Page 134 of Too Far

“Why tomorrow?” I ask when I can breathe again.

“No cameras. No press. We’ll catch them unaware. You can do it here.”

Kendrick sits back and crosses his arms. “It’s not a bad idea. I don’t see any other way we can pull this off without tipping off the media. They’ll find out soon enough, but it will be on our terms. I assume there’s more to the plan, Cap?”

Decker nods once. “I’m breaking ties with my dad. Purposely in breach of contract with most of my NIL deals. I’m getting out, but it’s going to be messy. There will be consequences, but I’ll face them.”

“We’llface them,” Kendrick clarifies.

“Tomorrow, huh?” Locke runs his hand through his hair.

“Is everyone okay with that?” Decker asks.

The guys grumble their consent, the mood in the room noticeably sour.

“Josephine?”

Arms crossed, I prop a hip against the table. Waves of warning crash over me, even though there’s no danger here. The instinct to oppose the situation is purely self-preservation. If I do this,whenI do this, I have to protect my heart. So I press my lips into a flat line, doing my best to look unaffected at the prospect of marrying Decker Crusade. “I honestly don’t care.”

“Josephine,” he mutters. This time my name is a scolding. He links his massive arms across his broad chest, mirroring my stance.

And just like that, we’re locked in a face-off once again.

“What?” The unease inside me is quickly turning to agitation.

Decker wasn’t even supposed to be around this weekend. Tonight was turning out to be chill, enjoyable, with the possibility of turning molten. Weren’t we supposed to play strip poker? What happened to the damn time-out?

“Have you decided my opinion suddenly matters? Just like that, you’ve determined my words and actions have the power to change something you’ve already decided for me?”

“Easy,” Kendrick chides.

His placating tone only raises my hackles more.

“No. I’ll go through with this, but nothing about it will beeasy.” I’m not even mad at K, and yet I can’t help but scowl in his direction. I’m out of my depth. Out of control. Panicking at the prospect of marrying—marrying?—Decker tomorrow. This can’t be happening.

“Cap’s made it clear where he draws the line with me. That doesn’t mean I have to settle, though. Even if he is going to be myhusband.” The last word leaves my mouth like a bitter curse.

Never one to back down when challenged, Decker straightens to full height, rolling his shoulders back.

Gone is the remorseful, pitiful man who was stammering through his supper twenty minutes ago.

Before me stands the arrogant, egotistical asshole quarterback who broke my heart, then stomped on the pieces.

Holding his head high, he scans the room. “Guys. Can you give us a few minutes? I’d like to speak to my wife. Alone.”

No one moves a muscle.

I also refuse to back down from his challenge, so I look from Kylian to Kendrick to Locke. “Go,” I tell them. “I’ll be fine,” I promise when I note the concern in Locke’s expression.

Planting one hand on my hip, I turn back to Decker. “Clearly, my future husband isn’t going to settle until he gets his way. Once I deal with him, I’ll meet you in the Den.”

Chapter 60

Decker

Ipracticallydragherinto my bedroom. Our journey to this end of the cabin is punctuated by her huffs and exasperated sighs.

When we get inside, I close and lock the door.