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It’s not like she’s knocked up or something. The company has been in fine hands, so far. I just don’t see why the engagement party is tonight and the wedding is in three months. Something isn’t adding up.
I fix my tie and grab my suit jacket, then make my way into the hall. Nate is there and he looks as if we are about to attend a funeral, not my engagement party. Can’t blame him though. It feels as if my life is ending. Melodramatic? Probably.
“Are you ready for this?” Rooke asks me, as he walks up beside Nate, wearing the tux I picked out for him. The way the dark fabric clings to his muscled thighs and arms is making my dick twitch. Wish I could say fuck this party, and bend over for him here and now.
He gives me a once-over too, then looks away. I know he’s still hurt over what I said, but right now isn’t the time to get into that. It will have to wait. I’m just glad he agreed to be my best man after all. I’ve decided to come clean to Patience about us, and maybe she will be open to keeping him in our lives. I have a feeling she already knows.
They seem to have become friends lately, and I already told Nate that I wouldn’t get in the way of their relationship, and I have a feeling Kian is here to stay too. Talk about a clusterfuck. As long as we are married on the outside, especially in public, I don’t give a shit what we do in private.
I refuse to be miserable for my whole life. It’s time that I get to have something I want for once. Something that makes me happy. And that’s Rooke.
I move closer to him and touch his cheek. He brings his head up and his amber eyes are filled with tears. “Rooke,” I mumble and he shakes his head, then walks away. Nate follows and gives me a sad smile.
“Just give him time, Cal.”
He walks down the stairs and I lean my head back against the wall, just taking a moment for myself.
We’re just going to be one big fucked up family. As long as no one kills each other, and it keeps our families off our backs, I’ll call it a win.
I make my way down the stairs to my father and his date. She’s ten years older than me, and won’t stop giving me and Rooke fuck-me eyes. Not to mention, she’s annoying, and I really hope my father doesn’t make her my new stepmommy. Out of the few relationships he’s had, this one has been the longest. Even if he claims it’s just to get her dad’s approval on something for work.
“Oh, Cally, you look so handsome,” Cherise coos, stepping closer to fix my tie. I hide my flinch and let her feel me up until she gets bored of my blatant dismissal. I’m supposed to be playing the game, when it comes to her. My father acts like he’s oblivious as he texts someone on his phone, but I know he’s watching, analyzing the best way to pull this ‘seduction’ shit.
Music is playing in the ballroom, so I give her a smile, straighten my spine, and start to walk that way.
I know that no one has arrived yet besides the caterers and waitstaff. Patience is upstairs in the room she once claimed as hers, getting ready. Which I think is absurd, considering she lives not even a minute away.
I enter the ballroom and my eyes immediately hurt. There are twinkling lights everywhere. Laci finds me straight away and I give her a fake smile.
“Isn’t it marvelous?” she gushes, glancing around at the room. I know she’s trying to keep this elegant and young, due to our age, but it reminds me of a prom. I nod and she leaves us to go check on the ‘bride’. Ugh, just the word makes me want to puke. Nate steps up beside me, and I can tell he’s trying not to laugh.
“It’s awful,” I groan and Rooke laughs, joining us. He must have already gone to the bar since he hands us each a drink.
“It’s just so beautiful,” Cherise coos to my father, hinting at what she wants her wedding to be.
“Yes, yes, and it cost a fortune. The princess had better like it,” he growls, stomping off, ignoring Cherise’s pout. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop a laugh, then take a big sip of the whiskey.
A few people start to trickle in and offer me congratulations, and commiserations. I laugh when appropriate and wait for Patience to arrive. Nate and Rooke are talking with someone from school, and I fight not to fidget. I just want this night to be over. What the fuck is taking her so long?
Patience
“You look beautiful, sweetheart,” my mom says, coming up behind me and placing a locket around my neck. I recognize it immediately. It was a gift from my father to her. I gasp and place my hand overtop the necklace, then turn to my mom. She has tears in her eyes and I fight not to cry. “He would want you to wear it today,” she says and I nod, then stand from the vanity chair I’ve been perched on for three hours. My ass is starting to go numb.
I run my hands down the cream silk dress with lilac lace overlay, and try to offer her a smile. I think I failed though because she grimaces. “I know marrying Cal isn’t ideal, Pay, but it’s what has to be done, and I’m sorry. I wish I could stop this, but it’s over my head.”
“I know,” I sigh, then take her shaking hand. “Let’s do this.” She squeezes my palm and I take a deep breath in. We might not have the best relationship, but since my birthday she has been trying. She’s even managed to stay in town. We leave the room and Tae offers his arm to my mom, as Kian offers me his. I take it gratefully, and my mom giggles. My nerves are through the roof right now, and I feel my hand shaking.
I don’t want to be here. I haven’t been in this house in a long time, and the memories that keep crashing through me are giving me mixed feelings. “Say the word, and I will turn around and take you away right now,” Ki whispers, and I bite the inside of my cheek to hide my smile. I shake my head and he groans.
The moment I enter the sprawling ballroom, everyone’s eyes are on me. I take another deep breath and place a fake-ass smile on my face. Fake it until you make it. Isn’t that the saying?
Cal steps up to me and I can’t help but take him in. The dark suit is tight, forming to his body in a way that should be sinful, but it’s the lust in his eyes, mixed with anger, that makes my breath freeze in my chest.
“You look beautiful,” he grunts and I give him a small smile. I know it’s just for show, but I thank him anyway.
“You look nice as well,” I say with a wink, and he rolls his eyes then takes my hand.
“Let’s just get this show over with,” he softly growls. I shiver from the tone, and he glances my way in surprise. I shrug and he laughs.
