Chapter 12 – Gabe #2
“Thank you,” Skyler says to me. “They’ve been at each other for days, and being cooped up together in the clubhouse with no way for Ethan to escape to work it off outside of sex … I’m tired, and this will help. I’ll make sure they do it in another room away from the party. I owe you one, Gabe.”
I grunt and down the rest of my beer.
“I have one more teeny, tiny favor to ask of you, though,” Skyler says, sounding nervous, or attempting to anyway.
“What do you need?”
“Well, I doubt Declan is going to want to stand up in the wedding and leave Violet by herself with the way she’s feeling.” Declan looks up when he hears Skyler and shakes his head.
“She’s right, Pres. I don’t mean to fuck up the wedding or anything, but I need to take care of my woman.”
“Dec, no.” Violet whines. “I’ll be fine. I am fine. It’s just a little … sickness.”
Jake and Eli have made their way over to the conversation. “What’s up, Dec?”
“Hey, Jake. Violet’s not feeling well. I want to keep a close eye on her, but I can’t do that if I’m standing up front with you and Avery.”
Jake shrugs. “If Violet isn’t standing up there, I don’t see why you would anyway. I mean, I don’t mind. It’s Avery you’ll have to talk to. This is her show, brother. I’m just here to make shit legal.”
I slap Jake across the chest with the back of my meaty hand. He grunts with the blunt force of it.
“You better be doing this shit because you love her and want to take care of her for the rest of your fucking life or I’ll shorten your existence and help her find someone more worthy.”
“Shit, Pres!” Jake laughs. “You know I love my Angel more than anything. Of course, I’m doing this for those reasons. I’m just joking. Fuck.”
“Actually,” Skyler interjects. “I was thinking, maybe, if Linzie wouldn’t mind standing up on Avery’s side, and since Declan wants to stay with Violet, maybe you can take Dec’s place on Jake’s side, to even things out.” There’s that mischievous look in her eyes again.
“I’m walking my daughter down the aisle with Russ. It’s what Avery wants. It’s what she asked us to do.”
“I know, Gabe. And you still can. We can have Linzie walk down solo, and you can take your place on the other side after you hand Avery off to Jake.” She smiles but looks unsure.
“It’s just to even out the bridal party so everything looks right in the pictures.
You’ll have to walk down the aisle with Linzie after the ceremony.
Stand with her for a few pictures and sit with her at the dinner table with the rest of us. Nothing too crazy. I promise.”
“Is that what Avery is asking Linzie to do?” Skyler shrugs, biting her bottom lip. Shit. “Talk to Avery. If it’s what she wants, I’ll do it. But only if it’s what Avery wants.”
“Of course.” Skyler says, sounding triumphant. “I’ll let you know right away.” Skyler kisses a suspicious-looking Ethan on the lips and takes off back to the room.
“Why does it feel like they’re all up to some grand scheme and we’re all being played?” Ethan asks. We all look to Violet, who’s fidgeting with her hands in her lap and biting her bottom lip.
“Dove, is he right? Are we being played?” Declan asks in a tone that brooks no argument.
“I don’t know about a grand scheme. I think they’re just being sweet by trying to help me out and make sure Avery’s wedding goes off without a hitch.
Where is Carter with that water?” She looks around toward the kitchen.
Carter and Andi both walk out together. Carter carrying the water, and Andi carrying crackers and snacks.
“How’s the little … um tummy ache?” she asks Violet.
“I’m sure I’m fine. I just need food and hydration. Really.”
“You wouldn’t happen to know about this whole switcheroo that’s happening with the wedding party, would you, Andi?” Declan jumps right into interrogation mode, his arms crossed, as he tries to intimidate Andi.
“What switcheroo? Where is Linzie? She was helping me in the kitchen, then poof, she was gone.” She looks around the room. When her eyes land on mine, hers are sparkling much like Skyler’s—with mischief.
Fuck me. They are up to something.
“Linzie went upstairs with Avery. Looks like there’s talk of Linzie and Gabe taking mine and Declan’s place in the wedding since I’m not feeling well, and Declan has decided I can’t be left unattended while I’m feeling faint.” Violet rolls her eyes.
“Watch yourself, Dove,” Declan grumbles low in warning. Violet’s cheeks heat. “You two know something, then you better spit it out.”
“I-I don’t feel so hot.” Violet jumps up, pushing the offered water and snacks away and sprints for the bathroom with Declan hot on her ass swearing under his breath.
“All right. Seems like everyone has everything under control. I’m gonna head back into the kitchen and finish up before I go change clothes myself.” Andi tosses her thumb over her shoulder, then spins and bolts for the kitchen like her ass is on fire.
“Yep. The women are definitely up to something. And if I had to guess, I’d say they’re setting your ass up, Pres,” Jake says, smiling.
“Shit.”