Page 41 of Sweet Oblivion

See you tomorrow.

Shoving my phone away, I stare at my future husband.

“Exactly how many groomsmen do you have?”

“I hadn’t thought about it. I guess I should ask Maverick, Jamie, Finn, Hendrix, and my cousins,” he answers with a smirk on his face.

“How many cousins?” I squeak so loudly, Tori pops her head up from where she’s been snoring in the corner of the room.

“Three.” He has the decency to at least look like he realizes that’s a ton of groomsmen. “How many bridesmaids did you have in mind?”

“Ashton.” I scrunch my face. “I guess I could ask Dillan, Lexie, and Kaleigh too.”

He rests his arm along the back of the couch and gently tugs on my hair. “Okay. I’ll only ask four, but if I get shit from the others, I’m sending them your way. Deal?”

I rest my head on his arm and turn my face to his. “Deal.”

DELANEY

Why do people insist on saying what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger?

I’ve been through more hells in my lifetime than most will ever know, and I can tell you one thing—none ofthemmade me stronger. I did that. I clawed my way out of hell and built a life on the other side. Me. Stop giving the monsters credit.

Take back your voice and scream it at the top of your lungs.

Own your strength.

—Delaney’s Secret Thoughts

Two beautiful women, who couldn’t look more different but are apparently both considered my husband-to-be’s family, greet us as Lenny—which Ryker’s mom insisted I call her—and Ashton force me through the door. They don’t know that’s what they’re doing, but internally, I’m dragging my feet while they pull me by the arms, kicking and screaming.

The tallest one steps forward, with blonde hair that looks like it belongs in a shampoo commercial cascading around hershoulders. “Delaney?”

“Hey, Evie.” Lenny kisses the blond’s cheek and steps aside. “Everly Wilder meet Delaney Rousseau.”

Jesus. Could this be more awkward?

“Hi.” I try to smile, but it probably looks more like a grimace. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Everly is practically family,” Lenny reiterates, and I make a mental note. That means the brunette is actually family, according to the breakdown Ryker gave me this morning.

Her gaze get stuck on my black eyes, and I desperately wish I could walk right back out the door. I don’t belong here. This shop is crystal chandeliers and plush carpets, and I’m... not.

“Don’t duck away,” she murmurs a little softer. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

Great.

Guess they all know.

Not like you can hide it when my entire body is a giant bruise.

“Ryker should have ripped his balls off and shoved them down his throat,” the petite brunette announces, and I choke a little. “Fuck that, and fuck him. I hope that man can never use his?—”

“Caitlin,” Lenny interrupts her loudly. Funny, I think I could like Caitlin. “Why don’t you take Ashton to look at bridesmaid’s dresses?”

My eyes fly to Ashton’s, and I swear to God they scream,Don’t you dare leave me.I’m not just out of my element here, I’m in a different universe altogether. Pretty sure my element doesn’t even exist on this planet.

“That’s okay, Lenny. I want to help Delaney.” Okay, I may actually love my sister.