20. Two for the Show
The ceremony passed in an uneventful blur. I tuned out any vows or declarations of love and didn’t bother to acknowledge my father after he walked her down the aisle and sat next to me. I kept my attention on the men standing at Jared’s side. Every so often, Shane or Keegan would glance back at me. It irritated me that they had accepted to be his groomsmen, but it’s not like they really owed me any loyalty either. Also, I couldn’t find Oliver. I wasn’t sure if Jared uninvited him, or if he chose not to attend.
It actually made me feel less guilty about what I had planned for the reception. And less ashamed since Oliver wouldn’t be there to witness it. I could feel eyes on me throughout the night, as if they were all waiting for me to explode. By the time dinner was served, they all seemed to relax and accept that I was simply going to be silent all night.
I couldn’t stomach the food on the plate, instead downing a second glass of wine as the wedding party started their speeches. The maid of honor starts, a childhood friend of my sister’s. When she mentions that this was a long time in the making, I sneer, wondering how many people were actively aware of their affair. It disgusts me that anyone was okay hiding that from me in the name of friendship.
Maybe because I now knew the pain of that betrayal. If Nick and Natalie cheat on their partners, I will refuse to be involved at all. Seeing all the smiles on the bridesmaids turns my stomach. The only relief I feel is seeing the stone faces of Keegan and Shane.
I tap the glass lightly with the butter knife as I stand, setting both on the table. Amber’s friend looks at me warily, her eyes flitting to my sister and back to me. I hold my hand out for the microphone and she reluctantly hands it over before retreating to her place beside the bride.
Nick blocks my mother”s attempt to get to me as I walk around my seat and to the dance floor. I turn to face the majority of the guests, giving Jared and Amber my back.
I smile, a nervous laugh slipping out. “Hi. I’m sure you’re all confused about how I’m the one standing here and not there.” I point my thumb to the long table behind me.
A few chuckles rumble through the room with a mixture of whispers as I sigh.
“To be honest, I don’t know how it happened either. One morning I woke up engaged to what I thought was the love of my life, and then the next I find out he’s been fucking my sister.”
Gasps ring out and the clank of silverware has me glancing over my shoulder. Jared is standing, staring at me with a red face and dilated eyes.
I raise my eyebrow, daring him to deny it as I face them and then turn my attention to my sister. Amber is looking down, her hands covering her face, so I can’t be sure if she’s crying.
“Anyway, that’s old news,” I say, waving my hand. “But I sat there wondering what I could possibly give to the happy couple that they haven’t already taken from me.”
“Jenica, put down the microphone,” my mother hisses from where Nick is holding her back.
Glaring at her, I shake my head. “No, I’m owed the decency to speak my truth. Which is what I’m granting you, my dear sister. The truth of what you’re getting into.”
Amber’s head tilts up, her red-rimmed eyes blinking at me as her makeup starts to run. I swallow, pushing away any guilt I feel for upsetting her in her condition.
I exhale slowly and paint a fake smile. “You should know that the only thing Jared loves is having things others don’t. He’s like a repugnant, selfish child that likes to show off his toys and refuses to share.”
My ex tries to stumble out of his chair, but Keegan and Shane stand, blocking his escape from the table. Amber glances at him curiously.
“It took me leaving to realize that he never cared about me. So I guess, thank you for that. I mean it sincerely. Instead, it became glaringly obvious that he only stayed as long as he did because he was obsessed with being the only man to ever have me. The only man I had kissed, fucked, and I’m sure if he got away with it, married and had children with.”
My sister’s eyebrows knit together, her chin trembling. I’m sure she’s wondering where his interest in her is considering she wasn’t a virgin when they got together. At least as far as I know. I haven’t bothered to piece together how long the affair could have been going on.
I scrunch my nose. “Then he became the only man to have both sisters at once. A true feat I”m sure, in his small dick brain.”
Turning to the DJ, I nod for him to proceed. He grins and flicks on the projector. Not only did he get to already see the video, but a very generous tip twice the amount he’s getting paid for this gig.
I smile at Jared. “You did forget to take one of my firsts though. Don’t worry, I got it on video.”
Look at her pretty, puffy pussy all swollen and begging to be used. It’s weeping for us, Shane.
Keegan’s voice plays in the room. A chaotic storm of shrieks and gasps echo behind me, the scrape of chairs as people stand in astonishment. Jared’s eyes widen as his face pales, his attention on the light-up wall.
“Jared, sweetheart. There’s nothing frigid or lonely about what I’ve been doing since I dropped your dead weight. And that’s not all that dropped. Have you checked your stocks lately?”
The moans and grunts cut out, and I turn to face where my father has unplugged the entire DJ table. His face is flushed in mortification or anger, I’m unsure which one. I tap the microphone, no sound playing from the speakers and sigh.
I face the men before me again. Keegan and Shane stare down at me, unamused, but I don’t think they’re angry. Jared is furious, a vein popping out of his forehead as he pants and glares daggers. Stepping forward, I place the mic on the table and smile.
“I wish you two everything you deserve. And I hope to never see either of your faces ever again.”
Walking away from the table, my hands shake as I take in the disgusted and outraged faces of the crowd. But I don’t care, this is for me. Even if I embarrassed myself, it”s worth the turmoil that Jared is never going to get over.
“Jenica Nicole Van Doren!” my mother screeches after me, and I glance over my shoulder as her and Nick charge after me. He’s keeping hold of her wrist as she jets to where I’ve slowed my pace in the lobby. “That was the most vile–”
“I don’t care,” I say, shrugging. “I don’t care what you or any of those people think. You asked why I came. It was to cause as much pain to him as he did to me. And I did. I devalued our relationship, his friendships, and his job. Everything that makes Jared who he is in our small, conceited world.”
I push closer to her, staring down into her shocked expression. “And I did it without a single care of the consequences that could fall on you, my father, or Amber. Because none of you are my family. Family doesn’t turn their back the way you turned yours on me. If Nick decides to keep a relationship with you all, that’s on him. But I hope you enjoyed this wedding because you sure as hell will never be at mine. Never see any children I may have. Never get a dime of my money when you grow old and need help. I’m done with all of this.”
Nick lets go of her, moving to stand at my side. His fingers twine into mine, and I could collapse into his arms if he let me.
“I… You—” she stutters. I pull at Nick’s hand, leaving her speechless, and make my way out the door.
Inhaling a large sniff of the evening air, I close my eyes for a moment. My brother knocks his shoulder against mine.
“That feel good?”
“No. But it felt final,” I mutter. “I left my phone with the DJ. Can you grab it?”
Nick nods, and turns back into the building. I walk the short distance to the valet and wait for them to pull up my car.
Now that everything is done and over with it, I’m still left with a heavy heart and a deep ache in my chest. I don’t know how to explain how I feel. There isn’t regret or embarrassment, there isn’t even shame. I just feel tired and a little like I said goodbye, but I didn’t know it was goodbye till that moment.
“Leaving early?”
My eyes snap up at Carson’s voice and I run into his arms without thinking. He catches me and I wrap my legs around him as he lifts me. Tears run as I bury my face into his neck. He holds me tighter, rubbing a hand up and down my back.
“It’s okay, Jen.”
I shake my head, clinging to him. “I shouldn’t have come. It was horrible.”
“I tried to get here earlier. Oliver called me and said he had an emergency with one of his players. Neither of us wanted you to be left alone,” he says, and I want to melt from their concern. “Ready to go home?”
Nodding, I slide down his body and give him a soft smile.
“I’ll take her car home,” Nick says, and I startle from his sudden appearance. He hands over my phone and pulls me into a hug. “Proud of you, Sis.”
I snort. “Proud of the threesome I blasted for everyone to see?”
“First of all, Keegan’s dick? My god. Second of all, I’m proud that you did whatever the fuck you wanted. Some would say you should always be the bigger person, and leave the situation with grace. But that’s bullshit. Set the path on fire and burn everyone in your way,” my brother says.
Carson pulls me back into his chest. “And that’s the last time his dick will be mentioned in her presence.”
I roll my eyes, swatting at his arm that curls around my waist. “Don’t get all possessive now. I was just starting to like you.”
Nick laughs. “Go home, Jen. Block our family from your phone and take some time to yourself.”
I exhale a long breath. “Thanks for staying by my side. I don’t know what I would have done without you or Natalie.”
“Probably would have lost more of your mind than you already have.”
Flipping him off, I turn to face Carson. He smiles down at me. “How do you feel about spending another night in my bed?” I ask.
“Like the luckiest man alive.”