Page 4 of Knocked Up by my Best Friend's Brothers

“Stay here, I’ll be right back,” Teagan says.

“Not going anywhere,” I mumble into my glass.

I watch Teagan as she glides across the dance floor, smiling and greeting folks along the way. Her brothers are on the other side, and I know they can see her coming, yet all three have their eyes focused on me. Even from afar, there’s a quiet tension growing between us. It makes my skin tingle all over. I’d blame the champagne, but I know that’s not what’s causing this.

The Hawthorne siblings reunite, and for a moment, I can’t help but laugh lightly. Teagan is so small compared to her brothers, yet they seem to be the docile ones whenever she speaks.

Movement somewhere to my right freezes me on the spot. Slowly, I turn my head. It’s just Zeddy Hawthorne, accompanied by several guests.

“And only yesterday, my brother was holding Teagan in his arms for the first time,” he tells them. “Look at her now, on her wedding day. How time flies, huh?”

“Carson would be so proud of her,” one of the guests tells him.

“I just wish their parents were here to see how good they’re doing.”

This conversation snippet saddens me deeply. It’s one of the things Teagan and I had in common, what brought us closer together. I lost my parents when I was ten. Teagan’s mom passed away around the same time, and then Mr. Hawthorne died about a year ago, which is when River, Cassius, and Nathan came back from the Marines.

Teagan hurries back to my side, though I can’t see her brothers anywhere. “Crisis averted,” she says. “Nathan had the sense to double the champagne order before sending it through.”

“Always prepared,” I reply with a smile.

“I’m so happy right now. I just wish my brothers would find their own loves to settle down with. They’re not getting any younger.”

“Tee, honey. Just because you’re married doesn’t mean they need to rush.”

“I know you’re right. I just want them to be happy.”

“Trust me, I’m sure they’ll have zero difficulties finding partners once they’re ready.”

“Yeah, I hope so. Hey, what about you? Weren’t you dating someone in LA?”

“Brett. Yeah.” My stomach churns, and it’s not from the alcohol.

“I thought you said he was a good guy. What happened?” Teagan asks.

“It just didn’t work out,” I reply with a weak smile. She doesn’t need to know how it ended. She doesn’t need to know what I witnessed.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Christa. You deserve a good man, too,” she says.

“I’ll find him. There’s time.”

I can’t let myself get too close to anybody right now. There are ghosts from California who are eager to find me, to haunt me, to tear me to pieces. I just need a little bit of peace and quiet.

“Hey, hold still,” Teagan says, her voice suddenly serious as she leans closer to me. “I think your dress is—oh no.”

I freeze, feeling a sudden tug at my side. My hand instinctively goes to the seam, and my stomach drops when I feel the fabric give way. “Oh, crap. Is it bad?”

Teagan grimaces, her eyes darting around as if searching for a solution. “It’s starting to rip. The seam’s coming undone. Did you send your measurements to the shop recently?”

I wince. “I sent them months ago. I guess I’ve… filled out a bit since then.”

She gives me a sympathetic look. “Don’t worry, we’ll fix it. Do you have your room key?”

I dig through my clutch, surprised by how much I can fit into such a small thing, and fish out the key. “I’ve got it.”

“Head to your room and see if you can fix it,” she says, her tone urgent but reassuring. “There’s a sewing kit in the bathroom drawer. I’ll stall the main course if I have to. Just hurry, okay?”

I nod, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Thanks, Tee. I’ll be quick.”

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