Page 69 of Fumbling for Perfection

We follow them up the stairs to the front part of the ship. Boat. Yacht. Cruiser. Whatever it’s called. Charles takes my arm and threads it through his as we walk down the side.

When I glance at our joined arms, he says, “I’ve never been more excited to be the best man. It means I get to dance with the maid of honor all night, right?”

I chuckle. “I don’t know about all night.” We stop a few feet from the captain and the wedding couple, and Kendall and Rowan stand on either side of us.

I can’t help giggling when they both elbow each other out of the way as they argue over who gets to stand by Charles and who has to stand by me.

Charles brushes my hair out of my face and peers down at me. “You have a gorgeous smile.”

“Thank you.” I haven’t smiled in weeks. Not since my last date with Walker.

“Looks like I got here just in time.”

I snap my head to the side and gasp. Walker, dressed in cargo shorts and a white linen shirt, looks like a mountain man trapped at sea. His facial scruff has grown into a short beard, and his hair is long enough for me to clutch and wrap around my fingers.

But it’s not his appearance that has me in a trance. It’s the way he’s glaring at me. Or rather, at Charles, whose hand is still on my face.

“Walker. I didn’t think you were able to make it.” Jackson glances back at me and shakes his head, promising me with his eyes that he had no idea Walker would show.

I trust my best friend. I used to trust Walker. But after he destroyed my heart that is still under construction, I’m keeping a protective barrier around it.

Charles lowers his hand to our joined arms, resting it on my forearm. Walker’s gaze travels to where we’re touching, and I don’t miss the way his nostrils flare.

“Walker. Good to see you again.” Taylor steps forward and shakes his hand. Guess they’ve become buddies as well. “When did you get into town?”

“Flew in less than an hour ago.”

“This is my brother, Charles.” Taylor introduces the man who’s become glued to my side during this encounter.

I can’t tell if it’s Charles smooshing his body into mine or me molding myself into him. Either way, I’m not comfortable. And I’m not sure if it’s because of Charles’s presence or Walker’s.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

WALKER

I’m going to fucking kill the douche who has his hands on Riley. I don’t care how much she hates me right now, she’s mine. How the fuck could she have moved on to another man so fast? I can’t even begin to imagine going on a date, much less kissing or touching another woman.

But here we are.

Riley with her arm locked in another man’s. His hands on her face. The urge to pick the fucker up and dump him overboard is strong, and I’m not a violent man.

I don’t care if the asshole is Taylor’s brother, he shouldn’t have his hands on my woman. I take an angry step toward them and Riley stiffens.

Fuck. The last thing I need right now is a recreation of the parking lot scene after her doctor’s appointment. My intent wasn’t to cause trouble. I was able to get my fucking ducks in a row and make it here just in time to witness Jackson and Taylor’s vows. I wasn’t a hundred percent sure I’d be able to make it work and didn’t want to get my brother’s hopes up and then let him down.

Because he would be let down. The past few weeks have been bittersweet. I never thought in a million years that Jackson would reach out to me and we’d actually get along. It’s nice having a brother. Having someone on my side.

We don’t talk much about the past or our parents and have kept conversations about the present. My football career. Good neighborhoods in Boston to buy a house. His and Taylor’s upcoming wedding.

Taboo topics: our parents and Riley.

Ignoring the fuckwad I want so badly to throat punch, I lick my bottom lip and stand in Riley’s space, waiting for her to look up at me. When she doesn’t, I tuck my hands in my pockets and tell her the first thing on my mind. “You’re beautiful.”

A beat passes. Then two. When she doesn’t respond, Rowan speaks up.

“It’s nice to see you, Walker. Why don’t you come over here next to me so Jackson and Taylor can start their vows.”

I don’t move my gaze from Riley’s face, noticing the purple crescents under her eyes. She’s gorgeous, but she’s lost weight and looks frail. When she refuses to make eye contact, I retreat and move to sit beside Rowan.

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