Bo. Leo. Reese. And his father.
Shoot, this was going to be bad.
Bo, Reese, and his father all wore varying degrees of fury on their faces. The fire in Reese’s eyes was by far the worst, though. Itwas his wedding. His celebration. And Wendy was his fiancée’s friend.
A quick glance at Leo made it clear his cousin was battling with himself, attempting to decide if he was more amused or irritated with the situation.
Tripp folded his arms. “Thanks for inviting me to the party.”
“Don’t you start,” his father growled. “You swore when Reese asked you to be part of the wedding party that you’d be on your best behavior. Or was that a lie?”
Lips clamping shut, Tripp glanced to Reese. Of course he felt bad. While the scene that played out was the furthest thing from being accurate, he still had planned on getting Wendy on his good side. He’d been so close.
Or had he?
Tripp frowned. Wendy hadn’t warmed up to him at all after those initial moments when she’d smiled at him. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized something. There had been a spark of defiance in her eyes when she’d smiled. He’d been so focused on her mouth, he hadn’t taken the time necessary to really gauge the way she was sizing him up.
This had been her plan all along.
But to what end?
To embarrass him?
Belittle him?
“Tripp!” his father snapped. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
His eyes found his father again. Judd Gilley was on the shorter side but that didn’t mean he was any less intimidating. He’d been a boxer in college and had the scars to prove it. The guy could take down someone twice his size in one well-placed swing. It was probably a good thing he didn’t have any daughters because no man would have been good enough.
Sometimes Tripp wondered if his father thought he was good enough for the sort of love his parents had found.
Swallowing hard, he lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Reese.” He wasn’t about to explain what had happened because he still couldn’t make sense of it himself. Wendy hated him. She wanted to hurt him. And he was going to find out why or die trying. “It won’t happen again.”
“You’re darn straight it won’t.” Reese muttered, raking a hand through his hair and mussing it. “Maybe I can ask Jacob if he’d be willing to?—”
“No,” Tripp snapped, drawing all eyes his way. “Jacob is a tool. And he’s probably busy getting ready for rodeo stuff. He’s always prepping and practicing even in the off season.” Tripp squared his shoulders and let his eyes linger with each man before him before they settled on Reese again. “I’ll behave. I made a mistake, but I won’t let that happen again. Wendy already knows me. And I’ll play nice.”
Oh, he wouldn’t play nice. Wendy had just put a big target on her back. She better be prepared, because when Tripp Gilley was messed with, there would be no coming back from it. He’d figure out what her game was, and he’d make her pay for what she’d done.
Not only was his family angry with him, she’d destroyed his favorite suit. He’d saved up for this one, too—had planned on wearing it to most of the wedding festivities. Maybe the drycleaners could salvage it.
He dragged a hand down his face, noting the sticky residue that still coated most of his skin. “You won’t get any trouble from me,” he insisted quietly. “There’s plenty of time for me to make it up to you… and her. Just… give me another chance.”
Leo arched a brow. He’d been there when Tripp had been asked to join the wedding party. And he’d been amused at the fact that Tripp had wanted nothing to do with it. Now? Things had changed. And they both knew it.
Did Leo suspect that Tripp would be planning something?
It didn’t matter.
“I’ll go find her right now.” He strode from the kitchen, ignoring the startled and curious looks he got as he made his way directly toward the vixen who had managed to tear his reputation to shreds with one statement.
Serenity glowered at him, stepping in his path to prevent him from speaking to Wendy. The latter actually had the decency to look alarmed by his presence.
“Let me talk to her,” he murmured, his eyes flashing with warning.
Serenity’s chin lifted. “Whatever you have to say, you can say it to me.”
He scoffed then leaned so he could get a good look at Wendy. “What do you think, sweetheart, want me to speak to your bodyguard?”
