Page 59 of You're All I Need

If that makes me a bad person, so be it.

I squeeze Caden’s hand in silent support, and when he looks my way, he offers a smile. It’s a real one. It may be small, but it’s stunning nonetheless, and just that one slight gesture sends shivers of awareness down my body.

This man is like a magnet.

The wedding ceremony gets underway, and even though we’re sitting inside a gorgeous church, listening to two people declare their love for eternity before God, family, and friends, my attention isn’t where it should be. My eyes might be on the couple at the front, but my thoughts are with the man beside me. Deep down, he’s sweet and kind, and something tells me those are traits he doesn’t readily show the rest of the world. On top of that, he’s sensitive. Much more sensitive than you’d expect for a man covered in tattoos. But after spending the last week in our friends with bennies zone, I’ve caught glimpses of the man he hides.

It's intriguing, and maybe a little sad.

The guests all start to clap as the minister pronounces them husband and wife and the groom kisses his bride. I don’t clap, however. I keep my hand tucked inside Caden’s and rest my head against his shoulder. His woodsy scent envelops me, beckoning me closer.

The newly wedded couple starts down the main aisle, beaming at their wedding guests. As they approach the back of the church, both sets of eyes land on Caden, almost at the exact same time. Both bride and groom seem shocked, as if perhaps they didn’t expect him to actually show. His ex’s eyes flick to me for a brief moment before snapping straight ahead as they exit the church.

They start to excuse the crowd, starting in the front, and when a line forms at the back exit, Caden glances in that direction to see what the holdup is. “Crap,” he mutters.

“What’s wrong?”

“They’re doing one of those receiving line things. Like, the guests are lining up to congratulate the happy couple before they exit the church to head to the reception.”

We both sit there, Scarlet even looking a touch uncomfortable as people standing in the aisle look our way. I lean over and mutter, “Wanna sneak out?”

“You know it,” he declares, squeezing my hand and standing up.

Then, we bypass the guests exiting and make a beeline for one of the side doors.

Away from the bride and groom.

Out of the church.

Phase one complete.

Up next…wedding reception.

Chapter Seventeen

Caden

I can’t stop touching her. All through the meal, as members of my family came over to say hello and to chat, and now, sitting and waiting for the rest of the reception to start, I can’t keep my hands to myself.

Adrienne has been amazing. Funny, engaging, and polite, despite the fact she knows I’m uncomfortable. And let’s be honest, she’s picked up on it. Even if I’ve done everything in my power to hide it, she sees it.

She sees me.

And maybe that’s why I love being around her. Frankly, I can be myself, and I find I open up more and more as the minutes tick by and we spend time together. I’ve been so closed off for so long, it feels weird to be so…free. Not to mention the fact I’ve had more fun with Adrienne in the last week than I’ve had in I don’t even know how long, and I’m not just talking about the sex, though, that’s been pretty fucking amazing.

“Hey, I think I’m going to grab another drink,” Adrienne says, leaning toward me and pressing her tits against my arm. Without my suit jacket, I can feel the heat and weight of them and want nothing more than to slowly strip away her dress and devour her from head to toe, making her come over and over and over again.

In fact, that’s at the top of my to-do list the moment we leave this place.

“I’ll go with you,” I tell her, standing up and extending my hand.

We leave Gram, Scarlet, and a few of my cousins at the table and head for the bar. Neither of us have had much to drink, and now that the meal is over, I switched to Coke so I can drive. I thought about calling a ride from one of those apps, but I don’t have the urge to get hammered tonight, despite the fact most people here thought that’d be exactly what I do.

Just as we approach the bar, a shadow falls over us. I turn and come face-to-face with my dad. His eyes are glassy, his cheeks rosy. Clearly, he’s been enjoying the open bar that accompanied tonight’s celebration.

“Son,” he greets, pulling me into another big hug.

We spoke briefly before dinner when we arrived at the reception, but since he was sitting at a different table, we haven’t had much opportunity to chat. “Hey, Dad. Having a good time?” I ask as we wait for the bartender to approach.

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