Page 51 of One Reckless Moment

“Yes,” I said flatly before chugging the rest of my drink.

This was all going to be fine. So what if I was getting my dream wedding dress so I could marry the man I have been obsessed with for my entire life, even though we’re already married and it’s all completely fake?

It’s fine. We’re all fine.

I stepped off the platform and swiftly returned to the dressing room without another word. I needed to get this dress off before I threw up on it. My stomach was in knots as I stripped and changed back into my jean shorts and tank top.

By the time I made it back out to the lobby, my mother had paid for the dress and had the garment bag in hand. She was beaming as we loaded up the car and started on the hour-long drive back home.

It was barely past lunch time when we got home, but I needed a drink ASAP. I marched into the rec room and grabbed a bottle of tequila from behind the bar. I placed a shot glass down on the counter, filled it up, and tossed it back without a chaser. I slammed the glass back on the bartop and leaned both palms on the cold wood, letting my head drop between my arms so I could calm my breathing.

Loud laughter filtered in from outside just before Walker, Axle, Reid, and Cash stumbled into the room. They were all smiling ear to ear—except Walker, who simply looked slightly less grumpy than normal—and didn’t notice me as they entered.

To my confusion, Cash was shirtless with words and images written in Sharpie all over his chest and stomach.

“Paige!” Reid exclaimed when he noticed me standing there.

The boys all cheered like drunk idiots.

“Why are you all shit-faced already? And why are you smiling?” I raised a brow and crossed my arms.

Cash rounded the bar and tugged on my arms, forcing me to drop them before he pulled me into his hard chest.

“Me and the boys worked it out.” His smile was wider than I’d seen it in months, except for our night in Vegas.

“What did they do to you?” I recoiled as I smelled the whiskey on his breath.

“That is between us and our new brother,” Reid smirked as he reached over the bar and grabbed another bottle of whiskey.

I turned back to my husband who still had his arms wrapped around me. Cash placed two fingers under my chin and tilted my head up before leaning in for a soft kiss right in front of my brothers.

“Gross.” Axle started gagging as Reid grabbed his stomach and twisted his head at us with a look of horror.

“I’m not sure how long it will take me to get used to this,” Walker muttered, grabbing the bottle from Reid and taking a long swig.

I shook my head at them and shrugged out from Cash’s hold. He furrowed his brow, but I was still feeling anxious from the day’s activities. I wasn’t in the mood to joke around and act like I was happy.

“I’m going to lie down for a while.” I hooked a thumb over my shoulder and moved past Cash.

I was happy the boys worked past their differences, but it really didn’t help the feeling in my gut. I was lying to my whole family by pretending that Cash and I were in this big whirlwind romance.

The whole reason we were keeping up this ruse was to ensure Cash’s relationship with my family stayed intact, and so far that had been successful. I should have been elated. This had been my role for my entire life—keep everyone else happy while my feelings were overlooked.

It was nothing new.

If I was being completely honest, until right now no one had ever taken a single interest in my love life. No one cared if I was dating or sleeping around—except Cash. No one asked when I was going to settle down and have kids. I just floated by, supporting everyone else and existing on the sidelines.

This was the first time anyone gave a shit, and it was all a lie.

Figures.

I made it back to my apartment and sank onto my bed when my phone buzzed with a message.

Jesse

Are you okay?

Yeah, just tired. Glad you and the boys are getting along.