Chompin' at the Bit (Horse Play #2) (9 page)

The eye-rolls exchanged between my parents weren’t missed. The contempt they seemed to be harboring toward her almost mirrored my own—almost like maybe they knew something.

Madison wrapped one of her arms around my back and rested the other above my heart. “So, when does everything start?” That was the thing about Madison; she was always so in-tune with my feelings that as soon as she sensed I was feeling a little off, she was quick to try and take my mind off of whatever it was that bothered me. It was almost like she cared more than a friend would.

“Soon, actually,” Dad announced after checking his watch. “I should go and see how Lilah is doing. Jensen, why don’t you remind Kyle of the time so we can get started?” 

Nodding my response, I looked down at Madison. “I’ll see you soon,” I told her, cradling her face with my right hand before kissing her softly.

I watched as my mother stepped forward happily, looping her arm through Madison’s. “I’ll keep her company, darling.” Madison returned my mother’s gesture by bending the arm my mother held and placing her other hand on my mom’s. My heart swelled at seeing Madison accept them as much as they accepted her.

After finding Kyle and Gavin, we went to the back room where we were to meet the ladies—well,
one
lady … and Kaylie. Kyle was trembling, his dark eyes conveying exactly how much he was anticipating marrying my sister. His complete and utter devotion to her only further assured me that she was in the best of hands.

As Gavin and Bethany struck up their previous conversation, I went off to find Lilah. I knocked on the door to her private sitting area three times before opening it a crack. “Lilah?” I stepped in and found myself completely speechless. There, in the middle of the room, was my baby sister. She was absolutely breathtaking in a strapless wedding gown, its skirt full of hundreds of roses made out of the same fabric as the dress. The smile on her face only made her more radiant.

“Oh, Lilah,” I said softly, crossing the room and hugging her tightly. “You look so beautiful.”

Laughing, she returned my embrace. “Don’t hug me too tight! You’ll wrinkle me.”
Once we ended our hug, she did a twirl. “Do you think he’ll like it?”

“I’ve already told you, he’s going to love it,” Kaylie said from right behind me.

Because I was still looking down at Lilah, I kept the scowl I felt forcing its way to the surface hidden. “Kyle would love you in anything. In fact, he’d probably be okay if you walked down the aisle in a burlap sack,” I teased, completely ignoring Kaylie’s presence.

“Ew!” Lilah exclaimed with a laugh, punching my shoulder.

“Oh,” I said, suddenly remembering the gift from Kyle in my pocket. “Kyle wanted me to give this to you.”

I handed her the velvety box and watched as she opened it. Her eyes lit up and she gasped, reaching down to touch the delicate necklace. It had three square-cut diamonds set in white gold; I think they were meant to signify past, present, and future.

Lilah picked up the necklace and examined it. “It’s so pretty.”

I had just taken the necklace to help Lilah put it on when Kaylie stepped forward. “Let me help you,” she said, reaching for it.

My head snapped toward her, and I smiled while simultaneously glaring. “I got it.
Thanks.
” Lilah lifted her long hair as I stepped behind her and helped her put the necklace on, the bottom stone resting on the edge of one of her exposed chest scars. “There you go,” I told her.

Dad stepped forward and looked down at her with a wide smile. “It’s time, sweetheart.”

Lilah drew in a deep breath and nodded quickly as she looped her arm through his. While I could see every bit of her excitement, I suddenly found myself dreading what I was about to endure as we exited the small room and waited to go back into the main hall.

I slowly turned around to find Kaylie staring up at me with a smug look on her face. She held her hand out, expecting me to take it, but I shook my head and walked past her to exit the room. I could feel her irritation as she followed close behind me. Standing in front of Gavin and Bethany, I placed my hands on Kyle’s shoulders and gave them a squeeze.

The doors opened, and he sucked in a deep breath before proceeding down the aisle. When he reached the middle of the aisle I felt Kaylie’s fingers weasel their way into the crook of my elbow before we started to follow. My jaw clenched, and I fought the urge to rip my arm away—
for Lilah
. That was my mantra of the day. Every second she was touching me was another I wished I was being burned alive.

Until my eyes found
hers
.

There, in the front row with my mother, was Madison. She had turned in her seat to watch as everyone came down the aisle, and the smile on her face made me forget all about my current frustration. Offering her a quick wink, I smiled back and, once we reached the end of the aisle, I parted ways with Kaylie and stood next to Kyle. Within a minute, Gavin stood next to me, and the music fluidly morphed into the “Wedding March.” All the guests stood, Madison giving me one more gorgeous smile, and then everyone turned to watch what they were all here to see.

Kyle faltered slightly upon seeing Lilah, and I smiled; I don’t think he took a breath until she was by his side and holding his hand. I wanted to give them my undivided attention, but I couldn’t help my wandering eye from finding Madison time and time again.
It was uplifting to see that she was unable to tear her eyes from me, as well.

The ceremony was beautiful; Lilah cried when Kyle said his vows, even if he snuck in a few jokes that only the two of them truly understood. All the guests laughed as well, pretending they were in on their private memories.

With Kyle and Lilah declared husband and wife, we made our way back down the aisle, and I didn’t miss the look on Madison’s face when I felt Kaylie’s fingers dig into my arm again. Her eyes narrowed in annoyance, but the way her lips pursed and twisted up to the right was almost …
devious
.

What could she possibly have been thinking?

The wedding party gathered outside the hall so the guests could congratulate the newlyweds, and as soon as I was free from my obligations to Lilah, I yanked my arm free of Kaylie’s grasp and put some space between us. She didn’t seem overly thrilled by my actions, but I didn’t really give a shit. Moments later, guests started filing out, saying hi to the wedding party before moving on to Lilah and Kyle.

Curiosity struck me when I caught sight of Madison standing off to the side, her cell phone out in front of her as she snapped a picture and smiled at the screen. What the hell was she up to? Her eyes found mine, and she waved before startling slightly and returning to her phone. Was she texting?

Her eyes brightened, and she pulled her full bottom lip between her teeth as she slipped her phone back into her tiny purse and joined the masses in talking to the bride and groom. She approached Gavin first, and I couldn’t help the jealousy that overcame me when they hugged. Thankfully their embrace lasted all of two seconds before she moved to his left and shook Bethany’s hand.

“Hey,” she whispered, taking my hands in hers when she stood in front of me. “Have I told you yet just how amazing you look?”

Beaming, I leaned my face down and brushed my lips faintly over hers. “No, actually. You have failed to adequately fluff my ego today. Shame on you.”

She gripped the lapels of my tux jacket and stood even taller on the tips of her toes than her heels made her before planting her lips firmly against mine for a second. “Well, I apologize. Let me assure you that you are the most handsome man here.” A throat cleared to my left, and I rolled my eyes, but Madison took it in stride and looked to Kaylie while smirking.

Reluctantly, I let go of Madison’s hands as she continued, keeping the line moving, and stood in front of Kaylie. Her eyes moved up and down, assessing Kaylie’s strapless purple dress before she spoke. “You look … nice.” Then her gaze shifted to Lilah and she held out her hands and smiled warmly. “And, Lilah! Oh, wow! You look absolutely radiant,” she beamed as Lilah took her hands in hers.

Seeing Lilah smile at Madison as she gushed over her appearance was a nice change from how she initially greeted her last night. “Your dress …” Madison continued. “Well, it’s just absolutely stunning! It’s from Monique Lhuillier’s new spring line, isn’t it?”

Monique who?
I wasn’t sure how Madison knew about whatever-the-hell she was talking about, but Lilah’s eyes absolutely lit up, and she nodded emphatically. Madison cast me a sideways glance—complete with a slight smirk of triumph, and it was then that I realized she may have had a little outside help from Willow. She was trying to win Lilah over—and it was working.

“It is! When I was looking at bridal magazines, I saw this one and I just
had
to have it!”

“Well, it’s gorgeous. And so are you. You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve seen.” Lilah and Madison talked about fashion for a few more minutes—well, Lilah talked, Madison mostly smiled and nodded, agreeing in all the right places and instantly dazzling Lilah. It was just one more reason for me to think that Madison was absolutely amazing.

Kyle smiled at her as she approached. “Well, I was relieved to hear you weren’t quite as hung over as I expected,” he teased, pulling her to his chest. The waves of animosity rolling off Kaylie were enough to chill a person to the bone. She was not impressed by how easily Madison had worked her way into my family’s hearts, and it pleased me even more.

Once all the guests had their chance to talk with the bride and groom, Devon, the photographer, came over and spoke to Lilah and Kyle before ushering us all outside for a few pictures. Madison was more than willing to tag along, so I wrapped my arm around her, tucked her into my side, and we walked.

“Okay, so why don’t we get the bridal party there in front of the garden?” the photographer suggested as he took a few steps back and eyed the area for his shot. “We’ll get the bride and groom in the middle and the bridesmaids and groomsmen to either of their sides.

As we all moved into position, I saw Madison appear to Devon’s right and cock her head to the side. “Just … one sec,” she said before rushing forward to stand in front of Lilah. She knelt down and fixed the skirt of her dress before standing up and combing away a few stray hairs. “There. Perfect.” She took a few steps back and tilted her head again, seeing something that she didn’t quite like. “Y’know what? I think the girls are too close to you. Your dress is so full on the bottom that I think they should maybe shift to the left a few inches. The guys should mirror them … for symmetry.”

“She’s right,” the photographer announced. “What’s your name?”

Madison moved to stand next to him, smirking slyly at me before turning to face him. “Madi. I took a few photography courses in high school, and I dabble as a hobby.”

“Excellent. Well, thank you.”

“Anytime.” That glint in her eye had returned, and I knew she was up to something more. What, though? I had no idea.

The photographer snapped a few pictures of the group before Madison suggested some other poses where the bridesmaids and groomsmen were spread out, standing away from the bride and groom. When the photographer seemed pleased with those shots, Madison leaned in and whispered something to him. He smiled and nodded before coming over to us. “Okay, we’re going to do a few shots of the bride with her family, the groom with his, and then bring the two families together.”

“What about the rest of us?” Kaylie asked, seeming a little desperate to be in the pictures.

Madison stepped forward and adjusted my tie for me before addressing Kaylie without looking at her. “Oh, I think you’re finished.” I held back a shocked laugh. “We’re going to focus on Lilah and Kyle now.”

“We?” Kaylie repeated snidely.

I glanced down to find Madison looking up into my eyes and winking. “What are you doing?” I whispered, still not one hundred percent certain I knew what she was scheming.

“Just making Lilah’s day one she’ll want to remember. No regrets,” she replied softly, running her hand along my jaw. “The truth always has a way of coming out, and I don’t think she’d be so forgiving if she knew. In fact, she’d probably regret involving her in what should be the happiest day of her life.” My body froze as I stared in awe at the woman standing before me. “If it were
me
and I found out something like that, I’d hate to see the constant reminders of a friendship based on lies in our wedding photos.”

Before I could question the “our” she used, suddenly wondering if it meant she wanted more, she continued. “In fact,” she said softly. “I think you should consider telling her. Not today. But soon, before she finds out some other way.” A small smile graced her face. “Just think about it. The longer you keep it from her, the more you risk her being upset with you, too.”

“Madi!” I heard my mom call out. “Why don’t you join us in this photo?”

The smile fell from her face and her jaw dropped in shock. “Wha—Janet, no. This is a family picture. I couldn’t possib—”

Cutting her off before she could finish, my mom rushed over and grabbed us both by the hands, pulling us over to where Lilah, Kyle, and Dad stood. “Madison, you’re with Jensen. You’re a part of this family now,” she expressed as we walked past Kaylie. They knew what Madison and I had was casual—they were very open-minded—so I could only assume they were needling Kaylie.

A frustrated growl escaped my ex as soon as the words reached her. When I turned to glance at Kaylie, her face was almost purple.

“Get closer, Madison!” Lilah exclaimed, tugging her closer to her side. I moved in to stand behind Madison and wrapped my arms around her waist before placing a lingering kiss on the top of her head. That was the last straw for Kaylie, as it would appear, because she let out a loud huff and stormed off toward the hotel.

“Okay, everyone,” the photographer said, putting the camera up to his face. “Smile!”

Chapter 8. My Future