“When you frame it like that, I sound like an asshole.”
Beau lifts his brows. “Not to be a dick, but it was your honeymoon.”
I feel a vein throb in my neck. “It’s a fake fucking marriage. We both agreed it wouldn’t mean anything. Paige and I have mutually agreed upon goals and a deadline. It’s not like I left myrealwife behind after one night to talk to my ex.”
He scratches the back of his head. “Can I ask you a question? You said you’d keep things platonic. Did you cross any lines this weekend? Because I don’t really understand why she’d cry if you guys kept this strictly business.”
I freeze, the guilt I’ve held at bay all day hitting me like a sledgehammer. “She cried?” Goddamn it. I knew this was a bad idea. I stalk over to the drawer where I keep my keys. “Text me if the boys have any problems. I’ll be back.”
“Gonna go get your wife?” He smirks.
“Fuck off.” Of course I’m gonna go get my wife.
17
RHETT
Mid-knock,I stop to stare at my hands, which are still dirty. My boots are muddy, my shirt is torn, and I’m pretty sure there’s blood—my blood—on my jeans. Damn, I never cleaned up. I just heard Paige was upset and raced over here like a jackass.
The door swings open, and Sylvia crosses her arms. “You gonna stand out here all night, or are you coming in?”
I take off my grimy baseball cap. “Thank you, but I’m pretty filthy. Maybe I should wait out here. Can I speak with Paige?” I don’t know why I’m nervous, but with the way Sylvia’s glaring at me right now, I should probably make sure she’s not carrying any weapons.
She points behind her to the couch. “Sit.” I do as she asks, expecting she’ll get Paige. Instead, she perches on the coffee table across from me. “We need to get one thing straight. Paige might not be my daughter, but I love her like one. As her surrogate mother, I’m wondering why she was sleeping in my house two nights after she married you.”
I knew Sylvia was gonna grill me.
“It’s a long story.” Her no-nonsense expression tells me she’ll wait until I tell her everything, so I do. Minus the fact that I leftPaige naked in the hot tub after one of the most explosive sexual encounters of my life.
“I see.” She crosses her legs. “I’m going to be honest, Rhett. I know you and Paige are up to something. It’s not every day the town’s biggest bachelor up and marries someone no one has ever seen him date.”
Shit. “Sylvia, I?—”
“Stop talking.” I clamp my mouth shut, and she points at me. “I went along with your shenanigans because I love Paige, and I didn’t want her to be embarrassed by some half-assed wedding.”
That explains a lot. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I just wanted my girl to have one day where she felt like a princess. Because she is a great young woman with a huge heart, and she deserves all the good things this world has to offer. Irma treats her like shit and has for years, and if you add one ounce of pain to the burdens that girl carries, so help me God, you will regret it.”
Shamed, I stare at my dirty boots. “I didn’t mean to hurt her, I swear. I care about her, and I promised Danny I’d look after her.”
“Maybe start by not ditching her at an isolated cabin.”
I nod, hating that I disappointed Sylvia, but more disappointed in myself for hurting Paige. “I’d like to make it up to her if she’ll let me.”
“If you were wondering, the correct way to handle that situation was to bring your wifewith youand let her face your exwith you. And, for the record, she didn’t tell me those details. Like a good mother, I eavesdropped on her and Baylee.” She studies me a moment. “You know I get feelings, right? That I can sense things?”
All the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. I nod because everyone knows Sylvia has a sixth sense. I don’t usuallygo for that mumbo jumbo, but then again, I’ve never had Sylvia Reyes staring me down like this before.
Reaching out, she clasps my hand. “If you don’t embrace this marriage and try to make it work, I don’t see this ending well.” She turns my hand over, looks at my palm, and mutters, “Stubborn as the day is long.” After she studies it, she sits back. “Rhett, you can be happy in love, but not by doing what you’re doing.”
I promised Paige we wouldn’t tell anyone what we were up to, so I can’t explain to Sylvia that this marriage isn’t about love. I let out a frustrated breath. “I’m doing my best.”
She stands. “It’s not your best. You just think it is.”
Then she disappears down the hall.
Coming here was probably a mistake, but Sylvia is right about one thing. I need to treat Paige better.
