Chapter 18 – Cassie
Today was the big day—Ellie’s big day.
As she gently positioned her veil on top of her head, I looked around, taking in all the love in the room.
Ellie’s mom and dad passed away tragically in a car accident when Ellie was in high school. As her best friend, I knew how she had worried for a long time about what would happen when her big day came.
Who would walk her down the aisle?
Who would help her get ready?
We stayed up lots of nights talking about it. I always assured Ellie she wouldn’t be alone, no matter what. My heart swelled as I realized the blind promises I’d made her on all those late nights were actually coming true.
Alice––Colt’s mom––was helping Ellie position her veil. Molly was situating Ellie’s train so that it would flow perfectly as she walked down the aisle. I held her bouquet carefully, making sure not to disturb the white roses and pink peonies held together by silk ribbon.
“You ready for the big moment?” I asked excitedly, handing her the bouquet.
She twirled around a final time, her smile the biggest I had ever seen it. “More than you’ll ever know.”
Jace and a few other groomsmen were standing outside the doorway in the hall. As each groomsman took his place beside his bridesmaid, Jace inched closer and extended his arm for me to take.
“I’m playing nice with you a couple more hours and then I’m going back to hating your guts. Understand?” I said, drawing a line in the sand as I hesitantly wrapped my arm around his.
“You look beautiful,” was his only response. I rolled my eyes. “You can butter someone else’s biscuit today, but not mine.”
As I continued to do my best ignoring Jace, the violins started to play, our cue to begin walking.
Slowly, we walked side-by-side, trying to follow the pace of the music.
Take a step, pause. Take a step, pause.
As we made our way down the aisle, Jace walked with a slight limp. His foot must have been bothering him. No matter how mad I was at him, I still felt bad that I was the source of his pain. It was the empath in me.
Colt stood up front at the end of the aisle, next to the preacher. By the way he kept pulling his shoulders back and taking deep breaths, he was as nervous as Ellie.
Ahead of us, June Bug walked in pace with the music, scattering rose petals as she made her way toward Colt, who smiled down at her as she led us. He was beyond proud of her, and everyone in the room could tell. Love was literally in the air.
As Jace and I reached the front of the aisle, we took our places on either side of Colt.
The violinists stopped playing for a moment as everyone settled into their positions.
After everyone was ready, they picked up their instruments and played again, a deeper and slower piece this time.
At the end of the aisle, the doors that had been open as the bridal party entered were now closed, with Ellie on the other side––anticipation filling the room.
As the doors opened slowly, everyone could see Ellie standing in the doorway.
Standing next to her was Charlie, Colt’s dad.
Charlie was the only father figure Ellie had after her parents passed away.
By the time wedding planning was in full swing, Ellie began worrying about who would walk her down the aisle.
But anytime she brought it up, everyone suggested the same person—Charlie.
The entire town knew he would do it in a heartbeat.
When she finally got the courage to ask him, he cried.
To this day, he denies crying, but everyone knows the truth.
As they walked down the aisle, Ellie’s train skimmed the ground behind her, her veil floating gracefully along its length.
Crying must have run in the family, because to absolutely no one’s surprise, Colt’s eyes welled up as Ellie made her way toward the altar.
He was quick to wipe away any evidence while all eyes were on her.
I smiled, knowing how deeply Colt cared for Ellie, how he’d swooped in and saved her at just the right moment, like her own version of Prince Charming.
Ellie and Colt’s love was the real deal—the kind you only read about in books—and I yearned for the day I could experience the same kind of love.
Colt and Ellie’s vows were nothing short of perfection.
There wasn’t a single person in the room who didn’t have to wipe away a tear at some point.
Of course, June Bug was oblivious to it all.
She stood there, swinging her hips from side to side so her poofy princess dress would swing along with her.
The spitting image of her momma, June Bug was just happy for any opportunity to dress up and become a real-life Cinderella.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the preacher said.
Colt swooped Ellie into his arms, cradling her softly as he pressed his lips to hers, sealing the deal they’d been building toward since they were barely old enough to hop on a horse.
Cheers erupted around the room, everyone standing to clap for the new happy couple.
“I proudly introduce Mr. and Mrs. McKinley,” the preacher announced as Colt and Ellie turned toward the crowd, basking in the atmosphere of love.
“Well, that was something, wasn’t it,” Jace said, nudging my arm. I rolled my eyes.
“Pretty sure I saw you crying,” I said, waiting to see if he’d admit to it.
“Real men aren’t afraid to show emotions. I learned that in therapy.”
Therapy? Whether I liked it or not, he had piqued my curiosity. “You go to therapy?” I asked, not sure he would give me more information than he already had.
“Yep. Sometimes once a week. Sometimes once a month. It just depends on how I’ve been feeling lately,” he admitted without hesitation.
“What made you want to start going to therapy?”
“That’s a conversation for another time,” he responded nonchalantly, walking away––giving me nothing more on the subject.
Last night Jace had mentioned something about not having a perfect life, that everyone had their own demons to fight.
My best guess was that whatever he meant had something to do with his need to go to therapy––they were connected in some way.
My investigative self would dig deeper another time, when I wasn’t standing in a floor-length silk dress in the middle of a wedding chapel.
The night continued with everyone mingling happily, dancing to the music, and getting full from slices of wedding cake and small bites of hors d'oeuvres.
A slow song started to play, providing a break from the upbeat pop music, and everyone began to partner up.
As I exited the dance floor, single as a Pringle, Grant walked up to me and asked me to dance.
I happily accepted his offer, returning to the spot I had been only moments ago, but this time with a dance partner.
“I’d say today went off without a hitch,” Grant said, locking his hand in with mine, placing his other hand firmly against my lower back as we swayed to the slow tempo.
“Ellie looked beautiful, and Colt looked mesmerized. Can’t ask for much more than that.”
“Tell me one thing,” he said, looking past me and into the crowd.
“Sure.”
“How come every time I get near you, Jace looks at me like he’s got lasers in his eyes, aimed straight at me, ready to put me six feet under,” he asked, chuckling.
I turned around quickly, trying to find the culprit.
Tucked away in the corner, behind the tall cake that Molly had handcrafted for her brother’s wedding, was none other than Jace himself with his arms crossed and brows furrowed––not even trying to hide his frustration.
I turned back toward Grant, with every intention of ignoring the man-sized toddler in the corner about to throw a temper tantrum.
“He’s just being a brat. Nothing to worry about,” I said, brushing it off.
“Well… he’s walking this way now, so it might be something slightly worth worrying about,” Grant said, continuing to sway with me.
“Just act like you don’t even know he’s here, and he’ll go away,” I suggested, hoping for a miracle.
I couldn’t see Jace, but from the look in Grant’s eyes, I could tell he was directly behind me now. After a few seconds of ignoring the sulking toddler-man, he tapped me on the shoulder, trying to get my attention.
Nope. It’s not gonna work, you big baby.
I kept dancing. Ignorance was bliss, or so they said.
“Excuse me, Grant. Can I have a word here with Cassie for a moment?” Jace asked, with a sternness in his voice that made it sound like more of a demand than a question.
“Sure, she’s all yours,” Grant said, slowly backing away.
Way to hold strong, Grant.
I pulled Jace off the dance floor, ducking behind a massive floral display bursting with flowers in every direction—just big enough to hide both of us so I could tear into Jace for ruining my nice moment with Grant.
But before I could even get started, Jace started in on me first. “Why are you dancing with Grant?” he asked, glaring down at me.
“Because I wanted to? News flash, Jace, I have free will, which means I can dance with whoever I please. That includes men like Grant and men that are specifically not you,” I said, because who the hell did he think he was talking to?
“Well, I don’t like how low Grant’s hand was on your back,” he snapped, his face inching closer to mine.
“You had your hands much lower than he ever did, and you managed to fuck it all up. Maybe Grant would do a better job,” I countered, seething.
Jace grabbed me, pulling my entire body into his and holding me firmly in place. He tilted his head, bringing his lips to my ear.
“Grant will never be able to pleasure you the way that I can. Grant will never know how sweet you taste—like delicious strawberries. The only thing missing was some whip cream on top,” he growled against my ear.
My eyes shot open wide, completely stunned by his words. As he pulled back, I composed my face. Jace may have just said the hottest thing a man has ever said to me, but all he did was win the battle. I was going to win the war.
“Good thing you can find whip cream anywhere, huh?”
That’s all I managed to say before I spun on my heel and walked away with my head held high, making sure my ass bounced as he watched me leave.
Fuck you Jace McKinley and your stupid whip cream jokes.