Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
I’m not sure where Marcus stands because last night, he stood on both sides.
On one hand, he called Joey an idiot for cheating on me, but with the other, he placed his married brother’s hand on my ass and tempted him to break his vows.
“If you ever cheated on me, it would shatter my whole heart,” I inform him.
He glances down at me, his brow furrowing faintly. “Where did that come from?”
I gesture back toward his brother and his wife.
His confusion clears and he tugs me closer, almost protectively. “Our relationship isn’t theirs. Jared’s always had a streak of stubbornness in him. He inherited our mother’s temper. He withholds when he gets mad instead of handling it. I’m not like him. I’m morally flexible when the situation calls for it, but also completely certain of what I want. We could never have a relationship like theirs because I would never allow our relationship to deteriorate the way theirs has. I take care of what’s mine. Jared doesn’t, that’s why he’s in this mess to begin with.”
That makes a lot of sense to me. It’s just… “Joey cheated too, and our relationship didn’t deteriorate first.”
“Joey’s an idiot,” he informs me, stopping walking so he can turn me to face him. Sliding his hand up to cup my jaw, he leans his forehead against mine. “I’m not any of my brothers, Jessa. I am my own man. And you are my wife. That means you’re mine to love, not to hurt. I’ve watched the married people in my family make mistakes, and I’ve learned from them so I don’t have to repeat them in my marriage. Loving you is the first thing on my to-do list every day for the rest of my life. There is literally no chance I would ever do that to you.”
My heart lightens with relief. “Okay. I just thought I should… make sure.”
His firm grip is so reassuring as he holds me still and kisses me. “That’s good. I always want you to come to me with any concern you have. We’ll work it out together.”
“Or you’ll work it out for me,” I murmur knowingly.
He smirks. “Or that.”
He gives me one last kiss before releasing me, then we continue through the crowd toward his brother.
James, as it happens, is sitting at a beautifully decorated round table with Matt.
They both grow decidedly more uncomfortable as we approach.
Matt, apparently taking his candidness from his brother, turns directly to me and says, “I cannot believe you married this evil motherfucker.”
My eyes widen and Marcus laughs.
“People keep saying that,” he says lightly.
“Yeah, what a fucking shock,” James says, glaring at his brother. “I told you I didn’t think she wanted it and you made me fucking do it anyway. I was right, and she may be nuts enough to marry you afterward, but the facts haven’t changed. You coaxed me into raping this fucking girl last night.”
I cringe hearing that word yet again. It annoys me that people keep saying he did that to me, even if my brain attempts to point out they’re not exactly wrong.
I don’t care.
They’re not right, either.
Marcus would never hurt me. He knew what I could handle.
A voice whispers that doesn’t entirely make sense, but I kick it in the metaphorical face. Who needs that kind of negativity?
I curl closer to my husband protectively. If people don’t stop being mean to him, I swear to god…
“I don’t know why we bother,” Matt tells James, shaking his head. “She’s under his spell. You can see it.”
“Maybe he’s a witch,” James states.
“Warlock. I’m a man,” Marcus jokes.
“Whatever.” After shaking his head irritably at his brother, James’ expression softens when he looks at me. “I’m so fucking sorry, Jess.”
“It’s really okay. Truly. I’m fine.” I feel awkward talking about it, but I don’t want anyone to be mad at Marcus. I may not have known what I was getting myself into last night, but we all had fun. I don’t need anyone to feel bad about anything they did to me.
“We never would have done that if we’d known it was you,” Matt says.
“And especially if we’d known you never agreed to it,” James adds, sliding his brother a severe look.
“Be careful with him,” Matt says, but I’ve never needed any advice less.
“I will,” I assure him, but I’m only placating him. I won’t.
“If you ever need anyone to kick his ass, he has four brothers. You can come to any of us,” James adds.
“Well, maybe not Joey,” Matt says.
James snorts. “Maybe not him.”
I smile politely, but what I’m thinking is that if any of them want to get to my husband, they’ll have to go through me first.
I know they mean well.
Ready to move on, I glance up at my handsome husband. “Speaking of Joey, should we…?”
“No.”
“Okay.”
Matt sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.