“Pidge, we’re not going to do this,” I said.
“What do you mean?” She sounded offended. “Give me my drink, dammit.”
Thank the ancestors everyone was chatting over one another, because nobody heard us. I slid the drink down the bar. “No.”
Ava huffed. “You don’t own me, asshole.”
I smirked. “You took my last name, didn’t you?”
“Howdareyou tell me what to do on my wedding day,” she protested. “You don’t control me.”
I sighed. “Come on, Pidge. I wasjoking. Let’s not start out our marriage with a fight.”
“Why not? Seems fitting,” she snapped.
I did my best to have patience. This was Ava, after all, and anyone who dealt with her needed a boatload of it. “Okay, look. I’m not trying to control you. I’m trying toprotectyou. Alcohol messes with your meds. You can do what you want, but we’re married now. I’m responsible for keeping you safe and looking out for your welfare. I’m asking you not to do this, today of all days. Please.”
Ava didn’t say anything right away. To be honest, I didn’t know what she was thinking, and I didn’t dare try prying into her head right now.
“Fine,” she finally said. “Whatever makes you happy.”
Hell, she’d finally let me have my way on something. Was the world coming to an end?
“It’s time to get this party started!” Ivy screamed.
Loud music boomed over the speakers.
“Come on, Ava!” Kallie cried. “Let’s dance.”
Ava groaned, like she didn’t want to. Damn, I’d never seen that girl pass up dancing before. She must’ve beenreally pissedabout this wedding. Kallie dragged Ava away, and she disappeared from my side.
Chancey nudged me. “Why so glum? You’re the groom.”
Before I had a chance to answer, Alistair cut in. “I’d be pissed too if I never got a bachelor party.”
Ivy gasped, like the idea of missing my bachelor party was ludicrous. “That’sright! What a shame. Well, there’s never a time like the present!”
Ivy rushed around the bar and grabbed my arm.
I dug my heels in. “What the— where are we going?”
“On stage!” Ivy cried. “It wouldn’t be a wedding without strippers.”
“What kind of weddings have youbeento?” I gaped.
Ivy didn’t answer as he dragged me on stage. He guided me over to the pole and placed my hands on it.
“Stand there,” Ivy instructed.
“What are you—?” I started.
The music changed, and Ivy called our friends on stage. “Come on, boys!”
Alistair laughed gleefully, and Eddie chuckled as they climbed on stage and surrounded me. Chancey reached past me to grab the stripper pole, and they all started dancing and grinding on me.
“I want in!” Ez cried. “Here, Opal. Keep recording.”
Ez jumped onto the stage and started rubbing his ass on my leg. Marcus must’ve followed behind him, because he was suddenly next to all the guys, laughing in my ear.
