Page 14 of Reckless Encore

“You weren’t expecting the service?” the bartender asked.

Ryan let out a sardonic laugh while Leah held in a whimper. Not expecting this couldn’t be more of an understatement. She felt sickened by the surprise. More specifically, nauseated that nobody else had bothered to show.

She ignored the question and hustled from the bar area. The closer she came, the more traumatic the situation. An aisle of red rose petals marked the path from the pool area to the gazebo. The sound of a sweet love song played in the distance. A man stood under the shelter, dressed in white clothes, his expression kind and gentle as he spoke to Sean.

The Reckless Beat drummer wore a tailored suit, his shoulders wide, his head high as he listened to a man who could only be the wedding official.

Sidestepping the petal aisle, she continued until she stopped a foot away, letting them finish their conversation.

When Sean turned, he shot her a brilliant smile. A beaming I’m-the-luckiest-man-alive grin, and she tried to convince herself it wouldn’t fade if he realized the others weren’t merely late—they weren’t coming.

“You’re late.” He glanced behind her, those lips starting to wilt. “Where is everyone?”

Her throat dried, throbbed, seared.

Ryan came up behind her, his supportive hand landing on the low of her back.

“I don’t think…” She couldn’t say it.

Sean’s brows drew tight, and the once-happy man disappeared, while somebody harsh and unforgiving took his place.

“They’re not coming?” he grated.

“They might be running late.” Ryan rubbed circles into the small of her back. Round and round, just like the nauseating spin of her head.

“They’re not coming,” Sean repeated. This time it wasn’t a question. “Fucking typical.”

She found her voice, needing to explain. “In all fairness, they didn’t know what—”

“In all fucking fairness, Leah—” His lethal gaze crucified her. “—I’m always the bitch who gets left on the sideline. I’m the lowest in the hierarchy. And, hey, I get it. I’ve dealt with it for years. But when it comes to Red, I won’t put up with this bullshit. I won’t allow her to feel second best, because she’s not. She’s the most important thing to me, and enough is enough.”

Leah nodded. She didn’t know what else to do. She could see his anguish, could feel it ebbing from him.

The official cleared his throat and stepped forward. “Do we need more time?”

“Yes.” Ryan continued the massaging circles. “Give me five minutes to make some calls.”

“No.” She turned to him. “I’ll do it.” She couldn’t stand here a moment longer watching Sean’s hope turn harder than stone. “Can I borrow your phone?”

Ryan handed over his device and followed her as she backtracked from the palpable heartbreak.

“Are you sure you’re okay to do this?” He placed a comforting hand on her waist.

“Yes. You need to stay with him.” She tilted her head in Sean’s direction. “Keep him talking. Don’t let him have time to think about what’s going on. I won’t take long.”

“Okay. Got it.”

He walked away, his words to Sean muffled under the dial tone now ringing in her ear.

Mason picked up on the fourth ring. “I said I have no fucks to give, asshole. Don’t wake me up again.”

She opened her mouth to reply, only to hear the tinkling sound of the ended call.

She tried again. And again. And again.

He wouldn’t answer.

She tried Sidney. Mitch. Alana. All with no luck.

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