My fake husband is a hockey legend!

CASSIE

"I can't believe you're doing this," Jeanne said over the phone as I paced at the airport to keep myself warm, "I know I've dragged you into a number of crazy things, but this has to be the craziest."

I let out a breath, "Tell me about it. I don't even know anything about him except from his name. What if he doesn't show up?"

"Then you'll tell everyone the plane crashed and your husband was lost in the accident."

I giggled, "And what will I say when they asked how I survived?"

"Surprise surprise, you had a parachute in your bag!" She gasped, causing me to laugh even louder.

Just then a voice announcing that the flight to Louisiana was now boarding sounded across the airport. That was supposed to be our flight and there was still no sign of Liam. I didn't have his number or anyway to reach him, I was doomed.

"It seems I'm going to have to use the excuse that my husband died in a plane crash after all." I sighed.

"Not even married up to five months and you're already planning to kill me off," a familiar, irritated deep voice said from behind me.

I hurriedly hung up and whirled around to see Liam looking like he'd rather be anywhere than there. His dark hair lay in that sexy disheveled way only he could manage to pull off and he was in a dark maroon Henley and dark jeans, no single sweater or coat in sight.

Maybe he couldn't feel the December chill through all that layer of muscle.

"You're late." I said.

"Deal with it."

"You're an asshole."

"Are you reconsidering this stupid arrangement?"

I bristled, "It's not stupid. Whatever, let's go, we're going to miss our flight because of you. I managed to get us premium economy tickets and_"

He snatched the tickets out of my hands before I could say more and stared at them like they had personally offended him, "What the hell are these?"

"Uh tickets?"

"For premium economy? Over my dead body."

I growled at him, "Don't be a douchebag. I didn't have enough money for business class. Those things cost an arm and a leg."

"I don't think anyone would even trade a pack of gum for your two inch limbs."

"It's not my fault they fed you fertilizer as a child," I retorted.

"At least I got fed," he quipped and began to march in the direction of the ticket counter. I had to practically run to catch up with his impossibly long legs.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked breathlessly.

"Can I change these to two first class tickets to Louisiana?" He slid his card over the counter.

My eyes bugged out, "I'm not going to refund you the extra if that's your plan. Are you crazy? Do you know how much those things cost? I'd have to become a stripper to be able to repay you."

The look he shot me could have turned me into ice, "I didn't ask you to repay me. I'm not just going to break my legs like a glow stick because of you."

"You're just being reckless with money," I chided, "It's at most a three hour flight. Now I'm beginning to see why you were in that shitty bar drinking shitty beer."

He rolled his eyes and grabbed the upgraded tickets, "And I'm beginning to see why you had to resort to a fake_"

Gasping, I slapped a palm over his mouth, "Not so loud!"

I only realized my body was pressed to his chest to thighs a second later and I leaped away, blushing, "Anyone could have heard you, you need to be careful."

"I agree," he nodded, "I'm not willing to ruin my reputation because of you and your love for a cliche holiday."

If someone asked me to describe my husband in three words, I already knew what words I'd use; grouchy, asshole, and Grinch. I had never met anyone with as much animosity for Christmas as him.

He turned and began to head for the plane. After a few steps he looked over his shoulder and frowned, "Is that the fastest setting on your leg?"

It was official, I hated Liam Copeland.

My first time flying first class should have been amazing, but unfortunately, I spent the entire time bickering with him to appreciate anything. By the time the plane landed, I could already feel a slight headache forming at the base of my skull.

At this rate, we wouldn't even need an annulment, I'd just end up making Liam a widower.

The drive through the town managed to bring back my happy mood as I excitedly marveled at all the holiday decorations.

"Remind me to get sunglasses if I don't want to get blinded by all the holiday lights here," He grumbled.

"Sure, I'd put that in my notes app next to the note about you getting a personality transplant," I said sweetly.

"Add another note for me to get a six pack of beer. Cause I'm going to have to stay drunk for the next fifteen days to survive this."

I nodded in agreement, "perfect, cause I'll need you to be passed out in the pool house to be able to get through the next few days. Your obvious alcohol problem would make the perfect explanation for our eventual divorce."

"I don't have an alcohol problem!" He snapped.

The uber pulled over and my husband passed him some money before I could.

"You don't have to pay for everything!" I hissed.

"I have never met a woman that complained about a man paying," he replied, "I've never met a woman who complains half as much as you. I could give you your own private jet and you'd find a reason to complain."

"Those things are a hazard to the environment." I marched after him to get our luggage out of the trunk. I waited for him to get mine out, but he grabbed his duffel and began to walk away, whistling a merry tune, "Aren't you going to give me a hand?"

"Do I look like a work donkey?" He raised a brow, "You should have thought twice before packing your entire life for a fifteen day stay."

Muttering under my breath, I managed to hurl my bags out and move them to the front door. Liam watched while I sweated and panted and wheezed. If it wasn't obvious before that I was out of shape, it was pretty obvious now.

"You're doing a great job," his mouth curved up at one corner.

"I hate you," I panted.

At that moment, the front door opened and my father appeared wearing a wide smile that immediately faltered and died at the sight of my husband. My stomach clenched uncomfortably. Ugh, I knew this plan was stupid from the start. No way would they believe I had willingly married the big, hulking neanderthal.

"Uh, dad, I can explain_"

"Holy shit. It's The Titan!"