Page 36 of Don't Game Me
Noah grinned. “Did the magazine article blow yourcover?”
“Haha. Very funny.”
“Who won the game?”
“She did.”
“Good for her. Maybe it’s gloating she’s throwing you, then.”
“Something. I have no idea what your mom was thinking to force us together today.”
“Ah, Mom.” Noah’s shoulders lifted and dropped. “Here are the rings. It’s your job to watch ’em now.” He excavated a small box from his suit pocket and passed it over the food table to Jake. He looked relieved.
Jake popped open the box to see the twin platinum circles. “Did you get them engraved?” He plucked out a circle, shifting it in the light to see the inside only finding a maker engraving.
“Not yet. We can’t figure out what to say. No rush. We’ve got time to figure out the right thing, at least I hope so. Can you do me a favor tonight?”
“Sure.” Jake shoved the ring box into his inner suit jacket pocket.
“Since you’re not Becca’s date can you keep Reid away from her? That guy…I’ve known him since high school. He’s a jackass. Not the right kind of guy for her to tangle with. Becca becomes unpredictable with a few drinks in her.”
Jake tensed. “All right. Sure. I’ll keep Becca away from the jackass. Er, keep the jackass away from Becca. Can do.”
“And don’t lose the rings.”
“These are tough tasks.” He grinned. “I’ll do my best.”
The rehearsal ran a lot longer than expected. Now Jake watched Becca from across the reception entryway as she flipped through a photo album of the wedding couple. Sadness flashed across her face. She glanced up at an approaching guy he recognized as a reporter. She smiled, said a few words. The guy laughed. They flipped a few pages in the memory book together and chatted. Becca had a natural charm that put others at ease and drew them in. Some lucky bastard would enjoy that someday.
He arched his feet to alleviate their persistent ache. New shoes. Stupid. Standing through the minister’s never-ending lecture on fidelity in the middle of the ceremony practice run-through hadn’t helped.
Reid had vied for Becca’s attention throughout the rehearsal in a way that made Jake itch to punch him. The guy had cast her various funny faces in attempts to make her laugh. The schmuck seemed interested in her, but based on the way he’d eyed one of the other bridesmaid’s spilling-over cleavage, his plans were flexible. Anany-girl-will-doguy wasn’t good enough for Becca.
Noah clapped him on the shoulder. “What’d you think of the rehearsal?”
“Great practice ceremony.” He aimed for a supportive smile but suspected the grin sucked.
“You’re a shitty liar.” Noah laughed and grabbed a glass of wine from a passing waiter. “It was boring as hell.”
“Please tell me you asked the minister not to do that particular speech tomorrow.”
“He’s one of Mom’s friends. I think they do a book club together or something. I realized a few months ago that I have little control over this entire fiasco. Once Emma was recruited to help, the wedding became a debacle of epic proportions. You will not believe the extravaganza we’re in for tomorrow. The minister? I’ve sat in his office four times in the past three months. I think the guy likes to hear himself talk. He’s obsessed about his couples avoiding divorce. So, no. I have no clue what he’ll drone about tomorrow, and I can’t stop him. I suggest you tune it out.”
“I had flashbacks to Bible school.” Jake shuddered. “But if there’s one couple who’s not headed for a quick end, it’s you and Tori.”
Noah chuckled. “My goal at this point is to survive this event until the plane is off the ground and we’re on our way to Fuji. Sunday morning. Me, Tori, a private beach, and clothes optional for five days. I plan to drink too much tonight since I can’t— Since Mom won’t let Tori anywhere near my place until tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry, man.”
“I’ll survive.”
Jake nodded in Becca’s direction. “Reid’s an asshole.”
“Agreed. He’s a dick.”
“I’ll beat the shit out of him if you want. I don’t like him.”
Noah cast him a funny look “Nah. He’d look bad at the wedding, and Mom would never forgive you for ruining her photos.” Noah blew out a long sigh. “I can’t put Becca on my list of worries tonight. I’ve got fifty relatives I need to visit with. Shit, the thought of Reid trying to…with her… I can’t go there. But Mom’s half of the family has been pushing single guys at Becca all night. If she drinks too much… You should hear what happened at the bachelorette party when she got toasted on shooters.”
