Marrying My Fake Boyfriend

“It’s not over yet,” he whispered. “He is nobody. I am somebody. You are going to be mine in every way and the fact you’re supposedly getting married isn’t going to stop me.” He straightened up and adjusted his tie. “I’ll call you later, honey.”

Cherrelle made a mental note to turn her phone off. Nudging Brad into motion, she leapt into his car and locked the door, buckling up quickly, and huddling in the seat as Brad hurried around to the driver’s side and clambered in. The car shot away and Brad focused on getting them out of the area, toeing the line but not going over the speed limit. He seemed to sense that Cherrelle needed to get away as fast as possible or something was going to happen; something neither of them would like.

It wasn’t until they were out of Oak Lawn and heading towards Cherrelle’s apartment that Brad spoke.

“Charming man,” he snorted “I don’t think.”

Cherrelle had been staring out the window since they had left, watching the building whizz by. Jason’s words stayed with her and, with a heavy heart, knew one thing for definite. “He’s right.”

“About what?”

“He won’t stop until he’s got me. And the fact that you’re engaged to me isn’t going to deter him.” She turned to look at Brad, who was focusing on the road. “I think Pa called him when he went into his office after dinner and had him come to size up the competition. And he’s dismissed you as nothing to worry about.”

“I’ll try not to take offense.” Brad glanced at her before turning back to the road. “So, what are you going to do now?”

“You mean what are we going to do now? I still need your help.” Cherrelle knew there was one option left. She took a deep breath. “Is your best suit clean?”

“As far as I know. Why?”

“Because we’re going to the nearest courthouse in the morning and getting married.”

*****

Brad checked his watch for the fifth time in fifteen minutes.

“She’s cutting it close.”

“Cherrelle will be here,” Jim assured him. “She likes to be punctual.”

“There’s punctual, Jim, and then there’s giving someone a heart attack.”

After Cherrelle’s sudden outburst that they should get married, Brad had been on edge. The surprise of having the decision thrown on him was still lingering. He had tried to talk Cherrelle out of doing anything drastic, but Cherrelle was adamant that if they were married, her parents and Colney couldn’t do anything about it. She surmised that it was easier to get rid of a boyfriend than a husband.

In a sense it was logical. But it didn’t stop Brad’s nerves from taking over.

Cherrelle had said he could get the rest of the money that evening and they didn’t need to live with each other, simply to have it for appearances. She didn’t give a time line on how long it would take, which worried Brad. Her parents didn’t seem like the type to back off after she’s given them no choice. That was probably why there wasn’t an end date on this fake boyfriend – now fake husband.

This was going to be hard.

“I thought this was meant to be a charade.” Jim stood and watched his friend pacing about. “When did it turn into the real thing?”

“This isn’t the real thing. We’re just making it real so Colney will back off.” Brad rubbed at the back of his neck. “They can get rid of a boyfriend easily but they can’t get rid of a husband by rubbing me out of existence.”

It was lucky that his cousin Liz worked in the courthouse registry office or they would still be waiting round for a slot to get married. All they had needed to do then was bring documents to say who they were and a witness each. Brad had chosen Jim, who had agreed to help out at short notice.

Even though he was here supporting his friend, Jim still didn’t look too happy. “You’re playing with fire, Brad. How long is this going to go on for?”

Brad took a deep breath. Honestly, he didn’t know but he wasn’t going to say that out loud.

“As long as it takes,” he said finally.

“That might mean years. It could mean you losing the chance with a woman you like because you’re in a fake marriage.”

“Maybe.” Brad turned as the door to the courthouse opened and his heart stuttered when he saw the woman dressed in a white pant suit enter, her witness at her side. “Maybe not.”

Cherrelle looked lovely. Her skin color was in stark contrast to the white suit, her skin clear and smooth. Her hair was freshly washed and dried and she had simple diamond studs in her ears. Sarah wore a similar pants suit but in pale blue, her hair wrapped into a twist on her head.

Brad’s mouth went dry. He swallowed as Cherrelle approached and managed a smile of greeting. Cherrelle looked up at him, her expression serene. He could tell she was nervous. “Ready?”

“Ready.”

Cherrelle took a deep breath and straightened her jacket. She gave Jim a grateful smile. “Thanks for helping out at short notice, Jim.”

“I take it I can’t talk you out of it.”

“Can you talk my parents out of my arranged marriage?” Cherrelle turned away and slipped an arm through Brad’s. “Let’s go in.”