Devotion - Chapter 12
Friday
Most everyone had left by the time I walked back into the living room. The bridal party had moved to the couches and they were all laughing about something. I collapsed between Melissa and Bee.
"I'm officially exhausted," I said.
Bee laughed. "But our slumber party hasn't even started yet!"
I sighed and put my head on Melissa's shoulder.
I glanced around at my friends. Mason's arm was wrapped firmly around Bee's shoulders.
Daphne was sitting on Rob's lap. They looked so comfortable together.
And everyone else was smiling like they just had a blast, despite all the awkwardness.
Tonight had officially been a success. Especially if James could patch things up with his dad.
"What time do you think the lingerie pillow fight will start?" Rob asked. "I need to know when to casually stop by to check on you ladies tonight."
"Ew, Rob," Jen said and tossed a pillow at him. She stuck her tongue out at him and turned to face me. "So, what were you talking to my dad about?"
"I was just getting to know him." It wasn't my place to tell Jen or Rob about their dad filing for divorce. I wondered if they'd be happy or sad. Based on how they all acted around their parents, they'd probably be relieved. "He was wondering when he could expect grandchildren."
Jen laughed. "Having kids is the last thing on my mind right now. I'm not even dating anyone." She glanced at Rob.
Rob smiled. "Geez, it's a little soon. We've barely been dating a week." He tossed the pillow back at his sister. "But I am excited to be an uncle." He winked at me.
I shook my head. "I'm betting that Rob will have kids first."
Daphne laughed.
"What are you laughing about?" Rob asked. He tickled her side and she laughed again.
"Nothing," Daphne said. "It's just that you probably will have kids first. You're incredibly irresponsible."
"Burn," Matt said.
Rob laughed. "We could go be irresponsible right now." He kissed the side of Daphne's neck.
"Actually, I should probably get going." She slid off his lap. "I guess I'll see all of you tomorrow?"
"You should stay," I said.
"What?"
"We rented a hotel room for just us girls tonight. Kind of a slumber party like Bee said. The guys are staying in a room down the hall from us."
"Oh, I don't want to impose..."
"No, please stay. It'll be fun."
Rob smiled at me.
"Um, okay, if you're sure?" Daphne said.
"I'm positive."
I expected anything Rob to do to be fast and crazy. Maybe they'd be walking down the aisle before Bee and Mason. I wanted to get to know Daphne. After our wedding we'd be leaving for our honeymoon. It would be fun to get to know her tonight.
"I should probably go home real quick to grab some stuff though."
"We can just stop on the way. Don't worry about it."
"Get lost, boys," Bee said and kissed Mason on the cheek. "It's time to get this party started!"
He laughed. "I'm going to need more than that." I looked away as they started making out.
Melissa rolled her eyes. I was so happy that she wasn't upset right now. She was handling the break up well. And probably her anger toward me for my part in it.
"I need to get my beauty sleep," Matt said. He stood up and stretched. "I need to be on my game tomorrow to scope out the hot single ladies. Unless Melissa or Jen just wants to agree to join me in my hotel room tomorrow night."
Jen laughed. "In your dreams, Matt."
Melissa just laughed and didn't say anything.
"I'm taking that as a yes, Melissa."
"I did not say yes."
"But you didn't say no either." He grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. He whispered something in her ear that made her face flush. "And besides, I'm great at rebound sex."
"You're such a tool." She pushed on his chest so he'd let go of her.
He laughed. "I'll let you know my room number tomorrow."
"Not necessary." She sat back down next to me.
"Everyone ready to go?" James asked.
I glanced over his shoulder, but I didn't see his father. He must have already slipped out. "Yeah. Ellen packed our bags. I'll come grab them with you." I walked silently beside him up the staircase. I thought he might say what he talked about with his dad. But he wasn't saying anything at all.
"She left my dress and your tux in the closet," I said. I opened up my suitcase really quick to make sure I had everything. Of course, Ellen had packed it to perfection. I'd need to thank her again tomorrow.
"Wow, this is heavy," he said as he lifted up my dress. A cover was draped over it so that he couldn't see it.
"You should have seen how heavy some of the other ones were." I waited for another moment. "What did your father say?"
"He apologized."
"Is that it?"
"I think you may have broken my dad."
I laughed. "He seemed different tonight."
"You mean like he didn't have a stick up his ass? Yeah, I guess."
"I talked to him for awhile. He seemed sorry."
"He should be sorry," said James.
"It's a start."
"I guess so." He wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on the top of my head. "Baby, I really just want to focus on us right now. Everything else can wait till later. But I'm glad he's trying. Thank you for that."
"You're welcome."
"Maybe we can keep the divorce to ourselves? I don't want...my mom doesn't even know."
"I wasn't going to tell anyone anyway."
"Thank you." He continued to hold me. "Do you want to just stay here tonight? I already had to sleep without you last night."
I tilted my head back. "One last night apart. And then after that, you never have to fall asleep without me again."
He leaned down and placed a soft kiss against my lips. "If that's what you want."
"It's tradition."
"Okay, baby. How's your stomach feeling?"
"So much better, thank you. I was just nervous and hungry and," I sighed, "nervous."
"You said nervous twice."
"That's because I'm super nervous."
He smiled. "Nothing to be nervous about. Let's get you and your heavy dress to your hotel room. Porter is going to stay outside your room tonight to make sure you're all safe."
"Is that really necessary?"
"I'd feel better if you'd let him."
"Okay. If that's what you want."
"What I want is to stay here." He gave me one of his smiles that was hard to say no to.
I laughed. "I'll see you at the altar tomorrow, James."
"What, you're not even sharing a car to the hotel with me?"
"No, because I know you'll end up convincing me to turn it around and come back here."
He laughed. "Well in that case." He grabbed the back of my neck and kissed me hard. His other hand slid to my ass as he pulled me against him. I ran my fingers through his hair as his kiss deepened.
"Stop having sex you guys!" Rob yelled from downstairs. "We're all waiting for you."
James groaned into my mouth. "I feel like we just wasted time. They all thought we were having sex anyway."
"Tomorrow." I patted his chest.
He kissed me once more. "Tomorrow."
***
"Truth or dare, Daphne?" Jen asked.
"Um. Truth," said Daphne.
Jen smiled. "Are you in love with my brother?"
"Which one?" Bee asked. "You should really be more specific." She grabbed the bowl of popcorn out of Jen's hand.
Jen laughed. "Rob of course."
"It's so soon," Daphne said. "I mean, that's crazy."
"I didn't ask if it was crazy or too soon. I just asked if you loved him. Yes or no?"
Daphne pressed her lips together. It looked like she was trying not to smile. "Yes."
Jen squealed. "I know I said it was just a yes or no. But now I need to know everything. How serious are you guys?"
"I don't know. He's talking about moving to New York. I mean, he wanted me to meet all of you. I know it's fast, but," she smiled, "I can't stop thinking about him. He just has this positive energy about him. I really need that in my life. He just makes me so happy."
"I'm so happy for you guys," I said. "You just seem so nice and sweet and understanding."
"Can I ask you something personal, Penny?" asked Daphne.
"Of course."
"Before you dated James, did you date Rob?"
I laughed. "Wait, what? Why would you ask that?"
"He just talks about you in a weird way. Like super flirtatiously, I guess. I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. I was just wondering."
"No, I never dated Rob. We're just like...the best of friends. That's just the way he is."
"It's true," Bee said. "You should hear some of the inappropriate things he's said to me. But he doesn't mean it. He's just being funny. We barely notice it anymore."
Daphne laughed. "Oh, good. I was just worried you had all slept with him. I mean, not you Jen, obviously."
Jen pretended to vomit.
Melissa shoved a huge handful of popcorn in her mouth and nodded along.
I was hoping she wouldn't mention the fact that she had slept with Rob a few years ago.
Especially since it meant nothing to Melissa or Rob.
Surely Rob would tell her eventually, but it wasn't necessary right now.
I wanted us all to be able to be friends.
"Okay, truth or dare, Penny?" Daphne asked.
"Truth." None of us were choosing dare. We all just wanted to talk. This was just a fun way to do it with a new person in our group.
"Are you nervous at all about tomorrow?"
I had some unanswered questions about James.
But the answers wouldn't affect my decision to marry him.
I had wanted to be with him ever since I had run into him in that coffee shop.
It had always been us. There wasn't a doubt in my mind about that.
"Not about marrying him. More so just about everything going smoothly.
It's silly, but I don't want him to be thinking about his first wedding at all.
I want it to be perfect so that there is no comparison. "
"He won't be," Jen said and squeezed my knee. "I'm pretty sure he was stoned when he married Isabella."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I doubt he even remembers it. He was a mess."