Page 20 of Lock 'em Down

I take a deep breath to calm my racing heart. Even though last night was a mistake—I married a man whose last name I don’t even fucking know in Vegas—I don’t regret anything about the time I spent, and the way I felt, with Leif. For that alone, I’m grateful. Because he reminded me that I can feel alive and cherished and enough again.

Mom continues to message and that’s my cue.

I slip from the bed, clean up, locate my clothes, and dress.

I ignore Mom’s messages and text Izzy instead.

Then, I spend a long moment staring at the beautiful man who made love to me last night. He will never know that he healed a piece of the broken inside me. For the first time in years, I truly felt like myself with a man. Not scared or doubtful, but free and confident. Bending over his frame, listening to his gentle snore, I smile and press a kiss to his temple. “Thank you, Leif.”

While I’m thanking him for the night we shared, I doubt he’ll see it that way when we need to sort out the annulment papers. But right now, I need to leave.

Slip away before he wakes up and acknowledges the crushing disappointment of marrying me last night.

I swipe up my heels, pad barefoot to the hotel door, let out an exhale, and leave Leif behind.

Then, I slide my purple ring off my finger, tuck it into my purse, and do the walk of shame back to my hotel.

Another good thing about Vegas? No one gives a shit.

After a hot shower and a quick breakfast with the girls, we’re boarding a flight back to Minnesota.

I have three messages and two phone calls from Tennessee, but I ignore them. I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do next. I’m out of my comfort zone and need to reserve my energy to face off with Mom and move to Knoxville. Plus, I’m not ready to confront a sober, awake, and disappointed Leif.

So, I turn off my phone, plop down in my seat, and force myself to fall asleep before take-off.

Six

Leif

Tennessee: Knoxville, what gives?

Tennessee: You know that’s how you’re saved in my phone.

Tennessee: Even though you’re my wife. Legally, I mean.

Tennessee: Come on, you’re seriously gonna ghost me, Cam?

I toss my phone down and grip the back of my neck.

“Dude, I can’t believe you beat me to the fucking altar,” Chris cackles.

“Me too.” Hudson raises his hand, but his expression is more serious than the rest of the guys.

I squeeze the back of my neck, as if the pressure there will alleviate the pounding in my head. Cami straight up bounced on me.

I turn away from my friends in the swanky hotel suite and pour another cup of coffee from the room service someone ordered this morning. Just keep the caffeine coming.

“Aw, come on, y’all at least had a wedding night, didn’t you?” Fucking Ray thrusts his hips.

“If you’re doing it like that, it’s no wonder you’re not getting action,” Chris snorts.

I burn the roof of my mouth and bite back my swear.

“Give Leif a break,” Hudson chides the guys.

“My wife fucking ghosted me,” I spell it out for my friends. “You guys, I legally married Cami.”

“Damn,” James mutters. “Annulment can be a bitch.”

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