Accidental Shield (Marriage Mistake #6)(25)

“That reminds me, what’s up with the old phone?” Val asks, flipping her hair gingerly away from the bandaged spot on her head. “Did it get lost in the accident? The one you left for me this morning seems like a backup.”

I hesitate. “Yeah, sorry I forgot to mention it. We’ll get you a better one soon.”

“I hope I saved all my contacts somewhere. Maybe they’re backed up on my computer or something if I let my accounts sync.” She’s frowning again. “I do have a laptop or something, don’t I?”

Goddamn. That screaming sound you hear is my lead balloon going down in flames.

This isn’t gonna work.

I can’t keep piling up one lie after the next. There are too many simple, everyday things that just aren’t there, that don’t make sense.

This chick’s got a brain to go along with her glitter. She’s too smart, and sooner or later, she’ll catch me with my tongue tied, and I damn well won’t be able to talk my way out of it.

“Oh, jeez. I...don’t tell me my computer was on the boat too?”

Christ.

I huff out a breath, nodding briskly. “Unfortunately. Surprised it wasn’t physically bolted to your fingers.”

“Oh? Why’s that?” She smiles, intensifying the urge to find a nice big sinkhole to throw myself in. “Keeping up with my busy tour schedule?”

“You guessed it. That and your Pinterest account. You’re a real Hulu fiend sometimes, too.”

“Awesome. I was wondering when I’d figure out my quirks.” Her pearly white teeth peek out of her lips. “But, wait. Couldn’t I just do most of that stuff from my phone? Did I really need to haul my computer around everywhere?”

I shrug. “I never questioned anything. It was your business, honey, and you ran it just the way you wanted.”

That gets a laugh. “Smart man, Flint.”

Fucking hardly.

Sometimes I think all my brains were used up in my own business years ago.

“Well, whatever. I’ll just use your computer to look up amnesia when we get home,” she says and turns, gazing out the window at the ever-changing landscape.

I don’t respond.

By the time we get home, I hope like hell I’ll have figured out how to deal with her latest plans.

Actually, screw it, I’ll just Google everything for her, assuming she doesn’t put up a fuss.

That way, I know she won’t look up anything risky.

We drive on for a few more miles. I’m grateful for the quiet. Val just admires the view, wearing a soft, serene expression.

Meanwhile, I’m praying she stays that way. I think about a lot of crap. Heavy, tortured, cringe-inducing shit.

I wonder what I did to deserve this, driving a forgetful chick who isn’t really my wife, trying not to let my cock cut in on my thoughts every time my eyes flick to her pretty face, the ivory curve of her neck, the all-too-fuckable plumpness of her hips.

Mostly, I keep wondering if there’s a big enough bar of soap in the world to rinse off my dirty, lying tongue. And possibly my eyes.





*



Once we get to the food truck, I tell her to wait behind in the air-conditioned comfort while I grab our food. We’ll eat at a beach I know nearby.

She readily agrees. Val’s easy, happy trust just makes my stomach churn.

It can’t be helped.

There’s another reason I don’t want her popping up at my side. The shrimp truck owner knows me well because Bryce and I eat here regularly every time we’re on the North Shore.

Kade Māhoe knows damn well I’m not a married man.

He shouts through the serving window as soon as he sees me approaching. His son, Kael, runs around from the backside of the truck.

“Hey, Mr. Calum! Is Bryce with you today?” Kael asks, already running toward my truck.

“No.” I step out of line quickly to stop him. “Bryce is with his grandma for a few days.”

Disappointment fills his face.

He sighs before asking, “Then...who’s in your truck? I see somebody.”

“Just a friend,” I say, wishing like hell that were true.

Kael nods and flashes a big understanding grin, causing his dark hair to flap down in his eyes. He’s a good kid. Strong and kind and dark brown from helping his old man in the sun all the time.

“He’ll be back soon. I’ll bring him up here when I can,” I tell him, trying not to dwell on how long that might be with this Valerie situation.

He pushes his hair aside and nods.

“I wanted to show him the turtle eggs I found over on the beach.” His brown eyes brighten. “Do you want to see them?”

Normally, I would, but today, I shake my head. “Can’t right now, sorry. Maybe another time. Just be sure you’re keeping your distance.”

“Oh, yeah. Wouldn’t dream of disturbing them,” he says. “Can’t wait to see if they hatch!”

“What can I get for you, Flint?” Kade shouts. “The usual?”

“Yeah, two plates today,” I answer. Val said she didn’t care what kind of shrimp I get her, just as long as I don’t forget the dessert. “Give me a cheesecake on a stick, too, please.”

Kael walks with me to the window, still talking a mile a minute about his turtle eggs. Kade and I share a few words, mostly concerning how long it’s been since I ate his awesome shrimp.