CHARLEE

“This is probably the worst, yet best picture I’ve ever seen. It’s so absurd, it’s awesome.”

Drew chuckles as he takes the cardboard frame from my hand and sets it on the counter. “I think you look sexy as hell in it.”

I give him a wry look. “Drew, my cheeks look like every ounce of blood in my body is behind them and my eyes are half closed. It’s so obvious I was hammered. You and Lady Gaga look really hot though.” 

He smiles. “I’m glad I had the sense to stash this in my bag. I actually look at that picture pretty often. There’s a lot of fond memories behind it.”

I return his grin. “There are. Hey, the marriage may be ending soon, but we’ll always have the memories, right?”

“Right.” He swallows hard and looks at me thoughtfully. “What if it wasn’t?”

“What if what wasn’t?” I ask through a mouthful of pasta.

After two rounds, we were both famished so Drew whipped up a quick batch of spaghetti. Normally the thought of using jarred sauce would give me anxiety, but when you’re in a pinch for a carb reload, it works. Considering we’re dining in the buff, I’m sure we’re going to need the energy sooner rather than later.

Drew finishes chewing before replying. “What if the marriage wasn’t voided?”

“I don’t follow.”

“What if we nixed the annulment?” he clarifies. “And give this marriage a real shot. Do you ever think about it?”

I bite my lip. “Um...I haven’t.”

His face falls. “Oh. Okay.”

“You have?”

Drew shrugs. “Sure. I’ve been thinking about it a lot, actually.”

Great, now I feel like an asshole.

“Drew...I want to be with you. There’s no doubt about that in my head. But I don’t know if getting married is the right way to start a relationship. It’s ass backwards, don’t you think?”

He frowns. “I guess some people would see it that way.”

“Okay, then. Speaking of our relationship...what are we going to do about Brody?”

“My sister is right, Charlee. We have to tell him. I’m honestly surprised he didn’t follow me home after the wedding to confront me.”

“I’m pretty sure the only reason he didn’t is because Rainey wouldn’t go for it.”

“Right,” he nods. “But come sunrise, there’s nothing stopping him. I want to get to him before he has the chance to come to me first.”

“Are you going to tell him about the wedding?”

Drew admitted that he told Devyn and his buddies at the station about our drunken wedding. I can’t really be mad at him considering I spilled the beans to Mama P.

He shrugs. “Honestly? I want to get it all out there. But I’ll do whatever you want.”

I smile at the sweet gesture. Drew knows that I’m worried about my mom’s reaction and if Brody knows, my mom will find out soon thereafter. “Can we keep that part from him for now? At least until the annulment goes through. My mom will be less pissed if she finds out after it’s wiped from the records.” 

He gulps. “Yeah, sure.”

“I know it’s stupid that I’m a grown ass woman and I’m so worried about my mother’s opinion, but I can’t help it.”

“It’s fine. I was really close to my dad so I get it.”

I give him a sad smile. “How long ago did he pass away?”

“Just about eleven years. It gets easier with time but missing him—or my mom for that matter— never truly goes away. I just wish my dad could see me now. He died when I was twenty-one; I had no intention of ever becoming a firefighter back then. I was a business major in college. He never knew that I followed in his footsteps.”

“Your dad was a firefighter?”

He nods. “Chief. It was a big part of who he was. When he died, I wanted nothing more than to do it myself. Turns out, I love it just as much as he did.”

I set my plate in the kitchen sink. “Wait—so you’re thirty-two?”

He smiles. “Yep. As of last month.”

“When’s your birthday?”

“I’ll take things you should know about your spouse before the wedding, Alex,” he jokes.

I laugh. “Just answer the question, smartass.”

“May 2^nd.”

I shove his chest. “Get out!” How did I miss that on our marriage license? I must’ve been too busy freaking out.

He grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles. “What was that for?”

“My birthday is May 3rd. I’m exactly one year and one day younger than you.”

Drew sets his dish next to mine. He puts his arms on either side of me, caging me in against the counter. “We’ll have to do something really special to celebrate next year.”

“Already planning for the future, huh?” I tease. “Isn’t that a little presumptuous?”

“It doesn’t feel that way to me.” He pushes some hair away from my face and searches my eyes. “Do you think it is?”

“Not at all,” I admit.

“What are we doing here, Charlee?”

I can feel his thick length hardening against my stomach. “Right this second, it feels like we’re gearing up for round three.”

“I’ve never wanted somebody as much as I want you. Physically...mentally...I want to be with you every second of every day. I want to be the person that knows you better than anyone else.”

I gasp when he rubs the barbell against my clit. “Me too. All of it.”

His grin stretches across his face. “Yeah?”

I match his expression. “Yeah. Now, take me back to bed, Big Guy.”

Drew throws me over his shoulder and smacks my ass. “I’d love to, honey.”