I put my hands in the air. “He knew damn well that was going to happen. Talking shit about Talia is a ‘fuck around and find out’ situation.” I glance around at the shocked faces of the bridal party. “Anyone else got something to say?”
Kyle’s on his feet now. He wipes the back of his hand beneath his bleeding nose and sneers at me.
“Fuck you, Beaumont.” He spits on the ground. “You’re all cheap shots and empty chirps. I’m ready to finish what you started.”
“No!” Audra cries. “I don’t want you standing at the altar in a fucking neck brace, Kyle! Your jacked-up face is already going to ruin enough.”
Kyle’s torn between coming for me and keeping his bride-to-be happy.
“Hey babe,” I call, glancing at Talia. “You mind if I fight him?”
“Not at all.” She smiles. “Your balls belong entirely to you.”
Audra lets out a bloodcurdling scream that shuts everyone up.
“Stop! Ruining! My wedding!” She looks around at everyone, her eyes wild. “Tomorrow is my day, and I will personally dismember anyone who ruins it.”
Talia and I exchange a quick look of concern.
“I think Lucien and I should go back home,” she says softly.
“No!” Audra cries. “Every fucking member of my fucked-up fucking family is going to be in my wedding pictures! That includes you, Talia.”
Talia’s lips part with surprise. “I’m not going to be in your wedding photos. That’s ridiculous, given my history with Kyle.”
"You’re still my sister.” Audra’s voice breaks with emotion.
Talia sighs softly. “Yes. And if you need a kidney or something like that, I’m in. But don’t ask me to stand there and smile for your wedding pictures.”
“I thought you’d moved on,” Audra says smugly, crossing her arms.
“I have.”
Her gaze flicks to me, and something in her eyes makes me walk over to stand beside her. I take her hand, my inner Loki playing chess while Audra is playing checkers.
“It’s not what you think,” I say. “It’s not that she hasn’t moved on. She just didn’t want to upstage your wedding with our news.”
“Your what?” Audra’s eyes widen.
I squeeze Talia’s hand, telling her to play along. “We’re engaged.”
Audra’s jaw drops. “You’re what?”
Kyle scoffs and turns away, swearing. I only wish I’d thought of this play sooner.
“Yeah, and when we visited my family last month, they wanted Talia to be in our family pictures since she’s my fiancée. I think Talia just feels torn because of that.”
“I do.” Talia nods her agreement. “It wouldn’t be right for me to be in the pictures without my fiancé.”
“Okay.” Audra furrows her brow, considering. “Then I guess?—”
“Don’t say it, Audra,” Kyle barks. “Do not fucking say what I think you’re about to say.”
She ignores him. “Then I guess Lucien will need to be in the pictures, too.”
“Jesus Christ!” Kyle puts his hands on his head, coming unglued. “No fucking way am I letting that happen.”
Talia squeezes my hand. We’re lucky we get to see such a dramatic performance without even having to pay for tickets. And it’s starring the two most deserving people I know.
