CHAPTER 2

KYLE

At the head of the conference table sits the CEO. He rocks back in the swivel chair, resting dangerously far. With his fingers interwoven in the centre of his round abdomen and his arms draped down each side, the CEO's belly jiggles with a raucous laugh. I imagine if you added a white beard and switched his navy suit for a red one, he'd look a lot like Santa Claus. Just the thought of it makes a sly smile curl up one side of my mouth.

"Kyle, do you have anything to add? Any feedback, perhaps?" he says, ripping me from my thoughts.

In an instant, the smirk disappears, and I sit up straighter, clearing my throat. "No, I think that covers everything."

CEO-Santa grins broadly, and shifts back into an upright position, then stands placing his hands on the table. "Right then. Kyle - you'll take the lead on this one."

"Thank you, sir. Although..."

His grin changes to a frown. "Is there a problem?"

"Well, no. It's just I'm on leave from Friday."

"No problem. Postpone until after the holidays." He pauses briefly, glancing around the room. "Is there anything else?" He tips his head forward, glaring at me over the top of his glasses.

"No, sir. That's perfect." I stand, buttoning my jacket pocket, and walk around the table towards him. He shakes my outstretched hand. "Thank you. We won't let you down."

"OK. Happy Holidays to you all."

The mood in the room palpably shifts from corporate stature to relaxed colleagues as CEO-Santa departs. Following behind, a trail of staff, who scatter back to their desks and offices to continue their mundane tasks.

The last person heads for the door, and I take a step, but I'm interrupted by a vibration in my chest pocket. Pulling it out, I see a text from my brother, Chase.

We've only recently reconnected after he stole my girlfriend - or rather, fiancée. I'm partly to blame, I suppose. Cold feet on the big day. My anxiety was through the roof and was second guessing everything. I just needed some time to figure out what I wanted. But apparently that was too much to ask for. She ran off without a word, and before I could find her to talk about it, Chase had charmed her away from me.

He's always been that way - quiet and stealthy, with his relaxed, laid-back charm and mysteriousness. Biding his time, preparing for the pounce.

But there's nothing I can do about that now.

Now, they're supposedly 'in love', and happily engaged with another wedding on the horizon.

I open the text.

Chase: Hey man, I need to talk to you. Drink after work?

My jaw clenches at the thought of seeing him. While we've talked through what happened and made our apologies to each other - even if only half-heartedly on my end - seeing him in person, I'm not sure.

Me: Pretty busy. Not sure I can make it.

Chase: It's important. Please.

I let out a sigh of defeat. I know him, and he's just going to keep at me until I agree.

Me: Fine. Where and when?

Chase: My place. 7pm.

After work, I reluctantly head over to Chase's house, still unsure why he insisted we meet there. After the day I've had, I could really use a drink, although something tells me there's more to it than that. At the front door, I suck in a deep breath, readying myself to see my brother, who was, up until a year ago, my best friend.

"Hey man," Chase says. He pulls me into a hug and pats me on the back. It's awkward, but I tolerate it for a moment before pulling back.

"Hey."

"Come in. I'm just cooking right now," he says, ushering me to follow him.

"I thought we were just having a drink?" I ask, as he manoeuvres around the kitchen, stirring a pot of the stove before flipping some type of red meat.

"We are, but it's been a while since we've hung out, and I thought you could use a home cooked meal."

Chase pulls a bottle down from the top shelf and tips his head toward me.

"Yeah, that's fine," I say, and he pours me a glass before adding ice to the whiskey. He passes it to me, and I take a long sip. It burns on the way down, but it's a good type of burn - raw enough to melt away at least some of the nerves of being here.

Sliding into a chair at the rectangular six-seater table, and kicking my feet up on the chair at the end, I watch him curiously. He lured me here under a false pretence, but if he wants to fill my belly with whiskey and steak, then I'm going to at least make the most of it. Chase sees me watching and grins broadly as he shuffles about.

"You're up to something," I accuse, but he doesn't deny it.

"OK, yeah. I might've stretched the truth just a little to get you here, but in my defence, if I asked you over text, you'd never have come."

"What's so important that you need to ask me 'in person'?" I say, raising a single brow.

Chase stops what he's doing and leans against the bench. "It's about the wedding."

My jaw clenches so hard I half expect my back teeth to shatter. I can't believe this fool is bringing up his wedding with my ex-fiancée, Penny, right this minute. Throwing back the last of the whiskey, I grab the bottle and pour another, downing that too.

"What about it?" I say, trying to maintain my composure.

"I want it to be perfect for..." He glances away for a moment before facing me again, and I wonder if he's feeling some guilt still. He should, but that's not the point. "Penny." Staying calm, I refrain from commenting, but I still don't know what their wedding has to do with me. "Work is hectic for her right now, and the wedding is so close - just three weeks away. We need some help. I thought... maybe you might -." His words trail off as I realise the favour he's asking.

"You want me to organise your wedding? To my ex? You've got to be freaking kidding me, bruh."

Something shifts in his expression, like the light from his eyes has dissipated into despair and nothingness. This is ridiculous. Once upon a time, I would've agreed, even though I know I haven't the foggiest about planning weddings, but now - I don't know. Everything is still a little raw and painful, for me at least.

He sighs. "It's not ideal, but I don't really know anyone else who has the time right now. And you're on leave soon -."

"Aren't you on leave too?" I interject. He told me that last month, that he had all of December off, so I can't see how it's my responsibility to do it when he also has the spare time.

"Well, yes, but... I'm working on a surprise for Penny."

"And that's going to take a month? Doubt it," I retort sarcastically.

"It's a house," he blurts. "I bought a fixer upper. I'm going to renovate it and give it to her as a wedding gift. But listen, I want it to be a surprise so please - don't mention it to anyone. Especially not Penny, or Julia."

I don't know whether to be more shocked that he bought a house, or that he thinks I'll be talking to Penny or Julia anytime soon. Fat chance of that.

"You bought a house?" I say, exaggerating the last word.

"Yeah," he says, pulling the steaks off the grill and placing them on a tray to rest. "It's a real mess right now, but it's got good bones. It'll be perfect. I really think she's going to love it."

Of course she'll love it. Who the heck buys someone a whole house as a gift? Not me. For a split second, a doubtful thought races through my mind whether that's one of the reasons she left me in the end, but then I shoe it away like a buzzing mosquito.

"And you think you can pull it off in that time?"

"Yeah, I'm going to make it work," he says confidently.

"So, why me to help with the wedding? I mean, that's a bit off, don't you think?"

"Look, I know we've had our... issues, but I trust you, and," Chase pauses for a long moment, then eyes me again. "You kind of owe it to her, you know?"

Geez, that's tough. My brother's words feel like he's punched me in the face, knocking me out cold. What am I supposed to say to that? Swallowing the lump in my throat, and the words I want to say - telling him to go to hell, or something else as equally defensive - I did ruin her last wedding, 'our wedding'. Maybe she won't hate me so much if I do this for her.

"Fine," I mutter, gritting my teeth together. "But I can't do it all on my own."

Chase seems relieved, relaxing from the stiffened position I wasn't aware he was holding. "No, of course not. Penny's lined up someone to help you."

"Who's that then?"

"Julia."

"You've got to be kidding right now."

"Look, I know you two have... issues, but she is Penny's maid of honour, and she's already agreed to help. On the bright side, you won't be doing it all by yourself."

"I'd rather do it alone than 'team up' with that banshee," I snap, slamming the glass back onto the table. "Besides, she hates me."

Chase laughs. "She doesn't hate you, Kyle." He pauses, watching me as I pour another drink. "It wasn't that long ago that we were all friends, remember? Besides, she's just overprotective, that's all."

"And does she know you've tasked me with this - mission?"

"She does," he says simply.

"Won't she assume I'll ruin the wedding?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.

"I know you won't do that. Not to me, and not to Penny."

Crossing my arms, I can't help but pout. "OK, but when the shit hits the fan, don't come crying to me."

Chase laughs again, but I honestly don't see the humour in it. This whole thing is going to be a debacle. A shit show for sure. But I guess some people always want to learn the hard way - just like he did with Penny.

The jingle of the doorbell rings, interrupting him.

"Hold that thought," he says, racing back down the hallway.

I can barely hear anything, but I know that sound. Women - two women. My stomach sinks.

This day just can't get any worse. Of course she's here - they both are.

Whatever happens next, I'm certain these next few weeks are going to be a living nightmare.