I groan, and she snickers, pleased with herself. “I guess you were right when you said you didn’t need my help fending off the creeps,” I begin again. “You’ve certainly managed to turn the douchey quarterback into a sappy family man.”
Her smile fades. “I didn’t do anything. Blake’s always been a great guy. It’s just that none of us wanted to see it.”
“Yeah, maybe,” I say as we continue dancing. My eyes drift over to the crowd, and I spot Lilley watching us, though I can’t read her expression. Then I notice Daisy beside her, and I turn my attention back to Loren.
“Either way, you’re a beautiful bride and an even better mom. I’m proud of you,” I choke out after a while.
“Thank you, Landry.” Loren squeezes me tightly just as the song ends, and I rest my chin over her head as I welcome the embrace. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“But I still think you’d be happier if you gave this stuff a shot.” She pulls back and looks up at me. “You know who would also make a lovely bride?” She inclines her head in Daisy’s general direction, and my stomach turns.
“Don’t do that right now,” I mumble and let her go. I should have known she’d add abutafter that.
“Do what?” She grins mischievously. “Get you to loosen up and see what’s right in front of you?”
I blink, my head suddenly getting thick. I probably should have eaten before having a few drinks. “Whatever.”
“Landry …” she steps forward and reaches out for me when I sway on my feet.
But I push her away, and everything gets foggier. “Let it go, Lo.”
“Fine,” she says on a sigh, then she turns into the next set of waiting arms as I head back to the bar.
CHAPTER 21
daisy
Boom-boom-boom.
A series of loud taps on the microphone and a short screech from the feedback grabs the attention of most of the guests at the wedding reception.
“Hey, everyone,” a deep voice slurs. “I’ve got something to say.”
The music trails off as we all turn to stare at Landry, watching as he chokes on a swig from a champagne bottle. “You already got the good toast from the Golden Boy over there, but it’s my turn to speak,” he says, gesturing to the side where JD stands beside Blake and Loren.
I cringe. Something tells me this isn’t going to end well.
“I’m sure you’re all aware that I’m not the easiest person in the world to get along with, but …” he shrugs before he continues, “neither is my sister. I mean, I love you, Lo-Lo. I’d die for you and everything, but gah, you can be an ungrateful brat.”
Everyone turns to see Loren’s reaction. She’s observing Landry with a blank expression while Blake clenches his jaw and tightens his grip around her as if he’s preparing for the worst. And now I’m wondering whether I should cut in and stop this before he goes too far.
Landry laughs sardonically over the mic and sways a little as he turns to address the guests directly. “But she’s my baby sister, you know? I have to take care of her. So when I found out that she and Blake the Snake were an item, well … y’all can only imagine what went through my mind.”
We all fidget uncomfortably. “I mean, this is the same guy who’s famous for screwing his way through one of the biggest college campuses in the country, right?” He gestures in Blake’s direction as he says it, and now Loren’s emotionless stare shifts into an angry glare.
“But, I mean, he gave all that up for you, Lo-Lo, so he mustreallylove you.”
My stomach turns when Loren’s eyes drop to her feet and Blake runs a hand through his hair, looking mortified. If only Rowan was here, he’d know what to do right now. I glance around the crowd, looking for someone else to help, but they all just look on in a combination of horror and secondary embarrassment.
“And even though this son of a bitch almost got my sister killed when he knocked her up, at least he had the courtesy to marry her, right?” Landry says, waving the hand holding the empty bottle.
That’s when JD steps forward, and so do I. He may be a nice guy, but I don’t know anyone with that much self-control. And even though I know it’s not my place to butt in, I imagine the situation will only escalate unless I put a stop to it now.
“All right, Landry,” I croon when I reach his side and tug on his arm. “I think you’ve said enough.”
He lets me take the bottle, but he yanks his arm back. “No, I’m not finished. I need them all to know I’m okay with this,” he tells me, gesturing at the bride and groom again. “That I’m happy for them. Because I know he loves her. Blake’s always had a thing for Lo. I knew it when I caught them together in middle school, and then again in high school. They tried to pretend nothing was going on every time, but I’m not an idiot, okay?” He pokes himself in the chest. “This was inevitable.”
