Page 175 of Bridesmaid for Hire
I sniff the air, but it all seems normal to me, probably because I’ve been sleeping in my own filth and can’t tell the difference.
Desperate to figure out what’s going on, I join Jude outside. “What’s going on?” I say, no preamble necessary.
Hands stuffed in his pockets, he says, “This is supposed to be the best day of my life…”
Oh fuck, what did I do?
How did I ruin this for him? Either way, I need to make it known that I’m sorry right away.
“Listen, man, whatever I did last night, I’m so fucking sorry. I didn’t…fuck, I don’t…”
“You didn’t do anything,” Jude says, looking me in the eyes.
“Uh…what do you mean?” I ask, feeling far more confused than ever now. If I didn’t do anything, then why is my life falling apart all around me?
Jude turns toward the lagoon. “When I met Haisley, I didn’t see anything but her. I fell for her sweet, loving heart. I grew addicted to hearing her voice every day. And I found out very quickly that she was the person I wanted to be around all the goddamn time.” He shifts and glances at me. “That being said, I didn’t know that being a part of her family was going to be so fucking hard.” He shakes his head. “I will never understand the importance someone feels when their wallet is heavier than the average person. To me, we’re all equal, and what divides us as a species is the patience and understanding we carry in our hearts.”
I have no idea where he’s going with this, but I’m listening intently.
“Reginald is my soon-to-be father-in-law, but he doesn’t carry himself in a way that earns my respect. He is conniving, cares more about his bottom line than the people around him, and although he attempts to project himself as a good man, he carries more anger and bitterness in his heart than love and understanding. That was evident last night.”
I tug on the back of my neck. “Jude, I’m sorry, man, but…fuck, I don’t remember anything that happened last night. And I know the last thing you want to do on your wedding is talk about it—”
“That’s why I’m here,” he says, looking at me. “On my conscience, I can’t marry into that family without acknowledging how you were treated last night. It doesn’t settle well, and I refuse to say I do to the woman of my dreams having this heavy weight resting on my chest.”
“Okay,” I say. “Then if you can help a guy out…”
“You were set up,” he says. “I noticed it the second Reginald started forcing youand no one elseto finish the drinks. He’s had it out for you from day one. I never said anything to Haisley because she has a… delicate relationship with her father. They had a falling-out when she left the family and they’ve slowly reconciled. I don’t want to be the one thatgets in the way of their reconciliation. But the moment I realized you were the one that helped Haisley with her business plan, I saw that you became enemy number one to Reginald. He was gunning for you to fail in everything we did. Before the games out on the beach, I heard him tell the boys to destroy you. They fought him, but, in the end, they didn’t have a choice. He planted staff around the hotel, listening in on your conversations with Maggie, finding out your weaknesses. He heard about you getting sick on the way here on the boat, so used that to his advantage. Made sure the captain gave you those nausea pills to mess with your head. Even the hike, he was playing on your weaknesses every chance he got, goading you, putting you down. Last night was the final straw—and even though he was attempting to make you seem weak and incapable, you came off as earnest, like the good guy you are. But…yes, he set you up last night.”
“How?” I ask.
“He got you drunk and announced that you were here for one reason and one reason only—to get ahead in the company. He forced you to make your proposal for the business, at my bachelor dinner, discredited your idea, and then stole a piece of it to give to your colleague. It was conniving and meticulously planned to make you look bad. It was sickening to watch, and I refused to stand for it, so I left with Bowie. He got you drunk on purpose to humiliate you. And I woke up this morning feeling sick about it. I had to come here, I had to apologize and let you know that you’re welcome in my crowd. You are welcome at my wedding.”
Fuck.
Me.
That’s a lot to process.
“Uh…to be honest, man. I don’t even know where to begin with all of this.” Needing to take a seat, I move over to the bistro set and sit down. I rest my forearms on my legs and lean forward, trying to comprehend everything.
So, Reginald has had it out for me from the very beginning. How am I not super surprised by that? And Jaleesa was right. The moment he knew I helped Haisley leave the family business, I became his prime target. I had an inkling, but it was confirmed. I was failing before I even understood I was failing. Here I thought I was just having some shit luck, when in reality, I was set up to make an ass of myself. I just kept taking the bait like the goddamn idiot I am.And somehow lost the girl of my dreams as well.
Jude joins me at the table but takes a seat backward, his chest to the back of the chair as he straddles the seat. I wouldn’t expect him to sit in the chair any other way.
“For what it’s worth, Hudson and Hardy were trying to stop their dad, but there was only so much they could do.”
“They were?” I ask, my eyes flashing up to Jude as my thoughts go to Hardy and whatever might have happened between him and Maggie.
“Yes. They even found me after they helped you back to your bungalow. They told me that they were really sorry about what happened and how their dad ruined the night before my wedding. They were worried about you, worried about what their dad might do—it was a fucking shitshow.”
I worry my lips as I lean back and quietly say, “Maggie didn’t stay last night. She packed up and left. Said she stayed with Hardy. I have no fucking clue why.”
Jude’s brows pinch together. “She did?”
I nod. “I mean…” I push my hand through my hair. “I don’t know why, man. Just told me to leave her be. Like, did I fucking say something to her last night when I got back here? I have no clue.”
Jude shakes his head. “Nah, man. Hudson and Hardy said you were out cold.”
