Page 61 of Scarred

I hate to say it, but maybe they’re right.

The muscles in my jaw tighten as I clamp down on my molars harder.

Maybe my answer to getting my head back in the game isn’t running from Luna…it’s doing something about it.

After arriving at the hotel and checking into my room, I shower and change into my black suit. The suite is a spacious one-bedroom with an entertainment area consisting of a large leather sofa, a big screen TV, and a fully stocked bar. It opens up into a kitchen already filled with various cheese trays and fruit in the fridge.

The wedding invitation says the ceremony takes place on the roof, which is just an elevator ride up, so I decide to enjoy a drink until it’s time to leave. Pouring a bourbon at the bar, I walk over to the floor-to-ceiling windows lining the back wall and step through the balcony doors.

The sounds of waves immediately pull me in as I walk past the hot tub sitting in the corner and head to the railing. Resting my forearms on the top of the rails, I gaze at the dark waters below.

Weddings never used to bother me, but now they hit a little different. Knox’s was the first wedding I attended since Jules died, and it damn near knocked the wind out of me.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for Knox and Savi…Miles and Olivia, too.

I am.

Doesn’t stop the rest of it, though.

Because I stood at the altar once, thinking I had forever in my hands, and now it’s just a reminder of everything I lost.

Downing the rest of my bourbon, I walk back inside and set the empty glass by the bar before taking the elevator up to the rooftop.

The bourbon sits heavy in my stomach when I step outside and see the wedding setup.

It’s beautiful. I’ll give them that.

The sweet-scented air has just enough of a cool breeze to feel comfortable, but not too cold for the women in dresses. I scan the area and take in the string lights above, creating the illusion of a cover over the whole rooftop.

The place is decked out in various potted plants and honeysuckle flowers overflowing in vases and wrapped around the dark wooden altar. That would explain the sweet honey smell in the air as I breathe deep and enjoy the vanilla-like fragrance.

I spot the guys in the back row, thankful I don’t have to sit closer to the ceremony, and take the empty seat next to McCormick. Hayes, Foxx, and Kane flank his other side, their hair still damp from their showers and their suits nicely pressed.

“Thanks for saving me a seat,” I tell McCormick, grabbing the wedding program from my chair and sitting down.

“No problem,” he grunts. His body is tense beside me, and his grey eyes are focused straight ahead. Looks like I’m not the only one who feels uncomfortable at weddings.

Soft guitar music filters through the air, and I follow the notes until I see one of Miles’s old band members strumming the soft sound. Knox mentioned to us that Miles used to be the drummer for Southern Tides before opening his own music bar in Blue Haven.

I’ve heard of the band before and even have a few of their songs on my playlist. They are still rising on the charts, and Miles has been writing a lot of their songs lately that have become hits.

They’re the band tonight at the reception, so I’m looking forward to hearing them in person.

When the guitar switches melodies, Miles files out with the groomsmen. His grey eyes are bright, and from the way he’s smiling, you can tell he’s more than ready to make Olivia his wife.

Knox stands beside him as his best man, followed by his brothers, Travis, Jake, and Ryder. Travis’s oldest son, Max, stands as the last groomsman before a collection of suited ring bearers come to stand in front of their dads next to the groom. Miles winks at his nephews before turning his attention to the back.

Turning our heads, I watch Olivia’s sister walk down the aisle, followed by Eve, Lyla, Sophia, and finally Savi, matching them directly across from their husbands. Savi grins at us as she walks by, and I give her a wink. She looks beautiful in her long, honey-colored dress that stretches across her very pregnant belly.

I glance at their husbands standing next to Miles, and every single one of them can’t take their eyes off their wives. Love, adoration, and hunger are focused on the beauties across from them.

“Knox looks like he’s going to throw Savi over his shoulder and devour her whole,” Hayes smirks, causing us to chuckle.

“I wouldn’t put it past him,” I murmur.

Turning, we watch a group of the most adorable flower girls I’ve ever seen walk down the aisle with Olivia’s daughter, Bee, leading the way as they throw white rose petals as they go. I spot all of Miles’s nieces in the mix, along with what I’m assuming are Olivia’s two nieces as they pass by.

The music suddenly changes, and chairs are scraped back as Olivia walks down the aisle looking stunning in her white dress. Her long blonde hair is woven with honeysuckle flowers, and her light hazel eyes are locked on Miles.