“And you still eat cookie dough.”
“I love cookie dough and brownies and all the foods you probably don’t let yourself eat.”
“If you haven’t noticed, I’m a professional athlete and what I put in my body matters.”
“If you haven’t noticed, I’m actually happy. Where I live, it’s sunny. The birds are chirping. I smile and laugh and occasionally eat ice cream for breakfast. I’m alive.” Yes, I’m happy in general. Or I would be if my husband and I hadn’t just had our first argument, but I don’t say that because of our Marriage of Convenience Club rules.
His eyes flash and go dark. “You don’t know anything about me, Everly. Anyway, why should you care?”
My heart pinches because it’s obvious he’s masking pain of some sort. A wound, a hole. Emptiness. Yes, that’s what it is. Something is missing in his life.
Maybe it’s a coincidence that Grey and I were brought back together, or perhaps because I got a second chance after my health trouble, I can show him what it’s like to heal and really live.
Taking a deep breath, I say, “Greyson, I didn’t pay for a subscription to the Grump on Demand Network, yet that’s what I got. Lucky for you, there was a company merger and I’m bringing the sunshine. Cue the lights, the music, and the sparkle hands.”
I wave and wiggle my fingers, but don’t so much as get a grunt, a snort, or a ghost of a grin from behind his beard. And yet, I cannot tear my eyes from his lips, reminding me, once more, of the kissituation.
12
GREY
Before leaving Boston, I played phone tag with Ted Brown and his assistant Nancy. As soon as I get to my suite, I get a call back.
“Grey, it’s Ted. Good news or bad news first?”
“Is any of it good news?” I mutter.
“Bad news first to soften the blow. You do indeed need to be married in order to obtain custody.”
“And what’s the good news?”
“That you get to be married.”
How is that good news? But I don’t ask because likely he’ll have the same answer as Hammer when he gushed over Marsha. I can’t imagine being married to someone like the coach, Ted... or me. Gross. Even if you’re as slick as Declan or a charmer like Chase, peel back the outer layer and it’s all hair, sweat, and bone. Nothing soft or sweet. My mother used to sing a rhyme to Bran and me about snakes, snails, and puppy dog tails. That’s what little boys are made out of. Men too.
Why a woman would want to be with a beast like me is unfathomable.
“Ted, I have some news for you, too.” I clear my throat. “I am married.”
“Ha ha. Married to football. I know. And I have my money on you this season. But married to a woman, legally, in this country.”
“The problem right now is that I’m out of the country.”
“Well, you have one week to get your #BruiserButt back here, say I do, and claim custody.”
I swipe my fingers through my hair and they tangle. “You heard about that too?”
“I was ready to run interference if necessary.”
“Thanks. But I am married. True story.”
“Crazy weekend in Vegas? What happens there, stays there. Amiright?”
“You’re not wrong, but, um, I’m actually married to, um, a woman.”
“Well, that’s lucky. Any chance she wants to be a mother?”
“Status pending.”
