Page 38 of What If I See You

“And she’s hot,” he adds with an innocent shrug and a smirk on his face. “But if you tell Scarlett I said that, I’ll knee you in those gorgeous award-winning balls of yours.”

He’s definitely right, there. I snagged myself a drop-dead gorgeous bride. One I don’t deserve, I know, but honestly, other than having to tell my family I fucked up, if that’s the way I decide to go, being married to Layken Hobbs doesn’t feel all that bad.

I could do much worse.

An extra-long andarduous workout complete, I finish my shower trying to figure out how I’m going to tell my family I’m a married man now and I did it all without them by my side. Knowing I’m going to be the world’s biggest disappointment to not only my parents who have been dying to see me settle down but to Gage, who will be hurt the most. He’s talked about my wedding day for years with more excitement than I’ve ever seen. He’s always wanted to be my best man. He’s talked so many times about taking my wife for a spin on the dancefloor if for no other reason than to tell her all the stupid embarrassing things I did when we were kids.

I hate that I’m going to let them down.

“Ollenberg!” Coach’s voice rings out through the locker room. “You here?”

Aaaand with my name on his tongue, my balls just receded back up into my body. “Shower, Coach!”

“My office when you’re done. Be quick!”

“Two minutes!”

Barrett glances at me from his shower stall. “You in trouble?”

I shrug my shoulder as I rinse it under the water. “Probably. But what else is new?”

I joke but only because I’m actually nervous. I know in the grand scheme of things I did nothing wrong by marrying Layken. It’s not like running off and getting married is illegal, nor is it against the policy of the Anaheim Stars organization. But when Coach says your name with the tone he just used minutes ago, I’ll be lucky if my asshole unpuckers itself anytime in the next twenty-four hours.

Stepping out of the shower, I dry myself off and quickly dress in my casual shorts and a t-shirt, slip my feet into a pair of slides, and head for Coach’s office. Hearing a few other voices in the room, I swallow back my nerves, remind myself I’m doing this for Layken and for me, and round the corner to step inside.

Where I run smack dab into Layken.

Shit.

I wasn’t expecting this.

How long has she been here?

Why didn’t she tell me she was coming?

Has she told him anything?

What did she tell him exactly?

Fuck, his eyes are on me now.

Watching me for a reaction?

And he’s watching her.

“Hey babe!” Layken shoots up from her seat next to Corrigan and wraps her arms around me in a huge hug. As she squeezes me, she whispers ever so softly, “Relax and play along.”

I wrap my arms around her and carry her a few steps inside Coach’s office. “Hey, Lake. Missed you this morning.”

She releases her hold on my body, but I don’t let her go without pressing my lips against hers. Coach is no dummy. He’ll be waiting to see if I kiss her. Thankfully, she doesn’t bat an eye and kisses me right back.

I wish I could kiss her like I did a few nights ago.

I suppose something is better than nothing.

Also, I kind of like kissing my wife.

And I’ve got to hand it to Layken, she’s very convincing.

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