Page 53

Ali is right behind her. “Why is everyone yelling?”

“Apparently for me.”

Mariah spots Ezra then Rhett and her mouth drops open then she looks at me then to them then back to me. Her expression says everything.

I shake my head.

Oh God. Please do not open your big fat mouth right now.

But her grin says she absolutely will later.

“WHERE IS OUR BRIDE?” The announcer shouts.

Mariah grabs my shoulders. “Oh my God.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“YES.”

She shoves me toward the stage and I stumble.

“Traitor!”

People notice the red ribbon and cheer. Hands clap my shoulder as I pass. Someone hands me another drink. I don’t even know what it is.

Ali laughs behind me. “Go!”

I look back. Ezra and Rhett aren’t laughing.

That’s concerning.

The crowd opens and I find myself at the bottom of the stage.

The announcer reaches down. “Come on up!”

I stare at his hand then at the hundreds of people watching.

Fuck it.

I take it and he pulls me onto the stage.

The crowd erupts and I lift my arms because why not. If I’m going to be the Harvest Bride, I’m committing.

The announcer hands me the mic. “Name?”

“Sage.”

“SAGE!” The crowd repeats it.

That’s deeply fucking weird and kind of awesome.

“And what’s your last name, Sage?”

I laugh. “McBride.”