Page 79 of The Proposal
Ella’s words echo through my mind, reminding me once again to keep a solid perspective on what’s transpiring. Things might be amazing and working out better than I ever imagined. But we are in a bubble, isolated from the real world that will be ready to attack us once we return home.
Renn pulls me against him, nestling his head against mine. My chest fills with a warmth that I’m afraid to name.
“When do you think we should go back home?” I ask, hesitation in my voice. I don’t want to go back. I want to stay cocooned in our little beach bubble for as long as possible.
He sighs. “I talked to the Royals today while you napped. They want a meeting with me as soon as I get back. They’re pushing for midweek.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. They heard the news, obviously, and said they have concerns. I told them I married the only woman I could ever love and was happy, but I don’t think they bought it.”
I still.
“I told them I’d get back with them tomorrow and let them know if I could return that quickly,” he says. “I feel like a dick cutting your honeymoon short.”
My spirits fall.Don’t be disappointed. Keep a healthy perspective. “Yeah, well, this isn’t a real honeymoon anyway, remember?”
He clears his throat, shifting his weight again. “Bianca told me that the headlines aren’t as bad as we feared. Naturally, there are some nasty ones, but she thinks our statement changed the narrative. She suggested we post something on our Social accounts to bolster our stance. I’m sure Frances would agree with that if I answered her calls.”
My brow furrows. “Your publicist?”
“Yeah.”
“Why aren’t you answering her calls?”
He chuckles. “I don’t know.”
“Renn, talk to me.”
“I really don’t know. I’m pissed at her for taking my dad’s calls. I’m tired of hearing the same shit.” He blows out a hasty breath. “I get that I have a reputation for being a troublemaker, and God knows I perpetuate that. But everyone seems to think that means I’m incapable of making my own decisions, and it eats away at me after a while.”
There’s a vulnerability in his voice, a rawness that eats away at my heart.
“I’d like to tear my father a new asshole,” he says. “That’s what I’d like to do. The man doesn’t care aboutme, anyway. He’s only concerned about how I impact his public persona. And Frances—she cares about the paycheck. There’s no loyalty to me. Sometimes, that bothers me more than it should.”
“I think itshouldbother you,” I say carefully. “No one likes to be surrounded by people who don’t value them for who they are, Renn. This isn’t ayouproblem. You’re not wrong.”
“It doesn’t matter, anyway. I’m stuck in this role of being the bad boy. It sells tickets. It pays bills. Even if the league reprimands me for my behavior, they win. They’re in the papers. There are new eyes on the sport.”
I squeeze his thighs.Oh, Renn. “You feel like everyone uses you.”
“Yeah. I guess I do.”
My chest constricts at the hollowness of his voice. It’s a sound I can’t take—not from a man who I know doesn’t deserve it.
“Let’s post something on Social,” I say, hoping he takes my suggestion correctly.
“Like what?”
I hold my hand out and inspect my beyond-beautiful wedding ring.“Please keep it. I bought it for you. I hoped you’d like it.”
The pride on his face, the tentative hopefulness in his words that I would appreciate his efforts, sweep through my mind.And I do.
Let’s show the world I’m on your side, Renn Brewer.
I wiggle my fingers. “Well, a picture of this gorgeous ring with the bubbles in the background would be nice.”
“True. I wouldn’t have bought that if our marriage wasn’t real, right?”
