Chapter 44
“You married me,” I remind him again.
“I’m starting to think that was a mistake p>
I lean one hip against the foot of the bed. “You don’t get to regret it yet. It’s been less than five hours p>
“Give me time,” he says. “I’m still itchy
“Good p>
He watches me with that sharp focus he always has, like he’s cataloging every movement. “You enjoyed it p>
“Did I enjoy you losing control?” I correct. “Yes I very much did p>
He exhales slowly. “You’re going to be a problem little spit fire p>
I smile. “Stop calling me that and I already am p>
A nurse knocks lightly and steps in, checking his vitals, adjusting something on the IV. Zane answers her questions with clipped efficiency. I step back, giving space, once again aware of the ridiculousness of my dress, the fact that I’m standing here married and barefoot in a hospital room.
When the nurse leaves, Zane looks at me again. “They cancelled the reception p>
“I heard p>
“My mother is furious p>
“That makes two of us,” I say. “My grandfather promised speeches p>
Zane almost smiles, or atleast what I assume is a smile because of how crooked it was.
“You should go,” he says after a moment. “Your brothers are hovering p>
“They always do p>
“Still,” he adds, quieter now. “I won’t die tonight p>
“Disappointing really” I say.
His gaze flicks to mine. “You’re not afraid of me p>
“No, I’m not” I say honestly. p>
“That’ll fade p>
I straighten, smoothing my dress. “Don’t bet on it p>
I turn toward the door, then stop. “Zane p>
“Yes p>
“Next time you ban something from a party,” I say lightly, “maybe make sure your bride doesn’t know why p>
He watches me go,his expression unreadable.
As I step into the hallway, Lucas is already there, arms crossed, eyes sharp. He takes one look at my face and snorts
“What’d he say p>
“That this marriage is going to be hell p>
Lucas grins. “Good p>
I glance back once at the closed door behind me.
For the first time since this started, my anger isn’t the only thing burning in my chest.
That worries me more than anythin.
By the time the doctor says he’s cleared to leave, the night has settled deep outside the hospital windows. Everything feels quieter now. E
Lucas stretches first, like he’s been holding himself together on pure adrenaline. Noah checks his phone. Caleb paces once, then stops, then again.
“Okay,” Lucas says, clapping his hands softly. “Let’s get you out of here p>
Relief hits me instantly. I grab my shoes off the floor already turning toward the door. My body moves before my brain can catch up.
Lucas is halfway there when he pauses.
Slowly, he turns back to me.
That’s when I know.
And I stop walking
The room feels too bright all of a sudden and too small.
Noah’s expression shifts first. The humor drains out of his face, replaced with something Something sad.
“Oh,” he says quietly. “Right p>
Caleb swears under his breath
Lucas drags a hand down his face. “Shit p>
I don’t turn around. I don’t need to. The weight settles in my chest, heavy and sharp and final.
I’m not leaving with them.
I can’t.
I swallow, my throat tight. “I forgot,” I say, hating how small my voice sounds.
Lucas steps toward me immediately. “Hey sunshine p>
“I know,” I cut in. “I know p>
Married.
That word sits ugly in my mouth.
Noah comes closer and rests a hand on my shoulder. “You don’t have to pretend you’re okay p>
“I’m not pretending,” I say. Then quieter, “I just don’t want to cry in a hospital hallway p>
Caleb exhales slowly. “You shouldn’t be alone tonight p>
I laugh, sharp and humorless. “Too late for that.
Lucas looks like he wants to argue. Like he wants to drag me out anyway and deal with the consequences later. I know that look. He’s worn it my whole life.
But this time, there’s nothing he can do.
Noah squeezes my shoulder gently. “You call. Any time. Middle of the night, anytime Iat. Doesn’t matter p>
Caleb nods. “If you even feel uncomfortable for one second, you call p>
Lucas pulls me into a hug before I can say anything. It’s tight and protective, the kind of hug that feels like home.
“You’re not stuck,” he murmurs into my hair. “I don’t care what papers were signed p>
My chest aches. “I know p>
He pulls back, cups my face briefly. “We’ll come get you p>
I nod, blinking fast.
They leave together. I watch their backs disappear down the hallway. Noah glances back once. Caleb lifts a hand in a small wave. Lucas doesn’t look back at all. I know if he does, he won’t leave.
The doors slide shut.
The silence afterward is loud.
I stand there for a long moment, arms wrapped around myself, staring at my reflection in the glass. Wedding dress wrinkled. Hair half-fallen. Makeup faded.
This is my life now.
I turn back toward the room.
Zane is awake when I step in, sitting up slightly, his jacket folded on the chair beside the bed. A little color has returned to his face. Too much, honestly. He looks annoyingly fine for someone who just had an allergic reaction.
“You’re still here,” he says.
“Unfortunately,” I reply.
His eyes flick to the door. “Your brothers p>
“Gone p>
He studies me for a moment. “You don’t look thrilled p>
I let out a slow breath and sit down in the chair beside the bed. “You mean about being married to a man who landed himself in the ER before the reception p>
A corner of his mouth twitches. “You’re enjoying this p>
I don’t deny it.
The doctor comes back in briefly, gives instructions, clears him officially. Papers are signed. Words are said. None of it sticks in my head.
At some point, exhaustion creeps in quietly. I don’t even realize how tired I am until my eyes start burning.
“You can sleep,” Zane says eventually. “They’ll wake me if they need to p>
I hesitate, then lean back in the chair. “Just for a minute and I’ll be up.” Whe he doesn’t answer I let my eyes shut