Scorched (The Frenemy Series Book 4)

by Kate Benson

  As Evie places her hand into his, he gets his first up close look at her and for what might be the first time in our lives, Dash is stunned speechless.

  Hell – I just saw her twenty minutes ago and so am I.

  Eve, my kid sister, my first best friend, is stunning, an absolutely beautiful bride, but then I always knew she would be.

  After months of planning – hell, maybe even longer than that – the ceremony flies by us in a blur. While their ceremony is somewhat traditional, they wouldn’t be them if they hadn’t thrown in their own flair.

  “I promise to always embrace your wild and to keep my crazy,” she whispers. “That when it comes to us, to always have faith and always be obsessed with only you.”

  “I promise to never let a day pass without appreciating how smart, beautiful and talented you are – the full package,” he smiles, making her tear up all over again. “To let you drive Sue, and to never stop buying you mangoes.”

  When I give Dash the wedding band I’d been guarding with my life all week, I can’t help but clear my throat, my heart clenching deep when I glance over to find Alex sobbing quietly.

  “By the power invested me by the great state of Texas,” Amy smiles through tears of her own, pulling our eyes back to them. “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

  “Get over here, princess,” he smiles wide and she grips his lapels.

  And as she beams through her tears, she reaches onto her toes to meet him and whispers, “Kiss me, Dash.”

  chapter twenty-six

  alex

  I’ve barely managed to make it back to the end of the aisle before I’m pulling away from Mason and rushing past the cake table.

  “Hey,” he starts, gently grabbing my elbow and turning my body to face him. “Are you o-?”

  “I have to pee,” I lie, backing away from him and pushing out a deep breath in an effort to fend off this pesky breakdown.

  He doesn’t say anything in response. Instead, I’m met with his slow nod and hazel eyes softening – all the confirmation I need to know it’s obvious I’m full of shit.

  I smile and nod my way toward the back of the elaborately decorated rooftop, the low twinkle of candlelight just enough camouflage to get me to a secluded corner unnoticed.

  “Oh, my God,” I whisper, pacing slowly behind one of the huge wooden beams. “How the hell did this happen?”

  I slowly come to a stop, fanning myself as I blow out a deep breath and my fingertips fall on my temples. I rub slow circles there, trying my best to calm my nerves, my racing thoughts. Though it eventually comes, it’s much slower than I’d like and by the time my breathing begins to even out, the emcee is tapping the mic, officially announcing Mr. and Mrs. Dash Hunter into the reception.

  I know I have to pull myself together, take the emotions swirling inside my chest and push them away once and for all. Yet as I take a step out from behind the beam, trying my best to support my friend as best I can from here, I see him, his lips spread out into a wide beam as he cheers for them, welcoming them with the others.

  He glances over and finds my gaze, holds it, takes it. All at once, it feels like the entire universe is suspended, stopping only for a moment – stopping only for us. I watch him turn, ready to move toward me, and I force my eyes away from him, that feeling inside my chest compounding as I slip back into the safety of shadows.

  I realize I’m being childish. I also realize that there’s nothing I can do to push the emotions I’m feeling away, but I’ve seen the ending to this jacked up fairytale more times than I’m willing to admit and I know exactly how it ends.

  Despite the whirlwind, I’m not sure I’ll survive enduring the scorched wings of the inevitable crash that’s coming.

  Not this time.

  Not with Mason.

  I pushed through it every time before, but it never felt like this before.

  I don’t know how to push through this.

  I feel my chest begin to clench with the impending dread of what it will feel like to walk away from him. For the first time, it’s not the option I want to take, but because of that – maybe in spite of it – that makes it all the more clear why that’s exactly what I need to do.

  I’m used to the hurt that comes with heartache, but this feels like it’s bound to slash me so much deeper. This feels like the earth will shatter beneath my feet and swallow me whole by morning.

  “How did you let this happen, Alex?” I manage low, my hand moving to my chest, the ache there impossible to ignore. “How the fuck could you let yourself fall in love with him?”

  mason

  “I don’t know how to tell you this gently, so I’m just gonna say it,” I start as I come to a stop on the other side of the beam, still facing the party as her breathing begins to hitch. “You look like a total fucking creeper standing back there, babe.”

  A short, breathy trill of nervous laughter slips from her lips and I feel my lips begin to turn up slightly on either side.

  “Good to know,” she says, her voice breaking slightly. “That’s totally the vibe I was going for.”

  “Well, you’re nailing it, sugar,” I tease, braving a glance around the side of the beam, hoping to find her eyes, but instead, I’m met with a peek of her shoulder and dark hair, her eyes still focused on the city coming to life beyond the rooftop. “I’m not trying to intrude on whatever weird shit you’ve got going on back here. If you need some time alone, I get it,” I offer with a shrug. “But it’s almost time for the first dance. I kind of need you out there, or I’m going to look like a mental patient.”

  “Okay,” she replies, the sound of her low, cleansing breath slipping out into the night nearly invisible before she steps out and comes to a slow stop beside me.

  “You alright?” I ask, silently willing her eyes to mine. I’d told myself this morning, before that if I’m honest, that if things were still going the way they were, I’d talk to Alex tonight. I’d planned to lay it all out at her feet and tell her how I feel, take the plunge and see if she feels the same way. I’d told myself even as recently as when I started walking over here that I would still do that. Instead, when I’m met with a slow nod, I lose my nerve. “You want me to get you a drink?”

  “No, thanks,” she says quietly, clearing her throat. “I might in a minute, but…” she trails off. “If I’m going to get through this, I think I need a clear head. For now, at least.”

  I think on her words for a minute, but when I’m not sure what to make of them, I shrug it off and reach for her hand.

  “Okay,” I say as she gives my palm a gentle squeeze and quickly pulls away.

  “We’d better get out there. Your sister will be upset if we’re late,” she manages, clearing her throat once more before her eyes finally fall on mine. I expect to see anxiety, her stage fright from earlier make another appearance, but that’s not what I see in her eyes at all. This time, she seems sad, defeated, tired. “Come on. There’s no sense it dragging it out.”

  I watch her swallow hard as I reply with a nod. Before I can say anything else, drum up another round of nerve to say what I want to say, she makes her way toward the center of the small crowd and leaves me in the darkness.

  alex

  I’d hoped by the time I made it out to the dance floor, the twinkly lights and the pop of flash coming from the two dozen cameras surrounding us would be enough of a distraction to get me through three minutes. Unfortunately, now that I know what’s been staring me in the face for the last few days, nothing is strong enough to distract me from Mason.

  One of his hands cradles mine close to his chest, the other rests gently on my waist. He holds me close, slowly swaying, his hot breath washing over my skin only amplifying the low thrum of our hearts beating so hard, it’s almost enough to drown out the music in the background.

  I can feel his eyes on me, studying me, willing me to say something – anything – but right now, all I can focus on is holding myself steady enough to not lose myself altogeth
er. I know I have to speak, say something to him, but everything else seems so mundane, so trivial, I don’t know where to begin, so I grasp at the first straw I can think of.

  “The wedding was gorg-”

  “I think we need to talk to my sister in the morning at breakfast,” he cuts me off, his eyes holding firm as I move my gaze to his. “It’s obvious that this – whatever this is – is more than just a thing that happened. I think we both know that.” He waits for a reply, but despite my best efforts, all I can manage is a slow nod. “Now that all this is over, she’s not going to care,” he continues, glancing over to find her swirling around Dash like a fairy, both of their eyes filled with more adoration a broken girl like me can even comprehend. “Hell, she’ll probably be thrilled. She just needed this week to focus on the wedding,” he continues. “We’ll fill her in tomorrow morning before they head to the airport.”

  I peer up at him, biting my lip as I give him an almost imperceivable nod and clear my throat, digging up courage I’m not sure is even there.

  “That’s an awful big bombshell to lay on someone right before they get on a plane,” I laugh nervously. “Do you think we really need to do all that?”

  “What do you mean?” he asks, his brows shifting slightly as he glances down at me, his movement slowing. “I thought that was the plan all week?”

  “Well, I mean, not all week,” I shrug. “Maybe the last couple of days, but we didn’t even really get a chance to talk to each other about it.”

  This time, his movement stops almost altogether.

  “What is there to talk about?” he asks bluntly as he holds my eyes. “I feel like things are pretty obvious.”

  “I don’t know,” I shrug again, releasing a sigh when his features shift in disbelief. “I’m just saying Dash has brought it up, you’ve brought it up, Amy brought it up, but no one ever talked to me about it or asked me what I wanted.”

  His grip begins to loosen.

  “Okay,” he sighs, biting his lip as he glances away for a split second, only to bring his hazel eyes back to mine. “Well, consider this me officially asking you. How do you feel about this and what do you want to do after tonight?” he asks, both of us awkwardly standing in the middle of a now crowded dance floor, staring into each other. “Your call right now, babe. Do you want to tell Evie and see where this goes? Or should we just keep the whole thing between us and call it?”

  My eyes move from his and focus cowardly on the way the low light shimmers off the silver clip on his tie. I know I need to say something, but the words don’t come.

  Eventually, he pulls away completely.

  “Okay,” he whispers, clearing his throat. “Alright.”

  “Mason, it’s not -”

  “Hmm,” he hums, his features holding a slight tinge of amusement as he shakes my head. “Don’t do that.”

  “I’m not-”

  “Yeah, you are,” he cuts me off again, taking a half step back. “And if that’s what you feel like you need to do, then that’s fine, but don’t bullshit me, Alex.”

  “I’m not bullshitting you,” I shake my head, my chest pounding with regret, my eyes stinging with tears. “How can I be bullshitting you if you won’t even let me say anything?”

  “Oh, you said plenty,” he chuckles, though the sound holds no joy. “I got the message loud and clear.”

  “I’m not doing this,” I say bluntly, shaking my head. “You’re being a child.”

  I turn to walk away, trying my best to go unnoticed as I slip between the couples still dancing, oblivious to what’s happening only a few feet away. I can see the edge of the dance floor and I slip my hand into my purse, the feel of my car keys bite against my palm as I grasp them.

  “Yeah? Maybe that’s true,” he replies, how voice loud and blunt enough to cut through the crowd. “But at least I’m not acting like a coward.”

  My heart sinks to my feet, the feel of sweat slowly draping over my ass a new reality as two dozen sets of eyes fall directly on us, a small path clearing between where he and I are both frozen.

  This is my nightmare.

  I spin on my heels and meet his eyes, the feel of my cheeks burning in humiliation singeing me to my core as I take a half step forward.

  “Mason,” I hiss. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Calling you out,” he replies, squaring his shoulders as he takes another step toward me. “You’re full of shit.”

  “Stop it,” I insist, my eyes darting around us. “Seriously, Mason. This is not the place for you to-”

  “What’s going on?” Evie asks, her voice making my eyes slowly drift shut before I force them open to face her.

  “Oh, my God,” I groan quietly, my eyes moving between her and Dash as they come to the edge of the circle that’s formed around us. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s fine,” Dash waves me off, reaching for Evie. “Baby, why don’t you come with me?”

  “Where the hell do you think we’re going to go, Dash?” she asks, throwing her arms out. “We’re at our wedding.”

  “Exactly,” he says, glaring at Mason. “And I know your brother would never intentionally show his ass in the middle of our wedding,” he grounds out, shaking his head. “I’m kicking your ass,” he whispers harshly toward Mason. “I told you to deal with this shit tomorrow.”

  “Deal with what?” Evie asks, glancing over at me. “What the hell is going on with you two?”

  “Pussycat-”

  “If you wanted a wife who keeps her mouth shut and doesn’t get in the middle of other people’s bullshit, then maybe you should have married better,” she rolls her eyes at him before she turns to face me and Mason. “Is this because you two are sleeping together? Is that why you’re interrupting my reception?” Mason and Dash’s eyes both go wide as I begin to stammer aimlessly, my face so crimson, I’m sure I’m about to burst into flames. “What? You didn’t think I knew about that?” she smirks, shaking her head. “Please. Do you lightweights have any idea who you’re dealing with?” she laughs, pointing at herself before she glances toward her brother. “I knew about that before this one ever started losing her jewelry. Why the hell do you think I’ve been screwing with you two all week?” she snorts, her eyes moving between us for a moment before she releases a long, low sigh. “Listen, I don’t care what you’re doing. I don’t care if you hop the next flight to Vegas or you claw each others eyes out in the parking lot, but you just crashed the wrong girls party,” she continues, taking a step closer to us both. Her eyes go slightly wide, her lips turning up into a saccharin sweet smile. “This?” she continues, gesturing around us at our elaborate surroundings. “This is my day. Get your shit together or so help me Jesus, I will make your lives hell until we’re all dead,” she promises as she moves her eyes to Mason’s. “You’re buying me a better gift,” she insists. “I love you both. Get out of my face.”

  chapter twenty-seven

  mason

  I’d love to tell you there was some magical fairytale ending for me and Alex at the end of Dash and Evie’s wedding. That we laughed it off next or even that we ended up back in that same hallway, finally saying all the shit we had all week to say and never did.

  The truth of it is, though, by the time I stopped pacing the same dark corner I’d found her in just before shit hit the proverbial fan, she’d already said her goodnights to everyone but me, got in her car and headed back home.

  The truth is, I’ve been blowing up her phone all week, but by the time Thursday night rolls around, I still haven’t heard a word.

  I’d also love to tell you that I don’t know why she’s so pissed off at me that she won’t pick up, but that’d be a lie, too.

  I still believe I was right about all the things I said. That Alex was running scared, blowing off the week we’d shared along with all the feelings that came with it out of fear. I don’t think I was wrong about any of that by a long shot. However, me showing my ass in the middle of my sister’s wedding whe
n I said them to her?

  Yeah, I can see why she’d be pretty pissed about that.

  I’m also not surprised when Dash and Evie are still a little peeved when I pick them up at the airport.

  “Still nothing?” Dash asks from the backseat beside Evie and I shake my head.

  “Not a single word, man.”

  “Well, I’d probably be too annoyed to talk to you five days after you made an ass of yourself in the middle of my best friend’s wedding, too,” Evie replies, her voice holding a familiar saccharine sweet hint of sarcasm.

  “Guys, I said I was sorry,” I offer, meeting her glare and his eye roll in my rearview. “I know what I did was messed up, but surely you can’t still be peeved abo-”

  “It was our wedding, Mason,” Evie cuts me short. “The one and only wedding day I’m ever going to have,” Evie cuts me short. “You could’ve acted like an idiot literally any other day of the whole year,” she continues, her voice making an elaborate twirl for the benefit of simply proving her own point. “And I would’ve stood by you because you’re my brother and I love you and that’s just what you do, but you picked the single day-”

  “Save for our children’s birthdays,” Dash interjects with a snort. “I’m sure she’s assuming that’s a given.”

  “Those kids are gonna have like a million birthdays, Dash. This was one freaking day!” she rails, making him laugh. “Mase, I love you and I forgive you and I know you were obviously going through some kind of internal meltdown, but just for the sake of saving time, always assume I’m still peeved.”

  “Fair enough,” I offer, pulling out onto the highway and heading back towards their place. “You guys ready to go home? Need me to stop anywhere?”

  “No,” Evie shakes her head. “I’m hungry, but I want my babies. I’m sure they’re all in bed by now, but I won’t feel settled until I can see them.”

  “Okay,” I reply, smiling gently at her words.