Out of the Dark

by Sundae Leighton

  “I missed it, but from what Jo told me, Madison went over to gloat about marrying you.” Pat paused. “You’re bringing her as your plus one tonight to rehearsal and to the wedding, right? I don’t want her to start any drama, bro, I’m serious. This is my damn wedding day, and Jo doesn’t deserve that. I want her to have the best day ever. I will personally remove Madison myself if she starts anything.”

  I felt my stomach clench. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid,” I promised.

  ***

  Madison had gone all out for the rehearsal dinner tonight, making sure that she was dressed to the nines. I’ll admit the dress she had looked good on her, with the tight waist, and the perfect blue that brought out the color in her eyes, but I knew she would never compare to whatever Jillian was wearing. The dress was sleeveless, Madison’s arms were toned and tanned, her legs looked long and lean, but I couldn’t help feeling well, nothing when I saw her. I had made a huge mistake marrying her, but that was my own fault, and I couldn’t back out now.

  “Well?” Madison placed her hands firmly on her hips. “What do you think, baby?” She twirled around to give me the full effect. “It’s perfect, right?” She batted her over coated lashes at me.

  “Perfect,” I echoed Madison’s words, even though I didn’t feel the same.

  She pouted. “Come on, I spent a lot on this for you.” She touched the skirt. “It’s special,” Madison murmured as she fingered the fabric.

  “You’re right.” I didn’t want to upset her tonight. I needed her on her best behavior for my brother and for his future wife. “You look beautiful.” I dropped a kiss against the top of her head, knowing she wouldn’t want me to wrinkle her outfit or makeup. “It will look even better on the floor later when I take it off you,” I added to make her smile.

  Madison beamed happily at me. “You look great, too, babe.” She let her eyes wander down my body at the green dress shirt and black slacks I had on. “Too bad we don’t have time for a quickie before we go.” She dragged her teeth across her bottom lip.

  Fat chance. “Tonight,” I assured her, lying through my teeth. “Before we go”—I stopped Madison as she was about to open the front door—“promise me something.” I pushed a piece of blonde hair behind her ear.

  Her brows dipped. “What?” Her voice dropped. “If this is about Jillian or Jo, please spare me.”

  “This is Pat and Jo’s wedding rehearsal.” I ignored the look on her face. “I don’t want to ruin this for them. For my brother and future sister-in-law. Your brother-in-law,” I reminded her. I cupped her face with my hands. “Let’s just play nice with everyone for the next couple of days so everybody is happy.” I slid my lips over Madison’s as she sighed.

  “Fine, but only because I love you.”

  The rehearsal dinner was being held at the same location as the Jack and Jill, and was only a few minutes away from the apartment we shared over Zed’s Automotive. When we arrived a few minutes later, Madison chuckled softly under her breath as she turned to face me with a smirk on her pretty face.

  “Remember what you were saying to me back at the apartment?” Her smile told me something big was about to hit me in a not-so-good way. “I think you might want to remember that when you see who Jillian brought as her date, again, tonight.” I swear she might be enjoying this.

  At first, all I could see was Jillian. She looked so beautiful I could hardly breathe. Her dress had thin straps that clung to her shoulders, and the dress itself fell right above her knees with some sort of sheer lace hanging from the trim. The color, fuck me, it was a beautiful maroon that just seemed perfect for her, and it was designed to make her legs look like they were a mile long. It wasn’t until she turned to her right to speak to whoever was standing next to her that I realized just exactly what Madison had been talking about.

  Fucking Knox. Again.

  I couldn’t tear my gaze away as rage tore through my body while Jillian touched his arm, smiled up at him, and laughed at something Knox said. I was going to jail tonight because he’d be murdered by my bare hands.

  “Look who made it.” Patrick threw his arm over my shoulder. “Relax, calm down, and take a deep breath,” he whispered as he turned me away from the sight I was so intent on. “Want a drink, brother?” He held up two beers in his hand. “One of these is for you, as long as you promise to behave tonight and not commit murder.” He tried to make it sound like he was kidding, but I saw right through him.

  I grabbed the bottle and drank it all down. “Thanks,” I mumbled before I glanced over at Madison who had her lips pinched together. “Let’s go sit down,” I suggested, but when I tried to take her hand, she pushed mine away.

  That’s how it went for most of the night. Madison ignored me, making sure to play nice with everyone else. She talked a lot with Belle and Claire, was polite with Knox when he stopped at the table to congratulate Jo and Pat, even nodding at me without saying anything. Madison stepped away to go speak with my parents, Brent and Joan Kelly, as well as saying a quick hello to Jillian and Jo’s mother, Emily. However, she made sure to stay as far away from Jillian and Jo as possible. I think she was a little afraid of what might happen if she did, considering Jo slapped her this morning. That didn’t stop Jillian from coming to me instead.

  “This is adorable.” She dragged her finger in the air between the two of us. “The two of you, married and all. Just sitting here looking like the perfect fucking couple.” She slurred her words, which made me realize she was drunk out of her mind.

  I stood up. “Where’s your date?” This was bound to get ugly fast with these two. I needed to defuse this before it got worse.

  “None of your business.”

  “Go sit down, Jills, you’re embarrassing yourself.” Madison rolled her eyes.

  Jillian took a step forward. “What did I tell you about using that nickname, huh?” she hissed. “How does she know that nickname, Hutch?” She turned her eyes on me. “Did you tell her?”

  “You’re drunk.” I moved quickly around the table. “You need to go sit back down.”

  “Don’t touch me!” Jillian cried when I placed my hands on her arms. “Hey, I got one for you, Mads. Come closer so I can tell you a secret.” She giggled loudly. “Hutch was a virgin until me. I took his V card,” she tried to whisper, but it sounded too loud to me.

  I grabbed Jillian by her hips. “You’re done,” I growled and carried her right outside through the back of the restaurant before she could say anything else. She flailed against me, trying to kick me any which way she could, and got me a couple of times in the shin and knee before I nearly dropped her onto the ground. “Grow up,” I warned.

  “Fuck you,” she spat back.

  I pointed a finger in Jillian’s face. “You’re drunk, Jilly, and you don’t know what you’re saying right now.” I watched the way her eyes moved over me. The hurt in her greens, the way her face crumpled. I had done to Jillian exactly what she had done to me. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

  “I hate you.”

  It was like a slap across my face. Three words that I never thought I would hear from her mouth. “You don’t...Jillian, you don’t mean that. That’s just the alcohol talking.” I wanted to hit something. I wanted to turn back the clock, and go back to that night I first told Jillian I loved her, beg her to stay, and then everything wouldn’t be so messed up right now.

  “Oh, but I do, Hutch. I know that I hurt you, I understand that, but what you did?” Her chin trembled as she spoke. “It’s so much worse. You can’t just unmarry someone. It’s not a switch you turn off because you changed your mind.” Jillian squared her shoulders. “We’re done. We will get through the wedding tomorrow, dance together like two adults, take pictures together, and after that? I never want to speak to you again.”

  I reached for her, but she slapped me away. “I can’t lose you again,” I admitted.

  A sob crossed with a laugh escaped her mouth. “Are you serious? No
w you think about that?” she exclaimed.

  “It’s okay.” She waved her hand at someone, and when I turned, I saw Knox standing there. “You want to hit him, Hutch? Because at least I didn’t marry him behind your back. When I get married, you’ll know all about it before it actually happens.” She pushed past me and Knox, who stared at me with wide eyes.

  “I don’t need any commentary from you,” I warned before I marched back into the restaurant. Jillian was gone, Madison was sitting where I left her with her arms crossed over her chest, while Pat and Jo danced together looking like the happy couple they were.

  Knox made sure to knock my shoulder as he made his way past me. “Don’t worry, bro, I’ll take good care of Jill for you. You don’t have to worry about that.” He grinned at me as he went out the front door.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Jillian

  I sat with my arms wrapped around my legs, my gaze fixed outside the window. I wasn’t sure how long I had been sitting here, but it felt like forever. I had watched Hutch show up to his parents’ place, stop and look up toward where I was, before he finally went inside. I knew he was getting dressed with Pat because Jo had told me so.

  A lump formed in my throat, but I pushed it down as I thought about how I was going to have to put on a fake face today at the wedding. I’d need to stand next to Hutch, take pictures with him, and actually dance with him as if he didn’t crush every single dream I had. Like my heart didn’t matter. I would do it because I loved my sister and Pat enough. I just hoped that I didn’t break down crying before the wedding was over.

  “Sweetheart...” Mom brushed a piece of hair from my forehead. “You need to get ready.” Her voice was soft, caring, and once again I had to resist the urge to break down sobbing. “I know,” she whispered when I looked up at her.

  I dropped my legs down so that I could wrap my arms around my mother’s waist without saying anything. “I only have myself to blame,” I told her. “I’m the one that left, was Hutch supposed to just wait for me? He moved on.” I looked up to find her with her lips pressed together.

  “Scoot over, sweetie.” When I did, she sat down next to me. “I’m going to tell you something, but you cannot repeat this to anyone.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulders, and I rested my head against hers. “About a year after you left, Hutch came to see me.”

  I sat back up. “He did what?” I knew Hutch had changed, but it couldn’t have been that soon.

  “He was so hurt, Jillian, he wanted to talk to you so bad, but I couldn’t give him the answers that he wanted.” Mom gave me a half smile. “He asked me what school you were at. He just wanted to see you, and so?” She touched my cheek. “I gave it to him.”

  “He never came to see me.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  I sat back. “Hutch came to see me?” He never reached out to me when he was in New York.

  She nodded. “He said he watched you dance, how beautiful you looked up on stage, and he realized that you belonged there.” She gathered me against her again. “That boy loves you. He loved you enough to come to me, ask for my help, and when he realized that you were where you belonged, he backed off.”

  “I hated it there,” I reminded my mother.

  Mom sighed. “You didn’t like the city, but you still loved dancing. We really do need to get ready.” She released me to stand up. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out with the two of you, but Knox is a decent boy.”

  “I’m not with Knox, Mom, he’s just a friend.” I wasn’t going to marry him. I wasn’t sure I would ever marry anyone. Ballet was my husband now.

  She held out her hand. “Come on, sweetheart.” She hugged me tight again once I got to my feet. “Remember I love you,” she whispered.

  ***

  Jo was a vision in her wedding dress. It was a ball gown with sheer tulle and a V-neck bodice that had a vintage-inspired lace appliques, delicate spaghetti straps, and a cutout back. All the work my mother put into it was worth it the moment Patrick saw her walk down the aisle because his face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning, and then he nearly burst into tears. Hutch was able to calm him down, but not before we made eye contact that only caused butterflies to build inside my stomach. I quickly looked away, but I could feel Madison staring daggers into my back. I made sure to keep my eyes straight ahead for the rest of the ceremony, hoping that the ground would open up and swallow me.

  The wedding was beautiful, and I couldn’t have been happier for Jo and Pat. They knew the moment they shared their first kiss all those years ago that they were going to get married someday, and even though I might be a little jealous, I knew they were meant to be together.

  Once the minister pronounced them husband and wife, I turned to find Hutch holding out his arm for me. I wanted to refuse, but I had no other choice. Electricity crackled as our skin touched. I hated him. I hated myself for what I did. I wish I could go back in time to change everything, but I didn’t own a time machine.

  “You look beautiful, Jills.” Hutch’s husked voice sent shivers up my spine.

  I glared up at him only to trip over my dress in the sand. “Don’t speak to me,” I hissed back. “We talked about this.”

  A sly smile spread across his handsome face. “You spoke about this.” He chuckled, keeping me from tripping again. “I know that weddings are all about the bride, but for me? It was all about you. Your tits look great in that dress. Thank your mom for me.”

  I smacked him across the chest with the bouquet. “You’re an asshole,” I croaked as the sunset blinded me. Did I mention they got married on the beach? Very cliché around here, but it’s what my sister wanted. “Where’s your wife?” I seethed.

  “Probably wishing you were dead.”

  “That’s how I feel about you.” I yanked my arm away from him in time to see the hurt in his eyes. “Don’t talk to me. We’re here for a wedding and I promised Jo I wouldn’t ruin her big day.” I turned to find Knox standing there.

  He looked between the two of us. “You alright, babe?” I really wish he wouldn’t call me that. We weren’t dating, we weren’t fucking, and we certainly hadn’t kissed. I think Knox just liked to push Hutch’s buttons to see how far he’d take it.

  I moved closer to him. “Perfect now,” I assured him as Hutch stalked away. “Thanks,” I added.

  “He’s hurting pretty bad.”

  I rolled my eyes. “He’s married.”

  “You still love him, though.”

  I leaned my head against his shoulder. “More than ever.” I felt my chin begin to quiver. “Shit, I can’t mess up my makeup. We still have more pictures to take.” I smiled when Knox handed me a tissue. “Thanks.” I dabbed lightly at my face.

  “Pretty sure that Madison wants to throttle you.”

  “Why? She’s the big winner in all of this. She got the guy.”

  Knox looked like he was going to say something else, but was interrupted by the wedding planner, Stella, announcing that she needed all the members of the wedding party together for some pictures. “Remember to smile, Jillian.” Hutch grinned at me, and I resisted the urge to flip him off.

  Instead, I flashed a fake smile, batted my lashes, and lifted the skirt of my dress with one hand, while holding my bouquet of flowers in the other so I wouldn’t trip and fall headfirst into the sand and made my way over to where the photographer and the rest of the wedding party were starting to gather.

  “This is probably one of the most beautiful settings for a wedding I’ve been to in a long time,” Brooklyn Shepard, the photographer, told Jo, and I couldn’t figure out if she was telling the truth or not. I knew that Jo said she came highly recommended and she had gushed over every single one of her pictures she had looked at. “I really love the beach.” She added, pushing a piece of dark hair behind her ear. “Okay, can we have the bride, groom, maid of honor, and best man first?” Brooklyn made a motion for the four of us to move out front.

  I tried not to groan aloud
, but from the way Jo shot me the evil eye, I was pretty sure that plan didn’t work. “Sorry,” I mouthed as I stood awkwardly next to my now ex-boyfriend who looked like he was enjoying this more than he should.

  “Jo, Pat, I want you two to stand next to one another but with your backs to me. Then I want Hutch next to Jo, and Jillian next to Hutch, also with your backs to me.” Brooklyn nodded as we assembled the way she instructed. “Great, good. Okay, now the sisters hold hands behind Hutch, while the brothers fist bump over the bride.” Then she snapped a few photos. “These are great, thank you.” She told us. “Now, Pat, I want you to grab your wife for a kiss, and I want you to high-five your brother while Jillian looks annoyed.” Brooklyn tugged at the camera strap around her neck.

  I snorted. “I think I can handle that part.” I smirked as Brooklyn raised her camera. I had to admit she had a lot of great ideas, although it was hard when she suggested a couple ones with just Hutch and me cuddled up together. He seemed to take it all in a smooth stride, wrapped his strong arms around me, and held me close. Hutch smelled amazing, like he had bathed in soap that was meant to cause my knees to grow weak, warmth to spread over my body, and desire to build inside my stomach.

  “Everything alright, Jilly?” His lips brushed the back of my ear. “You seem tense.”

  I tried to ignore him. I tried to pretend that this was nothing other than a part I was playing. Dancing on the stage with an audience watching. Until I felt his hard length against my backside. “You fucking pig,” I hissed. “Your wife is right over there, and you’re getting off on this?” I dug my nails into Hutch’s hands as he laughed.

  “I get off on you.”

  “Let go of me.”

  Hutch tightened his grip around my waist. “You’re going to cause a scene, right here, right now, while our siblings are so happy?” he dared.

  Brooklyn brought the camera down. “Thank you all so much.” She beamed happily.

  “Hutch, Jillian, you two are a couple, right?”