Page 4 of Loose End

And then another.

She catches me with her gaze and gives me those sad puppy dog eyes I can’t resist. “What do you need?”

“Poppy, I’m sorry. I can’t do this right now. Please tell Mom and Dad I’ll call them in a few days.” I pry her grip from my arm, my eyes darting between her, Paul and his best man…or whatever he is. “I wish you would have told me before we got here,” I say softly.

Paul’s eyes flare with something that looks like shame and for a moment, I’m tempted to tell him it’s ok, that I understand.

But gay, bi, or straight, he was cheating on me. He’s admitted to at least two years of betrayal.

Unshed tears burn in the corners of my eyes but I refuse to let them fall, not here. Not in front of him and his boyfriend.

Without another word, I spin on my heel and march my sparkly fluffy self out the front of the church straight into a steady drizzle. At least it’s not pouring. I’ll just look like a lukewarm mess instead of a hot one.

Now to find a cab. That shouldn’t be too hard to find in downtown Nashville, or at least it wouldn’t be if I had my phone and my purse.

Dang it.

My phone, my purse, and pretty much everything else is still inside the church. Well, everything but the overnight bag I dropped off at the hotel earlier.

I release a heavy sigh, my shoulders falling at the thought of going back inside the church. I really don’t want to go back in because I know if I do, I’ll feel bad and stay to help Paul get everything sorted.

For once, I don’t want to be the responsible one. I don’t want to be the one everyone leans on. I don’t want to have to smile in everyone’s face and pretend I’m okay, that this is okay.

With a bit of desperation, I look toward the bumper-to-bumper traffic. Scanning the streets in every direction. Not a cab or ride share in sight. Just when I’m about to tuck my tail between my legs and go back inside, Poppy runs out, catching me on the stairs outside the church, and thrusts my giant purse into my arms.

“I’m so glad I caught you. I was laying into Paul and Mark when I realized you didn’t have your money or ID. You better go, Paul is talking to Mom, and she looks fifty shades of pissed. Don’t worry, I’ll run a little interference with the parents while you’re gone. I love you. Be safe. Call me when you are ready to talk.” She pulls me into a quick hug before spinning me by theshoulders and pushing me away from the church and the mess that’s ensuing inside.

“I love you too,” I call over my shoulder. This day may have turned into a disaster but at least I have Poppy. She always seems to know what I need and what I need right now is to have alone time to think and process.

A vodka soda wouldn't hurt either.

The rain lets up, the closer I get to the street, and still I’ve yet to see a cab. Although with how packed the streets are, even if I had one, we wouldn’t be going anywhere soon. Odd. There wasn’t nearly this much traffic on the way to the church.

And that’s when I notice the face paint, the car flags, and the endless sea of jerseys.

Dang it. I totally forgot about the Nashville Aces football game night. Normally I don’t follow football or care for the sport at all, but my dad suggested we check the schedule before we booked the venue.

Between the wedding and the reception, the game would have been over hours before anyone needed to leave the church and the event hall next door.

Too bad I can’t click my glittery shoes together and go somewhere nice. Maybe less rainy and more sunny.

I take a deep breath, sling my purse over my shoulder, and hike up my dress.

A little rain isn’t going to stop me.

A football game won’t either.

TWO

Ryan

Well,that was a terrible fucking game. It wasn’t just the worst game in the history of the Nashville Aces, but all of the NFL. I’d like to say I’m kidding, but I’m not.

It was bad.

No one could hold on to the damn football. It’s almost like it was covered in lubricant—although I can damn sure hold onto my dick when it’s coated in the stuff. The plays were all disastrous, and don’t even get me started on the offensive line.

Fucking pathetic.

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