Page 60 of Always a Bridesmaid

And just like that his face shut down and went into protective mode. Not for her—he was protecting his family from her. “Oh, we’re different. You can believe that. So here’s how this is going to play out. You are going to pack up and get the hell out.”

The harshness and finality in his tone obliterated any hope she had for the two of them. She wrapped her hands around her stomach as if that were going to stop the pain from spreading. But it didn’t. The ache grew larger and more acute until her skin felt too tight to hold it all in.

“But the wedding!”

“You seriously think half the guests haven’t already seen this article? Who do you think sent this to me?”

Right.

“After you’re packed, you’re going to leave and never, ever contact my family again. Do you understand?”

“I’d at least like to explain to Sarah?—”

“I will explain to Sarah.” Just like he’d had to explain to the family after his dad had left and that they were on their own. God, what had she done? “Now, get the fuck out of here.”

Jane watched in silence, as Henry pulled on his shirt and pants, stuffing his feet in his shoes. He walked to the door and for a brief moment, he stood in the door frame. He didn’t say aword, he didn’t turn to face her. He didn’t need to. He was giving her his goodbye the only way he knew how.

The tears that she’d been holding back began to fall and she choked out, “I’m sorry, Henry. I’m so sorry.”

“Me too, love. Me too.”

17

The day had been a blur. From brunch to walking Sarah down the aisle and the exchange ofI dos, Henry hadn’t a clue as to how he’d made it through. When he’d arrived back at his hotel suite after leaving Elle—no,Jane—that morning, his mates had been waiting for him as always, ready to help with damage control.

It hadn’t taken long for gossip to race through the wedding party, and it had been the topic on everyone’s lips as the guests entered the venue. Thank god there was a strict “no camera or phone” policy enforced for the ceremony and reception—a suggestion of Jane’s, he’d come to learn.

When he’d shown up at the brunch without Jane in tow, Sarah hadn’t blinked an eye. She took one look at his face and figured out all she needed to know. He’d deal with her after she came back from her honeymoon. Now wasn’t the time.

Although, as the orchestra started to play the second dance of the evening and Sarah called Henry to the floor for the traditional father-daughter dance, he shoved down all the anger and betrayal and he became present in the fact that his baby sister was now married. She was already upset that she haduninvited her dad—which was a huge step forward for his sister in speaking her mind— and then with the whole Elle fiasco becoming public, he needed to make today as perfect as possible.

He swept her into his arms and began spinning her around the dance floor in a routine they’d practiced since he’d been a teen and promised he’d dance with her at her wedding.

They swayed in silence for a while, slowly back and forth, Sarah’s cheek on his shoulder. Then she said, “Elle was the one who told the rags that you were thinking of signing with another team.”

It was so out of context, he leaned back so she was forced to meet his gaze. “What?”

“It was Elle who told the press. The real Elle. I told her in confidence, and she sold me out. That’s why I hired Jane, because I was too scared to tell you that I was the reason that your secret got out.”

Henry’s heart went heavy, as if a concrete cylinder was attached to the bottom. “I didn’t switch teams though. So it all worked out. Why were you scared?”

“You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are. Gave up so much for the family to take care of us. And the fact that I jeopardized that with my big mouth? I was horrified, Henry, just horrified. You’re always cleaning up my messes. I didn’t want you to have to clean up this one too. So I did what you’d do and I hired a fixer.”

She wasn’t wrong. There had been a time or two, namely in the earlier part of his career, when he’d been more reckless and had needed a fixer with the press. In fact, after the news that he was considering switching teams leaked, he hired a fixer himself. How could he fault his sister for doing the same?

“You could have just come to me.”

“You were on top of the world. You’d won the World Championship, just had the best year of your career. How couldI ruin that? After the engagement disaster with Oliver, I didn’t want to get you involved again. I didn’t want you to think I couldn’t handle myself and then have you freak out about my choice to marry Wayne.”

“I wouldn’t freak out.” She arched a disbelieving brow. “Fine. Maybe I think you rushed it a bit with Wayne. But it’s your life.”

“I’m glad you think so because after the honeymoon we decided to settle in Missouri to be near Wayne’s family.”

Henry came to a full stop. “You what?”

“Keep moving or people will stare.”

“We’re the only ones on the dance floor, everyone is already staring.” He glared at her. “You had all week to tell me, and you chose now?” What was up with all the secrets? He was getting tired of being left in the dark. Then again, there had to be a reason since he was the common denominator.

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