Page 2 of A Different Husband

“Beckett,” I whispered his name as my heart cracked wide open. “This is not okay.”

“Please, Courtney. Do this for me. Do it for Flynn and his family. When it’s all over, we’ll have our day, and our future will be set financially, so that we never have to worry about anything.”

“Fine.” I agreed reluctantly. If my own fiancé wasn’t going to fight against this stupid plan, then why should I?

“I make plenty, but I’m already worried how we’ll afford college for the three children you want to have,” His argument continued when the one word I said didn’t sink in right away.

“I said,fine!” I reiterated with a little snap in my tone.

“You – what? Oh! Shit, I didn’t realize. Seriously? You’ll do it?” Every word out of his mouth was said in rapid-fire succession, as if he needed to hurry before I changed my mind.

“I hope you don’t regret asking me to do this.” The warning sat hot on my tongue, because I already knew this would do more than put a few cracks in the shiny veneer of our relationship. This would eventually destroy us. I felt it in mybones. It was too bad that Beckett didn't seem to realize, or maybe it was just that he truly didn't care.

Chapter 2

FLYNN

I staredat the text that had just come in over my phone. "What a moron!"

"What's that?" I turned my phone to show my sister, Bea, the text our cousin just sent me.

Beckett: Courtney agreed. My wedding is now yours.

"Oh my God!" Bea hissed. "He did not convince his fiancée to marry you!"

"I didn't think it was possible," I mumbled. Courtney was the dream girl all men measured their future wives to. She was the type of woman who you held onto, against all odds, once you were lucky enough to lock her down.

Courtney was the one that you put a ring on, settled down with, and never-ever thought for a single second about stepping out on. She was sweet, understanding, willing to compromise, and when she took you into her circle of trust, the loyalty she showed was unwavering.

"He's an idiot. There's no way Courtney agreed to do this without it causing a rift between them. She's been planning their wedding for years and he just…" Bea's voice trailed off. Like me, she was probably imagining all the ways this was going to go awry.

"Should I call her?" I asked as my eyes remained glued to the stupid text.

Bea shook her head adamantly. "No. You should set up a meeting to see her in person. There are things you will both need to discuss ahead of time and…" My sister was quiet for far too long and it worried me.

"And?" I questioned as I glanced up to see the devastation on her face. It would no doubt be a thousand times worse when if it was Courtney standing there.

"And be kind to her. She must be absolutely crushed right now."

I watched as my sister worriedly pulled her thick, curly hair back and stuffed it into one of those scrunchy things she and our other sister always left lying around everywhere. Her eyes looked a bit misty as she chewed on her bottom lip, deep in thought.

“I should call this whole thing off. I never planned to do it anyway. I only humored Beckett’s wild idea because of what I overheard Dad say.” Bea nodded her head before her eyes met mine.

“I know why you agreed to think about it. I heard him on the phone when I went over to see Mom and Mina.”

“I wish he would confide in us about the business, so we can help.”

Bea laughed. “Mina is in college and I am a teacher. I’m not sure what we could do to help, but you have to know that doesn’t mean Dad’s problems are on your shoulders, Flynn.”

“I know that, but dammit,” I glanced back down at the text. “I can’t let this be for nothing now. Courtney didn’t deserve this.” My eyes met Bea’s worried gaze. “She’s going to hate me for this.”

“No,” My sister stated. “Courtney isn’t stupid. She’s going to focus all her anger on Beckett, where it belongs.” She sighed and then patted my shoulder. “I know you used to have a thing for Courtney. I’m not sure you should do this. As much as I hate this situation for her, I think it will end up hurting you as well. I hate that Beckett chose to do this to her, because she doesn’t deserve it, but you’re my brother and I don’t want to see you hurt either.”

“I think, maybe, I need to talk to Beckett face-to-face before I go see Courtney. Maybe, I can still talk him out of this.”

My sister sighed and then moved in to give me a hug. “I love that you would put her first when he won’t. Don’t expect too much from our cousin, Flynn. I think he’s been looking for an excuse to gain his freedom without looking like the bad guy, and this opportunity seemed too good to be true.”

“I don’t understand why. Courtney is the goal and he already has her.”

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