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“Cheers to the bride and groom.”
I lifted my champagne flute, tendrils of real joy filtering through me for the first time in I couldn't recall how long.
Lincoln and Lexie were married. They'd pulled it together fast. And I hadn’t even been able to live with them to be around to help.
No. I wouldn't think about that.
Happiness. That was the word for the day.
And there was so much of it in this room, it was palpable.
Glasses filled the air, along with cheers of agreement.
I looked around the table.
Family.
Lincoln, Teague, Lexie, Eric, Pepper, and Miss Adeline.
They were my family, and I was so lucky to have them.
“I assume my invitation got lost in the mail.”
And just like that, all of the air was sucked from my lungs. He shouldn't be here. He shouldn’t try to destroy the beauty of the occasion.
Teague dropped his fork and appeared ready to bodily escort our father out. “You weren't invited.”
My brother was the picture of strength. I was in complete awe of his bravery. I’d never be able to say something like that. Not to that monster.
“This isn’t an appropriate time.” Lincoln’s voice was low and serious in a way I'd never heard him address our father.
I was proud of him too. Why couldn’t I find my voice to tell Father to get the hell out?
Father rounded the table and picked up Teague’s champagne flute. “Surely, you don’t expect me to be absent on such a momentous occasion in my children’s lives?”
Teague shot from his chair so quickly it scraped against the hardwood floor.
Only moments ago there were happy faces around the table. Now there were hard, angry expressions.
He’d ruined Lincoln and Lexie’s wedding.
And it had happened in the blink of an eye.
“Sit down, son. I’m only here for well wishes.” Father's evil grin shifted to me. “And to think we get to do this all over again in two weeks. At Beau’s wedding.”
Ice ran through my veins.
All eyes turned to me, though my focus was on the man who seemed determined to make me miserable. Had he sensed I wasn't going to go through with it? Was this a reminder to fall in line and obey?
“I take it by the silence, I'm not invited to share a piece of cake." Father set down the glass. “We’ll do that soon enough.”
“You’re getting married?" Teague asked carefully.
I looked at him, at a loss. “Excuse me.”
I hadn't learned any courage from him at all. Fear. That was all I knew.
That and anger.
