by Dylann Crush
forty-five
A bead of sweat formed on his upper lip. Bodie swabbed at it with the handkerchief Lacey’s dad had given him. He shouldn’t be nervous. This wasn’t real. It would all be over within the next eight to ten hours. It was like the play he did in fifth grade. He’d stand up on the stage, say his lines, and tomorrow he’d go back to normal life. Whatever the new normal was.
“You ready for this?” Jonah came into the room in a matching rented tux. With his dad and pops in jail, Bodie didn’t have anyone else to ask to be his best man. At least he wouldn’t have to stand out there alone, even if it was only Jonah at his side.
“Can’t wait.” Bodie tried to squash the anxiety blooming in his chest.
“It’s okay to be nervous, man. I puked ten minutes before Amelia walked down the aisle.” Jonah clapped him on the back.
“No shit?” For some reason that made Bodie feel just slightly better.
Jonah shook his head. “Yeah. But then I saw her coming toward me and everything faded away. It was like it was just her and me and we were the only two people in the world.”
“That’s beautiful, man.”
“You think so?” Jonah asked.
“Sure. You should put that in a love song or something.” Bodie cracked a grin.
“Don’t try giving me shit. I’ve seen the way you look at Lacey.”
Bodie’s stomach clenched. “Oh yeah, how’s that?”
“Like she’s it for you, dude. And you’re it for her.” Jonah adjusted his bow tie, winking at himself in the mirror.
More like she’s the sun and the stars and the moon all rolled into one, Bodie thought. But he didn’t say that. He hardly wanted to acknowledge those feelings to himself, much less let anyone else know what kind of fucked-up feelings he was having about his bride.
His bride.
He was marrying Lacey Cherish today. Even though it didn’t count, even though they were both pretending, a part of him couldn’t believe his good luck. Even though it would last only for an evening.
“Is she ready?” Bodie asked. Jonah had gone to check on things while he sweated it out, waiting for some signal that he should make his way to the garden.
“Just about.” Jonah fidgeted with Bodie’s tie. “And damn, she looks fine.”
“I’m sure she does,” Bodie said. He didn’t need Jonah to drive the point home. Lacey would have looked fine in a potato sack. She sure as hell looked fine in nothing at all. As he remembered the last time he’d had his hands on her, his pulse ticked up.
“I mean, really fine. Like if I weren’t already married, I’d give you a run for your money for her.”
Bodie swatted Jonah’s hands away. “Are you seriously telling me on my wedding day that you want to make a play for my almost-wife?”
“What? Nah. Just saying she looks fantastic. You’re going to be one lucky bastard later on tonight, know what I mean?”
Bodie closed his eyes for a beat, wishing for half a second that Luke was here with him, not this messed-up stand-in. When he got married for real, he’d want Luke by his side.
“You do know what I mean, right?” Jonah flung an elbow out, catching Bodie in the side.
“Yes,” Bodie ground out between clenched teeth. He didn’t need to be reminded of what ought to be happening on his wedding night. If this were a real wedding. And if Lacey were a real bride. And if he’d had the balls to tell her how he really felt. So many ifs.
Jojo knocked then cracked the door open a hair. “We’re ready for you, gentlemen.”
“Showtime.” Jonah clapped him on the back, having no idea just how accurate his words were.
Bodie moved down the hall, casting a long look at the closed door to the bridal dressing room. What was Lacey thinking right now? Knowing her, she’d probably processed through today’s events and was already making plans for how to handle it when the article came out. With a final glance at the door, he headed down the steps and out into the bright May afternoon.
* * *
* * *
Lacey straightened her veil. “Are you sure this looks okay?” she asked.
“You look absolutely stunning.” Zina stepped behind her, meeting her gaze in the mirror. “Bodie’s going to eat his heart out.”
Lacey let her eyes drift closed, imagining what it would feel like if she were about to walk down the aisle and marry Bodie Phillips for real.
“You sure you want to do this?” Zina asked.
Lacey’s eyes opened wide. “Of course. We’re in the homestretch now.”
“What about tomorrow?” Zina slid a hairpin behind Lacey’s ear, capturing an errant wave.
“Tomorrow’s a whole day away.”
Zina checked her watch. “Tomorrow’s less than ten hours away. What’s going to happen tomorrow when you wake up and realize you had the chance to tell Bodie how you really feel and missed it?”
“Don’t be silly. I’m not going to mess anything up right now by telling him how I really feel.”
“So you do love him?” Zina jumped, clapping her hands together.
“Love?” Lacey whirled around and gave her friend a teasing grin. “I’ve always loved Bodie. He’s like the extra brother I never wanted.”
“Honey, you can keep telling yourself that if you want, but I know the truth.” Zina pinched Lacey’s cheeks together. “You want to marry that man and make beautiful babies together. Admit it.”
“I will not.”
“If you don’t tell him, I will.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“You wanna bet?” Zina clamped her hands on her hips. Arguing with her was pointless—Lacey had learned that the hard way many times over.
“Not tonight. Tonight has to be perfect. Let’s just get through the ceremony and I promise I’ll talk to him about it.”
“Tomorrow?” Zina asked.
Lacey nodded. “Or the day after that.”
“Tomorrow or else I’m telling that man the truth.” Zina held out her hand.
“Fine.” Lacey took Zina’s hand in hers.
“Girl, your hands are like ice cubes. You’re going to give him the chills if you don’t warm up.” Zina rubbed Lacey’s hands between hers.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me today.”
“You’re in love with the man you’re about to marry.” Zina blew on their hands then rubbed even faster. “There’s nothing wrong with you.”
Lacey pondered that for a moment. She’d never come right out and admit it to Zina, but her friend was right. She did love Bodie. Loved him with a fierceness that scared the crap out of her. Everyone and everything she’d ever given her heart to had left her. She couldn’t bear to tell Bodie how she felt and have him walk away. Losing her mom had been tragic—no one saw it coming and there’d been no way to protect herself from going through the pain. But if she told Bodie she loved him and he didn’t say it back . . . well, she’d be setting herself up, risking her heart, her very soul. She wasn’t sure she could put herself through that. Definitely not today, maybe not ever.
Jojo knocked at the door. “They’re ready for you, Lacey.”
Zina squeezed her hands. “Let’s do this.”
“Okay.” Lacey nodded. She’d get through today and play tomorrow by ear. That’s the best she could do, the most Zina could ask of her.
forty-six
Bodie stood next to the wooden arbor, waiting for his first glimpse of Lacey. Shotgun waddled down the aisle, a heart-shaped pillow attached to her collar. The fake rings nestled in the middle, tied on with thin satin ribbons. Lacey had balked when he suggested they involve Shotgun in the wedding. She’d argued that the poor dog would probably be so uncomfortable by then she might not make it down the aisle. Then she’d almost had a heart attack when he wanted to tie the rings to the pillow. Luckily he’d realized she wa
s right. The giant fake diamond ring and the thin gold band that went along with it were safe and sound in Jonah’s front pocket.
Bodie patted his thigh and Shotgun plopped down next to him, letting out a blast of gas as her bum hit the ground. He stifled a laugh. Poor dog.
Zina came next, taking long confident strides down the aisle. The orange dress—coral, he reminded himself—looked fabulous against her tanned skin. She made it to the front of the aisle and gave him a wink before stepping to the side and turning around to wait for Lacey.
A trumpet sounded, a pair of mariachis began to shake. The band he’d found at the last minute down at Ortega’s Taqueria launched into a shaky rendition of “Here Comes the Bride.”
Zina gave him one of her looks. The kind that made him squirm. He lifted his shoulders in a slight shrug. The friend he thought he could count on for the music was playing a gig up in Fort Worth tonight. At least they had something.
The blood rushed to his head, making him feel slightly dizzy as he caught his first look at Lacey. Like an angel, she floated down the aisle. The dress, her mama’s dress, reached all the way to the ground and billowed out behind her. His gaze roamed over the dip at her waist, the obnoxious bouquet Suzy had created, then moved higher. Her smile dazzled him. Like looking right into the sun. She was so bright, so stunning, he had to look away before his emotions got the best of him.
After what seemed like eternity but also much too soon, she reached for him with one hand while she passed her flowers to Zina with the other. He took both of her hands in his and met her gaze. What he saw there was like looking at a reflection of himself. The fear, the uncertainty, it was right there in front of him. But more than that, he recognized love. A pure, shining love that flowed right through him, lighting him up inside until he felt like he could do anything as long as he had Lacey by his side.
The minister they’d found online leaned toward them. “You have the rings?” he whispered.
“Yes,” Bodie said. “Jonah’s got them.” He didn’t want to tear his eyes away from Lacey. Her smile told him she felt the same way. Once again, he wished he could pause time. Take a quick break to tell her he didn’t want to pretend anymore. He wanted to marry her for real if she’d have him.
But before he could, Shotgun rolled to her side with a groan. He glanced down. Jonah put a hand on his shoulder. “She’s fine, keep going.”
Bodie looked up again, his heart in his throat as his eyes met Lacey’s. Just looking at her hurt like hell.
The minister launched into the ceremony. “We’re gathered here today to celebrate the union of Bodie and Lacey as they declare their love before each other and all of you.”
Risking a quick look at the crowd, Bodie caught sight of Jay working the perimeter, snapping pictures with a giant camera. Samantha sat in the third row, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. Good. Lacey would get her pictures and the article that would hopefully catapult her new venture to success. Jojo and Helmut sat on Lacey’s side of the aisle. Lacey had asked Jojo to put her dad on video chat for the ceremony so he’d feel like he was part of it. Everyone who’d pitched in on the house renovation was there; their excitement and hope seemed to fill the air.
Then the mood shifted. Tension crackled through the crowd. Bodie tore his gaze away from Lacey’s as a shadow fell over them. He looked up, just in time to catch a fist. A fist that connected with his jaw, sending him crashing into the wooden arbor. The sound of splitting wood flooded his ears.
He turned toward the attacker, ready for a fight. Was it someone sent by Buck? Was this his way of getting revenge?
Lacey launched herself onto the man’s back. “Stop! Just stop.” Her hands slid from his forehead down to cover his eyes.
The man spun one way, then the other, trying to dislodge her. He stumbled through the butterfly garden they’d just planted, crushing the young plants under heavy boots. Military boots.
“Get off me, Lacey. I’ve got a score to settle and I don’t want you getting hurt.”
Luke. Bodie hadn’t seen his friend in years. The buzz cut threw him, but there was no denying the blond giant in front of him was Lacey’s brother.
“Let me explain,” Lacey shouted.
Luke grappled with her arms, trying to get a grip so he could slip her off his back. She slid to one side and he reached back, gently lowering her to the ground. She made a grab for his leg, trying to hold him back but it was too late.
Bodie stood his ground, his palms out in front of him. “I don’t want to fight. Let’s talk about this.”
“No talking necessary,” Luke growled. His fist connected with Bodie’s arm. Pain radiated out from where the punch landed.
Bodie scrambled up the steps to the house. “Cut it out. Give me a chance to explain.”
Luke flung the door open, sending it crashing into the plaster wall.
Bodie tried again. “It’s not what you think, man.”
“I think you took advantage of my sister.” Luke reached out, shoving Bodie against the buffet table. Chafing dishes went flying. Barbecue sauce splattered the curtains. A Sterno can landed on the carpet. The flame licked at the tablecloth.
Bodie stomped out the fire and backed toward the door. He needed to get Luke out of there before he ruined the whole place. “Stop. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Luke advanced, fury making his blue eyes burn bright. “I’m talking about you using her.”
“I’d never do that.” The fact Luke could even accuse him of something like that sparked a rage in his gut.
“Stop it, both of you.” Lacey hiked her dress up and climbed the steps to the porch. “You’re ruining everything. Luke, what are you doing here? You weren’t supposed to find out about this until it was over and Bodie and I had gone our separate ways.”
Bodie put a hand to his head. “Lacey, stop. You don’t have to do this.”
The look she gave him told him she didn’t believe him. She thought he was still playing his part. “It’s okay, Bodie. This is all my fault.”
“How’s it your fault?” Luke asked. “He’s the one who took advantage. He’s the one who knocked you up.”
“Knocked me up?” Lacey turned her anger on her brother, her voice rising. “Who on earth told you that? I made Bodie pretend to be engaged to me so we could get an article in a magazine to promote the wedding venue. No one’s knocked up. No one’s really getting married. It’s all fake.”
Bodie reached for her hand, his heart breaking for her, for him, for everything real that had happened between them. “Lacey, I do love you.”
She swatted his hand away. “Enough. It’s over.”
She didn’t believe him. Either that or she didn’t care. For her it had all been a means to an end. He’d underestimated her and her willingness to do whatever it would take to reach her goals. With a gaping hole in his chest where his heart had once beaten for her, he took one last look at the house then turned his back and walked away.
forty-seven
“It’s ruined. Everything is ruined and it’s all my fault.” Lacey sat on the grass next to Luke, wishing Bodie were there to hold her hand. But she’d gone and ruined that, too, and she couldn’t even find him to apologize. He’d rushed poor Shotgun to the vet. She’d gone into labor while Luke had been chasing Bodie around the grounds of the house, crushing everything in his path. At least the fire hadn’t spread. Bodie’s quick thinking had prevented any major damage to the house.
“I’m sorry.” Luke slung his arm around her.
She appreciated the effort but his hug lacked the comfort of Bodie’s. A new wave of tears threatened to overwhelm her. She’d probably never have another chance to feel Bodie’s arms around her. He told her he loved her. She’d waited her whole life to hear those words from him. And she blew him off, dismissed him like he’d offered her a piece of trash, not a piece of his heart
.
“Where did you ever get the idea I was pregnant?” Lacey flipped around to look at her brother. Despite the circumstances, it was good to see him.
Luke sighed. “It was an e-mail from Adeline. She said you and Bodie had been messing around and she overheard you saying you were pregnant. I couldn’t believe it. But then she said you were getting married this weekend so I put in for emergency leave. I didn’t want you to make a mistake.”
“Adeline.” Lacey’s hands clenched into fists. “She was jealous because the reporter decided to cover my wedding in the magazine instead of hers. And she’s probably still mad at me for getting arrested during her bachelorette party and ruining her weekend.”
“What?” Luke eyed her from under the brim of his cap.
“Long story. Bottom line is, she’ll go to any lengths to get what she wants.”
Luke scoffed. “Sounds like someone else I know.”
That truth hit a little too close to home. “I’m like that, too, aren’t I? No wonder I scared Bodie away.”
She let that thought settle over her, suffocating her, making it almost impossible to breathe.
“There you are.” Samantha stopped in front of her, somehow untouched by the fight and the chaos that had taken its toll on everyone else. “I’m sure you realize we can’t feature the wedding in Texas Times next month.”
Lacey nodded. “I understand. I’m sorry I lied about the wedding.”
Samantha planted a hand on her hip. “I don’t know why you felt like you had to. This place is magical. You don’t need the media coverage to make it into a success.”
Jay grimaced and offered a pseudo salute. Lacey lifted her hand in a wave as they picked their way through the remains of her wedding day, heading toward the parking lot.
