Page 23 of Crashing the Altar
“Yes,” Tucker and I replied in unison.
He sputtered. “But—but how?”
“They don’t do it on purpose. That’s why it’s called anaccident.” I didn’t have to look to know Tucker was rolling his eyes at his best friend.
“Strangest fucking thing I’ve ever heard of,” Mac muttered.
Before either of us could tease his city upbringing, music began, signaling the start of the bridal procession, and I sucked in a sharp breath.
I wasn’t ready. I would never be ready.
But it was happening anyway, and I was powerless to stop it.
First came Bex, then Aspen, in their matching pink dresses. A change in tune, denoting the bride’s arrival, had everyone standing. The back door to the house pushed open, and the focus of my entire world narrowed down to my perfect Penny as she emerged.
Around me, there were whispered words of her bridal beauty, but none of them were enough to do her justice. She was stunning, a goddess, but her physical appearance was no match for that playful personality of hers I’d spent my whole life loving.
Before I knew it, she was up at the altar, receiving a kiss from her father and being given away to Jake as the preacher encouraged us to take our seats so the ceremony could begin.
His rehearsed words could barely be heard over the buzzing in my ears, but one particular phrase broke through my haze.
“If anyone can show just cause as to why this couple may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
Like they’d rehearsed it, both men seated beside me clamped hands down on my knees.
It didn’t matter. Though they were holding me down, nothing could stop the words from working their way up my throat.
“Don’t do it!”
Chapter 6
Penny
Myheartleaptintomy throat at Tripp’s passionate cry.
All eyes were on my best friend, and Jake let out an uncomfortable laugh. “I’m sorry. What was that?”
From where I stood, it looked like there was a struggle as Tripp attempted to stand. Shucking off Mac and Tucker, he finally accomplished that feat, rising to his full height, his blue eyes blazing when they landed on me.
“I said don’t do it, Penny.” Unlike the first time, which had sounded like a desperate plea, this time, his words were uttered with conviction.
From behind me, the preacher tutted, “Young man, this is highly inappropriate.”
“I don’t care.” Tripp’s chest heaved as he took ragged breaths, his eyes never leaving mine. “Lucky, I know I waited too long to tell you this, but I’ve loved you my whole life, and I don’t think I can survive it if you marry someone else.”
“Is this guy fucking for real right now?” Jake gritted out under his breath.
That was an excellent question because this couldn’t really be happening, could it?
“You might not remember what you confessed to me on your twenty-first birthday, but I do.”
I gasped, my hand flying up to cover my mouth.
“And if there’s even the slightest chance that you feel the same way about me . . .” His words trailed off as everyone’s eyes shifted to gauge my reaction.
“Penny.” Jake gripped my elbow. “We’re in the middle of getting married.”
The only reason I’d found myself at this altar was because Tripp had shown up and literally put himself in my path when I was ready to run. After that, my brain was so scrambled that I blinked and found myself halfway down the aisle with no clue as to how I’d gotten there.
