Page 15 of Bad Boy Husband

JAMESON

S adie and I had arrived back in San Francisco late last night. I had no idea how she’d managed to sneak away from Dallas without causing a scene with her parents, but she’d somehow escaped and caught a ride to the airport with me from Trent’s.

I’d had my jet waiting for us and I’d dropped her at her apartment after we’d landed. Today was the day she would be moving into my place in the city. I would have preferred to take her there last night, but she’d said she needed time to pack up.

The soft light of sunrise crept over the horizon as I lay in my bed at my house on my parents’ property. I sipped my coffee, looking out at the towering treetops and wondering what the day had in store for me. I had already thought this through, obviously, but I was letting her into my bubble.

My safe spaces. My clean places. The places that held my secrets and hadn’t betrayed a single one just yet.

A slow, measured breath came out of me before I drew in another. Sadie worked with animals, so I was sure she was used to keeping things clean and sterile, but as I watched the golden, early morning light wash over my little slice of the family estate, I suddenly remembered that she had a dog.

It was probably just a little purse brat, but I hadn’t grown up with pets. At least, not pets who slept in my bed, left hair on my couch, or made messes of the house.

Mostly, I’d grown up with horses. We were rich. Of course, we had horses. Dogs though, not really.

Callum had begged my parents for one at some point. Harrison had even brought one home once, but CC had returned it to the friend who had given him the puppy.

Sterling had a cat these days. Somehow, he’d grown to like it, which I found strange, but I shoved the thought away for now and got up. I needed to go over to the big house to talk to Dad about what I’d just set up.

After unpacking and folding my dirty clothes before they went into the hamper, I set about meticulously organizing my toiletries again, then finally climbed into the shower.

I stood under the spray for a long time, aware that my cock was begging for attention after spending so much time with Sadie this weekend, but I ignored the urge to do anything about it.

Later, when I had time, sure, but right now, I had things to do that weren’t myself. I wasn’t sure what time Sadie and her dog would be ready, but I wanted to try to pick her up and take her to her new home myself.

First things first, however, I had to go let my family know I was engaged. Sort of. But as far as they would know, I was fully, completely engaged to be married.

Instead of my dad, I found Laney and Callum first. They were lounging in the living room, each of them with their feet kicked up on one of the couches and a smoothie in hand as they laughed at some sitcom on TV.

“What the hell is going on here?” I asked, laughing as I stood in the doorway from the garden and watched Callum stroke a thumb over his stomach same as Laney was doing with hers. “When did you get pregnant, dude?”

“It’s called being sympathetic,” he shot back at me with a wink. “When did you get home? I thought you were in Texas.”

“Yeah, but only until last night.” I pushed away from the door and went over to give my sister-in-law a quick hug. “What are you doing here? Did Sterling have an early meeting with Dad or something?”

“Nope, he’s in Tokyo.” She let out a deep sigh and her eyes filled with tears as we broke apart. “I wasn’t feeling well enough to go with him.”

“So she’s seeking solace here with us while he’s gone,” Callum finished for her, then pushed up into an actual sitting position. “How’s Trent?”

“Did you see Sadie while you were there?” Laney swiped her fingers under her eyes. “Sorry, I just cry about everything these days. I’m fine. Really. I just miss him, is all.”

I chuckled. “Apparently, the hormones will do that to you. Trent’s good. I did see Sadie. Any other questions?”

“Do you know when she’s coming home?” Laney asked. “I miss her, too. She just up and left without saying goodbye and I’ve gotten so used to having her around that she left a big gaping hole in my life that Callum hasn’t been able to fill.”

“Gee, thanks,” he teased.

She winked at him. “You’re great, but just not as great as her. Did you guys know that she’s been helping with the community events we put on at Baby Blossom? People love her. She’s just got a real good heart and it’s been weird around here without her.”

As she’d been going on about Sadie, Callum had started drilling holes into me with his eyes. “You don’t have to tell Jamie how great she is, Lane. They used to date, but for the record, I’m at least as great as her.”

Laney’s mouth dropped open. She stared at my brother before swinging her gaze to mine. “You used to date ? When?”

Fuck you, Callum. I shot him a look that said I’d be getting him back for this. Then I inhaled deeply, knowing that she wouldn’t let it go until she had at least some of the details. “It was nothing. A summer fling.”

“It seemed like a whole lot more than a fling to me,” my brother muttered.

Suddenly on edge, I wondered what they were going to say when they found out. No one knew about my plan with Sadie yet. As it was, I’d been wondering if we ought to keep it on the down-low for a while.

Trent might find out and ruin it for us before I’d even had a chance to hash it out for myself. The only thing I really knew for sure right now was that I couldn’t let her go back to Dallas, but outside of that, I was flying blind.

I saw my dad striding across the hall and I sighed but crossed the room. If anyone would have guidance for me about what to expect, it was him—and Sterling, who was apparently in Tokyo. I would call him later and get it from his side anyway, but for now, that left me with Harlan.

As I reached the door, I paused and looked back at Callum and Laney. She was staring at me with so many questions written across her pretty face that I could’ve sworn I heard her screaming them at me.

“I’ll tell you later,” I promised, then looked at my brother. “You just love throwing the dynamite and watching shit explode, don’t you?”

He smirked at me and started settling back down. “It keeps things interesting. Besides, it was about time somebody told Laney about it. Sadie’s one of her best friends now.”

“Which means she would’ve told her when she was ready.” I frowned. “How did you even know?”

“I know everything, man,” he joked, then picked up his disgusting green smoothie again. “Except how people stomach this stuff. I don’t know that. It will forever remain a mystery to me.”

“It’s not that bad,” Laney protested, but glanced back at me, her features soft and understanding, but I could see the curiosity still flickering in her eyes. “Whatever it was, a fling or a great romance, I’m here if you ever want to talk about it. There’s no pressure, though.”

“Yeah, especially because it all happened so long ago that it doesn’t even matter anymore. Sadie still doesn’t like talking to him.” Callum looked up at me. “Unless you’ve finally made peace with her?”

“Actually,” I said, knowing full well that I was going to be the one tossing the stick of dynamite this time. “Sadie is going to be my wife.”

I ignored their collective gasps and gawking, turning and striding down the hall to my dad before Callum could hurl any questions at me.

While talking to them, I’d realized that keeping our engagement on the down-low would only make it look like I was ashamed of my relationship with her, which I wasn’t.

Sadie and I had kept our feelings for each other a secret before, and I wasn’t interested in going back to sneaking around or worrying about who saw us together. Hell, maybe if we had gone about it honestly and openly before, things would’ve ended very differently for us.

So no. Trent could go fuck himself if he tried to ruin this. I loved the guy, but I’d chosen him above my happiness and hers in the past. I absolutely wasn’t going to do it again.

My dad was standing in front of Mom’s special sitting room, a deep frown on his features as he watched me approach. What the hell is that about? I know he heard what I just said. I would’ve thought he’d be calling for a bottle of champagne.

I tilted my chin toward the sitting room when I reached the door. He followed me in but he still hadn’t said anything. Unsurprisingly, Mom was already in there, humming under her breath as she trimmed the fresh flowers in the vases.

“You’re marrying Sadie Shepard?” Dad said once I’d shut the door behind us, his voice as stony as his expression. “That’s not a good idea, Jameson.”

“What?” Incredulity rang from my voice as I planted my hands on my hips. “What the hell are you talking about? You told me to find a girl from a good family and marry her. That’s what I’ve done.”

I turned to my mother, expecting a squeal of joy or even a happy dance. I got neither of those things. Instead, her hazel eyes, which matched my own so closely I could read her like an open book, were shimmering with worry.

“I’m afraid I have to agree with your father, Jamie. Sadie is a lovely girl, but she’s not right for you.”

“Excuse me?” I scoffed. “You didn’t even meet Laney before Sterling had already married her and you were okay with that.”

Harlan sighed. “Yes, Jameson. We were, because your brother came to me with the contract and the deep dive he’d had our people do on her. I knew exactly what the terms of their marriage were going to be, but I also knew what kind of family she came from.”

“So? You know what kind of family Sadie comes from too.” I suddenly groaned. “Wait, is this because you guys don’t get along with Troy and Claira? Because let’s be honest. You’ve never really tried.”

Mom grimaced. “Oh, we tried. They’re just condescending snobs who think that they rule the world.”

“Sounds familiar,” I muttered under my breath before I looked at my dad again. “Regardless of your personal feelings about them, they’re a solid family. Old money. Traditional values.”

“Yet they’ve let their daughter squander her trust fund and then they cut her off. It’s a disaster for their reputation. Clearly, they have no control over her and they don’t know how to deal with anything unless they turn off the taps.”

Mom shot me an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, honey. I believe she has a good heart, really, but based on all these rumors about how frivolous she is with money, I just don’t think she’s a good match for you.”

“She does have a good heart,” I agreed, deciding that I would try one last time to plead my case without giving away too many details about her personal situation.

“Things are complicated between her and her parents, but that’s not my story to tell.

The bottom line is that she’s not frivolous, she’s generous, and she’s hardworking, and kind, and she had the misfortune of being born into a family who just doesn’t understand her. ”

“I’m sorry, Jameson,” Dad said, finality ringing in his tone. “We’re adamant about this. Sadie’s name cannot become linked to ours.”

“It’s too late.” I scoffed and threw my hands up as I backed toward the door. “The contract has already been signed. We’re getting married at the end of the month. So, Mom, you better start planning that wedding you’ve been begging for. There’s not much time left.”

With that, I spun around and yanked the door open, storming off before either of them could get another word out. Dad had told me to find a girl and marry her, and I’d done that. Well, half of it. The other half, I would get to and nothing and nobody would stop me.