36. Christa

“FNGand I have a very similar love story,” Honey beamed as he stared at her husband.

“Yeah? How did you meet him?”

She sipped her mimosa, grinning as she finger-waved at FNG. “At a bar. I’m telling you, our story is just like yours.”

“Is your father a minister, too?”

“Well, no, he was the leader of a drug cartel. Well, technically, that was my mother.”

“Oh,” I answered, not sure where to go with that. “But you got married after a drunken night?”

She winced. “Again, not exactly. We were sort of forced to get married. But we’re still together,” she beamed.

Okay, I still wasn’t seeing the similarities. “Um…were you both drunk?”

She shook her head. “Not in the least.”

“So, basically, the only similarities are that we both met our spouses in a bar.”

“Well, I guess if you want to see it that way.”

That was the only way to see it. I wasn’t sure how she thought anything else even came close. “So, what do you do now?”

“I’m still trying to figure that out. Obviously, since my mother and father had secret identities, I’m feeling a little lost at the moment.”

“Obviously,” I nodded, unsure of what else to say.

“But I was thinking of branching out, maybe going into a different line of work than a bartender,” she grinned.

“I’m thinking of doing something similar,” I said, my interest piqued. “What are you thinking of doing?”

She shrugged. “Maybe joining OPS. I know I could never do what the guys do, but FNG has been teaching me how to shoot. It’s very cathartic.”

Yeah, that wouldn’t be my line of work. I was beginning to think I wouldn’t find anything in common with these people. “I was thinking something along the lines of helping people, maybe going into counseling.”

“Therapy is important,” she agreed. “I like that way of thinking. Maybe you could incorporate some techniques the guys could use.”

“Oh, I’m not there yet. I would have to go back to school.”

But now that she had the bit between her teeth, she ignored me completely. “Fox is like…a professional knife thrower. And they target trees, so there would be no danger involved.”

“Like I said, I still have to go back to school.”

“Hey, Fox!”

“Honey, I’m really not?—”

“What’s up, spouse of FNG? Still sweet?” he grinned.

“Christa wants to go into therapy, and I was thinking about how you throw knives!”

“Ooh, I’m dying to get back into that. No pun intended,” he winked. “Yeah, after being on hiatus for a while, I’m ready to get back into the swing of things. I actually brought them with me. There’s no better time to get out there and hone your skills than when coconuts are plentiful.”

“I’m really?—”

I was hauled out of my seat and guided out of the hut. I looked back for Max, hoping he would save me, but he was deep in conversation with Scottie. The sand slid between my toes as he dragged me off unwillingly to a nearby palm tree.

“Alright, now plant your feet like this,” he said, showing me his stance.

I adjusted my feet, but my nerves skittered out of control. This wasn’t me. I wasn’t interested in learning how to kill things. “You know, I think we need to slow down. I don’t?—”

“Just relax,” he chuckled. “We’ll take it slow. I won’t pop your cherry that fast,” he teased.

I blushed bright red and tried to relax into his arms. This felt wrong, and more than anything, I wished Max would come over here. “So, you want to hold the knife like this,” he said, positioning my hand around the knife, “Now, you’re going to draw back and?—”

His body was hauled away from mine so fast that I almost fell to the ground. I spun around as I heard flesh connecting with flesh. Max was standing over Fox, throwing his fist into his face. I gasped, rushing over to them.

“Max! What are you doing?”

“Keep your hands off her!” Max shouted.

“I was just showing her how to throw a knife!”

“She’s not yours to teach!”

Max was losing his shit, all over Fox teaching me how to stand. What the hell? I grabbed Max by the arm, desperate to get him to stop. He turned to me, scowling as his eyes zeroed in on where my hands were locked around his bicep.

“Enough,” I said quietly. “This is insane.”

“He touched you,” Max snarled.

I stared at him in confusion. This couldn’t possibly be some insane form of jealousy. Max didn’t even want me like that. He totally flipped out when he found out we were married. Rightly so. I wasn’t too thrilled either, but I also wasn’t marking my territory like a mad woman.

I pulled him away as he adjusted his hat and forced the anger down. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Nothing,” he snapped.

“That wasn’t nothing. He has a wife. It wasn’t like anything was going to happen.”

“I know that. Forget it,” he sighed. “It’s just the hangover.”

“Maybe we should call it a day. I could use a nap.”

“It’s only been an hour,” he pointed out.

“The way this day is going, the sooner it ends, the better we’ll be. Besides, I still have to call my dad and try and explain why I vanished.”

“What are you gonna tell him?”

I shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know. I can’t tell him I got married. He would flip.”

“You know, it’s none of my business, but maybe it’s about time your dad sees who you really are.”

“And who’s that?” I asked.

“Someone who’s trying to figure it all out. Fuck him,” he growled. “You’re an adult. Either he loves you or he doesn’t. Simple as that.”

“Sure, to you. You don’t care what anyone thinks.”

“And you shouldn’t either. I mean, aside from this whole marriage thing. We might have fucked that one up a bit.”

“You think?” I said sarcastically.

“Hey, don’t put this on me.”

“I wouldn’t be here if Scottie hadn’t called me to come save your butt,” I snarled.

As if a light went off, we both turned back to the bar where Scottie was living it up with his wife. When he turned and saw us both glaring at him, he took a step back, then pulled his wife in front of him.

“Coward,” I grumbled. “Why did he call me over?” I asked Max.

“Beats me. I was drunk.”

“Right…” I tried to think back to the details of last night…or the night before? I was so messed up that I didn’t even remember what day it was. “I guess it doesn’t matter. It’s done and over with. The only thing we can do now is reverse this entire situation. Know any good lawyers?”

He slid his sunglasses down his nose. “You remember who I am, right? Does it look like I know any good lawyers?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you punched someone or slept with someone’s wife.”

“That probably did happen, but I’ve never had someone sue me over it. Knock on wood,” he laughed.

I rolled my eyes at him. “I’m finding out when we’re leaving.”

I stomped back through the sand to Cash, ready to end this miserable day. “Cash,” I smiled sweetly for him. “When are we leaving?”

“You have a full week down here, all courtesy of OPS,” he grinned.

“Right,” I frowned. “Um…but we want an annulment, so if we could fly home tomorrow, that would be great.”

“An annulment?” he chuckled. “You just got married. Slow down and think it over.”

“That’s the point,” I snapped. “There was absolutely no thinking involved. We’re not staying married.”

“But—”

“No buts. This was not a smart decision. Neither of us wants this, and frankly, I’m a little ashamed that you didn’t try to stop it.”

He stiffened, standing up taller. “I was just doing what I thought was best for both of you. It’s clear you want to be together.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” I argued. “Max is…he doesn’t want to be with anyone. Whatever you thought you were going to accomplish, it failed. Miserably.”

“Alright. I hear you. We’ll head out first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you,” I said, breathing a sigh of relief.

“No problem. But do one thing for me. Come to dinner tonight. We’ll have a little party to celebrate the annulment.”

I guess that couldn’t do any harm. And we were on an island. It wouldn’t be the worst thing to enjoy one night. “Alright, I need a nap first, though.”

“You bet. And take the grouch with you. Make sure he doesn’t get drunk before dinner even starts.”

“I make no guarantees.”

This timewhen I woke up, it wasn’t to Max freaking out. I had somehow rolled into him during our nap and snuggled right up to him. The warm breeze from the ocean, combined with the fan blowing overhead, was just enough to settle me back into a peaceful doze.

Max had his arm draped around my body, hugging me to him. I’d never felt so relaxed in all my life. When I was in his arms, it felt like the world slowed to a stop. I didn’t have to have everything figured out, and all those expectations I placed on myself were long gone. There was something freeing about being with someone like him.

But it wouldn’t last.

I knew it deep in my soul, which was why I didn’t allow myself to dream about what could be. This was my last night with Max. After that, we’d return to Kansas and everything would go back to the way it was. It had to…because Max would never change. He would never consider having a different life, one beyond his hat and his cigars and his many, many shots of tequila. As much as I enjoyed this time with him, it wasn’t sustainable.

I rolled over, stretching from my four-hour nap. I had just enough time to shower and lotion up before we had to leave for dinner. Thankfully, one of the ladies brought me some clothes and undergarments to wear. I didn’t bother to learn their names. That would be too much like trying to fit into their world when I knew I’d be leaving them all behind.

I pulled my bikini off and tossed it on the floor, then stepped into the shower, waiting for the water to turn cool. I was just dipping my head under the cool water when arms wrapped around me. I closed my eyes, trying to find the willpower to tell him to leave. I couldn’t keep doing this. It was my new motto in life. I had to move forward—to find a way past the vicious cycle I was trapped in.

“Max, we shouldn’t…”

“Technically, we’re married. I don’t think it matters much at this point.”

His lips skimmed across my shoulders, leaving a wet trail behind that I couldn’t argue with. I spun in his arms. “What the hell.”

My lips connected with his in a heated kiss. All my thoughts of ending this flew out the window the moment I felt his skin against mine again. I knew this was only going to get harder, but I just couldn’t bring myself to care.

It was fast and rough, fed out of a sense of desperation we both knew was building. And when it ended, I was left a panting mess, pushed up against the shower wall with only his hands holding me up. My chest heaved and my muscles spasmed, but I never felt better in my life.

He chuckled against my neck as he pressed kisses all along my throat. “That’s one way to save water.”

“I’m pretty sure we didn’t,” I panted. “And now we’re going to be late.”

“Fuck ‘em. Make ‘em wait.”

I nodded in agreement—aside from the swearing. They got us into this mess. They could wait until we were ready. After toweling off and dressing at lightning speed, I was ready for my final night on the island. I briefly thought of calling my parents, but since we were leaving in the morning, there wasn’t much point.

I felt like I was glowing as Max and I walked hand in hand down the beach to the restaurant. With the sun still shining and the waves crashing along the shore, it was impossible to feel angry about any of this. I’d probably laugh about it in a few months.

Everyone was waiting for us in the restaurant, and it was Cash who stood to make a toast as we arrived. “To the happy couple!”

I rolled my eyes, and Max flipped him off. We both knew what this was. There was no point in pretending it would ever be more. I took my seat and immediately reached for my drink. I was becoming way too used to this, but we were on vacation—sort of—so I figured it didn’t matter. I would set new life goals when I got home.

“So, any thoughts on how you’ll spend your final night on the island?” Quinn asked.

“Why? Did you want to join us?”

The smile on her face immediately fell. “Uh…no. That’s?—”

“I was joking.”

“Don’t worry about her,” Scottie grinned. “She has an aversion to hanging out with other people. Not that you didn’t gross her out with the weird invitation, but she was more terrified at the thought of having to spend time with you.”

“Oh, well… I’m glad my invitation wasn’t too terrible,” I laughed. “Maybe I could make it even better by suggesting we get coffee sometime.”

If she was horrified before, she was downright terrified now. “I…don’t actually drink coffee.”

“I was joking,” I said, trying to console her. “It wasn’t a real invitation. In fact, when I get home, I’m sure we’ll never see each other again.”

She slumped in her chair. “Oh, thank God. You just never know. I mean, before, I could move from place to place and get away from everyone, but now,” she said, holding up her left hand. “I’m sort of stuck where I am.”

“Hey,” Scottie frowned.”I’m right here.”

“You knew this about me when we met. Don’t pretend like this is some big surprise.”

Her phone rang and she grimaced. “It’s them.”

“Don’t answer!” Scottie said, immediately on edge.

“But—”

“If you love me, you’ll never answer again.”

She rolled her eyes and answered the phone. She didn’t need to put it on speakerphone for everyone within a mile radius to hear.

“Mo—”

“Where have you been? I’ve been calling and calling and you don’t answer!”

I cringed at the voice coming through the speaker. It was like a horrible nightmare. And I thought my parents were bad.

“We’re on vacation.”

“Vacation?” a male voice shouted. “Where? It better not be Boca!”

“I don’t know! I just got on the phone. If you want to hear, pick up the other phone!”

“Mom!” Quinn shouted. “I’m at a wedding.”

“Oh, a wedding. Kind of like the wedding you had without your father and me. We weren’t invited to that either!”

“Mrs. Costanza!” I smiled, pointing my finger at the phone. “That’s who she reminds me of.”

Quinn shot me a look I didn’t quite understand. “Mom, I said I was sorry. What more do you want?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you could name your first born after me. Then again, it’s not like you care enough to actually think of your father and me. Who are we? We’re just your parents. No one important like that man you’re seeing.”

“I’m not seeing him. He’s my husband,” Quinn stressed.

“Just hang up the phone,” Scottie hissed.

“A husband you didn’t want to introduce us to,” her father roared. “Who does he think he is? I’m not good enough to meet the man my daughter married?”

“You talked to him on the phone!” Quinn shouted back.

“I could take him. I was a champion wrestler in my day. I think I still have my uniform!”

“You couldn’t fit in that! You’re at least fifty pounds heavier! And I saw that mole on your back. No one else wants to see that!”

“Quinn, I’m begging you,” Scottie pleaded. “Just end the call!”

“It’s not a mole! I got that serving my country. I was forced to sleep with a woman for intelligence information. It was a passionate night until she stabbed me in the back. I had to run back to base with my manhood swinging around. The guys never let me forget that.”

Scottie dropped his head to the table, thunking it over and over again. “Ravioli, ravioli, ravioli,” he muttered.

“Oh, like you could shock anyone with your penis!” the woman yelled. “Everyone else has them! I don’t see what the big deal is!”

Max walked past Quinn, frowning at Scottie banging his head on the table. “Who the fuck is that?”

“It’s my father,” Quinn muttered.

“You want to know who I am?” her father shouted. “Is that your boyfriend? Put him on the phone. I’ll take him.”

“It’s not my boyfriend!”

“Why the fuck is he yelling at me?” Max asked.

“You think you could take me?”

Max snatched the phone out of Quinn’s hand and held it in front of his face. “I could take you, old man.”

“Old man! I’ll show you old man! I know sunsigue!”

“That’s not even a thing!”

“It’s an ancient form of karate!”

“That’s bullshit.”

“I’ll prove it!” the old man shouted. “You and me on the corner. I’ll take you and all your friends!”

“I’m not fighting an old geezer on the corner. You might break a hip.”

“I’ll take out my hip replacement and beat you over the head with it!”

Max flinched back, shaking his head at the phone. He ended the call and dropped it on the table. “Fucking nut job.” He looked up at us staring at him. “What?

“Uh, that was Quinn’s dad,” I said, hiding a smile.

Max grunted. “You should really do something about that.”