Page 81 of Operation Annulment
COMMANDMENT #32: THOU SHALT NOT SURPRISE HER WITH OVER-THE-TOP ROMANTIC GESTURES
Nate
“Hey asshole, a lot of guys go to college for a decade.” Brad takes a bite of steak.
Yep. They’re doctors, Brad.
Garrett drops his fork onto his plate. “You’re still in college? Please tell me you’re at least working on your doctorate by now?”
Mitch and Clayton join in, and Brad sulks into his beer. I look forward to this trip every year, but I just can’t get my mind into it right now.
Kate dominates my every thought.
I miss her like crazy.
What’s that song lyric?
‘You don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone.’
Who the fuck sings that song?
“Earth to Nate. Do you want to get in on this? Brad’s only been your best friend since high school.” Garrett taps my shoulder, and I blurt out the first thing that pops into my head.
“Is it Cinderella? Big eighties hair? Is that right?”
Brad gives me a puzzled look. “What the fuck are you talking about, man?”
Garrett sighs. “Here we go. Nate’s pissed because I’m going to marry his wife as soon as his annulment goes through.”
Mitch nods. He’s been high since we got here. “Dude, congratulations on the marriage. Many blessings.”
He’s even starting to sound like a stoner when he talks.
“You’re not marrying her because I’m not getting an annulment. And I won’t be held responsible for what I do if you bring that shit up again.”
Clayton raises his hand until Garrett and I shout, “What?”
“You’re married? Since when?”
Garrett pulls out his cell phone. “He married her in Vegas. You’ve got to see her. She’s gorgeous and smart as hell. A therapist. Look at this. She and Daniel fell asleep on the couch. Is that not the cutest fucking thing ever?”
He might as well run me through it with his steak knife.
She’s perfect.
I went to her apartment last week just to see her face. The guy who answered the door looked like he could break me in half, so I correctly guessed that it was her dad.
“She’s sick and resting right now.”
I’d tried to get around him when I heard that.“I’m her husband. Just let me check on her—I’m a doctor.”
His hand in the center of my chest had me backtracking right out the front door.
“Nate, can I call you Nate? I don’t wanna be that guy, but that’s my baby girl in there. Ya feel me?”
I nodded, instantly regretting crossing the man.
“Now, I believe that fair is fair, so I’m going to give you a warnin’. Stay the fuck away from her—if she wants you, she’ll come find you. Disregard that, and you’ll find out just how bad Kate’s ‘biker daddy’ is. Alright?”
