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“Sure, I will. Tonight. As I’m packing my suitcase, you can explain all over yourself. And I’m not going to believe one fucking word that comes out of your mouth. You love me. Let’s start with that bullshit, shall we?”
Lainey bit her lip and looked up at the huge chandelier in the middle of the ceiling, praying to God that she wouldn’t cry. Matt’s hands landed on her shoulders.
“Oh, God, Lainey, don’t cry.”
The chimes sounded again.
“We’ve got to go sit down.”
He pulled her in for a hug and kissed the top of her head. “Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not that bad. I promise you.”
She let him lead her to the front of the room. They walked up the three steps to the top of the dais and she saw that her life, the shitshow, was going to get even worse. Her mom and dad were in the center. She was seated between Matt and Trey. On the other side of Trey sat Bennett. So, her handsy, drunk, brother-in-law was going to be sitting right next to her, where his hands would be hidden by a long white tablecloth. Goodie for her.
“You look gorgeous tonight,” Trey said as Matt pulled out Lainey’s chair so she could sit down next to Trey.
She muttered a thank you to Trey.
“What about me, you haven’t said I look gorgeous.” Bennett pouted.
“You’re pregnant. You look as good as you can with your stomach out to there,” Trey said, laughing as he made a hand gesture to show her large stomach.
Maybe I should be drinking.
Their salads were already at their place settings along with the bread and butter. Matt stared at his, not looking happy.
Good. He shouldn’t be.
“It’s true, you know,” Trey said to Lainey. “You were too skinny before. I like how you fill out your dress now. Very nice.” Trey leered.
Lainey ignored him, and chose to breathe through her nose. She picked up her roll, broke it in half, and buttered it.
“Yep, you keep buttering that thing,” Trey whispered. “I like a woman with a big booty.”
Matt leaned back and grabbed the back of Trey’s tuxedo, forcing him back so they could talk behind Lainey. “Look, asshole. One more word, and I’m going to take you out. Got it?”
“Hey, I’m just giving my sister-in-law a compliment. I’ve known her since she was fourteen. I think of her as a little sister. This means nothing. No need for you to get your panties in a twist. It’s all good. Just eat your dinner.”
“Remember what I said,” Matt growled.
Bennett leaned forward and hissed across Trey at Lainey. “You keep that oaf under control. He better not cause a scene.”
“He’s not the one out of line. Maybe if you were actually home where you belonged, Trey would be too interested in you to be vulgar to me.”
“What are you talking about?” Bennett looked truly clueless. It was sad.
Lainey leaned back in her seat, just as Matt and Trey sat up and stared at their food. Lainey didn’t know if she was going to eat anything. Not with Trey on one side, and a liar on the other.
He needed to get out of here and talk to Lainey. She knew he was lying to her about his identity, but other than that, she knew nothing. But shit, that was bad enough. He took another bite of his raspberry tart and felt Lainey squirm and move closer to him.
What the fuck?
He pulled back the tablecloth and looked underneath in time to see Trey’s hand high on her thigh.
Motherfucker!
He stood up and Lainey grabbed his wrist. “Don’t.”
Mateo had no idea what the ‘don’t’ was for. Was it for him not to make a scene? Not act as her protector? Don’t let the door hit you in the ass as you leave?
