Chapter 1
Aiden
As my fingers wrestlewith the tie, I pinch my lips together. How much longer do I have to wear this? This suit is from my Prom, and still fits me, but the material rubs against my neck, causing a red rash. A heavy sigh is relinquished and I make my way back into the rehearsal dinner.
The lodge is crowded with family and the wedding party. I know there are some individuals who enjoy weddings, but not me. They make me want to gag. It’s not that I dislike Tessa for my brother, but do they have to be so lovey dovey? The only good thing that comes out of weddings is the cute bridesmaids and, against the wall, sex.
The area has soaring ceilings with banners up for the upcoming Newlyweds. Everyone is showing up dressed in their best and taking part in small talk. Fuck, all I want to do is take this ridiculous tie off.
Next to me is the punch bowl, and everybody nods as they fill up their refreshment and head on their merry way. A few have tried, but I’m not the mingling conversation type. It’s all bullshit, and no one is actually listening to what’s being said. They smile and nod.
Why don’t they have any liquor?I’m not a social type of person without at least a little alcohol in my system, and right now I want to go to the bar and do shots.
“Can I have everyone’s attention? Let’s get into our spots and do a practice run for tomorrow,” the officiant says.
I roll my eyes, wanting for this to be over, but being the supportive brother, I slap a smile on my face to pretend like I’m enjoying myself. Damon is happy again, and that’s what matters right now. Even if I hate this, being here, I’ll deal with it for him.
The wedding march starts and Tessa comes down the path, and the full room stops to offer her their absolute attention. This is the time women fantasize about, and husbands spend all their salary on, for them to have this one moment of being the center of attention. They say girls plan their wedding at a young age, and it disappoints most. The fairytale wedding is good, but most can’t provide that. Hell, I remember one wedding where the bride and groom spent a lot of cash to have their wedding, and most didn’t even stay to eat or dance after. It’s like they came to see the ceremony and then took off. Think about the money saved if they would have invited less people and rented a smaller space? The bride still bitches about that day. So my suggestion; keep it quaint and limit the number of people that attend.
Or don’t get married at all?I mean, consider this. They center engagements on the ring, which women demand to be this huge glittering rock, but most can’t manage that either. Getting married is another way for the government and retailers to make more money by pressing the notion that marriage is the utmost end game. Almost like it’s the only way for it to be treated “real.” Well, fuck that. Save the money you would spend on a ring and wedding, and instead, go on a nice chance of a lifetime trip. I promise you, the week or two week trip will be something you will never forget.
The officiant goes through what to expect tomorrow, and I try to listen, but my mind keeps drifting off, thinking about the one and only time I’ve ever proposed to someone. Instead of making me smile, my knuckles turn white, and the optimism in my face drains. My biggest regret in life was made at eighteen.
Once it’s finally over, I creep over to the punch bowl in the corner to people watch. I did agree to be here, but enjoying myself is out of the question. There’s no alcohol and everyone here has dated one of my brothers or is related to me. Where are all the cute, single women?
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and after pulling it out, I see the notice that Hazel has posted something new on her Instagram. She doesn’t post much, but it keeps me updated and frequently ends in regret. It’s a picture of her inside an enormous office sporting a navy-blue pencil skirt, a white silk top, and black pumps. A smile is pasted on her face and I can’t help but wonder if it’s fake. Maybe she misses me, but doesn’t want to be the one to say anything. Or she regrets turning me down and hasn’t been with anyone seriously since?
“What are you doing over here?” Liam asks, approaching me. “Aren’t you gonna go talk to anybody?”
I put my phone in my pocket, and groan. “Be content, I'm here. There’s nothing to drink sight.”
Harper joins us, wearing a lilac floor-length gown, and appearing a few inches shorter than Liam. The poor girl has been through so much in the last four months. My brother says she still has nightmares and doesn’t like to be at home alone, which is reasonable after all that transpired, but she did go back to teaching, which is what she wanted.
“So, how are things going back at the high school? Excited to be back?”
Harper rolls her eyes and answers. “My sub didn’t comply with my lesson plans, so assignments are all over the place.”
“Damn, that sucks.”
After her assault, the school board refused to let her come back until they found the person responsible. Yet, even after that happened, it took another couple of weeks to be cleared by a psychologist. Liam says it was because of the severity of the trauma, but the poor girl probably wanted to get her life back to normal.
“There are some people I’d like for you to meet tomorrow.”
Is she serious?Blind dates are a tragedy, and what the hell makes her think I need help to find someone? “Not the dating type,” I reply.
Harper shoves me enthusiastically. “How would you know? All you have is one-night stands. You’ll get sick of them, someday.”
And why should that be any concern of hers?She doesn’t need to be worrying herself about my sex life or commenting on it. That’s my damn business.
Liam steps in before I respond. “Let’s leave him alone. He’ll grow up one day and find someone.” He grabs her hand and leads her over to Tessa’s mom.
Asshole. He knows the reason I’m like this, and instead, he acts like I’m being foolish. Or I like not settling down. Fuck him. The only person I’m interested in being with left me. I have no plan of “dating” anybody and have made that perfectly clear to pretty much everybody in my life. If they don’t support it, I could give a fuck.
My face flushes, and my jaw becomes tight. I don’t want to be here another minute. It’s not like I need to be here. The rehearsal part is over and now it’s people standing around chatting to others.
Damon is across the room speaking with our Fire Chief, but I interrupt. “I’m gonna head out. Need a beer.”
“Make certain you aren’t late tomorrow,” Damon says.