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STEVIE - THREE MONTHS LATER

“Y ou know, I’m happy we have a night out together, but is it weird I miss Caleb?”

Bode stuffs his phone in his suit pants pocket as he helps me out of the car. “No. Because I just got ripped a new one from Gran for checking on him. Again.”

I smile, linking my hand with Bode’s. “Well, we are going to have some drinks tonight. Dance.”

Bode pulls me in front of him, burying his face in my neck. “Maybe make out a bit on the way home.”

Heat gathers in my core at the thought of it.

“Mmm. Yes, please.”

“Hopefully it’s a fast wedding.”

I laugh at that. “I don’t think any wedding is fast.”

“Damn. And here I was hoping we could sneak away for a bit.”

“Well, I’m not saying we can’t do that. But maybe let’s wait until after dinner.”

“Right.”

Walking with him down the sidewalk toward the park where Dax’s brother is getting married, I see the guys and Harper standing around a high-top table.

“Finally. What took you guys so long?” Harper says by way of greeting. “Just leaving me here with the guys.”

“Sorry.” I greet her with a side hug and a peck on the cheek. “Caleb was fussy about dinner.”

Harper reaches behind her and grabs a glass of champagne to hand over. “Well, you’re here now and you look gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” I take a swig of the bubbly drink before looking down at my dress once again. When Bode told me the dress code, I opted to buy something new.

A formal wedding called for a floor-length navy dress with a thigh-high slit and a sweetheart neckline.

If Bode had convinced me to go back upstairs after he saw me in this dress, we would have been even later.

“You look amazing too.” I finger the sparkly gold material of her sequined dress. “Stunning.”

“I’m glad you’re here.” Harper leans close, whispering to me. “I’m still not sure why we’re here when we don’t even know Duncan.”

“Not as quiet as you think, Harper,” Marcus says, tugging her back to his side.

“Well, excuse me. I’ve never met Duncan before in my life.”

“We’re here for Dax,” Jasper points out.

“Double bonus we get a night out.” I nudge Harper in the side.

The man we’re all here supporting jogs up to our group.

“Hey man,” Bode greets him, bringing him in for a clap on the back. “You did a great job organizing everything.”

“I mean, yeah.” He scrubs a nervous hand down the back of his neck. “It’s what Chloe wanted.”

Chairs are spread out in front of a pergola, wrapped in vines of flowers. A trail of candles lines the aisle.

A live band is set up, playing a sweet tune. With the reception area behind the ceremony, a wooden dance floor is already set up with the tables and chairs, complete with welcome drinks.

“Are you okay?” I ask, because Dax seems a bit stressed. “I thought you’d be happy that your brother was marrying your best friend.”

“Right. Excuse me.”

Dax leaves, a sad look washing over his face.

“Is he okay?” Harper asks.

“Looks fine to me.” Jasper shrugs.

Harper rolls her eyes. “Of course you would think so.”

“It’s because Dax is in love with Chloe,” Bode clarifies.

“Then why is he here?” Jasper asks.

“Because Chloe is his best friend.” Noah’s duh is implied. “And he wants to support her.”

“At least someone gets it,” Harper says.

“Hey, I got it,” Bode says.

“I got it, but I didn’t need to say it,” Marcus points out. “I live with three women. I know these things.”

“Good job.” Harper pecks his cheek.

“I know we were running late, but shouldn’t this be starting soon?” Bode asks, glancing at his watch.

“It should be,” Graham says. “I’m ready for the reception.”

“Me too,” I whisper to Bode, sliding a hand around his waist.

The way he looks at me sends butterflies swarming in my belly. God, I love this man. Ever since Bode told me about the big day, I’ve been daydreaming about our wedding.

What it would look like. Who would be invited. Where it would be.

Honestly?

I don’t care about any of that as long as the man standing next to me is there.

It’s all I need in life.

Bode and Caleb.

“Okay, it really should have started by now,” Marcus points out.

Chatter grows louder as people start looking around. We’re not the only people to have noticed this.

“Well, I don’t know what’s going on, but something’s up.”

Bode holds out his phone, showing a text from Dax to the guys.

Dax

Enjoy the reception. Gotta go

“Gotta go? Who says that?” Jasper asks, shaking his head.

Before anyone can say anything else, the guys are all typing away on their screens.

Bode

Gotta go?

Bode

Dax, it’s a wedding

Bode

What’s come up?

Marcus

Chloe is your best friend

Marcus

Doesn’t matter that it’s your brother

Noah

I still object

Noah

Duncan’s a dick

Graham

We know that

Jasper

But what’s come up?

Dax

Umm…

Bode

This doesn’t sound good

Marcus

What did you do?

Dax

It wasn’t me!

Dax

Swear to god

Jasper

What’s going on?

Dax

You’ll find out soon enough

Marcus

As your captain, I order you to tell me

Bode

Does that actually work on anyone?

Marcus

Yes

Jasper

Not me

Marcus

Didn’t say it was you

Marcus

But I’m using it now

Bode

Tell us, Dax

Noah

Yeah, c’mon

Graham

Is everything okay?

Bode

Now you’re worrying us

Dax

Wedding’s off

Dax

Chloe needs a ride

Bode

WTF?

Marcus

Seriously?

Jasper

What’s going on?

Jasper

Why’s it off?

Noah

Because Duncan is a dick

Graham

No other reason needed

Marcus

No, I’m going to need to know what’s going on

Marcus

Our little Dax doesn’t do things like this

Bode

Dax

Bode

Where’d you go?

Bode

Hello?

“Oh shit,” Bode mutters.

“Is this really happening?” Marcus asks.

“This is not like Dax,” Jasper says.

“Can you please fill the two of us in on what’s going on?” Harper asks, waving her hands between the two of us.

“The wedding is apparently off, and Chloe just left with Dax.”

“What the fuck is going on?” a voice I don’t recognize shouts behind me.

Startling, I turn, seeing someone that looks remarkably like Dax.

Oh shit.

“I repeat…what the fuck is going on?”

“Duncan. How’s it going?” Noah asks, a knowing grin on his face.

“How’s it going? How’s it going ?” I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so mad before. “Well, my bride just left, so it’s fucking terrible, Noah.”

“She left?” Noah asks. He probably shouldn’t be grinning as widely as he is, but considering Bode told me that he cheated on Noah’s sister, I can’t blame him. “Sorry, man. That sucks.”

“Fuck you, Fields.”

Duncan stalks off, leaving all of us to ourselves.

“So…does this mean we aren’t getting dinner?” Graham asks.