supposed to meet me in Mule Creek so we could check out the caterers and the venue to make sure everything’s in place. The performers ?—”
There’s a rustling on the phone, and then Mama Gladdie says loud enough that they could probably hear it in Southern California. “You made my baby cry, Rainn Harding. Again. Now, stop messing around and get your cute little behind back in Mule Creek before I come over there and drag you back.”
“We’ll be there in a few hours, Mama Gladdie,” I say, angling the phone toward me. “We’re in California right now.”
“What the hell for? There’s nothing in California.”
I laugh. “Not California, Missouri. The state.”
“Oh. Thank you, Mac. You’re such a nice boy.”
Rainn’s brows raise at that, and I laugh again. After he ends the call, Rainn shakes his head. “Why does she like you more than me?”
“You left her daughter at the altar?”
“Cher stopped the wedding,”
And the implication is that what? If she hadn’t, he would have married her? That doesn’t sit well with me.
Rainn smiles. “Stop glaring at me, Mac.”
Without considering my actions, I cup his face and kiss him. Staking my claim? Ridiculous for several reasons. The main one is that my wedding band is still on the ring finger of his left hand. He sinks into the kiss. He needs this contact as much as I do.
Honk. Honk .
Zye is leaning out the window. “Stop making out and get in the car.”
The trip back is uneventful. I sit in the back of the plane next to Rainn, as far away from Simon’s enthusiasm as possible. “You okay?”
He nods, and I pretend to believe him. I brush my lips over his. “Maybe get some sleep. You’re exhausted, and Mama Gladdie can be a lot.”
He nods, but his glance out the window gives him away. I swallow before I say something I’ll regret. This man is so sweet and frustrating. “I’m fine,” I say, lying my ass off. “I think I’m getting the hang of all this flying.”
“Right. Nap with me?”
We adjust the chairs so they’re reclining and lean in close. It’s not enough. And then Rainn rests his head on my shoulder and takes my hand. And miraculously, I sleep.
Simon is wiped out after the plane ride and the drive back to Mule Creek. Isaac and Adrian take him home for a nap. We meet Cher and Mama Gladdie at Zyetastic Weddings. It feels way too familiar. Arriving at the shop to support Rainn but hoping against hope I could change his mind and convince him not to marry Cher.
Now, here I am again. Married to Rainn. Pretending to be married to Rainn. Only it doesn’t feel like pretend anymore.
Once inside, we go over the plan. Cher has meetings set up for every day next week. This is not how I wanted to spend my Christmas break. Although, after Thanksgiving, my only requirement is having Rainn with me.
“The caterers are meeting with us on Monday. The venue is Tuesday. Just to make sure we have everything in place. Then the hypnotist is Wednesday?—”
“I thought we decided against a hypnotist.”
Cher glares at Rainn. “I texted you. You didn’t answer. The comic didn’t work out.”
“Fine.” Rainn rubs the back of his neck, and I resist the urge to take over. Maybe later, I can give him a proper massage.
Heat rushes to my face, and I glance away. It’s been a few days, and I need Rainn. Need his touch. His sweet kisses. That gorgeous butt hugging my?—
“Want to share with the class?” Rainn asks, his voice seductive. Jerkwad.
“Nope.”
“Well.” He stands and pulls me up with him. “We’ll see you all on Monday.”
Cher jumps up and jabs her hands on her hips. “Dammit, Rainn. This is the problem. You don’t listen to me. We have a meeting. Today. Not Monday. In…” She glances at the clock on the wall, and her eyes widen. “Five minutes. Shit.”
“What? Why?” It comes out as a whine, and I press my lips together so I don’t laugh. I have no doubt Rainn was hoping for some alone time.
“We’re meeting with the headline act.”
“I thought you were the headline act.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Then she drops her smile. “Don’t try and sweet talk me. Mama and I will head over. But I expect you there in the next fifteen minutes, or I will come after you.” She narrows her eyes when she glances at me. “No sidetracking him.”
“No problem.”
She nods and takes a deep breath. “We are so close. After this, you have the rest of the weekend to relax or…whatever.”
Rainn threads our fingers together and grins before turning back to Cher. “Which one is this? The tape mime?”
I laugh. He really doesn’t listen to her. “He dropped out a few weeks ago. It’s the variety act. Riz.”
Cher rolls her eyes. “Roz.” She heads for the door and turns before opening it. “Don’t be late.”
“Aren’t we already late?” I ask, though not loud enough for Cher to hear.
Rainn and I spend five of those minutes in the storage room. According to Miles, it’s the best place to make out without getting interrupted. I rub the back of his neck and give him lingering kisses. “I miss you.”
“I’m right here.”
I nod. “You docs like the details.” I bite his bottom lip. “I miss you naked and under me as I drive into your sweet behind.”
“God, Mac.” He turns us and pushes me against the racks. A box of something falls and bits of plastic rain over us. Rainn kisses me hard, sweeping his tongue in my mouth and teasing me until I can’t think. He moans, and I almost forget about his ex-fiancé and her ultimatum.
Bang. Bang. Bang . The knocking startles us, and we pull apart just as Zye opens the door. “Pretend marriage, my ass.” He shakes his head. “Let’s go, Romeo and Romeo.”
We follow Zye and Miles outside. “You’re going?” Rainn asks.
“I’m hungry. And since you’re meeting at Christy’s, it works out.”
Rainn nods. “Fine. But we’re taking separate cars.”
Zye hesitates but then nods.
Rainn is quiet on the drive over, but I don’t press him. We arrive at Christy’s and park. He slams his hand on the steering wheel.
“What’s going on?”
He shakes his head several times but less like a no and more like he’s trying to figure out what to say. “This isn’t about Zye being hungry. He doesn’t want me out of his sight.” He looks at me, and his eyes are filled with pain. “He’s afraid I’m going to leave again.”
“Are you?”
His eyes meet mine. I understand Zye’s fear. I share it. What if Rainn needs space again? Or finds some girl instead of me?
“No, Mac.” He kisses me. “I promise.”
“You know how I feel about promises, Rainn. They’re only words.”
Zye huffs when we exit the car. But Miles unexpectedly gives me a fist bump.
“Let’s get this over with.” Rainn heads toward the door, and we hurry to catch up. The diner is full, and I remember it’s Saturday night. And this is the best, and maybe only, diner in town.
When Christy sees us, he growls. Actually growls. “They’re in the back room. It’s more private.”
Rainn nods, and we head in that direction.
“Zye? Canna talk to you?”
“I’m sorry, Christy. This will be the last time. I promise.”
He snorts at that, but there’s something in his eyes I can’t read. He follows us to the back room. Cher and Mama Gladdie are sitting with another couple. The rest of the room is empty. All that prime diner space not being used. No wonder he’s upset.
The guy turns when we enter. He’s cute. Older. Dark skin. Jamaican, maybe? He stands, and Rainn holds out his hand.
“Roz?”
“No.” He glances at his companion. A woman? No wait. I think Cher said they were nonbinary. “I’m Levor. Roz’s manager.”
Cher stands and smiles. “I’m so glad everyone is finally here.” And the way she emphasizes the word makes me think she didn’t expect or want the addition of Zye and Miles. “This is Roz. We are so lucky they could fit us in.”
The person stands and turns with a hesitant smile. I’ve seen Roz before. Hasn’t everyone? But they’re usually in full makeup. This person has blond hair, delicate features, and brilliant green eyes. They look familiar. Have I seen them without makeup?
Rainn’s hand tightens in mine, and I’m about to complain when Zye gasps. His eyes are wide and his hands cover his mouth. “Mom?”