Page 201 of Between Hate and Desire

“Soundsperfectto me.”

Ten minutes later, the three of us are packed up and on the way to the church. It’s Hayden and Savannah’s big day, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. Ever since we got engaged a few months ago, Hunter’s dad has been making an effort to repair his relationship with his two sons. I know it’s been years in the making, and it won’t be fixed overnight, but I respect the man for trying.

“I’ll see you soon, sweetheart,” Hunter says, brushing his lips against mine, then focuses on Alison. “And you too, baby girl.” He kisses her cheek, and she tries to lick him.

Hunter and I go our separate ways. He’s the best man, and I’m one of Savannah’s bridesmaids. We’ve grown closer since we met, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know her. It was entirely unexpected when she asked me to be in her wedding party, but I appreciated being included and am honored.

Savannah introduces me to her best friend, Donny, who’s the Man of Honor, and his boyfriend, William. Donny’s telling us all the juicy gossip about New York and what it’s like to live in the Big Apple. Everyone except William and me are theater actors. William tells me how he first met Donny and ended up moving from California to New York to be with him, which I found super adorable.

The bridesmaids sing, dance, and drink while we wait in the bridal suite, and they have me laughing my ass off. Alison gets passed around and loved on, and I spill the beans about baby number two. I know Hunter has probably told Hayden by now, but I still have to tell my sisters.

Maddie is coming to the ceremony to watch Alison for me, and then I invited Sophie and her boyfriend, but she sent me a text shortly before it started saying she’d see me at the reception. I didn’t have time to ask her why.

In the past six months, I’ve only seen Weston a few times. They moved in together three months ago even though I begged her not to. She wanted out of her apartment that badly. Between her busy work schedule and me being in bed by nine, we barely spend time with each other now. After seeing those bruises on her arm, I don’t trust Weston as far as I can throw him, and she’s been distant and weird when I bring it up. I miss her so much, and I’m looking forward to seeing her tonight so I can make sure she’s doing okay but also announce the baby news.

I know it’s soon, considering Alison is only six months old and we aren’t married yet, but this baby is a blessing and will be celebrated. Since my parents have come around and accepted that I’m going to live my life how I see fit, I’m not even nervous to tell them this time. I’m so excited for Alison to be a big sister and hopefully close to her sibling like I am with mine.

Between getting ready, helping Savannah get into her gown, feeding the baby, taking pictures, and chatting with all the other girls, time flies. I walk down with one of Hayden’s friends, and as soon as Hunter spots me, he flashes me a shit-eating smirk and a wink. I can’t wait for our big day, and whether we do a huge celebration like this or elope, it’ll be one of the happiest moments of my life.

The ceremony is beautiful, and their vows to each other make everyone in the room tear up. They talk about soul mates, young love, finding each other again after ten years, and how when you know, you just know. They’re seriously a gorgeous couple, and as soon as they kiss as husband and wife, everyone erupts in cheers and applauds.

Hunter and I are summoned for pictures after, but I know Alison is in good hands with my sister so I don’t go chasing them down right away. Hayden gives me a big hug to congratulate me on the baby and then I tease him that it’s his turn now. Savannah overhears us and demands we not give him any ideas until the final weekend of her show. They’re so adorable together. It’s impossible not to feel the love radiating off them.

After almost two hours of photos, we head to the dinner, and I’m in complete awe when I see inside the reception hall. It’s a fairy tale.

“You getting wedding fever?” Hunter whispers in my ear, wrapping his arm around my waist.

“Well, considering we did everything backward, I’m not sure I want to be big and pregnant in a wedding dress.”

“Maybe by society’s standards, but there’s no order for falling in love, is there?” He waggles his brows, causing me to laugh at his expression.

“Got me there, Manning,” I mock.

One of the best parts of the evening was hearing the speeches. Donny had the entire room about to pee themselves with his entertaining story. I swear, we were all in tears from laughing so hard. He mentioned some psycho woman who tried to get between Hayden and Savannah and how she claimed she was pregnant with Hayden’s love child. Turned out shewaspregnant, but the only way it could’ve been his was if she was the Virgin Mary and it was an immaculate conception.

“Maybe she’s related to Jenna?” I whisper to Hunter, who snorts.

“There was nothing immaculate about this conception,” he says, placing his hand over my stomach.

I smirk and roll my eyes. “Yes, everyone will know your swimmers are strong and mighty from now on.”

Hunter invited Mason and Liam to the reception, and once dinner was over, they showed up, wearing slick suits and all. Maddie’s face lights up but morphs into a glare when a woman walks up to Liam and they head to the bar.

“How can I compete with that when I can’t even drink?” She groans, pouting.

“I doubt that’s why he”—I wave my hand in the air—“is the way he is.”

“You mean an asshole?”

I shrug with amaybeexpression. Liam has always been a hard guy to read. He’s brooding and grumpy, and anytime I ask Hunter questions, he tells me Liam had a rough childhood when his parents split, but leaves it at that. If Liam wanted us to know, he’d tell us.

“So where’s the third musketeer?” Mason asks when he returns with a beer.

The fact he’s asking about Sophie is pretty adorable. Kinda late in the game, considering she chased him for a year, but I’d much prefer him over Weston any day.

I check my phone and see Sophie still hasn’t messaged me back. I call her, but she doesn’t answer. Ten minutes later, she finally responds.

Sophie

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