Page 26 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

Ella

Arden doesn’t sound happy, and I don’t blame him. He isn’t going to take the next part well. I’m not sure how everyone else will react, though. I sit in the chair that Ralph is standing behind, and he puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

Here goes nothing.

“Well, you see, Icanmake you get help because we’re married.”

There are various gasps around the table, and I glance over to see Ally hiding a laugh.

“What?” Arden bursts out. There is confusion all over his face. “That’s impossible. No offence, but there is no way I would have married you.”

I’m not offended. I’m expecting him to react. “Not impossible.”

I pull the piece of paper out of my pocket and slide it across the table. Arden takes a moment to read over the marriage certificate and legal documents, shaking his head and mumbling under his breath while it all sinks in.

I look around at everyone, and they have all been stunned silent.

The second Arden recognises the witness signatures, his gaze shoots to Ralph. “You knew—”

Ralph cuts him off before he can say something he’ll regret.

“Yes, I knew. It was my idea.”

“Why?”

“Because you need help, and we can’t force you to get it. This has been in motion for weeks,” Ralph replies calmly.

His boss is anything but calm.

“Weeks? And you didn’t think to mention it to me?” Chad interjects, and I can see the hurt in his eyes as well. I didn’t stop to think how this might upset him—especially given how much he has done for me.

“I asked her not to. We needed to keep this quiet until everything was finalised,” Ralph says to his brother.

“Finalised?” Chad’s face is a mix of shock and confusion.

I cut back in. “Yes, finalised. Caleb called this morning to let me know everything has been sorted.” I turn to face Arden. “You are being checked into a rehabilitation and wellness centre. You leave in an hour. The minimum stay is one month, at which time I will discuss with your doctors to determine if you are ready to come home.”

Arden doesn’t speak, just stares daggers at me.

You could cut the tension with a knife.

“Is that even legal?” Chase asks me curiously.

“Yes, it is. When we got married, we also signed the paperwork for medical power of attorney, and Ralph made sure it included a clause regarding rehab.”

“Why would you agree to this?” Rhys asks, then downs the rest of his beer.

Chad gets up and grabs a bottle of tequila, pours shots, and places them in front of everyone except Julia and Arden. I down the shot quickly, welcoming the burn.

“Because I know how much it is hurting you all, and how much you all wanted to help him and couldn’t. So, it took me some time to make the decision, but in the end, I realised it was the right thing to do. You guys deserve to have your friend back. And honestly, I’d love to get through a shift at work where he doesn’t stumble in slurring and asking for ‘Shlong Island iced tea.’”

“I’ve never seen him at the bar,” Chad says before pouring everyone another shot.

“I wasn’t aware of that at first. I thought you were the reason Arden was coming to Grumpy’s until Ralph recently mentioned that the only nights he wanted to go there were when I was working.”

I chance another look at Arden. His perfect hair is dishevelled, and he kind of looks like a lost puppy. I feel bad—he’ll hate me for this, but it’s for the best.

Yasmin finally speaks. “You did all this for us?”

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