Page 121 of The Best Friend Power Play

I 'fessed up and told the crisis team everything, figuring it's better they're armed with the whole story to help deal with any potential fallout from it. We worked through a lot of details, pros/cons, and strategies to deal with any number of situations that might arise, but I'll spare Hannah all that riveting stuff.

"Bottom line, the advice is for us to make the announcement that we're married so we're not caught on the backfoot when it eventually comes out."

"Is that likely to happen?" Hannah asks. "For the media to find out we're married?"

I nod. "It's kinda their job. The story just broke, so they're probably digging away as we speak, searching to uncover new details. It's only a matter of time until they do an online database search and find out we're husband and wife." I glance over at her as she processes the implications of what I'm saying. "I'm fine with suffering reputational damage, but I don't want anyone else getting dragged down with me—you or the club or any of my teammates. So…" I puff out a breath, hating that I have to ask this of her but also knowing it's the least worst out of a lot of only bad options. "Are you okay with us staying married, at least for a while longer, until this story blows over, and then I can figure out what to do next?"

"Your nonna's right. You really do need to work on your proposal skills," Hannah says with a giggle. "But yes, I'm okay with staying married."

22

Hannah

My phone dings.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

And yep, there's the fourth and final ding I was waiting for.

I survived the day with the hangover to end all hangovers, the best surprise in the world with Katie and Chester returning home early, and the most unexpected surprise in the world with the story of Culver and me blowing up.

It was only a matter of time until my friends got in touch.

Culver's showering, and I'm ready for sleep, so I unplug my phone from the charger and bring it into bed with me.

In addition to the original four messages, a few more have now come through.

Summer: I just watched the news, and Hannah, you and Culver are…married?

Beth: OMG. You're married!

Amiel: Seriously?

Evie: You're married before me? How is that possible? You guys aren't even dating. What have I missed?

Beth: A lot. That stadium's been taking up a lot of your time.

Summer: Evie's not the only one blindsided. We ALL missed this.

Summer: Waiting for the details, Ms. Cooper…or, wait, should that be Mrs. Palladino?

Okay. So this is what I'm working with. Good to know.

Hannah: Hi! Yes. It's true. Culver and I are married.

Hannah: For reasons that are complicated.

Hannah: I'm also still very hungover.

Hannah: For reasons that are a lot less complicated.

While Culver was on the phone with his team, each of the girls called to check in on me since they're not used to seeing me drinking like I did last night.

I also got to catch up with Katie and Chester, both together and separately. And in my alone time with each of them, I got confirmation that all three Coopers reached a big milestone this summer—we all lost our virginity.

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