Page 23 of A Major Puck Up

I fucked up.

Majorly.

SEVEN

GAVIN

“I still don’t understand why the two of you have your own rooms, but Brooks and I have to share,” Aiden whines as we settle into the white chairs situated on the beach.

The wedding is set to start any minute, and it’s taking all the self-control I possess to not look across the aisle to where Millie is sitting.

She looks lonely.

She looked lonely last night at the welcome dinner too. She barely glanced at Lake and said about two words to her father, and though Daniel tried to include her, she was also trying to avoid me. That left very few people for her to talk to.

Lake and Ford wanted a small wedding, though small isn’t the word I’d use to describe the party gathered today. They know too many people to have the luxury of keeping it intimate. There are music industry officials and a handful of musicians. Melina, Lake’s best friend and maid of honor, is a well-known singer, and Nate and Amelia Pearson are famous musicians in their own right, but also good friends of Lake and Ford.

Then there’s our crowd. Ford’s group of friends includes my brothers and me, as well as Jay Hanson and his wife, Cat, whom I adore. Lake’s family is here too.

Yet not one person other than Daniel is here for Millie, and he hasn’t bothered to check on her, let alone talk to her.

It’s difficult to watch.

I rub at the ache blooming in my chest but force myself to remain focused on my brother. The grown-ass adult who’s acting like a child. “It’s one more night. Also, you told us you ‘fell in love,’ so it’s not like you need a room to bring a girl back to tonight.”

He rolls his eyes. “Whatever. Maybe Brooks wants to.”

Brooks arches a brow and smirks. “I’m fine. But if I walk into our room and you’re FaceTiming your new girl with your dick out, we’re going to have a problem.”

I snort. Damn, Brooks is probably speaking from experience. The two of them share a room when they travel with the team and have for years. I can only imagine the stories.

“Whatever. Beckett, why can’t you sleep with Brooks? Neither of you have a chance of getting laid tonight—on FaceTime or in real life.”

Beckett leans forward, rigid as ever, and glares at Aiden. “Face the ceremony and shut your mouth before I staple it shut.”

The laugh that rumbles out of me is deep this time, easing a little of the pain still tormenting me. Aiden crosses his arms and glares.

“Hey, I sign your paychecks,” I say, using the sternest tone I can muster. I like to give him shit, even if my status as owner of the Bolts isn’t really anything to brag about. Ownership was handed to me. This is the role I was always expected to play. Even if I’d rather be doing what he and Brooks do. Unfortunately, I was never as good as they are on the ice.

Truth be told, Aiden’s talent is indescribable. I have no doubt he’ll be in the hall of fame one day. The media will be talking about the Great Aiden Langfield for decades. I’m happy he’s on my team and even happier he’s my brother.

Not that I’d tell him that. The kid’s head is way too big as it is, and he can’t shut up. He’d never let me live it down.

Ford and Daniel head down the aisle, both wearing light gray herringbone suits and bright smiles. When he gets to the end of the aisle, Ford looks at Millie and winks.

In response, she gives him a tight smile.

Paul didn’t show up, which is probably a good thing. If he were here, he’d be more of a distraction than anything. Half the people in attendance would be more focused on him and his potential reaction than on the wedding. Honestly, Ford and Lake are soulmates. Age doesn’t matter. Circumstances don’t matter. When they’re together, it’s easy to see how happy they are.

I rub my chest again and glance at Millie. She’s sitting ramrod straight, focused on the ocean beyond the arch where her dad and brother are standing. What is she thinking? Does she really not see how happy her father is? Is she really so selfish that she’d rather he be lonely and unhappy than with a woman he adores who happens to be her age? And if she really felt something for me like she claims, wouldn’t she understand, at least to some degree?

Or was it all fake?

Was it just a line, when she said she wouldn’t take that night back?

Even as I think it, I know it isn’t true.

She’s broken.

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