by Kennedy Fox
Tyler: We make a great team, baby.
Gemma: I miss you so much, hubby. Love you.
Tyler: I miss you too, wifey. Love you more. This will all be over soon. You’ve got this.
Gemma: I gotta go, but can you put a bottle of Fireball on my desk tomorrow? I’ll sneak it into my bag with my wedding shoes.
Tyler: I’ll make sure it happens, sweetheart.
Sassy is ecstatic when I take the corner and walk to the liquor store that’s close to the boutique. The owner loves dogs, and she nearly dies when she sees Sassy. I grab the biggest bottle of Fireball they sell and cross my fingers this works.
* * *
FIVE DAYS EARLIER
Today is the goddamn wedding.
Everleigh knocks on my door as I’m lying in bed staring at the ceiling when she walks in.
“Hey, bro.” She offers me a smile. “I’m gonna head out.” She and Katie are in the bridal party, and she’s leaving to go meet them at the venue.
I sit up and look at how pretty she is. “You look great, Ev.”
Her eyes are sad. “I wish this wasn’t happening. I’m really sorry, Tyler. My heart is breaking for you and Gemma.”
“It’s gonna be okay, I promise,” I tell her, but she’s not convinced. “Just be there for your bestie. She’s gonna need you today.”
“I am. I won’t take my eyes off her. But anyway, I’ll be home later tonight. If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thanks,” I say, running my fingers through my hair, knowing they’re all going to watch a fake wedding with a bride who’ll be too drunk to stand. I almost smirk but make sure I don’t. “Have fun.”
“Fun?” She groans. “Yeah, right. It’s like going to a funeral.” She gives me a half-smile. “See ya.”
When I hear the front door close, I go to the kitchen and make a sandwich. Though I hate the thought of Gemma pretending to marry him, I have the satisfaction of knowing she’s my wife, and soon, everyone will know the truth.
* * *
FOUR DAYS EARLIER
It’s barely past eight, and I’ve already worked out, made breakfast, and done a load of laundry. The tension of not knowing what happened last night is bothering the fuck out of me. I can’t get my mind off it. After I take a shower, my phone rings, and I immediately light up when I see it’s Gemma.
“Hey, hubby,” she purrs, and I can hear the sheets rustling. I know she’s alone, and I wish I could barge over there and kiss her all over.
“Good morning, wife. Well, how’d it go? I’ve been going crazy waiting to hear.”
She laughs. “The Fireball did the trick. And if you’re wondering, yes, it’s absolutely still my kryptonite. By the time I got home last night, I was puking, and he was so disgusted. Never seen a grown man get so squeamish over vomit. After he cussed me out for drinking too much, I told him I’d make it up to him over the honeymoon and made him believe I actually wanted him to knock me up. That seemed to butter him right up. He said he’ll keep his end of the deal then and will meet me Monday morning after his lawyer drafts up the deed agreement. He then asked if that earned him a BJ on the plane.” She makes a gagging noise. “Too bad I won’t be going.”
I chuckle at the way she sing-songs that last part. “Thank God.” I blow out a relieved breath. “So how’s the hangover?”
“Oh, it sucks, but having to screw him would’ve been much worse.”
“Absolutely.” I know Robert isn’t there because she wouldn’t risk calling me. “So where’d he go?”
“Client breakfast and will be schmoozing them all day at the golf course. I could really use one of your amazing breakfasts right now to soak up all this cinnamon in my stomach. Each time I burp, it’s horrible,” she tells me. “I may never drink that crap again.”
“Everleigh said the same thing.” I smirk, remembering her stories about her twenty-first birthday. “I’m glad you’re okay and so damn relieved he didn’t touch you. Less than a week and we’ll get to be together, baby.”
“I can’t wait. Anyway, just wanted to hear your voice before I called Eric next.”
“Alrighty, have fun! Teach him all the tricks of the trade,” I say.
“Will do,” she tells me, and we exchange “I love you’s,” then the call ends. I plop down on the couch and force myself to wipe away my grin because I don’t need Everleigh busting my balls.
* * *
THREE DAYS EARLIER
Monday morning comes bright and early. I won’t be able to concentrate until Gemma texts me and confirms the deed has been signed and filed. Since Gemma’s coming into work late, Jerry and I have been taking turns helping customers. All morning, I’ve been busting my ass, moving around like I drank ten cups of coffee, and Jerry notices.
“You good?” he asks.
“Yeah, fine,” I tell him and grin, though he’s not convinced.
“You know, I’m really sorry about all of this, Tyler. I know you love my da—”
“Mr. Reid. With all due respect, there’s no need to apologize. Gemma’s a smart woman, and I know she’s made the right decision. It’s water under the bridge.” I pat him on the back and get back to my tasks.
He offers me a sad smile, and I wish I could tell him the truth because it’s obvious how much this has affected him. He’ll know soon enough, and it’s what keeps me going.
When my phone vibrates in my pocket, I tell Jerry I’m taking a quick coffee and donut break because cell phones are his pet peeve. Once I’m in the lobby, I pull out my cell and see a text from Gemma.
Gemma: It’s signed and notarized. Just filed it at the courthouse. It’s a done deal, baby. We’ll be together soon.
I quickly text her back with a shit-eating grin on my face.
Tyler: Fuck yeah, sweetheart. I’m counting down the days.
I’m so damn happy I can barely contain myself as I walk into the garage. When she finally arrives at work, we keep up our avoidance act, but I can’t help but notice how beautiful my wife is. Jerry and I both go into the lobby for refills, and he reminds her about dinner on Thursday night. I just want to kiss her luscious lips and make love to her all night long. The urge to be with the woman I’m crazy about nearly takes over.
I grow tense and anxious knowing our big reveal is right around the corner. Wanting to give Jerry and Gemma some privacy, I walk back to the garage, giddy as a fool. I can’t fucking wait to see the look on his face when he realizes what we’ve done. And better yet, how he’s lost.
* * *
TWO DAYS EARLIER
By the weekend, I’ll be holding Gemma in my arms where she belongs. At lunch, I decide to walk down to the cafe and have some chicken and dumplings. While I’m there, I get a text from Gemma.
Gemma: All of my stuff is back at the cottage! OMG, I can’t tell you how happy I am right now.
Tyler: Good, baby! I told you it would all work out.
Gemma: This will be over so soon!
Tyler: 2 days!
When Belinda walks up, I set my phone down, not wanting to be rude. I compliment her dumplings, and she gives me a cheesy grin. After I’m done eating and pay, I walk down to the Coffee Palace and grab a black coffee and a Candy Cane Mocha for Gemma since the temperature has dropped. Before I leave, I get a text from Eric.
Eric: About to meet this stupid fuck for lunch. Pray I don’t punch him in the face before this is all done.
I smile, wishing I could give him the green light to do just that.
Tyler: Good luck with that.
Eric: I’m looking forward to making this asshole pay for what he tried to pull. I’m gonna make you proud.
Tyler: I appreciate you, man. Thank you again.
I tuck my phone back in my pocket, then head to the garage. When I walk in, Gemma isn’t around, but I set her coffee by her keyboard. It’s a small gesture, but one I know she’ll love.
* * *
ONE DAY EARLIER
While I’m busying myself with an oil change, I get
a text. Quickly, I pull my phone from my pocket and look at it, hoping Jerry doesn’t catch me.
Gemma: Security system is installed! Yay!
Tyler: Awesome! So close now, baby!
Our conversation is short because we’re still at work. Afterward, I leave and go to the gym so I can train Luke and one of his friends for a few hours. As they’re grabbing some water, Eric calls me. I tell them to give me ten minutes, then step out.
When I answer, he’s laughing his ass off.
“Do I even wanna know?” I ask.
“He’s such a fucking tool bag and fell for a twenty-million-dollar deal. Hook, line, and sinker, sucka!” He’s full of so much energy, it has me laughing right along with him.
“Damn, twenty million? I’m impressed, man.”
“That’s because I’m impressive!” he gloats. “I’ll keep you updated if anything changes. We’re meeting for drinks and dinner tonight. I plan to make him spend a few thousand.” He barks out a loud chuckle.
“Good! He deserves it. Keep me posted,” I say.
“Will do. Talk soon.”
We end the call, and I immediately text Gemma.
Tyler: Eric just set up an eight-figure deal with Robert.
Gemma: I TOLD HIM SEVEN! Robert fell for that?
Tyler: Totally. Tomorrow night, I’m devouring you from head to toe.
I adjust myself just thinking about it.
Gemma: Gah! Tease.
Tyler: Not a tease, sweetheart. That’s a promise.
Luke and Samuel are finished with their break, so I tuck my phone in my pocket. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.
* * *
PRESENT DAY
It’s the day I’ve been waiting for. It’s been nineteen days since Gemma and I made our plan, and tonight, it’ll all finally be over. Over the past few weeks at work, there were many stolen glances. The underlying current that streamed between us nearly had me taking her into the break room and kissing the hell out of her. Somehow, I refrained, though.
After work, I go home and take a shower, then get dressed. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous—not because of Robert but because of Gemma’s dad. I don’t want him to be disappointed in me, and I just hope he’s supportive of what we’ve done. There’s no going back on it now.
I tell Everleigh I need to borrow her car this evening, and while she questions me, she’s happy I’m getting out. She’s convinced I’m depressed over Gemma marrying Robert, so she is more than willing to let me do whatever I want. While I appreciate her going easy on me, I made sure not to take advantage of it because she’ll know the truth about Gemma and me soon enough. And she’s gonna flip her shit when she does.
My heart thumps erratically on the way over to Jerry’s house. I arrive at the exact time Gemma told me. I can’t imagine the conversations they’ve had, but I’m ready to do this. Sucking in a deep breath, I knock.
Gemma answers the door with a cheesy ass grin. I meet her eyes, and she gives me a wink, silently telling me everything’s good to go. We stroll into the dining room together, hand in hand. Jerry turns and looks at me, confused as hell. As soon as Robert sees me, he throws a mini tantrum.
“What’s he doing here?” he hisses, his nostrils flaring in anger.
Seeing him like this before our secrets are spilled gives me all the courage I need. I wrap Gemma in my arms and pull her close before sliding my lips across hers. She’s already breathless, her body instantly responding to me. Instead of pulling away, she deepens the kiss, and I can’t wait to get the hell out of here and be alone with her.
When we pull away, Jerry has confusion written all over his face and Robert’s face is beet red. Before they can respond, I pull the wedding certificate from my back pocket. Making a spectacle out of it, I slowly unfold it, then hold it up like I found the golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.
“What the fuck is this?” Robert grits, reading it. “Is this a damn joke?”
Gemma holds out her hand and grins. “It’s our marriage certificate.”
Robert looks as if he’s solving the hardest Sudoku puzzle. “Whose?”
“I’m so glad you asked. It’s Tyler’s and my marriage certificate,” Gemma tells him.
Robert growls as though he’s ready to attack, and Jerry still looks lost.
I clear my throat. “Right. And it’s dated seventeen days ago, which means when you filed Gemma’s and your certificate, we were already legally married.” I study her, so damn happy that she’s my wife. Not caring, I lean forward and kiss her sweetly. “Which also means, your marriage isn’t actually legal, because you can’t legally be married to two people at the same time.”
“But the deed in my name certainly is,” Gemma quips. “Oh, and just in case you haven’t figured it out by now, I won’t be going anywhere with you tomorrow. I guess what I’m saying is you can fuck off.”
Robert looks about to explode as Jerry smiles wide. The only thing that takes my mind off this is Gemma hysterical laughter. The sound is so contagious that I pull her close to me and chuckle too.
“You stupid bitch! Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Robert screams, moving his plate, then stands.
“Beat you at your own fucking game. When I ended things, I told you I wasn’t marrying you, Robert. I meant every single word,” Gemma gloats.
“I need an explanation right this goddamn minute!” Robert demands. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep his feet planted where they are.
“Sure thing.” Gemma shoots him a wink as I trail my fingers across her arm. “Eric, your eight-figure client was completely fake. I needed you out of town so I could move all of my shit out of your house. Locks are changed, and a new security system has been installed in my cottage. Also, Eric was on your dime. His car, suit, hotel, all of it. Thought you could use some more business expenses.”
“Bullshit,” Robert seethes. “You’re not smart enough to pull something like that off.”
She rolls her eyes, and the urge to knock him on his ass gets stronger with every dumbass word he says. “I told him what to say to make it believable. All those times you thought I wasn’t paying attention at your business dinner? I was, and I learned a thing or two about you as well. Forcing someone’s hand in marriage isn’t right, Robert, but you gave me no fucking choice. You made this bed, and now you’ll sleep in it…alone.”
“You fucking cunt!” Within seconds, Robert charges toward Gemma. Jerry stands, and I move her behind me as Robert sloppily swings his fist. I throw one punch right into his big ass nose, something I’ve wanted to do since the moment I met him. Robert stumbles backward, but his rage is too much. He growls and makes me his new target as blood runs down his face and splashes on his white button-up shirt.
As he throws punches and misses, Jerry shouts, “That’s enough!”
Robert turns, and that’s when I see Jerry holding a long-barreled shotgun in his hand. He racks it, putting a shell into the chamber. All I can do is cross my arms over my chest and smirk. He’d be a dumb motherfucker to try to cross Jerry Reid.
“Get the fuck outta my house.” Jerry points the shotgun at Robert. “I’m a crack shot, so I wouldn’t press your luck, boy.”
Robert straightens his stance, then glares at Gemma. “This isn’t over,” he threatens, pointing a finger at her.
Gemma walks to the living room and grabs a stack of papers. When she returns, she slaps them down on the table. Robert snatches them up and flips through them. His eyes bug out of his head as he continues to read the bank statements that could destroy him and his business.
“If you don’t want that getting reported to the district attorney, the papers, and the local news, I’d suggest you drop it. Considering the amount of money laundering and fraudulent activity that’s in that stack, I believe it is over, Robert. Don’t make me ruin you because I will. Oh, and don’t worry, I have plenty of copies, so feel free to keep those as a reminder.” Gemma stands firm, showing no mercy tow
ard the man who made her life miserable.
Robert snarls before walking out, slamming the door behind him. When we hear his car start and speed off, Jerry lets out a sigh. “Oh thank God, you didn’t marry that asshole.”
Jerry wraps Gemma in a big hug, then pulls me in too. The three of us laugh and break apart.
“Are you two really married and stayin’ that way?”
I look at Gemma, who’s beaming with happiness. Pulling her close, I interlock my fingers with hers, then look back at Jerry. “Yes, sir. She’s the love of my life.”
He places a firm hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “Good. You two deserve all the happiness in the world with each other.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” Gemma hugs her dad again, and I notice tears in her eyes when she pulls away. “I told you it would all work out, didn’t I?”
“You did,” he exclaims. “Never saw any of this comin’, though.”
“You’re the first to know,” I explain. “Well, you and Robert.”
He chuckles. “I’m honored and thrilled to have you as my son-in-law, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna go any easier on you at the garage.”
“Wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Gemma squeezes my hand, and I meet her eyes.