Page 59 of Broken Player

As I stared at myself in the mirror, studying the floor-length deep red jumpsuit I decided on for tonight, I couldn't help but smile as I took in my appearance. I never had any reason to wear anything like this before, but I had to admit it was kind of fun to dress up. The outfit looked like a cross between a dress and pants. It was strapless with a notch out at the front, making it almost look like it had a sweetheart neckline. The pants were wide-legged with a slit up each side, and there was a panel of fabric wrapped around the waist, contouring, and draping along the outside of each leg. The effect was gorgeous, and I didn't know if I'd ever felt this pretty in my life.

Too bad the one person I wanted to see me like this wouldn't be there tonight.

Quinn and I got ready in our hotel room, and my sisters were meeting us at the country club where Yates and his parents insisted we hold our rehearsal dinner. No part of this had been my decision, but I figured one day when I had my real wedding, I could make it into whatever I wanted. I wasn't paying for this one, so I didn't have a choice but to go along with whatever they wanted.

I hoped I'd get to have a real wedding someday to someone I actually loved. My mind flashed to Maddox, and I quickly shoved the unhelpful thought away as Quinn stepped out of the bathroom, looking incredible like he always did. "Damn, Quinny. Gonna try to find a groomsman tonight and work your magic?"

He ducked his head and blushed a little bit, clearing his throat. "Tonight's not about me, but thanks for the compliment, I think." He flashed me the crooked smile I loved so much. "You look stunning, Ryan. I don't think I can say this enough, but thatfucktard doesn't deserve you." He lifted his phone at me and snapped a picture.

"What are you doing with that?" I asked, trying to look at his screen, but he held it away from me.

"Sending it to Maddox," he answered as if it were obvious.

"Why?" I screeched, still trying to grab his phone away, jumping to try to reach.

"Because that man is obsessed with you, and I still believe he's the only one who can talk some sense into you. I'm hoping if he sees what he's missing, he'll make a grand gesture."

I stop jumping to look at him suspiciously. "What kind of grand gesture? Because hecan'tembarrass me tonight, Quinn! As much as you don't like Yates, he doesn't deserve that. He's never done anything but be kind to me."

Quinn shook his head. "Maddox would never do that to you, Lancelot. You know better."

Groaning, I rested my head on his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around me. "I've sure gotten myself into one hell of a mess, haven't I?"

I felt his nod against the top of my head. "But it's not too late to do something about it."

With those words, I retreated into my mind, lost in thought about what to do next.

Drumming my fingers impatiently on the steering wheel, I parked the truck I rented in front of the valet stand. I flung open the door, grabbing the ticket the attendant offered me as I stepped up on the sidewalk and watched Connor climb out of the passenger side.

He glanced into the back seat before shutting the door. "We won't be here long," I promised. "Sorry, there wasn't time to drop your bag at my house before we left."

Connor straightened his suit jacket, smoothing out the non-existent wrinkles. "It's fine," he waved me off. I called him this morning and asked him to fly out here on the band's jet and bring a suit. I was planning to come to this shit show even if he couldn't back me up, but I was sure as fuck glad he was here. If Ryan walked down that aisle tomorrow, I'd need him to save me from myself. Plus, having the jet here would help me make a quick escape if I needed to.

I figured I had one last night to convince her to change her mind, and I sure as fuck wasn't going to blow it. My eyes rose to take in theImperial Cedar Country Club.What a fucking joke. I liked to surround myself with the nicest shit I could afford, but places like this where the environment was stuffy just because it could be always pissed me the fuck off. It was obvious this was the kind of place people came to make themselves feel better than people they consideredlesser.

Brushing off my irritation, I turned back to Connor as he asked me a question. "What's the plan?"

Shrugging, I looked at the door. "I sort of figured I'd just wing it."

"That's the worst fucking idea I've ever heard," he berated.

"Well, what's your great idea then?"

He held up his hands. "Hey, I'm just here for backup."

Grunting, I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for all the help." I balled my fists and took a couple of deep breaths before relaxing my hands. "I think we should find Quinn and see if we can convince him to give me an assist. I don't know what I'm going to do about getting her out, and I'm gonna need his help."

"Fine. So, we find Quinn. I'll run interference if I need to for the asshole," Connor agreed.

With the beginnings of a plan in place, we climbed the stairs to the club. We made our way inside, following the tasteful yet somehow still tacky signs that pointed us toward the event room at the back of the building.

I stopped right outside the door and held out my arm to stop Connor from stepping into the room. "Let me text Quinn so he can get us in," I said, pulling my phone out of my pocket. Quinn texted me all day, keeping me updated on what Ryan was doing, her state of mind, and throwing in plenty of hilarious jabs at Ryan's future in-laws and her husband-to-be.

My phone buzzed as Quinn returned my text, and before I had a chance to respond, he strode out of the doors like he owned the place. He grinned at me and winked at Connor. "Hey, man. I'm glad you came," he said, turning to me as his expression turned serious. "We need to save her from herself." I knew there was some shit going on with Ryan that she didn't want to tell me, or maybe she couldn't. It didn't really matter. At least Quinn was on my side, and I had a feeling that would make tonight a lot easier.

I had plans for my girl tonight, a big last-ditch grand gesture to show her that I wasn't going anywhere. And the truth was even if tomorrow she married the douchecanoe, I'd still do everything I could to be in her life. I didn't give a fuck what he thought or if he tried to keep her away from me. It'd never happen. I'd never allow it.

But I hoped it didn't come to that.

---