Page 52 of Break: Vol. 2

“It doesn’t matter to me,” I said. “What other people think or say. I’m happy with them, the guys. Everything else—it just doesn’t matter.”

She nodded. “I know. I can see that.” Mom lifted her gaze. “I see the way they look at you—the way they treated you tonight at dinner when everyone was getting so upset.”

I blushed. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I just…”

“You were overwhelmed,” she finished for me.

I nodded.

“I understand that, sweetie. And they saw that and they took care of you.”

“They always take care of me,” I said. “I know they always will.”

She sighed. “I know that. Which is why—” She paused and stood, reaching down for her purse. I watched as she slid it up her arm and then turned to me. I rose to my feet as she took a step closer. She reached out, and with her free hand, she cupped my cheek. “Which is why your father and I will be there tomorrow.”

I bit my lip as she smiled at me, trying not to cry. There had been far too many tears tonight. “We’ll have all the bells and whistles on,” she assured me, “and your father will be walking you down the aisle.”

“Why isn’t he here telling me this?” I asked quietly.

She rolled her eyes. “He drank himself stupid,” she admitted.

I gaped at her. “He did what? Dad doesn’t drink.”

“Oh, he drinks,” she said. “Just not in front of you and not so much. He was so upset tonight, though. Shocked and hurt that you kept this from us. He said some things—he knows he offended your boys—men, they’re men,” she corrected herself. “He’s hoping they won’t hate him tomorrow. He told me before he passed out back at the hotel that it doesn’t matter what happens or who you’re marrying, he’s going to be at his little girl’s wedding if it kills him. So, just know, sweetie, the world may not care for your choices, but we’ll always love you.”

I knocked her arm to the side and catapulted myself at her, wrapping her up in a tight hug. She gasped and then sighed as I squeezed her tight, pressing my face against her shoulder. “Thank you,” I choked out. “I was really scared. Losing you guys would be the biggest heartbreak. I love you.”

I felt her arms come around me and then her whispered, “You’ll never lose us, baby girl. We love you. Always have. Always will.”

Chapter 8

“Heard it was crazy,” Roxi said as she fixed her braid before licking her thumb and wiping a bit of smudged eyeliner from under her eye.

“Crazy is a fucking understatement,” I replied as I sat down and moved the layers of my fluffy white bridal gown out of the way, searching for my shoes. Once I found the heels under the chair, I then went back and removed the fabric, trying to get to my feet.

After watching me fumble and struggle to move all of the layers of my gown out of the way for several minutes, Roxi rolled her eyes. “Oh, geez, gimme those," she said, snatching the heels out of my hand and in her far more practical bridesmaid dress, bent down to help me get them on. “You’re lucky you’ll have not one extra set of hands, but four tonight. You’re going to need help to get all those pearl buttons undone.”

“You’re the one who talked me into the pearl buttons,” I replied. “I didn’t know it’d be this hard to get all of it on in the first place.”

She snickered as she buckled the strap of my heels. “Oh, was that me?"

I narrowed my eyes on her as she rose and straightened her dark purple gown. “You convinced me to get the pearls on purpose!” I said with a pointed finger.

She smiled and winked. “Guilty as charged. It’s going to drive them crazy,” she replied. “They might actually rip the dress from your body. How hot is that? You can thank me later.”

“They better not,” I grumbled. “Do you know how fucking expensive this dress was? Why do wedding dresses have to be so pricy?"

"Because they're a once in a lifetime—usually—opportunity. Also, they may be expensive, but a hot first night with your husbands is priceless. You're welcome."

I rolled my eyes but then sobered. “Can you peek out and see who all showed up?” I asked. “I know my parents are here, but I don’t know about the others.” I wrung my hands together.

Roxi gave me a sympathetic look and nodded, turning and heading for the dressing room exit, leaving me alone. I glanced up and stared across the room at the tall floor-to-ceiling mirror. I had to admit, her suggestion of stopping at a salon to get both my hair and makeup done had paid off. My dirty-blonde hair was piled up on my head with little ringlets drifting down against my cheek and neck. My makeup was understated, not too overdone, but just enough so that I’d look perfect in the following pictures for years to come. I still looked like me, just a more refined version.

I continued to twist my hands in my lap as I waited for Roxi to return and when she did, I looked to her face for a hint of what was to come. She smiled at me, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Who’s missing?” I asked.

“Taylor’s parents are here,” she offered.

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