to not let your past define you. And when she told me you were willing to settle down and get married, that you wanted to make some serious lifestyle changes, I went to bat for you too. I talked to the board and convinced them we need you back. How would you like to suit up for tomorrow’s game?”
I could feel my heart pounding in my throat. “I’ve only served two games of my six-game suspension.”
“Well, that suspension was a directive of our team, not of the league, so we can do whatever the hell we want.”
I wanted to play so bad. My time away from the Wolves had felt like torture. Now he was offering to forgive and forget. But that wouldn’t last if I didn’t marry Charlie. As soon as he figured that out, I would be as good as gone. “I don’t know what to say.”
His voice softened. “You and I have had our differences. I know how it feels to be young with nonstop women and money at your disposal, but I think our team is better than that. When we have a strong family foundation, both at home and in the locker room, that is how we win championships.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you think your wife will forgive me if I ask you to come back tomorrow night?”
I couldn’t bring myself to look at Charlie. “I think she’d be more than okay.”
“Good, good. And I might have slipped your happy news to the team. There will be some players happy to see you back on the bench.” He chuckled. “Give Charlie a heads up: they might be planning a little celebration for you both after tomorrow night’s game.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me, Mica. This is all your doing. You’re showing me you’re capable of commitment. You’re stepping up.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now don’t let me keep you. Go enjoy your day.”
“Thank you.”
I pressed the off button and could barely bring myself to look at Charlie. She sat with her sleeves pulled down over her hands, which were fisted over her mouth.
Her eyes were downcast, focused on the countertop.
“Say something.”
Her big brown eyes lifted to me, but she didn’t speak.
I pinched the bridge of my nose and squeezed my eyes shut. “We need to get married.”
“But you just said this would be a real marriage.” She sounded breathless.
“I know what I said.”
“But…”
I felt like the most selfish asshole in the world. I swallowed and looked at her. “I’m sorry. I’m screwing this up.”
She took a big breath. “It will save your career.”
“It will.”
Out of all the things I thought she would feel, the sadness that crossed her face was the last emotion I expected to see. It hit me like a hard, left-hook to my gut, making me feel queasy.
She slid off her stool. “I’ll go get ready.”
I stood beside Charlie in front of the judge as he went through the motions of marrying us. The judge cleared his throat, looking pointedly at me.
“You can now face your bride and repeat after me.”
I turned to face Charlie. She was staring directly at my chest, not looking up at me. This whole thing felt wrong. I felt terrible about this morning, and I had said things that I already regretted.
“Look at me,” I said under my breath to Charlie. Her reluctant eyes lifted to mine. I was committing to her. It might be the last choice I wanted to make, but my commitment was real.
The judge nodded at me and said, “Please repeat after me.”
There was so much trepidation in her eyes. I mentally willed her to keep looking at me as I spoke my vows of marriage to her while simultaneously and silently communicating my own version of that vow to her.
“I, Mica Petrov, take you, Charlie Watt, to be my wife and to live together in marriage.”
I don’t want this, and you know that, and for that I am sorry.
“I promise to love you, comfort you, honor, and keep you.”
I will never love you, but I will comfort, honor, and keep you as mine.
“For better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.”
I am rich and you are poor, but I will look after you. No matter what.
“And forsaking all others, I will be faithful only to you.”
I will never cheat on you, and I expect the same damn commitment of celibacy from you.
“So long as we both shall live.”
I won’t make the same mistake my parents made. We will divorce, but I will try