Page 130 of No Rings Attached
“Or a medieval weapon designed for murder,” I shot back, gripping the wood handle tighter.
John, nursing a beer, leaned against the table behind us and smirked. “Don’t overthink it. Just heave it at the bullseye like you’re aiming for Kyle’s face.”
I snorted so hard I nearly dropped the axe. Angie elbowed him but didn’t disagree.
“Here,” Drew said, stepping behind me. His chest brushed my back, his warm hands sliding over mine on the handle. “Keep your grip lower. Feet shoulder-width apart. It’s about control, not force.”
My breath caught. He smelled like the seasonal pumpkin beer and sugar from the kettle corn we’d eaten. His voice in my ear made me want to lean into him.
“Now, deep breath.”
“Pretty sure I just forgot how,” I whispered.
He chucked, low and quiet, and adjusted my elbow. “I’ll help.”
With Drew’s guidance, I threw it, terrified I’d clip him or it would bounce back and hit our feet. Instead, the axe thudded into the outer ring of the target. Nowhere near a bullseye, but it stuck.
Angie whooped. “See? A total natural.”
I grinned and turned to Drew. “That was all you.”
“No,” he said softly, pride flickering in his eyes. “That wasyou.”
Heat bloomed in my chest, and I quickly turned and busied myself with getting the axe before I did something stupid and climbed him like a tree in public.
Angie sidled closer as I sat down at the table when Drew took his turn, her smile dimming. “Ellie … John and I want to say—we’re sorry.”
I blinked. “For what?”
John rubbed the back of his neck. “For not saying anything. When Celia and Kyle cheated … we knew. We just didn’t want to be the ones to start trouble and we didn’t know how to tell you.”
Angie nodded, shame flickering in her expression. “We should’ve spoken up. You didn’t deserve that.”
My throat tightened. For so long, I’d felt like no one had had my back. Now, standing here with Angie and John looking me in the eye, something inside me cracked open.
“Thank you,” I said and meant it. For once, I felt like I belonged in the room. Like people were starting to see me—not just as Celia’s sister, but as Ellie.
And of course, that was the exact moment Celia swept in with Kyle and our parents trailing behind her. The camera crew fanned out automatically, filming their entrance, red lights blinking.
Her laugh was bright and practiced, already pitched for the microphone to catch her every word. “Sorry we’re late! Did you all miss me?”
The good mood evaporated, replaced by that familiar knot in my stomach. Drew slid his hand into mine, squeezing, like a silent promise:I’ve got you.
Josh stepped directly into Celia’s path before she could make her way further into the room, his expression pleasant, but firm. His voice carried across the space—loud enough for everyone to hear, including the cameras that immediately swiveled toward the confrontation.
“Celia! Glad you’refinallyhere. I need you to settle your bill before we continue. That’s four hundred and seventy five for the original booking, plus another hundred and fifty in late fees for starting forty-five minutes behind schedule and the extra staff time. I take cash, card, or Venmo.”
Celia’s smile froze. The room went silent. Her eyes darted to the crew, then back to Josh, a flush creeping up her neck. “I—what? Can’t this wait? We’re in the middle of?—”
“No ma’am, it can’t wait.” Josh’s tone remained professional, but unyielding. “This needed to be paid before tonight as stated in our verbal contract and our written one. I’ve already let the event start out of courtesy to your guests who arrived on time. But I need payment now before we go any further.”
Kyle stepped forward. “Seriously, dude? You’re really going to do this in front of everyone?”
“I’m really going to run my business, yes,” Josh replied evenly. “Your bride booked a private event and didn’t show up to pay for it. My staff came in on their night off. So yes, I’m going to collect payment.”
“Ellie,” Mom hissed, her voice dripping with disapproval. “Why didn’t you just handle this?”
Several guests shifted uncomfortably.
