“Were they able to pop it back in?” Dad asks.
“I think so. But that’s not the worst of it," I pinch the bridge of my nose. "A dislocated kneecap isn't a big deal on its own, but the early scans are showing a significant tear in his ACL. He’s already going into surgery.”
I hear my dad swear, and my mother cries harder. Lexi squeezes my thigh.
“He’s all alone. He’s all alone, Lucas. We have to get up there,” I hear my mom speaking in the background. Her voice is distant like she’s moved away from the phone.
In an instant, my mother is packing their bags and making arrangements with Walker to pick up Callie. The little girl will stay with him for a couple days, while our parents handle things with Jude. My father is telling me that he and mom plan to drive up to Iowa tonight.
"Call me when you guys get there?"
“Of course, son,” Dad says, his voice gruffer than usual, and then we end the call.
Later that evening, I’m still sitting in my dark home office. I’m staring at the wall, considering whether to dial Jude’s agent again. I know he probably doesn’t have another update for me, but I can’t help it. Right now, that man is my only bridge to my brother.
Alexia steps into the room, quietly padding over to my desk. She’s been my rock tonight, here with me every single step of the way.
She’s wearing this silky, little sleep set and I’m immediately distracted in all the best ways. I watch her carefully, assessing every move she makes. Every expression. Every breath she takes. My wife comes behind me, her hands finding my tense shoulders.
I am in love with this woman.
Why did it take so long for me to realize it? One look at her, and it’s like I’m waking up from the longest, deepest sleep.
Now, I just wish I knew when it happened. Was it when I was watching her fix that coffee machine at Jittery Joe's? Was it when we were together on the dance floor at the Frosty Pitcher? Or, did I fall in love with her while reciting our vows?
I groan, because her massage feels perfect. Still, that’s not exactly what I need right now. I reach up, grabbing her wrist and pulling until she falls sideways into my lap. She lets out a surprised exhale, staring back into my penetrating gaze.
In a way, I feel like I’m looking at her for the very first time. She’s not just the feisty, wild-haired bridal attendant who never passes up the chance to fight with me.
No, Lexi is my wife. And I love her.
And I want to show her in ways I can’t explain with words.
I rise to my feet, lifting her perfect body along with me. She kisses my face as I walk down the hall, carrying her to our bed. I lay her down on the mattress, eagerly stripping her naked before running my hungry palms all over her skin.
When I crawl over her sprawled form, she whispers my name. That sound is my undoing.
I love her.
But if I say it out loud, she'll protest. She'll remind me that this wasn't part of the deal.
So, I move slow, appreciating every moment. Appreciating every touch. Every shiver. Every moan.
This time, I don't fuck her. This time, I spend the whole night making love to my wife.
46
Lexi
Okay. Serious question here,” I deadpan. “How in the world do you fold a fitted sheet?”
Cannon’s mom laughs at me, patting me on the back. “Oh you have come to the right place, dear.”
Now, we’re in the oversized laundry room at the Kingston’s inn, and I’m spending the afternoon with Diana. Cannon, his father, and Walker are off doing boy stuff around the farm while Eli’s daughter tags along. Cannon told me last night that his mom has been having a rough time. They only spent a couple days in Iowa, but she’s not taking Jude’s injury very well.
His surgery was successful, but the outlook is bleak. Jude may never play football again, and the family is all taking it hard. I suggested to Cannon that we come out to the farm today, so I could try to take his mother’s mind off things. I’m trying my best, but the poor woman keeps changing the topic back to her son.
“I know he’s so fortunate that he’ll be able to walk again, but it just tears me up that his life will never be the same. Did you know he started playing when he was four?”
I shake my head. “Wow. So young. Did the others play sports?”
“Oh, here and there. Cannon was more interested in solo sports.”
I laugh. “Yep, that sounds like Cannon. He has to be his own boss." The woman laughs along.
I shift my weight around on my feet. What was I thinking wearing heels out there? I should stop trying to impress my fake in-laws and start using common sense. We’re working on our second load of laundry. I never realized how much linen you go through when running an inn. This is ridiculous.
Diana notices me shifting about in my shoes. “Those look terribly uncomfortable, dear.”
"Pain is part of the game, isn't it?" I wince.
"Kick those suckers off," she prods me, sliding out of her own flats. "If you don't tell, I won't either." The woman grins.
I laugh. “My lips are sealed.” I toe out of my shoes, leaving them under our waist-tall work table. Barefoot, we work side-by-side.
Chipped nail polish, don't care.
“How do you get the whites so white?” I’ve never seen such milk-white sheets.
Diana shows me the special detergent she uses. I’m going to learn so much today. It makes my heart swell. I’m probably annoying Cannon’s mother with all the questions, but I never really had this kind of relationship with my own mom. There’s not a lot I can say she taught me.
“We need some music,” Diana decides, after we work in silence for a few minutes.
"Agreed." I pull up an app on my phone, finding a good, upbeat oldies playlist. The woman comments on each song, tying each back to a happy memory while we dance around the laundry room in between loads.
Things are cheerful for a while, but then a heavy sigh leaves Diana’s lips. “I’m so heartbroken for my boy but I’m thankful for your support during these hard times. Cannon always needed a good, strong woman to stabilize him." She smiles. "Don’t tell the boys, but Lord, I always wished for a daughter.”
And I always wished for a mother.
I laugh lightly. “Your secret is safe with me.”
"Cannon is going to owe you a long footrub tonight," she laughs as I wiggle my toes against the tile floor.
I grin. How can I not when she mentions my man? It’s already been too many hours since I last saw him. “Y’know what? I think I really like that idea.”
Diana sighs contentedly. “He’s been so busy since he took over Kingston Realties from his father. I’m glad you two make time for each other.”
I’m busy wrestling another fitted sheet into submission and almost miss what Diana is saying. “Wait. Took over what?”
She blinks. “Kingston Realties, of course.”
My movements halt and I eyeball my mother-in-law. “He took over? When?”
Her brows scrunch with confusion. “It’s been a while now, dear. I-I thought he would have told you.”
Well, he most certainly did not tell me. I think I would have remembered a conversation like that.
Honey, I’m home. By the way, I own the family company now. I don’t need you to be my fake wife anymore.
Okay, great. Where do I sign? Oh, and I burned the meatloaf again, sorry.
Yeah. I think I would have remembered that.
When I don’t say anything, she waves her hand dismissively. “Oh, Lucas was the same way. He never liked to bring work home with him. I’m sure Cannon would prefer to skip all that and enjoy the honeymoon phase with his new bride.” Her eyes tell me she's not convinced with her reasoning.
I don’t understand.
His father signed over Kingston Realty Holdings, and Cannon never told me? We spend all our free time together now. How did that not come up? I feel betrayed, especially since it felt like walls were starting to
crumble between us.
But maybe…
Maybe Cannon didn’t want to tell me because he knew what that would mean. It would mean the end of our arrangement. It would mean being honest with ourselves about what's really going on between us. Maybe Cannon lied just to make our relationship last longer. Without actually hearing those things from him, this is purely wishful thinking on my part.
Right now, I'm so very confused.
Diana takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. “I was never really close with Eli’s wife. I knew deep down she wasn’t a good woman or mother. But you..." Mrs. Kingston points a smile in my direction. "You’re different. You’re a good person, Lexi. I can sense these things.”
I smile, but it’s forced.
Guilt is starting to weigh me down. This woman has fully bought into my relationship with her son. I shouldn’t be lying to a sweet lady like Diana. She’s exactly the type of mom I wish I had, and here I am, deceiving her.
I’m not a good person, as she suggests. This is not what a good person does.
My stomach is churning, and suddenly I feel short of breath.
I’m not sure if I’m going to puke or cry or pass out. I politely excuse myself, running off in search of the nearest bathroom. I open a narrow door and dart inside, only to find myself in a small broom closet.
Ugh. Just my luck.
I lean on the wooden shelves, bent over, trying to suck in much-needed oxygen. I am such a horrible, shitty person. Tears well up and there’s nothing I can do to stop them from falling.
Diana is going to be so devastated when this all blows up. My soul aches because I genuinely care about her. Once Cannon and I are through, I will also lose, not only the man I’m head over heels for, but also this wonderful family. The family I always wanted and never had.
I have no idea how much time has passed, but my ears perk up when I hear Cannon’s voice calling my name. Doors are opening and closing nearby, and then, the door to the broom closet opens.
He crouches down to eye level. “Lexi, what in the world? What’s wrong? Ma’s been looking for you. She’s worried.” God, of course she is. That poor, sweet woman.
I shake my head.
“Answer me, babe. Are you okay? Why are you so pale?” His brows are pinched, his beautiful face marred with concern. He presses the back of his hand to my forehead. "Why are you hiding in here?”
“I just...” I don’t want to add to the burdens he’s dealing with. But every day that goes by, I’m getting more and more attached to this fake, temporary life. I’m not being careful at all. I pull him fully into the closet and close the door behind him. “I feel bad about what we’re doing.”
Cannon flicks on a light switch. “What do you mean?” he asks, his brows low.
My words are quiet and shaky. “I just feel bad about the people who are going to get hurt in all this. Y'know, like your mom. She’s so sweet, and she’s been working so hard to include me in the family. I feel like I’m betraying her.” My voice cracks.
“You’re not. This is all on me.”
“They trust us, Cannon. Your entire family trusts us. Your mom, your dad, your niece. And we’re doing…this. It’s a mockery of their trust. I mean we are actually married. I don’t think our lie could get much bigger than that, and here we are keeping up this charade.”
He drapes his arms around my waist. “It’ll be okay.”
Good god, is he delusional? How is this not a big deal? How is he not as freaked out as I am? Does he not care about anyone’s feelings?
No, I refuse to believe that. I know he cares about his family. It shows in so much that he does, even if he tries to appear stoic and detached. I’ve been around Cannon enough to know that he’s more than just skin deep. Way, way more.
“But this relationship isn’t real,” I whisper, eyes falling to his chest.
He drops his forehead to mine. “Maybe it is real,” he tells me, his voice low and hoarse. “Or maybe it could be. For me, it could be.”
I think I stop breathing altogether. My head snaps up to look him in the face.
Did he just say…?
Cannon reads the question in my wide eyes. Slowly, he nods, no hesitation in his words. "I love you, Alexia."
He doesn't give me a second to respond. He moves quickly as if he's afraid of what I might say. He covers my mouth with a long, deep kiss.
He holds me in his warm, strong arms, easing the fears and anxiety he doesn’t even know I have.
I kiss him back, I kiss him back, I kiss him back, my own heart nearly bursting with love.
I think my fake marriage just became real.
47
Lexi
Things are insane at the shop this week. I can hardly catch my breath in between customers. Thankfully, Jessa, Penny and Iris have been taking turns helping me out when their schedules permit. Penny is in the trenches with me today.
I'm literally about to drop when Cannon's mother hustles into the shop right before lunch time. An excited grin breaks out across my face when the bell dings above her head.
“Hello there. Are you here to shop for a wedding gown?” I tease.
“I can do you one better than that. I'm here to help,” Diana tells me as she slips out of her cardigan. “If you need a hand, of course.”
The offer catches me by surprise but I'm not about to turn it down, especially during this rush. “Absolutely. I'd love that.” I step away from the woman I'm assisting to give my mother-in-law a quick hug and hang her sweater over the back of my chair.
Diana tells me to put her to work and I pair her up with a rosy twenty-something who has no idea what she'd like. “Oh, how do I decide?" the girl groans. "You have so many beautiful gowns in here. And so much other stuff, too. Headpieces, hair clips. Maybe you can help with that, too?”
Cannon's mother drapes a comforting arm around the flustered woman. "Don't worry, dear. I've got you covered." She throws me a wink over the customer's shoulder and I grin.
Penny and Diana flit around the shop, grabbing different options for their brides. I'm busy boxing up some jewelry and accessories for the customer at the cash register but I'm smiling because I've always dreamed that business could be this busy. It's fulfilling. And so much of this success is due to the handsome jerk who coerced me into marrying him.
Never in a million years did I think I'd end up in love with this man, happy with this man. Things have unfolded in a way I could not have foreseen. We're good together. We make each other better.
He's changed in so many wonderful ways. He's more focused on his family and the important relationships in his life. Seeing him care for his parents, play with his niece and joke around with his brothers has split my heart wide open for the man. He's even taken me along to visit his grandfather a few times over the past few weeks. He's brought me right into his world.
Cannon's love has changed me, too. I've let my guard down. It's a relief not having to constantly lug that hard persona around all the time. With him, I can be vulnerable and open. And he's teaching me so much about running my business and I'm seeing the results in my bank balance each week. Plus, he doesn't complain too much when I drag him to the Frosty Pitcher on the weekend to hang out with my girlfriends.
I just can't list all the ways this man has made me happy. And I spend all my time dreaming up ways to return the favor.
As if summoned by my hopeful thoughts, a white Tesla pulls up behind the BMW right in front of the bridal shop.
My body responds viscerally to the man. Instantly, I want to go to him.
Before I can get my over-excited hormones under control, a beat-up truck overflowing with junk swerves recklessly toward the curb right behind my husband’s sleek sportscar. The driver tries to squeeze the vehicle into a parking space that's obviously too small. My gaze settles on the weathered face of the man gripping the wheel. I'd know that red baseball cap and those jean overalls anywhere.
My skin tightens defensively. Oh no.
I wa
tch in horror as the nose of the old rust-bucket plows into the tail end of Cannon's pristine, white sportscar.
Oh no, times two.
Cannon jumps out of his car with a bouquet of yellow tulips in hand. He flings those suckers to the ground and stalks toward the skinny, graying driver who's slowly clambering onto the sidewalk.
This is about to get nasty.
If I could fit, I’d crawl right into this cardboard box and ship myself to Canada. But if I have any hope of preventing the bloodbath that's about to go down, I have to intervene. Now.
"E-excuse me," I tell my customers as I quickly circle the cash register and head for the door.
I burst onto the sidewalk just in time to hear Cannon yell. “You rear-ended my damn car, man!”
The old man parks both fists on his hips with an easygoing smile on his face. “It’ll be fine, pretty boy. It's a simple fix. We can tow it to my workshop and, in an hour or two, it'll be good as new.” He leans closer to inspect the damage.
"You won't lay a finger on my car." Cannon stands protectively in front of the vehicle. He takes a glimpse at the old truck. “Y'know, there’s a by-law limiting the amount of junk you can haul around in this town. If you can't follow the fucking rules, maybe you should drive back into the hole in the ground you crawled out of, you piece of shit!”
My husband's harsh words are a slug to the gut.
Hot, electric thorns of rage needle the back of my neck. "Why don't you tell the old man how you really feel, King?" I spit out sarcastically, my voice rough with anger.
Both men swing their heads to me.
Cannon grinds his teeth. “Go back inside, Alexia. Now. I’ve got this taken care of.”
Of all the times for him to be a chauvinistic pig, now is not it.
He stomps a step closer to the old man who bravely squares his body like he's ready to scrap.
Are you fucking kidding me right now?
I shoulder my way between the two neanderthals and plant a firm palm into the middle of my husband's strong chest. "Back the fuck up, Kingston..." I narrow my fiery gaze on his face. "This is my dad."
Mister Billions: A Small Town Enemies-to-Lovers Fake Marriage Billionaire Romance (Bad Boys in Love Book 1) Page 21