He stomped away, not caring if he made a scene. There was nothing in this world that could make him stay near her.
Rex pulled in with Monica in the passenger seat. He didn’t see a car seat, then remembered Monica’s parents had Emily for the night. Lucas didn’t give his brother a chance to fully exit the car before he grasped his arm and pulled him away.
“Can I have my arm back,” Rex asked once they were out of hearing distance from the others.
Lucas released his grip. “Why is Serena here?”
“What?” Rex tilted his head, his forehead creasing in confusion before awareness dawned and his mouth formed anO. “I don’t know. Are you sure it’s her? It’s been a long time.”
He inhaled and exhaled before answering. “Positive.”
Monica tiptoed toward them. “I don’t want to interrupt, but Serena would like to speak with everybody before beginning.”
Rex cast a questioning gaze toward his wife. “You know Serena?”
“Yeah, she’s the wedding planner.” Monica shifted her gaze between them. “Why? What’s going on?”
Rex rocked on his feet. “You never told me she’s the wedding planner.”
Monica lifted a brow. “I didn’t know I was supposed to.”
“I guess you wouldn’t.” Rex reached for Monica’s hand. “I’m sorry. Our lives were so crazy this fall, I never told you.”
“Told me what?” A suspicious frown marred her face.
Lucas saw Rex stare at him, pleading for permission to tell, but Lucas didn’t want to get into the details right now and shook his head. He’d rather run through enemy territory in an unknown maze of IEDs than be near Serena.
He ran his hands through his hair. “I can’t stay.”
Rex put a hand on each of Lucas’s shoulders. “You can, and you will. This means too much to Lacey.”
“What do I do?”
A concerned Beau joined the group. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing that can’t be fixed.” Rex shot Lucas a warning glare.
He received the signal loud and clear. Somehow, some way, he had to go through the rehearsal and ceremony. Retreating wasn’t an option, and if he didn’t want to ruin Lacey’s day, he’d best come to grips with reality. “I’m fine, now. Let’s go.”
On the exterior he might have smiled, but seething anger and bitterness filled every cavity of his soul. He would never forget what Serena had done and what she had robbed him of. However, Rex was right. This was Lacey’s moment, and he wouldn’t ruin it more than he already had.
Rex slowed his pace and allowed the others to gain footing on them. “We’ll talk later, okay?”
Lucas nodded. “Sure.”
“Are you going to make it?”
“I’ve been through worse.” He shrugged it off as though he wasn’t dying inside.
“I’m sorry. I really didn’t know, or I would have warned you.” His brother’s look of contrition spoke volumes, and Lucas felt bad.
He forced a bigger smile. “It’s not your fault. If you knew, I believe you would have told me.”
“Maybe you should talk to her and clear the air.”
A boisterous snort escaped. “That’s not going to happen.”
“It was just an idea.” Rex jutted his chin in Serena’s direction. “Maybe you’ll get lucky and not have to interact with her. Better yet, maybe she won’t recognize you.”
