And he did. He was wearing a dark suit with a powder blue button-down shirt underneath his jacket, no tie, which I thought was fitting considering the wedding itself seemed less formal than some.
“Are you sure I should be sitting here Luke?” I asked nervously.
He frowned. “Why wouldn’t you?”
“It seems like everyone sitting up here is family and I’m obviously not.”
“You are family Lanie.” His gaze was intense when he stared into my eyes. “To me and everyone else.”
I lowered my gaze and whispered. “Not everyone.”
He leaned in, his voice equally soft, his breath minty, his cologne spicy and subtle. “No, you’re right, to someone else you’re even more.”
My eyes snapped back to his, confusion clear on my face, as a hush fell over the crowd around me.
I looked across Luke’s body and smiled at Anna who was watching us, curiosity clear in her expression, an empty seat beside her, I was assuming for Jack. I laid my hand on Luke’s arm and leaned past him to watch Mia and Lexi walking down the aisle with Bray sandwiched between them carrying a small pillow. The girls’ red dresses fell to their knees, and the flowers they were tossing were more red rose petals. Braydon’s gaze remained on the front and my eyes followed his line of sight landing on Jax and Brody who were standing side by side, so incredibly handsome in their black suits and white button-down collared shirt underneath.
Almost as soon as the children made it to the front, the wedding march started and we all stood, watching what was surely one of the most beautiful brides to ever walk down the aisle. Gia’s dress was a simple white satin gown, with long sleeves, a ring of pearls around the top close to her throat and a wide ring around her waist. She had her long dark hair down with only the sides pulled back and pearls weaved throughout. The red roses she carried were dark against the white of her gown, but somehow perfect. It all looked absolutely perfect. Jack walked her down the aisle looking extremely handsome and so much like his son’s, it was unbelievable. I could see Jake and all his brother’s in Jack’s features.
I turned back with the crowd to face the front after Jack and Gia passed me, my eyes on Brody who was looking at Gia like she was the only thing he could see. I couldn’t imagine a love like their’s, it must feel like the whole world is at your feet. Jack and Anna have that and it’s apparent they always have.
The ceremony had only just begun when I felt people beside me moving around, but I was too invested in what was before me to even look to my side. I hadn’t realized my hand was still on Luke’s arm or that I was leaning into him until he lifted his arm and threw it around my shoulders. I felt my cheeks getting hot from embarrassment that I’d been holding onto him like that, but Luke only squeezed my shoulder with his hand and pulled me in closer to his side.
A growl came from the other side of me and my head snapped that way only to find Jake sitting in the seat and glaring over my head at the side of Luke’s face. I felt Luke turn his head that way and the two apparently speaking to one another without words, my eyes going back and forth between them.
“Wanie!” My eyes widened, my attention swinging from the two large men on either side of me glaring at each other to the little boy standing between Brody and Jax, staring at me.
I saw Anna lean forward and put her finger to her lips to shush him kindly, but he wasn’t having it. “Wanie! I hab a wing.”
I smiled at him and repeated the gesture Anna had done, but he only waved at me. Beside me Luke’s body was shaking with laughter, Jake leaned forward, rubbing his hand along his forehead, his shoulders shaking with laughter.
“Shhh.” I hissed to both of them.
“Wanie, I sit wif you?”
Bray started walking my way, but I shook my head no, meaning he needed to stay there because he was in the wedding. He stopped, the whole congregation and wedding party, including Gia and Brody were focused on Bray and consequently me, everyone it seemed having trouble containing their amusement.
Brays bottom lip trembled, his eyes filling with tears and I realized he thought I didn’t want him to sit with me. I had no idea what I was supposed to do until Gia nodded and winked at me, leaned down to whisper in Bray’s ear, whose eyes widened before he set his pillow down and came running over, moving past Luke to stand in front of me.
I put out my arms to wrap around him while he crawled into my lap, leaning close and whispering loudly. “It’s otay. You no git in twuble.”
I smiled and hugged him close to me, snuggling my face into his neck until he giggled before I said. “I’m so glad you came to sit with me.”
He smiled, putting his cheek next to mine, leaning into me deeply, facing forward, seemingly ready to watch.
“Okay,” the priest said, “I think we can continue now.”
The congregation laughed and Braydon and I sat just like that, with his dad on one side, Luke on the other, and unknown to all of us, his mom watched from the back, standing just in the shadows to the side of the house while Gia and Brody exchanged vows.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
JAKE
Watching my brother marry the woman made only for him proved that love can find a way to conquer all. They hadn’t even known each other’s names, but still found one another and held on tight to endure the bumpy ride that was before them. I listened to Brody recite the vows being said and leaned in closer to Lanie. I shouldn’t have come to sit by her, but I couldn’t help myself when I saw her sitting next to Luke, his arm slung across her shoulders. I knew he wasn’t doing that because he was interested in her, actually they seemed to develop a more brother, sister relationship, but it still annoyed the hell out of me that he was able to be that close.
I leaned closer until my arm rested against hers and I looked to my side to see her, cuddling my son. I’d waited until he made it up the aisle to make my way up to this row and then had to shove some of my cousins out of their seats to get the spot I wanted, but it was worth it. She looked amazing and smelled so fucking good, I wanted to bury my face in her neck to memorize her scent, to be able to keep it with me always. I was actually jealous of my son, which was ridiculous, but watching him, his face pressed closed to hers, her smiling and talking in his ear, all the things I’d been missing; and I do miss her, so much, she’s the only thing I can think about.
Not bringing Julie here today was essential for a lot of reasons, but mainly because I didn’t want Bray to see us together. He still hasn’t asked about her and she hasn’t even asked about him, confirming all the shit she was pulling was only to get to me. She’d heard about the wedding and asked, but I told her I wanted to keep us just for us right now, to get us in a good place before bringing my family into the mix. Seeing that she never really liked my family, she readily agreed.
Luke’s arm had moved from around Lanie’s shoulders when Bray came to sit on her lap, but I also think he knew I was going to lose my mind over that, which is ridiculous considering I’ve never felt any type of jealousy regarding any woman in my entire life.
I jerked out of my thoughts when I heard Brody’s and Gia’s names announced as married, causing everyone to stand and clap while they made their way down the aisle. Brody’s arms were wrapped tight around her and he was whispering in her ear, her face a bright red and I chuckled, able to guess what he was saying to make that happen.
“What a beautiful wedding.” Lanie sighed.
Luke nodded, turning to face her and ruffled Bray’s hair, who had locked himself tight to Lanie. Yep jealous, how fucking pathetic. “You going to save a dance for me later?”
She smiled, but didn’t really answer. I leaned down until my mouth was next to her ear. “Will you save one for me?”
I felt her body stiffen, mine was that close, before she turned her head to look at me. I wanted her to say something, needed her to actually, even if it was nasty or she was yelling, but her eyes only ran over me before she turned back to Luke and excused herself.
We
both watched her walk down the aisle towards Sydney and Lucy who were talking to mom.
Luke’s hand landed on my shoulder and he squeezed. “I’m sorry brother, I know this is hard for you.”
“You have no idea.”
He shook his head. “You’re right, I don’t, but I’m watching it and it fucking kills me to know that you’re doing this for me, hurting both of you to help me.”
“I’m doing this to help all of us. I have no chance with Lanie if I can’t get Julie out of my life.”
Luke turned his head to look back at Lanie. “What about Braydon?”
I ran my palm across my forehead. “He never asks about Julie. I have no clue what I’m supposed to do with that. On the other hand, he asks for Lanie all the time.”
Luke swung his head back in my direction. “You want my opinion?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
“Trust your kids’ instincts. He knows who he trusts, who makes him feel safe, who loves him.”
He put his hand up on my shoulder and squeezed before walking down the aisle to catch up to Cam and Chris. I walked out as well, watching Cole head my way with two bottles of beer in his hands. I met him halfway, happy to be spending time with my cousin again, not knowing I’d been missing him until he ended up back in my life.
I drifted through the rest of the reception giving Lanie the space from me I knew she needed, but my attention was never too far from her or Bray. He stayed with her almost the entire time, even sitting beside her to eat dinner, with me placing myself on his other side. I’ll give her credit she’s good at ignoring someone she doesn’t want to interact with, but what she doesn’t seem to understand was that only made me more motivated to get her attention.
It wasn’t until after dinner, long after I’d taken Bray into my parent’s house, tucking him into bed right beside Lexi, knowing he wasn’t going to make it any longer, that I had my chance to really get her attention. To get her close enough that she couldn’t ignore me any longer.
“Can I cut in?” I grinned at Luke who’d watched me make my way towards them while they danced. He turned Lanie until she fell right into the circle my arms made.
I pulled her close, her body stiff, her eyes scanning the crowd, but never landing on me.
“Lanie.” I whispered, putting my mouth next to her ear.
Her breath hitched, her hands tightening against my shoulders, but she still wouldn’t give into what I wanted, what I knew she wanted. I ran my hand up her back, resting my palm between her shoulder blades, pushing my face closer to rest my forehead against hers. I was being a dick right now, taking advantage, and I wasn’t proud of it, but I knew Lanie would never want to make a scene so she’d stay, dance with me and listen.
“I don’t want to dance with you Jake.” Her voice cracked, the only sign she was feeling any emotion let alone as much as I was.
I rubbed my hand between her shoulder blades before running it up to play with the ends of her hair. “Yes, you do and I know that pisses you off.”
She moved her head side-to-side, but never moved it away from where it lay against mine. “No, I actually don’t. I don’t want to anything to do with you.”
My hands ran back down to land on her waist and they squeezed. “That’s not true.” I yanked her body in to mine, pressing her tight against my hard cock, straining to get closer to her.
She shivered at the closeness, and I saw the red tinges in her cheeks. “Where’s your girlfriend?”
I gritted my teeth, recognizing the anger and hurt in her voice, my hands running down over the silky fabric lying over her hips. “I don’t have a fucking girlfriend.”
The song ended and she let out a breath of relief, pulling out of my arms and moving quickly across the dance floor, towards the house. I followed right behind her, winding through people, ignoring hands on my arms, trying to stop me to talk until I came to one I couldn’t ignore.
Dad swung his arm around my shoulders. “Jake, there you are.” He squeezed his arm tight against my shoulders. I clenched my jaw, needing to find a way out of this family moment. “Tell Uncle Joe about the project you and Ben are working on.” He patted my chest with his other hand. “It’s unbelievable what they’ve been able to do.”
“I didn’t do anything Pop, it was all Ben. All I do is build.”
Damn, I’d completely lost track of Lanie when she disappeared around the side of her house. What if she was planning to leave? Fuck, I needed to get out of this conversation.
“That’s a damn big part of it Jake,” Uncle Joe said, and I glanced his way. God, he looked like my dad, acted just like him too, that made it harder to blow him off right now. I deflated, realizing I was stuck until I spotted my saving grace heading my way, just in time.
“Ben, “I called out, motioning him over to where we stood. He and Cole, who’d he’d been walking with, came the rest of the way to stand in front of our little group. “Dad wants you to tell Uncle Joe how you managed to secure the project we’re working on.”
Ben raised his eyebrows, but grinned. We were close enough that he knew I was doing whatever I could to escape. Cole was staring at his shoes, a smile playing around his lips. “Sure thing Jake, no problem.” I started to move away when he grabbed my arm and leaned in. “She’s around the side of the house.”
Cole snorted losing the ability to contain his laughter and I grinned despite myself. I punched him in the shoulder as I passed, but he only laughed harder. I really did miss that guy. I quickly made my way around the side of the house, looking all over, disappointed when I didn’t see her. I started back around when I caught a flash of blond hair in the darkness walking around the garage. I moved quickly, hoping it was her, but it was hard to tell in the darkness on this side of the house.
She was leaning with her back against the house, her eyes closed, hands flat to the house. I wanted to walk quietly to wrap my arms around her before she could fight me, but I had a feeling I was taking my life in my own hands if I did that, remembering when she punched me in the jaw in the shower.
“Lanie.” I called out.
She turned her head slowly, only her head, focusing her eyes on me while I walked to her. She looked sad, almost defeated and guilt overwhelmed me. “What do you want now, Jake?”
‘You,’ was the only thought in my mind, but I didn’t think she’d appreciate that quite yet, so I held my tongue. I stood in front of her, jamming my hands in my pockets to keep from touching her.
She shivered when a cool breeze blew, lifting her skirt until it fluttered in the wind. “Are you cold?”
She tilted her head to look at the ground, her voice small when she answered. “I’m fine.”
I couldn’t help myself, I pulled my hands from my pockets and ran them up her arms edging closer to her body. “Lanie, I…”
She put her hand up in between us. “Don’t Jake. It doesn’t matter.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Of course it matters.”
She huffed out a breath. “No, it doesn’t Jake. What we had was fun while it lasted and I know you’re a nice guy who feels bad and wants to make things right, but I don’t need that.”
I moved closer, my body brushing up against hers. “Is that what you really think?”
“That’s what I know.”
I ran my hand around her neck, settling at the back. “You’re wrong.”
She smiled sadly, but looked down again, not commenting. I couldn’t let her think she was just something fun I wanted to do, she was never that. I pulled her head closer to mine forcing her face to lift, close enough to mine to feel her breath waft along my lips.
“You’re wrong Lanie.” I whispered, but she averted her eyes.
I fucking sucked at this. I had no idea what to say to her without telling her the truth and I couldn’t do that without putting people in danger, her included.
“Lanie.” I whispered again, pressing my lips to hers and rubbing across them softly. She let me, even going as far as opening her mou
th so I could slide my tongue in alongside hers before she jerked her body back from mine.
“Stop it Jake.” Her breath was coming in small pants.
I tightened my hand at her waist when she started to move away. “Lanie just listen for a minute…”
I started but she yanked her body away, stopping me. “No. I don’t want to hear any more of your lies Jake. I don’t know why you keep doing this to me, what kind of sick pleasure you get from knowing you can get to me, but I don’t want you.”
I narrowed my eyes, wrapped my arms around her waist and yanked her to me. “Now who’s lying Lanie?”
She shoved against my chest. “I’m not lying Jake. I don’t want you.”
I walked her back until she was pressed up against the side of the house again. “Then prove it.”
She looked confused. “What?”
“Prove it Lanie.” I reaching up and pushed my hand in under her hair, pulling her head until her lips were against mine. “Stop me.”
The kiss was not gentle and I wondered if I’d gone too far, but when she latched on to my shoulders and moaned, slamming her body into mine, I knew she needed this as much as I did. It became a contest of wills, who would break first, but in the end, it didn’t matter. It was raw and angry, a kiss that had to be bruising her lips, but neither one of us would let up. I moved my hand not tangled in her hair up her body encircling her breast. Her hard nipple poked the palm of my hand and I yanked her dress down exposing the cup of her bra. She groaned when I pulled that down and dropped my head wrapping my lips around her nipple, biting and sucking while she bucked against me. I reached up and pulled the other side of her dress down, moving over to lick and suck her breast, her fingernails dug hard into my scalp, pressing my head close, holding it in place.
I reached my hand down and shoved it up under her dress, my fingers immediately finding her panties wet and I groaned ripping my lips from her breast, pressing them once again to her lips.
“Jake.” She panted against my mouth.
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