It Was Nothing

13. Peyton

CHAPTER 13

peyton

I put a hand to my stomach, trying to quell my nerves. My breathing slowed as my heartbeat calmed. But then I made the mistake of glancing out of Ford’s floor-to-ceiling glass bedroom wall at the sea of wedding guests. Okay, not a sea. Only one hundred and three. But wed-ding guests .

My eyes narrowed on my parents outside. “Unbelievable.”

Lemon, the only other person in the room, snickered as she slid the last pearl clip into my hair. “They’re really riding the whole Disney thing to the very end, aren’t they?”

My mom and dad—wearing matching Minnie and Mickey, Bride and Groom ears—were chatting with Ford’s parents like they didn’t look completely ridiculous.

I blew my lips in a raspberry. “She may well perish with the shame of having such a mother.” Tally would be proud of my use of the Pride and Prejudice quote. “And father,” I added.

Off to the right, a woman ripped her purse back as Theo asked for her phone. He and James were on electronics duty. Holden walked up to help.

Purportedly, some guests were irritated that we’d made them check their phones and cameras at the door. Clearly, they thought attending Ford Dupree’s wedding would make them go viral on social media. But the only way to keep this event out of the news was to make it an unplugged ceremony. I didn’t need Braxton showing up and making a scene. He’d make a big enough scene when he found out in court in two weeks.

A scuffle of flying hands drew my attention…back to my parents. Jenny and Bo must’ve escaped their weirdness because now it was just the two of them. And they were arguing—intensely—each trying to see who could disintegrate the other with their death ray vision first. Mom’s Minnie veil fluffed up and down each time her head bobbed in disapproval.

A low sound of annoyance rumbled in my throat. “I guess they really can’t get along anywhere but Orlando.”

Lemon agreed with a loud exhale through her nose.

The twinkle lights and candles lining the path to the lake—the path Cash would escort me down in a few short minutes—flickered on. The trees across the lake cut the sunset in half. Its reflection scattered like liquid diamonds across the water.

I let out a contented sigh. It was the unforgettable view every bride dreamed of.

Bride.

“I’m marrying Ford,” I said to no one in particular. “How did this happen?” My head gave a small shake. “What am I thinking?”

“God finally thought it was time to bring two wonderful people together.”

“God? You think God is happy with this arranged mar?—”

Cash burst through the bedroom door in his tux. “Get off!” he hollered over his shoulder. His cheeks were bright red and there was sweat along his hairline, like he’d been chased by a wild boar. We’d planned the wedding on this Saturday in particular since it was my weekend with him. But looking at him now, he was probably regretting ever leaving Braxton’s.

“What in the world?” I asked.

But then, Charlie, Ashton and Tally’s fifteen-year-old daughter sprinted into the room. She caught up to him and patted down the crown of his hair. “C’mon, Cuzzie Cash,” she said like she was talking to a baby. “You can’t walk your mom down the aisle with your cowlick poking up. Your girlfriend might be embarrassed.”

He darted behind me, using me as a shield. “For the hundredth time, I don’t have a girlfriend and I’m not your cousin.”

I glanced at Lemon, who was snickering like I wanted to. But Cash would never forgive me if I did.

Charlie looked even more gorgeous than normal in her steel blue bridesmaid dress. The spitting image of her mom. Her long, dark hair was carefully curled, hitting below her shoulder blades. She didn’t usually wear anything more than mascara, but today she had on blush and eyeliner at the very least. Poor Cash. If seeing her looking like this wasn’t hard enough, the teasing had to be pushing him over the edge.

“You look gorgeous, Aunt Peyton,” she said in a sickly sweet voice. She put her hands on her hips and cocked her head, smirking at Cash like I wasn’t standing between them. “Doesn’t my Aunt Peyton look beautiful on her wedding day? The wedding day that’s going to make her last name Dupree just like mine? Tell your mother how beautiful she is, Cuzzie, Wuzzie Cash.” She reached around me and pinched his cheek.

“Shut it, Chuck,” Cash growled, smacking her hand away. “Mom, make her stop.”

“You two.” I sighed.

Charlie folded her arms across her chest and dropped all the teasing. “As soon as you admit that we’re going to be cousins now.”

Lemon pursed her lips and slapped Charlie on the butt.

Charlie yelped. “Aunt Lemon!”

Cash hooted. “That’s what you get!”

“Leave the poor boy alone.” Lemon narrowed her eyes but she was fighting back a smile. “You’re bullying him. Go check on Sophie and make sure she’s keeping her dress clean, please.”

Charlie gave her a terrifying side-eye as she turned to go. Lemon kissed her loudly on the cheek. Charlie wiped it off, shooting her another glare, before walking away.

Over her shoulder, Charlie cackled. “Just think, Cuzzie Cash, we’re going to be neighbors now. And I can call you Cuzzie Cash all. The. Time.” Another cackle and she disappeared through the door.

Cash groaned and stepped around me. Ironically, his hair was sticking up now, thanks to Charlie. “This is my worst nightmare. She’s going to be my cousin? I thought since my last name isn’t Dupree that we weren’t going to be related. At least that’s what Liam and Griff said.” His voice was thick, like he was about to cry. I suspected he thought he was going to marry Charlie someday.

Lemon shook her head. “You’ll be cousins by marriage. But still not blood-related. So she’s fair game.” Her eyebrows flicked up in a tease. “I heard she broke up with her boyfriend.”

“What?” His face twisted up in horror but it was no good. Even the tips of his ears were red now. “Ew, no. That’s gross. Charlie’s…” He forced a shudder. “Just no. I’m going to find Griff.”

“Cash,” I said. He turned. “No speaking to anyone who’s not family.”

“I know, Mom.”

Then he hurried across the room. When he got to the doorway, he peered out, looking both ways before stepping into the hall. But Charlie was a little stinker. Instead of going to check on Sophie she must’ve been hiding behind an open bedroom door. She sprinted after him, yelling, “Come back, Cuzzie Cash!”

“Good gracious,” I said to Lemon. “What have I gotten myself into, having her right down the hill?”

“She’ll keep him humble. That’s for sure.” Lemon headed to the walk-in closet and grabbed the garment bag. “It’s time.”

I meandered over to the closet, painfully slow. Not at all like a woman excited to put on her wedding dress. That’s what happens when you buy the dress you can afford and not the dress you actually want. Four hundred dollars on a credit card I had no idea how I was paying off, all for a dress that looked like something Laura Ingalls Wilder might’ve dreamt up.

Oh, I’d found my dream dress. An off the shoulder, ballgown style dress with gorgeous, intricate beadwork and puffed, sheer sleeves that came to my wrists. And it was still hanging on the rack at the bridal boutique. Because it was three thousand dollars. Three thousand . My truck wasn’t even worth that much.

But I’d told myself the same thing I had the day I found out I was pregnant with Cash. And, the same thing I had the day I’d married Braxton against my better judgment: Tough times don’t last—tough women do . It had gotten me this far.

Lemon laid the bag on the bed and stepped back to let me do the honors. I squeezed my eyes shut, blew out my breath, and tugged on the zipper.

I gasped, and for a brief moment, I thought I was seeing things. I blinked, trying to force my eyes to refocus. “He didn’t.”

Because this wasn’t the four hundred dollar monstrosity that Tara at Honeyville Bridals had gleefully sold me after trying to pawn the thing off for the last three years.

There was a note attached to the front, penned in Ford’s terrible handwriting that always looked like he was being electrocuted while he wrote.

You’re my dream girl, Peyt--and you deserve your dream dress. I’m so happy to be marrying you. (Even if you are using me for my name. )

And before you protest…it was nothing. I can afford it.

I can’t wait to see you coming down the aisle wearing this.

See you soon,

Ford

My eyelashes batted uncontrollably.

“No crying,” Lemon warned. “We worked way too hard on your makeup.”

I turned to her, eyes as wide as I could get them so that the tears already forming couldn’t fall. “Did you know?”

She gave me a soft smile. “Did I know that my brother-in-law is the most generous person in the world? Yes. Did I know he bought your dream dress?” She shook her head. “No. I’m sure it killed him to keep this secret.” She squeezed my hands. “Get ready to be pampered. It’s just what he does.” She stepped back over to the bed. “Let’s get this beauty on.”

Five minutes later, I was standing in front of the full-length mirror, turning to admire the view. The corset only lined the front half of my torso. So my back was bare except for the boning, sheer fabric, and pearl buttons that held it altogether. I turned the other way. “I look so…” I couldn’t push anymore words out.

“Like you’re turning every little girl’s Beauty and the Beast fantasy into reality?” Lemon’s gaze was appreciative. She rubbed a hand down my bare shoulders. “Honey, you’re about to have your ballroom moment.”

“Yeah,” I said softly, my fingers tracing over the delicate beadwork. “I’m a terrible person.”

Lemon rubbed my bare shoulders. “I know some terrible people, and you, my dear friend, are not on that list. And as soon as you tell Ford the truth,” she said quickly. “You’ll be living your happily ever after.” Before I could protest she was heading for the door. “I’ll tell Ford you’re ready for the First Look.”

Just then, Cash rounded the corner, almost knocking her over.

“Sorry, Lemon,” he said, jogging toward me. “Mom!” He sucked in a ragged breath. "Dad’s here.”

My heart kicked into a sprint. “You didn’t tell him about the wedding?” We’d had a major discussion about how Braxton might make a scene.

“No,” Cash said. “I didn’t say a word.”

“How’d he get past Jeff at the gate?”

Cash shook his head. But I already knew Braxton’s rationalization. He’d probably threatened Jeff, saying that his kid was on this property and Jeff had better let him through or he’d call the cops.

Lemon met my eye and I knew she was about to get Silas or Bo to handle it. But that would only make it worse.

“Let me talk to him,” I said to her. “Trust me, he’s not going to back down until I do.”

She took off anyway.

“Are you sure?” Cash asked. “B-because I can talk to him if you need me to.” He stood tall, his chin lifted.

“I’ve got it, pal. Can you go make sure everyone’s lined up for the wedding march?”

“Sure. You can count on me.” He jogged back out. I was right behind him, walking as fast as the dress would allow.

If I’d thought there was a chance that Braxton didn’t know a wedding was about to happen, I would’ve taken my dress off. But the ceremony was starting in five minutes and Ford had spent thousands of dollars hiring a wedding planner who’d spent thousands more on flowers and tulle to line the driveway. Clearly, Brax knew. He wouldn’t step foot on Ford’s property otherwise.

When I came out the front door, Silas and Holden were already there, both in their tuxes. They stood in the circular driveway, blocking Braxton from coming any closer.

“Braxton, chill,” Silas said.

Braxton’s chest heaved as he spit swear words at them.

When he saw me, his expression turned hard, but there were tears in his eyes. This man never cried. Ever. But he was crying now.

Oh, Brax.

I gave Silas and Holden a brief smile. “I’ve got it, guys.”

They backed away.

Braxton was wearing joggers and a T-shirt, completely out of place here. His fingers curled into fists. “So, it’s true.” His jaw jutted. “You think this is the right choice?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous. "After everything I've done for Cash? For you?”

I stood tall. “You didn’t give me a choice. You took Cash from me. You had to know I wouldn’t sit by and let that happen.”

“I only took you to court,” he hissed, stepping off the asphalt, toward me. “Because I love you and you can’t see that we should be together. Not you and your sugar daddy.”

“Don’t,” I growled. “I’ve never taken a dime of Ford’s money. This is what you should’ve been thinking about when you snuck off with Stephanie to Cancun. And Costa Rica. And Tulum.” I shrugged. “You know, any of those times.”

He wouldn’t apologize for the affair. He never did because he wasn’t sorry.

He laughed but there was no humor in it. “I’ve given that boy everything. Every birthday, every football game.” Because I’d made him. I’d bought the presents, the balloons. Even now, I reminded him whenever Cash had a game or choir concert like I was his secretary. “I was there.” He jabbed a finger at his own chest. " Me . Not Ford.” But he was wrong. Because Ford was there too. For every event I invited him to.

I glanced over my shoulder to find…no one. Silas and Holden were gone.

“I’m not taking Cash away from you,” I said, pretending confidence I didn’t have. “He adores you.” Way more than Braxton deserved. “That won’t change.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” His nostrils flared. "If you marry Ford, I’m done. Completely. Cash won't hear from me again. No calls. No visits. No birthdays. Nothing.”

The threat hung between us, heavy as the air before a Virginia thunderstorm. Braxton never bluffed when it came to control. The catch-22 he’d put me in squeezed my lungs like a vice. Marry Ford and Cash would lose Braxton. Don’t marry Ford and Braxton’s manipulations would never end.

"You'd hurt Cash like that?" I asked. “A boy who would do anything for you?”

“No, baby. You’re hurting him.” Braxton let out a sardonic laugh. “I’m trying to heal our family.”

I wasn’t going to argue his twisted line of logic right now. I didn’t have time and it would be a waste of air anyway. Screw my makeup. My hands went to my hips, tears leaking onto my cheeks. “So, if I call this whole thing off, you’ll stay in Cash’s life? Easy as that?”

A satisfied glint entered Braxton’s eye. “Yup.”

But that was the difference between Braxton and Ford. Braxton was a lawn dart, always trying to pierce me in the most painful way possible. Ford was safety. The shield in dodgeball that kept you from getting hit. Home base in a game of hide-and-seek.

At that moment, I was tired. So incredibly tired of Braxton’s games. All I wanted was rest. Emotionally and physically.

Ford was also rest.

I caught movement in my peripheral, off to my left. I glanced over to see Ford standing at the edge of the yard, watching. My breath caught at the sight of him in his tux. His eyes were wide, a mixture of worry at seeing me with Braxton and awe as he got the first look at me in this dress. And love. So much love .

My best friend loved me. Intensely. He’d spent a ridiculous amount of money to give me a dream wedding to get my boy back. A wedding that was giving him very little in return. I’d told him we could just sign some papers at the courthouse. But Ford insisted that this was the only wedding he would ever have. And that he’d convince me it was a real marriage, even if it took him the rest of his life.

He was the opposite of Braxton in every way.

Ford’s eyes locked with mine—asking if I needed him. I gave him a smile and held up a hand to let him know to stay where he was.

I turned back to Braxton. “I would never hurt Ford like that. All these people came today to celebrate with us. I’m not going to walk out on him because you’re being manipulative and selfish. Your days of controlling me are over. You need to go.”

His heels dug into the earth. “So you don’t care that your actions are going to break Cash’s heart,” he sneered. “You only care about your big, fancy wedding and the last name that’s about to make you rich.”

Ford was still fifty yards away, but from his expression, I could tell he’d heard it all. Silas and Holden were back, standing beside him—and now they had Bo and Blue with them. Braxton’s stance was getting more rigid by the second. I held my hand out again, warning them off.

I looked back at my ex and put a hand on my heart, trying to slow the racing beat. “You’re the one hurting Cash,” I said barely above a whisper. “I’m begging you to think about what it will do to him if you cut him out of your life.” I released a large exhale. “But Braxton? If you choose to do that, it will be your loss. Cash will be okay. Ford and his family have more than enough love to make up for your absence.” Even though it was true, with everything in me, I wanted Braxton to not follow through on this threat. “You’re done manipulating me. You’re done using Cash as a pawn.” I stepped back to leave.

“I’ll tell Ford,” he hissed. "I’ll tell him your big, ugly secret. He’ll never want anything to do with you ever again.”

My heart was in my throat, but it wasn’t the first time he’d threatened this. Silas and Holden were walking over. I only had one card to play—and it was time to play it. My eyes narrowed at Braxton. “If you do,” I whisper-shouted. “I’ll tell Devin everything .”

Braxton gaped at me for a few seconds. “You wouldn’t.” His words were confident. But there was fear in every line of his face.

“Don’t try me.” A flood of tears splashed down my cheeks. I hated this. It wasn’t who I was. But what choice did I have? Braxton was the epitome of the saying, Never wrestle with a pig because you'll both get dirty and the pig likes it .

I was done pig wrestling, and marrying Ford was the fastest way to make it happen.

“Time to go,” Silas said, coming up behind me.

I held Braxton’s stare. Everything , I mouthed.

I turned for Ford.

I’d only made it five feet before a painful sob tore through the air. “Don’t do this, Peyton. I love you!” Braxton cried, trying to rip my heart from my chest.

It was the same cry as the day I’d kicked him out of our house and told him I’d filed for divorce. But I couldn’t cave. Because the truth was, he was still having an affair with Stephanie—his college sweetheart who’d been “forced” to marry Devin, who came from the banking family that had silently determined her family's economic trajectory since her grandparents’ time.

Braxton was a ‘have my cake and eat it too’ kind of man. His parents believed he could do no wrong and had rewarded his bad behavior his entire life. He only wanted me because he didn’t know how to lose. He’d lost the chance at a real future with Stephanie, but he refused to give her up completely. Just like he refused to give me up. I’d told him once that I thought he was a textbook narcissist. That he lacked a conscience. He just shrugged and said, ‘I can’t help it if my heart loves two women.’

Yeah. Well. Maybe he couldn’t.

But I didn’t have to accept it.

I’d thought about telling Devin about the affair a million times. Having been cheated on myself, it gnawed at me daily that Devin was living a lie. But I also knew that if I told him, Braxton's retaliation would ripple out in ways I couldn’t control, crushing Cash in the aftermath. And I couldn't risk my son's happiness. Not for anything. Devin would have to figure it out on his own. Or maybe he had and he simply didn’t care.

I didn’t look back at Braxton. Only shook my head. Then I picked up the skirt of my dress and hurried toward Ford. His arms were open, waiting for me. The moment I was in his embrace, a sob broke loose in my chest.

“You’ll mess up your makeup,” he whispered.

“It’s a-all waterproof,” I cried. “What am I gonna do? Cash is going to be heartbroken.”

“He’s bluffing.”

I shook my head. “He’s not.”

He pushed me back so he could look at me. “Everything you said is true. There’s so much love in my family that Cash will feel smothered. It’s just what we do.” His thumb brushed a tear from my cheek. “You gotta let that go.” He tipped his head toward Braxton. “Your life is only going to get better from here.”

I nodded, my tears already slowing. I was safe in Ford’s arms. But then I thought of Cash again and the hurt he was going to feel, and another sob tore free.

“Cash will be okay.” He rubbed my back. "I’ll be his dad. A really good one.” He led me around the side of the house and out of Braxton’s sight.

“Yeah,” I murmured, fighting the urge to full-on weep.

“We’re going to Hawaii on our honeymoon,” Ford said cheerily. “You’ve always wanted to go there.” My heart went a little gushy. I’d told him that the first night we met, when we sat in the back of his truck and played UNO.

I sniffed. “Hawaii?”

He smiled though his eyes were sad. “Yeah. By way of L.A. Because I have to film an interview on the Breaking Curfew show. But yeah, Hawaii.” His hand was on my waist. “And before you have time to worry, Cash is staying with Ashton and Tally. He won’t even miss you with Charlie right there teasing him half to death.” He chuckled. “Did you think I wasn’t going to take you on a honeymoon?”

A smile escaped my lips. But then I remembered this wasn’t a real marriage and we weren’t going on a real honeymoon. “No. I’m not letting you spend that kind of money on a faux honeymoon where there will be no hippity dippity happening.” It was the Duprees term for love-making.

He shrugged. “I mean some hippity dippity could happen. If you want it to. We could be friends with benefits—for the honeymoon’s sake.”

“For the honeymoon’s sake?” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Don’t start with me, Ford, or I will walk my butt back in the house and take this dress off.”

He held both hands up. “Okay. No hippity dippity.” He smirked. “For now.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not letting you blow a bunch of money on a fake honeymoon,” I repeated.

“Too late.” His tongue clicked. “It’s already paid for. Your bags are packed and I already paid the airfare. It’ll be money down the drain if you don’t use it.”

“Ford,” I said softly. “You have to stop spending money on me. This wedding. A honeymoon. This dress.” I smoothed my hands down the bodice. “Thank you, by the way. I love it so much.”

“It was worth every penny. Trust me.” His eyes roved over me. “And it was nothing.” He smiled that crooked grin that half the women in the world were in love with. “Just what a nominal husband does for his nominal wife.”

I couldn’t help it. A smile broke free. He was too handsome in his tux, being cocky, flirting with me. “You clean up nice.” I placed a hand against his cheek. “And what does a very broke, nominal wife give to her very loaded, nominal husband? You’re doing me a solid here today. A very large solid. I owe you…something.”

“Really?” A pucker formed between his brows, curious.

I held up a finger. “I’m giving you an IOU. One. Anything you want, no matter how big, to be cashed in at whatever time you choose.” His eyes brightened and his brows waggled. “Not that.” I huffed. “Quit trying to loophole hippity dippity into this arrangement.”

He hissed a word under his breath that I couldn’t decipher. “Don’t get my hopes up like that.”

“Fine.” I shrugged. “I’ll take the IOU ba?—”

“No!” he squeaked. “I want it. I want the IOU.”

I giggled. “Okay.” I bounced on my toes. “What’ll it be?”

“Hmm.” He rubbed his chin and thought for a long moment. “I’m going to need some time to think it over.”

“We have all the time in the world.” I grinned. “Or at least until Cash graduates.”

His brows pulled down, disapproving. “Yeah. You need to get that idea out of your head.” He tipped his chin toward the backyard, and Ashton, who was probably standing on the dock waiting to officiate, and the friends and family wondering why we were now ten minutes past the hour. He held out a hand. “The ticket is non transferable. So if you wanna eat the best shaved ice in the world the day after tomorrow, we’re gonna have to make this thing legal. Whatdya say?”

I shook. “Dear, wonderful friend .” He rolled his eyes and I smiled. “I say… I do .”