Chapter 16

Eliza

Coleson stopped by the shop with my favorite drink this morning. I assumed, after a chaste kiss from his sweet lips, that it’d be a good day. I hadn’t expected him—or the kiss—that’s for sure. It was nice, and of course, my little romantic heart turned to goo. I had to remind myself that this is a marriage of convenience and he probably kissed me for good luck. He knew I was nervous after our call last night, but what he didn’t know was that it was more than nerves. I feel guilty for the planned lie, so the drink and the kiss were a little push I hadn’t realized I needed. It made me feel like this would all work out. That all would go off without a hitch.

I was dead wrong.

All the eyes of my family are set on me, and the tension is unbearable. Even on FaceTime, Austen’s jaw is gaping, and her eyes are wide. My sisters match her expression, while my peepaw just looks like he wants to flip the table, sending our food and drinks flying. I swallow nervously, willing myself not to be embarrassed or even ashamed of my choices. I want this. I want to help Coleson. I won’t be jealous of my sisters’ relationships or yearn for something, when I already have it. Even if it is all fake in Coleson’s eyes, at least I’ll be moving toward something I want, and I’ll be helping someone.

Someone I’m totally attracted to and have convinced to give me an orgasm daily.

No big deal. No problems to be had. All will be just fine. So fine. I’m fine.

Everything is just fine.

“You got married?” Louisa asks, her eyes scrutinizing me, along with the rest of my family.

“To whom?” Clara asks incredulously, her brows furrowed.

“And why haven’t you said you were dating anyone?” Elliot adds.

“Why weren’t we invited?” Austen inquires, her voice sad and basically kicking me in the gut.

I was expecting this reaction. We’re all one another has. It’s only been us five, and we love one another. We have protected one another all our lives. And they weren’t there on my special day. I should tell them it was neither special nor real, just to ease the hurt, but I have to protect Coleson. I don’t know why I have this burning need to protect him, but I do. Even if it’s fake, he’s my husband.

I’m so fucked.

Peepaw’s eyes are dark as he stares at me. “Please tell me it isn’t one of my hockey players.”

Oh…well, shit. I wasn’t expecting that. “Um, okay, lots of questions,” I say with a nervous chuckle. I take a long drink of my sweet tea to give myself more time as they all gawk at me. “So, what are everyone’s plans after this?”

“Eliza,” Louisa warns. “Start talking.”

I gulp as I hold her gaze. She’s my best friend and I don’t want to lie to her, but I have no choice. They’ll all freak if they know I did this for a coffee shop. They just wouldn’t understand how badly I need this. Especially after Clara had revealed she’s starting a mobile dog service that would take dogs to the park daily. I mean, come the fuck on! She’s a genius. Even I want to ride in a cool bus with the puppies and go play. It’s a dream job, and it’s perfect for my doggy-loving sister.

As I look around the table, I’m in awe of my sisters, and I want to be like them. Sometimes I feel like a poor excuse for an older sister. It was always more Louisa and Austen who ran things. I just was there. I’ve always been just there. While the younger two aren’t involved with anyone, they’re both killing it at life. I feel stuck.

I can’t tell them that, though.

I’m the optimistic one.

But lately, I haven’t felt that, which is why I think I jumped in with both feet at Coleson’s idea.

“Well,” I start before exhaling a deep sigh. I look down at my drink, so I don’t have to look in their eyes like the coward I am. “We’ve been dating on and off for over a year. Mainly just, er…” I pause, flashing my peepaw a shy look.

“Just say it,” he demands, watching me.

“Just friends with benefits. And we started it up again a couple months ago, and things got serious quick. I’ve been in love with him ’cause it’s me. I love love,” I say with a flip of my hand, laughing. But no one laughs. They just stare at me. “Come to find out, he fell for me and asked me to marry him. It was rash and quick, but we plan on having a huge party in a year or so.”

I need to remember to tell Coleson that last part.

Just in case someone asks.

Maybe I’ll still have a big party.

A divorce party.

Austen’s voice fills the space. “Who is he? Have we met him?”

I shake my head. “No. Since I didn’t think it’d get serious, I didn’t bring him around. And then it all happened so fast. Truly, it’s ’cause Louisa has left me alone so much,” I say with a laugh. But once more, no one finds me funny. “I’m just kidding.”

“Eliza,” Elliot snaps, and something in her eyes makes me feel like she knows. “Who is it?”

I hesitate, and my stomach does flips. I clear my throat, and with the biggest and brightest smile imaginable, I hope they believe me as I say, “Coleson Katz. The owner of Drippy Drip and one of your players, Peepaw.”

The silence is deafening. The tension is suffocating, and all I can do is sit there. I watch as Elliot looks at Peepaw, and their eyes meet as Peepaw’s face and neck turn bright red. I almost take cover since I’m sure he’s about to flip the table. “Coleson Katz,” he repeats, his eyes narrowed to slits.

“Coleson Katz,” Elliot seethes, and while I’m confused, I flash them both a winning grin.

“Yup. He’s wonderful, and I know he has a bit of a reputation, but he did all that when we were apart. He thinks he was acting out because he didn’t understand his feelings for me. You know, stupid guy stuff,” I say with a cheery laugh, but no one even smiles. My laugh dies off, and I press my lips together. Elliot and my peepaw are still staring at each other as if they’re having a conversation through telepathy.

I need to stop reading paranormal romance.

“A bit of a reputation,” Clara muses, shaking her head. “He’s the town slut.”

“He’s slept with everyone,” Louisa adds, her eyes burning into mine.

“Liza, even I know about him. He slept with a teammate’s wife, and Dimitri says that’s worse than doing drugs.”

“Don’t be dramatic. Drugs are way worse,” I say, waving her off. “And I know he’s done some stupid stuff, but haven’t we all? He’s turning over a new leaf, and he’s really good to me.”

“If he’s so great, why haven’t you ever talked about him?” Louisa asks, her words bringing my attention to her. “We talk about everything, and you’re telling me you’ve been sleeping with this guy for a year and never said a thing? What happened to swearing off guys?”

I knew this wasn’t going to be easy, and I hate how my eyes itch from tears wanting to escape. I inhale deeply, pushing my shoulders back. I may need two orgasms a day after this. “It wasn’t serious between us, Lou.”

“And?” she asks, and it kills me to see the hurt in her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I know this is a lot, and whoa, I jumped the gun. I know. But truly, I’m so happy.”

They don’t believe a word I’m saying. When Elliot pulls her gaze from my peepaw’s, she looks at me, and I smile. “What’s wrong? You two are acting weird.”

She nods slowly. “I’m gonna head out.”

“Don’t, Elliot,” Peepaw says, clutching her hand. “We’ll have a meeting.”

“Sure. After I have a meeting of my own,” she snaps, pushing back her chair.

“Elliot?” Louisa asks, but our younger sister just throws up her hand to stop her. She’s furious, and I don’t understand. I knew they’d be hurt they weren’t there, but I wasn’t expecting her to be shaking mad. The flush is deep in her fair skin, dark red creeping up her neck and jaw to her cheeks.

Peepaw tries to grab her wrist, but she shakes it out of his grip. “Elliot!” I yell, standing up, my chair falling back behind me.

“What is going on?” I ask my peepaw, but he is already standing up. He doesn’t spare me a glance or even a word. He follows my sister, and I can’t help but do the same. I have a bad feeling, and I think I know where she is going.

Right to my husband.