Page 39 of Unrequited Sloth

“Why didn't you tell me? Instead, I got ambushed by my parents, who believe everything Alex is saying, and this is the proof. She was the one who gave them this. How did she get it?”

“What? Did you tell them about her and Dillon?”

“Of course I did. They think I’m making it up.”

Bobby wasn’t sure what to say to that.

“How did you find out, Bobby? Did a certificate come here as well, and you hid it from me?”

“Of course not. I’d never do anything like that.”

“But you knew we were legally married, and rather than tell me so we could make a plan, I got blindsided and now my parents are taking my sister’s side.”

“They didn’t kick you out, did they?”

“Might as well have done. They said I needed to apologise to Alex for ruining her life by stealing you off her.”

Bobby couldn’t stop himself from laughing.

“It’s not funny, Bobby.”

“I know. I’m sorry. It’s just they expect you to apologise to her after what she’s done? I didn’t realise just how manipulative she could be. Looks like I married the right sibling,” he said, adding a wink.

Gabriel stared at him for a second before chuckling and shaking his head. That was what Bobby had wanted. He hated seeing Gabriel sad. This was a big fucking mess, but he would fix it.

“If a certificate didn’t come here, how did you find out?” asked Gabriel.

“I mentioned it to my boss, the big boss.”

“Daniel Harper?”

“Do you know him?”

“Not personally, but he’s friends with Simon, who’s Dexter’s boyfriend.”

“Oh, small world.”

“I’ve seen him a few times in Knights Corner as well. That is one handsome man.”

Bobby didn’t disagree with the assessment, but he felt funny about Gabriel saying it. Thankfully, Daniel was in love with Josh, because he might go for someone like Gabriel, and Bobby wouldn’t like that. Gabriel was his friend. Bobby had forgotten what he was talking about, and then he remembered.

“Daniel suggested the wedding might be legit, so he did some digging for me. It turns out that we went to the Marriage Licence Bureau first, and then we ordered a certified copy afterwards. I must have given my address for them to send it.”

“How did you know to do all that?” asked Gabriel.

“I can’t remember, but my lawyer brain probably checked out how to do it properly and then insisted we do all the steps.”

“This wasn’t how I saw myself getting married.”

Bobby snorted. “Me neither, but we can get it sorted.”

“How?”

“We can apply for an annulment. Daniel thinks living here could complicate things, though.”

“How? You’re in the spare room, and you’re straight.”

“It might be easier if I speed up finding a place of my own.”