by Dover, L. P.
“So, now I’m here, begging for a second chance. One date. You and me. You decide what we’re going to do. I want an opportunity to show you I’m not the guy your brother makes me out to be.”
Leah stands there, staring. I can only hope she’s listened to everything I’ve had to say and believes me. If not, I have to live with what I said and move on.
“And what kind of man is that?” she asks.
“The kind that goes to really odd extremes to see the woman he loves.” I take a chance and step closer to her. When she doesn’t move, I take another step.
“No one has ever done something so outlandish to see me before. Honestly, I expected to hear my name shouted over the loudspeaker or to find you sitting at my front door.”
“All things that went through my mind, but there are photographers outside and I didn’t want them or you to know I was here.” I step closer to her, putting us within arm’s reach.
She glares at me and then her lips lift up in a smirk. “Pretty clever.”
I nod. “That’s me, always thinking on my toes, and possibly regretting things later. Hospitals are dungeons.”
Leah laughs and it’s the most amazing sound to hear right now. I close the gap and play with the ends of her ponytail. “I’m really sorry, Leah. I should’ve told you about the stupid comment but it’s not like it’s something you can throw out into a conversation.”
She shrugs. “No, I guess it’s not.”
My fingertips trail down the side of her face and she turns into my touch. “I love you,” I tell her. “I knew my feelings were strong, but I had no idea I was in love with you until you stood across from me and professed your fake love for me. Everything I said, standing there holding your hands at the altar, I meant. When I look at you, I see my future. I see the mother of my children, my partner in life and everything else that comes along. But I understand if you don’t feel the same way.”
“I do,” she says, leaving me confused.
“You do see a future or don’t feel the same way?”
Leah smiles and cups my cheeks. “I love you too, Greyson, and I don’t care what my family thinks.” She presses her lips to mine and instantly deepens the kiss. When we part our foreheads rest against each other’s.
“Your mom is our advocate, Leah. She gave me your luggage and your address.”
Leah stands tall and chuckles. “That figures. She said she saw something in the way you looked at me in our wedding photo.”
“She’s right. You’re the one.”
“That’s good to hear because I really like the idea of being your one, Greyson.”
I pull her back into my arms and hug the shit out of her until someone clears their throat. Leah sighs and says, “Come on, I have a gaggle of giddy nurses who want to meet you and probably some doctors too.”
“That’s fine,” I tell her. “As long as you introduce me as your husband.”
Leah doesn’t say anything, but she rolls her eyes and pulls me toward the door. “Everyone, this is my husband, Greyson Jennings.”
Now, the only thing to do is to find out how to make this marriage legit.
10
Leah
Thanks to my awesome co-workers, Greyson and I were able to sneak out of the hospital without being seen by the paparazzi. I decided to leave my car in the parking garage for the night. For the first time in my life, the media was focused on me. I never thought I’d be their center of attention. I’m not a stranger to evading the cameras. The media has always tried getting pictures of my father and brother, both on and off the golf course, and with that, me and my mother. I’ve had my picture in the tabloids ever since I was a little girl.
As soon as we get to my house, I change out of my scrubs and into a pair of gym shorts and a bright pink tank top. Before I walk out, my mother texts me.
Mom: We’re back in town. Hope everything is okay?
I can’t help but smile.
Me: All is great. Does Dad still have his chicken costume?
Mom: Yes, why?
She’s going to die with laughter when she finds out my plans for it. Greyson said he’ll do anything to prove how much he loves me, and soon he’ll get his chance. It’ll be the perfect payback and the media will get what they want.
Me: I’ll tell you everything tomorrow morning when I come to pick it up.
Greyson is nowhere to be found when I come out of my bedroom, but I end up seeing him through the kitchen window, sitting by the pool on one of the lounge chairs.
I can’t help but stare at him. The guy is insane. All of my friends at the hospital are going to talk about his little stunt forever. They loved him. The crazy thing is they think we’re actually married. Then again, it feels right. I don’t mind playing along.
I open the door and he glances back at me, smiling as I approach him. “Hey,” he says. “It’s a nice night.” The stars are out and it’s a little humid, but the slight wind makes it perfect. I sit down in my lounge chair and face him. He spreads his legs and places his hands behind my knees to pull me closer. “Thank you for letting me stay here tonight.” The lights around the pool twinkle in his eyes.
My lips pull back into a smile. “I couldn’t let you go home after what you did today. I think all the nurses on my floor are in love with you.”
He slides his hands up and down my thighs. “There’s only one nurse I care about.”
My brows lift. “That’s good. You can prove it to the world tomorrow too.”
He chuckles and pulls me over to his chair. “Oh yeah? How am I to do that?”
I lay beside him and rest my head on my elbow so I can look at him. “I have a plan. Just be ready to go first thing tomorrow morning.” Leaning down, I kiss him and giggle. “We have to make a pit stop at my parents’ house. There’s something I need.”
He groans. “Do I even want to know what it is?”
“You’ll find out tomorrow,” I say with a laugh. “Just be prepared for anything.”
Greyson cups my cheek with his hand, his expression serious. “What are we going to do, Leah? I know we haven’t been together long, but I don’t want to go back to Raleigh without knowing what we are to each other.”
“What do you want us to be?” I know what I want in my heart. It may be impulsive and crazy, but I can’t see it any other way. I love him. Heart racing, I wait for him to answer.
He leans up and kisses me. “You know what I want. I want us to be together. For real. None of this fake marriage shit. It doesn’t have to be right now, but eventually, I want you to truly be mine. To be my wife.”
The butterflies in my stomach swirl around inside me. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I lean into his touch. “We could always plan another wedding and invite our family and friends? Until then, we could keep on pretending. I kind of like being your wife.”
His other hand comes up to my face. “And I love hearing you say it. I’ll do whatever you want.”
I straddle his waist and rock my hips against his. “Now we just need to decide the living situation.”
Groaning, he bites his bottom lip and grips onto my waist, pushing his cock into me. “You’re torturing me to get your way, aren’t you?”
“Is it working?”
He nods quickly. “Oh yeah. But you don’t have to do that. I am more than happy to move to Charlotte. I told you, I’d do anything for you.”
Slowly, I slide off of him and reach for his hand. “Good. Now let’s go inside. We have a lot of makeup sex to get to. Tomorrow, the world will get their first glimpse of Mr. and Mrs. Greyson Jennings.”
He jumps up and picks me up in his arms. “Sounds fucking perfect to me.”
* * *
The chicken costume is in a giant bag in the back of Greyson’s trunk and he has no clue what’s in it. My parents had brought our golf clubs back with them so they saved us a trip back to Charleston. Luckily, my dad was nice to Greyson when we stopped by. Of course, my father will always think no one i
s good enough for me. That’s a dad for you. But hopefully, after today, he’ll see how much Greyson loves me and how much I love him. I told them to get to the course soon so they can hear mine and Greyson’s first interview. I’m hoping it’ll ease the tension between Bryan and Greyson. My brother is my best friend. I don’t need his blessing to be with Greyson, but I do want them to get alone one day.
When we get to the golf course, Greyson opens the back of his SUV and I smile at the bag. He stares at it with concern. “Do I get to see what’s in there yet?”
“Yep.” I toss it to him, and he opens it. The first thing that pops out are the feathers on top of the chicken’s head.
His mouth gapes. “Holy shit. You want me to play golf wearing this?”
I shake my head. “Nope. You are going to caddie for me wearing it. I contacted every single news station in the area. They’re going to make sure to document this for the whole world to see.”
His head rears back and he laughs. “Fuck me, this is epic. I should’ve known you’d do something like this.”
I nod at the costume. “Put it on. My tee time’s coming up.”
He pulls out the entire costume and slips it on over his clothes. The chicken hat slips on over his head with the feathers flopping in the wind, but it’s open around his face. This way, everyone can see it’s him. By now, we’ve drawn the attention of everyone in the parking lot. Phones are out and people are snapping pictures. I’m loving every minute of it.
“Okay, caddie, you need to get us a cart,” I tell him.
He smirks at me and struts off. “You got it.” A couple minutes later, he walks out and gets in a cart, the chicken feathers flying all over the place as he drives it over to me. He gets out and straps my clubs to the back of the cart. “All right, we’re ready.”
“Did the guys in the clubhouse say anything to you?” I ask. I called them ahead of time and told them to expect a large crowd. They were happy to accommodate me, especially when I told them about Greyson being in his costume.
He laughs. “They asked permission to put a picture of me in my chicken suit on their website.”
Giggling, I get in the cart. “And you said?”
He slides into the driver’s seat. “I said yeah.” He leans over and kisses me. “I told them this is all my wife’s doing.” By now, there are more cars pulling into the parking lot. I told the news vans nine o’clock and it’s nine on the dot. Greyson points at the long line of cars coming into the parking lot. “Looks like we’re not getting any golf time in just yet.”
I pat his leg. “Oh, we will. I just figured you’d want the interview before you get all hot and sweaty in the suit.”
His grin widens. “I don’t care about that. You’re the one who has to be seen with me.”
A couple of vans pull in close to us and out come the cameras. Greyson waves and walks over to my side, taking my hand. All of the people who were in the parking lot come over to stand behind the cameras, curious to see what’s going on. My parents pull in and join them, along with my brother and his wife.
One of the reporters, Sherry Groves, hurries up and thrusts a microphone in our direction. She was one of the first reporters I contacted to give the scoop, and also a patient of mine from when she had her gallbladder removed two years ago.
“It’s good to see you again, Leah,” she says, giving me a quick hug. I know she wants to be the first person to interview us.
I hug her back and smile. “Same, Sherry.”
She turns to Greyson. “And Mr. Jennings, it’s an honor to formally meet you.”
Greyson nods and shakes her hand. “Likewise.”
A couple more reporters rush toward us, but Sherry moves closer. “I hear a congratulations are in order. You two are married now.”
Greyson drapes his arm over my shoulders. “Thanks, Sherry.”
Sherry giggles. “The pictures are hilarious. You look so cute and in love. I know you broke a lot of hearts.”
Greyson holds me closer. “I knew this one was the one. I couldn’t let her get away.”
“What about your family?” Sherry asks me. “Everyone knows there’s been a rivalry between Greyson and your brother. How has this affected your relationship?”
I glance over at Bryan and I’m at a loss for words. He doesn’t look angry, but he doesn’t look happy. I’m sure my mother said something to him. Greyson clears his throat. “Sherry, if you don’t mind, there’s something I want to say.”
I look up at Greyson and his eyes are on my brother. “I have nothing but the utmost respect for Bryan Nelson. Yes, we’ve had some issues in the past, but I’m sorry for each and every one of them. Hopefully, one day he can forgive me. Leah is everything to me and I want to make her happy.”
Bryan’s mouth gapes in shock, but he pulls it together and nods at Greyson in reply. When my parents smile, I know everything will be okay. Sherry holds a hand to her heart. “That is so sweet. I just have one more question.” She waves a hand up and down the chicken suit. “Why are you wearing that exactly?”
It’s my turn to answer. “He said he’d do anything to prove he loves me, and this is the test. He’s done a good job, don’t you think?”
Sherry giggles. “I’d say so.”
Several more questions are asked about our time in Vegas and who I’m going to pull for during the tournaments, either Greyson or my brother. I happily said I’ll be pulling for them both. Once all the reporters leave, several of the paparazzi stick around to snap pictures of me and Greyson and my family.
My mother hugs me hard and whispers in my ear. “You got a keeper, sweetheart.”
“Yes, I do,” I agree.
As soon as she lets me go, my father takes her place and hugs me. “Now are you married or not?”
I burst out laughing. “No. You think I’d do that without letting you walk me down the aisle?”
He lets me go and winks. “That’s my girl.”
Greyson holds out his hand to my father. “I’m sorry for everything, Mr. Nelson.”
My dad shakes his hand. “Water under the bridge, son. Just make my daughter happy.”
“Always,” Greyson replies.
Now the only one left is Bryan. He walks over and shakes Greyson’s hand. “Did you mean it or was it just for show?”
Greyson stares at him, his expression serious. “I meant every word. I’m hoping we can move on and be friends? And one day, brothers?”
Bryan glances at me and then back to him. When I see him smile, it warms my heart. “Friends. And if you hurt my sister, I’ll kick your ass.”
Greyson pulls me in closer. “That’s not going to happen.”
Once everyone walks away, I take the chicken head off Greyson. “Looks like we got what we wanted. The world got their exclusive interview, you proved you’d do anything for me, and my family is starting to like you.”
He leans down to kiss me. “And most importantly, I have you. But there’s something missing here.”
“What?” I ask.
His fingers brush down my cheek. “I’ve proven myself to you, but have you done that for me?” There’s a mischievous twinkle in his eyes which I’ve learned means he has something up his sleeve.
I love that he’s spontaneous and adventurous. Sometimes I wonder if it’ll ever get me into trouble. The thought excites me. “What do you want me to do?”
Holding me around the waist, he bites his lip and grins. “Since the world already thinks we’re married, we could easily hop on the jet to Vegas to make it official.” His smile widens. “It’ll be our secret. At least, this way, you’ll truly be mine. No pretending. We could still have a wedding here for our family and friends.”
It's my turn to give him my mischievous smirk. Just last night, I did something he has no clue about. "There's something I should probably tell you."
His brows furrow, and I can see the curiosity on his face. "What is it?"
"Having an actual wedding here in town is a must. My dad w
on't be happy until he gives me away. But I should probably inform you that I've already proven myself. You see ..." I look away and giggle. "I am your real wife. I called the chapel and had them file our papers last night."
Greyson grips my face and anxiously searches for the truth in my eyes. "Are you serious? All kidding aside, are you really my wife?"
Lifting up on my toes, I kiss him. "For as long as you want me."
He holds me tight and lifts me in his arms. "I love you. I'm never letting you go."
"Good. I don't want you to." This time, he kisses me, and I smile. "I love you too."
THE END
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