My Fake Husband by Black, L. (lightest ebook reader .TXT) 📗

“Maybe you didn’t have to twist my arm but that’s because I’m a devoted friend. And I appreciate all the time you put in with me when Missy died, and every year on the anniversary of her death. You’re a good man, Damon. I hope Trixie realizes that.”

“Damn, you are a sensitive guy!” I crowed, laughing.

“Fine, I can’t say something nice to my lifelong best friend?”

“No. Our friendship is built on roasting the hell out of each other and drinking cheap liquor.”

“And a foundation of always being there for each other,” he pointed out. “Which we have been.”

“Except when I found out you were in love with my sister. I couldn’t handle it, and I know I owe you an apology. I’ve already apologized to her like four times and she just gets meaner and laughs harder every time. You’d think pregnancy and motherhood would have a gentling effect on that woman,” I shook my head, amused.

“She’s perfect the way she is, and I owe you a black eye if you say any different,” Brody said.

“See, if I’d been able to think clearly, I would’ve been thrilled that she found someone so protective and caring. But I got hung up on her being my baby sister, and some idea of betrayal that you were my best friend and you’d gone behind my back.”

“Did you want us to stand right in front of you?”

“Clearly the answer to that is no, since I lost my shit when I saw you together. I’m saying I don’t blame you for hiding it from me because the way I acted justified any deception on your part. And I’m grateful every day that my spitfire little sister has you, and that she helped bring you back to life. So, welcome to the family.”

“Damn, you’re slow. We’re over it. You acted like an ass. We still love you. That’s what family does,” he said.

“I’m gonna need something stronger to drink if we’re gonna keep up this degree of heartfelt sharing.”

“Hey, you’re the one who wanted guy time which sounds like we’re gonna hang out in a sauna and talk about our feelings,” Brody said.

“So a crappy bar is the only difference here, I guess,” I said. “And what’s wrong with missing my wife? I got used to having her around. She’s a great girl. I have a lot of respect for her. She’s a good friend.”

“And it doesn’t hurt that you’re batshit crazy in love with her,” he said wryly, taking a drink.

“I may have feelings for her, but we’re in close quarters. That’s natural.”

“When you went for your fire safety certification, you had a roommate, right?”

“Nick, yeah. Why?”

“Did you fuck him?”

“What? No!”

“Then it ain’t because you’re in close quarters, man. Don’t bother telling yourself that.”

I shook my head, “You are such a bastard.”

“I know. Especially when I’m right.”

“Yeah,” I admitted.

“Since we’re oversharing, what got to you about her? Besides how she looks.”

“We started watching movies together, eighties movies at first and now we’re watching the Fast and Furious series in order. She really thinks about stuff and takes it seriously, asks the smartest, out of left field questions that get me thinking. It’s how she sees things, and she’s just completely herself, different from anyone I ever met. Everything goes deeper with her, and she—”

“That’s what she said,” Brody chuckled.

“Shit. You know what I meant. She’s a deep thinker. And when I went to that fire in Overton and got the guy out, it really scared her, and she was waiting up for me.”

“Sounds to me like she’s pretty crazy about you. I know when Laura was being held hostage, I knew in my bones that if anything happened to her I was gonna lose my mind. I’d kill every fuckin’ person in that cabin, then I’d drink myself to death. There wasn’t gonna be any going back. I was completely off the rails.”

“So you were scared and mad and that all translated into a, uh, powerful reaction,” I said.

“Did y’all fuck like you were out of your minds?”

“Pretty much,” I said, with a stupid grin forming on my face.

“That’s not close quarters, man,” he said again. “You gotta tell her.”

“I know. But I’m chicken shit, bro. It’s possible that she looks at me like a fling, like I treated all those other women—”

“Those other women only wanted a fling too. You didn’t treat them bad, and if you want to know how she feels, you ask her. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“The worst? She doesn’t feel the same way but feels like she owes me because of the loan and marrying her and tries to be in a relationship with me out of a sense of obligation,” I said miserably.

“Well, shit. That is a worst-case scenario. So you have to ask her to be honest with you, and you have to trust her. Don’t go thinking you know what she thinks. Because you’re wrong. I’m wrong every time I assume anything with Laura. Don’t go there.”

“Thanks,” I said. “It’s crazy how I can run into a fire knowing I’ll maybe die and not even hesitate, but I can’t tell my wife that I love her.”

“Because it’s a lot harder to live than it is to sacrifice your life, idiot,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Especially if you think you gotta live without the woman you need.”

“You’re a wise son of a bitch sometimes, Brody,” I said and ordered us another round.

We were joking about baby names for my upcoming niece or nephew—I suggested Damon or Damonette—when our phones rang at the same time. We exchanged a look and then he answered my sister’s call. I saw my mom’s number and picked up.

“We’re pulling into the ER now, Damon. Your sister thinks something’s wrong with the baby,” she said. “Get over here.”

I hung up and looked at Brody. His face was gray and slack, terror flitting in his eyes. I pocketed his keys and told him to get