Chapter 11: The Blurry Night Before

The next morning, I woke up with a throbbing headache and a foggy memory of the previous night. We’d had a lot to drink at the club, and the only things I could recall were the strippers and the ride home.

My head felt like it was being used as a trampoline while someone else was drilling into it with a jackhammer. I groaned, rolled over, and opened my eyes. I felt like absolute crap.

“Morning,” Brennan greeted me softly. He was already dressed and standing by my side of the bed, holding out a glass of water and an Advil. “Thought you might need these.”

I could feel my cheeks heating up with embarrassment. Was I really that drunk when we got back? Was it that obvious? I’d hoped I’d just slipped into bed unnoticed, but Brennan’s thoughtful gesture suggested otherwise.

“I really hope I didn’t make a fool of myself last night. I don’t usually drink.” I sat up and accepted the glass and Advil from Brennan.

“You don’t remember getting back last night?” Brennan asked, moving towards his suitcase and slipping on his shoe. There was a blanket on the floor by my suitcase, and my shoes were tangled up in it.

I shook my head, frowning. “No, should I?”

Brennan glanced at me and shook his head.

“Not at all. Listen, the guys and I are meeting on the other side of the house to get ready. Mom will be by soon to take you to meet with the girls. We’re almost there, Grace.”

I smiled and nodded, placing the two blue pills on my tongue and washing them down with the water.

Brennan came over and sat down next to me. He picked up my hand and ran his finger over his grandmother’s ring.

“I know being my PA hasn’t been easy. I’ve made you do things I could never ask you to forgive me for. I’ve shown you all the worst sides of me. You must think I’m a misogynist jerk.”

He wasn’t entirely wrong, but he wasn’t completely right either. The Brennan I’d seen over the last few days had shown me a different side. Maybe it wasn’t genuine; maybe he was just putting on a show.

“I did until we came here,” I admitted softly. “I’ve learned more about you in two days than I did in three years. Unless it’s all part of the act.”

“It’s not.”

“Then why do you put on the whole playboy act, Brennan?”

“Honestly? At first it was because I could. Because in high school, girls didn’t look at me. Then because my parents hounded me to settle down, to do ~at least one thing right.~

“Now it’s because I don’t know if I can. I’ve been messing around for so long I’m scared to screw up the real thing.”

His honesty hit me like a punch in the gut. I turned my hand over and squeezed Brennan’s hand.

“You could miss out on something or someone amazing by being too scared to do something about it.

“One of these girls you’ve ghosted could be your soulmate, Brennan, and you wouldn’t know because your fear of screwing up held you back.

“People screw up every day, B… If they all hid in the corner nothing would ever get done. You fought the odds once before; you can do it again. You can survive with a broken heart; you can’t survive without love.”

Brennan stood up, pulling his hand away from mine. He paused and bent down, pressing a soft kiss against my forehead.

The touch sent a jolt straight to my stomach, twisting it and turning it until it felt like a swarm of butterflies had been released. It took all my willpower not to tilt my face up and meet his lips with mine.

“Thank you, G.”

He left the room and I tried to make sense of the kiss on my forehead, but I came up empty. This whole situation was messing with my head. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

Jaq came to fetch me and we walked to a room where hair and makeup artists were waiting to transform us.

“Blake was so pissed we got strippers.” Jade giggled. “He didn’t shut up about it until I gave him his own private one.”

Kate laughed. “Ew, I don’t need to know that about my brother.”

I squinted, as if trying to see something, even though I was just looking at my reflection in the mirror while the stylist worked on my hair. I remembered coming home. We were out on the driveway, talking about our night…

“You okay, Grace?” Kate asked, her hand brushing mine, grazing the ring. “The ring suits you. You know, Brennan offered it to Blake when he proposed, and then to Alec. I’m glad we both said no.”

I nodded, but I didn’t feel okay. I closed my eyes and tried to remember the night before.

We’d been in the room. I’d collapsed onto the bed. I sighed with relief. I had just gone to bed and fallen asleep.

But then I remembered the pain, the ache in my heart. I’d been in my underwear, in the middle of the floor. Brennan had covered me. ~He’d rejected me.~

It was still hazy, but it was clear I’d thrown myself at Brennan. I picked up my phone and sent Brennan a message.

Grace

If I did anything inappropriate last night, I’m sorry

His response was immediate.

Brennan

You didn’t. I promise.

***

After about an hour, we were all ready. We left the house and climbed into the vintage Aston Martin parked in the driveway.

The car drove past the main office and the oversized barns. Cars were parked on either side of the driveway, and two large white buses were parked nearby. The car stopped at the edge of a gazebo and we all got out.

“Holy shit!” Kate exclaimed. “I’m actually getting married.”

“You are!” Jade giggled. “And soon we’re all going to be sisters.”

Jade took my hand in hers and the three of us hugged. I pushed aside the guilt for what felt like the millionth time in forty-eight hours and allowed myself to pretend, just for a moment, that it was real.

Jaq planted a kiss on Kate's forehead before he strolled out of the gazebo. Another car pulled up, and out stepped Brennan, Blake, and their father.

Sam, Brennan's dad, approached Kate, pressing a kiss to her forehead and whispering something that made her smile and tear up a bit. Blake and Jade linked arms, and Brennan came over to me.

“You're looking beautiful,” he said, a smile on his face as he offered me his arm.

He was dressed in a black suit, a lavender tie adding a pop of color. His hair was styled in a casual manner, the ends curling softly.

“You're looking pretty good yourself.”

Blake and Jade led the way through the gazebo. It was empty, a mere passageway to the main event. Brennan and I trailed behind them.

As we strolled down the aisle, I couldn't help but marvel at the sight.

There were about two hundred guests seated in white chairs. The aisle was adorned with white roses and lilies, and garlands of flowers were draped overhead.

The music started playing as Blake and Jade began their walk down the petal-strewn aisle. Brennan and I followed suit, and I was taken aback by the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

I tightened my grip on his arm, and he placed his other hand over mine.

“Feels kind of magical, doesn't it?” he murmured.

“Just a bit.”

At the end of the aisle, we separated, standing across from each other as Kate and her father reached the end.

He lifted her veil, kissed her cheek, and handed her over to Alec before taking his place next to Brennan. His eyes were moist.

He did have a heart. It pained me to know he didn't show it to Brennan.

The ceremony was beautiful. The vows Blake and Kate exchanged made me long for something even remotely close to what they shared.

When they were declared husband and wife, the crowd erupted in applause and cheers as if we were at a concert. Brennan and I found each other amidst the celebration. His eyes were glistening with tears, which made me smile.

“Feeling a bit emotional, Mr. Wolf?”

“My baby sister just got married,” he said, a bit flustered. “I'm not completely heartless.”

I reached up to straighten his suit lapel.

“I never said you were.”

His hand covered mine, and he smiled.

“Promise me a dance tonight. Okay?”

“I can't dance.”

“Oh, I beg to differ,” Brennan said, a knowing grin on his face.

I shook my head. “What are you talking about?”

“You really don't remember, do you? I thought maybe you remembered after the text earlier, but…”

I stopped and closed my eyes. The music from the club echoed in my head. ~Shit.~ I had stripped off and danced ~before~ Brennan had rejected me. I felt a wave of nausea.

“I'm so sorry, Brennan,” I managed to say. “I'm so embarrassed.”

Brennan's smile faded. “I didn't mean to embarrass you. I'll, uh, see you in a bit. I need to get some fresh air.”

I wanted to point out that we were at an outdoor wedding, how much more fresh air could he possibly need, but I held my tongue. I watched as he walked away, leaving me standing there feeling like a fool.

I followed the crowd through another gazebo to the right of where the ceremony had taken place. I stood there, feeling lost, until Jaq took my hand and led me to the wedding party table.

She seated me at my designated spot, where a small placard bore my name, and to my right was Brennan's vacant seat.

“Where did Brennan sneak off to?” Jaq asked, a hint of worry in her voice. “I noticed you two seemed to be at odds.”

I took a deep breath. Our cover was about to be blown, and Brennan was nowhere in sight. I bit my lip. ~Fuck~.

“He needed a moment. Coming back has been hard. I promise you, we're fine.”

Jaq nodded and placed her hand over mine. “You and Brennan have always kept a certain distance. You seem more like friends than lovers.”

I smiled and nodded. “Brennan is my friend. He was my friend first, lover second. The best relationships start from friendship. If we seem reserved, it's only out of respect.”

“No need to hold back for us, Grace.” Jaq laughed, releasing my hand.

I felt Brennan take the seat beside me. He filled his glass with one of the Wolf Wines on the table and took a sip.

“Would you like to dance?”