Page 46 of Played

“Well, if she isn’t, then why did she agree to come? Mama told me that she responded, and with a plus one, no less.”

My gaze darts to his. “A plus one?” I ask, not recognizing the panic in my voice. Freya told me she never dated anyone since me, and she also told me that Trudy’s opinion of my family far outweighed her desire to be a part of this shindig, so I know that if she’s bringing someone, it’s not her. “Who the hell is she bringing?”

He smiles like the fucking Cheshire Cat. “Thought you didn’t care.”

“Stop fucking around, Declan.”

This is when Maverick walks past. “Uh oh, do I need to bust up a fight? The ceremony’s about to start.”

“Fuck you, too.” I sneer at him.

“What is with all the language?” Malcolm asks teasingly, as he opens the sliding doors at the front of the guest house, and enters, too. “Don’t you all know that there’s a man of the cloth just outside?”

“Who is being paid a fine sum for showing up here on short notice.” Declan volunteers. “Jesus, I never saw da shell out so much dough for the church.”

“That’s because he flew the bastard here from goddamn Scotland.” Maverick adds. “You know da, he’s loyal to his country.”

“Aye, that’s why he wants young Ethan here to marry a Scot, too.” Malcolm interjects.

“Fuck you all. Da doesn’t want me to marry Freya.” I argue. “At least, I thought he didn’t.”

“And do we want to marry her?” Maverick teases.

“I certainly do not.” I answer honestly, adjusting my pants, tucking my shirt in tighter. “Besides, she’s brought a date with her, from what I understand.”

“Aye, a hot one, too.” Maverick says, brows rising.

“Fuckoff. Are you serious?” I ask, thinking that Freya is not who I thought she was, or my cousin is just fucking around with me.

Maverick comes up behind me and pats me on the back. “Relax, partner. She brought Trudy with her.”

The relief I feel I don’t expect. I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Fuck this shit. I need to get out of here.”

“Good. The ceremony is about to start.” Malcolm informs. “That’s why I was sent in here to fetch you all.”

“Thank God. Let’s get this shit over with.” I state. “And, mark my words, if I ever do tie the knot with anyone, you can rest assured that I won’t be doing a fucking dog and pony show like this.”

“Aye, that’s up to da, Ethan. Don’t kid yourself.” Declan states, opening the sliding door. “Now, man up. Your girlfriend is right outside.”

I feel my stomach clench. “Shit.” Then I do a double take. “And stop calling her my girlfriend, asshole.”

He smiles, and is about to tousle my hair, but I duck down, so he can’t get me. We walk towards the altar together, and that’s when I see her. When she sees me, our eyes lock for a moment, and I try not to stare, but it’s difficult. Freya’s never been in a dress around me before. She’s fucking stunning. Her hair is all curled naturally, and her dress is pink silk, form-fitting, slit up one side, with spaghetti straps. I can see her sexy calves from here, and heels, something else I’ve never seen her in before.

Trudy whispers something in her ear and the spell is broken. She looks away from me, as I nearly walk into a giant fucking vase filled with flowers, set right before the white runner leading to the altar. Us boys make our way, like walking the fucking plank, to the altar, and we stand like soldiers, waiting to feed our brother Caleb to the lions. Da and mama sit in the front row, beaming, while I don’t know how many hundreds of guests surround us. There must be at least two hundred people filling the seats. Some are standing. I see two sets of camps of photographers from leading magazines off to the side, one making their way up the plank, while the other shoots from the altar.

I watch Freya and Trudy make their way to their seats, way in the back, and she all but disappears from my view. Caleb smiles proudly as we watch Laney walk down the aisle with both her da and her mama, and all I get is a few glimpses of Freya from afar, while we listen to the reverend drone on for about ten minutes, about love and shit, boring the fuck out of me. My mind wanders back to Freya and me, and it’s like she’s reading my mind, as she rises from her seat quickly, adjusting something, and then she sits back down, but not before looking straight at me first. I think I detect a warm smile, but I could be imagining it. That’s when I look at my da, and he gives me a warm smile, like he's reading my fucking mind, and I shudder. The man is an enigma.

We stand while Laney and Caleb sign the papers, and then, after the reverend announces them as husband and wife, a million pictures get taken of everyone. It’s crazy. And that’s when I realize just how important this wedding really is. It’s historical. Billionaires schmoozing with other billionaires, during a union that will effectively change the face of time for our business, and for Laney’s business. Hell, even for the Ford brother’s business. That’s when I realize how genius my da really is. And as all this sinks in, I feel a tap on my shoulder, after standing, waiting for yet another photographer to call my name, so I can be included.

I turn around and see Freya up close, looking more beautiful than I have ever seen her. “Hey.” She says softly. A weak smile is on her face.

“Hi.” Is all I can manage, as I try to avert my eyes from her.

“Just thought I better come and say hello, before the party starts, and you’re pulled in all different directions.”

“Aye. It’s a busy day.” I nod. I want to tell her that she looks nice, but, nice doesn’t cut it. She looks like a fucking angel. It’s almost painful.

“I see Trudy has a crush on your brother Maverick.”

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