Page 119 of Heart Taker

“What’s going to happen next?” Jo asked. “I mean, where are we going to live?”

I glanced at Damien. Just before we’d said our vows, I’d reminded him that me and Josiah were a package deal.

“I’d like us to move in with Damien, but we have time to work it out. We can either keep the house and rent it or sell it. I think I’d be more comfortable renting it for now.”

“Cool,” Jo replied and patted my shoulder. “Now I can relax about heading off to college in a year.”

“What?”

“I was worried about you, Si. You’re always at school, or working, and you never let anyone help you. I always worry, who’s going to look after you? Now, with Damien, I don’t have to.”

“Jo—”

“Plus, when you go pro, Damien can help you navigate all that. And best of all, he makes you smile.”

I got choked up and couldn’t speak for a moment. Damien reached for my thigh and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

Despite Jo’s approval, I was worried.

“It’s not going to be easy, Jo. A lot of people will talk when word of my relationship with Damien gets out.”

“So what?” Jo shrugged. “After losing mom and almost losing dad, I know what’s important. If you’re happy, I’m good. I don’t give a crap what other people think.”

“Spoken like your brother.” Damien chuckled.

“I thought of something else, Si. You need to change the name on your jersey,” Jo continued. “Given that you’reSilas Banningnow.”

“I like the sound of that,” Damien replied and leaned over to kiss my cheek. “What do you say, husband?”

I glanced at Damien.

“I think it’s more than changing my jersey. I need a new tattoo to celebrate.”

“Maybe we could both get one?” Damien offered.

“What would yours say?” I quipped.

Damien’s grin was lethal.

“Taken.”

CHAPTER 34

DAMIEN

The shit wasn’t hitting the fan; it was multiplying.

The shock had worn off on the drive back to my house while my phone buzzed like mad. I’d texted Selwin, of course, to let him know what was up. There were more messages from Dave, and a phone call from Nora that I was ignoring. Not that I could ignore my friend or the college president for long. Plus, that fucking reporter was hounding me, requesting a formal comment for his story.

A statement from meandmy husband.

Fucking hell, Silas and I weremarried.

If it weren’t for the certificate in my pocket, and his possessive grip on my leg, I’d have assumed we’d dreamt up the whole damn thing.

As we pulled up my driveway, I spotted Selwin waiting by the front door, a couple of takeout bags by his feet. We got out of Silas’s truck, and my friend rushed over to greet me with a hug. No matter what, I knew I had at least one friend in my corner. Then again, Sel knew the whole story. I’d blindsided Dave. The guilt about that wasn’t going away anytime soon.

“Damien, you dirty dog.” Selwin chuckled. “Getting married and not inviting me?”

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