Desired (Two Marks 2)

To Chester, I’d gone insane.

To me, maybe I’d actually fled insanity and found the real me.

“Dad?”

“Rachel!” he boomed. “Oh my God, sweetheart, is it true? What in the hell is going on?”

I shrank a bit in the passenger seat of Cord’s SUV and held the phone away from my ear.

Cord frowned, shooting me a concerned look. Something about his gruff concern straightened my backbone. I had a right to find my own way in the world. Letting the people close to me manage my life was what got me into this mess.

“Is what true?” I asked.

“Have you completely lost it?” His voice was loud enough I didn’t have to put my phone to my ear. I was sure they guys could hear. “You ran away from your own engagement party and married a cowboy in Wyoming?”

Chester had gone and tattled to my parents. It had taken less than thirty minutes. Unbelievable!

“Dad, you’re yelling,” I said, trying to remain calm. “I’m fine. Happy. Safe. Call me back when you’re ready to listen.” I ended the call, then clapped a hand over my mouth, shocked at my own audacity. I’d never once talked back to either of my parents. I’d gone along with their wishes. Clearly, for far too long.

“Good for you,” Nash encouraged, setting his hand on my thigh and giving it a gentle squeeze. Cord was driving, I was in the middle—where they seemed to like me—and Nash on my right.

The phone immediately rang. I gave it a couple rings before I picked up the call. “Rachel.” My dad sounded worried now. “Are you on drugs?”

I shook my head and ended the call again. “He just asked if I was on drugs,” I said in shocked disbelief. Chester really had already done a number on him.

The phone rang again, and this time I took charge. “Dad, if you’re going to insult me or my mental capacities, we’re not having this conversation. Are you ready to listen?”

He made a frustrated sound in his throat, and then choked out, “Okay.”

I took a deep breath. I’d been rehearsing this speech in my head for weeks, but hadn’t really gotten it right yet. “I’m not marrying Chester. I should have figured that out sooner, but I guess I had a hard time letting people down. You and Mom included. In my defense, I’ve been saying I wasn’t ready or sure about marriage to him for years now, and every time I did, you or Mom told me why it would be perfect.”

My dad made a noncommittal sound.

“I have to say that springing an engagement party on me as a surprise was a bad move. Putting me on the spot didn’t make me cave, it made me leave the state. So, you only have yourselves to thank for my current address.”

My dad let out a dry laugh. Hearing it relieved me.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch. It was disrespectful. I needed some time without any pressure. I just wasn’t ready to talk to anyone yet. I’m sure you and Mom were worried, so I apologize for that.”

“Well, are you sure you’re safe? What is this business about marrying a cowboy? I can get that wedding annulled and have you back here in twenty-four hours.”

He loved me. He did. But he was trying to save me. I needed to save myself. Live with my decisions, face the consequences.

I’d been the one who’d lied and said Nash was my husband. I had to deal with that. But with Nash—and Cord—I owed it to them to stick around. Plus, I wanted to stay. To see what this was between us. Not that I could share that with my father.

“Yes, I’m fine. Nash is a good man.”

Nash stiffened beside me and I set my hand on top of his.

“You barely know him.”

“I know good when I see it,” I murmured, recognizing the truth in the words. I’d never felt anything but right with these two men.

Nash made a funny sound, and I looked up and met his blue eyes.

I saw the heat. Felt it.

“Look, Dad. I’ve got to go. I know Chester told you things, but it’s over with him.”

“That man is angry. He called and acted insane. I’ve never heard him like that.”

“I know I embarrassed him at the party, but he embarrassed me too. Then he shows up here, and is furious I moved on.”

“You married a guy. I wouldn’t call that simply moving on.”

I was tempted to tell my dad I married Nash to send Chester the message that my inheritance was off the table, but something in me didn’t want to say that things with Nash were a farce. Maybe I didn’t want them to be a farce.

I sighed. “You’re right. Either way, Chester has no say. Move on, marry, move to Mars. It’s my decision. I’m going to say it again so it’s clear for you. I’m not in love with Chester. I don’t even like him right now. I am not going to marry him or date him. It’s over.”