Page 2 of Pucking the Team
I swiped to the next image, the rest of the world fading away as the bottom of mine dropped out.
His chiseled profile was clear as he clasped her right breast and stared into her eyes. An angular jawline I knew only too well, a pale-blond flick of hair I’d run my fingers through so many times, and a look of desire I’d also witnessed.
Steven.
With a gasp, I brought my fingers to my mouth.
My best friend and fiancé were having a secret affair, and…and these photographs were recent. Very recent, in fact, they were—I peered closer—they were embracing up against the very wall I could see from where I sat in the limo—Eccelstone church wall. This must have been taken yesterday, the evening before, when we were all at the church for the rehearsal. Yes, Cheryl had worn that very dress.
I swallowed the vile taste that had flooded my mouth. Betrayal and shock combined with fury. After the rehearsal, I’d lingered inside the church to talk to first the florist and then the choirmaster. And while I’d been doing that…they had been…they…fuck…of all the sneaky bastardy asshole things to do.
“Miss Pippa,” the driver said, holding open the door and the shelter of an umbrella. “Are you ready?”
“Er…one moment.” I scrolled to the last photograph. It was even worse than the others. Cheryl had grabbed Steven’s ass and was dragging him close; the kiss was obviously ravenous. They were practically eating each other, high on forbidden lust and knowing they were pressed for time. Had the thrill of getting caught spurred them on? Made them even giddier with want?
“I…I’m not…” I rubbed my temple and screwed up my eyes, tight. “I’m not sure if…”
“Miss Pippa, let’s get you in there and out of this weather. Everyone is waiting for you, you are the bride after all.”
“I can’t…I…” What couldn’t I do?
It was obvious. I was staring at the biggest red flag ever waved. Hell, it could be seen from bloody space.
I couldn’t marry Steven, that’s what I couldn’t do. I couldn’t hitch myself to a guy who clearly didn’t love me enough to forsake all others. Jeez, I hadn’t even thought he and Cheryl got on that well.
Obviously they did. Very well.
“I just need a moment.” I frowned up at the driver. “Please.”
He squashed his mouth into a straight line, nodded, and then set his attention ahead. He kept the door open, the sound of the rain hitting the tarmac a constant sharp clatter. I really was only getting a moment from him.
My instinct was to call Cheryl, the way I always did when something happened. She was my best friend, that’s what best friends were for. They got the spade and helped you dig a body-sized hole, no questions asked.
Although apparently shewasn’tmy best friend. Not if she could snog the face off my groom only hours before I married him.
Oh my God, were they shagging, too? Of course they were. Those embraces told me they were familiar with each other’s bodies, intimate, in tune. Yes, they’d definitely screamed each other’s names while in the throes of ecstasy.
I stared at the church and spotted the vicar lurking in the vestibule, his dark robes just visible and his small round glasses glinting.
What the hell was I going to do?
I had no idea.
But I did know what Iwasn’tgoing to do, and that was hitch my wagon to a rat.
“Shut the door,” I snapped.
“I beg your pardon?” The driver turned to me with wide eyes.
“Shut the door, I’m not going in.”
“Miss, nerves, cold feet, they are quite common, and really I think—”
“I don’t have nerves, and my feet are quite warm, thank you. I have just decided not to marry a cheating bastard, that’s all.”
His mouth fell open in a circle, and his eyes widened further.
“Information I’ve just become privy to.” I held up my phone. “So if you could get me the hell out of here, I’d be very grateful.”
