Chapter 28 #2
I would eventually have to explain why I wasn’t wearing my wedding ring tonight. My sisters had noticed, but they hadn’t asked. Too many others around. The ring was at home, tucked into a jewelry box and pushed to the far corner of my dresser. Tonight was the night to debut a bare ring finger.
My “try to announce the end of my marriage without looking pathetic” plan was now in full swing.
In the break room at work, my coworkers still asked about Gideon.
On Monday, I’d tell them the winter weather and our work were keeping us apart.
I’d comment that our lives were just too separate—insert heartbroken pout.
His work was important to him. My family was in Montana.
I’d field the pitying looks like a champ and then cry to Sprinkles at night.
The worst of my plan would be my brothers.
They all “happened” to stop in at the bar and ask how I was doing each night I worked.
They never asked about Gideon. They didn’t point out that their suspicions might’ve been right, that Gideon had only married me to manipulate the sale. I didn’t mention that yes, he had.
Some things a girl just had to keep to herself.
I’d cry to my cat and my sisters.
But first, I needed the closure of the signed divorce papers.
Gideon should’ve gotten the email a few days ago.
The marriage would be officially over any day.
The company I’d hired promised me a quick divorce.
Vegas was known for quickie weddings. An easy divorce wasn’t as heavily advertised, but they offered that too.
Tenor wandered over. His brown eyes were full of concern. He pushed his glasses up. His longish hair hung over the thick frames. “Gideon couldn’t make it?”
Of my three brothers, I hadn’t thought he’d be the one to broach the subject.
Tate and Teller were more direct, but they’d tiptoed around me since Gideon had left town.
Tenor had been on the receiving end of my emotions, thanks to the inventory talk, but here he was.
Fitting he’d be the first to hear about the end of me and Gideon.
I sipped from the small straw in my Kentucky mule.
I hadn’t added enough bourbon to make what I had to say any easier and this was my first and only drink of the night.
Anxiety swirled in my stomach, but at least it took the focus off the pain around my heart.
The only communication between me and Gideon had been the email with the divorce documents, and it hadn’t been sent directly from me.
It was time. “We actually decided a divorce would be best.”
Tenor cocked his head like he couldn’t believe what I’d said. “Divorce?”
“Yep.” I popped the p and took another long sip. The lime had enough bite to keep me from getting lost in my own foul mood. Hard to be upset when the taste of summer danced on my tongue. “We tried. So there is that.”
“Autumn.”
It was the pity. The “I’m so sorry” and “I saw this coming” look I’d been dreading. My pulse kicked up. He was right. I’d known this was coming and I was still devastated.
I was a fool. The worst kind—a fool in love with a broken heart.
“No, no. It’s fine. I mean, we tried.” My voice caught. Had I tried? Gideon hadn’t. But what if I had tried harder?
Teller appeared by Tenor. “What’s going on?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tate making his way around the people at the bar to come our way. Scarlett’s gaze was on me, but she’d know having a crowd around me would only make me feel self-conscious. My sisters knew what was up.
I wiggled my ring finger and forced a smile. “The marriage will be officially over soon. Our lives are in different places.” I sounded scripted.
Now, I had three brothers with narrowed gazes on me.
“That asshole,” Teller growled.
I shook my head. I was disappointed in Gideon, but I couldn’t stand hearing them rage about my soon-to-be nonhusband. This had been both of our decisions. “No, it’s fine. I mean, everyone saw this coming.”
“Maybe that’s what we thought at first,” Tate said. “But not for long. I really thought he’d find a way to make it work.”
He had to want to first.
Teller pushed forward and wrapped me in a bear hug. “We’re here for you.”
I was crushed against him, and I couldn’t move. I also didn’t want to. Grief slipped past my wobbly mental barrier and washed over me. No matter how much I’d told myself the marriage wasn’t real, it had felt legit. My time with Gideon had been a dream, but I hadn’t been imagining it.
I let out a shuddering breath and soaked in the brotherly comfort.
Junie’s visit had been needed. Now I leaned on my brothers’ strength.
I needed them to baby me in the way that usually chafed.
I was back to being an injured girl scared of her future.
The wounds weren’t physical and my future wasn’t uncertain this time. It was just empty.
I opened my eyes. The other employees would soon hear about the divorce and word would spread. They’d do the work for me. Then it’d be officially over.
My face was still smashed sideways into Teller’s chest as Tate stroked a hand down his beard, his brows sewn together. The bell on the door tinkled. He glanced over and did a double take and straightened.
The din in the bar quieted down. Teller’s hold eased, and now Tenor frowned at the entrance. I couldn’t see around Teller, so I stepped to the side to peek at what kind of guest had made the bar quiet down.
Gideon prowled toward me. His gaze didn’t waver to my brothers or any of the other partygoers. He was focused on me.
Now I was dreaming. The divorce was messing with my head.