Page 58 of Reckless

“The bachelorette party?” I asked buying time. I had nothing.

“Yes. You are the maid of honor. I assumed you did your job and organized something fabulous for my little sister.”

I looked down, scanning the surface of my desk as if a list of super-hot and fun ideas for a bachelorette party would appear. I wanted to tell Madison that Clem had never even used the word fabulous, let alone wanted something that could be qualified like that. Instead, I started to justify myself.

“I was preoccupied with other things.”

Mostly remembering how your brother’s mouth felt on mine a week ago.

“I expected more of you,” Madison said and sounded like her mother.

I didn’t know how she decided what she could expect from me. We hadn’t socialized a lot over the years. She didn’t pay me any attention when Clem and I were little and after she left California, I had seen her only a handful of times. But I guess I could see her point on that one. I wanted to say something other than admitting she was right, but nothing came to mind.

“I’ll talk with Clem,” I said. “See how she feels. I will take care of the party.”

“Tell her we will go to California for the party.”

A sudden headache appeared. Like a hammer banged at my temple. That was the effect of Madison Hartley.

“Like I said, I will talk with Clem. If she wants a party in California, we will have it in California.” And because I didn’t want to sound like I was against the idea, I added. “We could do it a day or two before the wedding.”

“No. Next weekend.”

“Madison, I just got back to work. I’m sure you are busy too.”

“If we do it next Saturday, you will be gone on the weekend and your boss doesn’t even have to know. If you wait until the wedding, we will all have to go there on a weekday for the party. Think about that.”

I didn’t like the way she talked to me. It was obvious she wanted something. If it was someone else, I would ask. But it was Madison and there was no negotiating with her. You either comply or become an enemy. I didn’t mind being the enemy, but I didn’t want to burden Clem with petty fights with her sister. So I bit my tongue.

“I see your point,” I said. “What about the guys? Where are they having the bachelor party?”

“I couldn’t care less. I have bigger problems than their stupid party.”

Her voice trembled. She was frantic. But she was also a bitch and I had had enough of the Hartley’s signature bullshit behavior these past few weeks. So instead of asking if she needed anything, I simply said.

“Okay, I will ask Chase.”

The last thing I wanted was to talk to that individual, but I didn’t have much choice in the matter. He was the best man.

“That’s the other thing,” Madison said. “Chase won’t be coming to the wedding.”

“What? Why?”

“I don’t know. Something about football. I wasn’t listening.”

“Oh my God, this wedding is going to be a disaster.” I was the one sounding hysterical now, but I couldn’t help it.

“No, it’s not,” Madison yelled at me. I had never before heard her voice so high pitched. “Everything is under control.”

“Under control?” I tried to keep my voice steady, but I failed. “You’re calling me on a Tuesday to organize a bachelorette party for next Saturday at a location that is thousands of miles away from me. And on top of that, the best man won’t come to the wedding.”

“It’s not my fault Lucas’s best friend can’t read a calendar.”

“Okay, you’re right,” I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

“Just take care of the bachelorette party, Hannah. California. Next Saturday.”

“I will ask Clem…”

---