My arrogance evaporates as shame takes center stage. Because I never, not for one second, considered what a shotgun wedding might do to his reputation. How it might affect his career. Or the band.

“Is it—is it bad?” Repentance blisters as it scales the walls of my throat.

“You tell me,” Anika says, retrieving an iPad from her leather messenger bag and dropping it on the mattress in front of us, already open to the shameless gossip site, TMD.

BREAKING NEWS!

Ladies, hold on to your tits because we’re coming to you today with shocking news you won’t want to miss.

Lyle Livingston—bassist of The Rhett Taylor Band—has tied the knot! Yes, the man we all know to entertain his female company strictly on one-night standards has taken the plunge, reportedly to his best friend’s little sister!

Our exclusive source tells us he was to be a guest at Sammi Deluca’s wedding and somehow ended up at the altar himself.

How long can this perpetual playboy remain monogamous? Only time will tell. Stay tuned right here to TMD for more details as we set to unravel the makings of this shotgun wedding.

“Oh God,” I groan, as a hollow feeling takes root in the pit of my stomach. “I’m gonna be sick.”

“This is nothing,” Lyle insists, pinning his manager with a severe look while giving my thigh a reassuring squeeze. “This kinda stuff happens all the time. We just need to issue a statement to the public introducing you as my wife, with enough background information to feed their appetites, and they’ll lose interest quick. No big deal, right Annie?”

Her drawn-out sigh is a direct contradiction to her words. Not to mention the eyeroll she makes no attempt to hide. “Sure. Easy peasy.”

“See,” he says, planting a kiss to the top of my head. “Relax.”

“Okay,” I begrudgingly agree. “But do we have to do this naked?” I must admit I feel vulnerable as fuck sitting here in my birthday suit while engaged in a silent pissing match with CEO Barbie.

“Please,” Anika says, motioning with a wave toward the bathroom.

I tug the sheet, wrapping it around my body for modesty’s sake, when Anika interrupts with a shout. “Don’t—”

I’m already on my feet before I realize she means for me to keep Lyle’s meat and potatoes covered. But she needn’t worry…I’m sure not about to show them off to her when I haven’t even gotten a look myself.

“Really, Annie? Don’t look so horrified. It’s nothing you haven’t already seen.” His tone is incredulous.

Well, this just took a turn. I narrow my eyes and start to whirl around when her next words hit me.

“Not by choice,” she says tartly, visibly relaxing when she’s greeted with a pair of navy and white striped boxer briefs.