Chapter 49
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
LOLA
Wyatt took the news of our marriage almost too well. To the point he’s started picking out baby names for us. We somehow successfully managed to divert that conversation and instead have him help pick out a bow tie for Gary to wear to the big day, whenever that may be.
That little boy doesn’t need to know that perhaps it may never happen.
That his dad could end up in jail. And if that happens, then he really is stuck with me, because Hunter paid someone off at the courthouse earlier.
I didn’t ask questions. I just signed some things, and that was that. I want to be there for Wyatt.
And now, while Hunter is putting Wyatt to bed, I’m standing on the porch of my best friend's house, about to announce my marriage.
I knock on the door to Violet’s house nervously, listening to her footsteps on the other side of the wood.
I don’t know why I’m expecting her to be annoyed.
Maybe it’s because I have never really done anything right in my parents' eyes, so I assume everyone is always pissed at me, no matter what I do.
The door flies open, and she smiles at me. “Lola… Why do you look like you’re about to pass out?”
I shake my head and let out a laugh. “I’m nervous.”
She opens it wider and ushers me inside. It’s already becoming her space, with the antique decor arriving and her messy pile of shoes by the door.
“I fucking love this house, Lola. It’s so cool. I do miss you being my roomie, though,” she tells me, and I follow her into the kitchen.
“I’m only five minutes away. We’re on the same land,” I tell her.
It is stunning. The wood and cobbled stones. The fireplace. It’s like a mini version of Hunters.
“Although I did take the bull head skeleton down, that is creepy as fuck.”
I giggle. “Yeah. Just don’t break it.”
She starts pouring me a white wine, and I lean back against the counter. “I’ve got something to tell you, V.”
She swings around to face me. “Well?” she asks, placing a hand on her hip.
I twirl the rings on my wedding finger and chew my lip. “I might have got married today.”
Silence. I’ve finally done it. I’ve found out how to stop Violet from speaking.
I hold out my hand, showing her the engagement and wedding ring that look beautiful on my finger.
“You… married Hunter, I assume? Or a guy you picked up off the street instead?”
I roll my eyes. “Yes. I married Hunter.”
She nods, staring at the diamond. “And you didn’t invite me because…” she pauses, her eyes forming slits.
“Is he forcing you to do this? Because if he is, I will go stab him, Lola.”
I shake my head, stepping towards her. “God no. I wanted this as much as he did. I didn’t invite you only because it was a spur-of-the-moment idea. This wedding was our legal one. So his name keeps me protected no matter what happens to him.”
She nods. I think she understands. “So like if he goes to jail, you mean?”
I swallow. It’s half that. Half the mafia stuff he has going on, but I don’t think I need to tell her all of Hunter's dark secrets.
“Yes,” I confirm.
“And once that is dealt with, we will be having our wedding. The kind I’ve dreamed of. You as my bridesmaid. A big white dress. Flowers. A band. All of it.”
She takes me by surprise by wrapping me in a huge hug.
“I’m not even mad. After what Reese did and how Hunter sorted that, he’s got my vote.
And the marriage is looking after my best friend, I can’t be angry about that.
” She pulls back, her eyes glassy. “Seeing you happy makes my heart hurt. In a good way.”
I nearly burst out into tears. No matter what, I’ve always had Violet by my side.
“Have you told your parents?”
I scoff. “No. Although Dad called me earlier, so I need to call him back. I’ll probably wait to tell them in person, though.”
I’m not going to admit out loud that I’m worried about their reaction. That somehow, if they dislike Hunter, it will still hurt me. Because he probably is the last person they’d ever expect me to go for, but that says more about them not really knowing their daughter.
She laughs. “They’re going to go ape shit.”
“I know. But I’m an adult. I’m twenty-seven years old. I can marry who I damn well want,” I say with some fake confidence.
She grins. “You tell them, girl.”
I grab her hand. “I might need you next to me when I do tell them, though. I’m not that brave,” I whisper.
“Or… and hear me out. You take your huge muscly cowboy husband to protect you. Oh, please let him wear a T-shirt and jeans with his hat to meet them. And record it. Your mom is going to die.”
Tears stream down my face with laughter, picturing my mom's horrified face when I bring home Hunter instead of some sleazy businessman in a suit.
Deep down, I hope they like Hunter. There isn’t anything not to like.
But I know how difficult my parents are.
And because this marriage doesn’t provide them with anything, they’ll probably dismiss him anyway.
I don’t want them to behave like assholes in front of Wyatt. He deserves them to step up, too.
I don’t care. I don’t need them and their stuck-up opinions. I just need Hunter and Wyatt.
“It’s going to be a shit show, V. Worth it though.”
She nods in agreement and goes and actually passes me my wine. God. I need this. I nearly drown the whole glass in one.
“How are things with Luke?” I ask.
She blushes and looks away. “Good. He’s cute.”
Oh no. I can hear it in her voice. “But?” I ask. Because I know there is one.
“But… I don’t know. That spark. It’s not there. Not like what you and Hunter have. I can see it in the way he looks at you that he’s physically stopping himself every second from ripping your clothes off. He opens doors for you and smacks your ass on the way through. He is a gentleman.”
Now it’s my turn to blush. My man is all of that and more. But her description of a gentleman is interesting, I’ll give her that.
“And Luke isn’t?”
She shakes her head. “No. He’s… sweet. And lovely. But, something isn’t there. And I don’t know how long to wait to figure it out. I think we’re just good friends.”
“Oh, V, I don’t know what to say. But if it doesn’t feel right. It probably isn’t,” I say, offering her a smile.
She shrugs, taking her own coffee from the machine. “I’ll work it out. Now. Tell me all about this wedding. Do you have pictures at least?”
I grin, sliding my phone from my back pocket. “You bet your ass I do. Hunter in a suit is one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen.”
By the time she works her way through all of the pictures from today, my phone starts ringing. My dad. Again.
“Twice in one day. You better answer that,” she says, handing me back the phone as I set down my wine.
With a sigh. I do. “Hi, Dad,” I greet him, grabbing a cushion and placing it on my lap.
“Hi, sweetie. Have you got a minute?”
“Of course. What’s up?”
“Next weekend, I’m hosting an event. And I need you to attend.”
I sit up. “What event?”
“My sixtieth birthday.”
I blow out a breath. I can’t really get out of this one. I guess this could be an opportunity to try to rebuild something new with my parents. Maybe if I can fix this, Wyatt can actually have grandparents.
“Next weekend? But your birthday isn’t until next month? This is quite short notice, Dad.”
He sighs. “Because you’ve got such a busy schedule in Arizona, Lola?”
I clench my fists. “With that attitude, I won’t be attending,” I snap back.
“I’m sorry. I just want my daughter to celebrate my birthday with me. Without a fight. Is that too much to ask?”
I rub my temples, trying to rid myself of the headache I can feel forming. “Fine. Yes. I’ll be there. But I’m only staying for one night. And I’d prefer it if you didn’t make a spectacle of me. I’m not there for work. Or to be an influencer to show off your event. I’m going as your daughter. Deal?”
He chuckles. “I wasn’t expecting you to work, Lo. I just wanted you home for a little while.”
I smile. Fine. I can do that. I might even tell them about my husband while I’m there. “Okay. See you next weekend then, Dad.”
“Love you,” he tells me, and then we cut the call.
I turn slowly to Violet.
“You’re going back to New York?”
I let out a groan, resting my head in my hands. “Yep.”
She rubs my back. “I’ll see what my schedule is, I might be able to move shifts around and come with you.”
God. I love her.
Just when I thought I was closing the door to my old life, it creeps back in, reminding me I’m never truly free.