Chapter 10

"Well," I say, looking at the almost empty bottle of whiskey. "You need to step up your game and make it up to me." It's his turn to throw his head back and laugh.

"Duly noted," he replies, his hand falling off my shoulder and back onto the bar.

"I guess I should get out of this dress," I say, looking down at the tulle skirt that suddenly seems so big for me. I put my hand to my stomach as the whiskey starts to do the wave in my stomach. "I really, really love this dress," I say, trying to shed a tear.

"Well, if it helps," Ace comforts from beside me, and I look over at him. "You are the most beautiful bride I've ever seen."

"Maybe after the tenth, it'll taste like water." He turns to glare at me as Travis gets closer to the bar.

"Are we ready to party?" Travis says, and we both look over at him as he walks with his hands up in the air. Harlow throws her hands up, and all I can do is groan.

"What?" I ask, shocked and confused by this question. I watch as he pulls out the stool next to me and sits down.

"When my wedding was canceled, we partied," Travis says with a huge smile on his face as he bends and kisses Harlow's lips. "We danced and drank all night long."

"You also slept with your ex-girlfriend," Clarabella reminds him, pulling the stool out beside Ace and sitting down. She leans back and looks over at Harlow. "No offense."

"Can't take offense to the truth," Harlow says, smiling and looking up at Travis. "We definitely drank more than we should have." He bends and kisses her right before she moves away from him, making her way behind the bar and looking over at Bennett. "Is it time for a showdown?" she asks him, and he claps his hands.

"The last time we did this was at his first wedding." Bennett smirks and then looks at me. "You okay?" For as long as I can remember, he's been like a second brother to me. They've been best friends forever, and there is nothing he wouldn't do for me.

"Not even a little bit." The words come out of my mouth before I can stop them. Ace sits up straight next to me, and he puts his arm around my stool to give me his strength.

"I think," Presley says, sitting down, "I need a shot of whatever is the strongest shit you have back there." She closes her eyes and leans back. The satin champagne-colored gown flows around her legs when she sits. "Or some of that sweet tea."

"Well," Harlow drawls, ducking down, "I did have a couple of bottles brought here this morning." She picks up the bottles. "Because I knew it would be rough."

"As someone who had no idea what the fuck was going on”—Bennett grabs shot glasses—"I have to say I was having a heart attack and would not recommend that to anyone." He looks at us. "Although I will say I was hoping that your mom would stand up and rip him a new one."

"She was in shock," Harlow reports, laughing as she fills the shot glasses. "She leaned over to me and was like, what did she just say." She laughs at the memory. "I had to act shocked, which took a lot from me because I kept shaking my foot the whole time."

"Well, I thank you all for keeping my secret until the right moment," I say, leaning forward and grabbing a shot with my free hand. My hand is still on Ace's leg, and it feels like it weighs a thousand pounds. "This is so fucked up." I shake my head.

"As fucked up as inviting your ex-girlfriend to your wedding?" Harlow tries to cheer me up.

"I mean, in his defense, I did that." Presley smirks while she grabs her own shot glass.

"You can't take the credit for that," Travis retorts. "Mom snuck her on the list."

"I mailed out the invitations, dickhead," she argues, and he shrugs.

"Don't even care who sent what and how she got there." Travis picks up the shot. "I ended up with her in the end."

"Do you think we're cursed?" Clarabella asks. "Like the first wedding is going to fucking suck, and then you get your proper wedding?"

"You know what you should do," Bennett says. "Plan a fake wedding like that, and the next one will be good."

"You’re such an idiot," Presley scoffs, shaking her head. "If that's the case, we should pretend to get married." She looks at him, and he just smirks.

"I'm game," he teases, and her cheeks turn a bright pink, and I look over at Clarabella, who just rolls her lips. The two of them have had this connection since she turned eighteen, and they fight it every single time.

"Can we just toast?" Travis suggests. "To the second wedding."

"Oh my God," Clarabella says. "I think it's too soon."

"I'm so sorry," I apologize, turning on my stool to face him, and I can see him hiding a smile. "Dick, how can you do that on my wedding day?" I sniffle at the end, and his eyes come up, and when he sees me smile, he just glares. "Two can play that game."

"Well, I'll give my woman what she wants," Bennett says. Presley groans and flips him the bird, and he laughs but fills up her glass again.

"His woman, my ass," she mumbles, avoiding looking at him while he stares at her.

"To nothing," everyone says, and I take the shot.

"Not that we are comparing weddings or anything," Harlow says, "but this is so much better than Travis's first wedding."

"I didn't even see," I admit, turning my head and taking in the room. White satin drapes hide the wooden wall behind them, floating down the pillars all over the room, with white roses that look like they are floating down. Round tables fill the room with white lace table covers. A big glass vase filled with white roses fills the middle of the tables with silver plates and cutleries. White and silver bamboo chairs are around the table. White roses are scattered all over the room, and the couple of tables at the head of the room are elevated with a white wall of flowers behind it. I can see little tea lights that would be lit as soon as it got dark outside. "You guys did such a good job," I compliment, looking away and at my sisters.

"Whoever gets married next," Clarabella says, taking another shot. "It's like basic."

"I agree," Presley concurs. "Paper plates and red Solo cups."

"I think Clarabella was right." I grab the whiskey bottle and pour myself a shot. "Our family is cursed." I take the shot, and the burning starts, and I look over at Ace. "That was over”—I think about the number and think it’s five—“five and still gross."

"Might be the next one." He smirks at me, and I see his dimple coming out. I don't know if it's the booze or I'm going crazy, but he looks cute when he smirks. "Okay." I push away from the bar and get down, the dress getting stuck on the stool, and I look over, afraid that I've ruined it. "As much as I love this dress"—I take a deep breath—"it's time to get out of it."

"I'll help," Ace offers, pushing away from the bar, and everyone just looks at him. Travis stares with his mouth hanging open.

"Not like that." He shakes his head and laughs. "I just don't want to."

"Now that"—Ace points at me—"is why she's my best friend."

"Who are you going to have sex with?" Harlow asks, and he just shakes his head.

"No one is having sex with anyone!" he declares between clenched teeth, and I roll my lips, not to laugh at him.

"I'm having sex!" Harlow lifts her hand in the air. "Not at this moment, but tonight." She looks at Travis and winks at him, making him blush.

"You guys are gross," I mumble, picking up my dress just a touch to get through the chairs.

"Yeah, you guys are gross," Ace repeats, making everyone laugh. "I'm going with her." He points at me. "And I'm taking this." He picks up the almost empty whiskey bottle, then looks at Bennett.

"Do you want a full one?" Bennett asks him, and he just nods his head.

"Somehow"—Ace laughs at himself—"it was going to play out cooler in my head."

"Here you go," Bennett says, handing him a full bottle of whiskey, and then he holds a bottle of sweet tea for me to grab.

"Are you crazy?" Harlow says. "They say they aren't going to have sex, but after four shots of this, sex will be the best idea they’ve had today."

"Is that why you slept with Travis?" I joke with her.

"No, that was all my sex appeal," Travis says, slapping the bar and laughing at his own joke.