Page 52 of Marriage (Red, White &) Blues

“Hey, man—glad you got here,” Ant said, giving his best bud a slap on the back. “This is Gloria’s husband, Blake Parker.”

Pete held his hand out to Blake. “Seen that on the news. I choked on my drink when I realized that was Gloria walking out of the courthouse with you.”

“Yes, we had no idea that it would make news,” Blake admitted.

“I called Ant right away. Needed to know if he wanted help whooping your ass or anything.”

I popped out an uncomfortable laugh. Pete looked at me smiled, winking.

“Don’t worry. I was assured that no ass whooping was necessary.” Then he looked back at my husband. “No offense,” he finished.

“None taken. How could I be offended that my new wife has good people looking out for her?”

“I’m Pete, by the way. I live in Oklahoma but come through here on business semi-regularly. It’s more an excuse to get to see friends,” he said and I’d swear in a court of law that he looked directly at Sierra when he said that. And I’d swear even more that his eyes said something completely different than the words his mouth formed.

Sierra and I definitely had a lot to catch up on.

Ant clapped his hands together to get our attention. “Now that everyone’s here, let’s eat.”

Chapter Thirteen

We ate and gotrealtipsy on mudslides while talking about one of Pen’s new art pieces—as in one she made, not one she’d bought. Pen sculpted the most beautiful clay pieces. She sold them, too.

One of the five million ways Ant continuously strived to make this Pen’s home—he built her a studio with a kiln and everything, so she could work from home.

Anyway, the four of us—Pen, Sierra, Wendy, and me—were elbow-deep in desserts, drinks, and good conversation when out of the blue Pen blurted, or more likeslurred, “I still can’t believe you married into theParkerfamily.”

And cue the drunk girl defending her man. “I knewnothingabout the Parkers when I met Blake.” I drew that ‘nothing’ out to four syllable length to prove my point.

“I know why you fell for him,” Wendy said. “He’s handsome, charming, and he thinks the sun rises and sets with you.”

“We have a lot in common. He swept me off my feet in Paris and hasn’t set me down since.”

“But seriously… Brockton Parker?” Pen asked. “He’s such a?—”

“Tool? I know,” I said, cutting Pen off. “His wife, Emily, is every bit as bad.”

“Which means I have to ask,” Sierra jumped in, “why the hell are you campaigning for that stuck-up douche-canoe? Is this Blake’s doing?”

“Hardly. Okay guys, you can’t say anything. I’ve got some things to tell you but I need your promise.”

All three women drew crosses over their hearts and that was good enough for me. Everyone knew how sacred the finger cross was between friends.

“Okay, the day after the wedding made the news, we were summoned to the Parker estate. Given my ‘commonness’—”

Pen narrowed her eyes. “Your commonness?”

“Nothing I haven’t heard since the first day you brought me home with you to go swimming.”

She clenched her jaw hard enough to crack teeth.

“They thought they could intimidate me, but I don’t know, ever since I met Blake, this new more confident Gloria has emerged and I basically told them what they could do with their intimidation.”

Sierra smiled, all big, toothy and white. “My girl is grown,” she teased.

“Yeah, well… I found out exactly what they planned to do. Mr. Parker looked me dead in the eyes and threatened my mother if I didn’t comply. And he’s got the power to pull it off.”

As expected, their mouths all dropped open. “What did Blake say?” Wendy asked.

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