Chapter 31 #2
“Yup, and he’ll stay there for a long time, if I have anything to say about it. Fucking deserves it after what he did.”
His face blanches. “Did he—”
“No.” I shake my head. “No. But I can’t say any more. Your sister doesn’t want anyone to know.”
Those blue eyes of his watch me like he’s still trying to piece me together. “Okay.” He nods. He pushes off the shelf and walks a few steps. “Okay. That’s fine. As long as you’re sure he’s gone.”
“He’s gone.” I hired Pres the best lawyer money could buy. Money makes me uncomfortable, but when it comes to her safety, I’m grateful to have it.
“Good. That’s good. But I’m still stuck on a few details when it comes to you and Pres.” Of course you are.
He begins slowly walking the length of the room.
Why do I suddenly feel like I’m being interrogated?
“You and my sister start talking on the phone, right? You’re in Nashville.
She’s here. And in a matter of weeks, you decide to uproot your life, relocate, and get married?
Am I getting that right? ’Cause none of that seems like shit Presley would do. ”
“We got married in Vegas.”
He pivots on his heels to face me. “Come again?”
“We went to Vegas for Presley’s birthday, and getting married was sort of a spur-of-the-moment sort of thing.”
He glares at me. “Was alcohol involved in this decision?”
I shrug. “Maybe a little.”
He lets out a frustrated groan. “I really don’t want to have to kick your ass.”
“Well, I’m not allowed to kick yours. According to your sister, you’re just a big softie.”
“Like hell I am.” He snorts. “Pretty sure I saved your ass a time or two.”
“Yeah.” I nod. “You did. You were more than just a best friend to me back then, Hendrix. You were family. You still are. I know you might doubt my feelings for Pres, but I fucking love that woman. She’s it for me. Hell, I love her so much, I just asked her to marry me again.”
His mouth quirks. “I’m not sure you can do that.”
“People renew their vows all the time.”
“Yeah, when they’re like fifty.” He snorts.
“Well, your parents are already throwing us that wedding reception—” My words cut short as his eyes widen.
Oh, fuck.
“What wedding reception?”
“Shit,” I breathe out.
“What wedding reception, Hollis?”
“You know? I think I’ve left Pres out there by herself long enough.” I motion to the door with my thumb. “I think I’m just gonna…”
He moves far too quickly for a dude his size and blocks my exit. “What. Fucking. Wedding. Reception?”
I blow out a breath. “When we told your parents we got married—”
He raises a hand. “Hold up. Exactly how many people in my family know you’re married?”
I really wish my wife were here. “All of them?” Not sure why I phrase it like a question.
“All of them?”
I nod. “Pretty much.”
“Myles?”
“Yup. He was thrilled. Bought us a round of shots.”
His brow furrows. “Mercury?”
I nod. “She was preoccupied at the time, but happy for us.”
He groans. “Cash?”
“He was pretty grumpy over the news. But, from what I hear, he’s pretty grumpy all the time.”
“He is,” he agrees, momentarily distracted. “Myles called him the Grinch in the group chat last month.”
“Does that mean his heart’s gonna grow three sizes?”
He snorts. “Doubtful.”
“Zander?”
“Uh…” I pause for a moment as his eyes fill with hope. “No, actually. Pres was worried he’d just go and blab the news to you before she could, so she hasn’t told him.”
“Yes!” He fist pumps.
I’m going to overlook the fact that he seems more excited about not being the last to know about our marriage than about our actual marriage.
Silence settles between us again, and I shift, looking around the small room as he steps away from the door.
“So you really just up and moved your whole life to be with my sister?”
I glance over at him. “It wasn’t much of a life, but yeah. And happily. Wouldn’t you do the same for Zara?”
“Happily,” he echoes my words.
“I heard you two moved in together?”
A goofy smile spreads across his face. “Yeah. Never thought I’d be the domestic type, but here we are.” He shrugs. “We spent last weekend picking out area rugs and plants for our living room. Like, who gives a shit if the rug goes with the curtains? Apparently, I do.”
I snort. “Happy for you, man.”
“Yeah, you too.” He pauses, and his mouth quirks. “I guess.”
I chuckle. “Such enthusiasm.”
His expression turns serious. “I couldn’t pick a better guy for my sister if I tried, Hollis. I know you’ll cherish her better than any man alive.” He pauses. “And I fucking knew you had a crush on her in high school.”
I open my mouth to protest, but end up just bursting out laughing. “To be fair, I really tried not to.”
“Well, I’m glad you figured it out. Although I’m pissed I’m always the last to know.” He shakes his head, muttering, “Those fuckers think I can’t keep a secret, but I can. When Zander signed with Manic, I didn’t tell anyone!”
“You really think you can keep a secret?”
His head whips around. “Yeah.”
I grin. This idea has been brewing in my head for months, but I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to pull it off. Now that I know this is the real deal… “I have something I might need you to help me with, but you can’t tell Presley.”
“Just Presley? Cause I can totally keep a secret.”
I raise a brow. “Okay, it will just stay between us, then. No one else.”
I really don’t care, as long as it doesn’t get back to my wife. But, Hen looks so eager…
I step in closer. “Okay, here’s the deal…”