AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The minister went through his introduction and Luke found himself tapping his shoe impatiently. The bride and groom had not prepared any special vows, just two simple ‘I Dos.’
The minister’s clear, soothing voice called out, “If anyone here feels that these two should not lawfully be joined, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
“I’ve got a buttload of reasons,” Marley’s voice rang out.
Every head swung around to the back of the church, where Marley stood in that awful puffy pink dress. All of the guests watched Marley marched up the aisle, their jaws slack with shock. Even Luke was thrown by the determined set of her jaw as she squared off in front of Sonora, who looked as though she were about to beat Marley over the head with her bouquet.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Sonora shrieked.
“I’m saving him from marrying you.” Marley turned towards Brent, lowering her voice a bit. “I can keep this for your ears only, or I can tell everyone in the room. Your choice.”
Brent glanced at Luke who shrugged. He had no clue what was about to happen.
“If you’ve got something to say, then say it,” Brent said.
“Fine.” Clasping her hands in front of her, she shot Luke a small, apologetic smile. “I was hired to be Sonora’s maid of honor. She’d run off several maids of honor with her attitude, and her parents thought a professional was the way to go. She made up the story about us meeting in rehab.”
Luke nodded as she continued to watch him. He’d known there was something off about her story, but he’d never figured her for a professional bridesmaid.
“I went along with it because it was only eight weeks. Eight miserable weeks of listening to her berate and belittle everyone around her. I put up with it because her parents were paying me handsomely.”
Marley paused, and it was as if the entire church moved, leaning forward so as not to miss the punchline.
“Until she fired me this morning for telling her that she should be nicer to her friends and family.”
“You threatened me!” Sonora said, and Marley scoffed.
“Please, you were the one who said you would destroy my mother’s business if I told anyone that you’d slept with another man while you were engaged to Brent.”
This time, t
he crowd erupted and Luke’s jaw hit the floor. Sonora was a lot of things, but she wasn’t an idiot. Why in the hell would she cheat on Brent?
But Marley wasn’t done. “If you’re wondering why she’d do that when Brent is the whole package, it was because the other man was loaded and less like a…what was it, Sonora? A caveman?”
Sonora paled, and turned to face Brent, stuttering, “She’s lying, baby, you have to believe me.”
Brent stared first at Marley and then at Sonora. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath, including Luke.
“I don’t,” Brent said.
Sonora’s eyes widened, and then her face flushed purple. She whirled toward Marley. “You!”
Luke was already in motion as Sonora headed down the stairs straight for Marley, her fingers curled into claws.
“I’m going to fucking kill you!”
But to Luke’s surprise, Kendall beat him there.
“Back off, Sonny.”
“I told you never to call me that!” Sonora screamed, spittle flying out of her mouth.
“And under most circumstances I would respect your feelings, even though you’ve never considered mine. But not today. For years I’ve made excuses, loved you in spite of the horrible way you treated me. But you aren’t going to hurt Marley. She is a true friend. She could have stood by and let Brent marry you and you would have made him miserable.” Kendall looked up at Brent, her expression softening. “And my heart would have broken every day seeing him like that.”
Luke realized what she was saying and his breath whooshed out. “Damn, there is a lot of drama going on in this room.”
Sonora whirled on him, her eyes wild. “Shut up, you idiot!”
