Just like that, I’m not hard anymore.
“Maggie,” I say breathlessly, “I was doing something important, now I’m going to die.”
“Shut up and listen to me.”
Her tone of voice makes me sit up straighter against the couch cushions.
“Let me guess, I’m trending again?”
“No, shocker. But, media outlets are suspecting that your marriage is a sham.”
I let out a breath. “Why the fuck now? We had a wedding in Tennessee, like you asked.”
“Because she lives in Los Angeles, and you live in Tennessee.”
“Okay, and what would you like me to do about that?”
Maggie’s tone is clipped and businesslike. “What I want you to do is make this look believable,” she snaps. “She needs to move in with you in Tennessee as soon as possible.”
I blink, chest still rising and falling, every cell in my body trying to switch gears from fantasy to crisis mode.
“You’re serious?” I manage to ask, already knowing the answer.
She doesn’t bother with pleasantries.
“I’ve got Sports Weekly, TMZ, and two fucking sponsorship reps breathing down my neck about your tattooed wife. So, unless you want this deal to blow up in your face before the season starts, I suggest you get her on a plane and play house like your career depends on it, because it does.”
Before I can even muster a half-assed response, she hangs up.
Well, fuck me.
I glance over at Rex, who’s sitting in his cat tower, staring at me, but this time he doesn’t hiss.
“Well, Rexy poo, pack your bags, you’re moving to Tennessee.”
He flicks his tail and hisses.
I groan, pulling myself upright and tossing the useless blanket off my lap. My whole body still feels raw and tense. My mind is racing, already trying to figure out how the hell I’m going to persuade the woman who’s been actively avoiding me—emotionally and physically—to uproot her life and move in with me in rural Tennessee.
Maverick
You done yet? We need to have an important convo
Amelia
I have one more session. Just tell me now.
Maverick
Noppeeeeeee. I know you miss me
Amelia
Clearly. Whatever, see you in eight hours.
It’s beenfive hours since she left for her all-day, eight-hour tattoo session.
And I’m losing my fucking mind.
