One Last Shot (Pub Fiction #3) (12 page)

“We need to date other people, I can’t go back to the past. We’ve changed. I’m happy with my life now. I don’t want to complicate it with messing my heart up again.”

That one stung, even though I know she doesn’t mean it like she thinks she does.

Sure, Claire didn’t bolt like I thought she might, she actually stayed for coffee but it wasn’t to spend time with me, it was to ask for space and give me the ground rules of how things were gonna be from now on if we
had
to be around each other until the wedding was over.

“You can dream the fuck on, baby,” I mutter, tossing the used towel in the hamper on the way to the shower. “This just means it’s time to up my game.”

Claire

“Y
ou look stunning,
Kat,” I toast. “Ryker is going to lose his ever-lovin’ mind when he sees you. I’m taking bets that you don’t make it halfway down the aisle before his caveman ass is running to meet you, bowling your dad over to get to you. Then he’ll dry hump you right there to be extra sure everyone knows you’re his. Cheers.”

We break out in laughter, knowing it’s a possibility. Ryker Eddison loves my best friend more than I ever could have imagined. It’s a love that moves mountains and makes my chest ache, knowing I can’t have it…even if secretly, deep down, I just might want it.

“I would like to think that my future son-in-law can keep it in his pants long enough to make you his bride,” Mary laughs, raising her mimosa in the air, “but, then again, I’ve seen how crazy he is about you. And I agree, honey. You look beautiful.”

“To Kat!” we all shout, raising our glasses and taking a sip of the bubbly Champagne-and-orange-juice mixture.

As we’re hugging and fussing over Kat’s hair and makeup one last time, there’s a knock at the bridal suite door. I place my glass on the table and answer it.

“Hey, Justin. Wowza, don’t you clean up nicely. Hubba, hubba!” I compliment, checking out his black tux with the steel blue vest and tie which compliment our dresses.

“Thanks, sexy. You too.” He lets out a slow whistle, his eyes scanning my mid-length bridesmaid dress with its subtle slit up the right leg, coupled with a bit of a low-cut front that displays just the right amount of cleavage. The subtle metallic finish of the fabric adds that extra touch, making me feel like a bit of a movie star. The silver heels I’ve paired with it might help, too.

“What are you up to?” I ask, noticing a small box and two envelopes in his hand.

“Ryker, sent me over to give this to Kat.” He hands me the small silver-wrapped package with tiny envelope. “And this is for you,” he says, handing me the second sealed envelope. I’m about to ask who it’s from, but when I look up he’s already making his way back down the hall.

Closing the door, I give Kat her gift before sitting on the edge of the bed to open my envelope, which is addressed to: “The Maid of Honour.”

I can hear Kat and the girls gushing over the sapphire bracelet Ryker had apparently sent Kat as her “something new”. I wanted to join in on the excitement, but my eyes were glued to the note I’d pulled out of the envelope:

My sexy Sugarshack,

I know you want space to think and I do intend to give it to you. But know I hate it. I haven’t seen you in days, and I hate knowing you’re here but need space from me, from us. I know today might be hard for you, making you think about your parents, but know I’m here with my sexy shoulders if you need em’ to lean on.

I wanted to tell you that even before seeing you I know you’re looking beautiful and want you to know my eyes will be on you and only you.

I need a favour tonight. Save one dance for me, and I don’t mean the lame ass bridal party one—that’s a gimme. I want one for just us, where I can hold you tight and pretend I’ve got everything I want.

You.

I only want you.

See you soon, beautiful.

Matt xx

I swipe at the tears as they cascade down my cheeks. “Asshole ruined my makeup,” I mutter, shaking my head and catching the black mascara on the back of my hand. I smile in spite of myself, unable to get the image of Matt out of my mind.
Fuck, I do really love that makeup-wrecking jerk. The bastard is going to tear through my resolve if he keeps this shit up, trolls be damned.

“Everything okay, Claire Bear?” Kat questions, bouquet in hand, standing in front of me. I notice the room’s empty, it’s just her and me.
Shit when did that happen?
“It’s time,” she beams, “but if you need a minute or want to talk, we can. I’m always here for you, you know that, right? Ryk can wait another few minutes. We’ve got our whole life.” She moves to crouch in front of me, laying the white lilies beside me on the bed. She really does look perfect and I can’t help laughing a little, thinking of Ryker once he notices her sweetheart neckline.

“Nope. I’m all good, I promise. It’s just Matty being his amazing self again. Nothing I can’t handle.” She eyes the envelope, and me, skeptically.

“Okay, if you’re sure?”

“I am. More than. Now let’s go get your ass hitched before Testosterone Pete busts through the door looking for you.” We both laugh, knowing it’s a distinct possibility.

“I have to tell you, Kat, you really are beautiful and I’m so happy for you. I still can’t believe my bestie, my sister, is a real grown up. You’re gonna be a wifey!”

“I know. The strangest part is, I’m not even nervous at all. It just feels right.”

“That’s because it is.” I stand, giving her a long hug.

“Oh, and one last bit of advice from me to you,” I say. “You need to drive your hubby crazy tonight. Be sure to lean over like this in front of him as much as possible.” I imitate the position, shaking my tits. “Poor Ryk doesn’t stand a chance with you in that dress. I bet you’ll quickly find yourself bent over the nearest surface,” I laugh, raising my eyebrows.

“You bet, do you? I’m starting to think you’ve got a gambling problem.” Kat adjusts the front of her gown before taking the bouquet of lilies from my hand. I quickly fix her ballgown hem, puffing it all back out for her, before we exit the suite.

Claire

T
he outdoor garden
venue is beautiful. Each row is lined with family and friends, the scent of daisies and lilies permeates the air, and happiness hums from everyone’s excitement to see Ryker and Kat exchange their vows today.

On cue, we start to follow the cutest flower girl—Emmerson’s—lead. Her summer sky blue dress is adorable, even if the added bulk of her crinoline slows down the procession. Proudly, she makes her way down the grassy aisle leaving a trail of pink rose petals behind. Braunwyn, Kym and Brooke are next to follow in front of me, dressed in steel blue dresses similar to mine. Mr. Rollins waits behind us in the small greenhouse for his turn to escort and give away a glowing Kat, ready to share his little girl with the man of her dreams.

A pang of hurt flutters in my stomach as I take in the scene, and a tinge of jealousy hits my heart with nasty claws, for in that moment I think of my own dad. Of how happy he and my mom would have been on my wedding day. My eyes and nose start to sting thinking that this is something I’ll never experience with them in this lifetime. The thought guts me. I’ll never have the chance to have my daddy walk me down the aisle to meet the man he deems worthy of his little girl. Matt’s handsome face infiltrates my mind at my wishful thinking. Fighting back tears for the second time today, I shake the images from my head. Today is supposed to be a good day, no, an amazing day. And it’s Kat’s day.
Pull yourself together, Knox
,
today my bestie marries her other half.

Looking ahead to the beautifully decorated arbour covered with greenery and pink roses serving as the altar, my eyes land on Ryker. Holy cup of hotness, does he look good all cleaned up. He’s standing tall in his black tux, white vest and tie along with a matching white pocket square. His hair is styled perfectly,
he
looks perfect. The best thing about his appearance in this moment, however, is the huge shit-eating grin splaying across his lips as he impatiently shifts from foot to foot, lifting up on the balls of his feet like a little kid, trying his hardest to see past us. I can’t hide my smile at the sight of this man chomping at the bit to see his girl. I really couldn’t have picked a better man for my best friend.

I’m barely at the halfway mark when I hear Ryker’s voice boom over the music: “I’d really be okay if you all wanted to walk a bit faster. I’m losing my mind here.”

And with that, any tension I felt is gone.
God, he loves her
. It seems we all feel his pain, so to help end his suffering, we add a little extra giddy-up to our steps. I see Braun rushing ahead to meet a slow-moving Emmerson, who is dropping her petals one-by-one, taking her job as flower girl extremely seriously. Braunwyn helps her toss the last of her petals and speeds up the procession further when she guides her little girl to sit with Levi and Ryker’s mom, Pat, before making her way to the bride’s side in front of the altar.

Of course, the Eddison boys can never just be seen and not heard. Best man Levi’s low rumble to Braun—about her looking “smokin’”—doesn’t go as unheard as I think he’d intended.

After a few laughs, everyone falls silent, and we’re all finally in position.

I love weddings, especially watching the groom’s reaction to seeing the bride for the first time. I always keep my eyes to the front. I think it’s the best, getting to see the bride through his eyes, seeing his face taking her in for the first time. It’s an intimate moment, one I can’t help interloping on.

The music switches and “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes begins to play, signalling that Kat’s about to make her way from the greenhouse. I turn to ensure I get a good look at Ryker as everyone else looks down the path looking for the bride.

Preparing to watch Ryker, I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up in anticipation, but I never get the chance to see the look on his face because as soon as he sees his bride, Ryker bounds past us all, bolting his way up the aisle to
his
Kat.

Following this blatant display of Ryker being Ryker, my eyes happen to find Matty and I can’t look away. Grade A, mouth-watering—the English language has momentarily escaped me—sexy-as-fuck Matt. In. A. Fucking. Tux. Holy hell, is he gorgeous. His hair is shorter on the top than the last time I saw him, and the scruff is gone. In its place, he’s sporting a smooth look, one that I long to rub my face against to test its softness, its “how much do I like this look” factor. The black tux fits him like a second skin, pulling in all the right places, his steel blue tie hugging his toned neck, a neck I want to wrap my arms around while I thank him properly for the note. My eyes are locked on that neck, his Adam’s apple jumping hard, images of licking the shaved skin play in my mind as I continue to take him in as a complete package. The tux is a thing of perfection, really, offering subtle hints at the muscular physique that hides under its layers—layers I can see scattered over my bedroom floor.
Jesus, I need to get a grip…or a Wetnap!
He tilts his head and I catch a sexy grin gracing his face, and I realize I’ve literally been standing in the middle of Ryker and Kat’s wedding eye-fucking the shit out of Matt while not three feet away, Kat and Ryker are standing in front of the officiant ready to exchange their vows.
Gah, I am the worst friend ever!
I scoot over to Kat, giving her the ring, and taking her bouquet in return.

Glancing back at Matt, I give him my best “why didn’t you tell me to stop staring?” look. I see his eyes shine bright with mischief as he mouths, “I feel so violated. Eyes front, beautiful.” He winks and turns his attention back in the direction of Ryker and Kat.
Jerk.

“Everything okay?” Braun whispers quietly beside me.

“Yeah, great. Thanks.”

“So you know, my ovaries are thumping from the way he’s been watching you.”

“Who?” I try to pretend I have no idea what she’s talking about.

“You know exactly
who
I mean. The one still stealing glances.”

“Shhh.” I ignore her, focusing back to the altar.

I guess our silent exchange wasn’t as discreet as I thought.

I won’t look over.

Kat is saying: “In sickness and in health…”

I will not look over.

“You’re my other half…” I hear her say, and I smile.

And, dammit…I sneak a look over.

Braunwyn’s right, Matt is openly studying me, and the heat behind his eyes is exhilarating. I glare at him. “Stop,” I mouth, trying my best to be subtle, while I listen faintly to the Justice of the Peace give a lighthearted speech about cherishing, and so on.

“No. You’re stunning,” he mouths back (causing Levi to give him a wayward glance), before turning to listen to Kat.

“Ryker, you’re my Honeybutter and I can’t wait to spend my life with you. I will love you always, even when you drive me crazy with that over-the-top you-ness that I’ve come to love too darn much to imagine my life without…” She continues on, and once again I find my eyes seeking Matt, wondering what he’s thinking in this intimate moment between Kat and Ryker.

Matt’s stare remains heady when bouncing between me and our friends, his eyes changing colour the longer he keeps me in focus, a colour I recognize—that darker shade, the one that lets me know he wants me as much as I want him. It’s a look that causes a storm of want to churn in my stomach, my nipples to tighten against my dress, and a familiar wetness in my panties.

Diverting my eyes back to Kat and Ryker, I try to focus on the bride and groom—I need to focus on the bride and groom—or else I’ll be a moaning, begging pool of girlie wantonness pooling at the altar, the altar of Matt Bishop.

Unfortunately, Ryker’s words to Kat threaten to leave me a blubbering mess instead of the melting mass of desire I was becoming under my Matt trance. Unable to decide which is worse, I stand like the rest of the witnesses now, and watch with bated breath, my heart swelling as Ryker shows the congregation just how much of a swooning bastard he is when it comes to his Kat.