Rehearsal Dinner

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^One Month Later^

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Tuli

“I can’t believe you’re leaving,” Megan said, her voice choked with emotion as I packed up my clothes and other belongings.

I had one backpack for carry-on and a suitcase for check-in. Megan had promised to send the rest of my stuff, but I could tell she was still upset about me leaving.

I slung my backpack over my shoulder and picked up my suitcase.

“Megan, it’s going to be fine. Jayce and I stayed for Christmas, didn’t we? And we’re not leaving until after the wedding.”

Megan pouted. “Yeah, but you’re getting married tomorrow! And then you’re off to England to settle into your new home!”

I laughed. “Don’t be sassy. The house is already furnished, and we want to get settled before Jayce starts his new job. Plus, he promised to show me around town. So, no need for complaints.”

“I’m just trying to convince you to stay,” she said, laughing.

I hugged her. “I’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner, okay?”

She hugged me back, tightly. “Okay.”

“Did you pack everything you need?” Jayce asked, taking my suitcase and putting it in his trunk.

My car was in the shop because the back half was wrecked. So, I had to rely on Jayce, my brother, and Megan for rides. They wouldn’t let me use any other form of transportation, which was kind of annoying, but I knew they were just looking out for me and the baby.

“I packed everything I could think of,” I told him, “including the crock pot.”

He smirked at my sarcasm. “Very funny. Hand me your bag.”

I gave him the bag and climbed into his car, waiting for him to finish loading my stuff. After a few moments, he got in next to me. “Ready to go?”

I nodded. “And you’re dropping me off at the hotel after the rehearsal, right?”

He pouted. “You don’t want to stay for some fun?”

I laughed. “No, babe.”

He frowned and I laughed even more. “Hey, ~you~ were the one who said no sex until after the wedding. I’m just following your rules.”

He kissed my cheek before starting the car. “I’m just teasing.”

The rest of the night flew by. We arrived at Jayce’s house, put on a movie, and got ready for the rehearsal dinner.

Well, I got ready. Jayce was struggling with his tie. I couldn’t help but laugh at his furrowed brows. “Let me help,” I said, walking over to him.

He turned to me, giving me a sheepish smile. I took the ends of his tie and fixed it for him. When I was done, his eyes widened.

“Wow. How’d you get so good at that?”

“I used to do it for my dad all the time before he married my stepmom. He’s spoiled.”

“Ready to go?” Jayce asked as I slipped into my heels.

“Yeah. What about Juneau and Bones?” I asked, watching the two dogs chase each other.

“I hired a dog-sitter,” Jayce said, laughing. “They’re just arriving.”

The dog-sitter was a sweet teenage boy with hair like Justin Bieber. He promised to take good care of our pups.

And with that, we left.

***

Something strange happened right after the rehearsal dinner.

Jayce and I were outside, about to say goodbye with a kiss, when an unfamiliar male voice called out Jayce’s name.

We looked up to see a stranger approaching us.

Jayce frowned. “Brandon, what are you doing here?”

Brandon. That name sounded familiar.

When he reached us, he took a deep breath. “Jayce,” he said, “it’s about Brooklyn.”

~Ah, now I remember. He’s engaged to Jayce’s ex.~

Jayce rolled his eyes. “I don’t care about her. Or you. Why are you here?”

“I wanted to apologize,” he replied.

“There’s no need,” Jayce said. “I’m over her. She’s been nothing but trouble for me and my fiancée,” he added, gesturing to me.

Brandon glanced at me, then back at Jayce. “That’s why I’m apologizing. I found her diary. She’s crazy. She wrote about wanting to kill your girlfriend after you kicked her out of your house.”

Jayce’s eyes widened. “Do you have it?”

He nodded. “It’s in my car. And I’m not mad about her trying to cheat on me with you. I found out she’s been sleeping with a bunch of guys. When I confronted her, she freaked out. I haven’t seen her since the beginning of the week.”

Brandon rushed to his car and came back with a book. He handed it to Jayce. “I really am sorry. I had no idea she was still so obsessed with you.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it,” Jayce said, holding the book.

Brandon nodded and left.

“Now she’s in trouble,” Jayce said, showing me the book.

“You think I’m going to disagree? She tried to hurt me and sexually assaulted you. She deserves jail.”

“Agreed.”

As soon as he spotted Megan emerging, he planted a kiss on my cheek. “I’ll catch you tomorrow, alright? I’m really gonna miss you.”

“You’ll have me all to yourself the whole week after tomorrow,” I replied, a smile playing on my lips. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.”