The Star's Fake Marriage Read online

  It was like a knife to his heart. “No, she’s nothing like Petra.” Callie had never been like Petra. “Listen, I need to go. Callie doesn’t know our marriage has been leaked, and we weren’t going to let it out until after her sister’s wedding. I need to tell her what’s going on.”

  “All right,” his dad said. “You take care of that and make sure you drop by for a visit. You hear me?”

  Oh, Tucker heard him, and his dad meant business. He’d take Callie home, or else. “Yeah, Dad, I heard you. I’ll see you soon.”

  Once they said their goodbyes, Tucker walked down the beach to find Callie. With the way his heart was racing and his palms were sweating, it was almost like he was giving his first big concert...the one that made him throw up.

  How was he supposed to explain what happened when he had no idea himself? Would Callie believe him? How angry would her parents be when they found out and realized they’d been planning on keeping it from them?

  On top of that, he hadn’t been prepared to pretend to be married to Callie while they were at her family’s vacation home. The plan had been to make it through the week, and when they went to LA, she’d have her own room in his home. That way it would be easy on both of them.

  Nothing about this so-called plan was going according to plan. If it was already going sideways, what hope did Tucker have that it would straighten itself out and work like he was assured it would?

  If nothing else, when he got back to LA, he’d have a long talk with Derek. The man had some serious explaining to do, and Tucker was going to get some answers. Yeah, this was supposed to help his career, but if something went wrong…Tucker stopped, unable to allow his thoughts to go down that path.

  No, this was going to work. This was just a momentary hiccup. Besides, now that they knew, his image could be fixed. This was what he wanted, and Callie was a nice woman. Of all the things that could have gone wrong, this was the best worst thing. For that, he needed to be thankful.

  Chapter 7

  With her eyes closed, Callie stretched out on a towel on the beach, baking in the late afternoon sun. She was so glad the introductions were over. Not that the awkwardness was gone. No, that was very much alive.

  Why did they have to make such a big deal about her bringing someone? Yeah, it was someone famous, but he was a person, and they made it sound like she was some stalker. At least he’d somewhat remembered her and hadn’t heard it from her crazy sisters.

  She smiled as his conversation with her niece came to mind. Her heart melted as she’d overheard. Especially since Tucker had no idea what he’d done for her niece or what it meant to have someone like him give her advice.

  I’ll be cheering you on. Her heart melted all over again as the words replayed through her mind.

  “Uh, Callie,” Tucker’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

  She opened her eyes and blinked at the sudden brightness. “Hey, back already?”

  “Yeah.”

  Something in his voice made her sit up. “What’s wrong?”

  He took a seat on the towel next to her. “Our marriage was leaked.”

  It was a good thing she was sitting down. “W-what? Leaked! How?”

  “I don’t know. I just got off the phone with Stacey. All I know is that it’s been picked up and the press is digging into you.”

  Digging into her? Callie felt the color drain from her face. What if they found out she wasn’t an accountant? As quick as she thought it, she shook it off. No, they wouldn’t find that. Not only did she have a pen name, but Gil and Derek had taken precautions against anyone finding out she worked as a reporter. She sure wanted to tell Tucker, though. It felt so wrong to keep it from him. Wouldn’t he eventually find out? And if he found out after being lied to for a year, wouldn’t that make it worse?

  But she had a contract. Was it still enforceable since their marriage was leaked before her sister’s wedding? She thought for a second. Yeah, it was, because she hadn’t thought to include that detail in the contract. Ugh. She was so stupid. At the time, she had no reason to think it’d be leaked, but she should’ve known.

  “Are you okay?” Tucker asked.

  “I don’t know. Are you?”

  “I don’t know. Your mom isn’t going to be happy; I do know that.”

  Callie snorted. Her mom? Oh, this was going to be fun. That’s if Georgia didn’t kill her. She touched her fingers to her temple and sucked in a deep breath.

  “Why did this have to happen? We just needed a few days. Just until after my sister’s wedding. I don’t understand why anyone would leak it.”

  “My best guess is that it was Derek. He wanted to get the ball rolling. They want to get a tour set up, and he wants my fans to buy this relationship. The best way to do that is to have enough space that people don’t connect it with the tour.”

  Callie’s jaw dropped. “A tour?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I didn’t know about that. That’s amazing news.”

  He shrugged. “Thanks, but what do you want to do about your family?”

  Why didn’t Tucker seem happier about touring? Wasn’t that what he wanted? But that wasn’t the current problem. Her family was.

  “Let me tell them. I can take the heat.”

  “No way.” He held up a hand. “There’s no way I’m letting you take this on alone. I’m the other half of this thing, and that’s not how I operate.”

  Her heart did a little dance. She knew he was a good guy. He’d always been sweet and never backed down. During one of their dates, he caught a guy roughing up his girlfriend and stepped in. Callie was pretty sure she could pinpoint that moment as when she fell for him. “Really?”

  “Of course, this is part of having each other’s backs. I mean, we’re friends, right?”

  She nodded. “Right.”

  He took her hand in his. “Good. Let’s go find everyone and rip the Band-Aid off.”

  “Wait, we’re going to have to share a room.” Her heart hit triple digits and rocketed toward four.

  Tucker took a deep breath. “I’ll sleep on the floor.”

  Callie shook her head. “No, that’s not why I mentioned it. You won’t have any privacy. I’m so sorry.”

  He tilted his head. “I’ll be okay. Like I said, I can sleep on the floor.”

  “It’s a big bed, and we’re adults. You don’t have to sleep on the floor.”

  Why did she say that? Sharing a bed with him? Just sitting next to him had her brain scrambled. But what had she said? They were adults. She could handle it.

  He stood and held out his hand to her once more. “Come on, Mrs. Hawk. Let’s go tell your family.”

  She let him pull her up. “Okay,” she said and gathered her towel.

  As they walked to the house, the dread began building in her stomach as she looked for her parents. She could’ve sworn they’d been on the beach not long ago. When they got to the house, she stopped at the back door, took a deep breath, and stepped through.

  “Mom? Dad?”

  Their voices drifted from the living room, and she stopped just out of sight, motioning for Tucker to stay quiet.

  “She can’t be serious about dating that man,” her mom said.

  Fury flooded Callie. Serious about dating Tucker? Why did her mom have to be like that? Part of the reason Callie didn’t fight harder to be with him when they first dated was because of her mom. Tucker wasn’t a lawyer or a CPA or something else equally wonderful. If Heath wasn’t so successful, he wouldn’t be good enough for Georgia. For some reason, though, no matter how successful Tucker was, he’d never measure up.

  Her dad took her mom’s hands in his. “Honey, if she likes the boy, what does it matter? As I recall, we weren’t exactly the apple of your mom’s eye either.”

  “But, Francis, you proved yourself. He’s a singer. What happens when he’s no longer popular? How will he take care of her?”

  “Callie is a successful woman. She can take care of him. Isn’t that
what we’ve taught our girls? That they don’t need men to take care of them?”

  “I know, but Tucker Hawk? He’s just―”

  Callie had heard enough. She stepped into the living room, her face flushed, followed by Tucker.

  “He’s just what, Mom?”

  Her mom and dad startled. “I just meant…he’s not exactly…” her mom stuttered.

  “He’s perfect. Have you heard him sing? His voice is beautiful. It’s rich and deep and wonderful. His lyrics are soulful, and they take you on a journey. He’s a fantastic singer. And it doesn’t matter. I married him this morning, so there.” Well, that wasn’t how she’d planned to deliver the news, but there it was.

  Her mom gasped. “You’re married? Just before your sister? This is her week.”

  Callie straightened her shoulders. “And it’s still Georgia’s wedding week. I don’t want anyone fussing over me. That’s why I eloped. I didn’t need anything fancy or planned or week-long. All I needed was the man I love and a minister. I’m perfectly happy with the way I got married.”

  It was mostly true. Although, she had envisioned her family being present when she got married. But she didn’t need all the frills that her sisters needed and wanted.

  “How did you meet?” her mom asked.

  “You mean you didn’t overhear us at lunch?” Callie asked.

  Clementine lifted her chin. “I want to hear it again.”

  Tucker and Callie locked gazes, and she was glad they’d come up with a convincing story. “We met six months ago. He was in Vegas doing a show.”

  Tucker put his arm around her waist. “I was taking a walk on the strip, and paparazzi began following me, so I ducked into a little café.”

  Callie tore her gaze from Tucker and looked at her parents. “We started talking, and the rest is history.”

  “Why haven’t we heard anything about you dating someone?” her dad asked.

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I was afraid if I told anyone, it’d mess things up.”

  “What about his drinking?” her mom asked.

  Callie sighed. “Mom, I followed him all through my senior year of college. Every little dive bar, café, honky tonk…you name it, and I never saw him pick up a drink. He…well, something happened, and while he didn’t handle it the way I would have, he did his best. He’s not drinking anymore,” she said, turning her gaze back to him. “He’s done with all of that.”

  Tucker squeezed her like he was saying thank you. “And I won’t let Callie down.”

  Her mom’s gaze swept from her to Tucker and back. “I can’t believe you’d do this to Georgia.”

  “Do what to Georgia?” Georgia asked as she walked up behind Callie.

  Callie whirled around, but before she could say a word, her mom said, “Apparently, Callie got married this morning.”

  Georgia blinked. “What?”

  “It wasn’t supposed to come out yet. I was going to wait until after you were married to tell everyone,” Callie said.

  Her sister’s eyes widened as her mouth formed an “o”. “You’re married?”

  Tucker moved his arm to around her shoulder, almost like a protective gesture, as he looked at Georgia. “This is my fault. I don’t know what happened, but someone on my management team let it leak that I got married.”

  “But they don’t know where we are. We should be okay,” Callie added.

  “And I’ve got security close by in case they do find us. No one will be getting into the wedding. You have my word on that,” Tucker said.

  A smile grew on Georgia’s face. “You are definitely singing at my wedding, and I’m putting the video on YouTube.”

  Their mom gaped. “Georgia, you’re okay with this?”

  Georgia shrugged. “Are you kidding? Of course I’m okay. I’m the only one who will have had a famous singer perform at my wedding.” She grinned. “Let Rachel take that and stick it.”

  Tucker’s eyebrows knitted together. “Rachel?”

  “Oh, she thought having the president show up in Carolina Beach during her wedding was the bee’s knees. But you? You blow that out of the water. The president didn’t even come to her wedding. He just caused a traffic jam, making her wedding late.” Georgia wiggled like she was dancing for joy.

  Callie took her hand. “Are you really okay? I’m truly sorry. I had no idea it would get leaked.”

  Georgia hugged her. “I’m fine.” She smiled softly. “Are you happy?”

  How did Callie answer that? The marriage was fake, but so far, things had been good. “Yeah, I’m great. Tucker,” she said and looked at him, “is a great guy.”

  “Then that’s all that matters,” Georgia said. “Hey! What about your honeymoon?”

  “We’ll take one later. I wasn’t going to miss your wedding week.” Callie smiled.

  “Can I tell everyone?” Georgia wiggled her eyebrows.

  “Uh, yeah, I’m fine with that. Are you okay with it?” Callie asked Tucker.

  He nodded. “Yeah, I’m good.”

  Georgia bounced on her toes. “Awesome.” She whirled around and skipped out of the house.

  Callie breathed a sigh of relief. “At least she’s not mad.”

  “But I’m not thrilled. Were you going to lie to us the whole time about being married?” her mom asked.

  Callie’s shoulders sagged. “I didn’t want to overshadow Georgia’s wedding.”

  “The best way to have done that would’ve been to not get married this morning. You didn’t even come talk to your dad or me.”

  “That’s my fault, Mr. and Mrs. Chapman. Callie wanted to tell you, but I really didn’t want it leaked. I thought someone would overhear it. I should have insisted she call you the moment she said yes. Please, blame me.”

  Her mom pursed her lips and shook her head. “I would never have believed you’d rush to get married. What on earth were you thinking?”

  Tears pooled in Callie’s eyes. “I was thinking I was in love and that I wanted to marry him. I was thinking my mom and dad would be happy for me. Weren’t you just saying the other day how much you wished I’d find someone and settle down? Well, I did.”

  “But this was so fast,” Clementine said.

  Francis draped his arm around her mom’s shoulder. “Clementine, at this point, what’s done is done. This gives us a few days to get to know the young man. Let’s just take a step back and not get too excited, okay?”

  “But…”

  “Honey, she’s made her choice. What we need to do now is find a way to support her.”

  “But Edmund will be attending the wedding.”

  Her dad lifted an eyebrow and shot Callie a glance. “Yes, well, he’ll just have to find his own date, now, won’t he?”

  Callie rolled her lips inward to keep from smiling. Her dad knew how she felt about Edmund.

  With a sniff, Clementine eyed Callie one more time. “I guess, but I’m so disappointed in you, Callie. You should have told us.” She narrowed her gaze at Tucker. “No matter what someone else told you to do.”

  And that’s why telling her mom she wasn’t a CPA was so hard, that look of disappointment. Callie hated it. She wanted her mom’s approval, but nothing she ever did was good enough.

  “Yes, she should have, Mrs. Chapman. That’s all on me,” Tucker said.

  Callie touched his arm. He was being downright wonderful. “No, that’s not the whole truth. I didn’t want to call you because I was afraid you’d try to talk me out of it, and I didn’t want to argue with you right before I got married. Tucker’s being sweet by trying to make it sound like it was all him.”

  Tucker pulled her tighter against him. “We’ll both take the blame, but I do hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me.”

  “Just give your mom a little time to adjust,” Francis said as he stuck his hand out and shook Tucker’s. “Welcome to the family, son.”

  “Thanks.”

  Callie smiled, but she knew her mom wasn’t done.
As soon as the chance presented itself, her mom would give her an earful about her choices, timing, and Tucker. By the look on her mom’s face, Tucker would have to literally rescue a litter of kittens from a burning house before he got her approval. She didn’t really want to put kittens in danger, but she sure wanted her mom to like Tucker. There was no way she could handle a year of her mom hating him. Nope, it was better for everyone if her family believed the relationship was real.

  Chapter 8

  With a click, the door shut behind Tucker as he set Callie’s luggage down. They’d spent the rest of the day hanging out with her family until the sun when down. And now that they had no excuse for staying in separate rooms, they were sharing the one Tucker had taken.

  “I was serious about sleeping on the floor,” Tucker said.

  Callie shook her head. “No, the bed is big enough. We’ll be fine.” She smiled, but he could see wariness in her eyes.

  That’s how he’d felt since he’d spoken to Stacey, and he’d only felt worse after talking to their parents. He sat down hard on the bed and put his head in his hands.

  “I’m so sorry this leaked. I don’t know why or how.” When the bed next to him moved, he lifted his head.

  “I knew this was a possibility when I signed the contract.” She took his hand in hers. “You’re famous, and everyone wants to know everything about you. It’s okay. My mom is never happy with me. It wouldn’t have mattered if I called or not. If it wasn’t her making the decision for me, she’d have had something to say. How did your parents take it? Had you already told them?”

  He was the one who messed everything up, and here she was, trying to comfort him. “I called, but they already knew. They weren’t happy; that’s for sure. I told them we’d stop by on our way to LA.”

  Her lips quirked up. “Well, of course we’d have to stop by. I’m sure they want to meet me. If I was your mom, I’d be wanting to make sure you didn’t marry a complete nut job. Although, I kinda am, but I’m a good nut, like Brazil or cashew.” She chuckled, and he couldn’t stop himself from chuckling with her.