Page 136 of Pucking Fake
We’ve finished dinner and the dancing has started. I make my way toward the bar to get some wine for Sutton and a beer for me, but I barely make it three steps before my brother catches my arm.
“Jayce,” he says, voice tight. “Can we talk?”
I frown, confused. Ryan and I haven’t spoken one-on-one since he released those photos of me to the press. I’ve only interacted with him when our parents have been around, and any conversation has been icy and forced. He did give me a surprisingly warm smile during the wedding ceremony, which surprised me.
“Okay,” I nod.
We step aside, slipping behind a large hedge so we’re relatively alone.
He releases a shaky breath. “Um…I owe you an apology.”
I stay quiet, watching him. He glances up, then away again almost immediately, taking a quick sip from his beer.
“For… a lot. I know that.” He exhales again, longer this time, and rubs the back of his neck. “I was, ugh, jealous. Bitter.”
He swallows and takes another swig of beer. “I screwed up. I never should have made those pictures of you public.”
I blink, surprised. Well this is…unexpected.
I study him for several moments, searching for any sign that he’s playing me right now. To my shock, I don’t see anything. He seems genuine, and maybe it’s because it’s my wedding day and I’m feeling generous, but I let out a snort.
“Took you long enough.”
He looks taken aback, then huffs out a nervous laugh. “I, uh, talked to Mom and Dad. Told them everything. I’m…I’m working on myself, and I’ve started seeing a new girl. Someone who likes me for me.”
“Good.” I reach up and clap him on the shoulder. “It’s about time.”
He smiles, and it’s the first real smile I’ve seen from him in a long time. “You were right. About all of it.”
“No shit,” I chuckle. “Come on. Let’s get back out there. I need to find my wife.”
Later, the lights dim slightly, and the music shifts. Sutton meets me in the center of the dance floor, her hands sliding into mine as she presses herself against my chest.
Fuck, mywife.Feels so good to say that. And my wife is so goddamn breathtaking.
I lean in. “So, do you prefer this small gathering to a big crowd full of people all staring at us?”
She smiles up at me, then laughs. “Oh yeah, definitely. Besides, ourfirstproposal had a big enough crowd. I prefer this. It’s perfect.”
We sway together, surrounded by the people who carried us here, laughter and love circling close. I rest my forehead against hers, breathing her in.
She’s right.Sheis perfect, and she’s mine. This may have started as nothing more than a mutually beneficial arrangement, but it’s the best deal I ever made — because it got me right here, right now, with the love of my life in my arms.
