Page 166 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

“Well, you know me, brother. I’m not one for mingling. Anyway, listen, Paddy, I’m sorry you couldn’t come with us.”

“Don’t be. I understand. And for the record, I agree. My next contact with Jaine needs to be face to face. At least that way, I can apologize for being a lying, deceitful arse.”

“I’m sure it will all be forgotten about by then.”

“Then you don’t know Jaine very well. She forgets nothing, although she’s not typically one for holding a grudge.”

Apart from against our Eoin.

“So, tomorrow I’m getting wed.” I’m speaking my thoughts aloud more than anything. I still can’t quite believe Jessie is going to be my wife.

“You are. And tomorrow I’m off out for dinner at the Palace with Eoin, Molly, and Sophia. A great evening that will be as they talk over themselves as part of this ongoing game of one-upmanship they insist on playing.”

“You’re just annoyed you won’t get a word in edgeways given how much you love the sound of your own voice.”

“Cheeky fecker.” He laughs out loud.

“You know it’s true, brother. Anyway, why the Palace? I know you’re not a fan.”

“It’s Sophia and Eoin’s choice. It’s easier to agree than rock the boat. Anyway, I just wanted to call to wish you all the best. At least you’re getting to marry the woman of your dreams.”

I know he’s happy for me, but I can still hear raw pain mixed with envy in his voice, and I instantly feel guilty. That all of us bar him will end up happy with our lot while he has to settle for—as he calls it—a fate worse than death.

CHAPTERSIXTY-SIX

JESSIE

Jessie’s Family Home, Colton, Nevada

I’m exhausted.I’ve barely slept. But I don’t want to because I don’t want to miss a thing.

Dylan O’Connell is mine. Or at least he will be in around half an hour.

As soon as we arrived in Colton, Dyl went straight to the Sons’ clubhouse with Ace, Tadgh, Conor, and Cill, and I went home with my daddy and Sarah.

In the absence of my own dress to wear, I’m wearing my mom’s. It’s something else she left behind when she skipped town and never looked back. It’s like she didn’t want to take any reminders of her past when she moved on to her future, including any of the day that should have been one of the happiest in her life.

The day she took the vows with my daddy.

I can’t imagine marrying Dyl then running off with someone else. But who am I to judge? I don’t know her reasons. I’m guessing she had at least one. Maybe she had an armful. I’m the first to admit my daddy’s not the easiest person in the world to live with.

So, is this dress my something borrowed? Or is it actually mine by default?

My mom was a little shorter than me, but it’s still floor-length and perfect in delicate cream lace with long sleeves. My hair’s up and decorated with a single crystal comb with a sapphire at the center so it’s my something blue. It’s also borrowed as it’s Bee’s and it’s also new as I had to take the price tag off.

I’m sure my baby sister won’t mind.

“You look stunning, Jessie.” I smile at Sarah, my soon-to-be sister-in-law, who’s wearing a simple skater-style dress in cream, her long strawberry blonde hair hanging down her back.

My phone vibrates, and I pick it up.

Tyler:Best of luck for today, Jay.

I smile at the message.

Jessie:Thank you, Ty.

Tyler:Even though I’m jealous as hell, I wish Dylan the best of luck too.

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