by H. M. Ward
Tails.
My jaw quivers and my heart falls into my shoes. It’s just like Deegan said. Part of me wants to go out there and throw the coin at his face, but I remain in the steamy little room devising a better idea.
After today, Nick Ferro is going to wish he never met me.
CHAPTER 26
When I get out of the shower, I expect Nick to be gone, but he’s still there sitting on the bed like a saint. I hate him, but I hide it well enough. I have to crack the door to let the steam out or my hair won’t dry right. I’ll look like I licked an electrical outlet. As it is, the humidity has it misbehaving. I’m surprised no one’s mentioned the massive frizz bomb I inherited from my father. Since his hair is always cut short, no one notices. My hair usually hangs long down my back, but on days like this—when it feels like a cloud is sitting on the ground—my hair transforms into Medusa locks.
Amy. I smile to myself. She’s running the studio for me while I’m out here. I’d originally planned on staying the entire week. After the wedding tonight, Sophie and Steven will take off for the airport. They encouraged the guests to stay a few extra days and hired entertainment and wonderful meals, but I’m darting home as soon as Sophie’s foot lands on the limo floor.
That will take place after she chooses the winning picture. Nick and I will have an hour to process our favorite shots and then someone will mix them into a slideshow. That’s when I’ll see which picture my best friend and her husband choose, and who is better at shooting weddings—me or Nick the rat bastard.
When I crack the bathroom door, Nick says, “Sophie said she wanted to talk to us and not to leave until she comes by.”
I stick my head out the door. It’s still wrapped in a towel. “Yeah, right.”
“Do you really think I would have waited for you? You’ve been in there forever.” Nick looks at his watch. Brat.
“I’m leaving when I’m dressed.”
Nick shakes his head. “Guess again.” He tosses me my cell phone, which was next to my blankets on the floor. There’s a text message flashing.
It’s from Sophie: I NEED TO TALK TO YOU AND NICK; STAY IN YOUR ROOM UNTIL I GET THERE.
I glance up at Nick, wondering if he can send a fake text.
“What?” he asks, like he’s done nothing wrong.
My plan to screw him over is already in action. When Sophie comes by, I’ll get something from her but I wish she’d let him leave the room. That wasn’t part of the plan. I’d talked to her earlier and asked her for a few things that I know she has in her emergency bride kit. Sophie over-prepares; she packs everything and anything. This time, all that extra crap will come in handy. I mean, what kind of bride needs superglue? I smirk, thinking about drizzling it all over Nick’s lens, so it can’t focus. He won’t realize it until it’s too late and the man didn’t bring any back up equipment. If he’s cheating, I have to ditch the rules, too. I can’t lose this bet with Sophie’s hideous cousin or Nick.
“Nothing,” I say like he doesn’t have any effect on me at all. “When did she say she’d come by?”
He shrugs. “She didn’t.”
I nod and head back into the bathroom and blow out my hair, put on make-up, and then dig through my suitcase and pluck a pair of panties that are too pretty to wear when no one else is going to see them. I should wear them, because they’ll make me feel confident and sexy. The front is black lace with some hot pink peeking through. The sides are double straps that connect at a bow in back and attach to a G-string. Like I said, not the kind of thing I’d normally wear to work, but I grab them anyway. I take the matching bra that gives me insta-boobs and amazing cleavage, before pulling on a non-descript black blouse and pants.
The photographer shouldn’t be seen—at least that’s my method. I wear leather-soled shoes so I don’t make a sound when I shoot a wedding. Everyone should be looking at the bride and not paying any attention to me. It’s amazing how some photographers don’t respect that tradition. They’re up in front, blocking everyone’s view, and being as outlandish as an elegant elephant in a tiny pantry. That’s not me.
Just as I pull my hair back and pin it up, there’s a knock at the door. I come out of the bathroom just as Nick stands. He pads toward the door and pulls it open. Sophie and the crazy redhead are standing outside. Sophie is half dressed. Her hair is done and her makeup has been applied. She had someone from the city come out to do it. I rush toward her and give her a hug. Nick steps back into the room, giving us space.
Sophie laughs and hugs me back. “I’m so excited, Sky! I can’t wait.”
“I’m so happy for you. I really am.”
She breaks from the hug and steps forward into the room. There’s a different expression on her face, one I’ve never seen on Sophie before today. I don’t know what to make of it. Nick’s gaze flicks to the side to see if I’m getting a read on my best friend, before returning his focus to Sophie.
“I thought you’d want some getting ready shots,” Nick offers. “What’s going on?”
Sophie puts her hands behind her back and rocks on her heels. The Red Devil remains behind her staring at me like she wants to rip my head off and turn it into a salad bowl. “Well, I wanted to make sure that you both had what you needed.”
What is she doing? “Yeah, Soph. We’re fine.” Better than fine. “Did you bring what I asked for?”
“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that. If you don’t mind, I need a moment alone with Sky. Can you guys hang out in the hallway for a second? I promise it’ll only be a second. Thank you so much for leaving the desk to help me.” She says the last part to Red.
Red smiles like a saint. “Of course. It’s your wedding day. I’ll be right outside.” The woman wanders down the hall. Nick walks past me, as if he doesn’t like this, but does as Sophie asks and leaves us alone.
That’s when I get the truth. Sophie’s expression shifts from happy to displeased in a snap. She places her hands on her hips, which pulls at her silk robe, opening the front so I can see the top of her corset. “Skylar Thompson, I will not let you do this.” She gets into my face and scolds me, throwing me way off. Sophie doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. She’s never raised her voice to me, ever, but now she lets me have it.
“I have to.”
“No, you don’t. Just because he’s a cheating piece of slime, doesn’t mean you have to become the same. You worked your ass off, honestly, to get to where you are. If you cheat and do this to him, you’ll regret it. And I’ll lose every ounce of respect I have for you. This isn’t you, Sky. Don’t sabotage him, break his gear, or glue his seat. I know you have something planned for this, and I’m giving it to you because I’m not your mother, but if you go through with this,” she sucks in a huge breath and spits out the words, “I’m not sure I want to be your friend anymore.”
Sophie’s words hit me like knives and suddenly I can’t breathe. There are no words. I just stand there with my mouth hanging open. Sophie grabs my arm, opens my hand, and shoves the tube of super glue into my palm. I glance down at my hand and then back up at her. “Sophie, I—”
She shakes her head and lifts her hand to silence me. “There are actions that change people, Sky. There’s no going backwards after this. Make your decision carefully or you might not like who you become.” Her dark lashes drop to the floor as she turns to the door. Sophie twists the knob and beckons Red and Nick back into the room. “Please take their gear to the chapel. Put Nick’s on one side and Sky’s on the other.”
Nick offers that Ferro charm, “Sophie, I hardly think that’s necessary.”
His charm slips off of Sophie like a drop of water. “No, I really think it is.” She glances at him for a moment and then looks back at me. “You two are cut from the same cloth. You’re just too stubborn to see it. If you did…” Her voice trails off and she laughs, practically blushing. Her innuendo makes me step away from Nick. I can’t believe she did that. “Well, it’d be a sight to see.”
Red
requests our gear. If I’m going to superglue his camera, I’ll have to get to the chapel first. Sophie watches me for a moment before turning on her heel and closing the door behind her. Nick and I stare at each other.
After a moment, he asks, “What was that about?”
CHAPTER 27
“I don’t know,” I lie, folding my arms over my chest and staring at them. I can’t look him in the eye, not after I do this to him. I wonder how he can look at me as if he’s done nothing wrong. I’m not that person. Sophie knows I’m not, but I have to win. I have to. What am I willing to do to ensure it, especially when Nick is cheating? My gaze flicks up to his. “Sophie doesn’t like us squabbling, I guess.”
He hesitates and offers, “She seems like a good friend.”
“She is, she’s the best. Sophie’s the kind of person I strive to be, but I fall short. She’s like Snow White, Mother Teresa, and Tinker Bell all in one body.” The thought makes me smile. “I honestly didn’t know she had that in her. I’ve never heard her say anything like that before, like ever.”
Nick’s brow furrows and his arms fold. He stares blankly at the place where Sophie stood, then looks back at me. “Do you think it’s bridal jitters? It doesn’t seem like it to me. She’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, to tell you the truth. Steven is a lucky guy.”
I look up at him. “Yeah, he is.” Our eyes lock and we look at each other way too long. Suddenly, I’m very aware of my heart and it kills me that Nick isn’t who I want him to be.
My phone chirps and breaks the moment. I glance down. It’s a text from Deegan.
SORRY I DIDN’T CHECK ON YOU LAST NIGHT. MY ANKLE NEEDED A LITTLE ATTENTION AFTER ALL THAT. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL ABOUT MEETING ME BEHIND THE CHAPEL TONIGHT?
I smile at the phone. Nick notices and walks over. Before I can hide the message, he sees it. “You know he’s using you, right? You seem a little bit too nice for him.” I turn and stare at Nick. I don’t know what to say, so I just continue looking at him. The action makes him squirm. He looks away from me, and glances back every few seconds, searching for the words to explain. “There are guys that prey on girls like you, that’s all I’m saying. Be careful, okay?”
I don’t blink. I gape at him as my arms fall to my sides. My eyebrows lift up into my bangs and disappear. “Are you bipolar or something? Why bother acting like you give a rat’s ass about me, when you don’t? Deegan’s not like that. He’s a better man than you’ll ever be.” A little harsh, yeah, but I’m not taking pointers from Nick Ferro. Screw that. My body tenses and somehow I’m in his face.
Those blue eyes remain locked on mine. He doesn’t flinch or deny anything. “I know you hate me. I didn’t expect you to listen. I just hoped you would.” He turns away and sucks in air like it’s his dying breath. “Come on. We better get down there.”
I follow Nick to the door, absolutely livid. It takes every ounce of restraint not to fight with him, but the wedding is in an hour and he’s right. We need to get over there. There are shots that Sophie will want and I don’t want to miss them.
Nick grabs the handle and twists. I see him pull the door and his shoulder jerk. “What the…?” Nick repeats the action, but the door won’t open.
At first I think he’s messing around, trying to make me smile or something, but he’s not. “What’s the matter?”
“It’s stuck.”
“I see that.” Shoving him out of the way, I try. The door doesn’t give. I glance at Nick and we both dart for the only other way out—the window.
The building has older windows, the kind with the metal lock that swivels between the top and bottom panes, holding them together when it’s locked. He tries to unlock it, but the metal doesn’t move either. Nick glances at me with fury in his eyes. “Did you do this?” He practically yells in my face.
Tilting my head to the side I give him a look that says his question is stupid. “Yes, I locked the window and the door so we’d be stuck in the room together. Are you mental?” I snap. “Of course I didn’t do it! Move, let me try.”
“You’re too weak. It’s been glued shut.”
After pushing and pulling on the lock I turn slowly and look at him. “Glued?”
“Yeah, look at the metal. There’s super glue all over it. You can see the white haze it leaves when it dries.” Nick points and then walks across the room to grab something while I stare blankly from the window and to the door.
She didn’t. Oh God. If Sophie thinks I might do something I’ll regret for the rest of my life, would she do this? I would have said there was no way, but I must have given her the idea. She locked us in here. I have to get out. I have to win. If I don’t show up at her wedding, I’ll be the worst best friend ever. Screw the bet. I can’t do this to her. I mutter, “I didn’t think she...” Panic laces my voice. Nick studies me speculatively. His eyes take in every detail from my rounded shoulders to the way my fingertips barely touch my lips.
“What? Tell me.”
I don’t know why, but I answer him. “I think Sophie did this.”
“No, she wouldn’t have. That’s insane.” Nick shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter anyway. We’re getting to that chapel. If we pull the lock off the frame, the window will open. We can call down for help or I can lower you down. Whatever you want.” I watch his face for a second, wondering why he’d help me. It’s like he can read my thoughts, because he says, “No matter what you think of me, I’m not a total asshole. I’m not ruining your friend’s wedding by neither of us showing up.”
Nick tries a pencil under the lock, but it crumbles under pressure—as do the next few objects he tries. He needs a piece of metal. That will pull it apart. “What if Sophie doesn’t want us there?”
“Then she would have fired us. She’s just trying to get us to slow down and stop fighting. If we get there at the last second, we can’t fight. She’s smart. I’ll give her that. What bride walks around with super glue?” Nick shakes his head and breaks another pencil. Shards of wood go flying.
I hand him a letter opener I found in the desk. “Try this.”
He takes it. “Thanks. This should work.” And it does. Although it bends into an L-shape, Nick is able to pry the metal lock completely free from the old wooden window. It was held in with little nails that go flying as it comes free. Nick grins at me and says, “Come on.” I step closer to him as he pulls on the sash.
It doesn’t move.
He pulls again and swears, banging his fist into the wall. “She glued it.” He curses again as his fingers trace the entire lower windowpane. The glue goes all the way around.
“No. She wouldn’t.” My voice is too high, too airy. I sound desperate and hurt. I guess I am. Nick steps back to let me see for myself. I trace the glue with my fingertips, panic building in my stomach.
Nick pulls his phone out and calls someone, but says nothing. A moment later he hangs up. “The front desk isn’t answering.”
“Sophie hi-jacked the desk clerk. She took her to the chapel. Is there a number for the chapel?”
Nick shakes his head and sighs. “No, there isn’t. Unless we want to break the glass, we’re trapped.”
I glance at the window. “It’s not going to break.”
“How do you know?”
“Because Sophie threw a wooden music box at me when we were little. I ducked and it hit the window. The window didn’t break.”
“So we use something heavy.”
“It was heavy. That thing was a brick, that’s why I didn’t just catch it. We both thought the window would break, but it didn’t.”
Nick looks desperate. His brow is covered in beads of sweat and he’s pacing the floor like a mad man. He runs his hand over his forehead and through his hair. With every turn he repeats the action. Something has him on edge, like this wedding is a life or death event for him. He mutters to himself, trying to think of other ways to get out of the room.
I grab my phone and text Sophie: I WON’T DO IT. I’M SORRY. PLEAS
E, LET US OUT.
I know in my heart she did this, but my friend doesn’t respond. I press my eyes together in frustration and throw my phone at the wall. The casing protects it so it just falls to the floor with a thump. Nick turns and sees me, tears forming in my eyes. “I’m going to miss my best friend’s wedding.”
I sit down hard on the edge of the bed. In this moment, I hate myself. I was willing to become someone I swore I’d never be, but Sophie saw it. I didn’t. She sacrificed her wedding pictures because her best friend was too dumb to listen. I ruined her memories. She won’t have any. I plant my face in my hands and try not to cry.
I wouldn’t have been that selfless. Can she even still be my friend after this?
Nick’s frantic pacing stops when he sees me. At first he says nothing, then, shucking his tux jacket, he comes and sits next to me on the bed. “This is my fault. I know you probably won’t believe me, but for what it’s worth—I’m sorry.”
I laugh, but it’s bitter. “That’s amazing. How do you make it sound so sincere?” I sit up straight and wipe the tears from my eyes. “I have to know. How do you lie to someone’s face and pretend that they matter to you when they don’t? It’s a business skill that I’m obviously lacking and desperately need.”
Nick turns away quickly so I can’t see his face, but I don’t stop. “Tell me, Nick. After you hose this business, I have nothing, like, literally nothing. My best friend isn’t going to talk to me ever again, and I’ll lose my business because I couldn’t outmaneuver you. You stole my clients and drove my business into the ground. Now, I have to sit here with you until someone comes and lets us out. Somehow, I’m guessing that will be Sophie with a chainsaw tomorrow morning!” By the time I’m done, I’m crying, yelling, and laughing. The image of Sophie in her wedding dress with a chainsaw is funny. I can’t help it.