by Toni Aleo
They both nodded at Tate as he came towards them with a smile on his face. Ever since becoming friends with Lucas, Erik and Phillip, along with the captain, Shea, and Erik’s brother, Jakob, Tate had been more at ease, and hadn’t had an anxiety attack in months. Ever since the death of his mother, father, and sister, they had been out of control when he felt completely alone. Coming to Nashville was probably the best thing that happened to him. He never felt alone; someone was always calling him and wanting to hang out. He wished it was of the female variety, definitely the Brunette Beauty, but still, he had friends and that was almost enough. At least for now it was.
“You’re late,” Erik said before tucking his phone into his pocket, “It’s starting in a few. My brother and Harper are already inside.”
“Okay, let’s go then,” Tate said cocking his head towards the entrance of the wedding hall. As the three men made their way into the hall, Tate noticed the second glances he and his friends were receiving. It was nice to be noticed, but for some reason Tate didn’t believe it was he who was making the girls look twice. With a shake of his head, trying to find the confidence he knew he had, Tate returned a few of the smiles that came his way as he followed behind Erik and Phillip.
Once in their seats, which were two rows behind Erik’s brother, Jakob, Shea, their boss, Eleanor Adler, and two other girls Tate didn’t recognize, the three man all leaned back, scoping out the place. Lucas had told Tate that Fallon had gone nuts with the theme and he wasn’t lying. A massive number of umbrellas hung from the ceiling. Lights hung from the inside, making it look as if it were raining, while rain did fall onto the umbrellas. How Fallon managed to do that was a mystery to Tate, but it was pretty awesome looking.
The altar area was done in white and champagne colored sheer fabric; it was hung in different directions and filled with big white flowers. Tate didn’t know what kind of flowers they were but they were magnificent and huge. Things sparkled in various places along the fabric and flowers, catching Tate’s eye. Hanging above the altar, were three huge white umbrellas with large sparkling chandeliers underneath them. The aisle was covered with the buds of the white flower along with more glitter and sparkle. Fallon sure did like things that sparkle. Overall, the hall was gorgeous and Tate couldn’t wait to see the bride. He knew she was going to outshine everything.
“Lucas wants me to meet his sister-in-law.”
Tate turned to see Phillip looking around the hall.
“Is she hot?” Erik asked.
“Apparently. I mean look at Fallon, she is fucking hot as hell, so hopefully the sister is too,” Phillip said, turning on his 100-watt smile.
Tate rolled his eyes before saying, “She’s my neighbor.”
Phillip laughed, “Well expect to see me in the morning if she is hot. I don’t plan on going home alone tonight.”
Erik chuckled as Tate shook his head. Phillip would have sex with a rock, as long as it had bumps that looked like boobs. The dude was hopeless.
“Hey, Erik, that girl you were telling me about…is that her?” Phillip asked. Tate looked up to see him pointing ahead of them. He was pointing to a girl who sat beside Jakob. Her long brown hair went down past her bare shoulders in an elegant looking braid.
Erik nodded, a slow easy smile going across his lips, “Yup and she doesn’t give two shits about me.”
Phillip laughed as Tate asked, “Who is she?”
“My brother’s sister-in-law, Reese. She just got back from New York and dude, she is fucking smoking.”
Phillip nodded as Tate lengthened his neck to get a better look. She was gorgeous, but Tate’s eyes were drawn to the girl beside Reese who had chosen that moment to look behind her. She was a more petite version of Reese, and had the most intoxicating blue eyes ever. She was gorgeous.
“Who’s the girl beside her? She is gorgeous,” Tate found himself asking.
Erik shrugged his shoulder, “That’s her twin sister, Piper. She’s okay, I guess.”
“Okay?” Tate asked dumbfounded.
Was he crazy? The girl was gorgeous.
Just then, the music to Gavin DeGraw’s More than Anyone started and everyone turned to see the back doors open, revealing Lucas and, who Tate guessed, was the minister. Lucas had a charming smile on his face as he made his way down the aisle, behind the minister. As he walked he would grin at people he knew. When he saw Tate, he gave him a nod before going up the steps towards the altar. Tate turned back towards the doors just in time to see Aiden grinning at him as he made his way down the aisle. The little guy was looking dashing in a sleek looking black suit. His unruly hair was brushed to the side and Tate couldn’t believe how much older he looked as he made his way towards his dad.
Once Aiden took his spot beside his dad as the best man, Tate watched as both of them looked back towards the doors. Tate turned, and suddenly felt like his legs were going to come out from beneath him. Because coming towards him was his Brunette Beauty. She was stunning, gorgeous, breathtaking; Tate could go on for hours describing her beauty. His eyes ran up her body, taking in a pair of insanely high sparkly heels, before drinking in the sight of her legs that disappeared into a short champagne colored dress that was spilt down the middle of her chest, showing off her fine breasts. She was mouthwatering, and as his eyes settled on her face, the overwhelming need to have her, hit him in full force. And he thought he had gotten over her.
What an idiot.
Somehow, Tate had missed Fallon’s entrance. He only noticed her for a second when his Brunette Beauty took the bouquet from her, so that she could hold hands with Lucas. Of course, Fallon looked beautiful but honestly she had nothing on his Brunette Beauty. Tate’s eyes never left her face, he couldn’t look away. He just wanted her to look at him, he wanted their eyes to meet, and he wanted that moment when everything would hit her like it was hitting him. She was gorgeous, stunning. Usually he couldn’t take his eyes off Fallon, she was so hot, but she was no comparison to his Brunette Beauty.
She was bewitching.
She had Tate in knots. He couldn’t concentrate at all during the wedding. His sole concern was her, not the joining of his best friends. Nothing else mattered, just her. He had never felt like that, never felt the need to have someone so intensely. He didn’t know what it was. Was it her eyes, her face, her neck, or her legs? Or maybe the fact that she was so gorgeous in such a little package.
When everyone started cheering, Tate looked towards the happy couple to see Fallon’s hands on Lucas’ face, and her lips pressed to his. Lucas had one arm around her and the other in the air, as if he was cheering for the prize he had just won.
“Show off,” Erik muttered as everyone whistled and cheered. Everyone stood as the happy couple made their way down the aisle. As his Brunette Beauty and Aiden ran behind them, Tate smiled. He couldn’t wait to approach her again.
“What the hell are you staring at?” Phillip said.
Tate looked down at him, “Fallon’s bridesmaid.”
“Oh, Audrey?”
“Audrey?” Tate asked, his stomach sinking.
“Yeah, that’s Fallon’s sister and Lucas’ new sister-in-law. She isn’t as hot as I thought she would be.”
Tate fell into his chair, breathing hard as Erik and Phillip made their way towards the aisle to follow everyone to the reception. He couldn’t believe it. The girl he was infatuated with was his best friend’s sister-in-law, also his neighbor? The same sister-in-law, who Lucas was insanely protective over.
Awesome. Just fucking awesome.
Chapter 5
The wedding was exquisite.
Audrey couldn’t decide if the best part was when Fallon walked down the aisle with her hand gripped tightly to their father’s arm, or when Lucas held his fist in the air as he kissed Fallon. Both moments brought Audrey to a puddle of tears, hell, the whole wedding did. Everything was just so perfect. Audrey couldn’t wait until the day she had could have someone look so intensely in her eyes like Lucas had looked
at Fallon. It was so fulfilling to watch him catch a stray tear from her cheek, and smile when his own eyes filled with tears.
It was magical.
Audrey leaned against the back of her chair, her eyes locked on the happy couple as they held each other in the middle of the dance floor. As Jason Mraz sang about not giving up on the other person, Audrey watched her sister cry in the arms of the man who she was going to be with for the rest of her life. When Lucas leaned over to kiss Fallon’s nose, Audrey’s eyes fell shut as she sent a little prayer of thanks up to heaven. She wasn’t sure how much more she could have taken of Fallon’s stubbornness, if she had continued to try ignoring Lucas. Thankfully, the Lord had other plans, and now her sister was living her Happily Ever After.
A smile formed on Audrey’s face as her eyes opened and she continued to watch the happy couple. She was no longer jealous, more like so stinking happy she could scream. Lucas and Fallon deserved each other. They were made for each other and no one else. Audrey could do nothing but just hope and pray she found that person. Then life would be grand.
Audrey looked down at the little Post-It note that said, ‘The Best Maid of Honor Ever’ and smiled. Fallon was so clever with the décor. Post-It notes meant a lot to her and Lucas, and having them as the name cards was too cute. With all the little umbrellas and soft sounds of rain falling, the wedding symbolized the start of their relationship. Audrey still got chills when she thought of the story Fallon had told her, about how she and Lucas had gotten back together for good. It was something straight out of a movie. Making up in the rain and then making sweet love in the grass.
Um yes, please sign her up!
As the song ended, Audrey glanced up to see Lucas kissing Fallon deeply while everyone clapped loudly. It was extra loud with the whole Assassin hockey team there, but man, did they make the wedding even more gorgeous. It wasn’t hard to pick out the hockey players. They were all dressed to impress and, man, were they scrumptious. Audrey should really work the room, maybe her Lucas Brooks was sitting at a table, drinking it up without her.
Suddenly someone was pulling at her arm, yelling, “Come on, AA, it’s our turn!”
Audrey smiled over at her favorite little guy as she stood, “Let’s go, Punkin!”
Aiden looked fantastic in his mini suit and his hair brushed to the side. Like always, everyone forgot to get the little guy a haircut, so he resembled Justin Bieber something serious. Audrey, of course, thought he was the cutest little guy ever and was proud to walk beside him towards the DJ. It was time for the speeches and even if Aiden was excited about it, Audrey was still a little nervous. The DJ was already holding a mic out for Aiden, who took it eagerly, a big grin on his face as he turned towards his parents.
“Now if I can have everyone’s attention, the best man would like to say a few words,” the DJ said loudly into his mic.
Aiden’s grin grew as everyone aww'ed and cheered for him. Who wouldn’t though? The kid was a doll baby! Audrey watched as Fallon and Lucas’ eyes zeroed in on Aiden, both with blissful grins on their faces. Aiden cleared his throat and began, “I couldn’t ask for a better mom or dad,” he then glanced back at Audrey, and took her hand in his, “Or a better AA.”
Damn kid! Audrey’s eyes filled with tears as she squeezed his hand. She loved him so much.
“My mom and dad are both great, but what makes them even better is when they are together and not fighting.”
Everyone laughed as Fallon leaned into Lucas, “I love you both so much and I’m so happy that we all get to live together. Now all I need is a brother. So I’m gonna need y’all to go get me one. I’m lonely you know!”
A roar of laughter rang out as Fallon shook her head and Lucas stood clapping his hands while yelling out, “I’ll get to work on that tonight, bud!”
Audrey shook her head while she swore the room got louder. Aiden smiled, bringing the mic to his lips again, “I love you guys, so much. Thank you for getting married.”
Tears streamed down Fallon’s cheeks as Lucas gathered her in his arms, kissing her temple. Fallon had done amazing raising such a perfect little boy, but even Audrey could see that Aiden had grown even more since Lucas had come into his life. They really were the perfect little family.
“You’re turn, AA,” Aiden whispered.
Audrey smiled wide as the DJ said, “And now the maid of honor, Audrey.”
Everyone clapped as all eyes fell on her. She looked down at the ground, taking in a deep breath. The words were there, but she wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to say them without crying. When she glanced up and locked eyes with Fallon, the words and some tears poured out of her.
“I have always been jealous of my sister.” Fallon’s eyebrow cocked as everyone chuckled softly, “She is beautiful, amazing, smart, and really, the strongest person I know. We are 10 months apart, and growing up, I had always wanted to be the older one, because then I would run everything.” Everyone laughed as Fallon shook her head. “I wanted to tell her what to do. I wanted to get the car first. I wanted the credit card first. Yeah, we were spoiled. Thanks Mom and Dad!”
Audrey looked over at her parents to see them laughing along with everyone else. “But most of all, I wanted to be the one the boys saw first instead of second. I wanted to be Fallon. She could walk into a room and all eyes were on her, so when she left for college and it was my turn, let’s just say, I didn’t miss her that much.”
“Liar! You called me all the time!” Fallon yelled out as everyone giggled.
Audrey smiled as her cheeks reddened, “Okay, maybe I missed her a lot but what I am trying to say is, Lucas Brooks, you are one lucky man.”
Lucas nodded as Audrey went on, “And yes, Lucas, she has driven you crazy, hell, she’s done it to us all, but you’re the one who stood there and wouldn’t let her go. You are by far the most amazing man I have ever met, and I couldn’t have hand picked a better man for who I see as the best, most loving sister ever. So here’s to you two,” she said as the tears streamed down her face. She held her glass up to Fallon and Lucas and they held theirs out to her, “To two whose love will be one for the ages. Who not only will love each other for the rest of their lives, but also their children. I am so proud of both of you, and I love you so much, more than you’ll ever know, but I do have one question,” she said with a grin, wiping the tears off her cheeks as she took in a deep breath.
“What?” Fallon asked, wiping her own tears.
“Where the hell is my Lucas Brooks!?”
Lucas’ cheeks flushed as everyone broke out in loud laughter while clapping and cheering for Lucas. Lucas stood, his hands out in front of him. “Damn Audrey, I play with 30 something guys every day, I’m pretty sure one of them could fit the bill,” Lucas yelled out. The room got louder as everyone continued to laugh while most of the guys started yelling that they were better than Lucas. Lucas laughed along with everyone as Audrey shared a long, tender look with her sister ignoring the raucousness around her.
“I love you,” Fallon mouthed.
Audrey nodded, “I love you.”
The reception was in full swing. Everything was amazing, the food, the music, the company. Audrey was having a hoot of a time even with Levi staring at her through the whole thing. Let him stare, she wasn’t going to him, if he had something to say, he could come to her. She was done chasing after that man. There were 30 something guys at that wedding; all single and ready to mingle, damn it.
Not that she approached any of them.
Audrey stood with Piper watching the dance floor, and drinking more champagne than needed. Piper was wearing a bright red halter-top that was lined in stones along the bust. Her skirt was a sparkly black and her red heels were to die for. They made her at least six inches taller and made her legs look long and lean. She looked amazing with her long light brown hair in big curls and her make up done so perfectly that her eyes looked bigger than normal. She was one stunning chick.
“Fallon is so pretty,” Piper
gushed. Audrey nodded as she watched her sister break it down with her groom.
“Yeah, she is,” Audrey agreed downing the rest of her champagne. Her eyes swept around the room, taking in the gorgeousness of the men. “So are the men in here, jeez, that hockey team is smoking hot!”
Piper giggled, “Right!? Man, that one guy, the one with no teeth, whoa! If he just kept his mouth shut the whole time, I could probably holler at him.”
Audrey giggled as she shook her head, “Yeah, he is, but did you see Anderson? My God, Fallon was right, total eye candy. I could suck on him like a sucker!”
Piper laughed loudly, “You’re so bad!”
“My own man-o-pop!”
Both ladies giggled at that, but when Piper went quiet, Audrey looked down at her confused. Piper was staring off to the side where her twin sister stood with one of the most gorgeous guys in the room. Reese stood tall in her silver heels that matched her short sparkly silver dress. It was opened in the back and hung off her shoulder, showing off her amazing tree tattoo that took up her whole back and shoulders. Piper had one to match; it was their twin thing. Reese’s hair was braided down her back and her make up was very dramatic and gorgeous. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome, stood only inches away, obviously spitting some mad game at Reese. She was shaking her head, laughing, but Tall-Dark-and-Handsome wasn’t giving up. He obviously had his sight set on Ms. Reese Allen.
“What’s wrong?” Audrey asked looking back at Piper.
“Nothing,” Piper said looking away. Audrey looked down at her until she looked up. When she did, Audrey saw the hurt in her eyes.