Chapter 10

chapter

ten

Greyson

"You fucking did not tell her that!" Landry yells.

I rub the back of my neck. "I did."

"Are you an idiot? She was half naked and you just walked out?"

"Landry, stop being a pig for five minutes and listen to your brother," Brook says. She turns her gaze on me. "Why is she so hell bent on not staying married to you for the long haul?"

"Fuck if I know. I thought we were finally on the same page, ya know? I don't know what to make of it. She wants to fuck me, but not be my wife for more than what it takes to get her inheritance."

"That just doesn't sound like Annabelle," Landry says. "She's never been about money."

"She wants to secure it for Lizzie's kids. I get that. I respect that. But why is she so insistent that she can't stay married to me?"

"I need you to back up a little. What exactly did you tell her? Besides the withholding of sex—which I think can work in your favor."

"Well, I hope so because it makes me feel like a goddamn pussy."

"That's what I'm saying," Landry says. "I don't know any man that would walk away from willing pussy like that."

Brook clears her throat.

"Just yours, Manhattan. I don't want anyone else," Landry says.

"Damn straight. You sitting over there talking like you have an option." She holds up her left hand and points to her wedding band. "Consider this right here a collar around your dick."

"You're so damn sexy when you get all possessive like that," Landry says.

"Hello," I say. "Actual problem over here."

"Sorry," Brook says. "So, what did she say when you told her you love her? Did she say she doesn't feel the same?"

I open my mouth to answer, then stop.

"You didn't say that, did you?" my sister-in-law asks.

"No, but it's obvious. She has to know. Everyone knows I've been a goner for that girl forever," I say.

"Yes, it is obvious, but maybe not to her. If the only new aspect to your relationship is that now y'all are married and can have sex, then that does leave a lot of gaps unfilled," Brook says.

"You lost me."

"Men and women don't communicate the same. We might as well be speaking two different languages. What you might think is obvious to her because of things you've said and done over the last decade might not actually send the right message."

"What message am I sending?"

"I don't know. Only Annabelle can answer that. By the way, I am very much looking forward to meeting my new sister-in-law."

"I just want her to stay your sister-in-law. My wife. Whatever."

"Of course. Maybe start with telling her you love her."

"There's no way she doesn't already know that."