by Apryl Baker
***
Max
Max and Foster stood side by side in their tuxedos smiling for the camera. Foster’s father, Ren, lowered the camera with a huge grin on his face.
“You boys are looking good.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Are you ready for this?”
“More than ready, I know she’s the one.”
“I’m happy for you, son.”
Ren pulled Foster into his embrace as Max stood by watching. Bella really was the perfect girl for Foster. Max couldn’t be happier for him. He just wished Sloane would realize they were perfect for each other too. Would she bring the new boyfriend with her? Max couldn’t stop the anger and betrayal he felt thinking of Sloane with another man. What would happen if he saw them together? If anyone knew about this new guy it would be Foster. Bella would have told him something.
“How’s Sloane been? There haven’t been any sightings of any of Petrov’s family around, has there?”
“She’s doing okay. We haven’t seen much of her since she moved, but Bella and her don’t go a day without talking.”
“Too busy with the new boyfriend, I guess.”
“What boyfriend?”
“Sloane told me she was seeing someone the last time I saw her.”
“That’s news to me, man.”
“Really? I figured Bella would have at least mentioned someone.”
“That’s just it, she would have, and I didn’t hear anything.”
“Huh.”
“She’s had around-the-clock surveillance since she moved. She doesn’t know it, but Mother, Tank, and Gutter Mouth have all pitched in to keep an eye on her. We installed a security system in her apartment too.”
“You should have told me. I could have helped ease the load.”
“I wanted to, man. Bella made it very clear to me I wasn’t to tell you anything to lead you to her door.”
“I can’t blame her. I tried to make her talk to me. Explain it was a misunderstanding, only she wouldn’t let me. Claimed she had moved on already. Maybe the guys would know about her mystery man?”
“Maybe, although no one mentioned it to me. I gave instructions to background anyone who comes and goes from that building. Just to be safe.”
Could she have gone back to Brody and just didn’t want to get the third degree from Mirabella and Foster? No, there’s no way she would have gone back to him. Plus, the guys would have ratted her out for that in a heartbeat. The men piled into Ren’s car. Ren drove with Bella’s father, Clint, in the passenger seat. Max and Foster sat together in the back.
They pulled up to the small church, parking in the side lot. Max followed the rest of the guys inside. He entered the narthex, immediately inhaling the familiar scent of burning incense. The pews before him were adorned with white lilies, as was the altar. Turning to find Foster and the other men, Max bumped into a tall older man with a shaved head. Colorful tattoos peaked out of his button-down shirt at the wrists and neck.
“I’m sorry, sir. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
“No worries, son. I was looking for Clint; any idea where I could find him?”
“Yes, sir. I’m going that way myself, if you’d like to follow me.”
“Ah, you must be the best man, Maxwell. We’ve heard a lot about you.”
“That would be me. And you are?”
“I’m Logan.”
Max shook the man’s offered hand. They walked together down the hall into the tower room being used to corral the men until the ceremony. He knew if he walked the opposite direction, he’d find Sloane in the other tower room. He missed her. Not a day went by that he didn’t think about her. Although more and more these days he wondered: Who was the lucky bastard that got to see that smile that made his heart soar? Steeling himself, he decided it didn’t matter who this other guy was. Somehow he would fix this.
Logan knocked on the closed door with authority and opened it without waiting for a response. The other men were joking and hugging him before Max closed the door.
“‘Bout time you got here,” Clint teased.
“You know what it was like getting Marigold and Poppy out of the house?” Logan said.
Ren let out a belly laugh. “I do not envy you, buddy!”
“It was not a good time, that’s for damn sure,” Logan replied.
Foster smiled at the man. “Good to see you again, Mr. Robertson. I see you’ve met Max.”
“I did, and I told you last time, it’s Logan.”
“Mr. Robertson?” Max took a moment to study the man more closely. He looked to be close to six-foot-one, and his bald head and tattoos would make him intimidating to most people. He now knew where Sloane got her eyes. “Sloane’s father?”
“The one and only.”
A knock sounded on the door as it was opening. A small man with a full head of dark hair entered the room. The roman collar gave away that he was their priest.
“It’s time to take your places, gentlemen.”
Clint stopped before the large doors that led into the nave to wait for his daughter. Max followed Foster toward the altar to take his place next to him as his best man. Logan and Ren took their seats.
“I’m really happy for you, man.”
“Thanks, Max. I couldn’t have found a better woman.”
“True, Bella is special.”
“Sloane is too.”
Max nodded his head once stiffly. Foster was getting his happily ever after. Why the hell couldn’t Max? The rest of the guests were seated quickly. It was a small ceremony. Just family and close friends would be attending. Unfortunately, that meant partners too. Max watched Brody walk down the aisle and take a seat. The woman he had on his arm was the same stripper from the club. She looked like she was working the corner after the ceremony, in a red mini dress two sizes too small.
“Why the hell would he bring her?”
“They’ve been seeing each other publicly ever since Sloane ended it,” Foster whispered back.
“How do you think she’s going to react?”
“I guess we’ll see.”
As if on cue, the music changed dramatically. All the guests stood up, facing the back of the church. The doors once again opened. Slowly and confidently, Sloane began her walk down the aisle. Max felt his knees weaken. His heart beat rapidly in his chest. She was absolutely breathtaking. The black of the dress gave her pale skin an angelic glow. There were no sleeves, and her bare arms brought to mind a vision of her in his bed with the sheets barely covering her. Max had to stifle that train of thought. He couldn’t afford to sport a hard-on in church.
Her golden hair was pulled back off of her face. For the first time she didn’t need to push her bangs from her face. Her eyes locked on him as she continued toward the altar. Max wanted to rush down to her and take her into his arms, but he restrained himself. This was Foster and Bella’s day. Sloane took her place on the opposite side of the aisle. Again, the music shifted.
***
Sloane
Sloane could feel everyone’s eyes on her. It was kinda creepy, actually. Perhaps she should just elope when she got married. She laughed to herself. She’d need a boyfriend first. Fat chance of that, seeing as soon she’d have a baby bump.
She glanced over at Foster. He had his signature smirk on his face. Probably thinking of ways to tease her about how put together she was. For once.
As much as she tried not to look at Max, she couldn’t help herself. Damn, he looked good. Too good. She couldn’t take her traitorous eyes off of him. Miraculously, she made it to the front of the room without falling on her face. She’d count that as a win.
As the music changed, everyone faced the back again to see the bride, everyone except Sloane. She watched Foster. The look of pure adoration that crossed his face made her heart swell. One look at his expression and you could never doubt his feelings for her.
“Who gives this woman to this man?”
“I do,” Sloan
e’s Uncle Clint answered.
He lifted Bella’s veil before placing a kiss on her cheek. Then he took his seat next to Aunt Marigold and Sloane’s parents. As Father McMurphy began his sermon, Sloane let her mind wander. What would it be like to be loved the way Bella was loved by Foster? As she stood there feeling out of place in her gown, she could feel Max’s eyes. Taking her gaze off the happy couple, she looked into the eyes of the man she loved. His expression was guarded. His eyes however, never left hers. It wasn’t until the congregation was alive with applause, did she realize Mr. and Mrs. Hyland were sharing their first kiss as husband and wife.
Sloane clapped along with everyone else. When Bella turned to walk out with her new husband, Sloane fixed her train before taking her place next to Max. She threaded her hand through his arm. Her stupid heart kicked up its tempo to double time as Max placed his other hand over hers. The man simply didn’t know what one touch, however insignificant, could do to her. She kept her eyes straight ahead and tried like hell to concentrate on putting one high-heeled foot in front of the other.
“You look beautiful,” he said. Sloane hoped Max couldn’t hear her breath hitch.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
They took their places beside Bella and Foster in the receiving line. Their job was to thank the guests for coming and remind them of the reception being held out back in the gardens.
“Sloane…” a familiar, and unwanted, voice said.
“Hello, Brody.” She smiled, still standing there with Max.
“You look gorgeous.”
“Ahem.” The trashy looking woman next to Brody coughed loudly.
Instead of introducing her, Brody grabbed a hold of her arm roughly, directing her outside. That went better than expected. It’s funny. Sloane always thought she would want to claw the other woman’s eyes out if she ever saw her, but she didn’t. Oddly enough, she felt nothing but relief. He was her problem now. Sloane held her head up a little higher after that. It was a good feeling.
The gardens were decorated to look like something out of a fairytale. The sun was just beginning to set on the horizon. Reds, oranges, and yellows painted the sky. One by one each tree lit up with hundreds of little lights. Larger paper lanterns hung from wires above the tables and stone dance floor. It was magical. Every detail was exactly how Bella had envisioned it.
Sloane walked arm in arm with Max to the head table where they both took their seats—Max to the left of Foster and Sloane to the right of Bella. At least she wouldn’t feel she had to make conversation with him all night.
Someone in the crowd started to tap their glass with a spoon, inciting giggles and catcalls from the crowd gathered. Bella beamed up at Foster as he leaned down to kiss her tenderly. As the laughter and noise died down, Sloane slid back in her chair and stood up.
“Thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate the union of two of the best people I’ve had the privilege to know. Growing up, Bella was like the big sister I never had…and didn’t want.” The crowd laughed as Sloane continued. “We did virtually everything together. She was and always will be my best friend.”
She turned to smile at the couple. “I’ve watched the both of you together for some time now. I truly believe you are made for each other. No one completes Bella the way you do, Foster. I see it every day in the way you love each other. I wish you a long and blessed life together.”
Sloane raised the sparkling cider that she’d switched out, as everyone else toasted with champagne. She sat back down as Max stood up.
“I’m not a big fan of speeches, so I’ll keep mine short and sweet. Over the years I’ve known Foster, I have never seen him look at a woman the way he looks at you, Bella. You are his world. If he were asked to describe his perfect woman, I have no doubts he would describe you to a T. It’s truly humbling to see two people so much in love. No one completes Foster the way you do, Bella. I wish you both all the happiness in the world.”
Max sat down and glasses clinked all over the garden once again. The meal was brought out and Sloane ate it as if someone was going to steal it from her. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until that first bite.
“Damn, did you taste any of it?” Bella laughed as she whispered in her ear.
“You know; I don’t think I did.” She joined in with her own laughter.
“I would now like to call Mr. and Mrs. Hyland to the floor for their first dance as husband and wife,” the reception assistant announced.
Foster stood up, holding out his hand to Bella. He led her to the center of the dance floor. The melody for a familiar song started to play. Sloane was overjoyed watching Bella’s dreams come true. Once the DJ began playing for the crowd to dance, Sloane made her way over to her parents.
“There’s my beautiful baby girl.” Her father squeezed her in one of his bear hugs.
“Looking pretty handsome yourself tonight, Daddy.”
Sloane stretched up on tiptoes to kiss her father’s cheek. He was a big man with tattoos and muscles to spare. His contagious laugh was one of her favorite sounds. To see his six-foot-one frame next to her mother’s five-foot-three always made her giggle. Especially because she knew who was in charge of that relationship, and it wasn’t the man that intimidated all her boyfriends when she was a teenage girl.
“Seems a certain gentleman can’t keep his eyes off of you. Do I need to put him in his place?”
Excitement flooded through her as she turned to look in the same direction as her father did. Only it wasn’t Max like she’d hoped. Sloane’s heart felt like it dropped into her stomach. Kasper smiled, saluting her with his drink. She smiled and waved back.
“He’s harmless, Daddy. Just a good friend. One of the men who was trying to help me.”
“Have they found that man yet?” Concern etched into her father’s face.
“Not yet, but I can’t continue to live my life in constant fear. I trust in them. They’ll find him.”
“My brave girl. How about a dance with your old man?”
“I’d love to.”
Sloane let her father lead her out onto the floor. She never had to be afraid of anything when she was with him. The little girl in her knew without a doubt nothing could harm her when he was near. The smile she had been wearing was lost however, as her eyes landed on Max across the room. A petite brunette was giggling as she ran her hand up and down his arm. He smiled that sexy mischievous grin that always made Sloane melt inside. Only she didn’t melt this time because it wasn’t directed at her.
“What’s wrong, baby girl?”
“Nothing.”
“That sad look in your eye isn’t nothing to me.”
“Just a boy, Daddy.”
“Would that boy be Max?”
“How do you know Max?”
“A father always knows about the important things, and people, in his baby girl’s life. Are you in love with him?”
“Yes. I was, I still am.”
“Well, if he’s passin’ up you for that girl, he’s an idiot and I don’t think I want you with someone that stupid.”
“Daddy!” She laughed, but her heart wasn’t really in it.
Max swiped a loose hair from the girl’s cheek. Just like he did with her. Sloane watched the woman swoon—actually swoon. This was excruciating. Sloane wondered if anyone else could tell that she was dying inside. He was killing her. He couldn’t wait until she wasn’t around? Then again, for Max, it was probably just another Saturday night.
Not for her. This was just another reminder of why she was here alone. Max was looking for his next warm body. Not someone to share his life with. Sloane needed a man who wanted to be there for all the mundane day-to-day tasks. She needed a man willing to be a father. Not a playboy. Her hand went to her stomach.
“I think I need a few moments alone.”
“Are you sure you’re going to be all right?”
“Of course I will be.” She paused before adding, “In time.”
Sloa
ne kissed her father’s cheek before weaving through the bodies on the crowded dance floor. She headed back toward the church. She’d spotted a bench on the way out to the garden after the ceremony. She thought it would be a good place to gather herself before she had to fake a smile in front of everyone again. She sat there listening to the sound of Luke Bryan coming from the DJ’s speakers.
“Hey there, Darlin’.”
Kasper smiled down at her. He looked damn good in his three-piece suit. The blue of his shirt made his eyes sparkle. His smile lit up his whole face. No, Kasper didn’t look good, he looked hot as hell. Unfortunately, he didn’t make her heart race the way Max did. She wished like hell he would.
“Where’s your date, Cowboy?”
“I didn’t bring one. Didn’t see you here with anyone either. Coincidence?” He waggled his eyebrows. Sloane couldn’t help but laugh. Kasper always did that, at least. He was an invaluable friend in that capacity. Over the past few weeks he would call or text her, saying things just to get a laugh out of her. She appreciated that more than he could ever know.
“I’m not interested in men right now.”
“Is this about a certain someone we both know, that can act like a douche from time to time? Or should I get a video camera, a date, and meet you back at your place?” He grinned.
She didn’t know if she should confess to him or brush it off as nothing. They were friends, after all. He lifted her chin with his fingertips, and she felt the tears well up in her eyes. She rapidly blinked them back. The concern on Kasper’s face made her decision for her.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“You love him?”
“More than I thought I could.”
“Then why are you sitting out here by yourself? Go to him.”
“It’s too late. See for yourself.” She nodded back toward the celebration.
***
Max
Max downed another shot of whiskey before pulling Sara—no, Tara—out to the edge of the dance area. He pressed their bodies together, swaying to the music. She practically purred in his ear. He pictured Sloane in his arms instead. He ran his hands over her curves as they moved. The girl in his arms was all wrong for the girl he pictured in his head. Sloane was soft and smooth. Her skin felt like expensive silk. This imposter couldn’t hold a candle to her no matter how much he wished she could.