Accidentally Married on Purpose (21 page)

Chest tight, belly fluttering so much it felt like a flock of birds was throwing down, Sherry held tight to the railing as his gaze penetrated hers.

“Certain events are markers. Stones set in the timeline of your life that you just know will stay with you. Change you and become a part of your DNA. This month has been one giant marker and, without a doubt, I know that I’ve been irrevocably altered.”

Sherry blew out a slow, controlled breath. She had to play this right. Media lined the grounds and a dozen cameras were pointed at her face at that moment, capturing her reaction. A small voice whispered
that
was why Tyler had said that. He was fulfilling his end of the bargain even now. But another voice—one that dared to hope—screamed out,
what if he means it?

What
if?

She didn’t know how, but she must’ve reacted visibly because suddenly, Tyler’s intense gaze widened. He scanned her face as the thick knot in his throat bobbed. Then, tearing his gaze away, he focused again on the crowd.

“Now, what do y’all say we get on with the music?”

…

Tyler held tight to Sherry’s hand. Navigating through his parents’ backyard was a sensory overload, even more chaotic than the concert. By the time they arrived here, having gotten stuck finishing interviews and signing autographs for fans, the party was already underway. The place was packed. Kids yelling, people laughing, and Uncle Bill manning the barbecue. Country music played on the radio, and snippets of a dozen conversations blended into one.

After nodding and mumbling his thanks to another distant cousin stopping to congratulate him, Tyler led her past the back deck. The familiar green-and-white patio set had been shoved in the corner, making room for instruments. A drum set, a keyboard, and the old mic stand from the garage were out just waiting to be played, and front and center, propped next to his own prized Takamine, was his old man’s Gibson.

A lump rose in Tyler’s throat.

“Man, you people don’t play around with reunions.”

He tore his gaze away from the makeshift stage, and Sherry smiled up at him. She jutted a thumb at the abandoned sneakers and multi-colored socks lying haphazard outside a giant jump house. “I never got this when I was a kid. My parents were only children, so our parties were total snooze fests. But I always wanted a huge family.” As her wistful words seemed to catch up with her brain, her steps faltered and she turned to him with wide eyes. “Not that
this
is my family. You know, like for
real
or anything. Just making conversation.”

If it weren’t so awkward, it’d be adorable.

God, Tyler could kick himself. It’d been like this ever since the concert. Stilted conversations. Sherry off, stuck in her head. Thinking about his dumb speech on stage, he bet. Where that verbal diarrhea had come from, he had no clue. Normally, he had the opposite problem.

Writing lyrics that made women weep was easy. Looking someone in the eye—looking
this girl
in the eye—and speaking the words in his head was impossible. Or so he’d thought until today. But affection was proving to be a dangerous thing. It prompted him to speak when he should keep his damn mouth shut. After he’d spewed his guts, he saw the flare in her eyes, even with the shadows falling on her face.
Panic.
It’s why he’d ignored Charlie’s advice and cut their other new song from the set list.

If his pathetic fumbling made her this uncomfortable,
that
would’ve been a disaster.

“Oh my word, something smells divine.” Sherry tugged on his hand, and Tyler smiled at her enthusiastic attempt at misdirection.

As he led her around the corner of the shed, the tang of garlic hung heavy in the air. His stomach rumbled loudly. Gluttony was a given whenever the Blues got together; if you weren’t singing or dancing, you were stuffing your face. But even he was impressed by the tables packed with food. Fried chicken, coleslaw, jambalaya, macaroni and cheese…you name it, his aunts had brought it. And Tyler had a hunch as to why.

“Is your mom still lying down?” Sherry asked, as if she could read his mind.

After glancing at the empty covered swing just off the deck, he nodded. She squeezed his hand tighter.

“You know, she found me before they had to leave.” She rested her head on his arm. “The excitement may’ve worn her out…but Tyler, she is so dang proud of you.”

He closed his eyes, not sure if that helped or made it worse. He’d talked to his mom briefly too, before the performance. And during it, he’d sought out her serene, joy-filled smile. Wondering when her chair would be
empty
was what killed him.

Releasing a ragged breath, Tyler opened his eyes. He refused to do this now. This was a party, a celebration, and his family was here en masse. Kissing the crown of Sherry’s head, he asked, “Want a beer?”

Before she could respond, he was striding to the icy cooler. He plunged a hand inside, the freezing temperature a welcome shock to his system, and withdrew two Bud Lights. Uncapping one, he handed it over. “Bottoms up.”

Sherry studied him for a moment before clinking their bottles together. “Cheers.” Then, tilting her head back, she lifted the beer to her lips and chugged. Tyler watched her delicate throat work to pull the liquid down and then took a long sip of his own, sliding his gaze lower.

Sophisticated rocker chic.
That’s what she’d called today’s look when she walked out of her bedroom. Tyler just called it hot. A dark purple blouse, almost the same shade as her hair, hugged the curve of her chest, and a deep V hinted at cleavage. And a plum, lacy bra. A flirty black skirt skimmed her hips, and sexy heels encased her feet. With her hair in a messy bun, eyes smoky and dark, she was like a siren. An illusion tempting him with what he couldn’t keep.

Making him wish he could push for more.

But Tyler had no room in his life for a relationship. Too much was on the line to risk splitting his focus now. This had always only been a temporary arrangement. A
fairy tale
, Sherry had called it. Real life was touring and craziness and everything she’d never want. And everything
he
needed.

“You know, I met a few of your relatives at the concert,” she said, snapping his gaze back up. She grinned, clearly enjoying the fact he’d been checking her out.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yep.” Her pouty lips popped on the
p
, and it was a Herculean effort to keep his eyes from falling again. “They seem really cool. Sweet, welcoming…
fun
.” Her eyebrow quirked, a smile full of mischief tilting her lips as she asked, “You sure you aren’t adopted?”

He choked on his beer with a laugh. Swiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he said, “Are you implying I’m
not
fun? Woman, you seem to have forgotten my Jackson moves in the rain.” He did an impromptu moonwalk just in case, not the easiest feat in grass. “And my acrobatic skills in Vegas. Baby, I’ve got fun cornered.” He looked her up and down and grinned. “In fact, why don’t I—”

“Told ya he’d be back here!”

“—show you now…” he finished, trailing off with a shake of his head. So much for that. “Well, all I can say is, if you thought my family was fun before, consider this your warning.” At her questioning look, he waggled the beer in his hand. “Now they’re liquored up.”

She laughed, free and full, and the stress in his back melted away. Oh, his life was beyond screwed. His family was eager to meet a wife who wasn’t really his, and everyone was smiling a bit too much. Pretending his mom wasn’t napping inside, weak and feeble. The one thing he really wanted to do—grab Sherry and lose himself with her for the next week—was off the table. But she
was
by his side. Gifting him with a never-ending supply of her smiles. Filling him with that calm,
easy
feeling he craved.

A moment later, his godmother popped around the corner, signature pink, rhinestone-covered cowboy hat obviously still going strong. “Boy, you should know better. If you’re trying to hide, don’t do it by the food.” She tossed Sherry a wink. “It’s the first place any of us will look.”

“See, what’d I tell you,” Tyler stage-whispered. “Drunk as a skunk.”

He grinned to show he was teasing. The woman didn’t shy away from booze, but he’d never seen her lit a day in his life. She could drink any of them under the table.

“Besides, would I ever hide from you, Aunt Lettie?”

“You could try, but I’d always find you,” she declared with a wide smile, walking right up and cupping the side of his face. Her smile softened as she looked in his eyes and asked, “How you doing, honey?”

“Good.” Up close, it was hard to look right at her. The resemblance to his mom was so pronounced. Ignoring the pinch in his chest, he asked, “How’s she doing?”

Of course, Dad had given him the health report earlier, but he liked to add a positive spin. Aunt Lettie always shot him straight.

“It’s getting close,” she admitted, eyes growing misty. “She’s ready, though.” After letting the pain of that settle in his bones, Tyler nodded and she stepped back, taking his hand in hers. “She’s so happy you’re finally settled, though, and I couldn’t be more grateful that she got to see it.”

Unaware of the way her words tore at him, Aunt Lettie smiled and glanced back and forth between them. “You be good to each other.”

When Sherry’s conflicted eyes found his, Tyler cleared his throat. “We will.”

More relatives descended, well wishes and gifts piling on the ground around them, the after party transforming into a pseudo-wedding reception. He had no proof, but this had his mom written all over it. Sherry took it all in with her famous wit, making his entire family fall head over boots in love with her. Tyler wasn’t surprised.

Uncle Bill clapped him on the shoulder. “Congratulations, kid. Couldn’t be happier about all the good coming your way. You deserve it.”

Tyler’s smile felt fake and plastic, but he said, “Thank you, I appreciate it. Don’t know if I deserve it, but I’m certainly trying.” When the crowd shifted, he locked eyes with his dad and added, “I inherited some rather large shoes to fill.”

At that, his old man howled. That full-body laugh had gotten Tyler through years of doctor’s appointments, sleepless nights, and waiting for test results; it held a bit of magic, too.

“Now you’re just talking nonsense,” Dad said, stepping forward. He grinned at his new daughter-in-law and took her hand—the man was an unrepentant flirt. “Don’t let him fool you, darlin’. He’s got more talent in his left pinkie than I ever had. But I tell you what. All those fancy awards and that big bank account of his can’t keep a man warm at night. That’s why his mother and I are sure glad he found you.”

The flash of insecurity in her eyes was so quick Tyler doubted anyone else noticed.

But
he
had.

“Oh, my man
knows
he’s lucky,” Sherry said, rallying with a confident grin. Maybe a shade too confident. She slid an affectionate hand over Tyler’s chest and added, “I got a pretty good deal, too.”

His family laughed appreciatively, and Tyler drained the rest of his beer. That tension from before? It was back. Big time. And he had not a clue why. It didn’t make any sense. His dad was just trying to make Sherry feel special, and she was playing the part as agreed. But none of that stopped a muscle from popping in his jaw.

Sherry stepped in front of him, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug. His hands slid to her lower back as she whispered in his ear, “Maybe you two should go for a walk.”

That was the last thing he wanted to do right now. Even as he knew she was right, he fought it. He twirled his empty bottle behind her back, circling it between his thumb and forefinger, looking to put off the inevitable. But in the end, he agreed, because she
was
right.

Inhaling a breath, Tyler nodded, and the queen of misdirection smiled.

She spun in his hold and, back pressed to his chest, said, “All right, y’all, my husband seems to think his family can cook. But see,
mine
owns a restaurant,” she said, sass in full effect. “To satiate this palate, you gotta bring your A game.” Although he couldn’t see it, he could tell she’d winked playfully, and his family ate it up. “Any suggestions what dish I should try first?”

As expected, his aunts surged forward, racing to ply her with a plate and promising theirs was the best. She nodded and teased and, over their heads, gave him an encouraging smile. He glanced over at his dad. Dad’s forehead was lined; his eyes narrowed a bit in concern. Tyler had no plans of admitting the truth. He’d promised Sherry he wouldn’t, and after what the old man and his aunt had to say, it was best he kept it that way. But he did need answers.

“Want to take a walk?”

Dad tilted his head and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Sure.” He waved toward the back of the property and said, “Lead on, son.”

Nodding once, Tyler turned and aimed for the rear fence. His father fell in step beside him. “Mom still gardening?” he asked, needing to fill the silence.

“Every day she can,” Dad answered with a tight smile, shifting to look over the landscape. “It centers her, she says. Helps her remember what’s important and stop thinking about what’s to come.”

They stopped near the fence line, and he grabbed hold of a plank. Tyler had replaced the thing last year, so the wood was new. Freshly painted white to offset his mother’s flowers.
White is the perfect backsplash
, she always said. Tyler tore his gaze away from her row of camellias.