by Codi Gary
“Are we going to have a problem, Punk?” Luke joked.
Butters hopped up and came up along his side. Luke stroked a hand over his ears and back, the soft fur tickling his palm.
“Ah, I’m just kidding. I know you didn’t mean to hurt me.”
“Of course he didn’t,” Marley said as she came back into the room. “He was probably just trying to get to the other side and you were in the way.”
“Cool, so I’m a bunny obstacle course. Good to know.”
She climbed up behind him with a first-aid kit in her hand. “It’s just a few little scratches. Stop being a whiner.”
“Geez, and you talk about my bedside manner.”
He heard a paper package rip open before a cold, wet wipe ran over his back.
And then it started to burn.
“Ow, ow, dammit woman, are you using alcohol on me?”
“I am disinfecting the wound. Chill out.” She blew over the alcohol, soothing the sting a bit. “Better?”
He grunted in response. She rubbed something slick on his skin, and he felt the tape of a band aid before she swung around to straddle his lap. “There. All better.”
He slipped his arms around her waist, pretending concern. “So I’m gonna be okay, doc?”
“Hmm, you might need bed rest, but I think you’ll pull through.”
She kissed him, and he couldn’t believe how lucky he was. There was something about Marley and him that just worked. If they could just get beyond the shit she was keeping from him, he knew they could be something special.
If only he could convince her to really trust him.
Chapter 20
The day of Sonora and Brent’s wedding was scorching by nine in the morning. This did not help the mood of the bride, who had been biting people’s heads off for hours. It was almost four and they’d just finished pictures, for which Marley was thankful. The last thing she wanted was a photograph of her on top of Sonora, choking her out.
Since their phone conversation, Marley had been trying to concentrate on making it through every task Sonora asked of her. Picking up the wedding favors at UPS an hour away when Sonora wasn’t around to sign for them. Grabbing Sonora’s honeymoon outfit from the drycleaners because she didn’t have time. All week she’d run her errands and taken her insults and kept a button on her emotions.
Today though, it was 105 degrees outside, she was wearing powder pink itchy taffeta, and the sound of Sonora’s bitching was grating on her one last nerve.
“God, it is so fucking hot, I’m melting,” Sonora screeched. “Someone turn on the fan.” When Emma, one of her other bridesmaids did, she jumped up from the bridal vanity. “Don’t turn it on me or my hair will be ruined.”
Marley could tell the other women were frazzled and felt their pain. Times ten.
“Are you stepping on my dress, you drunk hippo?” Sonora stood up from the vanity, and whirled on poor Fiona. “If there is a footprint on my one of a kind Vera Wang, I will personally take that ginormous size nine heel of yours and shove it up your—”
“Okay, that’s enough!” Marley shouted.
All the bridesmaids swung around to stare at her in horror.
“What the hell did you just say to me?” Sonora hissed.
Ignoring her, she addressed the stricken bridesmaids calmly. “Why don’t you guys head to the kitchen and get Sonora a cup of iced tea, and—”
“I don’t want iced tea!”
“At this point, I don’t care what you want! You are being terrible to all the people you call friends and I am sick of it.”
Sonora stood up with a sneer. “And I’m sick of you acting as though you’re so much better than me, like I’m just some dumb pop star who doesn’t get exactly what you think of me.”
“Everyone out. Sonora and I need to have a talk.”
They escaped as fast as their five inch heels could carry them, Emma the last one through the door.
“Bring me back a bottled water,” Sonora yelled.
When the door closed and they were finally alone, Marley advanced on her. Sonora’s eyes widened, and Marley thought she spotted real fear in them. Did she think Marley was going to hit her?
Tempting.
“Now, you and I have this last day together and then I don’t have to deal with your poor me, no one understands why I’m such a bitch attitude.”
“How dare you—”
“I dare because you treat your fiancée like a dog you need to train. I dare because you don’t give a flying fuck about your little sister, who happens to be a warm, caring person who is taking your wedding pictures for free, despite the shit you put her through. Because your parents are paying for this extravagant wedding and you don’t have the decency to be grateful. You’ve threatened me, kicked me, and tried to break me when all I wanted to do was help you—”
“Please, you were just working for a paycheck. You didn’t give a shit about my happiness.”
“You are absolutely right. Because from the moment I met you, there wasn’t one single redeeming quality that made me feel an ounce of compassion for you. You’re in a position to actually make a difference to someone; a kind word or action from Sonora Star would be something people could hold onto. Women idolize you, until they actually meet you and find out what you’re really like.”
Marley could tell Sonora was reaching the boiling point but she was too far gone to care. All the threats, all the abuse… it was too much and someone had to put an end to it.
“You do not have the right to belittle anyone else’s existence. You’re a former drug addict, a has-been, and a cheater. You’re just as flawed as all the people you look down your reconstructed nose at.”
Sonora’s face turned cherry red. “You’re fired!”
“Fine by me. You go out and explain why you lost another maid of honor.”
Marley headed for the door, picking up the taffeta skirt to quicken her steps. As she left the door to the bridal suite, she slammed it and released a whoop. She’d just officially screwed herself; there was no way Sonora wasn’t telling Kelly about this.
But Marley had fulfilled her end of the contract. She’d organized and made sure that Sonora a beautiful wedding. Even if Sonora’s parents made Marley give back her bonus, Kelly got to keep the money for Something Borrowed. She was protected from brides firing their bridesmaids and maids of honor the day of the wedding in order to get out of paying full price. If the firing had been unjust, Marley could have fought for her bonus, but she was just glad it was over.
At least she was free. Free to leave this train wreck, free to go home and never have to deal with the wicked bitch of the stars again…
Free to see Luke out in the open if I want.
Marley rounded the corner with a definite skip in her step, but slowed when she heard hushed voices. She scooted closer to the closed door, curious. She recognized Kendall’s husky tones immediately, choked with tears.
“I don’t understand how you can marry her. I know you feel something for me. I feel it every time we’re in the same room together.”
“I do have feelings for you.” Marley covered her mouth to smother a gasp. That was Brent. “If I had met you first, I’d have married you within the first week. But despite your sister’s faults, I made a commitment to her, and I am not going to humiliate her by leaving her at the altar to run away with her sister.”
But Kendall persisted. “Isn’t it better to end it now, rather than to get divorced later when it doesn’t work out? You’re both going to get hurt, and despite the situation we’re in and the differences we may have, I love Sonora. I don’t want to hurt her, but I do want you.”
“It’s just better if we forget whatever it is we think we feel.”
Marley didn’t believe him, and clearly neither did Kendall. “Better for who?”
Brent didn’t respond for several heartbeats and then, his voice choked with emotion, muttered, “I’m sorry.”
Marley ducked around the corner when she heard Brent’s footsteps coming toward the door. She watched him, her heart aching as he took a shaky breath and ran a hand over his eyes.
Oh, my God, he’s crying.
Whatever had been going on between the two of them this summer was no longer one sided. Brent cared about Kendall too.
And she was right. He was about to make a really big mistake.
Marley waited until he was gone before she snuck into the room.
Kendall glanced up, her pretty face streaked with tears, and she frantically wiped at them. “Marley. Sorry, were you looking for me?”
Marley sat next to Kendall on the loveseat and held her arms out. “You look like you need a shoulder.”
Kendall’s face crumpled and she threw herself against her. Marley stroked her hair, whispering nonsensical encouragement. When Kendall’s tears finally slowed, she sniffled. “Were you sent to find me?”
“No. Actually, I was leaving. You sister just fired me as her maid of honor.”
Kendall pulled away. “What? Why would she do that?”
Marley grinned mischievously. “Because I finally went off on her and told her what a horrible person she was.”
“Wow. You would think she would learn that you just have to be nice to keep friends.”
Marley tucked one of Kendall’s blond curls back into place. “Well, to be honest, we were never really friends to begin with.”
“What do you mean?” Kendall asked.
Marley opened her mouth to tell her everything, but someone knocked on the door. Luke poked his head in, and Marley’s heart flipped just catching a glimpse of that lopsided grin. After she’d dropped him off at the airport on Sunday, she’d missed him like crazy. Sure they’d Skyped at night before bed, and she’d even put on a little show for him, but it wasn’t the same as having him there with her. They hadn’t gotten to see each other last night because he’d been out with Brent and the other groomsmen having a guy’s night before the big day.
“Hey, ceremony is about to start and they’re looking for Kendall,” Luke said.
Kendall wiped at her cheeks once more and took Marley’s hands. “Do I look like I’ve been crying?”
“Yeah, but it’s okay. You’re supposed to cry at weddings.”
Kendall squeezed her hands. “Thanks.” Then she got up and left the room.
When Kendall was gone, Luke shut the door behind her and locked it.
“What are you doing? You have to get out there.”
“They can wait.” He stalked around the back of the loveseat and sat down next to her. “God, I missed you.”
His hands cradled her face and as his lips brushed hers, she closed her eyes. “I missed you too.”
His kisses trailed over her cheek and down her neck until he buried his face in her chest with a groan. “I want to toss up this ridiculous princess skirt and have my way with you right here.”
“We can’t,” she murmured, arching her neck.
“I know.” He lifted his head and ran his thumb across her lips. “To be continued.”
As he left the room, she sank back into the couch with a sigh. “I hope so.”
As the silence around her became suffocating, she got up and headed for the exit. Life wasn’t fair. Sonora had cheated on Brent, had only decided to still marry him because Dustin had rejected her, while Kendall and Brent were miserable. And there was nothing she could do.
Her footsteps slowed as she realized that wasn’t true. Now that Sonora had fired her, the confidentiality clause was null and void.
Besides, if being sued by Sonora meant Kendall and Brent could be happy, she was all for it.
* * * *
At the front of the church beneath the arbor, Luke stood up with his best friend as they watched the bridal procession. Neither Brent nor Sonora were religious, but for some reason, Sonora had insisted on being married in a non-denominational church by a minister. It was strange, but the setting was gorgeous with the high vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows.
Luke glanced over at Brent and realized that he was deathly pale. His normally smiling face was pinched and grim, and his eyes appeared red rimmed.
“Man, are you okay?”
“No.” That was all Brent said, and Luke frowned.
The music changed to the wedding march and everyone stood.
As Kendall came to the front of the church Luke noticed the splotchy puffiness of her face. She’d been crying, and he noticed she kept looking away from the bridesmaids coming down the aisle to look at Brent. His friend never took his eyes off the back of the church.
When the ring bearer and flower girl, Brent’s niece and nephew, came tripping down the aisle as fast as their little toddler legs could carry them, Luke realized that Marley had never come down the aisle.
Maybe she’s after the kids.
Then Sonora came into the open doorway on her father’s arm. She wore an off-white mermaid style dress and long veil, making her look like she just stepped out of a magazine cover.
Catching Kendall’s eyes, he mouthed where’s Marley?
Kendall nodded toward Sonora. As the bride walked slowly, smiling and basking in the attention, Luke knew what Kendall’s nod had meant: Sonora had finally run Marley off.
Luke fumed, wanting nothing more than to walk out of the ceremony to go find her, but he couldn’t ditch Brent during his wedding.
The minister went through his introduction and Luke found himself tapping his shoe impatiently. The bride and groom had not prepared any special vows, just two simple ‘I Dos.’
The minister’s clear, soothing voice called out, “If anyone here feels that these two should not lawfully be joined, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
“I’ve got a buttload of reasons,” Marley’s voice rang out.
Every head swung around to the back of the church, where Marley stood in that awful puffy pink dress. All of the guests watched Marley marched up the aisle, their jaws slack with shock. Even Luke was thrown by the determined set of her jaw as she squared off in front of Sonora, who looked as though she were about to beat Marley over the head with her bouquet.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Sonora shrieked.
“I’m saving him from marrying you.” Marley turned towards Brent, lowering her voice a bit. “I can keep this for your ears only, or I can tell everyone in the room. Your choice.”
Brent glanced at Luke who shrugged. He had no clue what was about to happen.
“If you’ve got something to say, then say it,” Brent said.
“Fine.” Clasping her hands in front of her, she shot Luke a small, apologetic smile. “I was hired to be Sonora’s maid of honor. She’d run off several maids of honor with her attitude, and her parents thought a professional was the way to go. She made up the story about us meeting in rehab.”
Luke nodded as she continued to watch him. He’d known there was something off about her story, but he’d never figured her for a professional bridesmaid.
“I went along with it because it was only eight weeks. Eight miserable weeks of listening to her berate and belittle everyone around her. I put up with it because her parents were paying me handsomely.”
Marley paused, and it was as if the entire church moved, leaning forward so as not to miss the punchline.
“Until she fired me this morning for telling her that she should be nicer to her friends and family.”
“You threatened me!” Sonora said, and Marley scoffed.
“Please, you were the one who said you would destroy my mother’s business if I told anyone that you’d slept with another man while you were engaged to Brent.”
This time, t
he crowd erupted and Luke’s jaw hit the floor. Sonora was a lot of things, but she wasn’t an idiot. Why in the hell would she cheat on Brent?
But Marley wasn’t done. “If you’re wondering why she’d do that when Brent is the whole package, it was because the other man was loaded and less like a…what was it, Sonora? A caveman?”
Sonora paled, and turned to face Brent, stuttering, “She’s lying, baby, you have to believe me.”
Brent stared first at Marley and then at Sonora. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath, including Luke.
“I don’t,” Brent said.
Sonora’s eyes widened, and then her face flushed purple. She whirled toward Marley. “You!”
Luke was already in motion as Sonora headed down the stairs straight for Marley, her fingers curled into claws.
“I’m going to fucking kill you!”
But to Luke’s surprise, Kendall beat him there.
“Back off, Sonny.”
“I told you never to call me that!” Sonora screamed, spittle flying out of her mouth.
“And under most circumstances I would respect your feelings, even though you’ve never considered mine. But not today. For years I’ve made excuses, loved you in spite of the horrible way you treated me. But you aren’t going to hurt Marley. She is a true friend. She could have stood by and let Brent marry you and you would have made him miserable.” Kendall looked up at Brent, her expression softening. “And my heart would have broken every day seeing him like that.”
Luke realized what she was saying and his breath whooshed out. “Damn, there is a lot of drama going on in this room.”
Sonora whirled on him, her eyes wild. “Shut up, you idiot!”
Kendall jumped to his defense, and he had to admit, watching her let it all out on her sister was a sight to behold. “No, you shut up, Sonora. I would have let you have him, stepped back and allowed you marry the man I love because despite your obvious personality flaws, I didn’t want to hurt you. Today, I don’t care. You are a mean, selfish woman and I hope that someday you grow up, or you’re going to wake up years from now and realize you’re all alone.”
When Brent moved, it was like watching a movie in slow motion. He stopped at Sonora’s side and took her hand. For a brief moment, Luke watched her face soften, and he thought Brent was going to forgive her.
