Page 41 of The One Night Dash
“Probably ought to stick with wine.” She opens her small clutch and pulls out her phone.
Lauren
Bathroom emergency in the bridal room. 911!!!
“Ignore it.”
“I came here expecting this.”
“You …” Her arched brow has me shaking my head. “I’ll get you a drink.”
“You don’t have to. Go, have fun, find someone to occupy?—”
“I’m here to have fun withyou,” I tell her and smile over my shoulder as I walk away.
At the bar, I order two glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon and lean against the rail while the bartender nods and gets to work. That’s when I catch it—voices just behind me, low but sharp.
“I cannot believe she wore that dress. So obvious. Attention-seeking much?”
“Lauren’s livid. I heard her telling Madison earlier she should’ve expected it from Noelle.”
“And she’s still pissed she lost Louie, you know. Like, get over it—it was forever ago.”
My jaw grinds, wanting to put them in their places, to tell them they’re fucking wrong.
I turn just enough to clock the girls—perfect hair, fake tits, same noses,therefore same surgeon, champagne flutes in manicured hands, smug like they’ve earned the right to spit poison just bt existing.
I don’t say anything, but I also don’t stop staring until after they see me and catch the fuck on that I heard their shit. Noelle won’t hear any of that shit from them or me. She doesn’t need to. I’ll carry it for her.
The bartender sets the drinks down, and I drop a few bills on the bar, grab them, and head in the direction I saw Noelle heading.
I follow the hall where she disappeared when Lauren beckoned her, the sounds of the reception fading behind me. That’s when I see him.
The groom.
I always thought he was a good-looking enough guy. Nerdy, a little stiff, the kind of guy who gives lap dog energy. Safe. Always there, wanting to be part of something. Hell, he tutored me in physics, and instead of money, he wanted an invite to the hockey house for parties, negotiated at least two invites a month. I gave him an open invite. We weren’t dicks.
Even now, when he attends games and we run into each other, he brings that same energy.
Tonight, he’s not giving off the same vibes. He even looks different. Hair combed back, tux tailored to perfection, owned, not rented. He’s still that new-money confident, but now he’s got an edge.
“Well, if it isn’t the man of the hour,” he says, smirk curling. “Didn’t think you’d have time for this kind of thing.”
“Window opened,” I answer. “Figured I’d take it.”
He chuckles, adjusting his cufflinks like they need the attention. “Good. People like seeing you here. Big statement, having a pro at the wedding. Looks good for all of us.”
There it is. He doesn’t want me here for our old college connection; he wants me here for my name, a trophy guest.
And then he twists the knife.
“Crazy, right? Me ending up with Lauren and not you.” He holds up his finger, platinum ring shining. “One of us brought home a win at Hayward, am I right?”
“Yeah, Louie, real prize. Don’t forget that it’s up to you to keep it going strong. You don’t get a next season in marriage, right?”
ELEVEN
NOELLE
