Page 34 of Coming Unraveled
They walk through the double doors and head towards the dressing suites.
“There is talk of paparazzi being outside. They somehow got wind of the wedding. Though I’m not surprised someone gave it away. I’m going to need you to help me keep them away from Cassidy, Harlan, and Ryker.”
Suddenly a voice from behind them echoes and Everleigh shrinks into herself just as Brooks and his date walk out of the church.
“Wow, look at that. Our town will be famous,” Rich claims as he steps up to Everleigh, wrapping an arm around her waist, his hand squeezing her hip harder than necessary.
The pain is harsh and unexpected, but she knows from years of being held in his grasp to hold in the flinch, otherwise, he will retaliate another way. Even though they have broken up years ago he still holds this sense of power over her and she hates it.
“Hey, Rich,” she and her brother offer at the same time. Everleigh continues, “I didn’t realize you were invited to the wedding.”
He hadn’t been. She had been in-charge of invitations.
“I came with my mom. My dad couldn’t make it.”
She just bets that’s the case.
In an act of her defiance, she feels him crush her hip bone tighter in his grasp and she bites her lips to stave off the pain while closing her eyes in reflex.
Why can’t my family see what an asshole he is?she thinks to herself as she balls her hands into fists.
“Hey man, I don’t believe we’ve been introduced,” Brooks says with an extended hand as he approaches them, his date nowhere in sight.
Rich’s beady eyes give him the once over like the cocky bastard that he is and meets Brooks’ hand as he introduces himself. “I’m Rich, Everleigh’s boyfriend.”
“Ex,” she huffs as she rolls out of Rich’s grasp while he’s occupied. “We’ve been broken up for years.”
“Well, V, I was hoping that was something we could talk about. I know how much you love weddings. You used to talk about ours all the time.”
With everyone’s eyes on her she hesitates, not wanting to cause a scene at her sister’s wedding, but not wanting Rich to believe that he has the chance to manipulate her once again.
Leaning into his space Everleigh touches her hand to his chest, causing him to smile smugly. “We will never be getting back together, Rich. You wrecked me when we were younger and I won’t do that to myself again. Leave me, my family, and friends alone. You’re not wanted.”
With a firm pat on the chest, she turns to her brother only seeing Rich’s ears redden out the corner of her eye.
“What can we do about the photographers, Austin?”
“Brooks, can you walk Everleigh out? I’ll round up the guys and get rid of the paps.”
“Certainly,” Brooks says as he grabs Everleigh’s hand and places it on his arm while her mouth still rests agape.
The crowd disperses, leaving Rich huffing in place before storming back into the church through the side entrance.
“So that’s your ex? What a douche,” Brooks remarks as he eases them back down the hall and out the front doors of the church.
Instead of replying she responds with a question of her own through her clenched teeth. “Where’s your date?”
“Waiting in the car. She needed to make a call.”
“Oh.”
They walk in silence to the backside of the church where her car is parked, neither continuing the conversation.
“Brooks, I’m…”
He turns her to face him before she has a chance to finish her thought.
“Did you get my note?”
