Chapter Twelve

Circles

Mandee

I can’t get away from him fast enough. It took balls, which I don’t have, and four glasses of wine before I could walk down the aisle. Phoenix tried to warn me away from them, but I didn’t listen.

So, now I’m buzzed, possibly drunk, and I want him. I want Grayson Falcon so badly that I’m afraid of how I may act, which is why I shouldn’t be drinking, but I need to.

I so need to.

Wanting him, that was before I walked down the aisle to a song I have always loved, sung an octave or two lower in that voice, that deep rasp that I know I heard in the woods, by a man I now know to be real, not imaginary. But...

“I’ll take that,” I say as Phoenix passes a bottle of champagne around me. I grab it and drink it straight from the bottle.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about.” Gage Falcon’s voice forces my eyes up to his smiling face. “Let loose, Mandee. It’s a day for that.”

I swallow down what’s in my mouth and hold it up. “Cheers.”

As I take another swig, I notice Phoenix holding plastic champagne flutes and looking at me like I have lost my damn mind. I have.

I totally have.

I hand her the bottle. “Sorry. I didn’t see the glasses.”

“Parched?” Phoenix asks.

“Or, just has no desire in fucking around. Hand it over,” Kat, the chick with the horrible yet funny as hell attitude and all the tattoos, says, reaching for it. She holds it up. “To ruining your life for good sex.”

I look toward her fiancé, Ricco, thinking he may be a bit put off by this, but he just smiles.

“Just good?” He leans forward so he’s about a foot from her and stares at her as she drinks out of the bottle.

When she’s done, she tries not to smile. “Wouldn’t want you to get a big head.”

He smirks as he sits back.

Phoenix takes the bottle, drinking it as Kat leans in, much like Ricco had to her. “It’ll stretch out the turtle neck.”

Phoenix starts choking, and Gage quickly puts his hand over her mouth and the other under her chin as she tries her best not to spit Champagne everywhere.

As everyone laughs, I state the obvious. “I don’t get it.”

“His very, very...very big cock is uncircumcised,” Kat says, deadpan.

I cover my mouth and look at Phoenix.

“No, he’s circumcised.” She points her thumb in the direction of Gage. “And, well, yeah.”

Gage laughs, linking her hand in his, then kisses it. “And well, yours.”

“Jase is, too. But he’s very, very, very...” Carly looks over and smirks at her husband Jase.

“Keep going, baby. You know you need to add a few more verys in that sentence to properly describe the prince you bow to every night.”

When she turns a bit pink, he laughs and raises an eyebrow as if to say, gotcha.

“It’s pierced. He has a PA—Prince Albert,” she explains. “And yes, Jase Steel, it’s the biggest I have ever had.”

He gets a smug look on his face.

“But I was a virgin when we met”—she shrugs—“so it actually could be...” She holds up her pinky.

Jase laughs out loud. “I can just whip it out if—”

“And I could flash a boob,” she says smugly.

“Not fucking funny, baby.” He all but pouts.

Everyone looks at Grayson.

“All but one of you in here is hitched, except you.” He points to me. “Being the only single woman in here, you may need to verify the fact that I am fucking perfect.”

I giggle and cover my mouth.

“Come on over here, Mandee. I think we single people need to help each other out,” he says. “Come verify?”

“She’s not single,” Phoenix tells him.

“Don’t see a ring on her finger,” he taunts.

She leans forward. “If you’re attached to that thing, I suggest you leave my bestie alone.”

He laughs and sits back in the seat.

I look up at him as he links his hands behind his head, closing his eyes.

“Fuck that,” Kat says abruptly. “You know everyone here’s getting laid. They might as well, too.”

§

When the DJ announces us for our walk into the reception as Mr. Grayson Falcon and Miss Mandee Carlin, he looks down at me, “Ready?”

I say yes, yet shake my head no.

“Which is it?”

Again, the DJ says our names, “Mr. Grayson Falcon and Miss Mandee Carlin!”

He laughs and sets the pace

Walking into the reception, my armed linked in his, I am on top of the world. I see my dad, and he gives me a slight smile, instead of a glare for touching a boy. Next, I see how beautiful it is. All my plans finally have come together.

Gray bends down and whispers in my ear, “Looks amazing.”

And now, it doesn’t even matter.

I look up and smile. “You look amazing.”

His head falls back as he laughs out loud, and I laugh, too.

As he pulls the chair out at the head table, he whispers in my ear, “And you look fucking stunning.”

I look up as he walks down the table to where his name card is placed and sits. He smiles and shakes his head, then sits back and crosses his arms over his chest. I see his eyes narrow and follow the direction of his glare, but before they get to the spot he’s looking at, Blue catches my eye.

He smiles and waves. I smile back and do the same. Then I finish the trajectory of Gray’s stare.

His parents?

I look back at him. He’s unmoving, still looking at them. I look back and see his mother watching as everyone else in the wedding party is introduced. His dad is looking back at him.

When Kat sits next to me, I am no longer able to watch the...faceoff.

“I need a damn drink,” she says, looking around. “Let’s do some shots.”

“Shots?” I ask.

“Lots and lots of shots.” She grins, but only for a second.

I look over at Pearl and hold my fingers into shot glass sizes, and she smiles and nods.

Dinner goes off beautifully. BBQ chicken, prime rib, corn, salt potatoes, and fireball, lots and lots of fireball.

Dad is actually being pretty cool. Well, I haven’t gotten a single disapproving look. Not one that I have seen, anyway, and I look at him a lot, even smiled and gave him two thumbs-up. The first time, the new bartender, no clue what her name is, laughed at me and elbowed him. I’m pretty sure he smiled.

Garrett and Juliana didn’t want anything traditional, so after dinner, the DJ starts off with the song I asked for. “Circles” by Jana Kramer. It’s sexy, so sexy.

“This song is so sexy,” I tell Phoenix, and she just looks at me. “It is. And it’s Garrett and Juliana’s song.”

“Is that so?” she asks.

“It is now.” I laugh. She just stands there, so I put my hands on her shoulders and start dancing with her. “Loosen up. It’s a day to celebrate love.”

She rolls her eyes and starts dancing with me. When the chorus starts, we both start singing.

“I lied,” I yell over the music.

“You what?”

“This is our song, mine and yours,” I tell her then hug her tight.

“Oh, Jesus, you are wasted.” She laughs.

I lean back. “First time in...” I stop and make an uh-oh face.

“And you’re safe here,” she says, swaying back and forth to the beat of the music.

“Can I cut in?”

I look over and see Blue.

“This is mine and Phoenix’s song.” I pull her in for a tighter hug. “Next one.”

He nods and smiles. “Promise?”

“Sure do...Blue.” I laugh.

As “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” by Brantley Gilbert starts, Blue is right back.

“This one’s mine?”

“Sure,” I say, looking around for Grayson, who has been missing for a minute.

“You’re drunk,” Blue states.

I laugh. “Wasted.”

He doesn’t laugh. “You think that’s a good idea?”

“It’s a wedding; I think it’s a great idea,” I answer.

He doesn’t say anything. Then he leans down and whispers, “You know better.”

I step back when I suddenly realize what he’s implying. “My dad’s here. My friends are here.”

“Your boyfriend is here,” he tells me.

“We’re dating, Blue. We aren’t—”

“Same thing, and I’ll take care of you,” he says, dismissing the fact that I’m annoyed.

The song ends and none too soon. I step back, wanting to get away from him, but he grips my hips a little tighter.

“Be mine, Mandee.”

“You’re leaving,” I tell him. “I like you, Blue, but—”

“Ask me to stay. I’ll—”

I see Grayson over his shoulder. His eyes meet mine, and I see...pain? Annoyance? Something.

“No, Blue.” I try stepping back again, and he loosens his grip but doesn’t totally let go.

“Why, because of Grayson Falcon?”

I look away from Gray and back at Blue. “Because of me.”

“I accept what you’ve...” he pauses and begins again, “been through, Mandee.”

Now I step back and push his hands off my hips. “I don’t need someone to accept me, Blue. I need to find me.”

“I’m a catch, Mandee,” he says to my back. “Someone’s gonna get a great guy.”

I turn back and smile. “And I’ll be so happy for you both.”

I look for Gray now and see him talking to the DJ. Then the next song starts, “Blue Ain’t Your Color” by Keith Urban.

He raises an eyebrow at me, and I can’t help smiling at him. Then he lifts his chin before taking a drink.

Dad comes over and puts his arm around my shoulder. “You okay?”

“Just having fun, Dad,” I start to defend myself.

“I’m glad. I know you’re in good hands. Tell me what happened with Blue?”

“Oh. My God, why? What did he say?” I ask, stepping back and looking up at him.

“Not a thing,” he says. “Just know my daughter.”

“Well, I’m just not feeling Blue,” I say, looking down.

“Color too bright for you?” he asks, and I look up. “I’m not blind, Mandee, but you need to be careful.” He kisses my head. “Now go and have fun. I’ll call you when I get to Joe’s. And Mandee?”

“Yeah, Dad?” I can’t help grinning.

“Tell your friends there are security cameras installed now.” He rolls his eyes. “I’m still your father. Just trying to let you breathe.”

“Then you better do some breathing, too.” I hug him.

“Love you, Doodlebug. And you did an amazing job here.”

“Thanks, Daddy.”

As my dad walks away, Kat hands me another shot, but I shake my head. “No way.”

“Can’t do it alone,” she says.

“That’s true,” I say as I take the shot. “Bottoms up.”

“Favorite position,” she says as she throws down her shot.

A couple more shots and I swear I hear Grayson over the microphone.

“Can I get the females in the wedding party up here?”

I look at Phoenix and Juliana, then back at Grayson.

“God, he’s freaking hot,” I say, looking at him.

“You have a boyfriend.” Juliana laughs, and I realize I said it way louder than I thought.

Oh hell, I think then remember...secrets.

“Who is perfect for me? That one.” I nod toward Gray. “That one comes in here twice a week, and I swear he leaves with a different skank each time. He’s sinful and naughty, which makes him even hotter. Hell, if I were drunk, I’d give him my born-again hymen.”

“Mandee.” Phoenix laughs. “You stay away from the bad boys. They’ll break that sweet, little heart, right along with your re-virginated hymen.”

“Seems to have worked out just fine for you,” I tell her then hiccup.

Juliana laughs at me. “Wait till you hear him sing.”

“He’s gonna sing?” I ask for the sake of keeping up my charade, wondering if she remembers I was at the wedding. Probably not. Hell, I missed the vows completely, too focused on...him. “Lord in Heaven, please let him suck.” I laugh again, folding my hands in prayer.

“This one’s from your husband, Mrs. Falcon,” Grayson says then stands up, holding his guitar as he walks toward us.

“Sweet Jesus, he’s coming over here,” I whisper.

“And your very sweet boyfriend is watching you swoon.” Phoenix laughs.

“I’m not married; I can look.” I hiccup again.

Gray plays the guitar as he starts singing to Juliana, but then he looks right at me. “Dang girl, look at you, stopping me in my boots. What’s a country boy to do, but say, uh-uh.” He grabs his crotch and looks me up and down. “Stop beating my chest up.” He pokes himself like I did earlier, and I laugh. “You’re downright dangerous. That shake got me giddy up. Got my eyes on what...”

Phoenix grabs me and turns me so I’m facing the girls as we dance.

When the song is over, but my hiccups are far from, I walk over to the door and out into the bar.

“You okay, sweetheart?” the only member of the staff I don’t know because she started tonight asks.

I hiccup.

“Aw, let me get you all fixed up.” She mixes some bitters in a glass of water. “Now bend down and suck on this.”

I hear a chuckle from behind and turn to see Grayson.

Now she laughs and shakes her head. “Oh, to be young again.”

“I’m sure you’re not too old to bend down and suck—”

“Grayson!” I scold on a laugh, cutting him off.

His face drops as he looks at me, then his mouth makes an O shape. “Is it true?”

“What?” I ask.

“Women are much filthier than men. I was talking about the straw.” He puts his hand over his chest. “Unreal.” Then he turns sharply and walks into the men’s room.

I hiccup again.

“The straw, Doodle, the straw.”

I look at her. “How do you know—” When she smiles, I stop mid-sentence. “Oh, my God, it’s Janice. Janice? The Janice?”

Her face is the same as when I was younger, just a few extra lines. She popped in and out of our lives when not traveling. If I remember she was some medical staff working all over the world. She’s Moms best friend.

She smiles wider. “Sure is. And you...you look so much like her, Mandee, as you grow up. Stunning.”

I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol or...Yeah, it’s the alcohol, but I lean in and hug her tightly. “Mom’s Phoenix.”

She laughs. “You mean best friend?”

I squeeze her tighter. “Yep, her Phoenix.”