Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
JAMES
I managed to avoid Nate at all costs until it was time for us to pack up the car and hit the road. Lugging my suitcase down the stairs, Nate stands at the bottom, hands folded into his pockets as he watches with an amused look on his face.
I didn't want his help, and by the looks of it, he wasn't going to offer it either.
Suited me.
I was an independent woman.
Huffing when I finally reach the bottom step, I push my hand through my hair and off my face, cheeks a little pink.
“Heavy?” he twists his lips, a boyish grin threatening to play against them.
“Nope,” my tone is curt, and I don't look at him as I slip my feet into my sneakers.
We have dinner tonight with Nate and his friends and then a day with them, then the wedding Sunday. The anxiety is beginning to present itself deep inside my chest. If he hadn't brought me the dress, I would have sulked like a brat and stayed home to watch Jeff.
I wasn't really in the mood.
I have no idea why, but he made me sour last night, and he didn't even do anything wrong, well kind of did because of how he behaved before my friends came over and then to make matters worse, he caught me checking him out. I got embarrassed and ran away like a child. He was pretty smug with it too, which then got my back up even more.
I am being immature, petty even, but I couldn’t help myself.
Curling my fingers around my hip, I am dressed in alo yoga cropped oatmeal tee and matching soft wide leg pants.
I chose comfort for the drive.
Nate disappears into the kitchen, and I hear the drawers and cupboards being opened before he is back and swiping the keys off the side table.
“Ready?” he asks, as he picks his duffel bag up and unhooks his suit bag from the top of the living room doorframe.
I give a very soft nod and if he wasn't looking directly at me, he would have missed it completely.
Wrapping my fingers around the handle of my case, I open the door and bump my case down the steps and drag it along the pathway to the sidewalk.
He locks up behind himself and stands next to me as he unlocks his car and opens the trunk. He places his bag inside, fitting it in the perfect spot and not ruining his aesthetically clean car. He then moves to the left rear passenger door and hooks the suit bag over the handle above the window before closing the door softly.
I then take that as my opportunity to heave the heavy suitcase up my body as I try and get it into the back of his G-Wagon and fail.
Miserably.
He laughs softly and gently nudges me out the way as he lifts it effortlessly and slides it between his packed bag and some car boxes where spare clothes are folded neatly, boots, umbrella and coat as well as a little bag of what looks like Jeff's stuff.
“There we go princess, all done,” he dusts his hand off and pushes the button to close the trunk. I let me eyes scope over him sneakily as he twists.
Dressed in black, tight sweatpants and a black tee he looks irresistible, and I find myself scowling as I shake my head from side to side. The sun is shining, and it feels warm on my skin. I'm craving some sunshine, and I am kind of grateful that we are going to the Maldives next weekend. I need the heat. I need a tan. I just want to feel the sun on my face.
Slipping my sunglasses off my head, I slip into the passenger seat as Nate holds my door and pull the belt across my chest, but he reaches forward and takes it from my hands as he buckles me in, tugging softly to make sure it is secure.
“Your friends will call me if anything happens to Jeff, won't they?” he looks at me, brows furrowed slightly as if he doesn't know the answer to the question. He is worried and I love that he loves his cat so much. He is so much more than just a cat.
“Yes,” I don't even look at him, just focus on the road ahead, not that we're even moving yet.
“Okay,” his voice is soft as he closes the door on me. A few seconds pass when I hear the engine start. He looks in his mirror then pulls onto the quiet road.
“Can we stop for coffee?” I ask five minutes into the journey, and he swings his head to face me and gives me a warm smile.
“Of course we can, my little passenger princess,” his hand skates across the center of the car and slips between my thighs as he gives it a soft squeeze before both hands are back on the wheel. My heart jumps in my chest, my skin still tingling from his hand on my body.
“Let's just get a bit of time on the road and then I'll pull in somewhere for coffee and food, how does that sound?” he continues, and I give him a soft smile back with a nod.
He taps the screen on his phone and soft music from Noah Khan begins to play.
We've been on the road around half an hour when he pulls into a drive through coffee shop and orders two iced coffees with vanilla cold foam and two grilled cheeses. I didn't argue. I would have probably ordered similar, but I was happy with what he chose. I am starving and I need a coffee to hit my groggy soul. Maybe it will cheer me up a bit instead of me being bitter.
I offer to pay but he refuses and then taps his phone against the card reader and pulls to the next window. We wait for a moment or two before our order is handed to us along with our sandwiches. He gives them a panty-melting smile before handing me the goods. Pulling into a space, I place our coffees into the cup holders and pass him the bag as he reaches for his grilled cheese, but he gives me mine first.
“Thank you,” I whisper before peeking into the bag and my stomach grumbles. Grabbing the napkin and placing it over my lap, I dive in for my sandwich taking a bite and groaning in appreciation. It melts on my tongue and I am desperate for more.
“Hungry baby?” he goads, and I side-eye him as he takes his own bite and moans.
“Good, isn't it?” I swallow my mouthful and watch as he nods in agreement.
“Fuck it, let’s get another one,” he says before taking another bite and closing his eyes as he appreciates every chew.
We eat in silence and once finished I clean my hands and put my trash in the bag and wait for Nate to do the same. I pull the handle of the car and push the door open, then walk to the trash can and chuck it away before I move back towards the car, Nate's eyes roaming over my body and I tuck my head down so I don't give myself away. So I don't let him see that I like when he looks at me like I am his everything, like he needs me so desperately that it could kill him if he didn't get to touch me, kiss me, love me.
Like this wasn’t just a marriage of convenience.
Closing the door softly, I push my straw into my iced coffee lid and take a sip and he does the same, mirroring my move.
“Ready to get back on the road?” He asks, placing his cup down and I give a nod as I take a small mouthful but keep my coffee in my lap. “Then let's go to the Hamptons,” he chimes, reversing out of the parking space and back onto the main road.
The soft music fills the car and I feel the coil that was wound so tight slowly loosening, my shoulders not as high as they gently sink lower and my stomach no longer in knots.
“Are you looking forward to the weekend?” I find myself asking, my voice quiet but loud enough to float over the music that surrounds the car.
“Yeah, I am,” he nods, eyes stuck to the road ahead. “Kaleb is my best friend, he deserves this more than anyone. He never had the best luck when it came to women, then he ended up just marrying the job...” his brows shoot up before they furrow and I nibble on my bottom lip, fighting the smile. “No pun intended there.” A breeze of a chuckle passes his lips, long fingers drumming on the steering wheel.
“No,” I smirk, bringing my coffee to my lips and taking another mouthful.
“No,” he rolls his head to look at me and gives me a slow wink. “Are you looking forward to this weekend?” he asks me and I inhale heavily, the coil tightening.
“I'm not sure,” I half shrug my shoulder up and twist to face him a little more. “I am going to be out of my depth, I’m the new girl... all eyes will be on me and no doubt I will be compared to exes and the ones they did like.”
Nate coughs, clearing his throat, fingers still and resting.
“What?” I blink a couple of times.
“I've never had a girlfriend,” and he shrugs it off like it isn't a big deal.
“Sorry?” my voice heightens becoming a little squeakier.
“Never had one,” he turns to look at me dead in the fucking eyes and I'm not sure if he is trying to make me feel better or trying to make me feel worse.
“You've never had a girlfriend.”
“Nope,” his voice is flat, fingers back to drumming on the steering wheel.
“And you decided that now was a good time to introduce a girlfriend for the first time?” I pause for a moment, eyes moving to the road in front. “This weekend? At a wedding? With friends who have never seen you with a girl!?”
“Yeah, why not?” and now I see the playful smirk on his lips.
“Please tell me you're joking?” I half laugh, half choke on a sob. “Please tell me that they all know about me, or you have in fact, had a girlfriend before.”
He pulls over and down a slip road before rolling to a halt at the stop light.
My heart thrashes in my chest.
“I am deadly serious, why would I joke about something like that?”
And I drop my face into my hands.
“I don't know whether to laugh or cry,” I finally lift my head as the car begins to move.
“Why?” his voice is unbothered. He doesn’t get how big of a deal this is.
“Because it's kind of a big deal, not only is it the first time for me meeting your friends, but the first time that you have had a girlfriend.”
My chest is rising and falling and all feelings of relaxation and normality were left on the highway that we just exited.
He twists his lips.
“Wife,” he mutters, and I snap my head in his direction.
“What?” I whine, head falling back onto the headrest.
“No, I'm correcting you.” He blinks then looks at me, only briefly before pulling back onto the road and merging into the outside lane.
“On?”
“You're my wife, not my girlfriend.”
“Nate!” I raise my voice, but I laugh, because of how matter of fact he is; because how unbothered he is by this.
“Does it bother you that I have never had a girlfriend... or a wife before?”
I pause for a moment.
“No.” And it's not a lie. “But I am just a little shocked. Are you just not a relationship kind of man?” and I feel like I am pushing my luck a little here.
He chuckles, but I don't miss the way his smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. Or the way his smile fades as quickly as he plastered it on his full, rosy lips.
“Just never found the right girl.”
My heart drops from my chest at his admission.
Just never found the right girl.
I can't fathom the words.
So, I sit quietly.
I can feel his eyes on me, but they flick back to the road.
“What are you thinking about?” I can hear the teasing tone to his voice.
Rolling my head around to face him, my brows are crinkled, nose a little scrunched.
“Nothing.”
He laughs, a deep, beautiful laugh.
“You lie Mrs Spencer.”
I gasp, trying to act shocked by his accusations as I flatten my hand against my chest, eyes bouncing around the car and not landing on him once.
“How dare you...” I lick my lips then swallow as I try and wet my dry mouth.
“Tell me I am wrong,” he goads, fingers tapping along the steering wheel.
And I swallow my pride and turn my attention to him.
My husband.
My devastatingly handsome husband.
With a straightest damn poker face I have ever pulled.
“You are wrong, Mr Spencer.”
He shakes his head from side to side, hair a little floppy as it falls in his eyes and that beautiful sound fills the car once more.
“Damn, my name sounds so good falling from those luscious lips, wife .”
My fucking cheeks turn crimson, a nervous giggle escapes me and I turn my face away and look out at the road that whizzes past as we drive down the highway.
The rest of the journey is pretty quiet, the odd question from Nate to stop any awkwardness, a random fact from me, but that's as far as the conversation goes because I am worried about what will come out of my stupid mouth next.
We pull off down a small dusty backstreet before we're back on a made-up road. My eyes widen as a small gasp escapes me at the sight ahead of me.
“Wow,” I whisper, and I feel Nate's eyes on me but I refuse to look at him.
“It's something right?” his voice is low, husky even as I keep my sights pinned on the calm ocean, the beaches packed with the elite, no doubt who sit on their picnic blankets, sun parasols pitched into the golden sand.
“Yeah,” I sigh and let my head roll around as we pull onto a crowded drive.
Ahead of us is a small, picturesque, white panelled cottage sitting on a long stretch of grass. The front door is painted light sage green, matching shuttered windows.
We’re right on the beach cove, it’s literally a stone throw or two away from where the cottage sits.
My brows furrow as I turn to look at him.
“This is Connie and Kaleb's place,” he cuts the engine and just sits for a moment, head resting back on the headrest. “It used to be Titus'” he says with a groan, stretching out.
The journey was just over two hours, but he is tall so I suppose he feels a little cramped up.
“But when Kaleb brought Connie here to keep her safe, well...”
And I stare back at the house.
“Kaleb brought it from him, they come here whenever they can, so it only seemed right that they had their wedding in the Hamptons. Think it holds memories here for them, nice ones.”
Nodding, I inhale sharply.
The drive is full of cars and Nate's jeep just about fits on.
The feel of his hand on my thigh has my head dropping.
“Don't be nervous.”
I swallow.
“Easier said than done,” my steady gaze meets his, even though on the inside I am a quivering mess.
“I'll be by your side the whole time. Plus, you know Keaton and Ari.”
“As my bosses,” his hand lifts from my thigh.
“Would you feel better if we went to our accommodation and met them all at the rehearsal dinner tonight?”
I drift my sights back to the house and inhale heavily.
“No, I think we should do it now... pull the band aid off and all that.”
“Atta girl,” he squeezes my thigh reassuringly as he opens the driver’s door and slips out. I wait for him to round my side like he always does, the door opening and he holds his hand out for me to take. “It'll be okay, I promise. They're all real nice.”
I nod, swallowing the thickness down as I tighten my grip inside his palm. He closes the door behind me and leads me up the steps of the house. My heart is thrashing inside my chest, blood thumping in my ears and nausea rips through my stomach causing it to twist and churn.
Watching as he twists the handle for the front door, I inhale deeply and hold my breath as we step into the small square lobby. A dark oak wooden floor leads down a narrow hallway, which leads into an open-planned space. Living area to the left, kitchen to the right.
Nate clears his throat as we step into the room, noise coming from the kitchen and two men stand talking in front of the cosy fireplace in the living area.
My eyes skate around the room. Warm creams and wrapped with dark oak furniture making it pop against the stone-colored walls. Gold accessories and thick books sitting centre of the table. Large archways separate the rooms.
“Nate,” the dark-haired man smiles warmly, his eyes lighten up as he looks at his friend before they're on me and confusion paints over his face. The man who was stood next to him steps forward, a smirk pulling at his lips, eyes crystal blue.
“Killian,” he nods, greeting him, and Nate stands a little taller.
A whistle leaves the blue eyed man’s mouth as he nods his head back and two other men step into the room.
One is my boss, Keaton.
The other looks similar and I am assuming this is Kaleb, the groom.
“Well, well, well...” Keaton's eyes bounce between mine and Nate's, “what do we have here?”
“Guys...” Nate says a little louder, pulling me forward and I hadn't even realised I had tucked myself behind him as some kind of shield.
I watch as ice blue, who whistled, brings his bottle to his lips, a silly smirk on his lips as he stands shoulder to shoulder with the tall, dark haired man.
The girls’ chatter lowers and my heart jolts.
“This is my wife, James.”
And their eyes widen.
“The fuck,” Kaleb whispers, just as ice blue spits his beer from his mouth, spraying it everywhere.
“I fucking knew it, I knew you would be the one to have a secret life and wife you sneaky little fucker,” Keaton points his finger towards Nate, eyes narrowing.
“What is going on?” I see Arizona as her eyes bounce around the room, followed by a redhead with different colored eyes, a blonde and a brunette.
“This is James, Nate's wife,” Keaton so proudly announces and my cheeks burn and after looking at each and every one of them, I let my eyes drop to the floor.
“Oh my God,” I hear a voice and before I can even look up, I am being scooped up into an embrace.
“Welcome to the group, I know we know each other but well, I felt like I needed to welcome you... you know, officially.” Arizona beams as she steps back, her eyes volleying between mine. Her hair is curly and dark, her eyes match ice blues and I let them skate over to where he stands.
“That's my dad, Titus. He is married to Amora,” she spins and holds her hand out for the pretty redhead. She steps towards me and gives me a warm hug, the whole time my hand is tucked inside Nate's, his thumb pad brushing back and forth across the back of mine and my heart begins to slow.
“Hi,” I whisper in her ear as she steps away and moves towards her husband, tucking her hand around his back as he still wipes his hand down his tee that is now damp from beer.
The blonde is next, slim and tall, honey hair in beach waves and opal eyes.
“I'm Reese,” she smiles, pulling me in for a cuddle, “Killian is my husband,” she looks to the right, and smiles at him.
“Nice to meet you,” my voice is soft as she glides next to him, hand in his.
And the last girl stands there, waiting for just a moment with her arms tucked across her chest. Her hair dark. Eyes narrowing as she scopes me out, then they slice to Nate.
“Why have you been hiding her?” she storms over to Nate, then clips him around the back of the head.
“Ow?!” he says sarcastically before she presses a wide toothed grin against her mouth and pulls me into an embrace.
“I am Connie, welcome to the group. How dare he hide you away,” she pulls back and rolls her eyes before she turns and looks at the four men in the room. “Did you know about this?” her foot taps in her heavy doc martens, arms crossed over her chest again. She wears an oversized band tee and black cycling shorts, brown hair poker straight.
Reese wears a cropped tee and baggy ripped mom jeans, Amora is in a lemon summer dress, red hair in loose curls that tumble down towards her waist and Arizona is in leggings and an oversized tee.
“Did it look like we knew about it!?” Killian snaps and my eyes widen a little. Reese catches my expression and laughs softly.
“Killian—my husband—is Connie's dad...”
I replay her words in my head just as Nate lowers his lips to my ears, but I remember from our conversation the other night, the pieces slowly slipping into place as I piece them all together.
“It's fucked up.”
I twist my lips and fight my smirk.
“Did you know about this?” she turns and looks at Arizona and Keaton and Keaton laughs at her question.
“Not at all,” he shakes his head.
“But she works for you right?”
“Yes, Connie, but we don't know anything about her private life,” Keaton rolls his eyes and holds his hand out as if to say is she serious right now?
“We had no idea,” Arizona shrugs her shoulder up as she cuddles into her husband, arms wrapping around his body.
“Do you have to show your PDA here?” Titus groans.
And it takes me a second to realise why.
Titus is Arizona's dad.
“Told you,” Nate laughs as he places a kiss to the top of my head and my stomach coils, but I am reminded shortly after by my subconscious that this is only business.
He is putting on a show.
“Come in, come in,” Connie ushers us through the door, closing it behind us and shoving Nate in the back causing him to stumble forward and he rolls his eyes, nostrils flaring.
“We were just having a wine in the kitchen if you wanted to join us?” Reese asks sweetly and I look up at Nate who gives me a subtle nod.
“Okay,” my voice is quiet, and I finally let go of his hand, missing the way my skin tingled in an instant.
I follow the group of girls and as I approach the kitchen, I give him one last look over my shoulder, my heart jack hammering when he gives me a killer smile.
As soon as I step over the threshold, all eyes are on me, and I shrink.
“I can't believe he kept you a secret,” Connie shakes her head again as she reaches for a wine glass and Reese rolls her eyes.
“It's Nate,” Reese sighs, “what did you expect?” she asks the room as she wraps her fingers around the stem of her glass and brings it to her lips as she takes a mouthful.
“Exactly that Connie, it's Nate. The man is like...” Amora pauses, “a secret squirrel, wouldn't surprise me if he lives a whole other life,” she drums her fingers on the countertop, fingertips playing with the base of the wine glass.
Connie tugs the refrigerator door open and grabs a bottle of white. Pulling out the cork, she fills my glass up before topping the other three girls' glasses up.
I take a large mouthful and brace myself for the onslaught of questions that are no doubt about to follow.