Page 44 of To Belong Together
“Well, you did, and Mom and Dad sat me down for a big talk. I don’t appreciate having to justify my choices at every turn. The wedding’s a week away. This is the last thing I need.”
Her choice in groom ought to be easy to justify. Yet, if John said that, he’d ruin his relationship with her, and she’d still marry Tanner.
“How can I help?”
“You could’ve helped by minding your own business.”
He’d accepted the invitation to the party thinking he was. He’d wanted to get to know her future husband, not land in an awkward position. But there he was. “I can’t change the past, Kate. What’s on your plate that I can help with now?”
“You can’t help with hair and makeup test runs, honeymoon details, going to the gym like mad …”
Kate’s list continued as Camo plodded up the stairs and slumped down by John’s feet. John led the dogs back inside. He sat on the living room couch, still cloaked in the blanket and coat.
Kate ventured deep into her list, talking about pantyhose now. John could help with none of the tasks.
“And the seating chart,” Kate continued. “You added a date. Where am I supposed to put her? If you’re in the wedding party, you can’t sit with her. It’s only the bridal party at the head table.”
Right. Tara. Why had he complicated things with that invitation? “She knows Gannon and Addie.”
In high school, Addie babysat Kate some, and Gannon had been at the house all the time. Maybe Mom and Hank had more to do with the couple receiving an invitation than Kate’s preferences, but they’d accepted the offer.
“Fine. I’ll move things around.”
He’d offer to do it for her, but the way she spoke, the task involved subtleties he’d never understand.
“What does your face look like?”
At Kate’s question, something she’d said came back to him.Ifyou’re in the wedding party.
“The stitches will be out. The bruising, I don’t know.”
Silence.
For her sake, he would wear makeup for the photos, but if that was what Kate wanted, she’d suggest it. There was only one request she’d hesitate to voice.
Feeling as if he’d skewered his chest with a drumstick, he drew a shallow breath. “Maybe I shouldn’t be in the wedding party.”
“I didn’t say that.” The annoyance had left her voice. Guilt rippled in its wake.
“It’s your big day. You don’t need me uglying it up.”
“Tanner has so many friends. We have more ushers than we need.” Her tone bordered on eager. “I suppose one of them could take your place.”
Cut out. Just like that. Was Tanner in on this? Was this something the couple had discussed? “Okay … So, I shouldn’t come to the rehearsal.”
“The whole family’s going to be at the dinner. It’d be weird if you skipped that part. Just stop with the drama.”
“Done.” He bit his lips together, frustration and disappointment pressing hard for release.
“This is supposed to be the happiest time in my life. Don’t ruin it for me.”
“I won’t.”
She paused, then spoke quietly. “Having a tattoo is not the same as being a good brother.”
“What?”
“The stick figures. The drawing I did.”
