Page 108 of Unexpected Shot
He gives me a soft smile as he repositions my legs on his lap. “You’re welcome. Now let’s start our first official show as a married couple.”
CHAPTER 25
BEAU
Iknew marriage was going to come with a new way of life. Compromising on things to make sure co-habitation is possible.
But I never considered the lies I’d have to tell my wife about my baking club.
It started yesterday when she asked me about Betty. I was an idiot and forgot to hide her. I had her out because I knew I was going to be baking tonight and I was making my dough while Shelby was at the course for a long practice round. I mean, when else is a guy supposed to do his secret stretch and folds?
I finished the dough before she got back, and might have put it in my bedroom to proof because it’s the one place I knew Shelby would never go. But I was an idiot and forgot about Betty.
Then there was tonight when I was getting ready to go. How dare she ask me, “What are your plans tonight?”
I mean, the audacity of my wife. Asking where I’m going in a nice and curious way. How very dare she.
I panicked. Blurted out that I was playing poker with the guys, left my dinner half eaten, and bolted out of the house likemy ass was on fire, thankfully remembering to grab my dough out of my bedroom before I drove to Sugar and Sweets.
It’s why I’m forty-five minutes early to Poker Club. And when Shelby asks what was wrong earlier, I’m simply going to say I lost track of time and I didn’t want to be late.
Good lie? No. But it’s what I could manage in the face of utter panic.
I turn my car into the back parking lot of Sugar and Sweets, and am shocked that I’m not the first one here. I’m always first. I’m the one who unlocks the doors and gets all the ingredients out. Which is why it doesn’t make sense to see Maddox and Asher’s cars already parked. But what’s throwing me even more is that Theo’s car is also here. Theo, the baseball player who should be in Florida right now finishing spring training.
“What the hell is going on?” I ask myself as I get out of the car. “More likely, what the hell are they up to?”
I slowly exit my SUV, looking around in case they're ready to pull some sort of prank. I wouldn't put it past them. The night we inducted Maddox into this group, I staged it to look like he was walking toward a ritual of some kind. All that was missing were literal cloaks and daggers. This could be payback.
When I open the back door, there isn't a sound to be heard. As I make my way to the kitchen, the only light comes from the floodlights on the walls that illuminate the back hallway.
"I know you fuckers are here somewhere," I yell out. "If you're gonna try to surprise me, at least hide your cars."
It's another five steps for me to reach the light switch. And I jump out of my skin the second I flick it on because of what the lights come with—judging by the small pieces of paper that are now raining from the ceiling, I'm guessing a mini confetti cannon.
"Happy Wedding-slash-Bachelor Party-slash-Maybe Divorce Party!”
I shake my head at my friends’ antics. “You know you guys are going to have to clean this up.”
“Worth it,” Theo says, walking over to bring me some sort of party hat. “I know it says birthday, but there aren’t a lot of party hat options for your special circumstances.”
"Why are you here?" I ask. “You aren’t supposed to be home for another few weeks.”
“Thank the Florida weather,” Theo says. “One hundred percent chance of rain through the weekend, combined with the family emergency I had, and the BlueBirds said I could come back. I was on the first flight out of Tampa.”
“Family emergency?”
“You married Shelby. You’re basically my brother. If that doesn’t constitute an emergency, I don’t know what does.”
I knew tonight's poker club was going to be focused on me and Shelby. I haven’t talked to any of them since I’ve gotten back, and the only real communication we’ve had was the group text the day after the fight. I know they’re champing at the bit for details. If one of them randomly came back from Vegas married to a woman they hated, I’d be wanting the same thing.
“Okay, let’s get this over with,” I announce. “Ask me every question you have while I preheat my dutch oven.”
“Did you actually know you were married when she beat you up?” Maddox asks.
Theo is next. “Has she beaten you up again since y’all found out?”
“How drunk were you when you did this?” Asher asks.
