Chapter 6
HADLEY
My heart is pounding so loud. This feels more profound than waking up hitched to the guy next to me.
Why did Connor have to start by saying we have some news?
His mother’s hands fly to her mouth before she takes a moment to gather her thoughts. “It’s okay, we’re here for you both. Your father and I, we were in your very shoes, and we were even younger.”
I glance to Connor, confused, and then a lightbulb goes off in his head. “We’re not pregnant,” he clarifies.
His mom takes hold of the counter and sighs in relief. “Phew. It’s not that.”
“Why does your mind even go there? They’re not together!” my mom squeaks at her friend.
Connor’s mom, Brielle, chortles then smiles warmly. “Come on, they’ve had a thing for one another. It’s not out of reach.” I hate that everyone thinks we have a thing. “I mean, just the other day, I caught my son staring at her dancing in her studio.”
My eyes snap to Connor because I realize that he is my mystery watcher. He avoids my gaze, but it doesn’t matter. Something inside of me spurs warmth. I’m not surprised it’s him. I should have known, and I’m not sure why.
“Okay, so maybe it wouldn’t be so bad these two together. Kind of cute. The whole neighbor thing. I mean, I’m positive they kissed or something when they were younger. Caught him sneaking out of her room.” My mom crosses her arms and seems to be relaxing.
“Mom!” I shriek. I had no idea that she knew about that, it was when he told me we were a mistake. Oh my God, she’s a freaking detective when it comes to me. Dear Lord, I hope she hasn’t pieced together that I lost my V-card to Connor. “You knew?”
“Whoa, knew what?” Brielle asks.
“Oh boy, we’re going into the vault of memories,” Connor reflects almost fondly while he scratches the back of his neck.
My mom waves us off. “Nothing. I know nothing. Or at least, I’ve never and will never mention it to Spencer. So, what is the news, you two?”
Connor and I look at one another, and I give him a nod to just rip this band-aid off.
“Perhaps we gather the dads?” he suggests, and even I hear the nerves in his voice.
“For what?” My father’s voice startles me, and I turn to see him arrive at the kitchen island with a beer bottle in hand. His eyes land on Connor, and I can see he isn’t thrilled that he’s touching me.
“What’s going on?” Ford arrives by his side with a smile.
I feel the warmth of a hand entwine with mine, and I peer down to see Connor’s and my hands together. I attempt to ignore that it’s an image that looks right, and instead take a deep breath to give me courage.
But before I get a chance to announce our news, my husband does something incredibly stupid.
“Aren’t you going to welcome me to the family, Dad?” He directs his question to my father as he holds up my hand with a shiny diamond ring on it.
The gasps in the room come from the moms, while Ford freezes, and my dad? Shit. Spencer Crews is a man who was a star pitcher and handled pressure well. Curveballs were his expertise. This curveball? Not so much.
I’ve never seen him so angry in my life. His jaw ticks, his fist clenches. That beer bottle he was enjoying? Slammed down onto the counter.
“Why is my daughter wearing a wedding ring?” he grits out.
I speak before Connor can. “Because we eloped. Last night. In Vegas.”
The room goes deathly silent, and my heart may just break from the look on my father’s face.
I can’t read him. I hate that uncertainty.
Disappointment is the last thing that I would ever want from him.
It’s why I agreed to stay married, as I thought a quick annulment would be worse, and I may have also stayed married for a little revenge, but mostly not to break my father’s heart.
“We decided that we didn’t want to be apart. We cemented our feelings,” Connor explains and pulls me into a tight side hug.
“Are you kidding me right now?” Ford gives his son a hardened look. “What in the world would make you think that every parent in this room wouldn’t want to be given a clue that you two were getting hitched?”
“Because then I would have stopped it.” My dad glares at my husband.
“Maybe we should take a breather, have some wine,” Brielle says.
“I mean, Ford, we eloped… plus, everyone… we are all family now,” she points out, attempting to bring some light to this conversation.
She flashes me a reassuring smile. I guess she’s on our team.
Then again, she doesn’t get mad about anything.
My mom steps forward. “I just don’t get it. I mean, your whole life you’ve talked about how you want a big wedding, fancy dress, cupcakes, and flowers. Vegas, it isn’t you.”
I step out of Connor’s hold, because somewhere inside of me I’m cracking. That is my dream wedding. Nothing about this situation is something I fantasized about. I don’t even remember my wedding. I glance over my shoulder to Connor who has a shade of guilt in his eyes.
Licking my lips, I do my best to carry this situation forward. “We didn’t want to wait. But we can still have a big wedding later.”
“I didn’t even get to throw you a bridal shower! You know, with cookies, tea, and lingerie,” my mom cries.
The dads in the room groan. “Do not put lingerie, bridal showers, and Connor into the same scenario when it involves our daughter,” my father implores my mom.
She shrugs, then the corner of her mouth hitches up. “At least she married her prince. She’s dreamt of him since she was six.”
Shaking my head, I don’t need the reminder that I was a na?ve girl with a silly crush.
“We’re relatives.” Brielle nudges my mom’s shoulder before my mom wraps an arm around her for a hug.
“No warm feelings right now.” My dad seems stressed. “I warned you that your hockey-playing son should stay away from my little girl,” he seethes to his friend.
Ford rolls his eyes. “Yeah, when they were teenagers! They are legal adults now who drink and know how to sign their name on a marriage certificate. We need to focus on the now. They’re married.”
“Yeah, and your son didn’t have the respect to speak to me before he made my daughter his bride!” My father is furious.
“I would have. It’s just… passion and love caught us in a moment,” Connor explains.
My dad rubs his temples. “Do. Not. Speak of passion and my daughter to me. If it weren’t for the fact that you are Ford’s son, then I swear I would kill you right now.”
“That’s a little harsh. I’m great son-in-law material.” Connor doesn’t seem fazed by my dad, and inside of me I want to laugh, because that’s just Connor, always wanting a good time. And in this moment, as dreadful as it is, he’s a beacon of humor that we all need.
“Let’s calm down.” Ford gestures his hands out to my dad and Connor, who look like they are ready to square off.
In that moment, my brother Ashton, along with Connor’s brothers Wyatt and Alex, walk into the house from out back, where they must have been playing basketball.
“Mom, I’m hungry. Is dinner ready?” My brother walks to me to give me a hug—we’re a hugging family.
“Uh, in a little bit, kiddo,” my mom says uneasily.
“Why is everyone looking at Connor? What did he do now?” Wyatt asks as he grabs crackers from the counter.
Alex is only seven and shy when adults are around, so he only gives Connor a hug then runs to his mom.
“I think all the kids under the age of eighteen need to go to the other room. Go play on the game console or something,” Ford suggests.
Wyatt snorts a laugh. “You never let us game around dinner time. What’s with the ring?” he asks, indicating with his head to Connor’s hand.
My brother Ashton looks at me, and his eyes pop down to my hand that I attempt to cover. “You have one too.”
Wyatt begins to laugh. “No way, you two. Classic.”
My brother tucks his fist and brings it to his chest. “Yes! The downfall of the princess. Finally, Hadley does something to upset the parents.”
I look at him, a little surprised that’s how he views me, but then roll a shoulder as well. Daddy’s princess isn’t just a phrase.
“Boys. Out. Now,” Ford repeats himself.
Our brothers stumble out of the room, which doesn’t do much for breaking the tension in the air.
Connor wraps his arm around me from the side again, and my body seems to be growing accustomed to this. I might even find it comforting. Oh no.
“If you want to end this marriage then say the word, blink, give me a secret code, I don’t know, anything, and I’ll have my lawyers on it so fast,” my father offers.
My mom walks to him and places her hand lovingly on his shoulder. “Stop it. Relax and accept this is what it is, and we are here to support them.”
“She’s too young to be married.” His eyes seem sad as he connects his gaze with my mom.
My mom touches his cheek. “But old enough to make decisions for herself.”
Ugh, there is a breach in my heart. I should just scream that I’m making a stupid mistake, but when I catch Connor in my side view, with remorse and tenderness on his face, then I pause because the words can’t escape me, and I can’t even question why.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her. It’s all I will do.” Connor doesn’t sound like he’s acting; why doesn’t he sound less convincing?
My father’s eyes catch with Connor’s, and the room goes eerily quiet.
“You. Me. You best believe that we’re talking one on one this week.
” My father’s voice is full of an edginess I’ve never heard before.
It’s only when his gaze transfers to me that his face grows delicate.
“If he doesn’t make you happy then I’ll kill him,” he announces before he storms out of the room.
I open my mouth to call out something, but my mom indicates for me to stay quiet. “Give him a little space. A day. Maybe three. I don’t know, eternity seems a stretch. Just give him a little breathing room to digest this news.”