I can’t say I hadn’t thought about bailing. After a long, worrisome week of no word from Carter—and thankfully nothing out of Cash—I’m exhausted. But I’d promised Bodie and since it’s Greg （the brother I adore, not the one who ripped my heart out）， I really do want to go.
“Yeah. I should. But I can’t bail on your brother.”
“Oh, so this is all for him?” Bodie laughs, waving over the length of me. “Here I thought you got all dolled up for me.” His grin stretches wide as he reaches over to grab my hand. “You look beautiful, Avery.”
“Thanks.” I glance out the window, my free hand smoothing down the soft fabric of my dress.
Oddly, Bodie remains quiet for the remainder of the ride. Once he pulls to a stop in the parking lot, I glance around, noting we are super early since he has to take pictures. He hurries around the hood, shutting the passenger door as I rub my hands over my already smooth dress, eyes turned to the ground.
“Avery.” Bodie’s soft tone pulls my eyes to him as he steps forward, swiping his hand across my exposed back where the dress is lined in lace. There’s a look of remorse on his face as he pulls me into his embrace. “He’ll come around.”
“I’m fine.”
“No lying to your best friend.” He releases me, taking my hand in his as we start to walk into the venue. “But I really believe he’ll come around. He has a lot going on right now. With the suspension and fallout from the game, I’m sure he’s trying to get everything straight.”
“Yeah. That’s probably it.” I agree because I want to think he’s staying away and avoiding my calls for that reason and not because he doesn’t want to see me.
“Besides, he’d be a real dumbass to not see what a wonderful woman you are.”
“Thanks.” My best friend is really trying to pull me out of my funky mood, so I resolve to do my best to enjoy the event. I fix a smile on my face as we’re greeted by Bodie’s family, including the brother I do my best to avoid. As soon as Russell makes eye contact and takes a step in my direction, Bodie says something to him, and I take the opportunity to pivot and find a place to hang out while they snap some pictures.
During the gorgeous ceremony, I tell myself I’m just wrapped up in the moment, but the truth is, I realize how much I want this. Not the wedding, not the showy day, just someone to spend the rest of my life with. And of all people, Carter enters my mind. Cash’s cruel words soon follow as I shake it all out of my head. There’s no point dwelling on something I have absolutely no control over.
Once the ceremony is over, the wedding guests are shuffled into the reception area where Bodie soon joins me dancing, laughing, and having a wonderful time. And it’s when I’m spinning out of a turn from Bodie that I spot someone else.
Carter.
He’s standing at the edge of the room, hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans. The sleeves of his button-down are rolled up, exposing his forearms as he stands casually, like he’s supposed to be here. Which is wrong. He shouldn’t be here. But damn, I’m glad he is. Only I can’t decipher the look on his face.
Bodie soon realizes I’ve stopped participating in the dance and looks to where my gaze is fixated, no doubt spotting who I’m seeing. He looks just as surprised, leaning over to whisper, “Told you he’d come around.”
With that, he takes my hand, walking me to where Carter is standing. Unfortunately, my brother, who I’m certain wasn’t on the guest list, is standing beside him.
“Ta-da,” Rhett says, gesturing to Carter, whose eyes are locked with mine.
“What are you doing here?”
“Stupid question.” Rhett laughs, slapping Carter on the back. “But now that I’m here, I’d better grab some grub.” He walks away, pointing his fingers at me. “You’re welcome.”
I might be thankful he brought Carter here but that won’t stop me from telling him what a buttface he is later.
“Carter Barlowe.”
Shit. Russell steps next to Bodie, who is already shoving him away. After a few choice words and redirection, Bodie gets the douchebag away, giving me an encouraging nod as he follows his brother.
“I should hire Bodie as my bodyguard.” Carter glances across the room to where Bodie is in a heated conversation with his idiotic brother.
“He was protecting me.” I admit as Carter turns his attention to me. “History. That’s it. A dumb jock football player who used me and almost cost me my best friend.”