Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 139259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 696(@200wpm)___ 557(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 696(@200wpm)___ 557(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
Molly laughs nervously, and I groan again. “Mom, please.”
This woman is going to be the death of me.
“Oh, hush, now,” she says. “Molly, dear. Welcome to the family. We’re so lucky to have you.”
Lucky to have her.
My throat tightens, and I glance at Molly, who’s staring down at her lap, her expression unreadable.
“Thank you,” she whispers, and I wonder if my mom even heard her.
“Well, I’ll let you two go. I’m sure you’re both very busy.” My mom giggles.
Great, my mom has her head in the gutter.
Knowing her, she will probably start wondering when we will give her grandbabies. “But don’t be strangers. And, Hudson, don’t mess this up. Molly’s a keeper.”
The call ends, and the silence in the room feels heavier than before.
Molly sets the phone down slowly, her hands trembling slightly. “I can’t do it,” she says suddenly, her voice shaking.
“Can’t do what?” I ask, frowning.
“I can’t divorce you,” she says, meeting my eyes. “Not after that. Not after hearing how happy your mom is. At least not yet. I don’t want her to know the truth. We can just keep this up a little longer, and then we can—”
“Molly . . .”
“Hudson. You don’t understand. She welcomed me into her family like I’ve always been part of it.” Her voice breaks. “She’s so excited, Hudson. I can’t take that away from her. It won’t be forever, but long enough for you to get your deal and for your mom not to hate me.”
My chest tightens, and I stare at her, unable to speak.
She doesn’t have to do this.
She doesn’t owe me—or my mom—anything. But the fact that she cares enough to stay, even if it’s only for a short time, hits me harder than I expected.
“You don’t have to do this for her,” I say quietly.
“I know.” Her voice is steadier now. “But I want to. Your family . . . they’re incredible. They care about you so much. And if I can help make this whole thing easier, I will.”
I swallow hard, my throat burning. “Why are you like this?” My voice sounds rough, and I wonder if she can hear how moved I am by her words.
“Like what?” She frowns.
“Caring,” I say. “About my family. About me.”
She laughs softly, shaking her head. “Because someone has to.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and all I can do is stare at her.
“Molly,” I say, leaning closer. “You know this changes everything, right?”
She nods, her eyes meeting mine. “Yeah. I know.”
Fuck. I’m in way over my head. Because when the time comes, I’m not sure I’ll be able to let her go.
69
Molly
Cassidy: MOLLY SINCLAIR, EXPLAIN YOURSELF.
Josie: I wake up, check my phone, and BAM. “Hudson Wilde marries teammate’s sister in Vegas.” What is happening???
Cassidy: You MARRIED him??? Like . . . legally??
Molly: Can everyone calm down? It’s not a big deal.
Cassidy: Not a big deal??? GIRL, it’s literally a headline. I had to re-read it three times to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating.
Josie: Do we call you Mrs. Wilde now? Or do you prefer Hex Wilde?
Molly: I knew I shouldn’t have told you two about Hex.
Josie: To be fair, we loaded you with booze first.
Cassidy: Hex Wilde sounds like a supervillain. Fitting, honestly.
Molly: Stop. Both of you.
Josie: Oh, we’re just getting started.
Cassidy: Wait, wait. Tell me there was Elvis. There had to be Elvis.
Molly: I’m not answering that.
Josie: 😂 THAT’S A YES.
Cassidy: I am crying. Vegas weddings and Elvis?? This is iconic.
Molly: I hate you both.
Josie: No, you don’t. You’re just mad we found out through TMZ instead of you.
Cassidy: So mad. You couldn’t even send a “Hey, I married Hudson Wilde” text?
Molly: You’re acting like this was planned! It wasn’t. It just . . . happened.
Cassidy: “It just happened.” That’s your explanation? You tripped and fell into holy matrimony??
Josie: Did Hudson dare you? Tell me he dared you.
Molly: No, there was no dare!
Cassidy: So you chose this. Voluntarily.
Josie: Questionable decisions were made.
Cassidy: Extremely questionable.
Molly: Are you two done?
Josie: I’m never done. But seriously, Molls . . . are you okay? Like, for real?
Cassidy: Yeah. The media is going nuts. We’re joking, but you know we’re here if you need anything, right?
Molly: I’m fine. I promise. It’s just . . . a lot.
Josie: I bet. Having your entire life plastered across the internet sucks.
Cassidy: And having Hudson as a husband can’t help.
Molly: You have no idea.
Molly: Actually, Hudson is great.
Josie: I will say, you two are kind of . . . weirdly cute together? Like enemies-to-lovers, Vegas edition. You could write a book.
Molly: Don’t. Start.
Cassidy: 😂 She’s flustered. Did we hit a nerve, Mrs. Wilde?
Molly: Stop calling me that.
Josie: No chance.
Cassidy: Never happening.
Molly: You two are the worst.
Josie: But we love you. And if you need to hide, cry, scream, or plot Hudson’s murder, just say the word.