Page 113 of Code Violation

“You have nothing to feel guilty for, Mason. We are human beings, and we all reach a point in our lives where we go into self-preservation mode. For our own sanity. It’s possible that Eloise is doing the same thing right now by heading straight into another relationship.” My voice is hoarse and heavy with emotion when I finally break the silence between us.

“And that’s the irony right there …” Mason sounds incredulous. “It feels like I might go crazy without her.”

It’s not long until the ceremony starts, and I’m not convinced Mason is in a decent headspace to get through the day.

“If you need to head home, Will and Drew will understand,” I repeat my previous statement.

He shakes his head again. “No. I just need a minute, and I’ll be okay.”

I drop my hand from his shoulder, not wanting to attract attention to us. Mason needs privacy, which isn’t something he’s always been afforded by the media. He’s a Rogues poster boy, with tattoos and a mass of dirty-blond hair, and the press has always been obsessed with his personal life. So, when the public got wind of his separation, a lot of speculation has been circulating over who he’ll date next—from famous models to musicians.

He’s the kind of character to let a lot of bullshit roll off his back, but I can tell he’s right on the edge of losing it altogether.

And that’s the last thing I want as his captain, but mainly as his friend.

“I’ll stay off the booze tonight,” he confirms.

“Yeah,” I agree. “I think that’s probably wise.”

He turns to walk away, and I catch the top of his arm.

“I meant what I said though, Mase. It’s not too late to reach out to her. If you cannot imagine a life without Eloise by your side, then don’t accept living it in that way.”

He tips his head over his shoulder and forces a small smile. “I appreciate what you’re saying, Cap. But I don’t think that’s an option for me any longer. She’s clearly in love with someone else, and my wife will forever be the one who got away.”

37

. . .

Vesper

“Of course you were going to do something like this, William.”

From behind, I can just picture Drew’s eye roll as she walks—very cautiously—down the rope bridge toward Will, one arm looped through her dad’s.

Marley’s shoulders shake with laughter as Drew turns around and hands her sister a simple bouquet of purple freesias, tied with light-pink ribbon.

Fighting back tears of joy and amusement, I watch as Will steps forward and takes his fiancée’s hands in his, nothing but awe on his face. It feels like he’s been waiting for this moment for a very long time. That boy fell first and hard, and when he set his eyes on my Drew, there was only ever going to be one outcome—today.

Jensen, Will’s dad, looks on from directly behind his son, and further back, all of Will’s teammates look equally emotional. Aside from Tristan, who, for some reason, won’t look straight ahead.

“Could he be any more disinterested?” June whispers beneath her breath as she stands next to me, looking like a princess.

I assume she’s referring to Tristan since he’s the only person not fighting back tears.

“Honestly, I’m not even sure why Will bothered inviting him. They haven’t seen eye to eye since Will joined the Rogues.”

As the officiant begins the ceremony, June clicks her tongue, narrowing her eyes at Tristan when he does glance our way.

And then it all makes sense. Will isn’t the only twin he dislikes, and I get a hunch that Tristan’s annoyance isn’t only down to an interview that went wrong. I think there’s more to his issues with my friend.

“Ugh.” June flicks her hair to one side. “If he’s still sore over that interview I refused to post, then he needs to get a life. The idea is to gain subscribers, not scare them away with his boring answers. He even yawned once during it! Anyway …” She resets herself, pulling pinched fingers across her lips like it’s time to stop talking.

Five minutes later, I’m not sure whether it’s the pregnancy hormones or the sweetest vows I’ve ever heard that have tears rolling down my cheeks.

June takes my bouquet as Will and Drew exchange rings, and I pull a tissue from my purse, looped around my wrist.

“It’ll be you next!” June hisses, adding a wink for good measure.