by J. P. Comeau
And when I saw that I had a text from Zane, I knew what he was about to say.
Zane: Why am I getting a text from Roxy with instructions to tell you that Kelly made it home safely.
I typed back quickly before shoving my phone into my pocket.
Me: Be at your place in fifteen. I’ll talk then.
The driver pulled up to my brother’s estate, and I paid him well for his efforts. But, when I turned back towards the house, I saw Clint’s beat-up pick-up truck in the driveway. Damn it, seriously? He was here, too?
Time to suck it up, buttercup.
I made my way up the steps and let myself in. I heard Zane and Clint talking in the kitchen, so I made my way back there. When I entered the room, they both fell quiet while I rummaged around, trying to make myself a sandwich. But, once I sat down with my food and a bottle of water, I realized I wasn’t actually hungry.
“So…?” Zane asked.
Clint stared at me. “I take it things didn’t go well.”
I smirked. “You know how the wedding was supposed to be fake?”
Clint paused. “Uh, oh.”
Zane’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”
I shook my head. “Apparently, the receptionist I coordinated all of this with, quit a couple of days before the ceremony. So, instead of signing off on the waiver at the end of the ceremony, we signed an actual marriage certificate.”
Zane cocked his head. “How the fuck did your information get filled out on one of those things?”
Clint chuckled. “Holy fuck, you really did yourself in this time.”
I glared at him. “Shut up.”
Zane leaned forward. “Seriously. How did it get filled out?”
I shook my head. “The man told me that they usually fill out the information themselves and just have the couples sign because couples come in so happy to get married that they don’t want to deal with all the extra paperwork.”
Clint started laughing. “Holy shit, did she change her name? Is her last name ‘Hearthstone’ now?”
I kicked him under the table. “This isn’t funny. Kelly isn’t doing well with all of this.”
Zane grinned. “She’s married to you. Of course, she isn’t doing well with this.”
I pointed at him. “Don’t you make fun of her like that. She’s torn up about the whole thing. I’ve robbed her of her perfect wedding, guys.”
Clint clapped my back. “Oh, come on. It’s not like you knew that was happening?”
“If you don’t stop laughing, I’m going to--.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’d like to see you try, little brother.”
Zane chuckled. “It is kinda funny. Once you really think about it. I mean, how many times did you ask that girl out in college? And it took marrying her to even get you in the game?”
Clint threw his head back in laughter, but none of it was funny. So, I sure as hell wasn't going to tell them everything that was on my mind. Which were the feelings I felt that morning when I woke up to her at my side in bed. The spark of electricity that ignited had stuck with me all damn day. And it made me wonder how long I had been harboring such deep feelings for Kelly.
Since college? Is that even possible?
“Well, first thing Monday, my ass is at that courthouse. The man gave me all I needed to have this shit taken care of, so that’s what I’m going to do,” I told them.
Clint tried to catch his breath. “Holy hell, you know what I just realized?”
Zane buried his smile. “What?”
I hardened my eyes against the profile of Clint’s face. “Don’t you dare.”
He smiled at me. “You’re the old married guy now.”
“I’m going to kill you,” I glowered.
“And again. I’d like to see you try.”
The day passed by in a blur, and I ended up crashing at Zane’s place and woke up to people laughing and talking in the backyard. The smell of smoked brats and juicy hamburgers wafted up my nose, and it drew me to the window in the guest bedroom. I gazed down at the small crowd while the smell of chips and dip made its way up to me. I saw people cracking open sodas and beers. I saw a bartender slinging cocktails and hard liquors around. And there was Zane, manning his grill.
Who the fuck threw a cookout after something like that?
Still, I dragged myself into the shower and tried to clean up. I stole some of Zane’s more casual clothes, so I didn’t wear my outfit from yesterday, and I made my way downstairs. I gazed out over the backyard full of people while I chugged down some lukewarm coffee I found in the pot in his kitchen.
But, when I looked back through the window, I found Kelly staring back at me.
My heart leaped into my throat. I coughed and sputtered as my coffee went down the wrong pipe. I tossed the mug into the sink and bent over, wheezing and trying not to puke on myself. A door crashed open next to me. I felt someone’s hand on my back. And as the soft circles of warmth relaxed my windpipe, I heard her voice.
That wonderful, beautiful, angelic voice. Right in my ear.
“You okay? You need something to drink?” Kelly asked.
I shook my head, but I couldn't stop coughing. So, she started patting my back.
“Control your breathing. Try to breathe through the pain, Brenden.”
I blinked back tears as the pain in my throat finally subsided.
“There we go. That’s better, right?”
I wiped my mouth, looking over at her. “Thanks.”
She smiled softly. “Anytime.”
I rose up. “How are you--? I mean, are you--?”
I couldn't come up with the right words to say. So, I bit my tongue and kept quiet. But, Kelly took the reins. And soon, things fell back into an easy pace with her.
Despite what happened yesterday.
“I’m doing okay, thank you for asking. I owe you an apology for yesterday, though.”
I shook my head. “You owe me nothing. I wasn’t diligent enough, and that’s why we’re in this place.”
“No, we’re in this place because the head of that chapel withheld information from you, pertinent to our ceremony. None of this is your fault.”
“I still hold some responsibility.”
“And so do I. All of us hold equal responsibility because I was just as much a willing participant. I knew the risks going into this. It’s not all on you.”
I grinned. “If you say so.”
She giggled. “Besides, Monday’s just around the corner. With that signed note the man gave you, it shouldn't take long to get things back to normal.”
I watched her carefully as she straightened up the tie I had on underneath the sweater I stole from Zane. I watched as her fingertips plucked lint from my shoulder and cast it off to the side. She slid her hands down my arms before taking my hands within hers, and I could have sworn it felt like we had always been a couple.
“There. That’s better. That crooked tie was really getting to me. You don’t have another pair of pants you can put on? Those jeans are a bit too worn for the sweater you’ve got on,” she said.
I smiled. “Already changing my outfits, huh?”
“I mean, I am the fashion guru, you know.”
“Oh, oh, oh. Yeah. Completely. One hundred percent.”
She smiled up at me. “Want me to go get you anything to eat?”
I turned her around, my back to the door. “Actually, that’s my job. So, you go rest, and I’ll get you something nice to eat.”
I winked at her before I stepped outside and I felt like everyone was watching me. Especially when I set out to make two plates of food instead of just one. I kept peeking over at Kelly, wondering what she was talking about with other people. Were they grilling her about the weekend? Were they pestering her with questions? I needed to get over there. I needed to run interference, so no one bogged her down too much with stuff.
I need to protect her from the insanity of all this.
And that thought stopped me in my tra
cks.
Why the hell do I feel the need to protect her?
I pushed everything away and finished fixing our plates. I went to sit with Kelly over at a table in the corner, and I felt all eyes on us. We were the talk of our group right now, and I positioned myself so no one could see Kelly. If they wanted to look over at us, they could look at my fucking back, for all I cared.
She smiled. “This looks great. Thank you.”
I handed her a fork. “Of course. Anytime.”
“So, what’s the plan for tomorrow? When are you headed to the courthouse?”
“I want to be there right when the doors open. So, I’ll be heading out from my place around eight-thirty.”
“Can I come with you?”
I nodded. “Of course, if you want to.”
“I do, yes.”
“Then, I’ll come pick you up around eight-fifteen?”
“I’ll be ready and waiting.”
Without thinking, I picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. And I felt the entire party still around me. My eyes locked with Kelly, and I saw her searching behind me, and I started wondering if I had blown it again. I don’t know why I even picked up her hand in the first place. It just felt natural to do. But, when her eyes came back to mine, she smiled even brighter.
Before leaning forward and pressing the softest, kindest kiss to my cheek.
I am in the deepest of shit.
But, whatever Kelly wanted, Kelly would get.
11
Kelly
“You know, if the judge doesn't grant us this annulment, that means we have to move in together,” Brenden said.
I snickered. “You wish.”
“I mean, that’s what happens between man and wife. Wife move in with man. Wife cook food for man. Wife lay down with man and massage feet after long, hard day.”
I cackled. “Is that your version of marriage?”
“Uh, duh. Isn’t that everyone’s version of marriage?”
I shook my head. “Nope.”
“Okay, then. What’s your version of marriage?”
I cocked myself to face Brenden while we sat in his car, waiting for the courthouse to open.
“Me, woman. Me drink wine you give me. Me say ‘no’ whenever I want. Me dress you. Me take your money. Me make your life hell so you stay at office, working hard.”
He nodded. “So, that’s why Zane is always working late.”
My jaw dropped open. “Hey! I bet Karina’s a wonderful partner.”
He chuckled. “Everyone has their moments.”
“Don’t I know it.”
His hand settled against my thigh. “You had every right to react the way you did.”
“But I didn’t have a right to use you as an emotional punching bag. I’m really sorry, Brenden.”
He squeezed my thigh. “I’m sorry too, Kelly.”
I laid my head against his shoulder and watched the doors of the courthouse. And once they opened for the public, we were out of his car and charging for the right office. We were the first in line to file for an annulment, and Brenden dumped all of the paperwork he had onto the desk for the woman.
“I’ll get this to your judge, and you should be in to see him within the next thirty minutes,” she said mindlessly.
“Thank you so much,” I said.
But, the woman didn’t even act like she heard me.
Brenden took my arm, and calmly led me out of the room. We headed into the waiting room, sitting in the unforgiving seats of the cold, hard courthouse. The walls were painted a nice cream color to brighten things up, but every piece of furniture was dark. The hunter green carpet was ugly. The fake mahogany wood the place was filled with had black streaks rushing through it, adding to the dark undertones. The chairs were black and silver, which contrasted everything around it, yet still added to the lonely ambiance. Even the file books on some of the shelves lining the walls were black and navy blue and olive green.
Everything was drab.
Everything was dreary.
And that didn’t help with my spirits.
“Mr. and Mrs. Hearthstone?”
My head jerked up. “Yes! Hi. Yes. That’s us.”
Brenden stood. “Where are we needed?”
The woman thumbed behind her. “Go in and have a seat. Judge Johnson will be with you shortly.”
He offered me his arm, and I took it. He led me into the courthouse, and we sat down at the table on the left, preparing ourselves for the embarrassment of the entire thing. I wasn’t sure what was about to happen, but I didn’t like the fact that we had to sit in front of a judge like we had a case to plead. All we did was sign our names to documents we weren’t aware of.
But we had to go through all of that to annul?
“I don’t like this,” I murmured.
Brenden leaned over. “Just let me do the talking, okay?”
I nodded. “I can do that.”
“All rise for the honorable Judge--.”
I saw the judge enter the room. “Let’s skip the formalities. My coffee hasn’t kicked in yet.”
“Not good,” I murmured.
Brenden took my hand. “Just breathe. I’ll handle the rest.”
I drew in a deep breath through my nose as the judge sat at his desk. I saw him rifling through the documents Brenden gave to that woman in the office, but I couldn't read his face. His lips were pursed. His eyes were practically slits as he stared at them through his thin reading glasses. The gray hair at his temples told me he’d been doing it a while, and the wrinkles of his forehead told me he wanted to be anywhere but here right now.
That might work in our favor.
Then again, it might not.
The judge removed his glasses. “All right. Help me make sense of what’s in front of me.”
Brenden stood. “Your Honor--.”
“You don’t have to stand. Just talk to me.”
He sat back down. “Your Honor, my friend and I, we--.”
I looked over at Brenden as he struggled with his words.
“Yes?” the judge asked.
He sighed. “It’s a ridiculous story, but I promise we had the best of intentions.”
“Then, why don’t you tell me this ridiculous story?”
He nodded. “My friend here, Kelly Brown--Crown. I’m sorry, Kelly Crown.”
I rolled my eyes. “Wonderful.”
The judge chuckled. “I know you’re nervous. I just want to know the story.”
Brenden cleared his throat. “Yes. Right. Okay. So, my friend here is a virgin.”
“Oh, God,” I groaned.
“And she feels like it’s holding her back in the dating world.”
“Can I die now? Is that a thing?”
The judge chuckled. “Go on.”
“And what she wanted to do was sleep with my brother, which isn’t good enough. Not for her. She needs someone who cares about her, right? Who knows her.”
“So, you offered up yourself. Right?”
Brenden nodded curtly. “Right. But, I wanted to make her comfortable and get her to relax and kind of ease into things. So, I figured, why not stage a wedding? I could add all of her favorite elements, make it a Christmas-themed sort of thing. We could go have dinner, book ourselves a nice honeymoon suite for a week, and kind of ease into things as she wanted. No pressure, no commitment, and her completely taking the reins on this part of her life.”
The judge smiled. “It’s not a terrible idea. I can see why you thought it would be a good one.”
I wanted to melt into a puddle and soak into the sewer system. Anything to get out of that embarrassing situation.
“Right?” Brenden asked. “But the receptionist I coordinated all of this with quit. And I wasn’t informed. So, instead of us signing a waiver that stated the wedding wasn’t actually legitimate, we signed a marriage certificate that had been filled out by the new receptionist that had gotten things confused.”
I sank further down into my chai
r and pinched the bridge of my nose.
Brenden started chuckling, but I didn’t hear the judge joining in. And when I peeked up, I saw him staring at me. Clear as crystal, with a hard look on his face.
“Is this what happened?” he asked.
I swallowed hard. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“So, the two of you thought faking a lifelong commitment might make it easier for you to have sex.”
I grimaced. “Yes, Your Honor.”
Brenden jumped in. “Sir, if I may--.”
The judge held up his hand. “I’m talking to her.”
I sat up in my seat. “Your Honor, I know this sounds--.”
“Crazy? Reckless? Selfish? Asinine? Yes, to all of those.”
Brenden stood up. “Your Honor, if you could direct your frustrations at me, that would be--.”
The judge stood. “You don’t give the orders in this courtroom, I do. Mr. Hearthstone, do you know how many couples I see just like you? Who use chapels around here as some idiotic excuse to make a memory for a night before finding themselves right in front of me?”
“No, sir. I don’t.”
“Right. You don’t. I’ve spent my entire life’s work sorting out crazy schemes children like yourselves get into because all you can think about is yourselves.”
I stood. “Your Honor, we aren’t children. We’re grown adults--.”
He glared at me. “Who will take responsibility for their actions, yes.”
I felt my heart drop to the floor. “What?”
Brenden took my hand. “Sir, please. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I have a written note up there--.”
He held up the note. “I see your note. But that doesn’t mean you’ve learned your lesson. I’ll grant you your annulment. Once I know you’ve learned what there is to learn from this blunder.”
I blinked. “Which is?”
The judge picked up his gavel. “In one month, you come back and see me. And if you can tell me what you’ve learned from all of this, I’ll grant the annulment.”
“Wait, Your Honor, you can’t do this. This was never supposed to--.”
The banging of the gavel on his podium made me jump. Tears streamed down my cheeks as he gathered up our paperwork and walked right out of that courtroom. I felt the room spinning around me. I felt like I was going to be sick to my stomach.
