Chapter 14
Emma
Iwaited on the couch until Jameson came home for the night, the contract that would seal my fate printed out and sitting on the coffee table in front of me. My heart was a drum in my chest as the garage door opened and closed before my brother appeared in the doorway.
“Hey,” he said. “You’re still up?” He rubbed a hand over his tired face. He must have come from Elsie’s place.
It was well past midnight, but I wasn’t tired. Not when I was anticipating how this conversation with Jameson would go. He’d either tell me I was absolutely nuts—which was fair—or he’d have the same response Maya did—that he’d support me no matter what.
My tongue felt heavy, and I gave a nod. My silent response must have tipped him off because he removed his shoes and crossed the room, plopping down next to me.
“What’s up, Em?”
Once again, my tongue froze up in my mouth and I couldn’t speak. I settled for pointing at the contract on the table in front of us.
Jameson grabbed it. “What’s this?”
I waited as his eyes scanned the page, bracing for the freak out.
He muttered under his breath as he read before he suddenly exclaimed, “Marriage between Liam Walker and Emma Beck?”
Jameson’s eyes were nearly bugging out of his head, and I bit the inside of my cheek to hold back a laugh.
“Um, is this a joke, Em?”
I snorted. “I wish it was.”
“Please explain before I pass out from shock.”
Well, he wasn’t yelling, so I figured that was a good sign. Not that Jameson was the yelling type, but I’d really had no idea how he’d react.
I went through the same spiel I gave to Maya about Liam’s situation, Bridget’s sneaky scheme, and the money. When I was finished, Jameson just kept blinking at the contract in his hands.
“So, are you going to do it? Are you going to marry Liam?”
I closed my eyes, somehow finding it easier to get the words out that way. “I am.”
Jameson blew out a long breath. “And you’re sure about this?”
“Not really,” I replied honestly. “But I know that if the situation was reversed, Liam would do it for me.” Or at least I hope he would. “And if I can help him by doing this, then I’m going to do it. Besides, if his manager is going to force him into a farce like this, I’d rather it be with me, someone who genuinely cares about him, than some random person.”
Jameson pulled me into his side. “If this is what you want to do, then I’ll support you, Em. You’ve known each other your whole lives, and whether you both want to admit it or not, there are feelings there between you two. Maybe this will end up being a really good thing. Liam is a good man. Even if I don’t particularly like the idea of you entering a ‘fake’ marriage, I know Liam will take care of you. California Liam’s reputation might be questionable, but Meridel Liam always looked out for you.”
He planted a kiss on my head. “I know this likely isn’t what you imagined for your future, but I’m proud of you regardless.”
“Thanks, Jam-Jam.” The words cracked as they came out.
“Dad would be too.”
Those four words stole the air from my lungs. “I wish he was here.”
“Me too, Em. Me too.”
We sat there for several minutes, each shedding a few silent tears as Luna lounged on the floor offering support.
Jameson cleared his throat. “So…do you need a pen?” he quipped, handing the contract to me before whipping a pen out of his shirt pocket.
I laughed, wiping the tears from my eyes. Taking the pen from him, I pushed off the couch so that I was kneeling in front of the coffee table. I flipped to the back page and paused, the ink hovering just above the paper.
“Jam-Jam?” I looked over my shoulder at him. “Let’s not tell Mom this is fake. She’s had enough heartache and worrying in her life. She loves Liam and I’d rather her believe this is a real marriage and that we’re actually in love. At least for now. Maybe I’ll tell her the truth at some point, but for now, let’s keep it a secret. Okay?”
Jameson’s brow furrowed as he studied my face for a few moments. “It’s not your job to protect her, Em.”
“I know. I just…please, Jamie.” I couldn’t find the right words to explain how much I wanted this marriage to be real, and to not give my mom any reason to be disappointed in me or Liam. Not that she would be. Knowing her, she’d understand. But she was finally doing better after her long battle with cancer, and I couldn’t stand the thought of being the reason that bright smile slid from her face. I didn’t want to give her any reason to worry.
“All right, Em. If that’s what you want.”
I breathed a sigh of relief before returning my attention to the contract.
Here goes nothing.
I scribbled my signature on the line.
There. That was it.
I was officially engaged to Liam Walker.