Page 12 of All Tied Down

And the worst part is now that we’re alone, the last thing I want to do is fuck at all.

4

GARRETT

Iwatched a myriad of emotions flit across Emerson’s beautiful face after everyone left, like she was filing everything away, her businesswoman façade slipping easily into place. In the office, I’d been turned on seeing her so capable and in charge, but it feels different here.

In the last few hours, we not only lost the intimate connection we created but the comradery as well.

Declining dinner, Emerson retired to the spare bedroom stating that we’d reconvene in the morning because she had work to do that didn’t stop for a fake marriage and a rock star with a personnel issue.

I didn’t think mentioning that our marriage is very real according to the state of Nevada would do me any favors, and despite wanting to throw a dick joke in there, I refrained. I hadn’t planned for this version of my lovely bride. She’d been calculatingly carefree in Vegas, allowing herself just enough freedom to have some fun without completely letting loose.

On the other hand, if marriage from a lost bet is her restrained, I bet Emerson Andrews is a hell of a good time—one I probably wouldn’t survive. She pretty much drank me under the table every time we went out and still woke up fresh and devoid of a hangover.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I pull it out, sighing at the onslaught of questions that will undoubtedly filter onto the screen before I can even unlock the damn thing.

COLT: I know that I didn’t learn from social media that you’re fucking married

COLT: MARRIED

COLT: To Emerson Andrews

ROAN: I think he’s talking about you, Garrett

I snort out a laugh as I type out a reply, knowing full well how pleased Roan is with himself for that one. Much like Emerson, this sarcastic and playful side of Roan is something few people get to experience.

And it’s a shame because the guy is hilarious when he wants to be.

He’s one-third of our trio, Colt Harrington—the shortstop for the Illinois Blues—being the other. A high-powered lawyer, a professional baseball player, and a rock star walk into a bar. Sounds like the start of a bad joke, but we’ve been thick as thieves since college. The bond that we forged remains unbreakable which is great considering fame found each of us in our own right.

GARRETT: I’m sorry—I went to talk to Emerson today and apparently didn’t do a great job being discreet

ROAN: “apparently”

COLT: That’s it? You went and visited her and now people think you’re married?

GARRETT: I don’t know. I didn’t think I was followed but she’s having her security team look into it. We don’t know what happened yet

COLT: But we got home from Vegas over a week ago…

COLT: What the fuck man?

GARRETT: Maybe someone in the clerk’s office saw our marriage certificate

GARRETT: We were going to get an annulment

COLT: YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD US

GARRETT: Why isn’t Roan getting yelled at?

COLT: Because Roan didn’t stand in front of Elvis and say I DO without telling me

GARRETT: How do you know Elvis was there?

ROAN: I think the more important question is why she agreed to stay married to you?

GARRETT: I’m a fucking catch