by R. Linda
Until he wasn’t.
Until he let his inner drama queen shine. The guy was a brilliant actor. If he didn’t graduate with honours from his drama and acting degree, there was something wrong.
I reached for the bread basket in the middle of the table, needing to absorb some of the alcohol I guzzled down, when Jack squeezed my leg before wrapping his fingers around my wrist. “Do you really think you should eat that?” he said faintly enough that my parents, who were in deep discussion with each other about the upcoming wedding, wouldn’t hear, but everyone else did.
I dropped the bread. Ryder whipped his head around and stared. Bailey poured more wine.
“You’ve got a dress you need to fit into for the wedding,” Jack said and pinched my stomach.
Did he just call me fat?
Nate raised an eyebrow and tilted his head, studying Jack. And Linc…Linc picked up the knife. Bailey’s hand stretched across the table and touched his forearm. A slight shake of her head, warning him not to do anything stupid, or telling him it was okay. Linc paused. His grip stayed on the knife but relaxed somewhat. His eyes travelled to where Bailey’s hand was still on his arm, and he gave her a pointed look. She ripped her hand away faster than if she’d been burned.
“Don’t want to look like a frumpy old hag at your parents’ wedding, do you, baby cakes?” Something in the way his voice softened as he called me baby cakes, and how he gently patted my knee, made me realise he wasn’t serious. He didn’t think I was fat, and he wasn’t being a complete asshole. At least not for real. It was all for show. And I’d expect the one he was putting the show on for was the same one who tightened his grip on the knife in his hand.
Nate kicked his chair out and leaned over the table and hissed quietly in Jack’s face, “Outside.”
Jack stood with a smile before leaning down and pressing his lips to mine. “Make sure you order a salad.” He followed Nate outside while whistling a merry tune.
Ryder groaned, and Bailey smacked her head on the table. Linc’s jaw ticked in frustration, his eyes dancing from me to the door as if trying to decide whether to stay with me or give Nate a hand in threatening Jack. The whole overprotective thing.
“You okay, Princess?” he asked, concern etching his features. Princess. He hadn’t called me Princess since we were kids and my hair was long, like Rapunzel. I couldn’t count the number of times I made him rescue me from the evil witch Nate-alia, who’d locked me in the tallest tower of the…treehouse in our back yard.
“Fine.” I smiled, hoping it looked real.
Linc nodded once and stood to follow Nate and Jack outside, hesitating to ask me again if I was okay. “Want me to kick his ass?”
“No, it’s fine. Really.”
“Okay.”
“What is that all about, sweetheart?” My parents gazed down the table at me.
I brushed it off with a wave of my hand. “Oh, you know, just giving Jack the ‘you hurt my sister, I’ll hurt you’ talk. They’ll be back in a minute.” I forced another smile. I had a feeling I’d be faking a lot of smiles this week. My jaw was already aching.
“Good.” My mother seemed satisfied with my answer, looking back at my dad and continuing their conversation. I loved my parents. I really did. And they loved us, but sometimes they were so clueless about everything going on around them. It was like they only had eyes for each other.
“What is Jack doing?” Bailey hissed. “He’s being really mean.”
“I don’t know.” I shook my head, trying to work out how calling me fat would make Linc love me.
“He’s being the villain,” Ryder said.
“Well, I agree he’s being a jerk, but—” Bailey turned to look at Ryder and stopped when he rolled his eyes.
“What happens when The Joker terrorizes Gotham City?” Ryder asked, giving me a pointed look.
“Batman saves the day?” It was more of a question than an answer to his, but I wasn’t sure why we were talking about Batman and The Joker. I was more of a Thor fan.
“Exactly.” He nodded and waited for me to catch on. I stared at him. Closing his eyes, he continued, “Jack is The Joker.”
“And I’m Gotham City?” I raised my eyebrows. Was he telling me I was the size of a city?
“Bad metaphor, but yes.” He bit the corner of his mouth, chewing on his lip ring as he waited for it to sink in.
“Oh!” Bailey clapped her hands a little too loudly, earning a few stares from those at nearby tables. “And Linc is Batman!”
Ryder pinched her chin between his fingers and made her look at him, smiling at her with all the adoration in the world. “And Batman always saves the city and gets the girl,” he said before kissing her.
They were gross and over-the-top affectionate, and they didn’t have a care in the world who witnessed it. And I wanted something like that.
Was Ryder right? Did Batman always get the girl? Before I had too much time to dwell on it or get my hopes up, the guys returned with Jack, who looked very smug as he sauntered over to me and kissed me hard on the mouth. Nate sat at the table looking relaxed with an amused smile on his face, which was weird. Linc’s face was screwed up, and his eyes narrowed on Jack the whole time.
“Sorry, baby cakes,” Jack said as he pulled out the chair and took his seat beside me. I inspected him for any wounds or tell-tale signs that he’d been in a fight. Who really knew what Linc and Nate would do if they were mad enough at him for treating me so badly? I was relieved to find him unharmed, though I couldn’t guarantee he’d stay that way. We were going to have strong words later, but for now, I was starving and really wanted to eat a whole pizza. By myself.
The waiter chose that moment to come around and take our orders, finally. I waited my turn and listened to everyone else order the most delectable food on the menu, and when the waiter looked at me, Jack cut me off before I could speak. “She’ll have a garden salad, hold the dressing.” He smiled at the waiter, handing him the menu before discreetly sliding my wine toward him and replacing it with a glass of water.
My teeth clenched as I fought the urge to slam his head into the table, but that would have caused a scene, and I was too hungry and increasingly furious to deal with that drama. I didn’t dare look at Nate or Linc. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I sighed and let my head drop. Don’t cause a scene. Don’t cause a scene. I glanced up in time to see Ryder sliding a wine glass my way, with one eyebrow raised, as if challenging Jack to argue with him. No one argued with Ryder.
“You’ll thank me later when she hasn’t ripped your balls off and fed them to you,” Ryder said, making Jack chuckle quietly and nod in agreement.
“Okay, while we wait, I wanted to talk to you all about the wedding on Saturday,” my mum said, completely oblivious to the tension emanating from everyone at the table, no thanks to Jack. We all turned to the top of the table and waited for her to continue. “As you know, we’re renewing our vows on our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.”
Jack coughed out a laugh and muttered, “Well, duh, that’s why we’re here.” Thankfully, no one heard it but me. And I couldn’t argue with him; I was thinking the exact same thing. Trust my mother to make a big speech out of something we already know.
“And this time we want our children to be part of the wedding. You missed our first one, for obvious reasons.”
Like not being born.
“But you’re here now, and we’d love nothing more than to have Nate and Indie be part of the ceremony this time…” She paused and smiled before setting her sights on Linc. “And, of course, Lincoln, we’d love for you to have a role as well. You’re as much our son as Nate.”
“Lord knows you eat more of our food than he does,” my dad joked.
“Uh, sure. If that’s what you want, I’d be happy to.” Linc’s eyes widened in surprise. He smiled awkwardly and reached for his whiskey glass.
“Great. Okay. Nate will walk me down the aisle. Indie, you’ll be my bridesmaid, and Lincoln, dear, we�
�d like you to be Steve’s groomsman,” she announced happily. “We have a lot to do before Saturday, so be prepared for some dance lessons and rehearsals for the ceremony and dinner. Otherwise, all this week is yours to relax and have fun.”
But all I heard was “dance lessons.” My eyes were wide with shock. I didn’t dance. I couldn’t dance. I was known for having two left feet. Actually, it was more like one foot when I danced because I tended to just hop awkwardly on the spot.
“Yes. You and Lincoln will have a special dance during the reception.”
“Pretty sure it’s the bride and groom who have the special dance at the wedding, Mrs. K,” Linc interjected helpfully, flashing me a giant, eye-crinkling grin. I swooned. Literally swayed in my seat and stared glassy-eyed at him. No more wine for me.
“Cool down, baby cakes.” Jack nudged me with his elbow.
“Thank you, Lincoln, for clarifying that,” my mother said sarcastically. “Yes, I’m aware it’s the bride and groom. We have done this before, you know? But this time, we want you kids to join us for the first dance.”
“Uh…guys?” Nate raised his hand awkwardly and cleared his throat. “I walk you down the aisle and hand you off to Dad, then take my seat in the front row. I don’t have a dance partner.”
“Oh, nonsense. Don’t you worry. I have this all sorted out. As long as you show up when you’re needed, it’ll be fine,” she reassured Nate smoothly.
I had a sinking feeling Jack wasn’t the only one with a plan this week. There was a glint in my mother’s eye. I just wasn’t sure what it meant.
Chapter Six
Linc
The moment dinner was over, I was out of my seat, making excuses to get the hell out of there. The seven glasses of whiskey I’d downed barely took the edge off, and Jack was an even bigger ass than I had originally thought. I couldn’t understand what she saw in him. He was nothing but rude to her all night. What kind of guy dictated what his girlfriend could eat and wear? I’d bet my car the dress Indie had worn to dinner was because of him. As gorgeous as she looked wearing it, I knew she’d be so much more comfortable in jeans.
I paced my room forty-three times waiting for her to return to her room. I had a plan.
Where was she?
I listened at the door for thirty seconds, hoping she’d have snuck in without me realising. But it was silent.
Where was she?
I checked my watch, tapped the screen to make sure it was working, and brought it to my ear to hear the tick of the second hand.
Where was she?
She had better not be with Jack somewhere alone. I hung my clothes in the closet then colour coordinated them because I had nothing better to do with my time.
Where was she?
I poured a drink and stood on the balcony watching the waves crash against the shore. The sun had long set, the stars were out, and the breeze was warm.
Where was she?
I listened at the door again for any sound of her being back. I heard the television.
She was back.
I made one phone call then rushed into the bathroom for a shower. As soon as I was out, I heard a knock on the door. Pulling my pants on and rubbing the towel through my hair, I opened the door and greeted the guy with the room service cart.
“Thanks, man,” I said and tipped him once he brought the food inside. After he left, I pushed the cart through the door between our rooms without even knocking.
“Linc!” she gasped, pausing the television and sitting up on the bed. “What are you doing here?”
“I brought you this. Figured you’d be hungry after not eating much at dinner.” I tapped the cart.
“Food?” She bit her lip, her mouth pulling into a grin as she knelt forward and slapped both hands on the bed a few times.
I dragged the cart to the foot of the bed and climbed on beside her. “We have pizza, steak, chips, and garlic bread.” I lifted the silver covers off all the trays.
“No salad?” Indie quirked an eyebrow.
I may have growled, my lip curling in disgust. “No fuckin’ salad.”
“Good.” She reached for the pizza first. “You don’t win friends with salad.”
I burst out laughing, falling back onto the bed. She was quoting The Simpsons to me. I could have a kissed her right in that moment, but common sense prevailed.
She smiled and shoved half the pizza slice in her mouth. The girl could eat. In fact, she could eat more that Nate or I, and the idea that Jack-ass was controlling everything pissed me off. Hence the mini buffet now.
“What are you watching?” I asked, indicating the paused television.
“Nothing, just flicking. Wanna watch a movie with me?”
“Sure.” I tried to act like it was no big deal, but it was. Watching movies with Indie—and Nate—in the basement of their house was my favourite thing to do growing up, scary movies, in particular. “Any good horror movies on?”
“You know I don’t like horror movies.” She groaned through a mouthful of pizza and threw the remote control at me.
“You love them,” I argued, knowing how much she hated watching them. She always closed her eyes and blocked her ears through most of the slasher flicks we watched, usually burying her face in my chest to shield herself from seeing something that would give her nightmares. I hated the thought of her being scared, but I lived for those nights where she’d eventually fall asleep in my arms, hiding from the monsters on the screen.
“Whatever. Just know I’m blaming you when I get nightmares.” She stabbed her fork at me. “And I’ll wake you up in the middle of the night to check under my bed for monsters.”
I grinned at her and pushed the room service cart aside. I was counting on it.
I shuffled back on the bed until I was leaning against the headboard.
“What are you doing?” Indie looked over her shoulder at me.
“Getting comfortable. Obviously.”
She dropped her fork onto her plate and stood to place it on the cart out of the way before climbing back on the bed beside me. “Shouldn’t you put a shirt on or something?”
“Why?” I hadn’t even thought about throwing on a shirt after the food arrived. I was in too much of a hurry to see Indie and make sure she was okay after the way Jack-ass treated her. “It’s hot, and I never wear one when I go to bed.”
“We are not going to bed. We are watching a movie,” she clarified, her eyes dropping to my bare chest and stomach before flicking straight back up to my face.
“On your bed, so I’m wearing something comfortable. Shouldn’t you get changed out of your dress?”
“Oh, uh…yeah, I guess.” She stood and lifted her suitcase onto the bed and began rifling through it, a frown forming on her face the longer she searched. “You know what? I’m okay in the dress.”
“Indie, get changed. You’re going to fall asleep like you always do when we watch movies, and you cannot sleep in that.”
“Fine,” she huffed, grabbing something out of her case and balling it into a tight wad of material before storming into the bathroom.
Five minutes later, she returned nervously and took my breath away. Damn it. Why did she have to get changed? Her legs looked killer. Smooth and creamy and lean, stretching up to her low-slung black shorts that barely covered the curve of her ass. I gulped, my eyes dragging up her body unhurriedly, taking in every detail from the sharpness of her hipbones, and the thin strip of skin that was exposed below her bright pink cropped pyjama top.
“Kiss my…?” I asked, referring to the black glitter writing that stretched across her chest.
With a playful smile, she turned and gave her hips a little shake. A laugh rumbled from my chest. Where the hell did she get these pyjamas? Plastered right across her butt were giant, glittery, pink lips.
“Is that an invitation?” I asked, unable to take my eyes off her shorts, until she turned around with a scowl on her face. I would happily kiss her there…everywhere.
“Not funny, Linc. It’s not my fault. I packed completely different clothes.”
“What do you mean?” That got my attention at once. I reached out and pulled her onto the bed beside me. “These aren’t yours?”
She shook her head. What the fu…?
“Well, I mean, I guess they are. They’re just not what I bought myself.” She sighed and took a deep breath. “Jack repacked my bag, replacing all my clothes with…this.” She ran her hands down her body, making me wish she’d either put a robe on or take everything off.
I stared at her, trying to choose my words carefully. I knew if I said the wrong thing, she’d get pissed off and likely kick me out of her room. I wasn’t ready to leave yet. It’d been so long since I saw her last that I wanted to spend every free minute I could with her, without that idiot around. I was quietly grateful she came back up here alone.
“Look, it doesn’t matter. One week, and I’ll be home with my own clothes, and things will be back to normal. I can tough it out for a few days,” she said when I failed to respond. “Let’s just watch this movie.”
“Gimme a sec.” I jumped off the bed and ran into my room. I pulled out a pair of basketball shorts because they were the only things I had with a drawstring that could be pulled tight enough to fit her waist and took them back to the room. “These might be more you.”
She smiled that smile, the one that stopped my heart every time, and ran to the bathroom, only to come back in my shorts. As good as she looked in the tiny black shorts, I liked her better in mine.
“Thanks. So what are we watching?”
“You’ll see.”
I pressed play and settled back against the headboard. We were watching Saw. Indie sat forward with her legs crossed, watching intently, showing no fear, and I wondered if she wasn’t scared of these movies anymore. But then her hands crept up to her mouth, and she began chewing on her fingernails. After she jumped the first time at a scene that wasn’t even scary, she was back against the headboard with her hands covering her eyes, peeking through her fingers.