Page 14 of Run Game
“Yes,” I reply, sitting down. “We got married last night and we’d like to be,” I search for the words, “not married.”
“Okay,” she says as she begins tapping on her keyboard. “I’ll just need both of your driver’s licenses.”
I take mine out of my wallet and slide it across the desk, looking over to Dalton, who hasn’t moved an inch. I look at him, widening my eyes as if to sayhurry upbefore he finally reaches into his pocket and tosses his wallet into my lap.
This motherfucker is about to catch these hands.
I smile at Pam while I take out his license, placing it next to mine. She picks them up, putting some information into her computer before turning back to us. “Okay,” she begins. “Were either of you under the influence or of unsound mind at the time of the marriage?”
“No,” I answer.
“Were either of you forced or tricked into entering the marriage?” she asks.
“No,” I answer again.
“Okay,” she says, looking back at her computer. “And you’re both over eighteen. Are either of you married to someone who may or may not be dead?”
I look at Dalton, hoping he’ll participate, but he doesn’t. “Ummm…no,” I reply.
“You related?” she asks, raising a suspicious brow.
“No,” I answer, getting annoyed.
Her eyes go wide. “Are either of you,” she looks around before whispering her next words, “physically unable to consummate the marriage?”
My husband chooses that moment to enter the exchange. “Oh, wedefinitelydid that,” he says with acocky grin. “Several times.” I swear, my head turns to him like the fucking Exorcist, giving him a death glare as I grip onto the armrests of my chair, so I don’t launch myself out of it and strangle him until he expires right here on this courthouse floor. I’d go to jail, but it would be worth it.
“Hmmm,” Pam says. “Unfortunately, your marriage doesn’t qualify for an annulment.”
“What?” I reply before looking back to Dalton, who gingerly reaches forward and grabs his driver’s license before turning to me with a smile.
She explains further. “In Nevada, there are certain criteria a marriage needs to meet in order to be annulled. People come in here every day thinking it’s just like the movies, but it’s not that easy. You can still get a divorce. If it’s uncontested, you can have it done in as little as two weeks.”
“Two weeks!?” I shout, standing from my chair. “I need it today! Please, Pam!” I beg.
She gives me a sympathetic look. “My hands are tied. I’m sorry. Your best bet is to go back to your home state and file there.”
Holy fuck. I thought for sure I’d be walking out of here a single woman. Now I have to be married to Dalton for two more weeks. I don’t know if I can go that long without Mads finding out. And we’re supposed to go back to our home state? Whereismy home state? I can’t go back to Illinois. There’s nothing there for me. And I don’t want to be there. I really do want to be in Boston. But I certainly didn’t want to go as Mrs. Dalton Davis.
Fuck. Fuck.Fuck.
“You’re getting a bad Yelp review, too,” I say to Pam before turning on my heel and stomping out of the building with Dalton hot on my heels.
DALTON
Fuck.Yes.
Somehow fate is on my side as we walk out of the courthouse as a still-married couple.
“Dia, slow down,” I say, trying to catch up with my wife, who I had no idea was a professional speed-walker. When I finally reach her, I grab her arm, spinning her to me. “Wifey, it’s fine,” I say.
Her eyes go wide. “Don’tfucking call me that,” she spits. “This is all your fault. Throwing me over your shoulder like a caveman and bringing me into that stupid chapel. ‘The full Vegas experience,’” she says, trying to mimic my voice. It’s actually fucking hilarious, but I like my balls being attached to my body, so I hold back my smile. “Now look at us! Married!” Her face falls and tears of frustration fill her eyes.
Goddamn it. I don’t want her to cry. If she wants this divorce, I’m not going to make it any harder on her than it already is.
“Hey,” I say softly. “It’s going to be fine. We’ll go back to Boston, file for the divorce, and focus on getting you a new place to stay. The two weeks will be up before you know it.” I reach for her, pulling her in and wrapping my arms around her tightly. I hate seeing her upset.
“Yeah,” she sighs into my chest. “Okay.”
