He's about to say something when a shot glass is tapped on the bar, and we look over at Presley. "I'm going to need more," she says and looks at us. "After the shit I just had to do, you think I can wait for you guys to fuck around? I need to drink."
"Well, I'll give my woman what she wants," Bennett says. Presley groans and flips him the bird, and he laughs but fills up her glass again.
"His woman, my ass," she mumbles, avoiding looking at him while he stares at her.
I clear my throat to take the eyes off her and hold my glass up. "Fuck this," I toast. "To nothing."
"To nothing," everyone says, and I take the shot.
"Not that we are comparing weddings or anything," Harlow says, "but this is so much better than Travis's first wedding."
"I didn't even see," I admit, turning my head and taking in the room. White satin drapes hide the wooden wall behind them, floating down the pillars all over the room, with white roses that look like they are floating down. Round tables fill the room with white lace table covers. A big glass vase filled with white roses fills the middle of the tables with silver plates and cutleries. White and silver bamboo chairs are around the table. White roses are scattered all over the room, and the couple of tables at the head of the room are elevated with a white wall of flowers behind it. I can see little tea lights that would be lit as soon as it got dark outside. "You guys did such a good job," I compliment, looking away and at my sisters.
"Whoever gets married next," Clarabella says, taking another shot. "It's like basic."
"I agree," Presley concurs. "Paper plates and red Solo cups."
"I think Clarabella was right." I grab the whiskey bottle and pour myself a shot. "Our family is cursed." I take the shot, and the burning starts, and I look over at Ace. "That was over”—I think about the number and think it’s five—“five and still gross."
"Might be the next one." He smirks at me, and I see his dimple coming out. I don't know if it's the booze or I'm going crazy, but he looks cute when he smirks. "Okay." I push away from the bar and get down, the dress getting stuck on the stool, and I look over, afraid that I've ruined it. "As much as I love this dress"—I take a deep breath—"it's time to get out of it."
"I'll help," Ace offers, pushing away from the bar, and everyone just looks at him. Travis stares with his mouth hanging open.
He takes in everyone's face. "Sex isn't the answer to this," Clarabella says. "I mean, it would be fitting if you guys went at it. But . . ." She laughs and doesn't realize that everyone is looking at her and not talking. Their eyes go to her and then to me and then back to Ace, who shakes his head.
"Not like that." He shakes his head and laughs. "I just don't want to."
I put my hand on top of his lips. "What he is trying to say is that he wants to sit and drink his misery alone, and it's easier to do when you don't have everyone trying to cheer you up." I look at him, his eyes just staring at me and then my hand. I take a step back from him, and my hand falls from his lips.
"Now that"—Ace points at me—"is why she's my best friend."
"Who are you going to have sex with?" Harlow asks, and he just shakes his head.
"No one is having sex with anyone!" he declares between clenched teeth, and I roll my lips, not to laugh at him.
"I'm having sex!" Harlow lifts her hand in the air. "Not at this moment, but tonight." She looks at Travis and winks at him, making him blush.
"You guys are gross," I mumble, picking up my dress just a touch to get through the chairs.
"Yeah, you guys are gross," Ace repeats, making everyone laugh. "I'm going with her." He points at me. "And I'm taking this." He picks up the almost empty whiskey bottle, then looks at Bennett.
"Do you want a full one?" Bennett asks him, and he just nods his head.
"Somehow"—Ace laughs at himself—"it was going to play out cooler in my head."
I nod at him. "When you stormed off?" I ask him, and he holds up his hand for me to give him a high five.
"Here you go," Bennett says, handing him a full bottle of whiskey, and then he holds a bottle of sweet tea for me to grab.
"Are you crazy?" Harlow says. "They say they aren't going to have sex, but after four shots of this, sex will be the best idea they’ve had today."