Page 41 of Mr. Big Mistake
I hardened my eyes against the profile of Clint’s face. “Don’t you dare.”
He smiled at me. “You’re the old married guy now.”
“I’m going to kill you,” I glowered.
“And again. I’d like to see you try.”
* * *
The day passedby in a blur, and I ended up crashing at Zane’s place and woke up to people laughing and talking in the backyard. The smell of smoked brats and juicy hamburgers wafted up my nose, and it drew me to the window in the guest bedroom. I gazed down at the small crowd while the smell of chips and dip made its way up to me. I saw people cracking open sodas and beers. I saw a bartender slinging cocktails and hard liquors around. And there was Zane, manning his grill.
Who the fuck threw a cookout after something like that?
Still, I dragged myself into the shower and tried to clean up. I stole some of Zane’s more casual clothes, so I didn’t wear my outfit from yesterday, and I made my way downstairs. I gazed out over the backyard full of people while I chugged down some lukewarm coffee I found in the pot in his kitchen.
But, when I looked back through the window, I found Kelly staring back at me.
My heart leaped into my throat. I coughed and sputtered as my coffee went down the wrong pipe. I tossed the mug into the sink and bent over, wheezing and trying not to puke on myself. A door crashed open next to me. I felt someone’s hand on my back. And as the soft circles of warmth relaxed my windpipe, I heard her voice.
That wonderful, beautiful, angelic voice. Right in my ear.
“You okay? You need something to drink?” Kelly asked.
I shook my head, but I couldn't stop coughing. So, she started patting my back.
“Control your breathing. Try to breathe through the pain, Brenden.”
I blinked back tears as the pain in my throat finally subsided.
“There we go. That’s better, right?”
I wiped my mouth, looking over at her. “Thanks.”
She smiled softly. “Anytime.”
I rose up. “How are you--? I mean, are you--?”
I couldn't come up with the right words to say. So, I bit my tongue and kept quiet. But, Kelly took the reins. And soon, things fell back into an easy pace with her.
Despite what happened yesterday.
“I’m doing okay, thank you for asking. I owe you an apology for yesterday, though.”
I shook my head. “You owe me nothing. I wasn’t diligent enough, and that’s why we’re in this place.”
“No, we’re in this place because the head of that chapel withheld information from you, pertinent to our ceremony. None of this is your fault.”
“I still hold some responsibility.”
“And so do I. All of us hold equal responsibility because I was just as much a willing participant. I knew the risks going into this. It’s not all on you.”
I grinned. “If you say so.”
She giggled. “Besides, Monday’s just around the corner. With that signed note the man gave you, it shouldn't take long to get things back to normal.”
I watched her carefully as she straightened up the tie I had on underneath the sweater I stole from Zane. I watched as her fingertips plucked lint from my shoulder and cast it off to the side. She slid her hands down my arms before taking my hands within hers, and I could have sworn it felt like we had always been a couple.
“There. That’s better. That crooked tie was really getting to me. You don’t have another pair of pants you can put on? Those jeans are a bit too worn for the sweater you’ve got on,” she said.
