Page 70 of Wed to You

“Awww,” the ladies said in unison.

“Thank y’all for such a lovely time.” Chelsea shook their hands

“It was our pleasure. Jagger, she’s a doll. Be nice to her.”

Jagger nodded but didn’t say anything as he guided Chelsea out the door, down the elevator, and out to the waiting limo. Chelsea stepped into the limo and took a seat. She hadn’t been in a limo since prom and never in one where the seats ran side long in the car.

“Just drive around the city, George.” Jagger got in behind her.

“Yes, sir.”

George got into the driver’s seat and shortly after they pulled away from the curb. Moving sideways in the car took getting used to, but she sat back and let the tension melt the farther away they got from Jagger’s father. He was right. His dad was an A-one douche bag. She glanced to Jagger and knew he was holding in his anger. It radiated in waves off his body from the moment his father approached them. It seemed even worse now, making her wonder what his father had said. She wanted to ask, but she wasn’t sure how to deal with Jagger in this mood. Maybe he just needed a few minutes to himself. Brian had been like that. When he was in a stink, he brooded for a bit and then was fine.

On the other hand, maybe Jagger was brooding because he hadn’t ever had anyone to talk to.

“Are you okay?”

“I need a minute.” His voice was terse and irritated, as if he were talking to a child.

She didn’t like his tone and had a few choice things to say about it, but decided it would be like putting salt on his wound. Let him brood. She could address his ill manners later.

“Can I have a drink or something?”

He nodded, still looking away from her.

She moved toward him and closer to the fridge. If she were taller, she might have been able to open it and get a drink while sitting in her seat. But she wasn’t taller so, with a sigh, she pushed off the seat onto her knees and opened the fridge.

“Do you want me to get it?”

She shook her head. “No, you take a minute.” She winced at the terseness of her words. She might not like his dark mood but, after meeting his father, she understood why he’d have it and didn’t want to add to it.

“Chelsea.”

“I’m okay.” She pulled out a mini-bottle, reading the label. Vodka. While she could use a stiff drink, she didn’t want to go through the hassle of figuring out how to mix one in a limo. Rummaging around, she found a demi-bottle of champagne. They weren’t in a celebratory mood, but it didn’t require mixing.

She popped the top and quickly put the mouth of the bottle to her lips to avoid spilling. The bubbles exploded in her mouth. With an apologetic smile toward Jagger for her uncouth action, she wiped her mouth.

He was watching her with those intense blue...ice?...eyes. She held the bottle to him. “Maybe this will help?”

“It would take a tanker of booze to help deal with him.”

Sitting back on her heels, she nodded. “I can see that. But he’s not here now. So, what’s the problem?”

One dark brow rose. “It’s not something I can let go of easily.”

“Why not?” She took another drink, waiting for the slight lightheadedness that came from champagne. She always wondered if it was the bubbles or the booze. Or maybe it was the combination of both.

“Because he has that effect on me.”

She studied him. “You should learn to let it go.”

“Just like that?”

“Well, sometimes it takes a little more than that, but yeah. Holding on to it just lets him win. He’s not even here now and he’s winning.”

His jaw tightened. “You can just let things go?”

She nodded. “If I was one to hold on to stuff, I’d still be mad about you ditching me at Mitch and Sydney’s wedding.”

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