Page 67 of Rebound
“You only feel that way because you didn’t see the way his hand wrapped around your throat.”
No, but I felt it and my knees are still weak as a result. Life is the strangest thing I’ve ever experienced. What do you mean I’m married to the last man I’ll consider husband material? Did a teenage, tender-hearted Lavinia think she might marry Roman Maddox one day? Sure, she had a massive crush, and she was horny for the bad guy. I never expected to be back in the same position eighteen years later.
“Have I made a huge mistake?” I groan, covering my face with my hands. That’s when I realize that I’m still wearing Roman’s sunglasses, and he’s left without them.
“Possibly. But watching Josh keel over in anger will be a sight to behold.”
She does have a point. I want to be a fly on the wall when Josh finds out I married the guy who challenged him every day they were on the same team. We have two more day here and that gives me enough time to rethink my whole life and every single decision I’ve ever made.
The first thingI do when we get back to Boston is call my parents and tell them I have something important to discuss. If Roman and I are going to stay married, then my family has to know.
In the last forty-eight hours, I’ve second guessed this decision again and again. I feel like I’m failing my family and my dad, most of all, because he’s always been so proud of me for everything I’ve done. I used to follow him around when I was a kid and beg him to teach me to skate. Once he did, it was impossible to get me off the ice.
He’s always been with me through every downfall, every time I wanted to quit, he helped me back up. I know I can tell my parents anything and they’ll be supportive.
I turn over in bed and kick my feet out of the blanket, wiggling my toes. It’s past my time to get up and there was a time when I’d have gotten up regardless of how I felt. I’m a big believer that exercise is great for mental health. I’m also starting to understand that sometimes, it’s okay to rest.
I reach for my phone on the nightstand to check the time and it buzzes as soon as I pick it up. Roman’s name pops up with a text message.
Roman
Don’t know if you heard, but we lost the game.
Lavinia
I saw the news. Sorry :(
Roman
Coach Cross said I played a good game.
Lavinia
Ooh, bet you didn’t like that.
Roman
Hated every second of it.
I laugh at his message, pushing up to a sitting position. I should tell him what I’m planning on doing tonight. My thumbs hover over the keyboard and I quickly type out the message.
Lavinia
I’m going to tell my parents about the marriage tonight. Wish me luck.
Roman
Oh, okay. Give me a couple of hours so I can arrange for security. Assuming your brother will want to kill me as soon as he finds out.
Lavinia
LOL. He won’t want to kill you! But you should still arrange for security because I can’t guarantee how he’ll react.
Roman
Are you sure you need to tell them?
Lavinia
