4. Garrett
GARRETT
Iwatched a myriad of emotions flit across Emerson’s beautiful face after everyone left, like she was filing everything away, her businesswoman facade slipping easily into place. In the office, I’d been turned on seeing her so capable and in charge, but it feels different here.
In the last few hours, we not only lost the intimate connection we created but the comradery as well.
Declining dinner, Emerson retired to the spare bedroom stating that we’d reconvene in the morning because she had work to do that didn’t stop for a fake marriage and a rock star with a personnel issue.
I didn’t think mentioning that our marriage is very real according to the state of Nevada would do me any favors, and despite wanting to throw a dick joke in there, I refrained.
I hadn’t planned for this version of my lovely bride.
She’d been calculatingly carefree in Vegas, allowing herself just enough freedom to have some fun without completely letting loose.
On the other hand, if marriage from a lost bet is her restrained, I bet Emerson Andrews is a hell of a good time—one I probably wouldn’t survive. She pretty much drank me under the table every time we went out and still woke up fresh and devoid of a hangover.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I pull it out, sighing at the onslaught of questions that will undoubtedly filter onto the screen before I can even unlock the damn thing.
COLT: I know that I didn’t learn from social media that you’re fucking married
COLT: MARRIED
COLT: To Emerson Andrews
ROAN: I think he’s talking about you, Garrett
I snort out a laugh as I type out a reply, knowing full well how pleased Roan is with himself for that one. Much like Emerson, this sarcastic and playful side of Roan is something few people get to experience.
And it’s a shame because the guy is hilarious when he wants to be.
He’s one-third of our trio, Colt Harrington—the shortstop for the Illinois Blues—being the other.
A high-powered lawyer, a professional baseball player, and a rock star walk into a bar.
Sounds like the start of a bad joke, but we’ve been thick as thieves since college.
The bond that we forged remains unbreakable which is great considering fame found each of us in our own right.
GARRETT: I’m sorry—I went to talk to Emerson today and apparently didn’t do a great job being discreet
ROAN: “apparently”
COLT: That’s it? You went and visited her and now people think you’re married?
GARRETT: I don’t know. I didn’t think I was followed but she’s having her security team look into it. We don’t know what happened yet
COLT: But we got home from Vegas over a week ago…
COLT: What the fuck man?
GARRETT: Maybe someone in the clerk’s office saw our marriage certificate
GARRETT: We were going to get an annulment
COLT: YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD US
GARRETT: Why isn’t Roan getting yelled at?
COLT: Because Roan didn’t stand in front of Elvis and say I DO without telling me
GARRETT: How do you know Elvis was there?
ROAN: I think the more important question is why she agreed to stay married to you?
GARRETT: I’m a fucking catch
ROAN: (gif of guy reeling in a fish)
COLT: Of course you’re a fucking catch but Emerson is…
COLT: I love you but you’re not in the same area code as her
GARRETT: Isn’t it zip code?
ROAN: I think he’s saying it’s beyond a mere zip code
ROAN: In layman’s terms she’s WAY out of your league
GARRETT: Thanks
ROAN: No problem
COLT: That’s definitely what I meant
GARRETT: Well fuck you very much
COLT: I’m just saying—I know her cousin, Isla, better but they’re basically the same person—you met her at Tom and Kat’s wedding
COLT: You know the planned one in Vegas
ROAN: Subtle
COLT: Anyway, Isla married Hank and he’s a big-ass dude who went to prison
GARRETT: Umm…
COLT: Wrongfully convicted of course
ROAN: Naturally
COLT: No, he actually was
COLT: I’m just saying
GARRETT: What are you saying?
ROAN: Yeah, what are you saying?
COLT: I’m just warning you that Emerson is a badass that may eat you up and spit you out
GARRETT: Your faith in me is astounding
COLT: She’s not like any of the girls you’ve been with
GARRETT: Come over so I can punch you in your All-American boy face
ROAN: No
ROAN: I have enough paperwork on my desk from you—I don’t need anything else
COLT: Aww it’s cute you think you’d land a shot
GARRETT: To hell with both of you
COLT: I can’t wait till you have to tell your parents
Blinking at the screen, I let my eyelids flutter shut because dammit. My parents are going to love Emerson, and they’re going to be devastated when we announce we’re getting divorced.
Shit.
COLT: You didn’t think this through did you?
ROAN: Of course he didn’t
GARRETT: I’m going to go before I have to find new friends.