Chapter Forty-One #3
“Everleigh said the same thing.” I smirk, remembering her stories about her twenty-first birthday. “I’m glad you’re okay and so damn relieved he didn’t touch you. Less than a week and we’ll get to be together, baby.”
“I can’t wait. Anyway, just wanted to hear your voice before I called Eric next.”
“Alrighty, have fun! Teach him all the tricks of the trade,” I say.
“Will do,” she tells me, and we exchange “I love you’s,” then the call ends. I plop down on the couch and force myself to wipe away my grin because I don’t need Everleigh busting my balls.
THREE DAYS EARLIER
Monday morning comes bright and early. I won’t be able to concentrate until Gemma texts me and confirms the deed has been signed and filed.
Since Gemma’s coming into work late, Jerry and I have been taking turns helping customers.
All morning, I’ve been busting my ass, moving around like I drank ten cups of coffee, and Jerry notices.
“You good?” he asks.
“Yeah, fine,” I tell him and grin, though he’s not convinced.
“You know, I’m really sorry about all of this, Tyler. I know you love my da—”
“Mr. Reid. With all due respect, there’s no need to apologize. Gemma’s a smart woman, and I know she’s made the right decision. It’s water under the bridge.” I pat him on the back and get back to my tasks.
He offers me a sad smile, and I wish I could tell him the truth because it’s obvious how much this has affected him. He’ll know soon enough, and it’s what keeps me going.
When my phone vibrates in my pocket, I tell Jerry I’m taking a quick coffee and donut break because cell phones are his pet peeve. Once I’m in the lobby, I pull out my cell and see a text from Gemma.
Gemma
It’s signed and notarized. Just filed it at the courthouse. It’s a done deal, baby. We’ll be together soon.
I quickly text her back with a shit-eating grin on my face.
Tyler
Fuck yeah, sweetheart. I’m counting down the days.
I’m so damn happy I can barely contain myself as I walk into the garage.
When she finally arrives at work, we keep up our avoidance act, but I can’t help but notice how beautiful my wife is.
Jerry and I both go into the lobby for refills, and he reminds her about dinner on Thursday night.
I just want to kiss her luscious lips and make love to her all night long.
The urge to be with the woman I’m crazy about nearly takes over.
I grow tense and anxious knowing our big reveal is right around the corner. Wanting to give Jerry and Gemma some privacy, I walk back to the garage, giddy as a fool. I can’t fucking wait to see the look on his face when he realizes what we’ve done. And better yet, how he’s lost.
TWO DAYS EARLIER
By the weekend, I’ll be holding Gemma in my arms where she belongs. At lunch, I decide to walk down to the café and have some chicken and dumplings. While I’m there, I get a text from Gemma.
Gemma
All of my stuff is back at the cottage! OMG, I can’t tell you how happy I am right now.
Tyler
Good, baby! I told you it would all work out.
Gemma
This will be over so soon!
Tyler
2 days!
When Belinda walks up, I set my phone down, not wanting to be rude.
I compliment her dumplings, and she gives me a cheesy grin.
After I’m done eating, I walk down to the Coffee Palace and grab a black coffee and a Candy Cane Mocha for Gemma since the temperature has dropped. Before I leave, I get a text from Eric.
Eric
About to meet this stupid fuck for lunch. Pray I don’t punch him in the face before this is all done.
I smile, wishing I could give him the green light to do just that.
Tyler
Good luck with that.
Eric
I’m looking forward to making this asshole pay for what he tried to pull. I’m gonna make you proud.
Tyler
I appreciate you, man. Thank you again.
I tuck my phone back in my pocket, then head to the garage. When I walk in, Gemma’s not there, but I set her coffee by her keyboard. It’s a small gesture, but one I know she’ll love.
ONE DAY EARLIER
While I’m busying myself with an oil change, I get a text. Quickly, I pull my phone from my pocket and look at it, hoping Jerry doesn’t catch me.
Gemma
Security system is installed! Yay!
Tyler
Awesome! So close now, baby!
Our conversation is short because we’re still at work. Afterward, I leave and go to the gym so I can train Luke and one of his friends for a few hours. As they’re grabbing some water, Eric calls me. I tell them to give me ten minutes, then step out.
When I answer, he’s laughing his ass off.
“Do I even wanna know?” I ask.
“He’s such a fucking tool bag and fell for a twenty-million-dollar deal. Hook, line, and sinker, sucka!” He’s full of so much energy, it has me laughing right along with him.
“Damn, twenty million? I’m impressed, man.”
“That’s because I’m impressive!” he gloats. “I’ll keep you updated if anything changes. We’re meeting for drinks and dinner tonight. I plan to make him spend a few thousand.” He barks out a loud chuckle.
“Good! He deserves it. Keep me posted,” I say.
“Will do. Talk soon.”
We end the call, and I immediately text Gemma.
Tyler
Eric just set up an eight-figure deal with Robert.
Gemma
I TOLD HIM SEVEN! Robert fell for that?
Tyler
Totally. Tomorrow night, I’m devouring you from head to toe.
I adjust myself, just thinking about it.
Gemma
Gah! Tease.
Tyler
Not a tease, sweetheart. That’s a promise.
Luke and Samuel are finished with their break, so I tuck my phone in my pocket. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.
PRESENT DAY
It’s the day I’ve been waiting for. It’s been nineteen days since Gemma and I made our plan, and tonight, it’ll all finally be over.
Over the past few weeks at work, there were many stolen glances.
The underlying current that streamed between us nearly had me taking her into the break room and kissing the hell out of her. Somehow, I refrained, though.
After work, I go home and take a shower, then get dressed. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous—not because of Robert but because of Gemma’s dad. I don’t want him to be disappointed in me, and I just hope he’s supportive of what we’ve done. There’s no going back on it now.
I tell Everleigh I need to borrow her car this evening, and while she questions me, she’s happy I’m getting out.
She’s convinced I’m depressed over Gemma marrying Robert, so she is more than willing to let me do whatever I want.
While I appreciate her going easy on me, I made sure not to take advantage of it because she’ll know the truth about Gemma and me soon enough.
And she’s gonna flip her shit when she does.
My heart thumps erratically on the way over to Jerry’s house. I arrive at the exact time Gemma told me. I can’t imagine the conversations they’ve had, but I’m ready to do this. Sucking in a deep breath, I knock.
Gemma answers the door with a cheesy ass grin. I meet her eyes, and she gives me a wink, silently telling me everything’s good to go. We stroll into the dining room together, hand in hand. Jerry looks at me, confused as hell. As soon as Robert sees me, he throws a mini tantrum.
“What’s he doing here?” he hisses, his nostrils flaring in anger.
Seeing him like this before our secrets are spilled gives me all the courage I need.
I wrap Gemma in my arms and pull her close before sliding my lips across hers.
She’s already breathless, her body instantly responding to me.
Instead of pulling away, she deepens the kiss, and I can’t wait to get the hell out of here and be alone with her.
When we pull away, Jerry has confusion written all over his face, and Robert’s face is beet red.
Before they can respond, I pull the wedding certificate from my back pocket.
Making a spectacle out of it, I slowly unfold it, then hold it up like I found the golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.
“What the fuck is this?” Robert grits, reading it. “Is this a damn joke?”
Gemma holds out her hand and grins. “It’s our marriage certificate.”
Robert looks as if he’s solving the hardest Sudoku puzzle. “Whose?”
“I’m so glad you asked. It’s Tyler’s and my marriage certificate,” Gemma tells him.
Robert growls as though he’s ready to attack, and Jerry still looks lost.
I clear my throat. “Right. And it’s dated seventeen days ago, which means when you filed Gemma’s and your certificate, we were already legally married.
” I study her, so damn happy that she’s my wife.
Not caring, I lean forward and kiss her sweetly.
“Which also means, your marriage isn’t actually legal, because you can’t legally be married to two people at the same time. ”