Chapter 22 Spencer Nash

Your Husband Was Released

Two Days After the Wedding

The alarm wakes me up at six, and Grace doesn't move.

It's the second time we've shared a bed, but the first time, we were blackout drunk, and the second time, we were both exhausted after a full day that started with a hangover.

We made it through dinner, and we had fun at the burlesque show afterward—which my parents opted not to attend, thankfully. But it was late by the time we got back, and I'm pretty sure Grace fell asleep on my shoulder for a few minutes in the car on the way back to the Palms.

All in all, it was a nice night, though not what I would've expected for my first day as a married man.

Since all my brothers know, and everyone who's here attending Grayson's bachelor week knows, I have a feeling word will get out to the media soon that we tied the knot—if it hasn't already.

I haven't spent much time on my phone looking, but I wouldn't put it past a wedding chapel in Vegas wanting the free publicity of letting the world know a pro athlete used their facilities for his wedding .

And if the media gets hold of the news, it won't be long before Grace's family finds out.

These are the thoughts swirling around my brain as I get dressed for the first event on today's bachelor party itinerary, an early morning hike at Red Rock Canyon.

I'm just tying my shoes when Grace rolls over then sits up.

"Morning," she says softly, her voice raspy from sleep. "Is it time for the hike already?"

"Morning. And yes. Did you want to join us?"

She clears her throat. "Do I have time?"

I nod. "We have about twenty minutes before we're meeting. I was going to go downstairs and grab something to eat."

"Order me whatever you're having. I'll be right down."

I nod, and she heads to the bathroom. Day two of being married feels somehow different from day one. Day one was hangovers and confusion. Day two is starting our new normal, which apparently means early morning hikes and yogurt parfaits with coffee for breakfast.

She joins me ten minutes later, her hair pulled back into a ponytail as she wears sweatpants and a Vikings T-shirt.

I chuckle when I see her shirt. "You do know your husband was released, right?"

She lifts a shoulder. "Skol for life, babe."

I laugh at her reference to the war chant cried by our fans.

"Get me a Storm shirt, then," she says. "I'll wear it."

"Deal."

I nod toward the untouched yogurt parfait waiting for her, and she sits beside me and digs in. I finish mine and chug my coffee, and then we head toward the front of the hotel to meet with everyone else who will be going on the hike.

I'm met with a bunch of quiet, tired people.

"Who thought six thirty in the morning was a good idea after staying out so late last night?" Asher whines when we walk up.

I chuckle. "The groom, who isn't even here yet."

"As opposed to the one who is ?" Lincoln guesses, sidling up behind me.

I roll my eyes at Asher before I turn around. "And a top of the morning to you, too, asshole. "

Lincoln laughs. "I feel like I was in a much better mood than you are when I was a newlywed." He glances at Jolene. "Wasn't I?"

Jolene holds up both hands as if she's going to sit this one out.

"To be fair, I was getting laid, like a lot . I don't know your situation, though." Lincoln offers a shrug.

I glare at him before I turn away from him and back to Asher. I'm not sure which option is worse, to be honest, and I'm starting to think we should've just slept in rather than joining in on this particular adventure.

I'm debating when to tell Grayson about the surprise I have planned for tomorrow night—or if I should tell him at all. Maybe I'll just leave it as a surprise.

"Oh, the thunder stealers are here," Grayson says, announcing his arrival. His arm is around his soon-to-be bride's shoulders, and she rolls her eyes a little, which makes me think even she is getting tired of his antics. Or maybe I'm totally off, and she's rolling her eyes at us .

"Dude, let it go," I say. "The only reason anybody even knows is because you keep bringing it up."

"He's right, Gray," Ava says softly. "All we can do at this point is let it go."

"Can I talk to you two?" I ask. "Privately?"

Grayson purses his lips at me, and Ava steers him away from the group.

I follow behind them, holding Grace's hand and pulling her along behind me. Once we're a safe distance from the rest of the group, I look between Grayson and Ava. "Look, I want to make this up to you, so I did a few things. First, I took your clothes to be dry cleaned, and they'll be delivered to your house this afternoon. Ava, I got a few different accessories for you to make the dress unique and different. We can't apologize enough for what we did. And there's one other thing, but I'm not sure if I should tell you or just surprise you with it."

"I think we've had enough surprises out of you," Grayson snips at me .

I blow out a breath. "I arranged for some live music at the rehearsal tomorrow night. I hope that's okay."

"Live music?" Ava repeats, narrowing her eyes at me.

I nod. "A band you like. I promise."

"Who is it?"

I glance back at Grace, who nods a little. "Well, I sort of got friendly with the guitarist, and he's a big Storm fan. I called in a favor, and, well, MFB will be playing a short set tomorrow night at your house."

"M…M…MF…MFB?" Ava says, stuttering the letters.

I chuckle. "Yes. MFB."

"As in My Favorite Band?" she asks.

"In both meanings of that phrase, yes." I raise my brows hopefully, and both Ava and Grayson are frozen for a beat that feels like a fucking hour.

Then, finally, Ava glances at Grayson before her mouth breaks into a wide smile. "Holy shit! Are you serious?"

I nod. "Serious as a W2."

She flings her arm around my neck. "Okay, okay. You're officially not my least favorite future brother-in-law anymore."

"Who is?"

She twists her lips. "I'll have to think about that one."

I laugh, and she laughs, and even Grayson laughs, and relief fills me that even though we fucked up big time, maybe we didn't ruin this weekend the way we first thought we did.

Ava hugs Grace next, and I blow out a breath.

We head out for the hike, and Ava and Grace chat excitedly about the band they both love. Ava asks more questions about our surprise nuptials, and I listen quietly as the two women are at the precipice of becoming actual friends.

They bond some more at the pool party, and again at dinner—the last dinner before the rehearsal dinner.

I can't help but think that maybe someday down the line, they won't just be sisters-in-law in name only. I can't help but imagine big Nash family gatherings where the two run off to a corner to talk about whatever it is women who walk into a family like this one talk about.

And the thought of that for the future is hopeful and bright .

It's so bright, in fact, that I forget about the possibility that it could very likely still crash and burn. But that's sort of the problem with turning a blind eye.

Harsh reality always somehow sneaks its way in.