Not Another Fake Marriage (Not Another Romance)

by R. L. Kenderson

  ALEXIS

  Kevin left the house after the fight on Friday without a word of where he was going. Thankfully, he left the car, so Trevor, Adele, and I went to a flower shop to get some flowers for Candace. When we told the florist it was for Candace’s wedding, she insisted on making a bouquet. It wasn’t extravagant because it was last minute, but it was beautiful. We also picked out a boutonniere for Adele and one for the groom. If he ever came back.

  Which he did, late that night.

  And the next morning, he acted like nothing had happened the day before. But at least Candace wasn’t getting stood up at the altar.

  “Oh no,” I said, looking at my phone. I’d been admiring Trevor in his towel after he showered when I heard my phone alert for a text message.

  Trevor dried his chest off. “What’s wrong?”

  “Summer’s layover was delayed. She might be late for the wedding. There is no way I can go pick her up now.”

  He pulled a shirt on. “Tell her we’ll pay for her ride and give her the address for where the wedding is located.”

  I sent a quick text to Summer.

  “Fingers crossed she makes it just in time.”

  “I’m sure Candace will be happy to see Summer even if the ceremony is over.”

  I fell back on the bed. “It would be nice if something went right today.”

  Trevor dropped down next to me and propped his head up with his hand. “You have me.” He grinned.

  “You’re right. I do.” I brushed my hand over his cheek. “Is this thing we’re doing here—the sex—something we’re going to keep doing once we go back home?”

  He frowned. “Why wouldn’t we?”

  “I don’t know. Because sex was never part of this arrangement. I didn’t know if it was a vacation thing.”

  His eyebrows lifted. “Do you want to stop?”

  I really wanted him to answer before me because if our answers didn’t match, I was going to feel like a fool.

  “No.”

  “I don’t either.”

  I smiled.

  “I mean, how am I supposed to go back to not having sex when I have you ready and waiting for me every day?” he joked.

  I pushed him back as I stood. “When you put it like that, I’ll go back to my vibrator.”

  Snagging me around the waist, he yanked me back down. “Now that you have me, you don’t need that vibrator. Unless I’m in the room too.”

  “Are you telling me what to do?”

  “Yes.”

  I laughed because I’d thought he would deny that he was bossing me around.

  “Tell you what. I’ll save my vibrator for when you’re sick or out of town.” I didn’t know why I’d said that. We probably weren’t going to be together that long.

  “Hmm…deal. But only if you’re thinking about me the whole time.”

  “You and my latest celebrity crush,” I countered.

  “Fine.”

  I laughed again, as if he had any control of my fantasies.

  “And what about you?” I asked.

  He frowned. “What about me?”

  “What do you use when you’re alone?”

  “My fist.”

  I supposed that made sense. Men used fewer sex toys than women.

  “And who do you think about?” I had never heard him talk about actresses or models before. I really didn’t know who he would like.

  “Lately? You, so we’re good there.”

  My mouth dropped open just as Nana called Trevor’s name.

  “I’d better go check on her,” he said and scooted off the mattress.

  “Trevor?” I said right before he walked out the door.

  “Yeah?”

  “Were you just joking?”

  “About what?” His brow furrowed. “About telling you when you can and can’t use your vibrator? I thought you knew I was.”

  “No, not that. Were you joking about thinking about me when you masturbate?”

  He grinned. “Nope. Not since you said yes.” He turned and walked out the door. “What do you need, Nana?”

  I grabbed my phone and brought up my text message thread with my friends. I’d been so busy that I hadn’t told them anything about what was going on.

  Me: So…Trevor and I had sex.

  Tessa: I knew it!

  Me: What?

  Tessa: Never mind. When did it happen? How? I want all the deets.

  Paisley: Yeah, baby!

  Bree: Get it!

  Me: It happened a few days ago. I had to put sunscreen on him and almost embarrassed myself in front of the rest of the family. He must have sensed my sexual frustration because he followed me into the house.

  Isabelle: Woohoo! I’m so glad you did the deed. And I bet it didn’t complicate anything either.

  I rolled my eyes at her reference to our dinner conversation.

  Me: Nobody likes a know-it-all.

  Isabelle: Ha. I was right.

  Pru: I just want to know if it was good. You all are getting some; meanwhile, my pussy is about to pack up and find someplace else to live.

  Me: Welcome to the convo, Pru. And that shit is funny, but I’m sure your pussy is perfectly happy without a man. And yes, the sex was good. Better than. It was phenomenal.

  Bree: And way better than his brother?

  Me: Bree, now, I would never compare brothers like that.

  Tessa: If you don’t tell us, we’re going to assume that Kevin is better.

  Me: Take that back. Trevor is clearly the winner. He knows exactly how to use his body, and he knows what a female orgasm is. Kevin, not so much.

  Isabelle: Burn.

  Me: He deserves it.

  I told them all about how he’d burst into my and Trevor’s bedroom, acting like an asshole.

  Bree: Yep, he deserves it. I feel bad for his wife.

  Me: Future wife. We have a couple more hours until they’re married. Maybe she’ll change her mind.

  Isabelle: Do you want her to? They kind of deserve each other.

  Bree: She’s young. Her brain isn’t fully developed. I feel bad for her actually.

  Pru: You’re too nice.

  Me: Well, we’re not going to be best friends or anything, but I have some sympathy for her. With the baby, she’s now tied to Kevin for the rest of her life even if she wants a divorce.

  Tessa: I think it shows what a caring person you are.

  Me: Thanks.

  Me: Where’s Elizabeth?

  Isabelle: She’s doing something with her family. She didn’t say what it was, just that it was important. I’m sure she’ll catch up later.

  Me: Well, I’d better go. I have a wedding to stop. I mean, get ready for.

  Me: Just kidding.

  I got some LOLs and laughing emojis.

  Me: Later, ladies. See you when I get back!

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  TREVOR

  I took Alexis’s hand in mine. “She’ll be here.”

  She turned and looked over her shoulder for what felt like the fifth time. “I keep telling myself that, but what if she gets stuck in traffic or something?”

  I kissed her hand. “Her plane already landed. She’s in a Lyft. She’ll get here soon.”

  We were sitting in the park where the wedding was being held, just waiting for the ceremony to start.

  Even though the area was small with only a few rows of chairs, it looked sad because it was so empty. Nana was sitting on the groom’s side, and Alexis and I sat on the bride’s side. I’d told Nana it only seemed fair for us to split up. Especially since I knew Alexis would rather not sit on Kevin’s side of the aisle.

  “I was just so hoping Summer would get here before the wedding started.”

  “Do you want me to go and stall it?”

  Her face lit up. “You’d do that?”

  “Babe, I was joking.” I felt bad she’d thought I was serious.

  “Right.”

  “But look, the officiant isn’t even at the fron
t yet.”

  No sooner had the words come out of my mouth than a man walked up, who was clearly there to marry the bride and groom. He took his position in the small gazebo.

  Alexis looked at me.

  “Whoops.” I squeezed her hand. “It’ll be okay.”

  Kevin walked up sixty seconds later.

  “She’s only two minutes away,” Alexis whispered, clearly relieved. She put her head on my shoulder as Kevin hit play on his phone, which was connected to the portable speaker sitting behind the officiant.

  I put my arm around her. I loved that she wasn’t afraid to be close to me anymore. I should have taken her to bed right away. I could get used to this feeling that our marriage was real.

  “Please rise,” the officiant said.

  We stood and turned to watch Candace walk down the short aisle.

  As we turned to face the front again, Alexis, who still had her phone in her hand, looked down and frowned.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She showed me her screen.

  Summer: I’m here.

  Summer: And I’m sorry.

  “What the hell does that mean?” I asked.

  “I have no idea.”

  Candace gasped at something behind us, but her reaction wasn’t happiness. It was panic. We all spun to see what she was looking at.

  A woman around Candace’s age, who I assumed was her friend Summer, was heading toward us. But behind her was a young man who looked to be about the same age.

  “Did Summer bring a boyfriend? I thought she was coming alone.”

  “That’s not Summer’s boyfriend. That’s Xavier. Candace used to date him.” Suddenly, she clutched my arm. “Oh no. I bet Summer is dating Candace’s old boyfriend, and she brought him to the wedding. That must be why she sent me the sorry text. I know Candace is getting married, but it will still hurt.”

  “Ouch. Karma sure is a bitch,” I muttered. “Candace dates your ex-husband, and her friend dates her ex-boyfriend.”

  “This is all my fault.”

  I pulled her close. “You couldn’t have known about any of this.”

  Summer ran up to the row behind us and straight to Alexis. “I’m so sorry. When he found out I was coming, he insisted on coming with.”

  “Why? Just to show that he’s with you now?”

  Summer recoiled. “I’m not with him.”

  “Then, what is he doing here?” Alexis asked.

  “What are you doing here?” Candace asked him, and everyone pivoted around to see what was going to happen next.

  “Shut off the music,” Xavier said. He was a tall, lanky kid with messy blond hair, wearing worn jeans and a white T-shirt. He didn’t look like a wedding guest.

  The music was cut.

  “Can you get to the part where you ask if anyone objects to this marriage or whatever it is you say?” Xavier asked the officiant.

  “I haven’t even started,” the older man said, eyes wide.

  “Okay, right. Well, I object to this wedding.”

  Candace left Kevin’s side. “You can’t do that,” she hissed as she marched toward him. “I gave you a chance.”

  “I fucked up, okay? But you can’t marry that guy,” Xavier said, pointing to Kevin.

  I really didn’t know what to do in this situation, but Candace was going to be my sister-in-law soon, and she obviously didn’t want Xavier there.

  “Candace, would you like me to escort this guy to his car?” I asked.

  “No,” they both answered me.

  “He can leave on his own,” Candace said.

  “I flew all the way down here for you.”

  She lifted her chin. “It’s too late.”

  “Tell me you love that guy, and I’ll leave.”

  “Please, just go,” Candace pleaded.

  “You can’t say it because you don’t.”

  I felt for Xavier, but Candace was having my brother’s baby, and I didn’t blame her for wanting to get married to the father of her child.

  I put my hand on Xavier’s shoulder. “Look, I’m sorry you came all this way, but she has clearly chosen who she wants to be with. Think about the baby.”

  Xavier knocked my hand off. “I am thinking about the baby. I’m the father. That’s my baby.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  ALEXIS

  “What?” The word came flying out of my mouth and pretty much everyone else’s, except Candace, Xavier, and Summer. And Kevin.

  “You knew,” Trevor said, looking right at his brother.

  Kevin stood, unmoving, but then slowly nodded his head.

  I sat down, glancing up at Summer over my shoulder. “So, this is why you were sorry.” It came out more like a statement than a question.

  “Yes. When you asked me to come to the wedding, I told a friend who told a friend who told Xavier.”

  “That’s something you should have done,” Xavier said.

  Summer frowned at him. “You told Candace you didn’t want anything to do with her when she told you that she was pregnant.”

  Xavier’s head swung around to Candace. “That’s what you told people?”

  Candace wrung her hands against her chest. “Uh…”

  Xavier looked at Trevor. “She told me the night before I had to leave for a yearly family vacation. And when I got back home, she had left for Canada with no way to contact her. She blocked me on all social media. I’ve been trying to find her for months, only to discover she’s back in Minnesota and getting married to someone else.”

  I stood and put my hands up. “I think we all need to take a deep breath.”

  Adele looked like she was going to pass out.

  “Trevor, I think you need to check on your grandmother. Candace, I think you and Xavier need to talk. Kevin, I think you can come down from there because it doesn’t seem like you’re getting married right now.”

  Trevor, noticing the same thing I had, rushed over to his grandma with Kevin following.

  Candace didn’t move.

  “You might as well have a conversation and get it over with,” I told her. “Ignoring your problem won’t make it go away.”

  “All right,” she agreed. “Let’s go over there,” she told Xavier.

  As soon as they were gone, I went to check on Adele. “Is everything okay?”

  “I’m fine,” Adele said right away.

  “Nana, you don’t look fine,” Trevor said.

  “I meant, I’m fine physically.”

  “Are you sure it’s not your heart?” Kevin asked.

  “I have cancer, not a heart condition,” she snapped back at him. “And it seems I have a grandson who lied to me.”

  Kevin looked at his feet. “I’m sorry, Nana. I didn’t mean for you to get caught up in this mess.”

  “So, you knew the baby wasn’t yours?” Trevor asked.

  “Yes. Candace and I aren’t even in a relationship. I was helping her out. When her parents found out she was pregnant, they wanted nothing to do with her. She told me the father of the baby had left her as well. I didn’t know it was Xavier or that she had lied about the circumstances.”

  “You didn’t need to marry her,” I pointed out.

  He turned his eyes away from us. “When I found out that Nana had cancer, I figured Candace and I could help each other out.”

  Trevor frowned. “But you told me you were getting married the same day Nana told us.”

  “I might have already known.”

  Trevor’s jaw tensed. “Might have or already did?” he asked through clenched teeth.

  “I already did, okay?”

  “How long?” Trevor demanded.

  “How long what?” Kevin looked genuinely confused even though I thought the question was obvious.

  “How long did you know?”

  “A month?” Kevin shrugged.

  “And you didn’t tell me?”

  “Oh, so you could go and marry my ex-wife even sooner?”

  Trevor’s eyes narrowed
to the point that I couldn’t even see what color they were. “No, you fucking asshole. You could have told me so that I could spend more time with our grandmother before she passes away.”

  “How did you even know?” I couldn’t help but ask.

  “She had already gone to her regular doctor. I was there when he called her, and I overheard part of her conversation. I didn’t actually know, know until she went to the specialist and told us at dinner.”

  “Don’t try digging yourself out of this hole now,” Trevor said. “You heard enough to find a wife, so you must have felt pretty strongly about what was said when her doctor called.”

  “Please stop fighting, boys,” Adele said, but I didn’t think Kevin and Trevor heard her.

  “I did what I had to do—” Kevin started until I cut him off.

  “Stop,” I commanded.

  Both men shut their mouths and looked at me.

  “Please stop fighting,” Adele begged.

  “You’re right,” Trevor said. “I’m sorry, Nana.”

  “I’m sorry too,” Kevin said.

  “Can we just go home?” Adele asked.

  “I’ll get the car and take you back to the rental,” Trevor said.

  “No. I want to go home to Minnesota.”

  Trevor met my eyes. It was early afternoon, but I didn’t know if there would be any flights available.

  “I’ll see what I can do,” I told Adele, digging my phone out of my pocket. “It might be late when we get back, and it might cost extra.” I pulled up our airline customer service number, figuring it would be the fastest way to get our flights switched.

  “I don’t care. I just want to be done with Florida.”

  “Let’s get you back to the house to pack then,” Trevor said.

  He helped his grandmother stand, and she looked at Kevin.

  “I can’t believe you were going to marry that girl for your inheritance.” She swung her head to Trevor. “Next, you’re going to tell me your marriage is fake too.”

  I quickly looked at my phone, ready to call the airport.

  Candace and Xavier came back at that time.

  Candace took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Kevin, but I can’t marry you.”