Page 10 of The Best Man's Secret

“I know, but I’m not Victoria. I’m not going to run.”

“Okay.” That’s all he said before pulling out of the driveway and heading back toward the venue. I pulled out my phone and messaged Lex.

Me

I need your help.

Lex

Is this a CODE RED situation?

Me

No. She doesn’t get to ruin CODE RED for me. Can you tell Mom, Dad, and Grandma?

Lex

I can. Where are you? We’ve been to your room and you’re not there. It’s been hard trying to keep Mom calm. She thinks you got cold feet.

Nowthatwas funny.

Me

No cold feet, just the rug pulled from under them.

Lex

Oh, Adam. I’m really sorry about this.

Me

Yeah. Can’t say I had this on my Bingo card for today. Can you and Noah gather all the guests in the reception hall? I’m on my way there.

Lex

Leave it with us.

Seeing everyone inside the large room beautifully decorated for the reception was a hit to the gut. This was really happening. Ornothappening, as was the case.

As soon as my mom saw me, she came straight over. Confusion and worry were etched all over her face.

“Adam, honey. What’s going on?”

“I wish I knew, Mom. I have to make the announcement, okay?”

She hugged me tight and then went back to where the rest of my family sat together. The looks my brothers were sending Victoria’s side of the family made me smile a little. Victoria’s sister Ellie sent me a reassuring look.

Ellie was Emery’s best friend, and I knew she and Victoria didn’t have the best relationship. Just another flag I’d ignored.

“I’m not sure about this,” River said in a low voice. “Noah looks like he might be ready to murder someone.”

“Lior will keep him on a leash. Don’t worry.” I grabbed a chair and stood on it, clearing my throat.

Hundreds of faces turned in my direction. There were smiles, followed by confusion, when it dawned on them that this wasn’t the good type of announcement.

“Hello, everyone. You might be wondering why you were asked to come to this room instead of heading outside to the garden where the ceremony should take place. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. The truth is that this morning, Victoria decided she no longer wanted to go ahead with the wedding.”

The collective gasp gave me a weird sense of comfort. Since Victoria hadn’t included me in her decision, there was no way I was going to take the fall for it. This was her decision and her decision alone.