Chapter 11
CHAD
Of course John storms off after he kissed me like the world was ending.
And he thinks I’m dramatic.
But I heard his hesitation loud and clear: John doesn’t want to move forward physically until we aren’t living together.
Every marriage has its thing, so if my husband wants to take things slow and start off by living in separate houses in order for us to touch each other, then I’ll move out so we can start the arrangement that works for him. He won’t have any other excuses to use.
I’m unsure where John stormed off to, but since I think I was semi-successful in making John realize how much he wants me, I have a new mission tonight: find a house.
Blake’s isn’t an option. Definitely don’t want to encroach on their newly married fuckfest. I could ask Wyatt if I could stay with him, but that’s only temporary. Maybe I only need temporary… but I also don’t want to explain my situation to him.
I pull out my phone and open a real estate app, but then a better idea hits me. I don’t need to tour these houses; that takes way too long.
A few people are sitting at the tables still, watching everyone else on the dance floor, so I approach the first table. “Hello, I’m Chad, the best man. Are any of you local?”
A lady in a lovely navy-blue dress smiles at me warmly. “Nice to meet you, Chad. We’re from a few towns over, but we grew up knowing the Moore family and wouldn’t miss Liam’s big day.”
A few towns over? That sounds too far. I need someone even more local. “I’m sure he’s happy you’re here,” I say, deciding to move on. “Nice to meet you!”
“Chad!” My attention is pulled to one of my friends, Brady, from the city. “Come on, man. Let’s do some shots. The dance floor is missing you!”
“I’ll be back out there soon,” I lie, and I don’t feel bad about it at all. “Just give me a few.”
“Alright, meet me at the bar!” he calls out, thankfully walking away.
I use that interruption as a natural exit and hit the next table. They’re apparently here for Blake and live in the city even though I swear I’ve never seen these people before.
The third time’s finally the charm though, and the older couple I approach tell me they live down the road from here. I offer them my most charming smile. “Would you have any interest in selling me your house?”
“Uh, what’s that now?” the man asks, clearly confused by my request.
“I’m looking to move here and need a place to live immediately,” I explain. “I’ll pay cash and all the closing costs. I’ll even give you more than it’s worth. Think about how nice it’d be; you could finally move to Florida or somewhere warmer.”
He snorts a laugh as he shakes his head. “Sorry, but we’re not interested in moving. We’ve got too many memories here. Our grandbabies come over and we want them to experience the same house we raised our kids in. We plan to die in that house, not Florida.”
“Understood.” I nod, deflating because maybe this was a stupid idea. What person would just up and agree to sell me their house and move out immediately? Where would they even go? This isn’t a well-thought-out plan, but I’m determined.
“You know who you should ask?” the man offers, and I perk up at his tone. “That fella right over there, Phil. He’s been talking about leaving for a while now. Think he’s got a second home somewhere south already, too. He goes every winter.”
“Amazing! Thank you!” I shout, already walking away as I feel a sense of hope flood me once again. I knew this was a genius idea. I approach the man with graying hair, a thick mustache, and a beer in his hand, and take the empty seat next to him at his table. “Hello, sir, my name’s Chad.”
“Oh, hey, you’re the one who gave that speech,” he says, greeting me with a nod.
“I am.” I smile warmly, hoping that maybe he liked my speech and already likes me. “Listen, I have a bit of a strange request, but would you be willing to sell me your house?”
He stares at me for a long moment. Blinks.
Then finally a small smile stretches across his face.
“Not what I was expecting you to say, but I have been planning to move. Haven’t gotten around to listing my house yet, too many projects, but I got me a nice spot down in South Carolina.
None of the snow we get here in the winter, and all my kids moved down south. I—”
“I’ll pay above listing, and I’ll give you cash,” I interrupt, unable to hold back any longer.
He chuckles. “What do you wanna move here for anyway?”
“Love,” I admit. As much as I adore John, I wouldn’t claim to be in love with him just yet—I’m not delusional—but I do think we can get there. I fully believe in us. He just needs a nudge to get out of his own way.
“You ain’t in love with either of these grooms, right?” He eyes me suspiciously.
“No, no. Definitely not, sir. Blake’s my childhood best friend.”
“Had to make sure. I wasn’t gonna sell my house to someone trying to come between those two out there. I’ve known Liam his whole life. Haven’t seen ’im this happy probably ever.”
I follow his gaze. Liam and Blake are dancing with Jace, Kieran, Joey, and Patrick on the dance floor, and I smile at them having such a good time.
I would normally be out there with them, but right now, I’m prioritizing my own relationship and future, and this man’s house might be a big part of it.
“Wait, you just said sell your house!” I say excitedly. “Does that mean you’ll do it? Could you be out, like, tomorrow? I can have my lawyer set everything up. I’ll even hire someone to help you pack. Whatever you need.”
He laughs. “Well, shit, you drive a hard bargain. Tomorrow?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How about we make it Monday? I don’t need most of the furniture since I’ve got a lot of stuff down south already, but that way I can at least pack my important belongings, and you can drop by to see the place tomorrow? It needs some work, but it’s got good bones.”
“Yes, that’s perfect! Oh, thank you, thank you!” I beam at him instead of throwing myself in his arms like I want. “I’m going to go call my lawyer!”
He gives me his name and the address, and I walk back toward the field I was in earlier with John to make the call.
“Chad, this is unexpected. What’d you get yourself into?
” Derek’s amused voice comes across the line.
Derek’s been a lawyer for my family for a while, and I’ve never done anything salacious, so I’m not sure why he’d think I’d start now.
Maybe it’s the fact that I’m calling so late on a Saturday night.
“Nothing!” I assure him. “I’m just going to buy a house from a man in the town Blake lives in. He’s going to be out by Monday for me, and I told him I’d pay cash. Over list price.”
“Jesus, Chad. Why’d you do that?”
“The details don’t matter, but can you get this started tomorrow?”
He huffs, but luckily he still sounds amused. “Yeah, I’ll figure it out. We’ll need him to sign a lease saying you can be there until the final sale closes later on.”
“Sure. I can do whatever! I’m so excited. Thanks for sorting this out, Derek!”
“I’ll be in touch tomorrow. Night, Chad.”
“Bye!” I shout into the phone as I hang up.
Holy shit, it’s really happening! I can’t wait to tell John I’ll have my own house so he’ll finally have sex with me!
I’ll miss him making my iced coffee in the morning, but I’m sure it won’t take us too long to get back there. I just need to show him I meant what I said. Prove to him that I’m not asking him to be someone else or for more than he can give me.
We’ll make each other happy. I’m sure of it.
Now, where the hell is he so I can tell him the good news?
I approach Jace and Kieran who are now standing off to the side of the dance floor, all lovey dovey, arms wrapped around each other. “Hey, guys, sorry to interrupt, but have you seen John?”
“Uh, nope. I haven’t seen him in a while,” Kieran answers, so I immediately move on after giving him a “thanks.”
I see Ash talking to some of our friends from the city, so I approach him next. “Have you seen John?”
“He left. He told me to make sure you made it home safe, though. Are you good?”
He did what? He fucking left? He kissed me like that and then left without a word? No, no, no. That’s so typical John. I know I got a house really quickly, but I can’t believe he’s gone already. But it’s fine. It’s all fine. I just need to pivot.
“Okay, so are you my ride then?” I ask expectantly. “I need to go.”
“Yeah, I guess. John was really scary when he made me promise to bring you somewhere safe tonight because you were drinking,” Ash explains, shaking his head apologetically.
“I only had one beer! I had to; I needed to make the donkeys feel appreciated for doing their job, and that was hours ago! But anyway, are you ready?” I flash my most innocent smile, and he eyes me skeptically as he finally nods.
As annoyed as I am that John isn’t still here for me to tell him the amazing news, knowing he’s protective of me even when I wasn’t there lights me up from the inside. My grumpy man is so thoughtful.
But I need to talk to him. “Yay! Thank you. You can bring me to John’s,” I exclaim, and Ash looks at me curiously.
“Really?”
“Yes, please. Can we go, right now?”
“What’s the rush, dude?” our friend Smitty says, and I want to knock the beer right out of his hand. Doesn’t he get that I’ve got to go get my man?
“You wouldn’t understand,” I dismiss him, turning back to Ash. “Please? It’s, like, three minutes away. You can come right back. I’ll walk if I have to.”
“No, don’t be ridiculous,” Ash says with a laugh. “Come on. I’ll drive you.”
It’s happening! I shout a general “bye” in our other friends’ direction and drag Ash with me to the parking area.
He keeps up, but sounds concerned as he asks, “Is everything okay, Chad?”
“Yeah, great. Something big happened, and I need to tell John.”
“Okay?” Ash says like a question, but I can’t give more details than that.
“It can’t wait! But if you’re looking for something to talk about, you can tell me why you were asking about Jace’s uncles earlier.”