That little boy doesn’t need to know that perhaps it may never happen. That his dad could end up in jail. And if that happens, then he really is stuck with me, because Hunter paid someone off at the courthouse earlier. I didn’t ask questions. I just signed some things, and that was that. I want to be there for Wyatt.
And now, while Hunter is putting Wyatt to bed, I’m standing on the porch of my best friend's house, about to announce my marriage.
I knock on the door to Violet’s house nervously, listening to her footsteps on the other side of the wood. I don’t know why I’m expecting her to be annoyed. Maybe it’s because I havenever really done anything right in my parents' eyes, so I assume everyone is always pissed at me, no matter what I do.
The door flies open, and she smiles at me. “Lola… Why do you look like you’re about to pass out?”
I shake my head and let out a laugh. “I’m nervous.”
She opens it wider and ushers me inside. It’s already becoming her space, with the antique decor arriving and her messy pile of shoes by the door.
“I fucking love this house, Lola. It’s so cool. I do miss you being my roomie, though,” she tells me, and I follow her into the kitchen.
“I’m only five minutes away. We’re on the same land,” I tell her.
It is stunning. The wood and cobbled stones. The fireplace. It’s like a mini version of Hunters.
“Although I did take the bull head skeleton down, that is creepy as fuck.”
I giggle. “Yeah. Just don’t break it.”
She starts pouring me a white wine, and I lean back against the counter. “I’ve got something to tell you, V.”
She swings around to face me. “Well?” she asks, placing a hand on her hip.
I twirl the rings on my wedding finger and chew my lip. “I might have got married today.”
Silence. I’ve finally done it. I’ve found out how to stop Violet from speaking.
I hold out my hand, showing her the engagement and wedding ring that look beautiful on my finger.
“You… married Hunter, I assume? Or a guy you picked up off the street instead?”
I roll my eyes. “Yes. I married Hunter.”
She nods, staring at the diamond. “And you didn’t invite me because…” she pauses, her eyes forming slits.
“Is he forcing you to do this? Because if he is, I will go stab him, Lola.”
I shake my head, stepping towards her. “God no. I wanted this as much as he did. I didn’t invite you only because it was a spur-of-the-moment idea. This wedding was our legal one. So his name keeps me protected no matter what happens to him.”
She nods. I think she understands. “So like if he goes to jail, you mean?”
I swallow. It’s half that. Half the mafia stuff he has going on, but I don’t think I need to tell her all of Hunter's dark secrets.
“Yes,” I confirm.
“And once that is dealt with, we will be having our wedding. The kind I’ve dreamed of. You as my bridesmaid. A big white dress. Flowers. A band. All of it.”
She takes me by surprise by wrapping me in a huge hug. “I’m not even mad. After what Reese did and how Hunter sorted that, he’s got my vote. And the marriage is looking after my best friend, I can’t be angry about that.” She pulls back, her eyes glassy. “Seeing you happy makes my heart hurt. In a good way.”
I nearly burst out into tears. No matter what, I’ve always had Violet by my side.
“Have you told your parents?”
I scoff. “No. Although Dad called me earlier, so I need to call him back. I’ll probably wait to tell them in person, though.”
I’m not going to admit out loud that I’m worried about their reaction. That somehow, if they dislike Hunter, it will still hurt me. Because he probably is the last person they’d ever expect me to go for, but that says more about them not really knowing their daughter.