Page 53 of My Ex-Best Men (Ex Marks the Spot #4)

***Claire***

T he image of Madeline and Will embracing like long lost lovers wouldn’t leave my mind.

Seeing them wrapped up in each other in the lobby of the hotel had been the final nail in the coffin of my hope for my relationships with the guys.

The two of them had looked so comfortable with each other.

Will’s arms wrapped so tightly around her waist had looked right, like it was something they were used to doing.

I couldn’t fall apart, not on Sophia’s day, so I just swallowed everything down and silently changed my flight while the last minute touchups were done on our hair and makeup.

I was lucky that Sophia had been sipping steadily at a champagne bottle and was already a little too tipsy to notice any melancholy energy coming from me.

Everyone was tipsy and excited to get the ceremony started, everyone but me.

Madeline especially looked happy, like she was floating on air or like she’d just gotten the man she loves back.

When it was time for the wedding to start, I lined up behind the other bridesmaids and kept my eyes unfocused.

I didn’t want to see the guys waiting at the end of the aisle.

I wouldn’t be able to make it if I looked up and saw them.

It was too much like I was walking towards them for another reason and that just broke my heart.

Sophia leaned forward with a giggle and took my hand. “I can’t believe this is finally happening!”

I pushed everything down deep and smiled at her. “You’re about to be an old married woman and I couldn’t be happier for you.”

She snickered behind her hand and wagged her brows. “Want to know a secret? Jake and I got married in Vegas after we’d been dating for a month. We never told anyone because we wanted to be able to fix it silently if things went bad between us. Today is twelve years for us.”

My mouth fell open and I forgot that I was lost in my own feelings for a moment. “You’re kidding.”

She grinned and shook her head. “No. It’s the only thing I’ve ever kept from you. So now we’re even.”

“Thank god.” I hugged her tight, careful of her makeup and hair. “I can’t believe you two. No wonder you’re not all that worried about having the perfect day.”

She shrugged. “I already had my perfect day. And a perfect life with that man for the last decade. I’m not greedy. Everything can’t be perfect.”

The procession music started and my feelings of dread came racing back. I swallowed it down and squeezed her hand. “I’m so happy for you, Soph. I love you more than you know.”

“I love you just as much. Now, go! I’m ready to get this ceremony over with so we can get on the plane to Fiji! Did I tell you how much I also love your billionaire man? He gifted us the entire honeymoon.”

Madeline, in line ahead of me, hissed at me before I could respond. “Pay attention, Claire! It’s time!”

More pain and anger to swallow down. I turned around and started walking down the aisle, my eyes on the pastor.

I couldn’t look at my guys. I couldn’t see them and know they’d made a bet over who would sleep with me first. I couldn’t look at Will and know that he’d lied to me about Madeline. I just couldn’t handle it.

I took my spot and still kept my eyes away from them.

I stared back down the aisle and watched as Sophia walked forward with her dad.

Tears filled my eyes and I let them fall since they could be blamed on my happiness at seeing Soph.

My hands shook when she handed me her bouquet.

My entire body vibrated with a hum of anxiety.

I could feel the guys’ eyes on me. I knew they were watching me, trying to get my attention to share a moment.

My stomach twisted and my heart ached as the pastor led Sophia and Jake in their vows.

It was sweet and special, something perfectly them.

I was barely holding on by the time it ended.

I knew I was minutes from climbing into a car from the airport and running.

Between my heart being broken and my luggage still being missing, I was leaving with a lot less than I’d arrived with. None of it mattered.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Cheers rang out as Jake swept Sophia into his arms and kissed the hell out of her.

When they parted even more cheers went up in the ballroom.

Sophia took her bouquet back from me and flashed me a brilliant smile before going down the aisle with Jake.

I hesitated a moment before Jake’s brother held out his arm to escort me out behind them.

As Jake’s best man we were paired up. It didn’t slip my notice that Will and Madeline were paired, as well.

By some miracle, Uncle Sal was waiting at the end of the aisle with a sly smile on his face. He gently pulled me to the side just outside of the ballroom and held up his finger. “I’ve just got to steal you for one minute.”

Will’s fingertips just brushed my arm as I slipped farther away. “Hurry back.”

I didn’t look back. I just wanted to get away.

Uncle Sal led me out of the hotel and over to a sleek sports car. “Get in.”

I frowned. “You have a car? You can drive?”

He sighed. “Just get in, honey. I know you well enough to know that you’re seconds from sobbing. Get in, tell me what happened, and I’ll decide what my next steps are.”

“A car from the airport is coming to pick me up soon.” I looked around and ran my hands over my hair. “I have to go, Uncle Sal.”

“Get in the damn car, Claire.” He waited until I’d slid inside and buckled the seatbelt.

He spun the tires pulling out of the parking lot, letting out a happy growl when I screamed and grabbed at the dash to stabilize myself.

“I happen to have a friend at the airport who was looking into your missing stuff for me. He called and said he saw your flight change. The only thing that I can imagine sending you running back to London while also giving you those sad eyes is your men. And considering how thoroughly you avoided looking at them during the ceremony, I’d say they did something stupid. ”

I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Well, we’ve got a two-hour drive to Miami. You’re going to have to talk about something.” He sped down the highway leading off the island. “I canceled your car, by the way. It really does pay to have friends all over the place.”

I took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “Thank you for taking me, Uncle Sal.”

“Do I need to kill them?”

I let out a quiet laugh. “No. I don’t think so… I just want to get away. I don’t want to have to face them right now.”

“You’ve got two hours to cry and spill your guts, honey, so get started. It’s the least you can do after making me think you were moving back home and then ripping that dream away. I need all the details.” He laughed. “Especially the details about penis shape and size.”