He gave me a family, and for that, I would have done anything for him.
But the moment I woke up with that wedding ring on my finger, my priorities shifted.
My world shifted.
And now, Presley is my world.
I won’t jeopardize that.
“I don’t know what to tell you.” I shrug, shoving my hands in my pockets, and sticking with the story we tell everyone. That’s all he’ll get from me. I won’t betray my wife’s trust. “We started talking after I called her that night she was at your parents’, and we just fell for each other.”
Leaning against one of the shelves, he asks, “And Jace?” He doesn’t know about Jace? Man, he really is out of the loop.
“Dumped him a while ago.”
“Thank fuck. That guy is…” He shakes his head.
“In jail,” I finish, figuring I can at least share that bit of information for his peace of mind.
“Seriously?”
“Yup, and he’ll stay there for a long time, if I have anything to say about it. Fucking deserves it after what he did.”
His face blanches. “Did he?—”
“No.” I shake my head. “No. But I can’t say any more. Your sister doesn’t want anyone to know.”
Those blue eyes of his watch me like he’s still trying to piece me together. “Okay.” He nods. He pushes off the shelf and walks a few steps. “Okay. That’s fine. As long as you’re sure he’s gone.”
“He’s gone.” I hired Pres the best lawyer money could buy. Money makes me uncomfortable, but when it comes to her safety, I’m grateful to have it.
“Good. That’s good. But I’m still stuck on a few details when it comes to you and Pres.”Of course you are.
He begins slowly walking the length of the room. Why do I suddenly feel like I’m being interrogated? “You and my sister start talking on the phone, right? You’re in Nashville. She’s here. And in a matter of weeks, you decide to uproot your life, relocate, and get married? Am I getting that right? ’Cause none of that seems like shit Presley would do.”
“We got married in Vegas.”
He pivots on his heels to face me. “Come again?”
“We went to Vegas for Presley’s birthday, and getting married was sort of a spur-of-the-moment sort of thing.”
He glares at me. “Was alcohol involved in this decision?”
I shrug. “Maybe a little.”
He lets out a frustrated groan. “I really don’t want to have to kick your ass.”
“Well, I’m not allowed to kick yours. According to your sister, you’re just a big softie.”
“Like hell I am.” He snorts. “Pretty sure I saved your ass a time or two.”
“Yeah.” I nod. “You did. You were more than just a best friend to me back then, Hendrix. You were family. You still are. I know you might doubt my feelings for Pres, but I fucking love that woman. She’s it for me. Hell, I love her so much, I just asked her to marry me again.”
His mouth quirks. “I’m not sure you can do that.”
“People renew their vows all the time.”
“Yeah, when they’re like fifty.” He snorts.
