Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
And the only response I got was, “I can’t. I’m sorry. I love you. Goodbye.”
After that, my number was blocked.
Just like that, I was blocked. For exposing my truth, I was forgotten. It took months but eventually I took that same ring and grabbed a hammer. I thought it would satisfy my soul, instead it just made me feel sick. Emotionally she’d broken me, so physically, I would break what we had.
I didn’t feel better.
I felt worse.
Because what we had, I thought at the time, was sacred, precious, once in a lifetime and then in a moment of confessions.
Nothing.
How strong can love possibly be if a few words make someone give you her back? If it takes her from your side in an instant?
I hang my head and watch Scarlett shimmy into her beautiful midnight green gown. It has a plunging neckline, and the back is completely bare. The parts of the skirt dance around her hips and fall to the ground, it’s simple, elegant. It matches my eyes.
I get up. “Need me to help zip you?”
She looks over her shoulder, her smile so easy and loving. “Please?”
I can’t get the words out, but I want to so desperately. To tell her how I feel, I don’t just like her, I wish I did. But something else is there, and I know in the end both of us will get hurt, so I wordlessly walk over to her and touch the zipper at the bottom of her back and zip it up a few inches then pull her against me. “You’re beautiful.”
“Says the guy I puked on.”
“I’d fucking catch your puke if I had to,” I admit honestly. Not the most romantic thing I’ve ever said, but it doesn’t make it any less true.
How did I walk away the first time?
How the hell am I going to do it now?
Scarlett turns and stands up on her tiptoes. “I feel like that’s really sweet and gross at the same time. I promise I’ll stay away from the whiskey tonight.”
I nod. “Just don’t stay away from me.”
Her eyes search mine as she wraps her arms around my neck. “Killian, where else would I go?”
Away, I want to say. Instead, I pull her close and press a kiss to her pink mouth. “Nowhere. You’re mine. I decide your future and right now it includes holding my hand in one, a glass of champagne in the other and getting through this wedding, okay?”
She laughs. “Okay, hey don’t you need to go rehearse?”
I shrug. “I did a soundcheck when you were sleeping, I’m good, plus, something tells me that the least of our worries is me getting through eight tracks.”
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t I know it. All right, let’s do this.”
“Let’s.” I grip her hand.
Adrian suddenly bursts through the door in none other than a clerical collar. “Holy shit.”
I stumble back a step. “Why are you wearing that?”
“Why?” His eyes are wild. “Why? Do you have any idea what happened last night? They can’t find the original minister, so here I am! And I bring it everywhere I go, kind of like a bat cape, swear on my life if you make fun of this, I’ll murder you and send you to Hell.” Bro is aggressive this evening. “And you!” He points at Scarlett. “Why didn’t you tell me that the one groomsman, the one with the whiskey”—he snaps his fingers—“Mikey? Yeah, he left with some girl and is also missing, so we’re short one groomsman.”
Scarlett shakes her head. “How do you even know all of this?”
Adrian pauses and looks down at his hands. “I like my morning walks, overheard a few things, then your mom—weirdly strong like Gertrude—pulled me into the field and told me I had one job, perform the wedding, get them married and then she promised wine, so I said yes, pulled out my bat suit…” He glares at me. “…and came back here to report, do you think Dustin would be okay with standing in?”
“Standing?” Dustin yawns and walks in, he’s wearing his black shirt and black slacks, but his eyes look swollen, so swollen I can barely see them. “Man, do you guys have bad allergies up here or is it just me?”
I elbow Scarlett. “You tell him.”
She smacks me in the arm. “You tell him.”
“I’m a priest, I’ll tell him.” Adrian grips Dustin’s shoulders. “How many fingers am I holding up?” He holds up two.
Dustin shakes him off. “Four, everyone knows, two plus two.”
Adrian sighs. “Did you bring your allergy pills?”
“How did you know I have allergies?” He scratches his face vigorously. “Man, it’s so dry here.”
I wince. “Um, maybe just go take one real quick? Couldn’t hurt.”
“Probably won’t help either,” Adrian says under his breath.
Dustin yawns. “I mean, I feel fine, I just need to go do my hair, had the best nap outside, the wind felt amazing.”