“Why are you pacing like a caged lion anyway? You should be smiling and be at least a little relaxed.”
“Relaxed? Are you fucking joking? I’m so fucking tense. What if she’s changed her mind? What if she decides that marriage isn’t for her after all?” My eyebrows lifted at his crazy rambling, but I couldn’t help grinning back.“What are you smiling at–it’s not funny.”
“Who are you and what have you done with the real Roman?” I chuckled. “Stop rambling. Roman Dean is not a rambler. He’s a confident fucker that demands attention in every room he walks into, and I can say, with that same confidence, that she will be there. She loves you, man. There’s no one that could change that.” There is no way that woman wouldn’t marry him today. I know, I did my best to split them up. “And have you seen all that shit downstairs?” I pointed towards the door and took a breath in, “Now, we’ve got a couple of hours, let's chill for a bit.”
As I eased myself into the chair, my elbow planted itself on the arm, and I leaned my head into my hand, closing my eyes as the pain hammered away in my brow. “You look like shit!” Myeyes opened again to find him scanning my face. He must have finally had a good look at me.
“Thanks.” I closed my eyes again. I heard his irritated huff just as I was drifting off, then his rambling started again, only this time it was about cold fucking coffee and his phone. I sighed and leaned my head back against the chair. Just five minutes… I thought.
The slam of the door made me jump a mile, and my eyes sprung open. I lifted my head slightly and peered through slits.
“Wake up, dickface.” Nikki called out, “you have a job to do.” She placed two cups of coffee down on the side.
With a sigh, I sat up again. I picked up the cup and inhaled the glorious coffee aroma, thankful for the second cup. I took a sip and swallowed, “I hope you’re gonna be dutiful to me when we’re married.” I smirked.
Her steps slowed, and as she reached the door, she turned back with her nose screwed up. “In your fucking dreams, mate. I’d rather marry Freddie Krueger and have him terrorise my dreams than marry you.” She fired back at me with a slice of venom in her voice. The problem was we all knew Nikki had a soft spot for me, even if she didn’t want to admit it. Even more so when my dick was seated deep inside her.
My laugh burst into the room, “You keep telling yourself that, although, with your resting bitch face, you’d probably even scare him.” Her middle finger thrust high in the air before she slammed the door… again. For fuck’s sake. Roman was across the other side of the room, but I felt his daggers from here.
“Why do you have to wind her up?” He sighed.
“Because it makes the time pass quicker.” I told him as I sipped my coffee. “And it’s fucking hilarious.” His eyes rolled, and he turned his back to me. I, however, felt a little triumphant and a tad more awake now.I was almost ready for this circus.
CHAPTER TWO
Gavin
The day had gone quickly, but my headache was coming back, not that it had gone entirely, but it had eased as we’d got ready. Now though, with the hustle and bustle of everyone running around, it was back with a vengeance. “Roman, do you take Paisley to be your wife?” The minister asked my best friend. I saw the look on his face, and it even made me smile. His eyes shone while his face glowed in the bright sunshine. There was a time when I thought Paisley Kennedy was all kinds of wrong for him, but what did I know. My eyes rolled at my stupidity because when I looked at him now, I knew no one else could ever make him that happy.
“I do.” Roman replied. His gaze never left hers all the time their vows took place. God, if anyone could hear my thoughts, they would think I loved all that romance bullshit. Nope, not me. I would not fall for that crap. I was quite happy being free and single and doing what I wanted. I knew that the last twelve months weren’t my greatest accomplishment, but I’d like tothink I was over that now; well, maybe not over, but more a work in progress. Still, I was trying.
My thumb and fingers pressed against my temples, rubbing small circles in the hope I could ease this throbbing in my head. Luckily, I had sunglasses on so no one could see my eyes because, from this end, they didn’t look good at all. It was never a good idea to get shitfaced the day before you had to perform best-man duties. I wouldn't recommend it, anyway. My eyes squeezed shut for a moment, hoping the pain would pass. It didn’t, but as I opened them again, I found Nikki staring right back at me. Ugh, shit. I didn’t need this. Not today. I flicked my gaze away from her judgemental one and back to the happy couple instead.
Nikki Wilson and I had a love/hate relationship. She hated me, and I loved that she hated me. It made for some very interesting times. And it wasn’t a hardship on my side that she was hot as fuck. I could never give her what she wanted, though. I couldn’t allow myself to have what I wanted. I wasn’t good enough. I’d been told enough. There was a silent agreement between Nikki and me; neither of us was relationship material, but right now, she looked fucking hot, and I’d give anything to slide my palm around her nape, bend her over, shove her dress around her hips and fuck her senseless. Her red hair was swept away from her face, and out of her nape, it allowed me to take in the sleek lines of her neck. As I dragged my gaze away from her eyes, I traced every curve of her petite body. It was the wrong place to have a hard-on, and the wrong trousers, and right now, I felt like it was draining all my brain power. I had to stop.
“Roman, Paisley you have taken a vow in front of witnesses to uphold. May they now join me in the honour of pronouncing you husband and wife.” The minister ending the ceremony had me focusing back on my best friend.
Roman had Paisley’s face in his hands, his lips were on hers before the minister had finished saying wife.Thank fuck that’s over.“You may kiss the bride.” The minister smiled at his own announcement, but Roman had already taken it upon himself to conclude the proceedings, so he stepped back and let them carry on. When they finally came up for air, the minister took both of their hands in his and whispered to them. I pushed two fingers under my collar, trying to get some air to my skin and room to breathe. This heat was fucking killing me. I didn’t know what was worse, a stuffy old chapel in England in summer or L.A. heat? Dressed in this fucking penguin suit, I was thinking England right now.
I swept my hair back from my forehead, I was sweating like a bitch. I needed out of this poxy suit and an hour’s kip. The first notes of From This Moment, by Shania Twain, started as Roman led his new wife up the makeshift wooden aisle. My eyes rolled as the Queen of country music belted out the lyrics, droning on about that certain someone being the reason for everything… Fuck me.
Kill me now!
As I slipped my hands inside my pockets, I strolled behind the happy couple alongside Nikki.
“Still hungover?” Nikki asked smugly in a low voice and with a slight turn of her head to look up at me, her brow set in a deep frown.
“What makes you say that?” I met her gaze and lifted an eyebrow.
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe the fact that you kept rubbing your head and fidgeting all the way through the ceremony.” Her head shook, “You always do that when you’re hanging. I’ve seen it enough,” she let out an irritated sigh, “but just for once Gav, it would have been nice if you’d have actually put your best friend first instead of yourself.”
“Do you have to nag?” I whispered back sharply, “Just for once…” I leant down, and with my finger held up in front of her, I threw her words back at her, “…for one day, could you just give it a rest.” I snapped as we reached the top of the aisle. “You know, I much prefer you when you’re drunk. At least then you’re fun.”
“Yeah?” she came to an abrupt halt and turned her body towards me, her finger pushed into my chest. “Well, you’re a wanker all of the time. Drunk or sober.” She grated back in a low, harsh tone and threw me the death glare.
I leaned down toward the poison dwarf and whispered slowly in her ear, “At least I’m consistent.” A small smirk pulled at my lips, and feeling rather satisfied with myself, I left our battle of words there and stepped off the decking.
Today wasn't the day.
