Snapshot

by Kay Cove

“Are you okay?” I nod. “Yeah. Why?” “Because I think you just tried to ditch my ass ten seconds after marrying me.” I make a face, pretending like he’s crazy, even though he’s spot-on. “Not at all. The smoke machine mixed with the strobe lights were making me nauseous. I had to get out of there unless you wanted vomit on your shoes.” The look he’s giving me tells me he’s unconvinced. He sees right through me as usual. “Yeah, that was a little much. I didn’t realize the fog machine came with the Deluxe package.” He cracks a smile, but it quickly disappears. “It was hard to see you in there. I was just repeating whatever bullshit the officiant was telling me to. It felt like I was making promises to a cloud of smoke.” I turn down the corner of my lips and nod. “Well, husband, nice to know you think our vows are bullshit.” I chuckle, but Dex’s eyes are too intense. He’s not laughing or smiling. I feel silly, like I’m the only one laughing at a cruel joke. So, I stop. “They weren’t real. To have, hold, and obey? That doesn’t mean anything.” I shrug. “Well, neither does this marriage. So...” “Do you want this to be meaningful? You want me to tell you how I really feel about you? Because once I do, there’s no going back.” I lean back so hard into the door, I’m sure the metal is going to bruise my spine. “What do you mean?” “There’s another side of me, and he is the antithesis of the man you want. Corporate, money, politics…that’s the version of me I’ve been hiding from you. And ...