Page 64 of The Reality of Wanting Him

The ultimatum hasn’t been my focus for a while now, but I can’t ignore the fact that now that I’ll fulfill my parents’ requirement, Liam and I will be financially set. Obviously, I still want the money. We’ll use it to putMoore to Love Farmson the map and turn it into the coolest destination farm in New York. Families are going to want to come from all over to visit, and we’re going to give them the best farm experience possible. I’m so excited to go back with Lucky this time. Only a couple more days to wrap this show up and get Lucky, and I’ll be officially moving in. I can’t wait.

I’m sure I’ll tell Liam about my parents’ threat eventually, but every time I’ve considered bringing it up, I’ve talked myself out of it. I don’t want him to question my motivation for being with him. He was already so concerned about being the first man I’ve been with, I don’t want him to think I’m only marrying him for the money. He said he wanted to be chosen and I’m choosing him fully. I want to marry him regardless of their deadline or threats, so I don’t even think the ultimatum really matters anymore. No use giving him something to stress about when we’re so close to our happily ever after.

The last two weeks of wedding planning have flown by, but I’m more than ready for this show to be over. We’ve done countless interviews this week with Andy talking to us individually, as couples, and even other pairings and groups that the producers deemed would make good television.

They wanted one with me, Liam, Rachel, and her fiancé, which I absolutely did not want to do, but before I could even complain or try to get us out of it, Liam firmly declined. It was really sexy watching him stand up for us like that—I could barely wait until we were alone to strip down and present myself to him. Bottoming is definitely my favorite, I’m kind of obsessed with it. Not just because the feeling of him inside of me—stretching me out, filling me up—is so fucking amazing, but I also think I’ve become a bit of a pillow prince with how much Liam spoils me in bed. I’ve never had such a high libido before, and it’s not that I’m not an enthusiastic participant in everything we do together,because I am. It’s just so fucking hot when he takes control, bosses me around, or manhandles me so that we both get exactly what we need. I never thought I’d love submitting to him like I do, but I’mreallyinto it. And then when it’s over, and we’re both wrung out and satisfied, I love how he takes care of me, cleaning us up and holding me until we fall asleep, or until we’re forced to get out of bed to do something for the show.

The rest of our time this week has been spent coordinating the actual wedding details so we had a say in making it our own, even if all the couples are getting married at the same venue of the hotel. There are a few different event spaces within the hotel, but only three couples can actually get married on each day. I know Liam is happy that Kieran and Jace are tomorrow, though, so that we can be at each other’s big days.

I finally got ahold of my parents a few days ago to confirm that they’ll be here, my mother sounding shocked but reluctantly pleased that I was actually getting married. She did say she “hoped the producers know what they’re doing and that mywedding won’t be cheap and tacky,” but at least my dad congratulated me. My brother and sister are also able to make it with their families. Not that we’re close, but it’ll still be nice to have them here, I suppose.

We still have a couple of hours before the ceremony, but the show has us separated in different suites to get ready and hang out with our friends and family. I’m not about to spill on my hot as fuck suit before the ceremony, so we won’t change for a while. For now, we’ve got hockey on and we’re enjoying some snacks. I wish Liam could be here too, but I’m trying not to focus on that too much. Today is the last day the producers can tell us how to handle our relationship and the last day they’ll be following us around endlessly. We’ll have the rest of our lives to spend together; I can wait a few more hours.Even if I really don’t want to.

“Knock-knock. I’m assuming none of you are prepared enough to already be dressing, so you’re all decent,” my mother’s voice cuts through the room like a knife, tearing apart whatever good vibes we’d been soaking in.Why did I want her here again?

I turn to see that both of my parents have entered the suite and my mom smiles at the camera. My father is dressed in a traditional black tuxedo and he looks great, very polished and sophisticated. My mother at his side has obviously spared no expense on her own appearance. Her hair is freshly dyed and in an elaborate style on the top of her head. The amount of makeup she’s wearing could probably be classified as a mask, and I can’t tell if the lack of expression on her face as she glances between my friends and where our suits are hung up is because she’s unimpressed by our fashion choices, or if it’s more indicative of recent botox injections.

And then I register her dress, reacting aloud before I can filter myself. “Mother, what the fuck are you wearing?”

“Pardon your language, Blake! I’m sure your future wife doesn’t want to hear that vulgarity.”

Wife?Shit, did I not mention I’m marrying a man?I tried to call them so many times to confirm if they would be here. By the time they actually answered, I think I was so focused on if they were coming, I must not have actually told them anything about Liam.And of course, they didn’t ask.

I don’t think they’ll actually care, though. They have progressive friends, some of my mom’s charity’s biggest donors are members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Sure, they’ve made some ignorant comments about same sex couples in the past, but even those memories seem distant. I can’t remember anything like that in the last few years.

No use easing them into the idea now. “Well, it’s a good thing I’m marrying a man then, because he doesn’t care if I swear. And lucky for you, because I’m pretty sure most women would hate you if you showed up wearingthatto their wedding, especially the first time you meet them,” I say, gesturing to her dress, but she’s tilting her head to the side like she’s confused. “Mother, you look like you’re wearing a wedding dress!”

She glances down at the light silver, form-fitted, sparkly gown she has on as though she can’t remember what she’s wearing. “Darling, this is obviously not a wedding dress,” she dismisses with a wave of her hand and an eye roll. “And I think I misunderstood the joke, your wife swears like a man?”

“No, I think you heard exactly what I said. I wasn’t trying to hide it from you guys or anything. I thought I’d already told you about Liam, but it’s been hard to reach you recently while you were traveling.”

“Since when are you gay?”

“I’m bi, actually,” I correct, and I see her shoulders visibly deflate.

“Oh, thank god. Then you can just marry a woman. If you need more time, we can talk about it. We never meant to pressureyou into settling down so much that you resorted to marrying one of your friends to get the money.”

My friends have been exchanging uncomfortable glances since my parents walked in here. Chad knows about the ultimatum, but he’s the only person I ever told about it.

“Why don’t we go see if they’ll give us any whiskey to have in here,” Chad says, clearly seeing this conversation is going to go poorly. He excuses himself from the room and my other friends awkwardly follow.

“Mother, it isn’t like that.” I huff out a breath, frustrated that I have to have this conversation at all. “Being bi doesn’t mean that I’m going to just pick someone else because you think that gender would be easier for you to support. You wanted me to settle down and get married, to find someone to share my life with. I’ve done exactly what you hoped I would do. I’m in love, getting marriedtoday.It shouldn’t matter what that person’s gender is, you should just care if I’m happy.”Exactly like Liam’s dad did.

The comparison between our parents is jarring, a stark reminder of what I don’t have, but have always wanted from my own. I turn to my father to see how he’s taking the news. He doesn’t look angry or upset, I didn’t think he would, but he does look a little surprised still, wide eyes avoiding my gaze as they fix on my mother.

“You know what, I thought that it was important for you both to be here today, but for the life of me, I can’t remember why. I’m getting married to someone I really love, who loves me back just as much. If you can be happy for us, then I’ll see you at the reception. If you can’t, then I guess you won’t care that I’m leaving the city. I’d like to spend this time with my friends now if you could leave us alone,” I say, walking to the door to hold it open for them.

My mother looks horrified by my demand, but it’s like she can’t get anything out, moving her mouth without sound. Theyboth slowly exit the room, and my dad turns around as my mother is huffing down the hall. “I’m sorry, I’ll talk to her. She’s just surprised. I think we both are.”

I don’t say anything more as I turn around and head back into the room, letting the door slam shut. My friends return shortly after and they don’t have any liquor with them, which is probably for the best. I don’t need any today, I want to be totally clear-headed so that I can remember every happy moment of marrying Liam.

He’ll be my husband today.It’s easy to be happy when I think about that, so I push all thoughts of my parents out of my mind and focus on my man. In a few short hours, we’ll be done with this show and can finally be together without worrying about cameras or other people interfering with our relationship.

I can’t wait.

30

LIAM

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