Page 57 of Don't Game Me
She glanced at her dad. He looked like he was in a lot of pain. Relief surpassed her anxiety. She didn’t want to do this alone, but Jake couldn’t babysit too. He had to give the best man speech. The party. The press. Then whoever he hooked up with afterward.
“I’m driving you, Becca. No arguing. Let me tell Noah what’s going on.” Jake stepped away.
After Jake spoke softly to Noah, her brother cast her a worried look. He whispered to Tori. Tori whispered to Emma, who came over to Becca and pulled her into a hug. She whispered, “Thank you. Noah said to call if you needed anything.”
“It’ll be fine.” Like hell, she’d call Noah on his wedding night.She cast Noah a tight smile she hoped convinced him all was great.
“Hey, Dad, why don’t we go home for a little while,” Becca suggested to her father. She hooked her arm through his. “I’m so tired. I could really use a rest. Maybe after a bit, we can see if we feel like coming back.” She forced a smile.
His glazed stare broke her heart. He finally said, “Well, if you’re feeling tired. Then, that sounds like a good idea. I could handle being off my feet a while.”
Jake wove through traffic in the silent car. Noah had purchased it only a few months ago, and it still smelled new. What a wonderful smell.
Finally, Jake said, “Beautiful wedding.”
Her father grumbled, “I thought the minister would never end his blabbering. Couldn’t even understand what the hell he was talking about.”
Jake smothered a laugh. “Yeah, me too. My feet were killing me.”
“You weren’t the one in heels,” Becca said from the back seat.
Once inside her parents’ place, Jake helped get her dad settled into his favorite lounge chair in front of the TV. When her dad got distracted flipping through channels, she stepped to the front door with Jake.
Jake’s cell phone dinged. “I’ve got to return. They’re doing the dinner first, which means speeches. I wish you’d be there, but…can I bring you anything?”
“Can you have someone record the speeches and send them to me tonight?” She smiled through her disappointment.
“This isn’t fair,” he said. “I’m sorry, and not just for you missing the party tonight. I want you there. I know Noah and Tori want you there. I’m also sorry for what happened this morning. I was an ass, and I feel lousy about it.”
Her heart pounded so hard between her ears that she could barely think. “Jake, I…”
Hunger shown in his eyes. Familiar heat swirled between them. The world narrowed as if only the two of them existed. She wanted to kiss him again.
Hoarsely, he said, “I gotta go. I don’t want to leave, but I have no choice.”
An hour later, Mom texted:Want me to come back?
She replied:Stay there. Dad’s asleep.
Her cell phone rang a short while later. Tori said, “I miss you. Wish you could be here. You doing okay?”
“We’re watching reruns ofBig Valley. Dad fell asleep after ice cream. All is good.”
Tori cleared her throat. “I was just thinking. Well, watching Jake tonight. He’s solemn. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he’s broody because you’re not here, but that might just be me being wishful. His speech was pretty great.”
“He’s not angling to hook up with one of my bustier cousins, is he?”
“It doesn’t seem like he’s in the game tonight.”
Becca’s heart flip-flopped. “Are you having fun?”
“We miss you.”
“Wish I was there,” she admitted in a small voice.
“If no one catches the bouquet when I throw it, I’m giving it to you. Maybe it’ll buy you another year’s grace to find your guy. It’ll be fate or something because you deserve all this next.”
If I survive long enough.“Have fun for me. I’m taking off tomorrow morning and may not see you again…for a while.”
