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My stomach seems to be in a constant ache feeling like I could throw up at any time. I need this day to be over and quick. I am happy to report back to Lindsey’s peaceful bride room. The girls are scrambling to get their dresses and shoes on when Lindsey steps out in her Princess gown. All the ohhhs and ahhhs from everyone in the room make her slightly blush. She is strikingly beautiful.
During the pictures Lindsey’s smile never falters. Her genuine anticipation of marrying my brother is evident to anyone around. I am not a true believer in marriage but my gut confirms that Jack and Lindsey are the lucky few to find the one they will spend the rest of their life loving. Suddenly I am filled with envy.
The bridal party leads the way for Lindsey down the steps to the ceremony. We double check making sure no one is lingering in the foyer with Lindsey hiding by the staircase so no one can see her through the windows.
The music starts and the groomsmen walk up lining the door waiting for their color-coordinated bridesmaid. Lindsey’s cousin steps up to Trent matching his orange vest and a small blond that is Lindsey’s high school friend slides along Gabe’s side in yellow sliding her arm through his I see him smile down at her in turn my face frowns. Finally walking to the second from the back of the line I see my match and to say I am disappointed is an understatement.
“Man do I owe Jack. May I escort you Ms. Je
“What did I do to my brother to deserve this?” I joke. Lindsey and Jack matched me with the right person. Conversation wouldn’t be an issue with Shawn and it wouldn’t cause any drama.
“You must have done something really awesome.” Shawn winks at me. The entire bridal party stares at us informing us we need to stop talking. I’m not immune to the fact Trent and Gabe faces stayed turned my way longer than the others.
“Seriously, I just don’t get it.” Caroline sneers behind us. Since she is the maid of honor she is walking down the aisle herself.
“What?” Shawn turns to her seriously asking.
“What is so fucking great about her?” She nods her head my way.
Shawn looks over at me shocked that she would say that and then I remember why I secretly love him. “Because she’s fucking awesome as hell and has a sweet little body to boot.” He turns around winking at me from the corner of his eye. My smile is automatic back to him as my hero from the evil red head.
Soon all the couples start their march down the aisle and it’s mine and Shawn’s turn. “Let’s do this.” Shawn squeezes my hand through this arm with his free hand and we both look at each other nodding our heads.
I walk down the aisle seeing friends and family to the right of Shawn. I return their smiles then glance up at Jack. His lips are spread open wide from side to side. I don’t know if I have ever seen him this happy. He winks at me with a smirk across his lips. As though my eyes deceive me they land on Trent who is also smiling over to me and then they drift to Gabe who holds a blank stare at me. His eyes are distant and remote. Although they are staring in my direction there are no feelings being portrayed. I can’t stop myself from looking at him as I make my way to the other bridesmaids but his eyes leave mine as Caroline saunters down the aisle.
The ceremony is beautiful going off without a hitch. When the pastor a
“Honey, you look stu
Before I can respond he is already onto Shawn shaking his hand.
The receiving line ends, we do a fake exit while everyone throws birdseed from fake roses at Jack and Lindsey with them ru
Macke
Finally Jack and Lindsey come back from their faux departure. Macke
“Little Ross sure can dictate.” Shawn comes up to me as I exit the church.
“Yeah, she’s always had that bossy side.”
“I have seen it firsthand. My little brother never had a shot. He follows her around like a damn puppy dog.” He shakes his head back and forth.
“She is pregnant.” I excuse her.
“I’m not saying it’s bad, I’m just saying I couldn’t handle it.” He holds up his hands in defense.
The wedding party files in the limos and I am upset and relieved at the same time when I see Gabe and Trent hop in the other one. Trent is saying something to Gabe and Gabe is shaking his head up and down in agreement and then they get into the other one. It could have been my imagination but Shawn looks my way at the exact moment and his eyes seem sorrowful.
Two glasses of champagne later we pull up to the reception hall. The trip wasn’t that bad, Shawn had the limo laughing for the entire trip finally distracting my mind from Gabe. Shawn puts his hand out for mine helping me out of the limo. I see Gabe and Trent doing to the same for their partners from the limo ahead of ours. I cringe seeing Gabe walking with that woman. I wish it were me. Twenty-three hours I tell myself.
Chapter 27 – Present Day Reception
During the cocktail hour, I stay close to Ian when Shawn isn’t around. I had to thank Shawn; he is trying his best to keep my spirits lifted. If my heart didn’t belong to someone else, he would make a great partner. Ian keeps leaving me talking to Trent and Gabe. He eventually releases Bryan from Ke
Trent smiles over at me a few times but he is enjoying the time with his family and friends. Gabe however, never glances towards me standing along with Trent not joining in on the conversations much.
When the di
I walk along the head table trying to find where I am seated. I see instead of girls on one side, boys on the other they have it according to couples. Shawn and I are seated next to each other but a nervous feeling flows through me when I see Gabe’s name next to mine. Something must have slipped through Lindsey’s careful pla
Taking my seat I see Shawn step up to the platform making a beeline for me. He files into the seat next to me wrapping his arm around the back of my chair. The rest of the wedding party joins the table but the seat to my left remains empty. Just as I think he must have already noticed the arrangements and he isn’t going to show I see him walking across the room. I haven’t seen him smile once today except in the pictures. His shoulders are slumped over and he stares at the ground walking towards us. He finally emerges next to me and I hear him sigh before he pulls his chair out taking a seat. He glances down at Trent who is staring at us and then puts his head back down. He remains silent saying nothing to me.