Chapter Forty-One #2
It’s been twelve days since Gemma and I came up with our plan.
In only two days, she’ll walk down the aisle and marry that stupid fucker.
While I know it’s not real, it bothers me to no end that it’s not us getting the beautiful ceremony.
Though after we filed the paperwork at the courthouse last Monday, I painted my lips across hers as if it might be the last time.
Even though it wasn’t, it would be until this was all over.
We’ve kept up the act that we’re not together since the whole town is invited to the “wedding of the century.” Even when we aren’t in public, we’ve kept our distance.
Neither of us trust that Robert wouldn’t have us followed again.
It was better to play it safe, but it still doesn’t make it easy—especially seeing her every day at work.
Jerry has been in a bad mood over it all because Gemma told him she was marrying Robert despite him telling her not to.
Everyone except him and her two best friends think they’re truly in love.
They know about his ultimatum but not about our plan to pull the rug out from under him.
We’re keeping it a secret just between us so there’s no chance of him finding out.
Assuming everything goes smooth, we’ll share the news with them after it’s all done.
Each day that I see her at work and can’t kiss her pisses me off. Finally, just when we managed to find our way back together and be happy, this bastard barges in and takes it away from us. What he doesn’t realize is it will just make our reunion that much sweeter.
It’s surreal not to feel threatened by Victoria for the first time in years.
All the pieces are finally starting to snap together, and I can’t wait to spend time with the love of my life once this is over.
After that night, Eric flew back to Vegas to take care of some work stuff, but will be back tomorrow to start preparing for his meeting with Robert next week.
He’s been texting with Gemma on how to fool Robert into thinking he’s a multi-billionaire interested in dozens of acres of land for development.
It’s quite comical when I think about all those meetings Robert dragged Gemma to, and now she’s going to use it against him in the biggest fucking way.
I can’t wait to see the look on his smug ass face.
No one will suspect a thing either because hardly anyone knew Eric came to town or what he’d done.
Fortunately, they filed the case as a triple homicide just as he thought it’d be.
Everleigh’s witness testimony also helped since she never saw Eric or me.
The O’Leary family was completely outraged by the sheriff’s lack of investigation, but Todd’s a lazy asshole.
He’ll close anything up to avoid more paperwork.
Regardless, it’s no longer my problem, and it’s finally over.
Right now, all I can focus on is getting through this next week and ensuring Gemma gets that deed.
After my training session at the gym, I get a text from her.
Gemma
Robert just added a stipulation to our agreement. Two days before the wedding! I’m so furious, I can’t even think straight.
Tyler
I hate him more every day. What is it now?
Her text bubble pops up and disappears, and it takes her almost two minutes to send it.
Gemma
You’re not gonna like it. Hell, I fucking hate it.
Tyler
Just tell me, baby.
Gemma
He says he won’t sign the deed unless we consummate our marriage on the wedding night. If I do, he’ll sign it Monday morning, but if I don’t, he won’t sign until after our honeymoon.
The rage I feel nearly makes me burst a blood vessel. Gemma’s mine, and the thought of him touching her makes me want to beat his fucking face in, but I understand what’s at stake here.
Tyler
I want to fucking kill him.
Gemma
I do too. I hate him so much. But I have two options—don’t do it and if he refuses to sign on Monday, I’ll threaten him with not going on the honeymoon and the aftermath of that would have rumors flying.
He bragged all about how he’s taking me to Hawaii at the reception, so everyone is expecting us to go.
However, the risk of that option is not knowing if that’d be enough to persuade him to sign before the plan with Eric is supposed to happen.
Which means getting him out of town those two days would go to shit.
She’s right. If he doesn’t sign on Monday, the big reveal on Thursday will mean nothing.
He’d still own the property, and this will all have been for nothing.
The only benefit is that Gemma and I are married, but she’d lose her cottage.
Robert’s a horrible excuse of a man, and I can’t wait to see the look on his stupid face when he realizes Gemma’s and his marriage isn’t legal.
It’s the only thought that’s keeping me sane right now.
Tyler
What’s option two?
I hold my breath because I have a feeling I’m not gonna like it.
Gemma
Cry.
The urge to pull her into my arms weighs heavy on me, and I want to find Robert and bash his head in. What kind of sicko blackmails a woman into having sex with him? I try to calm down and am so happy Everleigh’s not home to ask why I’m rage-pacing the living room.
Needing to get some fresh air, I grab Sassy and we go on a walk, but Gemma and I continue our conversation.
Tyler
What if there was a legitimate reason you couldn’t have sex that night where you could still persuade him into signing on Monday?
Gemma
What do you have in mind?
Tyler
Fireball?
Gemma
Fireball? So, get fucking smashed to the point of not being able to walk…which means the following day, I’d have too much of a hangover to have sex that night too. Hmm…I think that just might work.
Tyler
You could even tell him you think someone slipped something in your drink if he asks you why you got so drunk and use that as an excuse so he doesn’t try to get out of going on Monday.
Gemma
You know…that’s actually not a bad idea. Robert’s a dickhead, but he’s not a creep like that. He’d want me to be an active participant, but if I were too sick or passed out drunk, he’d be forced to wait until the honeymoon. It’s worth a shot! (Haha, get it? Shot!) WHY ARE YOU SO SMART?
I chuckle at her corny joke.
Tyler
We make a great team, baby.
Gemma
I miss you so much, hubby. Love you.
Tyler
I miss you too, wifey. Love you more. This will all be over soon. You’ve got this.
Gemma
I gotta go, but can you put a bottle of Fireball on my desk tomorrow? I’ll sneak it into my bag with my wedding shoes.
Tyler
I’ll make sure it happens, sweetheart.
Sassy is ecstatic when I take the corner and walk to the liquor store that’s close to the boutique. The owner loves dogs, and she nearly dies when she sees Sassy. I grab the biggest bottle of Fireball they sell and cross my fingers this works.
FIVE DAYS EARLIER
Today is the goddamn wedding.
Everleigh knocks on my door as I’m lying in bed staring at the ceiling when she walks in.
“Hey, bro.” She offers me a smile. “I’m gonna head out.” She and Katie are in the bridal party, and she’s leaving to go meet them at the venue.
I sit up and look at how pretty she is. “You look great, Ev.”
Her eyes are sad. “I wish this wasn’t happening. I’m really sorry, Tyler. My heart is breaking for you and Gemma.”
“It’s gonna be okay, I promise,” I tell her, but she’s not convinced. “Just be there for your bestie. She’s gonna need you today.”
“I am. I won’t take my eyes off her. But anyway, I’ll be home later tonight. If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thanks,” I say, running my fingers through my hair, knowing they’re all going to watch a fake wedding with a bride who’ll be too drunk to stand. I almost smirk but make sure I don’t. “Have fun.”
“Fun?” She groans. “Yeah, right. It’s like going to a funeral.” She gives me a half-smile. “See ya.”
When I hear the front door close, I go to the kitchen and make a sandwich. Though I hate the thought of Gemma pretending to marry him, I have the satisfaction of knowing she’s my wife, and soon, everyone will know the truth.
FOUR DAYS EARLIER
It’s barely past eight, and I’ve already worked out, made breakfast, and done a load of laundry. The tension of not knowing what happened last night is bothering the fuck out of me. I can’t get my mind off it. After I take a shower, my phone rings, and I immediately light up when I see it’s Gemma.
“Hey, hubby,” she purrs, and I can hear the sheets rustling. I know she’s alone, and I wish I could barge over there and kiss her all over.
“Good morning, wife. Well, how’d it go? I’ve been going crazy waiting to hear.”
She laughs. “The Fireball did the trick. And if you’re wondering, yes, it’s absolutely still my kryptonite.
By the time I got home last night, I was puking, and he was so disgusted.
Never seen a grown man get so squeamish over vomit.
After he cussed me out for drinking too much, I told him I’d make it up to him over the honeymoon and made him believe I actually wanted him to knock me up.
That seemed to butter him right up. He said he’ll keep his end of the deal then and will meet me Monday morning after his lawyer drafts up the deed agreement.
He then asked if that earned him a BJ on the plane.
” She makes a gagging noise. “Too bad I won’t be going. ”
I chuckle at the way she sing-songs that last part. “Thank God.” I blow out a relieved breath. “So how’s the hangover?”
“Oh, it sucks, but having to screw him would’ve been much worse.”
“Absolutely.” I know Robert isn’t there because she wouldn’t risk calling me. “So where’d he go?”
“Client breakfast and will be schmoozing them all day at the golf course. I could really use one of your amazing breakfasts right now to soak up all this cinnamon in my stomach. Each time I burp, it’s horrible,” she tells me. “I may never drink that crap again.”