Page 56 of Don't Game Me
Guilt hit hard. She glanced away.
This moment wasn’t about them. This was Noah and Tori’s moment. Like her, maybe Jake was caught up in the beauty of the music, the decorated church, and the hundred or so guests who’d packed in to see these two tie the knot.
If only the minister would behave himself today and not go on forever about some arcane topic.
The bridal march. Everyone stood. Tori’s dress was spectacular—a stunning fairy princess gown. So perfect. The fit was just right for her. Noah beamed. Becca wanted that kind of love—the kind that could barely contain itself to have the rings on the correct fingers and be on the plane to the destination honeymoon.
About an hour later, Becca shifted on her feet while the minister blathered on and on and on.Come on, enough. Let’s get on to the party.His speech reviewed the sanctity of marriage, a reprise from yesterday, and tossed in the importance of family and friends. All excellent topics, but her foot pain had now progressed beyond toes to the entire arch of her foot. Her mother’s warning echoed in her heard.Keep your shoulders straight and stay still. People are watching.
Jake trapped her in his gaze again. He maintained a professional, concentrated look, but something in the depths of his eyes flared hot. She shot him awhen will this ever endwide-eye.
His lips twitched but didn’t break into a full smile.
Long minutes later, the minister said, “As you exchange the vows, which will start your journey together, know that the love and support of everyone here today goes with you.”
Yippee.Finally, the vows.
As soon as the ceremony ended, the wedding party was herded outside for pictures. Press lined the periphery, clicking photos. Security kept them at bay behind a taped-off fence. The guests poured down the street to reception at a restaurant with a huge backyard party space.
Her mom fussed with her purse, and her dad argued quietly with her.
She overheard her mom say to her dad, “I can tell you prefer to be at home, Connell. I want what’s best for you because I love you. If you give me some time, perhaps I can figure out something. In the meantime, we’d really love to have your company for a while longer.”
As they walked out to the back of the church into the flower garden, she leaned in to whisper to her mom, “Is he having a hard time today?”
Stress lined her mother’s face. “I don’t think the party is going to happen for him, honey. All these people. He’s had a few lapses today that really threw him for a loop, and I think he’s in a lot more pain than he claims after his fall. He needs the familiarity and routine of home.”
“Do you want me to take him home? I’ll stay with him tonight.”
Her mom bit her lip and stared at the wedding party. Laughter and clapping surrounded them when Tori and Noah kissed again. Her mom finally said, “Let’s see how pictures go.”
After a few pictures, her father twitched with agitation. His face turned blotchy red, and his voice began cracking.
“Please, Mom. Let me take him home,” Becca whispered to her mother.
Her mom batted away a tear. “No, I should be the one to go with your father. I don’t know what’s wrong. He’d been doing so well these past few weeks, but in the last two days… You go to the reception so you can dance and eat cake.”
“You’re needed here and at the reception. Noah needs you. I’m not essential. Really, it’ll be fine if I go.”
Gratitude passed through her mom’s gaze. “Are you sure?”
She’d miss the party, but she’d be tortured all night about what she’d done, being there and seeing Jake and Noah. “Yes, Mom. No one will even know I’m not there.”
“Okay. I’ll see if I can send someone to take over for you after a while, or I’ll come home in a bit to allow you to go to the reception.”
Jake pressed close behind her. She jumped when he bumped against her.
“I’ll drive you and your dad home,” he said low so both she and her mom could hear.
“How’d you overhear?” Becca whispered back, hoping no one else would pick up on the crisis. Her heart pounded at his closeness. He smelled amazing. She stared at his lips, remembering yesterday, but yanked herself out of the distracting memories of last night. She wanted to cross the line and fall for the temptation of Jake again.
His gaze smoldered as if he knew exactly the effect he had on her. Damn him.
He said, “Let me help.”
“We won’t fit in your car.” Her voice came out a higher pitch than normal. Up-close-and-super-personal with Jake right now wasn’t a good idea, not with her emotions still at the boil over point from this morning in combination with disappointment at potentially missing all of the reception.
“I’ve got Noah’s car. The Toyota SUV. He drove us here, but he’s going to the hotel in the limo after the party.”
