Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“Why?”
Her eyes widen. “Are you seriously questioning me about using the bathroom? Do I need to explain how gravity works? You may like me being full of you, but it’s not very comfortable right now.”
Before I can argue, she pushes me gently and disappears behind the door.
When she returns, I beat back the urge to haul her straight to my truck.
“Don’t even think about it,” she warns.
“What?”
“Whatever you’re thinking. I can see it in your eyes.”
“Not apologizing for wanting to take you home. We’ve been doing this wedding shit for two days.”
“It’s my first time as a bridesmaid. I’m not bailing early.”
Two bodies flash by us with a high-pitched squawk. Addie and Carson take hold of Willow’s arms, yanking her away.
“Rowan’s stalled as long as possible. It’s time.”
“Time for what?”
“Bouquet toss,” they answer in unison.
She freezes, wrenching them to a halt. “I’m not going out there.”
“Yes, you are. We all know it’s between you and Shayla who’s next. Addie and I have our money on you,” Carson rationalizes hurriedly.
“You have money on me?”
“There’s a pool going and we’re set to win five hundred dollars. Get your ass out there and fight for that bouquet.”
“I’ll give you five hundred dollars! I’m not fighting anyone, especially in this dress.”
Willow glares at me in terror, her eyes pleading with me to help.
I shake my head, throwing her words back to her. “Your first time as a bridesmaid, you should get all the traditional experiences.”
She scowls, opening her mouth, but they drag her away, leaving me to follow.
I circle the room, stopping at the bar. My dad joins me, giving me a once-over with a smirk. “You get lost?”
“Lost?”
“Been gone for a while. Figured you got lost somewhere.”
“Yeah, it’s a big place. Got turned around a few times.”
He chuckles. “Stick with that story when you see your mom. She’s been on the hunt for you and Willow.”
“Got it.” I take a sip and grin into my glass at the scene on the edge of the dance floor.
Addie and Carson aren’t letting up, with Willow visibly arguing and trying to pull Bex in as a shield.
“Anything you want to share with me?”
I glance over and my instincts perk at the change in his expression. He’s not probing into my disappearing act or the fact I stole Willow away for sex. He’s all business.
“Want to be more specific?”
“Jim, Pete, Doug, Rich, and I have been talking.”
I realize all the dads are gathered close. “Talking about what?”
“We know something is up.”
“Something is always up.”
“You want to play coy? Been down this road more than a few times over the years, not to mention my own time in the ranks.” Jim, Major’s dad, eyes me sharply. “Max Roberts is missing.”
“He is.” I give the room a once-over passively.
Major and Ace are with our buddies from MARSOC watching the show on the dance floor as Willow continues to protest. Harley and Jewls now flank her to keep her from running.
“The signs aren’t hard to miss, Talon. Tell me you men aren’t wading into whatever this is.”
The concern in my dad’s tone is distinctive. Worry etched on his features matches the other men.
Guilt claws at my insides, knowing the shit we’ve put our families through with our careers. The years of sleepless nights during our deployments, the fear every time the phone rang or doorbell chimed, the dads taking the brunt of the moms’ breakdowns.
I throw back the rest of my bourbon, making a decision.
“I can’t tell you what I don’t know.”
Dad’s eyes narrow and the others shift.
“Tomorrow, we’ll talk. Tonight is a celebration for Ford. Nothing is fucking that up.”
They all look like they want to argue, then nod their agreement.
A loud cheer goes up as Declan and Blake jump on the stage. They grab guitars and start the chords of a familiar tune… Is that Beyoncè?
The women have successfully lodged Willow front and center. Ford leads Rowan to the dance floor, turning her from the waiting crowd of women. His arms circle her waist, his mouth at her ear as he twists her back and forth.
His eyes catch mine, understanding bright.
I jerk my chin in confirmation.
Willow hates being in the spotlight, and she may kill me for this, but she’ll get over it.
Ford whispers something, Rowan rears back, and the bouquet flies through the air.
It’s almost slow motion as Harley and Jewls nudge Willow forward and the flowers land in her barely outstretched hands.
Addie and Carson dance in a circle, fist-bumping their victory.
All the single guys huddle, Drake and Sam front and center.
Suckers.
Ford doesn’t wait for a chair. He squats to his knees, lifting Rowan’s leg and sliding her garter off.
“That’s my queue.” I hand my glass to my dad and waltz to the center of the dance floor, plucking the material from Ford’s hand.
“You have to be shitting me!” Drake complains loudly.