Dragged to the Wedding(35)

“Let’s go,” Daniel said gently, guiding Holly out of the bar and into James’s car. He got into the back seat with her, hoping that as they rode along everything she’d had to drink wouldn’t make a reappearance.

“Holly,” James snapped lightly to get her attention. She lifted her gaze to him before bursting into tears.

“You hate me...” she cried, and Daniel rolled his eyes and held her as James drove. After about five minutes, she quieted and went to sleep, drooling on Daniel’s shoulder.

“How was it...before Sleeping Beauty there drank herself stupid?” James asked.

“It was fun enough. But god, those women can party, and they’re bitchy when they’re drinking.”

James chuckled and then laughed. “I think it’s all the repression. It comes out when they drink. The guys were the same way.” They drove awhile and eventually pulled into the driveway. Daniel pushed Holly upright, lightly tapping her cheek to wake her up.

“Come on, Holly. We need to get inside,” Daniel told her, and thankfully James got her out of the car, walking Holly to the door and inside, where their mother met them with stern looks.

“I’ll get the bride to bed,” she said with surprising gentleness, tinged with a slight undertone of disapproval, and took Holly down to her room.

“I feel like I ran a marathon,” Daniel commented as he followed James into the kitchen. Thankfully their mother had set out some cake, and James sliced each of them a piece.

“Me too. I only had one beer because I knew I was going to have to drive, and I found out something. These parties are awful when you’re the only one who’s sober.” He pulled out the next chair to sit, and they ate in silence.

“You didn’t drink and drive, did you?” Grace asked as she barreled into the kitchen.

“No,” Daniel answered. “He drank soda all night and put up with Howard and all of his drunk friends.” He was getting a little pissed at her attitude. “Your son is a good police officer and a nice man.” He finished the cake and pushed his chair back. “I’m going to bed.” He needed to leave the room before he said something stupid. Daniel had had just enough to drink that his tongue was loose, and the best way to counter that was not to be in the room.

Daniel had never been so glad to be behind a closed door in his life. He slipped out of the skirt, leggings, and blouse, pulling on the pink robe before heading across the hall to the bathroom, where he got comfortable and took care of business, then returned to the bedroom. James was already inside, sitting on the bed, tugging off his clothes.

“I should have asked for more money,” Daniel whispered. “Your mother is a pain in the ass, and your sister is a perfectly normal woman until she gets too much to drink, and then she’s wild, crying all over the place about her oven not working. Her friends are a threat to humanity when they drink.” He stripped off the last of his clothes, spent some time removing his makeup, put on his PJs, and got under the covers. “I swear the poor stripper was lucky to get out of there in one piece.”

“The guys were much better behaved. Howard stayed in the back, and I sat with him.” James pulled off his shirt and slipped out of his pants. “I can say one thing. He certainly loves my sister. He didn’t pay any attention to the stripper and seemed relieved when it was over. He didn’t drink too much either. It was like he was trying really hard to be good.”

“I’m sure he was. I think Howard is just as ready to have all this wedding stuff over and done with as Holly is.” Daniel propped the pillows under his back. “The whole wedding process is really stressful. You’re the center of attention, but that means all eyes are on you, and people comment on everything from your dress, the tuxes, to the centerpieces and the food. Every single thing you pick is under the microscope.” Daniel tried to make himself comfortable. He waited while James left the room in his robe and turned the light out.

Daniel spread the pillows back out and rolled over, determined not to watch as James returned and got into bed. Not that it mattered. As soon as he slipped under the covers, James’s warmth spread through the bed, and Daniel clenched his fists with tension, trying to ignore him and finding it impossible.

“I’m sorry you didn’t have a great time tonight,” James whispered.

“It wasn’t bad, just stressful. It seems Rachel is still holding a candle for you.” He snickered.

James chuckled. “She was always trying to get me to go out with her. Even if I was inclined that way, I was not going to go out with that shark. She’s nice enough, but I don’t think she’s ever been a really good person.” James rolled over, and Daniel felt his breath whisper over his skin. “There’s nothing wrong with her, but she pursued me way too hard, and that wasn’t what I wanted.”

“Rachel is one of those people who knows what she wants and is willing to go after it,” Daniel explained.

“I don’t think so. She’s the female version of Weston. I don’t think she understands when to stop.” A warm hand pressed to Daniel’s shoulder. “I saw what he did to you tonight.”

“Yeah, well, the guy is a real prick.”

“He called you names as he walked away, and Howard sent him home. He was livid about the whole thing. I wonder what’s gotten into him?”