Page 75 of Seein’ Red

The group screams wildly, almost as if they are at a boy band concert. Willa and Sylvie stand toward the back of the group, only pretending to pay attention, ready to let the others duke it out.

Kenzie counts to three, and then sends her bouquet flying backward. It arches upward, well over the group, before it starts to fall.

“Willa, heads!”

Whipping her head up in time, she holds out her hand, bouquet landing squarely in her grasp. It was a perfect catch if I ever saw one.

And now I’m going to have to up my game…

The ladies clear out, all of them circling around Willa, congratulating her. Wide-eyed and more than a little taken aback, she shoots me a look, like she can’t believe that really just happened.

Just wait ’til you see what’s next, baby…

“Alright, gentlemen, your turn!” the DJ announces. “Now, by request of the bride, the groom has already…errr…retrieved the garter.” A mix of titters and giggles fills the crowd, everyone catching his drift. “So, there won’t be a show. But I hope you’re ready to fight for the prize, because the bouquet winner is quite the beauty.”

“She’s also a little sister…” Hux mutters behind me.

“Don’t worry, boys, I got this!”

I extend my arms, stretching as if I’m about to run a marathon. I can hear all the Nobles and the Hayes laughing, but let it roll off me. That’s my girl, and no one else is putting a garter on her.

“I’ll let you win just so I can watch her smack you if you try and put that thing on her,” Anton comments.

“Ten bucks she leaves a handprint,” Gus adds.

“Twenty says she draws blood,” Jace says.

Well then. Are these guys in for a surprise.

Dustin walks up to the front, swinging the flimsy piece of lace and silk around his finger, the biggest shit-eating grin ever on his face. I’d give him a hard time for it, but it’s his wedding, and if there was ever a time for him to look like that, it’s now.

Without warning, Dustin spins around, flinging the garter into the air.

Everything slows down. Time, movement, everything. The garter seems to hang in the air for a moment, not moving, my own feet stuck in place. I move as fast as I can, even though it feels like I’m wading through quicksand, trying to get after it. It’s heading in the direction of Atlas Noble, and a new motivation hits.

Only, there’s Camden in the way.

“Doc!” I exclaim, trying to get him to move.

All it does is cause him to freeze though. Still, I rush toward him, ready to tackle him if needed. Thankfully, his own self-preservation reflexes kick in and he ducks. It’s not as effective as plain old moving out of the way, but it’ll work.

I reach down deep, finding old playground skills I didn’t know I still had, leapfrogging over him. I land on both my feet, in just the nick of time to shoulder check Atlas out of the way, both of my hands clasping around the little circle of fabric.

Applause erupts, the crowd apparently as in awe as I am at my athletic ability. Who knew I had it in me?

“Coulda just told me you legit wanted it,” Atlas says with a laugh.

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“And we have a winner!” the DJ announces. “Now, time for the garter to find its new home. If I can get the two winners to the center of the dance floor.”

I make my way forward, Willa appearing by my side. Noel places a chair in front of us, trying to hold in a laugh.

“Behave, you two,” he directs with a wink.

“Nash,” Willa warns. It’s a single word, just my name, but I know she means business. “Don’t embarrass me.”

“I won’t.”