Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 48017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 240(@200wpm)___ 192(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 240(@200wpm)___ 192(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
To make me feel better in an awkward situation.
“Well, we’re all here and you’re not so…?” Brett asks, sounding hurt now. His anger gives way to that feeling I know well.
Being stood up. Counting on someone for something and having them be a no show, not even calling beforehand.
I can tell by Brandon’s reaction that it’s unlike him, and I can’t help but feel responsible.
Brandon’s huge hand on my knee, a gentle squeeze, and a fierce look from him tells me he doesn’t blame me for his own forgetfulness.
Even if it is all because of me.
“I’ve just come from having the suit altered. It wouldn’t have been ready in time anyway,” Brandon offers, trying to sound reasonable.
“Fuck the suit, B. We’re here in jeans and t-shirts. It was all so we could go through the ceremony, meet the pastor and make sure we’re all on the same page for the day,” Brett growls.
Brandon tenses up, his brow growing dark as he takes a long breath in through his nose.
“Know what?” Brett spits, finally losing his shit, he’s probably been holding it in for the good hour and a half past the two o’clock rehearsal.
“You can shove your wedding gift up your ass. And you’re fucking job! I’m sick of playing second to you all the time Brandon. Ever since little league, it’s always been about you… well, FUCK YOU!” Bret shouts, and the line goes dead.
Brandon calmly hangs up from the steering wheel as he puffs air out of his cheeks.
“Sorry you had to hear that,” he says softly, reaching for me again and giving me a reassuring press of his hand.
I try to say something, to tell Brandon how sorry I am, how shocked I am too, but he only shakes his head, smiling.
“Brett’s pissed is all. He’ll simmer down and call me back when he’s thought things through.”
“But you promised him,” I argue, suddenly feeling for Brett. Feeling like Brett in this instance for most of my whole life.
Brandon glances at me in the rearview.
“I’ve known him my whole life, Ashlee. Yes, I fucked up today but it’s a wedding rehearsal not the end of the world.” He counters, sure of himself.
Confident he’s making the right decisions.
As usual.
We drive in silence for a while, and I can tell Brandon’s waiting for the callback but it never comes.
“Has he ever been this mad?” I ask quietly. Brandon shakes his head.
“Nope,” he says swiftly. “And I know when he uses the little league line that he’s madder than hell… Jesus, that was over thirty years ago,” he murmurs, punching the steering wheel again before he turns to me, pulling the truck over.
“Look, Ashlee,” he says firmly, taking both my hands in his after putting the truck into park.
“I respect Brett. Like a brother. But I’d give anything, everything. Him, my business, my whole life if it meant I could spend just one more night with you,” he says. His eyes are clear and bright. Truer words have never left his lips and I feel my own lips starting to tremble as I let it sink in.
Brandon Silver is in love with me as much as I am with him.
It’s the most beautiful thing anyone’s ever said to me, and I tell him so, sniffing back some tears as I lean over to hug him.
Leaning against Brandon for the rest of the drive, which it turns out is across town, we don’t say much.
Just enjoy being close to each other. His warm strength against me until he lets me know we’re only a few minutes away.
It’s the better side of town.
The side most of our wedding clients travel from.
The side of town where people have money. Real money, not just enough to get by or even be comfortable.
Brandon’s phone rings again, making me jump in his grip a little, his strong arm on the wheel. The other firmly around me.
He presses answer and shoots me a knowing look.
I figure it’s his best friend calling back to apologize, but no.
It’s Brett’s fiancé, Chloe.
Having never met either Chloe or Brett, I couldn’t get a more differing opinion of the two. Hearing her speak compared to her husband to be, it’s like chalk and cheese.
“Brandon? Chloe. Look, Brett’s pretty wound up but I’m just calling to say it’s no biggie for you to have missed the rehearsal today. I know you have a lot of other things going on. And not just saying that because you offered to pay for the wedding either,” she adds calmly.
Brandon’s about to say something, but shrugs instead.
“I just wanted to let you know,” she says. “Maybe you could call later or I’ll have Brett stop by?” she suggests, but Brandon’s quick to respond to that idea.
“Actually, Chloe? I am kinda busy right now, and not with work. Something… Someone very special needs all my attention right now, and I’ll sort things out with Brett in a few days,” he says, sounding pretty clinical before he politely ends the call.