Page 3 of Game Changer
“Hell, no.”
“Somehow I don’t think that’s what’s happening this weekend,” Rico says with a sigh.
“Nope.But you know, Molly’s pretty down to earth.It probably won’t be crazy over the top with doves flying around and fireworks and a rose petal cannon.”I nod.
“Rose petal cannon?Is that a real thing?”Rico’s mouth hangs open.
“Yeah, I went to a wedding last summer that had that.”
“Jesus.But, yeah, I agree, that’s not Molly’s style.”
Molly Flynn, the fiancée of our teammate Chucky, is a sweetheart.She and Chucky have been dating for a couple of years so we’ve all gotten to know her pretty well.I feel like I know her better than most, because we discovered a mutual love of trivia one night at a bar.We ended up on the same team, and we were goddamn unbeatable.She’s a schoolteacher, so she’s smart and she knows a lot, as do I, so we started going to trivia nights together since Chucky hates it.
“I trust there will be no crapping doves,” I say again.“To Molly.”I lift my beer, and we all toast the bride even though we all want to go to this wedding as much as we want to have our butt cracks waxed.
2
Molly
I am seriously going to vomit.
All over this gorgeous dress that cost me a fucking fortune.
I’m standing in the Metropolitan, on the sixty-seventh floor of the Sears Tower.Well, Willis Tower, but I don’t know anyone who calls it that.
I’m in a curtained-off area behind guests seated in rows facing the big windows at the far end of the room.A pale runner lines the patterned carpet up the middle of the rows of chairs, candles and flowers bordering the runner.
My mom and dad are with me, their faces lined with concern.
“Are you okay, honey?”Mom whispers to me.
“Fine.”I grit my teeth and straighten my shoulders.
Music wafts from the front of the room, the songs I carefully chose months ago for this occasion.Right now, it’s “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” played by Vitamin String Quartet.
Yeah, I stopped believin’ last night.
I press a hand to my stomach.I can do this.
Steve’s best man, James, appears, ready to take Mom down the aisle.She gives me a shaky smile and a kiss on the cheek, then takes James’ arm.
I turn to Dad.Our eyes meet.“I’m sorry, Dad,” I say inexplicably.
His forehead furrows.
The song changes to the “Glasgow Love Theme” from the movieLove, Actually.I’ve always loved that movie.Yes, I’m a total romantic.Or, I used to be.
The music is beautiful and evocative.Dad takes my arm, and we move into the opening.The crowd stands, all heads turning toward us, beaming.
A shaky breath lifts my breasts beneath the off-the-shoulder dress.I raise my chin and stare straight ahead at my fiancé as Dad and I slowly walk down the aisle.
Steve smiles, standing next to his groomsmen.My three bridesmaids are on the other side of the aisle in their champagne-colored sequined dresses, holding small bouquets of white peonies.My own bouquet is bigger, with soft pink roses and peonies among the white ones, and sprays of pale greenery.
Steve’s so handsome.Clean cut, with short, dark blond hair, his athletic body perfect in the black tuxedo, he stands with his hands loosely clasped in front of him, his eyes focused on me.
My heart hammers against my breastbone and my knees wobble with every step I take.I feel like this isn’t real.
The music reaches a crescendo as we arrive at the front of the room.The officiant we’ve hired for the ceremony smiles benevolently at me as Dad releases my arm, kisses my cheek, and steps away.I swallow and stand next to Steve.
