Page 108 of The Breaking Point

“I didn’t think the paparazzi would follow me to Vegas,” I groused.

“When everybody knows you’ve been hanging around the coach’s daughter?” Mac slapped me on the shoulder. “I’d tell you to get your head out of your ass, but I was an idiot with Elodie. I can’t really judge.”

“I appreciate the support,” I said. Desperate to change the subject, I added, “Mac here thinks weddings are stupid, and you guys should just go down to the courthouse.”

Mac gaped at me. Elodie glared at Mac, clearly outraged.

“Seriously? I already told you why I want a wedding!” Elodie said.

“I never said weddings werestupid.” Mac glared at me. “I don’t get the point of them, that’s all. And why do they take so long? You just pick a venue and send invitations. The end.”

Elodie sighed deeply. “Oh my God. Men. You do know it takes a year just to get a dress ordered and altered, right?”

We both stared at Elodie. “Seriously?” I said, dumbfounded.

“That’s bullshit. A whole year?” Mac said.

“I don’t make the rules.” Elodie got up and wrapped her arms around Mac’s shoulders. “And anyway, don’t you want to see me in a gorgeous gown, walking down the aisle toward you?”

“Pretty sure that happens at the courthouse, too,” replied Mac.

Elodie smacked his shoulder. Then her gaze moved to me. “Talk some sense into your friend. And if you do, I’ll make sure to support you and Grace, no matter what Coach says.”

Elodie went upstairs, leaving Mac and me to stare at each other.

“Well, shit,” I said, shaking my head. “I guess you guys should definitely have a wedding now.”

Mac snorted. “Fuck you, dude.”

BRADY

SIX YEARS AGO

Returning to Vegas after spending the last few months at the University of Wisconsin was like entering a new world. I sighed with relief when I felt that blast of hot desert air outside the airport. Back in Wisconsin, it’d just snowed ten inches and was below zero. My roommates had bitched and moaned that I’d gotten to go back home to the desert.

“Brady!” Mr. Dallas gave me a hug when I came into the living room. Mrs. Dallas did the same, patting me on the arm.

“Where’s Ben and Grace?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

Mr. Dallas huffed. “Grace is out with a friend.” When Mrs. Dallas shot her husband a wry look, Mr. Dallas sighed. “Okay, boyfriend. She has a boyfriend. Happy? I said the word out loud.”

I’d had no idea that Grace was dating somebody. Last I heard, she’d been too focused on studying for her SATs to get involved with anybody.

“And Ben ...” Mr. Dallas shrugged. “Where did he go, anyway?”

“He went to the store to get some things for dinner,” Mrs. Dallas said crisply. She turned to me and rolled her eyes. “You know what the secret of success to any marriage is? Listening to your wife when she tells you to pick up stuff from the store before it’s the day before Christmas Eve.”

Mr. Dallas just grumbled to himself. Mrs. Dallas gave me another pat on the arm and went into the kitchen, telling me we’d catch up soon.

I hadn’t planned on coming back to the Dallases’ for Christmas break. I’d gone to a teammate’s house for Thanksgiving, considering how long the flight was. But when Mrs. Dallas had heard that I’d been planning to spend my Christmas on campus, she’d put up such a fuss that I’d given in and come.

It didn’t help that I didn’t want to see Grace. Something about that girl never failed to mess me up inside. Despite hooking up with a few different girls at UW, I still couldn’t forget Grace.

It was fucking annoying, like a virus I couldn’t shake.

“Did you hear the good news?” said Mr. Dallas as he sat on his favorite leather chair. “I thought Elise told you. Well, it doesn’t matter. I got a coaching job for the LA Blades. We’re moving there in three months, if we can’t sell this place sooner.”

I sat down across from Mr. Dallas. “Seriously? That’s amazing.”

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