Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
The only thing that matters are my relationships with the people I love.
I don’t need my job—not the money, the stress, or the potential to hurt myself. I have no use for my father. I don’t want to be away from Blakely for long periods.
I want to travel with my wife. I want her to be proud of me and feel loved and wanted every minute of her life. Hang out at home and learn to garden. Nurture my relationships with my siblings and support my mother in her badass return to business. She’s gonna kill it. I want to be around to spoil Brock’s kid rotten … and have as many children as Blakely and God will allow us to have.
I want those things so badly that it takes my breath away.
“I’m retiring,” I say again. “I have my team working out the details this morning.”
“Why?” Gannon asks.
“I’m done. That’s really it. I’m done.”
Jason lifts his chin. “How is Blakely? Have you talked to her?”
My spirits sink.
“Actually, no. I haven’t. She flew to Vegas last night. She texted once but that’s all I’ve heard from her.”
“What are you going to do, Renn?” Mom asks.
All eyes are on me.
I get up from the table and grip the back of my chair. “I don’t know, Mom. I don’t want to pressure her or worsen it, but I’m not walking away. It’s not over.”
Bianca smiles. “I didn’t have you pegged to be the romantic, but I’m here for it.”
“Who did you think it was?” Gannon asks.
“Tate.”
“Makes sense,” Gannon says, sighing.
“I love her, guys. Somehow, I must convince her we’re the real deal—the forever kind.”
Bianca makes a face. “Why would she doubt it?”
“Because we were kinda drunk when we accidentally got married.”
“Oh, Renn,” Mom says, groaning.
Gannon chuckles.
“Look, Mother,” I say, pointing at her. “You could be a doll and say something sweet like it’s kismet. Or that the universe knew what it was doing, forcing us together. You’re not even trying.”
Bianca laughs.
“I’m sorry,” Mom says, holding out a hand. “You’re right. Clearly, this was meant to be.”
“See? That didn’t even hurt, did it?”
Mom shakes her head. “Oh, my child …”
Gannon sits back and crosses his arms over his chest. “I hate that I’m even getting involved in this, but let me get this straight—you want to prove to her that your accidental marriage was real?”
“Or that he wants it to be real,” Bianca counters.
“I want Blakely to know I might’ve married her while inebriated, but I meant my vows. I’d marry her all over again sober. How do I convince her of that?”
Bianca grins. “I have an idea …”
CHAPTER 29
Blakely
“Why do these women just fight all the time?” I dig the spoon into the tub of chocolate ice cream. “Oh, my gosh. Stop it. Don’t say that about her. You were just on a yacht with her two days ago.”
I stretch out in the bed. My foot hits my phone. I consider just kicking it off the end of the bed, but I don’t. It would be a bit more effort than I’m willing to give.
“Are you talking to yourself again?” Foxx’s voice tears me away from the television.
“You’re never going to believe it. Adria is pissed at Camille again.”
“The horror.”
I take a big scoop of ice cream and look at him. “Do I sense sarcasm?”
He just stares at me.
“Ugh,” I groan, going in for another scoop. “I’m trying to distract myself, Foxxy. You aren’t helping.”
He lifts a brow.
“I’m heartbroken over here,” I say, shoving another heaping spoonful of chocolatey goodness in my mouth. “Does this qualify as me leaving my husband? I mean I did, but—”
“You’re dripping ice cream down the side of your mouth. Swallow first.”
“That’s what he said.”
Foxx sighs, shaking his head.
“That was funny.” I point my spoon at him. “Come on.” I shove the spoon into the container, my spirits dwindling again. “What am I going to do?”
“I’m unsure why you think I’m here to give advice.”
“Because you’re the only friend I have here with me. You win by default.”
“Yay.”
I glare at him. “Do you even have friends in real life?”
“Blakely, I’m going home.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m going home. Someone will be coming to replace me today.”
My bottom lip trembles. Great. Now I’m getting emotional over the security guy. “You can’t leave me. We’ve bonded.”
“I’ll let you know before I go.”
“Fine. But do I get a say in your replacement?”
He holds his hands out, confused.
“I request Troy,” I say, lifting a glob of ice cream into my mouth.
“How do you even know him?”
“Ways.”
He points at me. “You missed.”
“What?” I look down at my shirt. A drop of melted ice cream is smack dab in the middle of my chest. “Oh. Shit. Eating with my left hand sucks.”
He takes the opportunity to sneak out. Bastard.
I flop back against the pillows and search for the remote. I can’t take any more of the arguing … that or it’s getting harder to be distracted.