Page 78 of Break the Barrier

Suddenly, the courthouse feels…shameful.

“Thank you! Man”—she waves a hand at her face—“it was hot up there. I feel like my makeup is melting off.”

Rachel rushes over with something and dabs at her face before anyone can move. Dani looks at me in surprise, but lets Rachel do her thing. Then, just as fast as she came, she’s gone.

Dani blinks and looks at Thea and me. “Wow, she’s like a wedding ninja.”

“She put together a beautiful wedding,” Thea comments, her hand tightening on mine. CT comes over to join our group, his arms winding around his wife’s waist, and Thea smiles at them.

Before long, we’re whisked away for photos, and Thea leaves to see her sisters. I almost ask her to stay.

I almost tell her she’s just as much family as anyone.

That she’s my wife and, as such, should be in the family photos.

But no one knows the truth, and I can’t betray Thea’s trust bytelling everyone just to give me the satisfaction of having her all to myself, of being able to parade her around as my wife.

I’m proud to be with her. I want to show her off, to take her home tonight and wake up with her tomorrow, to know that these coming weeks, we’re secure in what we have.

But Thea isn’t ready for that.

I can see it in her eyes. Her trust for me is building, but there is still a piece of her that holds back.

I can blame her ex for that.

Music starts in the backyard, and tables have replaced the chairs that were previously there. Looks like the wedding planner put some of Graham’s friends to work. Someone walks by me carrying four folding chairs on each arm, and I blink for a second when I realize who it is.

“Mitch?”

He stops and turns to me, and I stand in shock at the sight of him.

“What the hell happened to you?”

He nods his head at me. “Logan.” His voice has gotten deeper since I saw him last, and I don’t know if it’s possible, but my little brother looks like he’s grown several inches, now nearly towering over me.

“I didn’t know you were coming, man.” I look over his face and am surprised to see that the entire left side of it is bruised and busted.

“I took some time off. Been at Mom’s.”

I step closer. He’s still holding the chairs up in the air, and his arms don’t seem to be bothered by the weight. “What happened?”

A few thoughts run through my brain—bar fight, he owes someone money, he slept with someone’s girl…

His expression stays hardened, and he looks so much older than thirty. “A bull decided to ram me into a fence.”

I let out a breath of relief. Not that that is great, but it’s better than some of the other options. “Shit.”

His eyes that were trained on mine, shift to the left. I follow his gaze and find Thea there. waiting for me. I reach out and pull her to my side.

“Thea, this is my brother Mitch. Mitch.” I incline my head. “This is my girl, Thea.”

Introducing her as my girlfriend just feels wrong.

“Hi.” Thea waves, noting that my brother’s hands are full. “It’s really nice to meet you.”

He nods at her, then without a word, walks off. I stare after him for a minute, wondering if more happened than he’s letting on.

Thea nudges me. “Everything okay?”