LAKE
“You’re leaving already?” my British friend Rusher Radcliff, who was also my IMI COO, asked.
“Yes. Unlike you, I have a life outside work.” I decided to take my wife from school since I finished work early.
He broke into a smile. “You’re bloody joking, right? What happened to my friend who worked hard day and night? Wait a sec.” He pointed at my finger where I wore a platinum band.
“A ring. Yeah.” I stopped him before he could say something right. “Don’t work hard. See you tomorrow, Rush.”
“Unbelievable.”
I still hear him even though I was already walking into the elevator.
“You’re not riding with us?” Homer asked as Owen exited my Audi and threw the key at me.
“I’m taking OB’s advice for once. I’m picking up my wife from school.”
“Aw,” mimicked Owen in a girl’s voice.
“Shut up. You can follow me or take a day off. Up to you.”
“Without a bodyguard? No way, Winston. I still love my job, or I’ll clean toilets at Osmium.”
“Fine by me.” I entered the driver’s seat and sped off towards the main road.
Twenty minutes later, I arrived at the college campus and called her, but she didn’t pick up.
Owen and Homer just arrived in the black Mercedes.
“I thought her class ended already. She’s not picking up.”
“Just seven minutes ago. She’s probably in the library or with friends. Patience, boss.”
I climbed out of the car, and some college boys and girls recognized me and came over to check my car.
“I should have changed and taken another car.”
“Yeah,” Homer agreed. “I don’t think Mrs. Winston will appreciate the attention you’re getting right now.”
“Guys, go home.” Owen began shooing students while I removed my jacket and pulled off my tie. I opened the buttons on my shirt and pushed the sleeves up my elbows.
Homer chuckled. “You still look like a playboy billionaire. Next time, wear a t-shirt and a baseball cap.”
“Too late, she’s coming.” Owen saw her first, while Maverick seemed oblivious, talking to the blond dude.
“Who’s that fucking guy with her?”
“A friend or classmate,” Homer replied. “Good luck, boss.”
Retreating in the Mercedes, they left me alone while I watched my beautiful wife walk in my direction. I watched her earnestly as I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against my car.
“Now tell me who stole Maverick Bates’ heart,” the blond dude asked.
“That would be me.” I raised my hand.
Maverick halted, eyes widened as she stared at me.
“Mr. Lake Winston?” the blond said surprisedly, who recognized me.
I ignored him, and all my attention was on my wife. “Hey, Maverick.” I reached out for her hand, holding it tight. Now, it was time to put her into practice as my wife. “Don’t I get a kiss?”
“What are you doing here?” she asked breathlessly as she tiptoed to kiss me on the lips. “Lake?”
“I’m taking you out to dinner. And you’re not answering my call.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She fished out her new phone from one of the bags I bought for her. She even put on a pretty smart casual outfit.
One thing I learned about Maverick was she knew how to dress up and style herself.
“You called. I’m sorry I was in a class earlier and had to put it on silent mode.”
The blond guy cleared his throat. “Um, Mave, I should go.”
“Oh, my friend Cooper Greene. Cooper, Lake Winston.”
“Hello, sir. Nice to meet you.”
I shook the hand he offered. “The husband.”
“Whoa. For real?” His eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes. She’s mine.”
“Cool. Congratulations to both of you. I’ll see you later, Mave. Mr. Winston.”
I opened the door for Maverick. “You should practice with your acting, make it a little more real, not like you’re scared of me as if I have an infectious disease.”
Looking offended, she stared at me for a moment before she got into the passenger seat.
When I got in the car, she took my hand, squeezing it, which surprised me. Her hand was cold, though. “I’ll do my best next time. I was just surprised to see you.”
“You can’t freeze every time you see me. Make it look like we’re a real couple. Besides, we’re married. Treat me as your best friend, boyfriend, lover, and husband when we’re in public. You can return to your cocoon when it’s just the two of us.”
“Sorry, okay? We can’t just leave my car outside the school campus.”
“Give your car key to Homer.”
Once Homer had her key, I drove out of the parking lot, and she suddenly went silent. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re upset.”
“Nope.”
“Do you like Cooper?” I didn’t know why I had to ask. Maybe I was just curious that he could be the other guy in our marriage since we both agreed on an open relationship as long as we could keep it discreet.
“Cooper? Like if I like him? No. He’s just a friend. He knows about my ex.”
“And he never asks you out?”
“Never, but I never saw him with anyone. I’m not sure if he’s into girls or-”
“He’s straight, Maverick.” A sliver of jealousy spiked into me. What the fuck?
“Oh, okay. So what now?”
“He likes you but doesn’t have the balls to ask. He values your friendship with him.”
“You’re joking.”
“Maverick, take it from the guy who has met a lot of women.”
“Right. I’m so clueless.”
“Hungry?” I decided to change the topic when she felt uncomfortable.
“Maybe later. Do you have any place you want to go?”
“I’m buying you a new car, and don’t argue with me.”
She shifted in her seat. “Lake, we already discussed-”
“It was not a discussion. It was an argument, and no. If you can’t ditch that car because of fun memories or whatever, then keep it in the garage, but I’m getting you a new car.”
“Can’t I just borrow one of your cars? Or are they your babies, and you won’t let anyone touch them?”
I couldn’t help but smile. “They’re just cars, but I bought them with my hard-earned money, Maverick, but if you like one of the models I have, I’ll get you one just like that. Pick one.”
“Can we do it next week? I’m hungry now.”
“You’re making excuses-no strings attached. I just want to buy you a car, okay? Haven’t we discussed blending into my lifestyle? If you want to drive, you get a new car. Otherwise, I will hire a driver for you. Take a pick.”
“That’s a lot. I checked all the clothes in my room-”
“Stop calculating how much I spent for you. I don’t like it.”
“Fine. But I will use one of your cars, then we can shop next week.”
“No. We’re going to buy you a car today. Then we’ll have dinner. That’s final.”
“So you really are controlling, inconsiderate, unapologetic, argumentative, and impatient son of a gun.”
I chuckled. “See? I’m an open book. And you missed one thing. I’m possessive as fuck.”
“Yay. Figured when you said yes, she’s mine.” She snorted. “Kidding.”
“I’m not. I’m serious.”
“I don’t know what your girlfriend will say about this relationship, bunny.”
I laughed and held her wrist. “Jealous?”
“No. This is me doing my job, Mr. Winston.”
My mood soured. “Stop it. Don’t call me that.”
“Why not? You’re Mr. Winston.”
“I hate it coming from you.”
“Tell me why.”
I glared at her. “Drop it, Maverick.”
“I just wanna know you more.”
“Mr. Winston is my father. And it’s sickening coming from you, and in your head, you were about to marry an older man. And for the last time, I don’t have a girlfriend. Suppose you’re talking about Natalie. She’s never been my girlfriend in the first place. We fucked. End of story.”