“She’s almost ready. How are you? Anxious? Ready to bolt?” I question, meeting him halfway. I’d deck him right in the balls if his answer isn’t a negative.
“Fuck no. She couldn’t get rid of me if she tried.” He scans the room, then his face turns to me. “Have you seen my brother yet? He just got here, but I think he went to talk to his dad.” My breath caught in my throat.
“No, I haven’t. We’re supposed to rehearse our walk down the aisle.”
“Don’t worry. My brother is so damn anal, he’ll have it down without trying. He’s brilliant, but I’d say he has some issues—too smart and introverted to deal with people. I’m surprised you two didn’t work it out while at work. Ah, but then again, knowing Tanner he’s all business.”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine as long as I don’t kick him in the shins for frowning the whole time.”
“Tanner is a great guy and just likes his things a particular way. My mom claimed she thought he was gay in front of a bunch of single women the last time they were in the same room together, but she’s always found ways to be a bitch to him. I hate it, but she’s my mom. Are you interested? I mean, the two of you would be good together.”
“Who would be good together?” asks his mother. Damn, I didn’t hear the shrew coming.
“Tanner and Addison.” There’s a smirk on his face as he says it like he knows it’ll piss her off. I smile internally.
She almost chokes on her drink she has in her hand. Where the hell did she get that? She was just with Mads. “That boy isn’t good enough for a girl like Addison. She’s young, smart, and beautiful.” I practically spit out laughing at her bullshit. She might have apologized to me for being a cunt, but she didn’t mean a word of it. “I can’t believe you would try and set her up for failure with that cold, unfeeling weird boy. Come on, Addison let me introduce you to some real men.” She forcefully grabs my arm and drags me away from the groom.
Wow. Her dislike is strong. I had this icky feeling that everything isn’t as it seemed. I wonder if she and Tanner had a thing. I immediately got the Mrs. Robinson vibe from her. Just picturing them together makes me want to puke. I can’t blame a young teen boy being used by an older woman.
I remove my arm from hers as we walk up to Frank London, one of Emmitt’s good friends. “Frank, have you met the lovely Addison, Madison’s Maid of Honor?”
“Of course, I’d love to spend time with the most beautiful woman around,” he says way too smoothly for me. I know I’m good looking. It’s not that I’m being conceited, but I’ve heard it my entire life.
“Thanks, Frank, but I have to check on Mads.” Her parents are almost here. Mads and Emmitt kept them far from Mrs. Jacobs because she has a mouth on her that needs to be taped shut. She looks down on anyone who isn’t filthy rich even though she’s nearly broke herself.
“Oh she’s fine,” Emmitt’s mother says.
“Hello, Addison,” Gore croons walking up to us. His name is Gregory, but he hates being called that, so they all call him Gore. He’s just as bad as Frank. They both have asked me out three times since I’ve met them. It’s as if they have a bet going. Have to get away. I don’t want any one of them.
The only one I want to look at me that way and to tell me I’m beautiful is Tanner. I’m in love with Emmitt’s brother to the point of insanity. I don’t understand how, or why, but I daydream about him even when he’s around, sitting at his desk working.
“Excuse me, I really have to go.” As soon as I exit the living room, I dart down the hall to the one place I snuck into earlier. I just need to be near his things. It’s silly and a bit sick, but that’s just me.
I run in and close the door out of breath from just the excitement of being this close to his things. Pressing my head to the door, I absorb how pathetic I am.
I’m just about to move and leave the room when a voice I’d know anywhere says, “Are you running from someone?”
Chapter 7
Tanner
Why? I ask myself for the hundredth time today. Why did I say yes?
Because of Addison. Making Madison happy made Addison happy. God, I’m so damn in love with her I can’t even think straight anymore. I barely got the work finished this morning. I didn’t even have time to shower at home. I’m going into my bedroom in my dad’s house to get ready.