Page 21 of Lock 'em Down

“Screw that. Divorce is gonna be a bitch,” Ray adds. “You’re a fucking professional hockey player.”

“You think she knew?” Chris wonders.

I shake my head. “No, I don’t. And honestly? I don’t think she would care one way or the other.”

“Until you see her in court,” James mutters.

“Fuck.” I scrub a hand down my face. Even though annulment and divorce are the obvious outs to my current dilemma, both options sour my stomach. For a handful of hours last night, wrapped up in Cami, I felt…home. It doesn’t make any damn sense, but I still can’t believe she dipped out on me this morning.

Unless she regrets it. My stomach twists at the thought.

No regrets, she said. But she said that while tipsy and in the moment. Things look different in the daylight.

Frustration builds in my body, and I take another swig of my coffee.

“Pool party?” Ray offers.

Hudson slings an arm around my neck and squeezes. “Come on. A piña colada will cheer you up.”

“Jesus,” I mutter, shoving him off me. “I married a fucking stranger and?—”

“She did the walk of shame to not have to face you in the morning,” James calls me out.

“Yeah,” Ray agrees thoughtfully. “She definitely doesn’t know you’re a hockey player.” His expression brightens. “That could be good, bro. Less attention.”

“I’ll make sure the bartender adds an umbrella to your beverage,” Chris promises, throwing a pair of swim trunks at me.

“Come on. It’s our last day in Vegas. Tomorrow, it’s back to reality.” Ray cuts me a look. “And for some of us, reality is going to suck.”

I snort and shake off their ribbing. I head to my bedroom, ignore the indent of Cami on the left side of the bed, and change. Glancing around the space, there’s no trace that she was even here save for the rumpled bedsheets. She really did slip away with the morning light and like a goddamn chump, I want to chase after her.

Hell, my brothers would never believe it if they could see me now.

I don’t stress shit like this. I’m cool. Laid-back. Easygoing.

Jensen’s last text message flickers through my mind.

Jensen: How crazy? You good?

I heave out a sigh. I’m definitely not good.

She gave me fucking stakes. And then, she bailed.

My chest feels tight, a pang slashing across my pecs. I press my palm to the center of my chest, as if it will help ease the pressure gathering there.

I want something—someone—to care about. I want more than…this. The piña colada and the easy pussy.

But I’m an idiot for thinking it could be my wife. Hell, Cami is just a stranger who I met in Vegas.

I work a swallow but all I taste is sour disappointment.

Still, I wanted it to be her.

Dragging my palms over the weed leaves imprinted on my bathing suit, I decide the only thing left to do is enjoy the day. Cami is ignoring my messages and right now, I can’t handle the thought of her regretting us getting married. Besides, if she wants to pretend this shit never happened, that’s her prerogative. Eventually, it will catch up to her.

But not today.

Today, I’m going to chill poolside with my buddies, drink a fucking piña colada, and try to forget the beautiful woman who flipped my world upside down.

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