by L. P. Dover
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the choice to stay away from him any longer. I am a bridesmaid and he is a groomsman in my brother’s wedding. Of all the people for Dallas to ask to be a groomsman, he had to pick Maddox Ledger. All I wanted to do was crawl in a hole and hide until it was over.
The fragrance of blooming spring flowers wafted by me as I trudged outside to the botanical gardens. It was a lovely place to get married. Callie and Dallas were going to have a beautiful ceremony. I just wished I wasn’t drenched in sweat anticipating this impending confrontation. My nerves were shot.
“Hey, girl,” Braeden called out.
I turned to face my best friend with a smile. He was also Dallas’s good friend and the best defender for the Charlotte Strikers. His blond hair was a little longer on top than usual and his face was freshly shaven, as always. He looked cute in his khaki pants and green polo shirt that matched his eyes. Braeden and I had grown close over the years. He was the person I confided in. So many people assumed we were a couple, but we didn’t see each other like that. My heart already belonged to someone else, someone who didn’t want it.
“Don’t look so excited,” he teased, bumping me in the shoulder. “Your brother’s getting married tomorrow. It’ll be a good time.”
I plastered on a smile. Braeden was a serious man, but with me, he’d learned to joke around. It was refreshing to know I could see that side of him that no one else could. “I am happy. It was a long day of finalizing the wedding details for Callie. You wouldn’t believe the amount of time it takes.”
I was ecstatic for my brother, but I would’ve been even more happy if he hadn’t invited the whole hockey team, especially the one person I had a scandalous past with. I’d done my best to avoid Maddox ever since I arrived in North Carolina a couple of weeks ago, but it was hard considering he was Callie’s cousin and she was almost my sister-in-law. I’d already literally bumped into him just a few minutes ago.
“Are you going to stay at the same hospital to finish your residency?” Braeden asked.
“Not sure,” I said with a shrug. “I think I might switch it up and apply for a residency somewhere else. Don’t get me wrong, I love New York, but I don’t think it’s where I want to be for the rest of my life.” I still had two and a half more years of residency before I could be on my own.
We strolled through the garden, and then back to where everyone congregated. Braeden cleared his throat. “You could always work down here. Callie could help get you a spot at her hospital.”
“That’s true,” I said, hoping he couldn’t hear the hesitance in my voice. “It’d be nice seeing you all anytime I want.” I just didn’t think it was a good idea to be near Maddox. It was hard being around him after what we’d had.
Braeden opened the door and started to walk outside, but I held back. A pair of bright blue eyes met mine. He was across the garden, looking squarely at me. Braeden stopped and stared curiously back at me, his brows furrowed. “You okay?”
Swallowing hard, I jerked my attention away from Maddox to focus on Braeden. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I lied. “You go ahead. I’m going to run to the restroom first.” I’d fought everything inside of me for so long, and now that I was so close to Maddox, I had to ask myself if I’d made the right decision in leaving him in Vegas. Braeden nodded and I hurried off to the bathroom, locking the door behind me. Sweat poured down my back, probably showing through my pink dress.
Turning on the faucet, I ran cold water over my hands. I wanted to splash it on my heated skin, but I couldn’t or it’d ruin my makeup. I’d made sure it was perfect, that I looked amazing for when I saw Maddox today. Why did I even care? Oh, I know…I was still in love with the bastard.
I charged out the door and Callie was right there, her concerned gaze on mine. Callie’s golden hair was silky smooth down her back and she had a prewedding glow that only made her more beautiful. “You okay?”
“Nope,” I replied with a shake of my head. Sighing, she grabbed my wrist and guided me over to a vacant corner. “Why are we walking away?”
With a heavy sigh, she glanced nervously over my shoulder. “There’s something you need to know.”
“What?” I asked, my stomach clenching.
She bit her lip. “There’s been a change of plans. You’re not walking with Braeden down the aisle anymore.”
The breath whooshed out of my lungs. By the look on her face, I knew exactly who I was going to be stuck with. “Please don’t tell me it’s Maddox.”
“I’m sorry.” She squeezed my hands. “It was Dallas’s idea and I couldn’t object without him asking questions. I didn’t think you’d want him knowing the truth just yet.”
“No,” I replied adamantly. Could I seriously walk down the aisle with him again and keep my sanity? It was bad enough I’d already banged into him dropping my phone. My heart was cruel and wanted to be closer to him, but my mind screamed at me to run far away. Unfortunately, I had no choice. “All right, I’ll do it. He is my husband, after all.”
Only he obviously didn’t remember.
Chapter 3
Maddox
“What’s going on with you and Lacey?” Justin asked. Justin was Callie’s brother and my cousin, as well as my best friend. We’d spent years playing hockey against each other, but about a year ago he was traded to the Strikers.
We walked toward Dallas and the other groomsmen, but I kept my voice down. I couldn’t let him know the truth just yet. “Fuck if I know. She absolutely despises me and I don’t know why.”
Justin snorted. “Lots of women hate you.”
“Yeah, well, it’s their problem.” And believe me, there were a lot. Most of them being the ones I used to get pictures with for the tabloids. They all wanted more, but I left them high and dry. There was only one woman who could satisfy me.
Chuckling, he patted my shoulder. “Not every woman wants you, asshole. Move on. It’s Dallas’s sister. He’ll beat your ass if you so much as touch her.” I glanced over at Lacey, who stood with Callie and the other bridesmaids.
Justin and I joined the other groomsmen, Kellan and Braeden. Kellan had started to warm up to me, but Braeden still hated my fucking guts. Hell, I hated him for being closer to my wife than I was.
Kellan shook our hands and smiled. “We got a busy week next week. You boys ready?”
“Hell yeah,” Justin replied. We’d already lost two play-off games, but I had no doubt we’d win the Stanley Cup again. The Strikers were the best team in the league.
My gaze landed on Lacey, who looked like she was going to run away at any moment. “You okay, Ledger?” Braeden asked, following my line of sight. He stared at Lacey and then turned a glare to me. It was obvious he didn’t like me looking at her. I’d seen them around town together, but they never touched like they were dating. It was the only thing that kept me from not beating his ass.
Nonchalantly, I shrugged a shoulder. “I’m fine.”
Tension filled the air and Justin nodded for me to move. I stepped back to get away from Kellan and Braeden. “Dude, snap out of it,” Justin warned. “Braeden saw you staring at Lacey. Dallas is going to be my brother-in-law tomorrow. He’s trying to be the bigger man by asking you to be a groomsman. I don’t want Callie having to deal with your rivalry at her wedding. You promised her you’d get along with everyone.”
He was right. Callie wanted me to be amicable and I promised her I would. With a heavy sigh, I ran a hand through my hair. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to keep my eyes away from Lacey. She was even more beautiful now.
“There’s something about that woman that makes me crazy,” I whispered.
Justin glanced quickly over at Lacey. “She’s the first girl to turn you down. We all want what we can’t have.” The thing is, she was mine. No other man had the right to be near her. He looked over at his fake fiancée, Miranda, and scoffed. “Believe me, I’d give anything for this year to be up.”
Chuckling, I shook my head and slapped
him on the shoulder. “Things not so good in paradise?”
His jaw muscles clenched. “You could say that. I’m stuck in a year-long contract with a woman who drives me completely batshit crazy.”
“Could be worse,” I said with a laugh.
“Yeah, right. I’d happily give her to you if I could.”
I shook my head. “Don’t want her. Why don’t you just cancel the contract? What are they going to do, sue you?”
Miranda looked over at us and waved at him, plastering on a wide smile we all knew to be fake. That was all she was.
Justin waved back and smiled. “I don’t want her, either,” he grumbled through his teeth. “If I cancel the contract, the producers said it’d ruin all my chances of ever being back on TV. I figured a year wouldn’t be so bad.”
He’d just finished starring in the latest season of Rich and Single. In his contract, he was supposed to choose a girl and propose on the season finale. However, it wasn’t as simple as that. He hadn’t spoken much on the matter, but we all knew Miranda wasn’t the woman he’d have chosen. Now, per the contract, he had to stay engaged to her for a year. Justin loved being in the spotlight.
“I’m just glad I don’t have to walk her down the aisle,” I muttered.
Justin glared over at me. “Lucky.”
“I heard that,” someone said behind us. Corey put his arm around Justin’s and my shoulders. “Everyone told you that you should’ve picked the girl you dissed in week four.”
Justin closed his eyes. “I know. I still regret it.”
Corey was one of Justin and Callie’s older brothers. He squeezed our shoulders and stepped in front of us, his attention solely on me. “I see you’ll be escorting Lacey up and down the aisle tomorrow. Make sure to keep your hands to yourself.”
A sly grin spread across his face and I laughed. “You have nothing to worry about. I can be a gentleman when I want to be.”
He snorted. “Yeah, right.”
“He better be,” Dallas said, walking toward us. He looked right at me. I bit the side of my cheek, hoping like hell he couldn’t see the excitement on my face. Lacey had no choice but to get close to me, and I was going to love every moment. “Does she know about the change?” I asked.
He nodded. “Callie told her a few minutes ago.”
“Hey, guys,” Callie called out. “I think the preacher’s ready to start.” She grabbed Dallas’s arm and linked hers with his. “Let’s get this done so we can go eat. I’m starving.”
Dallas kissed her on the head and smiled. “Are you going to be in a hurry like this tomorrow?”
She grinned wide. “Yep. The sooner we say I do, the sooner I become your wife.”
“Then let’s get to it.” He kissed her again and walked off, but she stayed behind. I really respected him. I never thought he’d be good enough for Callie, but he’d proved me wrong.
Callie kissed my cheek. “You seem to be getting along with everyone. Well, everyone except for Braeden.”
I shrugged. “I’m trying. You know why I don’t like the guy.”
“I know,” she said, hugging me tight. “I just want you to be nicer to your teammates. You don’t have to be a dick to be intimidating. You’re already scary on the ice.”
Chuckling, I let her go. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
She looked up at me and winked. “It was supposed to be. Now come on.”
Everyone was ready for us in the garden. She hurried off and I followed behind her. I was the only one not with my partner. Arms crossed over her chest, Lacey stood by herself at the front of the line. We were supposed to march out first. I walked over to her and held out my arm. “Ready to do this?”
She slowly turned her head and forced a smile, although her glare said everything. “Please don’t talk to me,” she said through clenched teeth.
I leaned into her and took her arm, wrapping it around mine. She stiffened and averted her eyes. “Sorry, sunshine. You’re stuck with me.” In more ways than one.
The doors opened and Callie’s wedding planner motioned us forward. We slowly made our way down the long aisle of empty chairs. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”
“Obviously you don’t know me very well.”
She scoffed. “I know you better than you think.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Chapter 4
Lacey
“You are so beautiful.”
With tears in her eyes, Callie looked at me and smiled. Her blond hair was pulled high in a ball of curls and her dress, embroidered with Swarovski crystals, looked exquisite on her tanned skin. “Thanks. I can’t believe the time has gone so fast.”
Kristen agreed with a nod. Our mint-colored, off-the-shoulder bridesmaid’s dresses looked great with her auburn hair. “Tell me about it. My daughter will be a year old next month.”
Hannah placed the veil on Callie’s head. “And I’ll still be working at the hospital and living with the most amazing boyfriend ever.”
Callie smiled. “That you are. My brother’s in love with you. I wouldn’t be surprised if he proposed to you this summer.”
Hannah’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Callie shrugged. “Who knows? You’re already living together.”
It was hard not to be envious of them all. They were all settled, and here I was, married and alone, a college graduate, and ready to finish my residency so I could become a certified doctor. No one knew I was secretly married except for Callie. Now that I’d been spending more time in North Carolina, I’d gotten to know Hannah better. Kristen was already a good friend, since Kellan and my brother were tight. I just wished I had friends like them in New York. Most of my medical friends had moved on to different residencies, so I was basically alone in the big city.
Callie peered over at me, her face glowing with excitement. “I keep telling Hannah you need to move down here and finish your residency. Dr. Sands and Dr. Young were so impressed with you. I have no doubt you could get a position at the hospital. Not to mention it’d be great having you in town.”
I shook my head, hating the fact that I’d really love to be in North Carolina, but I couldn’t. “Braeden said the same thing. I’d love to be here with you guys, but New York is where I belong. I like the big city.” It was a lie, of course. I was a small-town girl and I preferred it, but New York was thousands of miles away from a certain problem with dark brown hair and bright blue eyes.
A knock sounded on the door and Callie’s mother, Judith, stuck her head in. Her blond hair with wisps of white was down with loose curls and a diamond barrette holding back half of it. Callie looked just like her. She gasped when she saw Callie. “Oh, honey, you look so beautiful.” She hurried in and they hugged, both sniffling as they cried. Judith pulled away and sucked in a breath as she gazed down at Callie’s dress. “I wish your grandmother could see you now. She’d be so proud of you.” She looked at Callie one more time and then turned to us, wiping away her tears. “It’s almost time, ladies. Everyone ready?”
Callie took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “I’m ready.”
Hannah helped her with her dress and they walked out the door, followed by Kristen and me. My nerves were shot. In just a few minutes, I’d be walking down the aisle with Maddox. Leave it to my brother and Callie to want to be different. Usually, the groomsmen didn’t walk the bridesmaids up and down the aisle, but unfortunately, today they did. All I had to do was get through the ceremony and the pictures.
“What’s going on with you and Braeden?” Kristen asked, her voice low.
My heart pounded so hard I could feel it in my throat. I swallowed hard and looked at her. I didn’t know if I could talk. Maddox was just around the next corner. “Nothing,” I replied. “He’s my friend, you know that.”
Her lips pulled back slyly. “Okay. Over the past couple of weeks, you two have been together nonstop. I didn’t know if something had progressed or not.”
Callie heard her and winked
back at me. “Lacey has her eyes on someone else.”
I held up my hands. “Which I’m not going to discuss right now,” I informed them. “But Braeden is an amazing man. I don’t see him like that.”
Kristen patted my arm. “He is amazing. Any lady would be lucky to have him.”
If he were to meet someone and fall in love, I’d be his biggest supporter. I hoped one day someone of worth would find him. Meaningless sex was a thing with a lot of the hockey players. I never understood it. I could never do it. And it was one of the reasons I couldn’t trust Maddox. He had the same mentality as all the rest of the guys.
Callie’s father was up ahead, waiting by the corner. He beamed at her and pulled her into his arms. “We’re all ready if you are, pumpkin.”
Callie nodded. “I am.”
Her mother kissed her cheek. “It’s time for me to be seated. I’ll see you out there.”
She took off and Callie glanced back at us. “You all look amazing, girls. Thank you so much for being here with me today.”
Hannah hugged her first and sniffled when she walked off. Kristen did the same and then I was last. I wrapped my arms around Callie and smiled. “My brother’s a lucky man.”
She pulled back and nodded. “Yes, he is, but he’s not the only one who’s lucky.”
Her gaze drifted around the corner at the bridal party. Maddox stood alone at the front of the line. “When are you going to talk to Maddox?”
I shrugged. “Never? I’ve done pretty good at avoiding him.” It was inevitable, I knew that. I just didn’t have the courage to open my heart again.
“You can’t do that forever. When he wants something, he gets it. Playing hard to get is only going to make him want you more.” She moved closer and whispered in my ear. “You can’t keep your secret forever.”