CHAPTER TEN

 

Lying on the bed next to Alison, I let out a loud groan, making her giggle. “It’s not funny. I thought it would be fun to have the girls join me, but we kept distracting each other. Don’t get me wrong, I love shopping as much as the next girl, but my God, today I think I felt an ounce of what Lola feels when me and Mum drag her shopping. My feet are so sore.”

“Did you even get what you needed done?”

Another groan. “No.” She laughs and I nudge her in the belly with my elbow. “Anyway, how was your day?”

“Well, Jeff took me outside for some fresh air earlier, and on the way out we bumped into a woman called Angela. She was being a bitch to Emily. Who is she?”

“Ah,” I murmur, wondering how I explain her. “She’s Amelia’s cousin and maid of honour.”

Her eyes bug out in horror. “Really? But… how? Why? She’s horrible.”

“Yes, I’m afraid so. From what Amelia told me today, her mum isn’t the nicest of people and can be controlling. So, when she found out about their engagement, she guilt-tripped her into letting Angela be maid of honour.”

“There’s going to be two of them?” She swallows, looking anxious.

Laughing, I nod. “Don’t worry, apparently Angela’s mum is a sweetheart and makes sure to put the two in their place. I met Amelia’s best friend, Hallie, on the way in. She arrived when we got back. She seems lovely, so hopefully we’ll only be really dealing with her. I don’t think Angela is the type who does something for others, let alone maid of honour duties.”

“Well thank Christ for that. Who else is arriving tonight? I feel bad that you have to deal with all this on your own. I bet you’re behind schedule.”

“I’ve only missed a few things, so don’t worry over it. But I do need you to email the caterers and the florist to make sure everything is still as planned. And as for the guests arriving tonight,” I begin, taking out my tablet, “we have Jon and Toby, the groomsmen, arriving shortly. And Veronica and Harmony, who are Gabriella’s guests, arriving any second.”

“So full house, huh?”

“Yep. Which reminds me, I should be going down for dinner,” I tell her, getting up from the bed. “Get some sleep because tomorrow, we need to get our arses into gear.”

“Promise. I’m feeling much better, just tired.”

“I know. I’m just teasing. You can take as much time as you possibly want. Right, I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Have fun,” she sings, switching on the TV.

I laugh, shutting the door behind me, bumping into Drake when I do. He has a mischievous grin on his face when he sees me.

“Just who I was looking for.”

“Why are you looking at me all creepy-like?”

“Am I?”

I giggle, shaking my head. “I’m teasing, but you do look a little shifty. What do you have planned?”

“Well, I’m glad you asked. I had to spend the day with Aaron and my brother―”

“Please don’t tell me he’s fallen in love with you.”

“Who wouldn’t?” He grins. “But no, he did nothing but talk to Jesse about how you’ll go crawling back to him. Telling him how you belonged together―”

“Well aren’t you Chatty Cathy today.”

“Will you stop interrupting me for one minute?” he asks, giving me a stern look.

I try to fight my grin, I really do. “Go on.”

“Anyway, not only did he keep going on about you, but he talked non-stop about himself. He’s driven me freaking nuts all day, especially over his face―which has been funny as shit, by the way. And then to top that shit off, he scratched my car.”

I gasp, horrified. “Oh my God. Your Range Rover?” He nods, his face relaxing when he sees I get him. “What did you do?”

How dare he! Why would anyone want to do anything to that car? Hell, even dropping a bread crumb on the interior is a crime.

“It’s what we’re gonna do.” He grins.

Scrunching my face up in confusion, I give him a questioning look. “We?”

“Yeah. You’ve still got Grams’ box, haven’t you?”

“Yes,” I answer cautiously.

“Great. Go get the stink bombs. And let’s be rebels, grab the itching powder too.”

I giggle at his boy-like expression. “And what are you going to do? Cover him in them at the dinner table?”

“Do I look stupid? I am Grams’ grandson, after all. I’m going to cover his flipping bed in it.”

I think about it for a minute. Why the hell not. It’s not like he’ll know it’s me. “If we get caught, I’m blaming you.”

He holds his hands up, grinning. “I swear I’ll take full responsibility. Come on. He’s downstairs at the minute chatting up one of my sister’s friends.”

I roll my eyes and quickly open the door to Alison’s room. “Sorry, just grabbing something,” I tell her when she looks up. She eyes me curiously before turning to Drake at the door.

“Hey, how you feeling?” he asks, casually leaning against the frame.

“I’m better, thank you. Um, Pagan, what are you up to?” she asks quickly when I grab the two packets from the box.

“Nothing.”

“Doesn’t look like nothing.”

“We better be going or we’ll be late for dinner,” I rush out, smiling widely at Alison. “Speak later.”

Before she can say anything or warn me of the consequences, I shut the door shut and grab Drake’s hand. We laugh as we run down the hallway, but I come to a stop at the end, not knowing where I’m going.

“Where to?”

“Come on,” he laughs, pulling me now.

A rush of excitement floods through me knowing we could get caught at any second. “Is it wrong that I’m seriously ecstatic right now? I feel like I’m twelve years old.”

He laughs, slowing to a steady pace. “Nah. I’m a doctor and even I can admit this is the most fun I’ve had in ages. I’ve always secretly wished Grams would do something to him for years. I’m just glad it’s me who will get the pleasure.”

“Well, I’ve always wanted to do this,” I giggle.

“This is it. You ready?”

“Hell yeah.”

My heart is pounding as he opens the door. The room is laid out similar to mine, except Aaron doesn’t have a window bench or a fireplace attached to the bathroom. It’s the same colours and décor, but the bathrooms on this side of the house are shared, separating two rooms.

“You got the bombs?” Drake asks, pulling the bedspread away.

With sweaty palms, I hand over the pack. “Let’s do the itching powder first. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stay in here with that thing going off.”

He chuckles. “You do the honour, then. Make sure you get the pillow.”

“Which side does he sleep on?”

He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “You dated him, not me.”

I roll my eyes at him. “Yeah, when we both slept in single beds at our parents’ houses. Let’s just cover both of them to be sure. If we need to get more, ring Ada.”

He steps away from me, a smirk on his handsome face. “You look kind of scary right now. Remind me never to piss you off,” he laughs. “And don’t let my Grams rub off on you.”

“I think she already has,” I tell him, smiling. My fingers slip once again as I try to tear the packet open. “I’m sure these things are for children, so why can’t I open it?”

“Stop pouting. Here, let me try.”

Moving the packet away, I pull harder. “No, no, I—” The packet rips open, a little of the powder blowing into Drake’s face. “Oh my Gosh, I’m so sorry.”

He wipes frantically at his face, sneezing as he does. “It’s fine. It’s fine. I don’t even feel anything.”

I don’t have the heart to tell him it takes a few minutes to start working. “Good, good. Let’s do this before he comes up.” Walking over to the bed, I sprinkle a little on some of the pillows. Then from the corner of my eye, I notice his suitcase, and an idea forms.

“What are you doing?” he asks, still wiping his face.

I grin, opening his case. “Well, we have just under half a packet, so why not use it on his prize gem.”

“You wouldn’t,” he says, sounding horrified.

Turning around, I find him rubbing his jaw. “Stop messing. Go wash your face before dinner. And yes, I totally would.” Pulling out a pair of boxers, I cringe but somehow manage to cover the front in itching powder. Grinning evilly, I get up, chuckling when I find Drake scratching furiously at his jaw.

“My God, this stuff is fucking lethal. Why won’t it stop?”

Laughing, I walk over, slapping his hands away. “Come on, I’m sure I have something that will stop the itching.”

“I’ll google it, thanks. I don’t want to make it worse.”

Giving him a ‘whatever’ look, I walk into the hall. “Quick, then. We still have dinner to get through and we’re running behind schedule.”

“God, you’re bossy.”

“I know.” I grin.

“Shit, I left my phone in my room,” he says, patting his pockets.

“Hold on.” Grabbing mine out of my back pocket and clicking on google, I make quick work of finding what I need and burst out laughing. “It says here it’s the first scratch that makes it worse. The more you scratch, the itchier it’ll be.”

“Wish I had known that before,” he tells me dryly.

“It’s not my fault the packet split. And what would you have done differently?”

“Worn a bloody space suit.” His voice is high-pitched and I laugh loudly. “Oh you think this is funny, do you?”

With the tone of his voice and the look in his eye, I step away a little, getting ready to run. “Yes, it is pretty funny.”

He grins, showing all his teeth, and the dimples in his cheek pop out. “You’re so gonna get it.”

Squealing, I race down the hall, my laughter echoing. “No, don’t you dare.”

“You asked for it,” he says, coming up behind me. He grabs me and I giggle, wiggling to get down.

“No, don’t,” I beg.

But he does.

He rubs his jaw over my cheek, and no matter how hard I laugh, beg, or squeal, he doesn’t give up.

“Put me down.”

He does and turns me round with a wide smile, his eyes twinkling. “Now we’re even.”

“Oh we so aren’t.” I gaze up at him, my smile as wide as his, and get lost in him. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and my breath hitches. “We should, um… we should go wash our faces and put some vinegar on, just in case.”

He clears his throat. “Vinegar?”

I look away, my face heating. “Yeah. Before you attacked me with your powdered face, I saw someone used vinegar.”

“Seems reasonable. People use it for stinging nettles.”

“Let’s go, then.” I smile, trying to hide the emotion I’m feeling right now. My heart is beating ten times as fast as it was back when we walked into Aaron’s room. My palms are sweating, and for the first time in a while, a male has me tongue-tied, stuck on what I should do. Because I’m pretty sure he was going to kiss me.

Or I was going to kiss him.

That or it would’ve been mutual.

 

 

*** *** ***

 

Tonight was meant to be fun and games, but the minute we entered the dining room, I wanted to walk straight back out.

Angela was moaning at Emily about her dietary plan and that the food didn’t meet her requirements.

Then Aaron kept trying to strike up conversation with me, which I ignored. No one questioned my rudeness, or called me out on it, thankfully.

But it was the minute the wedding was brought up during dinner that I wanted to pull my hair out. Hallie asked Angela how her speech was going, and Angela didn’t take it too well. She seemed very confrontational over everything. Needless to say I think I’ll work with Hallie to write one up for Angela to read that day. I’ll just keep it short and sweet and make sure Hallie gets hers perfect.

At last, dinner is over and everyone is ready to play ‘murder in the dark’. Well, almost everyone. I’m still wondering if they’ll let me hang out in my room since a surprise guest of Amelia’s arrived during dinner.

“Are you playing, Angela?” Jesse asks, trying to include her. All dinner he’s been trying to keep her satisfied, steering everyone away from topics that get her mad. How he puts up with her, I don’t know. I’m guessing his love for Amelia is stronger than his annoyance for his future cousin-in-law.

“Gosh no. I’m not a child,” she replies snottily.

“She never played as a kid,” Amelia mumbles under her breath.

I fight my grin. “Are you sure, Angela? The lights will be off in the house. I’m sure it will be more entertaining than being in your room.”

She turns her nose up at me, giving me a distasteful look. “I’ve got better things to do than run around the house in the dark. Now if you don’t mind, I’ll be away for the night. My aunt Sharon is taking me out.”

“Mum’s picking you up?” Amelia asks, hurt clear in her voice and expression.

Angela smirks. “Yes. Didn’t she tell you? We’re going out for drinks with her new husband and family.”

“No, she didn’t.”

“Oh well, not to worry. You get to play your game. Toodles.”

She walks out of the room, her hips swinging side to side. Everyone’s gone silent, but then Hallie speaks up. “Anyone else happy she won’t be here to poop on our fun?”

I would’ve been happier if she’d taken Aaron with her, but I don’t voice that.

“Come on, let’s get started. I’ve been dying to play this for a week.” Jesse stands, his face lighting up.

Outside in the garden, I grab the small box that was delivered earlier today and open it. “You’ll each wear ten ribbons around your neck, each of you having a different colour. Once you’re caught, you have to hand a ribbon over to Jesse, who will be on first. Once he has six different coloured ribbons, he can come back outside and choose a ribbon for who will be on next. That way, the people still hiding inside won’t know who is on and who to hide from. Here is the meeting point for those without ribbons, but once a new person is chosen to be on, you’re all back in the game until you run out of ribbons. The front left-hand side of the mansion is off limits, and so is outside of the property. Does anyone have any questions?” I ask, looking up to see another light flicker off. It’s a bit of a good job Shane knows his way around the mansion or we might be searching for him.

“Don’t forgot everyone who’s caught has to do a shot when they reach outside.” Jesse grins. You’d never think he was a lawyer, too boyish and innocent looking.

“The first person to lose all their ribbons has to drink a pint of… I don’t even know what it is, but it’s look vile,” I tell them, scrunching my nose up at the offending drink on the table.

“It’s one of Grams’ concoctions,” Drake chuckles.

Well that explains it all.

I’ll be drinking that vile drink within the hour, I just know it. I can practically taste it already.

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect ya,” Aaron says, seeing my expression.

I give him a dirty look, wondering what planet he’s on. “I’d rather drink the drink.”

Drake laughs next to me, covering it with a cough. “Right, let’s go. First to go in are the girls. We boys will follow in a couple of minutes.”

I give him a wide-eyed look, wondering if he’s lost his mind. I was hoping to follow him so I didn’t get lost myself.

Maybe I could get away with sneaking to my room.

“I’ll find you,” Drake whispers, making me shiver.

Smiling, I nod, then go to follow the girls into the house. “Wait, you need to do a shot first,” Jesse tells us, handing each of us a glass.

I down the shot, wincing at the burn in my throat, then move to follow behind the others who are giggling. Once I walk into the house, the girls are gone and a shiver runs down my spine. The thick heavy curtains do a perfect job at blocking out the moonlight from outside, so finding my way into the main hallway is harder than it should be.

“For fuck’s sake,” I curse when I walk into a door. Reaching out in front of me, I feel my way down a short hallway, coming to what I hope is the main staircase. I’d been planning on hiding out in Drake’s old bedroom on the balcony, but when I hear a door open and close behind me, followed by Aaron’s muttered curse, my feet carry me down the hall towards the pool.

The room is dark, but once my eyes adjust, I walk towards the door to the steam room, hoping no one will think to go in there. There’s no way I’ll be able to handle drinking that drink. It was green, for heaven’s sake.

Please don’t let anyone find me.