Vegas Revenge Wedding (Nevada Bad Boys 2)

“Noted. You’ll get it.” I started to push the door closed.

“You know where to find me.” Ray put his hand on the door and locked eyes again with me one more time before finally pulling his hand away and allowing me to close the door.

“What a jackass.” Monica walked over once the door was closed.

“He’s doing his job—even if he is an asshole.” I sighed and shook my head. “This will all be over soon.”

IT WAS TWO DAYS BEFORE Dane returned to Las Vegas. I drove by the house every day, waiting to see signs of activity, and when I finally saw the lights on, I knew it was time to swallow my pride.

I parked at the edge of the curb and walked up the driveway. It felt foreign, like a memory that had been displaced. I walked up that driveway a million times over the course of my life and it always felt like coming home, but that feeling was gone. The house I grew up in was no longer home—it was a part of my past. My future was with Monica and whatever future we decided to make together.

Normally, I would have just put my key in the lock and walked inside, but I felt like a stranger instead of a member of my family. I could hear music playing from inside, much louder than anything my mother would have ever allowed. I lightly tapped the door several times, but there was no response. I shifted to the side and tried to look into the window next to the door, but I couldn’t see anyone. I lifted my hand and hit the door several more times, hard enough to rattle it against the hinges. A few seconds later, I heard footsteps and the door swung open fast to reveal my brother Dane wearing nothing but a towel.

“Grady!” His eyes were red and bloodshot. I could smell liquor resonating from his breath. “Come on inside, we’re having a party!”

“You are?” My eyes couldn’t hide the shock of seeing my Bible thumping brother drunk as fuck.

“Yeah, come on!” He motioned for me to follow and started walking towards the living room. “Grab a drink, let’s catch up.”

“Sure...” I watched him until he disappeared around the corner and then walked inside the house.

“Liquor? Beer?” My brother called out loud enough for me to hear him over the music.

“Beer is fine.” When I stepped into the living room, I saw the woman I had seen next to him on television sitting on the sofa wrapped in a sheet.

“Oh, you have to meet Allison! This is my new girlfriend.” He motioned to the woman who looked as drunk as he was as he handed me a beer.

“Hi.” She raised her hand and waved with a half-smile on her face.

“Nice to meet you, Allison. Dane, is there somewhere we can talk in private?” I sipped my beer and looked around the living room.

“Can you give us a minute, baby?” Dane turned to Allison. “You can wait in the bedroom.”

“Okay.” She shrugged and stood up, stumbling when she tried to take a step.

“It won’t take me long.” Dane slapped her ass through the sheet and she started walking a little faster.

“Well, things have certainly changed with you.” I took a seat as Dane turned down the music.

“I owe that to you!” Dane shook his finger at me and grinned. “Damn, what was I thinking? One woman? Marriage? Holy shit—how is Monica anyway?”

“She’s fine.” I took a deep breath and exhaled sharply. “I guess I owe you an apology. It should have come a lot sooner.”

“No—fuck that.” Dane shook his head. “I saw what she posted on social media. The bitch was using me. You didn’t have to marry her though—you could have just told me she was a whore.”

“Dane...” My jaw clenched as he referred to my wife as a bitch and a whore, but I had to bite my tongue because attacking him wasn’t going to help my case.

“Anyway.” He shrugged. “She’s your problem now—unless you’ve already dumped her to the curb. I sure as fuck would have.”

“We’re still together.” I sipped my beer again. “I have to admit, I never expected any of this from you.” I motioned to the living room. “Drinking—a girlfriend that you’re obviously fucking.”

“Like I said, I owe all that to you! I was devastated after Monica left. I tried reading the Bible, consulting with the church elders, and even praying about it. You know what worked though?” He reached over and picked up a bottle of liquor, tapping it before taking a drink. “Well, this and finally getting my cherry popped.”

“I’m glad you’re in a better place now.” It didn’t seem like a better place, but he was sure as fuck happy, so I just went with it.

“Yeah, man. I’m over the fucking moon. Who knew life could be so much fun?” He laughed and took another drink. “Anyway, I need to get back to Allison so if you just came here to apologize, I accept it. I’m not mad. Mom might still be pissed. She’s still in denial about Monica—she loved that girl more than I did.”

“Where is Mom anyway?” I knew she wasn’t home just by the condition of the house.