Page 19 of Wedding Whitney
“The way I heard it, you can’t have kids, so you know she’s eventually going to leave you anyway?” Canyon asks, his face devoid of even the faintest spark of emotion.
“Not true.” I feign a yawn. “Look, guys, this has been fun, but I’m not sure what you’re getting at. I know you don’t like me and I don’t think much of you either, but with us living in Alaska, it’s not like we’ll see much of each other.”
“Whitney’s worth a lot of money,” Brett tries again. “And even more once she has kids, so she’s going to dump your ass when this genetic deformity comes back to bite you on the ass.”
I haven’t rolled my eyes, mentally or physically, as much as I have with Whitney’s family than I have in my entire life. No wonder she stayed away from them for years.
“Take the money and run,” Canyon says, pulling something out of his pocket.
He hands me a check, and I do a double take. I make a lot of money as a professional athlete, but I can’t recall a time I’ve ever written a paper check with that many zeros.
Is that even legal?
I stare at it for a moment and then shake my head.
“I’m not interested in your money.”
“Here’s another million.” Brett pulls another check out of the inside pocket of his sport coat.
More because I’m curious than anything else, I take it from him. I stare at both checks for a long moment and then fold them and stick them in my pocket.
“Thanks, gentlemen. It’s been a pleasure doing business with you.”
I smile to myself and walk out of the room without looking back.
Chapter 12
Whitney
It’s been a shitty day, and despite the sweet voicemail from Jake telling me he loves me and the wonderful news about the genetic testing, I can’t help but feel underwhelmed about tonight’s dinner.
This week is supposed to be exciting, romantic, wonderful—all the things leading up to my wedding—but instead, I can’t get my fiancé to talk about what’s bothering him, I don’t understand why my family is making everything so damn complicated, and I barely have any time to spend with my girlfriends.
My mother told me not to listen to anyone or anything except the people I love and the advice that fits, but it’s hard to drown out so much background noise. Everyone has something to say this week, whether it’s my brother being an ass to Jake, my grandmother trying to play peacemaker, or a plethora of friends telling me to cancel the wedding and elope. While I’d love to do that, it just isn’t feasible—most of our friends and family from all over the world have already made travel arrangements and flown in.
It’s too late to change anything at this point, so I have to go with the flow. I shower, put on the new dress and heels I bought today, and do my makeup. My hair has grown out over the last year, and for the first time since high school, it’s past my shoulders.
I like it, but it takes longer to dry and curl, and I’ve been contemplating cutting it again. Jake said he loves it long, though, and I promised not to cut it until after the wedding. I think about it again as I stare in the mirror, but a knock on the door interrupts me.
“Babe?”
I hurry to open it, my eyes meeting Jake’s in surprise. “You’re home.”
“Yeah, I knocked on your door earlier, but you didn’t answer. Then I got ambushed by your father and brother.”
I frown. “I must have been in the shower, but what happened?”
“Oh, the usual.” He smiles. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course.”
“Then I’m going to have a little fun with your family tonight.”
“Okay.” I pause, though, biting my lip. “Is everything okay with us? You disappeared this morning and didn’t answer when I called.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear the phone ring or I was in the shower. I don’t know why I didn’t realize you called until a little while ago. But yes, everything is fine. More than fine. I love you.”
“I love you too.” I watch his face intently, expecting some kind of bombshell, but he merely slides an arm around my waist.
