Page 16 of Reckless Encore

She was entirely stunning. Incredibly gorgeous. She would’ve been absolute perfection if it weren’t for the fake smile pulling at her lips. A smile the approaching photographer started to snap, snap, snap with each passing second.

“I’ll fix this,” Leah offered. That was her job. She fixed things. She created an impenetrable Reckless eco-system. No drama could fester. “I’ll get them here. I promise.”

She would drag Mason by the hair if she had to. But that wouldn’t be necessary. If Sean’s best friend knew the devastation he’d created, there would be no stopping the compounding guilt. Although he was a professional troublemaker, Mason cared about his friends. He cared more than most of them realized.

“No.” Sean sidestepped around her and reached out a hand to Melody. “I’m not begging anyone to attend. We’ll do this on our own. Like always.”

Chapter Five

Sean stepped around Leah to stand before Red. He couldn’t remember ever being this angry. His heart pounded in his throat. His limbs shook with the increased blood pressure. He couldn’t think clearly through his blinding rage.

All his focus pinpointed on his so-called friends, and how he could repay the carnage. He wanted to break Mason’s face. Mitch’s, too. And fuck Blake for pulling a bullshit food poisoning card.

They could all go to hell.

“You ready to do this?” He held out his hand, and Red took it with the slightest reluctance.

She stared up at him, her tiny frame appearing more fragile after she’d received the backhanded news. Her shoulders were straight, her chin high, but it all seemed fake.

Just as fake as the friendships he’d held with the Reckless Beat members.

“We can do this on our own.” He turned and led her toward the gazebo.

“Sean.” She tried to tug her hand from his grip. “You’re hurting me.”

Shit. He released his hold and swung around. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” She rubbed her knuckles and produced another unconvincing smile. “Just take a minute to breathe. This isourday. Like we discussed last night, nobody else matters. It’s all about us.”

He scoffed. “Yeah. Fuck ’em. I don’t give a shit anymore.”

“Sean,” she pleaded. “You need to let it go. We kept this a secret. They had no way of knowing about the ceremony.”

“Believe me, I’m trying.” He hated seeing her upset. Hated even more that his friends were to blame. “It’s harder to take when they do this all the time. If anyone else had organized an event, there wouldn’t have been a problem. Everyone would’ve showed, and we would’ve been the first ones there.”

“I understand.” She spoke slowly. “But today is about us. Nobody else.”

Today was about pledging a commitment to one another, but it was also about the people they wanted to witness that pledge. Or the people he hadpreviouslywanted to bear witness. It was funny how fast things could change.

“Yep.” He gave a succinct nod. “Like I said, fuck ’em. I’m already over it. Let’s get this done.”

She stared at him. Stared as if confusion overwhelmed her. Stared like she couldn’t recognize him anymore. And in this moment, he had to admit, he barely recognized himself.

He didn’t feel normal.

“Excuse me?” She frowned. “What did you say?”

“I just want to get this started.”

He could feel the weight of everyone’s attention heavy on his shoulders.

“No.” She shook her head.

“No?” He glanced at Leah, who gaped at him with wide eyes, then Ryan, who appeared horrified, before placing his focus back on Melody. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t do this.” Her eyes glistened. “I won’t.” She stepped back once, twice, the distance between them more emotional than physical. “Not now.”

Her words slapped him. “You’re not going through with the ceremony?” His voice cracked. “Not at all?”

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