Page 75 of Just Breathe

I looked around the table, seeing everyone looking at their significant others like they were all remembering their weddings or dreaming about it. I remembered mine like it was yesterday. We got married in October at sun set. It was a cool evening, and my lace dress was just enough to keep me warm. We had dinner and dancing in a big, beautiful tent and I wouldn’t have changed anything. It was such a great day; we had so much fun and when we gave a piece of cake to each other; he said to meI can’t wait to share all my desserts with you.

I guess he was right. He spent his life sharing desserts with me and that just about broke me. I took a breath in, trying not to get anyone’s attention, until I felt a hand grab mine underneath the table. Callum gave me a slight squeeze, giving me the strength, I needed not to break down. I turned to my left towards him as he gave me a slight nod, letting me know he was here for me. I squeezed his hand back, feeling so grateful he was here for me, even though I did not know why he agreed to come.

“This cake better be amazing. If not, I’d ask for a refund,” Callum whispered, and I laughed. “It better be the best fucking cake and make me cry because it’s so good.”

“Thank you.” I wanted to kiss him but knew I wasn’t ready to do that in-front of family, much less in front of my dead husband’s sister. We all waited for our slice of cake talking about all of our weddings and what we would of done differently or, in JD’s case, they wanted to elope and not pay so much for the wedding. I was always on the fence about the money we spent on the wedding, but it was such a significant memory that I don’t think we would have done anything differently.

We finally received a piece of this three grand cake, and it was pretty good. The best cake I’ve ever had? I don’t think so, but I’m glad it didn’t suck. It still felt like it was a total rip off. The music resumed, and a small group of people went to the dance floor for Britney.

As we were eating the cake, the grooms came over to the table. “Hey guys. How’s it going?” Paul asked, looking at all of us and stopping at me. “You know Steve asked about you, Jane, and it disappointed him when he couldn’t come.” He didn’t even bother to wait for anyone to answer his question.

“You know how I feel about Steve.” I smiled at him, trying not to start anything. “I don’t know why you asked him to come when you know how I feel about him.”

“I think he would have been an adequate date.” His gaze shifted ever so slightly to Callum, and I just about lost my shit on him. I swear my mother and he were so fucking snobby, I was sick of it.

“Well, I’m probably not the only one, but I think I prefer Callum over Steve.” JD smiled as he took a sip of his scotch.

“Are we talking about Steve the dildo because I think I would, hands down, prefer Callum too,” Madie chimed in.

Matthew and JD laughed, and I couldn’t help but join in, too. I leaned into Callum since he had his arm behind my chair to show that I was proud of my choice of date.

“It’s been a beautiful wedding. Congratulations,” Sabrina tried to diffuse the situation.

“Absolutely beautiful and the cake was delicious too, worth every penny,” I said, getting my little dig in.

“I know right! I can’t believe we got such a steal on it. Marcie really came through on it and we got it for under a thousand,” Paul’s husband, Julian, chimed in.

Paul’s eyes widened, looking at his husband like he was trying to make him back track, but his husband looked at him clueless. This fucking asshole took advantage of me. I took a deep breath, trying not to fucking lose it and I felt Callum’s hand rest on my back for comfort.

“That’s great. I’m so glad you got a deal.” I smiled.

Paul would not even look at me as he said thanks for coming and he ushered Julian away. Everyone looked at me to elaborate because they knew something that had happened. I shook my head, not wanting to get into it, knowing JD would probably make a scene or confront him.

“Didn’t he say he needed more money for that cake?” Madie asked, not wanting to let go of it. I glared at Madie for bring that up. She wanted my brothers to know, but I didn’t see the point in discussing it.

“That asshole took advantage of you, didn’t he?” JD glared at where Paul was standing talking to another table.

“Honey, let it go. Now’s not the time or place to do anything about it.” Katherine was trying to get him to calm down.

“Just let it go, JD. It was nothing.” As much as I would love to confront Paul, I knew it wasn’t the time. “Let’s go get some refills on drinks.” I looked at Callum to help me out, who quickly got up from his seat and we walked towards the bar.

“Why don’t you just tell them the truth?” Callum asked when we arrived at the bar, waiting on the bartender since he was helping someone else.

“It’s going to cause a scene and I don’t need to be blamed for another thing going wrong in Paul’s life.” Callum looked at me, a little confused. “I did something in high school that ruined his senior year of high school and he’s always blamed me for it. He always thinks I do shit to steal his thunder,” I explained to him without giving too much away. Most of the time, people looked at you differently when they’ve realized you’ve tried to kill yourself.

“Is that why he invited your husband’s ex to the wedding?” Callum asked looking to piece together the crazy stuff that was happening.

“I wouldn’t doubt it, and I feel like I’m constantly being punished for my one mistake,” I admitted to him.

He stepped closer to me, making me look up at him even more. He looked at me, waiting for me to elaborate, but I wasn’t ready for him to look at me differently.

“Don’t punish yourself because he can’t let go. Sometimes people need to be called out for their own mistake. Don’t dish it if you can’t take it.” He continued to look at me with the occasional glance at my lips, like he wanted to kiss me. I shivered in anticipation, really wishing I could just throw myself at him, but I was still worried about what people would think of me.

“What can I get for y’all?” the bartender interrupted our moment.

“Five champagnes and three Lagavulin’s,” Callum replied, not taking his bedroom eyes away from me, like he was promising something for later on.

Was it too soon to leave the wedding? Callum in a suit, Callum with my family and the fact that he’s comforted me. He was looking like the sexiest man in the world right now.

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