She didn’t say shit the rest of the ride.
Now at the reception, she acts sickly sweet to Tessa, which infuriates me, which I’m sure is her intention. Tessa doesn’t seem to notice it, thank God. But Jade … well, her hawk eyes are watching the whole damn thing. She looks less than impressed, too.
Jade and Ryan have kept my secret for a long time now. They support my decision to try to get Logan through high school first, knowing damn well why it’s important to me. I don’t want Logan to fuck up and, believe it or not, this shit fucks with kids hard, especially if their parents are at odds. All I want is peace for them.
I am having a good time, and Jade, well, I owe her big, because she can keep a damn secret. She has Ash fooled into thinking she’s still her best bud. I owe her even bigger for that.
Logan and his girl seem tonotbe having all that great of a time. Every time I look for him, he’s with the Ross boys and the little Hines’ girls, while Sadie stands stewing. I try to strike up a conversation with her, and even make her dance with me.
Logan cuts in, and shortly after, he says his goodbyes. And yes, I remind him to use a damn condom.
Then there’s my princess, Ava, who’s dancing with the boy they call T. A fucking drummer who has rubbed me the wrong way on several occasions.
I am ready to go cut in when Harper yells my name.
I look over at her, and she requests, “Make Mom dance, please.”
I make my way over and tell Tessa that the bride asked me to dance with her and I can’t tell the her no on her wedding day. And, as soon as we get to the dance floor, the song “Eternal Flame” starts, which just so happens to be one of the first songs she and I ever danced to.
“You look beautiful, Tessa.”
“And you look very nice, Lucas. Thanks for coming.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Tessa nods. “I know.”
We don’t say anything more to each other. And, as soon as the song ends, a fast song begins, and Phoebe comes over and grabs her.
“You’re not leaving the dance floor now, Tessa.” And they are off.
I stand next to Alex and Phoebe’s son, Remington, and watch as the women take over the dance floor.
I catch Ash glaring at me, nodding toward the exit.
Fuck.
We’re not even outside the door yet when she snaps, “How long do I have to watch this? Wasn’t twenty plus years enough?”
I see Tessa’s father, John, looking at me, and I smile then follow Jezebel out the door.
“I want to leave now,” she hisses.
“We can wait until they cut the cake, and then we can leave.”
“No! You think you’re having a hard time, Lucas? For years, I’ve watched the way you look at her. You never stopped loving her!”
“This is not the time nor the—”
“Admit it!”
“Could you please keep it down?”This is fucking insane.
“Answer one question, and then I will gladly keep it down.”
“Let’s have it, Ash.”
“Are you in love with her?”