Page 56 of You Are Cordially Invited

“I know, I know.” I ran both sets of fingers through my messy hair and laced them at the back of my neck. “And I don’t need the lecture.” I glared. “But they’re onlygoodsignsifhe gets some movement back in the next day or so, right? If he doesn’t, then they arebadsigns that we might’ve missed something.”

Leyton opened his hands. “It’s the best we’ve got. I know it’s frustrating, but TQ is still the most likely option, which is a good thing. Stay focused on that. The concussion is fucking with a diagnosis as well. Numbness, weakness, and tingling can happen with head injuries too, although not usually to this degree. We have no choice but to wait it out.”

I blew out a long heartfelt sigh. “We’re supposed to be getting married next weekend.” I wanted to scream.How fucking hard can it be to get married?

“I know. And it sucks,” Michael said with a sympathetic look. “But honestly, Cam, we’ve done all we can.”

He was right, and I knew that. But it didn’t make it any easier to stomach.

“What do you think you’ll do about the wedding?” he asked softly.

My heart plunged in my chest. “I have no fucking idea. It’s such a damn mess. Even if it is a TQ and he recovers—” I paused and swallowed hard, fighting back the seemingly endless press of tears. “Who knows if he’ll be ready for Saturday. You can’t tell me that; no one can.”

Michael slipped down in his chair and studied me. “Then we’ll just have to pray that’s what it is and that he starts to recover full movement soon. If that’s the case, the wedding may be fine. Talk to him. See what he says.”

I rolled my eyes. “Like the poor guy hasn’t got enough going on in his head. I’m not going to make his day worse. I’ll work it out.”

“Cam—”

“I know. I know.” I pushed to my feet and straightened my rumpled shirt and jeans. “But I’m going to give him some time first.” I narrowed my eyes. “And if any one of you has missedsomething, you better run fast and far.”

Leyton smiled wanly. “It won’t come to that. This is your fiancé, Cam. You’re one of us. Do you really think we wouldn’t have pulled out all the stops?”

I didn’t and shook my head. “No, but... no. Sorry. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve been instructed to eat something, although fuck knows how I’m gonna keep it down.”

Michael made to follow, but I held up a hand. “I’m okay,” I told him. “I need some space. Come see me later. And a heads-up for Josh—Reuben’s father has been messing with Craig’s head. He knows what’s going on, and I doubt he’ll keep it to himself.”

Michael rolled his eyes and growled in his throat. “Fuck.”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

* * *

My phone buzzed just after midnight while I was dozing in the La-Z-Boy and Reuben slept. I hadn’t woken him as I’d promised because... well, because there seemed no point worrying him any more at the moment.

I checked the text thinking it was my mother. We’d talked earlier and I’d told her she could contact me any time if Cory needed reassurance.

But it was Michael, giving me a heads-up. And he’d attached a link.

Shit.

Brian Taylor hadn’t wasted any time.

I scrolled the news feeds both international and local and my fury boiled.

Is this the end of Reuben Taylor’s rugby career?

Will Reuben Taylor ever play again?

Reuben Taylor, star All Blacks’ fullback, struck down early in what would surely have proved a brilliant career.

All Blacks are silent over the fate of Reuben Taylor.

Then there were the more salacious ones.

Will the marriage of Reuben Taylor and Cameron Wano still take place in the face of this tragedy?

What will happen to Reuben Taylor’s nephew?

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