Page 99 of All Tied Down

“This is good, right?” he asks, but I think it’s more rhetorical than anything. But I feel it too. We should be happy about this.

But now it’s complicated.

“Yes,” I manage as another message pops up.

THEO: One of you better answer me

THEO: I don’t care which one

EMERSON: Thank you

THEO: You’re welcome

THEO: Was that so hard?

EMERSON: It’s too early for your sass

THEO: You’ve been married too long. It’s practically the middle of the day

Glancing at the time, I confirm that it’s not even nine yet.

EMERSON: Liar

THEO: (gif of woman gasping dramatically)

THEO: I would never

EMERSON: Moving on…

THEO: Des and I will take care of securing the items you both purchased last night

EMERSON: It’s Saturday. Take the day off

THEO: Breakfast is being delivered

EMERSON: TAKE THE DAY OFF

THEO: Do NOT use that tone with me missy

“He really is a lot of fun, isn’t he?” I tease Garrett who rolls his eyes before snatching my phone from my hand and tossing it over the side of the bed. “Hey!”

My outburst dissolves into giggles as Garrett drags me down the bed and pins me under him while nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck.

“I’m definitely more fun.”

“Prove it.”

And he does.

Repeatedly.

39

GARRETT

It’s the perfect night for a baseball game, seeing as the week following the fundraiser pulled Emerson and me in two different directions. Lachlan, Maverick, and I grieved the finality of Darren’s departure from the band. I didn’t receive any more messages from him, but I blocked him all the same.

I needed a clean break both for my heart and my head. As a result, Mav, Lach, and I played some of our heavier stuff, the tension and angst cathartic as we let it all out.