Chapter Twenty-Three
Teague
My wedding dress is satin and organza, strapless with a beaded and embroidered bodice, and floor length with a cathedral train. My hair is in a loose chignon embellished with a touch of tiny sparkling jewels. My makeup is minimal because my husband-to-be loves me without it. And my bouquet consists of pink and white roses, no greenery, with a black-and-white-striped bow around the stems.
My bridesmaids carry white bouquets with gold ribbons. Their dresses are simple, elegant, and black.
“Teague? Did you hear me?”
I blink away the daydream and focus back on Madison and her wedding day. Madison looks gorgeous in an off-the-shoulder tulle-and-lace gown with a chapel train. Her bridesmaids are wearing coral tea-length chiffon dresses. And Mrs. Hastings is beautiful in a fitted mother-of-the-bride dress.
“I’m sorry. What?” Focus, Teague. Nothing can go wrong today.
“I asked if you wouldn’t mind taking this to Henry? He forgot to grab it out of my bag. It’s my grandfather’s handkerchief and he needs it for his pocket.” She hands me the small white cloth. “It’s a good luck charm.”
“Of course. I’ll be right back. Do you need anything else?” We’re less than an hour away from the magical hour of five o’clock.
Madison glances around the bridal suite. There are still plenty of snacks and drinks. Her last bridesmaid is having her hair styled. The other bridesmaids, Mateo’s sister included, are taking pictures and fawning over Madison. “I think we’re good,” she says, posing for a pic. “Thanks, Teague. You’ve been great.” Madison’s been calm and poised all day, but I’ve wondered more than once if it’s just on the outside. She’s a little too in control given the excitement of the day.
I move my mouthpiece so I can speak into it and let Leah and Mindy know where I’m going. The three of us are wearing headsets to communicate our every move and stay on schedule. Gabrielle is enjoying being the godmother of the bride today.
I leave the suite, glancing at my clipboard to be sure I haven’t forgotten anything. The groom’s suite is one floor down in the hotel, so I take the elevator. I step off, head still on my notes, when I bump into someone. A tall someone who smells really good. Familiar.
“Sorry,” we say at the time.
Then our eyes meet. Hold. And just like that, the past sixteen days of heartache blur, and I’m reminded all over again of how Mateo makes me feel. Like I’m the only person he sees.
“Sorry,” he says again. “I was looking at my phone and not watching where I was walking.”
It’s reminiscent of the time we bumped into each other in the parking garage over two months ago. “It’s okay. I was distracted, too.” I knew I was going to see him today, but I’d somehow talked myself into thinking it wouldn’t be a big deal.
I was wrong. So, so wrong. Because this is painful.
We continue to stare at each other, and I hate the awkward silence. It was never that way with him. You can do this, Teague. “You look really nice,” I say lamely. He’s dressed in a black tuxedo, and “nice” doesn’t begin to describe how gorgeous he looks.
“Thanks. You do, too.”
I’m wearing a short pink chiffon A-line dress and strappy heels. I feel pretty. Confident. And a little triumphant, because Mateo is eyeing me like I look better than nice, too.
“I guess I’ll see you later,” I say, and walk around him down the hallway. I need to deliver this handkerchief and get back to the bridal suite.
“Right,” he says quietly.
I don’t look back even though I really want to.
“Teague, wait.”
Mateo is right there when I turn around. He combs his fingers through his hair, lets out a sigh. There’s nothing he can say to make this better, so I make it easy for him. “I’m okay,” I say. “Better than okay, actually. I’m dating Brendan now, so this doesn’t have to be weird. I’ll see you around, okay?” I spin on my heels before he sees I’m lying through my teeth. I doubt he even remembers Brendan is the guy who invited me to go to the Hollywood Bowl, but his name just slipped out.
The hallway seems to stretch for miles in front of me. I hear the elevator ding. Then hear nothing at all. Relief and disappointment flood me. I peek over my shoulder and then sag against the wall when I find that Mateo is gone.
I’m not proud of myself for lying to him. I don’t even know where the lie came from. All I know is I couldn’t hear him say one more cordial thing. The nightmare I had about my dad’s heart? I’ve had it again, a few times, only it was my heart dying in front of Mateo.
The hotel room door across from me opens and out steps Henry. He’s tucking his white shirt into his tuxedo pants. His jacket is hanging over his arm. I can’t see who’s closing the door behind him, but I get a glimpse of a woman.
My first thought is, I wonder if she’s one of the out-of-town guests with the Gucci gift bag inside her room, and if so, I want to take it back.
My second thought is, I wish I were still in the bridal suite. Because oh my ducking God.
I drop my gaze back to my notes. I cannot effing believe he cheated on Madison on their wedding day. I’m immediately sick to my stomach and shaking. I want to scream at him loud enough to alert everyone on this floor so he can be discovered for the piece of crap he is.
“Teague?” he says, clearing his throat. “What are you doing here?”
Considering I’m one of the wedding coordinators and in charge of getting him downstairs on time, that’s a stupid question.
“I came to bring you this.” I reluctantly hand him the handkerchief. He doesn’t deserve something so meaningful. He’s scum. Worse than scum.
“Thanks.” He thumbs his finger over his shoulder. “I was just looking for this. Thought maybe I left it in my—”
“Don’t insult my intelligence.” I push away from the wall. “Please be downstairs in twenty.”
“I will be.”
“Should you be?” I can’t believe I threw out that challenge. I’m not sure what my place is here, but I am Madison’s friend, and I think she should know what I just saw. As heart-wrenching as it will be, it’s better she knows now rather than after they’re married.
“I love her,” Henry says.
“Then you might want to think about letting her go.”
He looks stunned that I would say such a thing. I’m pretty surprised myself, considering I’m still trembling with unease over his sickening behavior.
Gabrielle has worked tirelessly on this wedding for months. There are two hundred guests attending. Nothing can go wrong today if I want to keep my job, she told me, and I just hinted to the groom he might want to walk away.
I’ve no doubt Gabrielle was serious. She gets résumés every day from eager administrative assistants who want to work for her, so while I’d like to think I’m not easily replaceable, she could fire me and hire someone new in a matter of minutes.
Still, when I reenter the bridal suite, I can’t in good conscience let this go.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” I say to Madison.
“Is something wrong?” That she immediately jumps to that conclusion tells me I’m right to say something.
We step out onto the terrace, where we have a view of palm trees and the gazebo all ready for her nuptials. The floral arrangements are gorgeous, the ivy and other greenery fairy-tale-like. Guests are filling the seats. I swallow the doubt making my throat parched and tell her what I saw.
She’s quiet for a long moment before she says, “He promised he’d stop after we’re married.”
I let that soak in. “It’s your wedding day.” There’s no judgment, only concern. I don’t understand how she can trust him to keep that promise. Or how she’s lived with his infidelities this long. Does she really think that little of herself?
“That’s right,” she says, her tone getting defensive, her eyes filling with unshed tears I feel horrible about. “And I’m going to walk down the aisle, so please don’t bother telling me anything else I don’t want to hear.”
“Madison,” I whisper. “You don’t have to go through with this.”
“Yes, I do.”
“What if Henry—”
“Stop. Please just stop.”
I nod and we go back inside.
“Oh sweetie,” Mrs. Hastings says. “Are you tearing up already? If you start crying now, we all will. Here.” She hands Madison a tissue to dab her eyes with.
This is supposed to be the happiest day of a girl’s life, and I ripped some of that happiness away from Madison. I feel ill, but I had to say something.
Ignoring the gut-wrenching pain in my stomach, I get Madison and her bridesmaids downstairs. Madison stays hidden from view with her father at her side while the rest of the wedding party is organized. I do my best not to stare at Mateo, but it isn’t easy when he looks so incredibly handsome. That I’m not the only one to notice him stings.
The music starts and the procession begins. I adjust my earpiece and listen to cues from Mindy. When it’s Henry’s turn, and it’s only the two of us standing there, he gives me a look I can’t decipher. I give him a small smile and silently pray he’ll keep his promise to Madison.
Once Henry has taken his place at the end of the aisle, I motion for Madison and her dad. The “Wedding March” begins and there goes the bride. I watch from my spot on the terrace, behind the rows of white-cushioned seats.
Madison’s dad gives her hand to Henry, and Henry leads them into position in front of the minister. The photographer and videographer capture the details as the ceremony progresses. When Madison and Henry turn to face each other, their profiles revealed for all to see, I notice Henry dart a glance to the guests when he should be looking deeply and lovingly into his bride’s eyes.
Madison hands her bouquet to her maid of honor. Henry takes her hands in his. He darts another gaze away from Madison.
She visibly flinches like she’s been struck before turning her head to see what was important enough to distract her fiancé.
I’m not sure what she finds, but slowly, painfully slowly, she pulls her hands from his and drops her arms. He looks genuinely puzzled. “Madison?”
The minister frowns.
Someone in the back row of chairs says, “What’s going on?”
“I can’t marry you,” Madison announces.
Then she gathers her train in her arms and runs down the aisle. She doesn’t stop when her parents jump to their feet with concern. Or when Henry shouts, “Wait.” She moves really fast for a girl in a bulky wedding dress and heels.
Gabrielle is on her feet, her arms spread wide, keeping the wedding party together right where they are. She shoots me an angry look over her shoulder that says, “Get Madison back here.”
I’ll do no such thing, even if it costs me. Instead, I follow on Madison’s heels in hopes of helping her get some space. She runs through the lobby of the hotel and out the sliding glass front door.
“Ma’am?” the valet says.
“She needs a cab,” I say without thinking.
“We need a cab,” a deep, sexy voice says from behind me.
I spin around to find Mateo. “What are you doing here?”
“Helping my friend.” He tucks his hand under Madison’s chin and lifts her face toward his. Tears are rolling down her cheeks. “Hey, we’ll get you somewhere safe, okay? It’s going to be all right.”
We’ll get you…does he think I’m coming with them?
She gives a barely there nod.
Luckily, there’s one taxi parked on the other side of the valet station, so we hurry over to it. Madison climbs into the backseat, barely fitting with all the material of her gorgeous gown. Mateo closes her door and opens the front passenger-side door. “Come on, you’ll sit on my lap.”
“I think I should stay here.”
“Why? Let Mindy and Leah handle things. My mom. You’re the one on bride duty, right?”
He is right. I look inside the small front seat. The cab driver shakes his head like there’s no way he’s allowing both of us in that seat. Mateo pulls a hundred-dollar bill out of his pocket and hands it to the man. “Get in,” the man says.
Mateo sits and carefully situates me on his lap. I have no idea what to do with my hands, so I put them on the dashboard.
“Seat belt,” the cabbie says as he drives away from the curb.
I help Mateo pull the belt out as far as it will go, then wrap it around us. He clicks it into place and I’m pressed against him. His arms come around my waist. I suck in a breath I hope he didn’t hear or feel. This is not a position I want to be in.
“Relax,” he whispers in my ear. His warm breath fans my neck, and I’m certain he notices the goose bumps he makes rise on my skin, since my hair is swept to the side in a fancy knot.
Mateo gives the taxi driver his home address. Given our illegal seating arrangement, that’s a good place to go. It’s not very far away.
“You okay, Mad?” Mateo asks.
She doesn’t answer, so I look over our shoulders. She’s staring unfocused out the windshield. “Madison?”
Her gaze tracks to mine, but her eyes still look vacant. She’s stopped crying, and I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.
“I’m proud of you,” Mateo says.
I cut a quick sideways glance at him. He’s beautiful inside and out. Looking back at Madison, I add, “Me, too.”
She covers her face with her hands and sobs. She sobs all the way to Mateo’s house.
The cabbie stops in the middle of the street, since cars take up the curb. Mateo cups my bottom to give me a little boost out of the car. He can’t do things like that. I glare at him.
“Sorry,” he mutters, not looking sorry at all.
We flank Madison, each of us taking an arm, and help her inside the house. Elliot and another guy are sitting on the couch playing a video game.
“What the hell?” Elliot says. “What happened?”
“Madison ditched the groom.”
“Nice,” Elliot says. “The ass didn’t deserve you.”
I remember Mateo’s roommates grew up friendly with Madison, too.
“You okay?” the other guy asks Madison.
“Yeah,” she says between sniffles. “Can I crash in your room, Matty?”
“Absolutely,” Mateo says.
I follow them to Mateo’s room. Madison sits on the edge of the bed. “What did I do?” she mumbles.
“The right thing.” I sit beside her and curl my arm around hers.
“Something finally snapped in me,” she says, barely above a whisper. “And I couldn’t let him get away with it. I couldn’t pretend anymore that none of it mattered. That he hadn’t damaged me and turned me into someone I didn’t want to be.”
Mateo kneels down to look right at her. I know from experience that when he does that, you feel a thousand times better. “You’re strong, Mad, you just needed to remember that.”
“Thanks.”
“Stay here as long as you want, okay?”
“I just need to be alone and not think about anything for a while. Teague, will you let my parents know not to worry?”
“Of course.”
Mateo hands Madison a pair of sweatpants and a plain T-shirt. “Make yourself comfortable, and when you’re hungry I’ll call for a pizza.”
“You’re the best, Matty.”
“That’s what they say.” As soon as the words leave his mouth, he presses his lips together like he wishes he could take them back.
“Want me to help you out of your dress?” I ask, ignoring the way everything Mateo says and does leaves an imprint on me.
Madison runs her palms along the fabric of the skirt. “No. I can do it.”
“I’m really sorry about today.” Breaking up on your wedding day no matter the circumstances is beyond awful.
“Me, too.”
“I’ll check in with you later, okay?”
“You’re leaving?” she asks.
“I’m going to call Harper and have her take me to the hotel. I need to go back.” As uncomfortable as it’s going to be, I can’t run away from my job.
“Please don’t tell anyone I’m here.”
“I won’t. Promise.”
I shoot off a text with a quick explanation to Harper as Mateo and I leave the room. She texts back that she’ll be here right away.
“Hey, I’m Levi,” the guy next to Elliot says when I walk back into the living room. The two of them are playing some kind of zombie game on the television, a controller in each of their hands.
“Oh! Hey. I’m Teague. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too. Nice dress.”
Mateo hits Levi upside the head.
“Oww. What was that for? A guy’s not allowed to give a compliment to a pretty girl?” Mateo hits him again. “Jesus, man. Knock it off,” Levi says as Elliot laughs.
“I have to make a couple of calls,” I say, trying to hide my smile and stepping into the kitchen. I have Mrs. Hastings in my contacts and phone her first. She’s relieved Madison is okay, but isn’t happy she wants to be left alone. Next I call Gabrielle. She’s furious at me for a) letting this happen, b) leaving with the bride, and c) not giving her a heads-up on the situation.
“Drink?” Mateo asks, putting his cell phone down and leaning against the kitchen counter. He’s removed his jacket and tie. His white shirt is no longer tucked, the collar is loose, the sleeves pushed up to his elbows.
He’s devastatingly sexy. I should say no thanks and wait outside for Harper, but my mouth doesn’t get the memo. “Sure.”
He pulls out a bottle of vodka and three shot glasses. I like that he knows I need a drink. “Three?” I ask.
“Two for you, one for me.” He flashes his dimples, and I think I’d give anything for those to be pointed at me for eternity.
I need to stop thinking.
So I down the first shot, then the second.
“Slow down there, tiger. Have you eaten anything in the last few hours?”
“Does gum count?” The question scrapes against the back of my throat, the burn from the alcohol still stinging.
Mateo opens the fridge and takes out a plate of fried chicken. I love fried chicken. My mouth waters as he pulls off the plastic wrap. “I’m guessing you’re a leg girl.”
I don’t want him to be right about that, so I almost grab a thigh, but then I’d be punishing myself, not him. “Thanks.” I pick up a leg and take a bite.
He watches me eat. I watch him watch me eat.
When his phone vibrates and lights up with an incoming call, I glance over at it and see the face of a really pretty girl on the screen.
Something cold, uncomfortable, and with claws squeezes my heart. It’s not jealousy. It’s something worse. Defeat. Rejection all over again, and I have to leave right now because I can’t bear the weight of any more history between us.
“I’m going to wait for Harper outside.” I quickly throw away the chicken in the trash under the sink. “Thanks for the snack.”
“You don’t have to do that, Teague.”
“Yeah, I do.” I start toward the front door, praying Mateo will let me go without further conversation. The doorbell rings after I’ve taken a few steps, leaving me to pause in the archway separating the kitchen from the family room. It’s not my house. I can’t just open the front door. It might not be Harper.
Levi tosses his controller onto the coffee table in a gesture of defeat and says to no one in particular, “I’ll get it.” He walks to the front door and opens it. It is my best friend. Thank goodness.
“Hey,” I say, grateful for her arrival.
“Levi?” she says, her eyes pinned to him and wide with surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“I live here,” Levi says, sounding equally stunned. “Wow. I didn’t think… Do you want to come in?”
My best friend can’t stop staring at Levi with awe in her brown eyes, but then her entire demeanor changes right before me. Gone is her shock—and I think pleasure—at seeing him, and in its place is annoyance. “Like I would want to do that. I’m here to pick up my best friend.”
“You two know each other?” I ask, moving beside Levi.
“We—”
“You good to go?” Harper interrupts, her focus turned on me. She’s clearly ready to be on our way.
“Why the hurry?” Levi asks, a touch of irritation in his voice now, too.
“None of your business.”
“What if I want to make it my—”
“I have a date,” Harper announces. “Ready, Teague? I need to drop you at the hotel and hurry home to get dressed.”
Levi lifts his arm to grip the top of the door. His stance is casual, confident, and raises his shirt a bit. “You’re lying.”
Harper’s eyes dart down to Levi’s waist before bouncing back to his face. “And you’re the truth police now?” she says with contempt.
“I call it like I see it.”
“Which makes you blind and stupid. Let’s go, Tea.” She turns to go.
“Hold up.” Levi puts his hand on her shoulder.
She immediately shrugs him off, spins around. “Don’t touch me.”
“Harp.”
Harp? Just how well does Mateo’s roommate know mine?
“Drop it, okay? Pretend you never even saw me.”
“Really? That’s how you want to play this?” Levi’s voice is hard. Injured.
“Yes.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.” My best friend is so not fine, but I have no idea what is going on.
“Oh-kay,” I say. “Let’s go.” I grab Harper’s hand and hurriedly lead her down the walkway, put her in the car, then walk around to the passenger side.
“What was that about?” I ask as we speed away.
“Nothing,” she says, her voice a million miles away.
“You know him, though?”
She’s quiet, and that’s very unlike my best friend, so I know there’s a lot she’s not saying. Finally she says, “I know him, but I’ll tell you about it later. How’s Madison?”
I let the thing with Levi go and share the whole wedding story on the way to the hotel. Harp drops me off with a wish for good luck and I spend the rest of the night doing whatever damage control Gabrielle asks of me. There’s a ton to take care of—the families, guests, gifts, hotel staff, food, cake, band, rings.
Henry, to my surprise, confessed to being unfaithful, but he didn’t look all that broken up about Madison running off. His behavior sparks ugly tension between his father and Madison’s parents.
Hours later, when things are finally settled down, Gabrielle takes hold of my arm and says, “You’re fired.”