22. Lavinia #2
No, but I felt it and my knees are still weak as a result.
Life is the strangest thing I’ve ever experienced.
What do you mean I’m married to the last man I’ll consider husband material?
Did a teenage, tender-hearted Lavinia think she might marry Roman Maddox one day?
Sure, she had a massive crush, and she was horny for the bad guy.
I never expected to be back in the same position eighteen years later.
“Have I made a huge mistake?” I groan, covering my face with my hands. That’s when I realize that I’m still wearing Roman’s sunglasses, and he’s left without them.
“Possibly. But watching Josh keel over in anger will be a sight to behold.”
She does have a point. I want to be a fly on the wall when Josh finds out I married the guy who challenged him every day they were on the same team. We have two more day here and that gives me enough time to rethink my whole life and every single decision I’ve ever made.
The first thing I do when we get back to Boston is call my parents and tell them I have something important to discuss. If Roman and I are going to stay married, then my family has to know.
In the last forty-eight hours, I’ve second guessed this decision again and again.
I feel like I’m failing my family and my dad, most of all, because he’s always been so proud of me for everything I’ve done.
I used to follow him around when I was a kid and beg him to teach me to skate.
Once he did, it was impossible to get me off the ice.
He’s always been with me through every downfall, every time I wanted to quit, he helped me back up. I know I can tell my parents anything and they’ll be supportive.
I turn over in bed and kick my feet out of the blanket, wiggling my toes.
It’s past my time to get up and there was a time when I’d have gotten up regardless of how I felt.
I’m a big believer that exercise is great for mental health.
I’m also starting to understand that sometimes, it’s okay to rest.
I reach for my phone on the nightstand to check the time and it buzzes as soon as I pick it up. Roman’s name pops up with a text message.
Roman
Don’t know if you heard, but we lost the game.
Lavinia
I saw the news. Sorry :(
Roman
Coach Cross said I played a good game.
Lavinia
Ooh, bet you didn’t like that.
Roman
Hated every second of it.
I laugh at his message, pushing up to a sitting position. I should tell him what I’m planning on doing tonight. My thumbs hover over the keyboard and I quickly type out the message.
Lavinia
I’m going to tell my parents about the marriage tonight. Wish me luck.
Roman
Oh, okay. Give me a couple of hours so I can arrange for security. Assuming your brother will want to kill me as soon as he finds out.
Lavinia
LOL. He won’t want to kill you! But you should still arrange for security because I can’t guarantee how he’ll react.
Roman
Are you sure you need to tell them?
Lavinia
Obvs, we can’t be married without my family knowing. It’s going to be strange when you show up to a family dinner and no one is expecting you.
Roman
I’m invited to family dinner?
By the way, I’m shocked at how well you’re taking all of this.
Lavinia
I’ve had two days and countless hours to overthink and if I think anymore, my head will explode. And yes, invites to family dinners come with being a Callahan.
Roman
Bet Josh enjoyed that.
Lavinia
Do I sense jealousy?
Roman
Why would I be jealous of your ex? Last time I checked, I’m the one you married.
Lavinia
While drunk, let’s not forget. If it makes you feel any better, Aunt Constance thinks you’re much prettier than Josh. She’ll be thrilled.
Roman
Octogenarians love me. I’m like cat nip.
I wiggle my toes, grinning down at my phone.
Usually, I only have this much fun when talking to Jules.
My text thread with Josh was a barren wasteland of things I thought were interesting and a list of things I wanted him to do around the house—which never got done unless I assisted him or forced him to do them.
Ugh, no, stop thinking about Josh. You’re having fun. Focus on fun.
Roman
What are you up to? Send pics.
I snap a picture and send it to him.
Roman
Feet picture? In this economy?
Lavinia
Wow, the NHL must not be paying you enough if you’re considering selling pictures of my feet on the internet.
Roman
This may come as a shock because it does to me, but I’m one of their best players and paid accordingly.
Lavinia
…
Roman
This is not what I expected from my wife.
Lavinia
I’m not here to boost your ego.
Roman
By the way, you included a lot more than your feet. Are you trying to tell me something, baby?
What? I zoom in on the picture I sent him and fuck, there it is. There’s something small and pink at the corner of the photo, easily missed if you’re not zoomed in. I sent him a picture of my vibrator.
Lavinia
Okay, first of all, why the hell are you zooming in on pictures of my feet? Second, of course I have a vibrator. We’ve talked about him before, briefly.
Roman
Him?
Lavinia
Cal. Short for Callum.
Roman
Not sure how I feel about you giving your vibrator another man’s name. Were you thinking about me?
I was reliving the moment in the club when I rode his thigh like he was a bull at a rodeo.
Lavinia
Actually, I was doomscrolling last night and one of these old hockey videos popped up of Connor Hayes. Damn, that man is attractive. Easily the top five hottest men I’ve ever seen IRL.
Roman
He’s not going to be attractive when he’s dead.
I choke back a laugh because I don’t want to wake Jules, whose room is on the other side of the wall.
Lavinia
You can’t kill people because I think they’re attractive.
Roman
Fuck, I have to go. We’re about to take off. And I’m not going to kill Connor. He’s a decent guy
Lavinia
Have a safe flight. Cal and I will be here, enjoying each other’s company.
Roman
Tell Cal I never loved him.
I snort at his message which is followed by the iconic Game of Thrones meme, which makes me laugh harder.
Roman
Oh, and Lavinia? When I get back, I’m going to make sure mine’s the only name you remember.
Heat floods my body at his promise. He’ll be gone for a few more days still. I put my phone down and get out of bed. The sudden serotonin boost is exactly what I needed to get going this morning.