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)
“Shit.” She sighs before going quiet. I want to agree with her, but I need to stay strong and pretend this will all work out.
It doesn’t help anyone for us both to be confused.
“All right, Hex.” I break the silence. “Let’s talk about this mess.”
She stiffens, her arms tightening around herself. “Where do we even start?”
“Well . . .” I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. How do I say this? If I blurt it out, she might get upset. Oh, who am I kidding? She will get upset no matter how I say this. There is no world where she doesn’t. “First off, you should know something.”
She looks at me, her eyes wary, like she’s bracing for bad news.
“We can’t get an annulment.”
“What?” She sits up so fast from where she was reclined, I’m afraid she might have pulled a muscle.
“This whole marriage thing?” I say, keeping my voice steady. “It’s good for me.”
Her brow furrows, and I can see the confusion and disbelief in her expression. “What?”
“Image-wise,” I clarify. “It’s good for my reputation. You know what people think of me. The playboy, the party guy, the guy who can’t keep his name out of the tabloids. But now? Now I’m a family man. Married to a teammate’s sister. It’s like the ultimate PR makeover.”
Her mouth falls open slightly, and I can tell she’s trying to figure out if I’m serious.
“Are you saying we should stay married for your reputation?” she asks, her voice sharp.
“Not exactly,” I say, holding up my hands. “I’m saying it’s worth considering not doing it right away. I just got my first endorsement offer that wasn’t from a condom company. Seven figures, Molly. That’s not nothing. And it’s not just about the money—it’s about showing people I’m not who they think I am.”
“Let me get this straight.” Her jaw tightens, and she shakes her head. “You want me to be your PR stunt?”
“That’s not what I mean.” Shit, that did come out wrong. “Look, this could work for both of us. It will be temporary, but we can figure it out. You’re already stuck with me, so—”
“Seriously, Hudson,” she snaps. “You get an endorsement deal, and what about me? What do I get out of this deal?”
I sound like a real asshole when she puts it that way.
My mind short-circuits.
Think.
Think of something to say that won’t make her storm out the door.
I open my mouth and then shut it.
Nope.
Nothing.
There’s no fixing this.
I really put my foot in my mouth this time.
I’m about to say anything—hell, I’ll beg for her forgiveness—when her phone buzzes on the coffee table.
She picks it up, glances at the screen, and freezes. “It’s your mom.”
“What?” I sit straight up. “Why is she calling you?”
“I don’t know,” she says, staring at the phone like it’s a ticking time bomb. Finally, she presses the speaker button.
“Molly, sweetheart.” My mom’s voice fills the room, bright and cheerful. Her normal, happy self. I don’t even have to hear what she says to know this won’t go well. “Oh, I’m so glad you picked up.”
“Hi, Mrs. Wilde.” Molly glances at me like she’s hoping I’ll save her.
“Call me Mary.” My mom laughs. “We’re family now, after all.”
Shit.
She knows, and by the look on Molly’s face, she’s come to the same realization as I have.
I groan, dragging a hand down my face. Of course, she knows.
It’s all over the news.
Plus, if that isn’t bad enough, Anna practically stalks me. She even has a damn Google alert that tells her whenever someone posts about me.
“Anna saw something online,” my mom continues, oblivious to my growing mortification. “When she told me, I thought she was joking, but then I was like . . . well, that makes sense. I’m not blind.”
“What do you mean?” Molly croaks.
“I could see the way Hudson looked at you that night at dinner. It was obvious something was going on. It makes sense. You’re perfect for him, after all.”
I look over at Molly, who is currently mouthing the word, “Perfect.” Her eyes are wide, and she looks very confused, but she shakes her head after a second.
Molly bites back a laugh. “Thank you.”
“Oh, honey, I’m so happy for you both.” Jeez, my mom is gushing. I need to put an end to this, or she’s liable to say something really embarrassing.
“Hi, Mom,” I cut in, making my presence known and hoping that’s enough to stop her.
“Hudson, what am I going to do with you?”
“You’re going to have to be more specific, Mom.”
“You keeping this a secret. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Uh . . . surprise?” I scratch the back of my neck. God, I sound awkward. Not what I want Molly to see, but whenever my mom is around, I revert to a momma’s boy.
She laughs. “Well, you’ll have to come visit soon. I want to hear all about the wedding. And, Molly, I need to know everything—how did he propose? Was it romantic? Did he cry?”