Chapter 11
Cassie
“Fuck, babe, you can really sing,” Brianna says as I come strutting out of my room with an overnight bag. Shit, I hadn’t even realised I’d been singing, it must have been in the shower. My eyes widen as I stare at her in horror. I’m not ready to tell this secret yet. “Wait, where the hell are you going?”
Thank god. I give her a pointed look, cluing in that she is being an absolute moron. “Sean’s wedding… Remember?” I say, “I’m pretty sure I’ve told you this a million times.”
“Oh, shit,” she says with a guilty look. “I forgot that was this weekend, I was hoping for another pole dancing class.”
“There’s no way we would be able to get away with that.” I laugh as I open the internal garage door and dump my bag into my car. “The boys probably have their little freshmen wanna-bee’s staking out the dance studio in case we happen to come by.”
“Yeah, I don’t doubt that,” she agrees. “But what am I going to do all weekend? Bobby is still pissed at me.”
“Seriously? It’s been two weeks.”
“Yeah, I know, I think he is just shocked to find out that I’m actually a lot more like him than he had ever hoped,” she laughs.
“I mean, you kind of blindsided him with the whole threesome revelation.”
“Shut up,” she grins. “It was awesome and I’d totally do it again.”
“Ugh,” I groan, “Let me know how that goes for you.” She gives me a salute and I head back down to my room and grab the silver floor-length gown that has been hanging in my closet for the past year. I do another look around my room to make sure I have everything I need and head back out to the lounge room. “Ok, I’ve got to get going, have a blast without me.”
“Fine,” she groans as she throws her arms around me and squeezes the living daylight out of me. “Have fun. I’ll let you know if any brooding hockey Captains come around to apologise.”
“Yeah right,” I scoff. “I’d pay to see the day that happens. It’s already been two weeks since I told him and he hasn’t said a word. I didn’t even get graced with a scowl during class.”
“Oh geez, that bad, huh?” she asks.
“Yep,” I shrug, adding the dress to the top of the ever-growing pile of crap that has taken over the passenger seat of my little VW Buggie.
“Maybe he just needs a few more days to sulk,” she says, trying to keep me positive. “We can put the ‘Fight for my man’ plan into action after that.”
“Ok,” I laugh. “It’s not going to be easy though,” I warn her.
“Nothing worth it ever is.”
With a roll of my eyes, I drop down into my car. “See you tomorrow night,” I call out the window before I start backing out of the garage. Bri follows me out and gives a wave before heading back in, probably to go back to sleep for the rest of the day but really all she is doing is nursing last night’s hangover so she can head out tonight with her girlfriends and do it all over again. I, at least, was sensible enough to be the sober one last night.
I flick on the tunes as I drive the twenty short minutes to my family’s home with a mix of happiness and sadness going through me.
The thoughts of coming home to the place that holds all the memories of Mum and Dad and of course, Jax, frightens the living shit out of me but at the same time, it’s the one place I feel I can be close to my parents again. I’m pretty sure the triplets feel the same way, hence why Sean is having his wedding on the property, you know, besides the fact that the property is an amazing estate, perfect for holding weddings and functions.
I drive past Jax’ parent’s home and scowl in that particular direction before turning into my driveway. I stop at the gates and enter my code and wait as the massive metal gates slowly open to allow my entry.
I hit the button for the window and drive slowly down the tree lined drive way, breathing in that familiar smell of home. My eyes open in amazement as I get to the house to find parking attendants and delivery trucks scattered around the whole front yard. Men and women in all sorts of different uniforms go about in a rush to prepare my home for Sean’s wedding.
White chairs are being carried around back while beautiful golden ones are being taken inside. Caterers are storming in through the front door, presumably to the kitchen, Swans are being lead to the lake while ladders and tables are being unloaded from the back of a truck.
I get past the initial shock and drive up to the front door, bypassing a man who is struggling to untangle fairy lights only to have another man in a penguin suit stop by my door and offer to assist me with parking. I hop out of my car and grab my things before handing the keys over. I mean, my parents used to throw extravagant parties all the time which were always amazing but we never held a wedding here before and I must say, so far it’s absolutely shocking and beautiful at the same time, Mum would have loved every moment of it.
I walk up the stairs leading to the entrance of our family home and walk on through the open double doors. The house is in absolute chaos, but an organised chaos. I dump my things at the bottom of the stairs as my curiosity gets the best of me. I head on through the house towards the back room, the one I’m assuming the reception will be held in and bingo, I was right.
The double doors are held open with massive white vases that have the most amazing flower arrangements welcoming the guests into the room but that’s not what has caught my eye. The whole room is decked out, well it’s almost decked out, at the moment it looks like a million people scattering around, unsure of what they are supposed to be doing.
The big chandelier in the centre of the roof has white drapes flowing from the centre all the way to the edge of the massive room. Beautiful white tables with golden chairs are set up everywhere. Both the walls and the pillar’s within the room have fairy lights framing them which I can just imagine would be a spectacular view come nightfall.
The room wide, glass bi-fold doors have been opened completely to a big dance floor which overlooks the garden and lake. I walk out to the dance floor and take in the gardens. My eyes land on the chairs and altar down by the lake and instantly begin watering. This wedding is going to be nothing short of spectacular and I know without a doubt mum and dad are looking down on this day.
I turn back to the reception room and find an extremely well-dressed lady running around like a mad woman, clipboard in hand and earpiece firmly attached. She spots me immediately and gives me a blank look. “Ah, you would be?” she asks, politely, though I see the annoyance in her eyes at having to be disturbed.
“You must be Rebecca?” I ask, knowing immediately that this is the frustrating wedding planner Sean has had to deal with. “I’m Cassie, Bridesmaid and Groom’s sister, also part owner of this estate,” I add, just to put the cow in her place.
“Oh,” she says a little shocked, the annoyance instantly leaving her features to be replaced by a massive fake smile. “Glad you’re here. The boys are on the second level while the girls have taken up the third.” She says as she glances down at her clipboard. “You should have roughly ten minutes to say hello to your brothers before you are required for hair and makeup with the girls.”
I give her a curt nod and exit the room in search of my brothers. I grab my things from the bottom of the stairs and make my way up. If Rebecca hadn’t of told me the boys we're on level two, I would have figured it out pretty damn fast. The noise coming from this level is just ridiculous.
I knock on the loudest door to have none other but Cater appear. “Little sister,” he yells excitedly and clearly already off his face, “You made it.” He pulls me in for a hug while Sean and Logan appear behind him.
Logan closes the door and we all stand out in the hallway, the boys as happy as ever while I’m being squished in between their muscles. I hear more loud noises from behind the door before something smashes and I look up to Sean. “Tom is smashed and running around naked. You know how he gets,” he explains about his best friend. “You probably don’t want to go in there.”
“Yeah,” I say, “I think you’re right about that.”
“Has anybody seen Cassandra?” Comes a high pitched yell from above.
“Oh shit,” I groan, “I think I’m needed.”
The boys all laugh, knowing just how much I hate the torcher of getting my hair and makeup done. “Run along, young one,” Carter smirks.
I flip them all off before heading up the stairs and pushing open the doors to the massive suite. The room is in even more chaos than had been downstairs. How the hell is that possible? The girls are all sipping on champagne in little silk robes, all colour coordinated of course, while they sing along to music and get their makeup started. Sara, the bride, sits with her feet up on a stool, getting a pedicure while the hairdresser puts her blonde hair up into this massive, beautiful up-do.
“Cassie,” she squeals as I make my presence known. “How are you?”
“Good,” I say as I walk deeper into the room, a smile spreading wide over my face. “Have you seen the place? It’s absolutely stunning.”
“No, I haven’t,” she smiles, “Tell me they got the swans?” she asks with pleading eyes.
“Yes, I saw some idiot out the front struggling to get the bastard out to the lake. Quite funny actually,” I laugh. “The poor swans were ganging up on him but they seemed really happy in the lake, you know, once they got there.”
Her face melts into joyfulness. “Oh good,” she says.
I’m about to say hi to the rest of the girls when a lady comes and snatches the dress out of my hand and scoots me over to a chair. My hair is ripped out of its hair tie while someone else comes at me with a face wipe. I let out a sigh and give in. It will go quicker if I just tune it out and try to enjoy myself.
A champagne flute is shoved into my hand and the music is turned up while people all around me start their pampering process. Yeah, ok, it’s really not as bad as I thought it would be, I could definitely get used to this.
An hour later we start getting into our dresses and I must admit, with my hair and makeup done, it takes my breath away. The silver strappy gown sticks to me like a second skin and drops between my breasts, showing off the perfect amount of cleavage. My eyes follow the line of the dress down to where it flares with the slightest train. I know without a doubt that the moment the sun hits this dress it is going to sparkle and I just can’t wait. I slowly turn in the mirror to get a look at the back and grin as the dress dips right down and scoops just above my ass, showing off my sculpted back. With a smile, I slip on my heels and give myself another once over. Wow, just wow. I feel glamorous, like a celebrity about to take the red carpet.
The last time I felt or looked this good was my senior prom where I had the man of my dreams on my arm, how things have changed.
The photographer comes around next and that is another event on its own. It takes forever. I feel like my feet are already going to fall off but I smile and do it for my big brother. We get pictures of pretending were getting dressed, pictures of the makeup artist touching up our already perfect makeup and of course, pictures of helping the bride into her dress. Next, we head all over the property, getting every shot possible of us girls and I dread the time between the ceremony and the reception where we’re going to have to do it all over again with the boys, but of course, I’ll smile for my big brother.
We are ushered back upstairs where Sara’s parents are waiting and are given the half an hour call. I slip off my shoes and take a seat while I wait patiently. The wedding planner comes up and gives us all the rundown of how the ceremony is going to work. Who is going to walk down in what order, who holds Sara’s bouquet while she can’t, blah, blah, blah.
And then finally, it’s go time.
Some guy in a suit comes and ushers us down the stairs and out a separate backdoor which leads to a small gazebo area, an area that Jax and I had coveted as our own. I cringe at the memories that assault me with this place but do my best to put it behind me, I can sulk all I want about Jax tomorrow.
We are all lined up ready to go and I listen as the wedding planner maps out the pathway we are to take to get down the aisle, from where we stand we can’t see where the ceremony is but anyone who knows the property would clearly understand the path. Let’s just hope the two girls before me understood what the planner was trying to convey.
Shortly after the music begins, Sara’s sister heads off, followed by her best friend and then it’s me. With a breath, I take my first step towards the aisle, following the path I was told to lead. It doesn’t take long for the ceremony area to come into view but I keep my head down, terrified I might trip.
Once I reach the top of the aisle, I am stopped by the photographer who takes a photo with an absolute blinding flash before stepping out of my way and letting me continue. Once the photographer has moved, I finally get a look at the Groom, who looks at me with a huge proud smile but I also see a hint of guilt that has my eyebrows furrowing together for the briefest moment.
I continue on down the aisle and move to Carter and then to Logan who gives each other a sideways glace before looking back at me with worried looks on their faces. What the hell is going on? My eyes continue scanning the line of groomsmen expecting to see Tom, Sean best friend. Instead, they land on the one person I did not expect to see, not in 100 years.
Jax stands up beside my brothers, looking as handsome as ever in his suit. His hungry eyes firmly on me, eating me up. The pure shock of seeing him has me stumbling slightly before I right myself and slap on a smile. I force myself down the rest of the aisle and instead of lining up with the other bridesmaids, I head straight to Sean and reach up on my tippy toes to place a swift kiss on his cheek.
To the guests, it would look like an innocent show of affection from a little sister to her big brother on his wedding day, but everyone standing before me on the groom's side knows better.
“What the fuck, Sean,” I say through my teeth as I smile and pull him in for a hug. “Are you trying to fucking kill me?”
“Sorry, sis,” he murmurs. “I couldn’t picture today without him by my side.”
I let out a sigh and take a quick glance his way to find those deep blue eyes already on mine. I flick my attention back to my brother before I get swept up into Jax and grab the attention of Logan and Carter as well, knowing they also would have known about this. “We’re all going to have words about this later,” I whisper before heading to my side to stand in line behind Sara’s best friend.
Once firmly in position, I can’t help but cast my eyes to Jax as I wait for the final bridesmaid to take her position. Jax watches me right back and to say the moment is intense would be putting it lightly. From the look in his eye, I would say that for today only, he has decided to overlook our history and recent confessions and enjoy this time that we have as one big family.
The music finally changes letting us know the bride is up next and I tear my eyes away from him. I look up the aisle to see Sara walking towards her groom with tears of happiness streaming down her face. I turn back to Sean and he is absolutely beaming as he takes in his bride and I swear I could not have been happier in this moment.
I tune out Jax and focus on the ceremony and I’m glad that I do. Watching them publically confess their love for each other and saying their vows has tears in my eyes that I can’t seem to dismiss. I know marrying the man of my dreams is something that may never happen for me but I’m so happy for Sean that everything he has ever wanted is falling right into place.
At the end of the ceremony, the bride and groom walk back up the aisle with the bridal party to follow, which unfortunately has me partnered with Jax. He offers me his arm and I scoop my hand into place, once again being reminded of my senior prom.
“You look stunning,” he murmurs to me as we make our way back up the aisle.
“Thank you,” I say, “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
He casts his eyes down at me for a brief moment and I see the raw emotion in his eyes and I know he is trying to tell me that this could have been us, should have been us.
I desperately want to say something, to tell him that I take it all back, that I wish I never left but all that comes out is a broken sorry. He turns his attention back to the aisle and puts a stop to any conversation.
We make it to the end where hugs, kisses, and congratulations are passed around. Jax releases my arm but a force is pulling me back to him. I know he needs a moment before he can deal with me again, so I give him just that. I leave to find my brothers who both see me coming at the same time.
Carter and Logan give each other wary looks before turning to face my wrath. “You should have told me,” I scold them. “I must have looked like an idiot, stumbling down the aisle.”
“Well, to be honest, telling you would have been an awful idea,” Logan says. “And watching you squirm was far too enjoyable.”
I ignore his comments as my mouth drops open. I stare at him in shock. “What planet are you living on?” I laugh. “How could it possibly be an awful idea? You’re freaking nuts.”
“Honestly, it’s quite simple,” he tells me.
“How so?”
“Had you known, would you still have attended the wedding?” he asks.
I look at him like he has lost his mind. “Of course, I would have.”
“But…?” Carter says, giving me a pointed look.
I roll my eyes, knowing exactly where this is going. “But I would have complained about it.”
“Exactly,” they say at exactly the same time, doing that freaky twin/triplet thing where they read each other’s minds. “Come on,” Logan says, always on team Jax. “You know it felt right having him here.”
I cast my eyes around and take him in, speaking with my grandparents as if talking with a long lost friend. My grandmother pulls him in with open arms and he goes willingly, making my chest ache in the good kind of way. “Yeah,” I admit. “It’s right having him here. He’s family.”
I head off and have a few moments to say some hellos before the photographer has whisked us all off for another photo shoot, though, with all the boys here, at least this round of photos is somewhat comical.