Page 48 of Trust In Me

“Here’s your sash, Mia. What kind of headband do you want to wear?” Ryleigh asks, as she holds the sash in one hand, and a selection of novelty headbands in the other.

“Erm…is that a pair of boobs on one, and a cock?” she replies, trying to take in all the designs as she takes the sash that says ‘Maid of Honour’ and places it over her head, wearing it across her body like a beauty queen.

“Yeah, do you wanna take them and have a look?” Ry holds out the selection, attempting to spread them out as best she can so Mia can take her pick.

Mia looks like a rabbit caught in headlights and is staring at the penis-shaped headband like it is a lethal weapon. I know I shouldn’t interfere and it’s not my job anymore to stick up for Mia, but I can’t help it. “Ry, leave the poor girl alone. She doesn’t have to wear a headband if she doesn’t want to. She is wearing the sash so be happy with that.”

Mia’s eyes dart towards me, and I brace myself for the retort I’m sure is going to come. Telling me she can fight her own battles and that I shouldn’t get involved, but instead she just smiles at me. It’s the smile I love seeing, one that’s been absent from her face the last couple of weeks. I sound like a teenage girl when I say that the sight of her smile quite literally makes my heart soar, but it’s true.

The interaction is over before it’s even begun, as Bree makes her big entrance. She is dressed in a beautiful white dress that stops mid-thigh. The stark white colour makes her bright red hair stand out even more, and if the way my best friend is staring at her is any indication, she looks hot.

“I am one lucky guy,” Liam says, as he pulls Bree into his arms and presses his lips against hers. I can’t help but look away. Their love shines so bright and it feels almost intrusive to witness them together.

“No, enough of that nonsense. I agreed to a joint party, but she is still ours for the night, Liam. You don’t get to steal her,” Ryleigh moans, as she pulls Bree out of Liam’s arms and pulls the sash over her shoulder. Its gold lettering reads ‘Bride To Be’. Ryleigh then pulls out a headband that has a veil on it, and places it on Bree’s head, so the white netting falls down to her lower back. She then produces a big L plate—that learner drivers usually have on their cars—and she pins it onto Bree’s sash.

“Perfect. Now for some pictures,” she shouts, as she throws her phone at Shane, giving him instructions on what kind of shots she wants.

Ever since Shane moved to be at the same school as Ry, they have become best friends. Well…they are more than that. It’s painfully obvious that they both have feelings for each other, but I think the only people who don’t know that are Shane and Ry.

After posing for what feels like a million different pictures, Ryleigh then has a lightbulb moment and informs us she has forgotten something important and to stay where we are. Groans fill the room as she runs upstairs.

“Now. If we sneak out now we can lose her,” Kian jokes, or at least I hope he is joking. Everyone laughs except for Shane.

“Come on, guys. I know she sometimes can go a little over the top with things like this, but she has a good heart. You have no idea how much the first wedding affected her. I was with her when she came back to school. She is doing this because she wants to eradicate any memory of the last wedding. She wants your wedding to be a memorable occasion, not one overshadowed by pain. So, give her a break. I will get her to dial it down, but I would be very grateful if you would all make an effort, just for a little bit. Please.” Everyone looks at the kid in awe. He has always been pretty high in my estimation after the way he went out on a limb to save Bree, but now he’s just gone up even further. It takes balls to stand up in front of a room full of people and say what he just did. Kid’s got more balls than he thinks he does. I’m glad we have managed to get him out of the game, though. He deserves to have a life, to be a teenager.

“Sorry, Shane. We really do appreciate everything Ry has done for us,” Bree says, as she pulls Shane in for a hug. Ever since he helped her get free, they have become friends. He refused to leave the hospital until he knew she was okay, and from that moment on he became family. Bree in particular bonded with him, and I know they talk a couple of times a week on the phone. I think she sees him as her unofficial little brother.

Before anyone has a chance to say anything more, Ryleigh comes bursting into the room. As soon as I see what she is carrying, I can’t help but burst out laughing. It’s like a Mexican wave of laughter. As soon as people see what she is holding, they have no choice but to laugh. Well…all except Bree, who is currently looking at the four-foot inflatable penis like it is a weapon of mass destruction.

Her eyes flit between Ryleigh, Liam, and Shane. She is looking at Liam with pleading eyes, which coming from the leader of the biggest UK based crime family is actually quite funny.

“Come on, boss lady. Take your cock so we can get going. I think we are all in need of some drinks,” Kian says, as he points at the inflatable cock while trying to keep a straight face. Something he is incapable of doing when he starts laughing as Bree takes hold of the cock. Ry manages to take a few more photos before we all bundle into some taxis and make our way to the local club.

We were originally supposed to be going to one of Kian’s fights, but with all the death threats, he made the very sensible decision that the girls most definitely should not be in that environment. Kian worked with Ry to plan the new location.

We pull up to a new club that I’ve never been to before. Not that I was a big partier, and when I did go out it was mostly in Ireland. I’ve had a few nights out in London with Liam, but we’ve never been here before. There’s a queue around the block, people waiting patiently for access. The sign above the door says ‘Belle’s Rose’, and there’s a picture of a rose in a glass jar lit up alongside it.

Once we are all out of the taxi, I hear chuntering from Shane and Finn about how much they don’t want to stand in the queue for what they are sure will be a crazy long wait. I’m about to agree with them, when Kian steps towards the door and is greeted by a couple who have just come out of the club.

The man is tall with dark hair and the beginnings of a beard covering his cheeks and chin. He’s wearing a suit but without the tie and the top two buttons of his shirt are open. He’s wearing a very brooding expression that lifts just slightly into the shadow of a smile when he pulls Kian in for a man hug. The girl by his side is beautiful. She is shorter than him, but taller than the other girls. Her long black hair falls down below her shoulders, and she’s wearing a small amount of make-up. Just enough to show off her classic beauty. When she sees Kian, a big smile spreads across her face and she pulls him in for a hug, kissing him on the cheek at the same time.

Once Kian has said hello to his friends, he turns around to introduce them. As they get closer, I can’t help but think I’ve seen this guy somewhere before. I can’t quite remember where, but his face looks so familiar.

“Guys, I want to introduce to you my best friend, Declan. And this is his beautiful fiancée, Belle,” Kian says, as he points at each of them in turn.

Everyone begins saying hello all at the same time, and I can tell by Belle’s shrinking posture that she is quite shy, and all these loud people are beginning to overwhelm her.

“Welcome to Belle’s Rose. We are so happy to have you all here for this special occasion,” Declan says, as he points at the club like he owns it. Which given the name matches the name of the girl hanging off his arm, it doesn’t take a genius to guess that he does.

“Dec is basically my brother. He has agreed to let us use the VIP section of his club for the party.” Kian has a tone of pride as he talks about Declan, and it’s clear this guy means a lot to him, which means our family just got that little bit bigger.

Bree looks like she is about to thank them, but Ryleigh butts in. “This is so cool. When Kian told me we could use the VIP room here, I thought he was taking the piss. Even though you haven’t been open for very long, Belle’s has quickly become one of the most sought-after, in-demand clubs in London. You have no idea how exciting this is. I am going to Instagram the shit out of this,” Ryleigh shouts as she begins taking photos of the club.

“Well, I would have let Kian use it anyway. But, I could hardly say no to Desmond,” Declan explains, and with the mention of Liam’s father’s name the ears of all the Doughty children prick up. That’s when my memory finally kicks in.

“That’s where I know you from. I knew I recognised your face, but I didn’t know where from. You work for Desmond,” I explain, and everyone turns to face me. Liam looks pissed, like I expected him to. He hates it when his father interferes in his life in any way.

“Actually, I used to work for him. He does own a small share in the club, but he’s a silent partner. He gave me the investment money I needed to get this place started, but that’s all. This place is one hundred percent legit, before you ask.” He directs that last part to Liam, who does appear to be giving him an evil glare.

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