AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Tiny wags his tail in agreement.
My entire family has turned against me. Not that I blame them. Given a choice, I’d take Gio’s side over mine, anyway.
"I’m sure you’d like to spend time with my bride, but—"
"You’re taking her on a honeymoon, I assume?" Grams arches an eyebrow at me.
I shift my weight from foot to foot. "I—"
"I don’t want one." Goldie bends and takes Grams’ hand in hers. "We’re in the middle of the season, so neither Rick nor I can get away. It’s a miracle the paparazzi haven’t found out about this ceremony. We want to take advantage of that and keep things quiet. In fact, we decided not to tell our friends or the team, either."
"We did?" I scowl.
We didn’t discuss it, and I’ve been too focused on my daily practice to mention it to anyone. Then, there's the fact that I've missed her presence. Something which took me by surprise, even though it really shouldn't.
It’s why I’ve begun working out every evening. So, when I stumble into bed, I fall asleep at once. Of course, then I awaken before dawn and reach for her, find she's not there, and admonish myself. I'm the first to turn up at practice, and the last to leave. And of course, I've gotten knowing looks from my teammates and Edward, who noticed she’d moved out.
Edward asked me if everything was okay, when I said it was, he didn’t push the subject. It had been my idea she move into the house, to foster team-spirit, so it was no surprise he didn’t have an issue with her moving out.
Gio didn’t turn up for practice last week, but that wasn’t a surprise. I told the team she had some personal things to take care of, which was why she was staying with Mira, but we were still together. Edward wasn’t buying it, but as long as we kept the PR story alive, he was good. My teammates didn’t pry into it. That is, except Finn, who asked me how things had gone with Gio? I lied and said everything was okay.
So no, we didn’t decidenotto tell our friends and team about our wedding, but we also hadn’t mentioned it to anyone, yet.
"Don’t you remember?” She widens her gaze at me, “You suggested we keep it quiet, lest it takes away from the excitement around the finals."
I glare at her. She pales, and tries to pull away, but I tighten my arm about her. I bend and pretend to kiss her forehead. "We had no such conversation, baby.”
"It’s the right thing to do, don’t you think?" She rises up on tiptoe and whispers so Grams can’t hear her, "This marriage is a farce; there’s no need to go shouting about it to everyone. The less people who know, the easier it will be when we break up."
64
Gio
"So you guys are breaking up?" Mira asks me.
I got married, then made an excuse about getting back to work. Grams was surprised but she didn’t try to stop me. She kissed me on my cheek, told me how happy she was to have me as her grand-daughter-in-law, then insisted I take Tiny for company. When I protested, her lips drew down. "Tiny loves being with the both of you.”
Rick interjected, “But Grams, he’s not strictly my dog. He’s Liam and Isla’s. Since they’re away, the rest of us have been taking turns dog-sitting, and I thought you could do with some cheering, so—"
"And I’m all cheered up. Besides, he wants to go with the two of you,” Grams insisted.
"He does?" I glanced doubtfully at the Great Dane, who looked up at me with his melting black eyes. Something in my heart shifted. Or maybe, it was simply that I was still getting used to the fact I was married and would be divorced soon. I was going to be on my own again. For someone who sworn never to get married in a hurry, I sure crossedthatone off my list fast. The thought was beginning to sink in, leaving me with a sense of despondency, when Tiny made that whine he does, and my heart completely melted. I patted him, and the big dog pushed his head into my palm. Suddenly, I didn't feel alone. It felt right to bring Tiny back with me. So, without a second glance at my husband, I hurried Tiny out.
Rick followed me and insisted on driving me to Mira’s. I told him I was keeping Tiny, and he agreed. Of course, I texted Mira, and she confirmed it was fine by her; pets are allowed at her apartment building. When Rick dropped me off, he confirmed he’d pick me up tomorrow, the day of the final match between the Ice Kings and the Sentinels.
I said no, but he simply brushed aside my protests. Then, Tiny pushed his big head between us from the back seat where he’d been strapped in, and that put an end to the argument.
Rick parked the car and carried Tiny’s food and necessities that Grams' companion had packed to the door of Mira’s apartment. He rang the bell and stayed until Mira opened the door. Then, he nodded his goodbye and left.
"I’m very confused. You two got married, and now you’re breaking up?" Mira takes a sip of her wine. She makes a huge fuss over Tiny, who laps up all of the attention.
"Apparently." I turn away, not wanting to face the questions she has for me. I throw myself onto the settee and have no intention of moving. Tiny parks himself next to me; he seems to sense my despondency. He places his head on the edge of the sofa and is looking at me with his melting eyes. "Are you hungry?" I drag my fingers through the fur on his big head.
He thumps his tail.
"Oh, come here, sweetie. Let’s get you some food." Mira jumps up.
Tiny whines again. Only when I nod my head, does he bound up to his feet and follow her into the kitchen. Her voice reaches me, “I know about your love for Champagne and you’re not getting any from me.”
