Page 8 of Reformation

Though, there is one difference between this marriage and my last: This time I got a prenup.

With Innovative Medical being established before our marriage, I wanted to make sure that I, and the business, were protected. Even now I can’t believe Annika signed it without much of a fight. Probably because she thought her self-proclaimed “golden pussy” would keep me around forever.

Yes, she actually told me when we first started dating she had a golden pussy. Again, that should have raised a red flag.

However, in this prenup, if one of us were to cheat on the other, everything is null and void. All marital assets are back on the table. If she cheats, she gets nothing. If I cheat, she can take me for all I’m worth, including Innovative.

And it’s a lot.

So, despite the fact I love sex more than I love running, good scotch, and hot women, I have been frustratingly celibate for months.

And my dick knows it.

Shaking away the feeling of horniness and overall hatred of my situation, I gather my car keys and the bottle of water that is partially responsible for me having to deal with Annika tonight.

I knew I should have gone to the program straight from work.

And I don’t know what makes me ask the next question, but I do. I’ll analyze the why later when I’m three fingers of scotch deep.

“Are you happy?”

My words take her by surprise, and for a second, I think I see behind the fake eyelashes and mask of makeup. Before I know it, her cold eyes and fake smile return.

“I’d be happy if my husband wouldn’t spend so much time at work. I’d be really happy if he bought me things like he used to. And I’d be extremely fucking happy if I heard you were back to fucking nurses so I can get the money that you are holding back on me.”

I walk toward her, which takes her a bit by surprise, as I lean in and kiss her cheek. It’s not a quick one. No, this one I’m making sure she will feel for the rest of the night. So she remembers what I’m about to say.

“And I’d be happy if my wife wasn’t a stuck-up bitch who could at least pretend to love me for more than my credit card. And if you are waiting for me to fuck up, you’ll need to keep waiting, wife. I’m in this for the long haul. And I don’t expect to lose.”

And with that, I take my keys and the damn bottle of water and head to my car. I have a music program to get to.

Chapter Six

Garrett

There was one good thing about my impromptu confrontation with Annika—I made it just in time for the program. Which, under that definition, means on time enough not to miss Cullen’s first school performance, but late enough to not have to make mundane chitchat with Mark and Charlie.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my brother. And my sister-in-law is an absolute angel for loving my former-Navy SEAL brother turned private security firm partner pain in the ass. But I know what kind of conversation would happen if I were to have arrived ten minutes earlier. It would have been a continuation of the one Mark and I had in my office just a few months ago. And pretty much every time I see him.

“How’s the practice?”

“Oh, Annika didn’t come?”

“Is everything OK?”

“You know you can talk to us.”

And I know I could. If I wanted to. What would be the point? I’ve made my bed. And I’m lying in it.

Alone.

I enter the school auditorium just as the lights are dimming and catch sight of Mark and Charlie, pointing to the seat they saved for me.

“Thanks for getting here early,” my brother digs.

“No problem, Twilight.”

My brother rolls his eyes at my use of his former SEAL call sign, but before he can send an insult back my way, the curtain opens to Cullen’s class standing on stage.

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