Page 86 of Honeymoon Phase
I hesitate with how to reply, chancing a glance at Max, who responds, “I know your marriage is total bullshit.”
I drop my cards and glare at Wyatt and Calder. “This was supposed to be a fucking secret.”
Wyatt points to Calder, who is pointing back at Wyatt.
“Everly told me,” Max relents, his eyes tight as he tosses his own chips into the middle.
“Do the ladies all know too?” I ask, looking at my three brothers. “Cozy? Dakota? Trista? Mom?”
They all three shake their heads, so I sigh with relief. “Just keep it quiet, okay? The more people who know, the harder this is going to get for me.”
“So, you guys aren’t...” Wyatt doesn’t finish his sentence because I can read his mind.
“No, we’re not... together,” I huff, tapping my cards on the table. “I mean... we’re getting closer for sure.” But I stop myself from revealing the sofa dry humping session and the fact that I got disgustingly close with her wet panties last week because they would taunt me mercilessly for that. And instead add, “But it’s still... just friends.”
“Jesus fuck, man, it’s been damn near a month,” Calder drawls, eyeing me with the most irritating wrinkled nose of judgment. “You’re getting married in two weeks.”
“I know,” I growl and rake my hand through my hair. “But it needs to come from her. I kissed her a couple weeks ago and shit got super weird afterward and we’re just still finding our way.”
Max shakes his head, clearly judging me.
“Don’t start, Max.”
“I didn’t say anything.” He holds his hands up in surrender.
“You’re giving me the dad look. Like I’m fucking fumbling this thing.”
“Well, Everly said you need to close the deal before the wedding, so what is your plan exactly if you only have a couple more weeks?”
“I don’t know anymore.” I turn my hat backward, pushing down the top of it. “I’m just trying to show her how good we are. All week she’s spent the night in my bed... just sleeping because she has issues with insomnia, and I swear she never sleeps as good as she does when she’s with me. That feels like a big deal, right? Like she must be comfortable enough with me to do that, right? I mean hell, I fucked my shoulder up holding her every night because I don’t want to move a muscle for fear of waking her up.”
“That’s really sweet, baby bro,” Calder deadpans.
“Shut up.”
“I’m being serious! That is sweet.” He frowns thoughtfully at me. “But maybe that’s the problem. You’re being too sweet, and you need to be a little savage instead.”
“That’s what our kiss was. It was...” My voice trails off as the memory of it causes a shiver to run down my spine.
“Maybe you need to take her out,” Max says, looking thoughtful and not judgmental for once in his life. “Get out of the cabin and take her somewhere that forces you to act like a couple.”
“We could all go out together,” Wyatt suggests, eyeing all of us. “You have to fake it in front of us, so... we can be your wingmen for the night.”
I frown and nod at that suggestion. “I don’t hate that idea.”
“There’s a band playing at the Mercantile tomorrow night,” Calder says, eyes bright and excited. “Let’s get all the ladies together and make it a couples night. Addison seemed to get along with them well last time they were all out.”
Last time they were all out, I kissed the fuck out of my wife, and she liked it.
This is a good idea. Maybe even a great idea.
“Addison seemed stressed after work today, so I think this is exactly what she needs. I’ll text her now.”
My brothers resume the game while I pull my phone out to text my wife.
Me:My brothers and the ladies want to go out tomorrow night. You up for it?
Roe:Good God yes. I could use a drink after seeing my dad today.
