Page 125 of Honeymoon Phase
“Don’t do that.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s snowing.”
“I’ve got four-wheel drive, Luke. I’ll be fine.”
“You’re upset. You shouldn’t drive.”
“Why would I be upset? I’d have to care about you to be upset.”
“You just told me you love me, Addison.”
“I loved who I thought you were! Not this person in front of me who lies just like everyone else in my life.” I get to my car and grab my door handle, jumping in shock when Luke reaches out to take my keys. “Give those back.”
“No.”
“Luke!”
“I’m not going to let you drive away like this,” he roars, his face red with anger. “We’re married and you’re going to stay and work this out with me. You don’t leave. This is real now. No more fact or fiction question. You are my wife. I am your husband. We signed those papers together. And I fucking love you, Addison. I love you so much that I will trap you up on this mountain until you can admit you still love me.”
“Of course I love you,” I cry, my voice hoarse. “I love you, Luke, but you lied to me.”
The sounds of more footsteps approach and I swerve my head to see Luke’s brothers closing in, herding me like I’m one of Trista’s livestock animals. They even have the nerve to stand in front of my car with their arms crossed like they won’t let me go. “What are you guys going to do? Hold me hostage?”
“What’s going on?” Trista’s voice calls from Luke’s front deck as she steps outside with Dakota.
“These Fletcher brothers have trapped me up on this mountain!”
Trista and Dakota stare back at us in confusion.
“The jig is up,” I snarl at their perplexed expressions. “I know you guys all know that my marriage to Luke was bullshit. You can all quit acting like you like me or like I’m one of the family. Just give me my keys so I can go home and get away from you all. Please.” I fight back the tears at how utterly alone I feel in this moment. I don’t have Luke. I don’t have the ladies. I don’t even have Luke’s mom. Probably the fucking rooster even hates me.
Dakota steps down the front steps walking straight toward me. “Addison, on my life, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Me neither,” Trista adds, following close behind.
I swerve my eyes to Luke, who nods to confirm. “They didn’t know. It’s only me, Calder, and Wyatt who know. And Max I guess.”
“And Everly,” Calder adds, looking wildly uncomfortable. “She was kind of in charge.”
“Oh, is that all?” I groan and shove a hand through my hair.
“What are you guys talking about?” Trista asks, turning to her husband.
Wyatt winces but it’s Calder who fills in the blanks. “Lukeand Addison got married to help Addison inherit the lumberyard and we were sort of helping Luke figure out a way to get her to... fall in love with him.” Calder lifts his hands, looking sheepish.
“Why would you do that? She obviously already loves him,” Trista says and somehow those words cut deeper than they should.
“Wait, so you knew these two weren’t married for real and you just lied to me?” Dakota asks, stepping past me to stare at Calder accusingly.
“Give her the keys,” Trista growls, turning her attention to Luke.
“No.” Luke steps back with a stubborn set to his jaw.
“Give them to her!” Dakota yells at Luke, who has the nerve to look at least moderately afraid.
Luke turns his eyes to me with a pleading look. “It’s not safe.”
