Page 25

Marie

__________

T he girls and I hop in the limo that’s taking us to the wedding venue. I groan. We’ve been plucked, buffed, and primped to death for hours.

“I’m already exhausted,” Alyssa moans as she grabs water from the bar across from us.

I nod and yawn. “I feel you. I woke up at four to pee and couldn’t go back to sleep. At least we can leave early and head to the hotel whenever we want. There’s going to be fireworks at 11:45 and you girls can watch from the balcony or something.”

Caroline hums, nodding against my shoulder. “Good idea. I can’t believe James did all of this for us.”

I send her a look and roll my eyes. “Yes you can. He’s always been like this. He’s just been an idiot for a couple of months.”

We stay silent for the rest of the drive and I’m able to get a quick nap in.

Thank goodness Logan and Bianca promised there’s going to be plenty of seating available during the reception so that I don’t cry about my feet hurting or swelling.

I can’t wait to crawl into bed and it’s only five o’clock.

The driver pulls up to the country club and opens the door for us, slowly helping me out to wobble on my feet. I smile at him and hand him a tip before I step aside and wait for the girls.

“The tip is already taken care of, ma’am,” The man replies, tipping his hat to me. He tries to hand me the money and I wave him away.

“Please, take it. Is there a number I can call for you to pick us up?”

He nods and hands me a business card, “Call the number on the back, it’s my personal number.

” He waves and leaves us on the curb. I groan when I look at the steps that lead into the glass and steel building.

There’s like a million of them. There are workers going around and shoveling the snow off of the sidewalk, and I thank my lucky stars when I see Nolan heading down to us.

“Hey! I was waiting for you guys. I’ll help you up.” I nod at him and gladly take his arm as we slowly ascend. The girls already made it inside by the time we step up to the doors and I sigh with relief when the warm air envelops me. “The ceremony starts soon, do you need anything?”

I shake my head, looking around at the extravagant décor.

Everything is gorgeous. Silver, pink, and gold.

Landon and Blake meet us at the doors and we all find seats.

The guys are all dressed to the nines. Black suits, gold bow ties.

Apparently we’re all matching since the girls and I are wearing gold dresses.

The girls are sitting behind us, whispering to each other about the cute younger guys they saw working the event.

I shake my head as I lean back and get comfortable. I’ll have to keep an eye on them tonight.

“Are you staying at the Four Seasons tonight?” Nolan murmurs and I glance over to him and nod.

“Yeah, James booked it for us. The girls and I are staying in a suite.” I giddily smile at him.

Nolan groans and glares at me. “They were fully booked by the time I called. He must have booked it weeks in advance.”

I stick my tongue out at him and he rolls his eyes. “It’s a suite. There’s probably a pull-out couch if you want to crash, but I’ll probably leave a lot earlier than you will.”

He frowns at me, “I don’t mind leaving early. Or you can always tell the front desk to let me up when I arrive. Or stumble in...”

I chuckle and we quiet down as the officiant steps up to the microphone, holy crap it’s starting. Logan is actually getting married.

The first man that asked me out from the team. He’s such a damn good guy and I’m so happy for them. And I’m also so glad Bianca is good friends with me, even with my past with her almost husband.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. The ceremony will begin in roughly ten minutes.” He waves and steps back, smiling at everyone as they get seated. I glance around, waving and smiling at everyone I know. The whole team showed up, even the coaches and their wives are here, sitting a few rows up.

“Whatever works for you, just don’t wake me up. I have enough problems sleeping as is,” I whisper to Nolan, continuing our conversation.

He wraps his arm around me and Landon glares at him when he accidentally knocks into his shoulder on his other side. “I’ll be quiet.” He whispers in my ear and I chuckle against his chest as I lean my head against him. So warm and comfy.

The ceremony is about to start when I see James and Alex walk in, sitting on the other side of the room.

I lean forward to wave at him and I watch as he slowly smiles at me and waves back.

Alex is wearing a sleek, long emerald green gown.

With her hair and eyes, she looks incredible.

Meanwhile I look like a hippo that squeezed into a gold dress.

Landon and Nolan both lean forward to get a look at Alex and Landon tenses beside me.

“What’s her name?” Landon grinds out between his clenched teeth and I blink over at him with a frown. I place my hand on his arm, holding him back so that he can’t jump up and hulk smash or something. He looks like he’s ready to cause some trouble.

“Her name is Alex. I’m not sure what her last name is.”

He snorts and shakes his head, leaning back in the uncomfortable chair that looks like it is barely holding his weight.

His green gaze darkens and he looks like he’s about to jump over all of these people.

“Yeah… I don’t think so. Is her mother a makeup artist and jewelry designer with her own makeup lines? ”

I furrow my brows and look over at the girls sitting behind us, waiting for them to reply, of course they’re listening. Alyssa nods and sighs, “Yeah, her name is Alexandra Miller. She goes to LA a lot for her mom’s business or something.”

Landon barks out a laugh and closes his eyes, his blonde hair flopping onto his forehead. “Oh my god, this is classic. I’m not going to cause a scene at a wedding, but no one ever said anything about the reception or the hotel room.”

I cock a brow at him and tilt my head. “I take it you know her?”

He guffaws sarcastically as the music begins, leaning closer to my ear. “You can say that. She went by Drea when she was my girlfriend. She’s the one I found in bed with her ‘brother’.”

I gasp and cover my mouth with my hand. “Oh my hell… and no one ever met her when she was with you?”

“No, she pulled the same shit. Barely left the house, traveled all the time. She told me she wasn’t into sports and just wanted alone time with me.

Never wanted to meet my friends. Never wanted to attend games.

I did some digging and all of the ‘trips’ she went on to see her ‘mother’ were actually other men flying her around the states.

That’s where her money comes from… her mom cut her off a while ago.

She has all these ‘sugar daddies’ and that’s how she affords her crazy expensive lifestyle. ”

I shake my head and watch as the bridesmaids and groomsmen start to glide down the aisle. I see Logan already standing by the officiant and try to pay attention to the ceremony. The bridesmaid dresses are a gorgeous pale pink, the flowers are white and purple.

I can’t wait to see Bianca’s dress.

“You need to tell him,” I murmur and just shake my head. I can’t believe this.

Landon nods and we settle in.

____________

After Logan and Bianca are announced husband and wife, we stay seated as we wait for the room to clear so we don’t get jostled on the way to the reception room. At least everything is in one building. I would probably cry if I had to go back out in the cold right now.

Landon and Nolan stay at my sides as we head down the halls, the former squeezing my hand so hard I’m afraid he’s going to break it. The girls are giggling behind us, texting their friends and taking photos of all of the decorations.

Landon is still tense, practically shaking against me.

I can’t see James or Alex anywhere, but I imagine she’s trying to hide, or reaming her boyfriend a new one.

I’m sure learning that your boyfriend lied about who’s attending can’t be too enjoyable.

Serves her right, though. I hope that Landon can confront them soon… without making a damn scene.

We get into the room and search our tables as we wait for the DJ to announce the wedding party so that we can eat and dance. Also known as, me sitting and eating, and sitting some more.

I'm exhausted.

I’m at a table with the girls, Landon and Nolan are across the room with some other teammates. I have no idea who else is sitting with us. I have a bad feeling about our table mates.

I tense in my seat as Alyssa reads them off. “We’re sitting with James and Alex,” she whispers and I sigh and send the ceiling a rude glare. Of course we are.

I have to keep my mouth shut and not spook her off before Landon can confront them. Preferably outside. Or when they’re leaving. Or at the hotel, far away from everyone else.

I pull out my phone from my clutch to send Landon a text that they’ll be sitting at my table. He sends me back a thumbs-up emoji and I groan into my ice water while we wait. And wait some more. It feels like my stomach is eating itself. How long are the photos of the wedding party going to take?

James and Alex glide through the room and he helps her into her seat across from me. She’s stiff and pale, and her green eyes are wide, dark. Damn, she looks terrified.

I chuckle under my breath and smile over at James. “Hey, gorgeous wedding, wasn’t it?”

He nods and glances over at his date, pursing his lips. “A bit larger than I thought it would be.” He lies, clearing his throat and getting comfortable in his seat. “Wonder what dinner’s going to be.”

I shrug and wipe my hands down my gold glittering dress. “The three of us requested the chicken… Hopefully there’s something healthy. I can’t stomach too much food lately.”

Alex blinks at me and huffs. “Since when are you pregnant?” She glances down at my stomach and I wrap my hand around it, protectively.

I smile at her and pick up my water glass with my other hand. She’s already chugged her full glass of champagne that she sat down with. “Since August, I guess. I found out in September.”

She nods and smirks. “Well, you’re all alone. At least when we have kids, James will be there for me, and without all of the pity.”

I blink at her and watch as the girls tense on either side of me. James slowly turns his head towards her and glares. “I’m not helping out Marie out of pity. What the fuck is wrong with you? And how many times do we need to have this conversation, I’m never having children.”

She scoffs and raises her glass in the air, requesting another drink as if she’s a princess. “Well, we’ll see. As soon as I talk you out of downsizing, I’m sure we can come to other agreements.”

James shakes his head and finishes off his whiskey, looking ready to leave at any moment. Or toss her over the terrace. I’ll mark down my bets on that one.

Alyssa clears her throat and tosses Alex a look, not able to hold back any longer.

“Do you not understand the word ‘no’? I mean, you act more childish than the freshmen at our high school. Are you sure James isn’t just with you out of pity?

All alone in your vacation house, probably tossed out on her ass because mommy didn’t want to deal with your shit anymore? ”

I glance away before I laugh out loud, pressing my lips together so no one can see my smile. I love these girls.

Alex sputters and glares at James. “Are you going to let them talk to me like that?”

James shrugs and leans back in his seat.

His black suit jacket is tightening across all of his muscles.

I’m surprised Logan and Bianca didn’t choose anyone on the team to be groomsmen, they all look fantastic in their suits and tuxedos.

It looked like they just went with family members for the wedding party, from what I could tell

Both of them have a massive family all over the country. “You’re the one that’s adamant on not having them around, I don’t parent them anymore,” he answers back sarcastically and I’m seriously about to spit out my water.

Alex turns her glare at me and pushes her shoulders back. “Well, obviously they have a trashy role model. You probably live in a trailer park and just live off of James’s credit cards, saying you’re using the money for the girls.”

I lick my glossy lips and shake my head. “No, sweetie. We all came from a trailer park, and that’s where I learned that I don’t give into bullies or stuck-up bitches. You can be quiet now though, you’re ruining my appetite.” I smile at her and sip my water before glancing down at my phone.

Me: You might want to drag them away soon, before I toss my knife at her. Maybe she has no idea you’re here.

Landon: If the food isn’t served within five minutes, I’ll call James and ask him to bring Alex out to the terrace for a few minutes so that I can go over the present for Logan and Bianca. I’ll come up with an excuse. Thanks.

I smile to myself as I glance up when the DJ finally announces the wedding party. They all dance around as they make their way to their seats, then it’s announced that the food is about to be served. Thank goodness.

Oh, well, hopefully Alex stays quiet through dinner so that I don’t have to go to prison.