AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Right, I’m not staying in case this turns into a shitshow because I can’t get arrested on my wedding night,” James began and pulled me up on my feet.
“We’re leaving, everyone,” he shouted over the music, waving his arm in the air and practically dragging me back into the tennis club.
“Wait,” Billie called out. “Tricia hasn’t thrown her bridal bouquet yet.” James cussed under his breath, glanced at me, and shook his head.
“Fine, but Erin isn’t allowed to take part,” he muttered under his breath. I chuckled at his dry wit as Billie came toward me with the flowers. All the single ladies stood behind me, a group that consisted of Flick, the bassist, Lorna, Erin, and the female children. James cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Go Lorna!” to his sister.
I dug him in the ribs. “Go, Milly,” he called out again, as she was his oldest niece. Closing my eyes, I threw it over my shoulder, and immediately everyone cheered. When I turned around, I saw that Erin had indeed caught the flowers. I grinned when I saw James scowl.
Josh immediately called out to James, “Better get that checkbook dusted off, Dad. It looks like you’re gonna be paying for another wedding sooner than you think.”
James growled menacingly at Josh and shook his head, but snickered as he dipped his head. “Where the fuck is Ryder anyway?” he asked through a chuckle and slid his hand in mine. I loved that he pretended having Josh as a relative, had felt too much to bear.
“Don’t,” I warned. “That’s a discussion for another day,” I admonished. James frowned suddenly serious and raised a brow.
“Now you have to tell me,” he insisted. “Trouble in paradise?” he asked, the comment sounded flippant but when I saw the dark look in his eyes, I knew he felt the same way as I had about someone hurting Erin.
“She’s not talking right now and I’m not pressing the point either,” I stated, as I saw Tammy approach us from the tennis club door. My heart sank because I hadn’t wanted anything else to spoil the day.
“Congratulations, brother,” she gushed, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tight.
“Thanks, we’re really happy,” he told her. James glanced at me and slid his hand around my waist.
“Is that your daughter dancing with Josh?” she asked.
“It is. Tricia’s daughter, my stepdaughter,” James replied decisively, taking the challenge he felt she may make.
“She’s beautiful and so like you, Tricia,” she replied.
“Thank you, she’s brought a lot of love into our lives in recent weeks,” I told her confidently and smiled at James for reassurance.
“She’s perfect, I couldn’t want more in a daughter,” he remarked, and I noted how uncomfortable his statement had made her.
“I’m ashamed at how I behaved. You were right not to accept what I said. I can see how effortless you are together, despite all the waves you’ve had with your daughter getting back in touch … and your mom passing,” she offered.
I nodded. “Tammy, the concerns you had about James being with me were the same concerns I had voiced myself. James doesn’t make decisions without a lot of thought.”
“With Tricia, I never had to think about it at all. I’ve said it before, I’d choose my wife over a dozen children with another pretty girl,” he stated firmly and kissed my temple.
“I know. I’m not here to make a scene. I had wanted to catch you before the wedding to apologize, but there just wasn’t the time. All I wanted to say was I’m happy for you both and I hope we can put the past behind us, Tricia.”
“Of course,” I offered graciously, and I saw how relieved she looked when I’d accepted her apology.
“Okay, Sis, I guess you should get back to your girls, I think there’s a fight breaking out.” James told her nodding with his head in the direction of the dance floor. I looked toward the wedding party again and saw Milly and Belle arguing.
“Kids,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Indeed,” James replied, squeezing my hand as if to say I got this, he waited for her to say more.
“Well, I just came to wish you luck. We’ll be back in Arizona by the time you get back from your honeymoon, but you must come down and see us soon, the girls would love it.”
James smiled at the mention of her children. “We will, but it’ll be a while yet. After the honeymoon I need to step up at the firm.”
“Yeah, Dad mentioned to Jonathan he was letting go more of the reins… maybe you could find a spot for Jonny when you restructure? I’m about ready to come back to The Hamptons, now that Milly is getting older. I don’t want her to get tangled up with some boy down there in the desert before we make the move.”
“We’ll see … but if he does come in, he’d have to be prepared for some heavy supervision, I’m not sure he’s up for that since he’s been in a lead position for quite a few years now. Anyway, this is our wedding day and as much as I’d love to keep chatting, I won’t keep my bride waiting any longer. We’re heading off so…” He nodded again toward the girls. Bethany had joined them and was being scolded by Belle, “I think maybe you should get that and we can pick this up again when the timing is better.”
Tammy gave us a tight smile and headed back toward her girls, stopping to say something to her husband. He shook his head but didn’t move to help her.
