Chapter Sixteen
Adrienne
I give myself one final once-over in the mirror, smiling in satisfaction with the result.
I’ve had this black dress in my closet for about a year and have yet to wear it. It’s a halter style that drops down low in the front, revealing mounds of cleavage in a tasteful, yet seductive way, hits just above my knees, and clings to my body like a second skin. I partnered it with a pair of red pumps and left my hair down in big curls, knowing how much Caden loves sliding his hands into them.
Not that I’m dressing entirely for Caden, but there is a sense of excitement knowing he’ll appreciate and enjoy the results of my hard work. He’s made it very clear how much he loves my hair and can’t keep his hands out of it while we’re in bed together. Not that we’re always in bed. Caden is insatiable anywhere and everywhere. Not only did he take me against the kitchen table on Thursday, but we didn’t make it off the couch for round two.
I swipe some red lipstick over my lips that match my shoes and place the tube inside the clutch I’m taking with me. Just as I exit my bedroom and make my way down the stairs, there’s a knock on my door. I walk quickly and pull open the door, revealing the gorgeous man on my stoop. Caden is wearing a black suit with his white button-down open at the neck. He’s sans tie and is looking completely edible in a casual, yet classy way. I can also catch a glimpse at the tattoos on his chest and the ones peeking out of the sleeves.
Caden whistles, his eyes devouring me from head to toe. “You’re a walking wet dream,” he says, stepping forward and placing a kiss against my cheek.
My heart does this weird skippy beat thing, but I ignore it, because that’s not how friends with bennies behave. “You’re not so bad yourself, cowboy. You clean up good.”
He grins, his entire face brightens with that singular gesture. “This dress should be illegal,” he informs me, scanning me once more before leveling his gaze on my cleavage. “You’re positively stunning.”
“Why thank you, kind sir. Now, are you ready to show me off?” I grab my keys and phone off my counter and slip them into my clutch.
He extends his elbow for me to take and then helps me make sure my door is secured after we step outside. His SUV is parked beside my car. He opens the passenger door and waits for me to slip inside before securing the door behind me. I fasten my seat belt and can’t help but notice how casual, how relaxed he appears. Despite the fact we’re off to his ex-fiancée’s wedding, he seems so calm. If I were in his shoes and for whatever reason I was headed to Sullivan’s wedding, I’m not sure I’d be this composed.
In fact, I’m certain I wouldn’t be.
I could take a cue from Caden, which is what I plan to do. There’ s no reason to stress or worry. Even though I’m about to meet a huge chunk of his family doesn’t mean I should freak out. I mean, it’s not like we’re dating. We’re friends. Friends who have sex, but friends nonetheless, and that’s what I need to concentrate on, because being friends with Caden is easy.
Sex with Caden is even easier, but I should probably not focus on that when I’m about to meet his family.
“Are you going to give me a crash course on names and relations? I feel like this is a test, and I haven’t studied,” I say as he backs his SUV out of the parking spot.
“Well, you know Gram and Scarlet. Those are the two who matter the most to me. Everyone else I see every now and again. We’re not super close, really. Most of them have moved away over the years, and anytime we’re together it just feels awkward.”
I nod, completely understanding that.
“My gram had four kids. My dad, Mike, is the oldest, followed by Bruce, Christina, and Carolyn. Between her four kids, there are ten grandkids and a handful of great-grandkids, and the way it sounds, everyone will be in attendance today.”
I don’t miss the way his jaw ticks, as if the thought brings added anxiety.
“I don’t have a very big family, so this whole getting everyone together is new to me. My family consists of my mom, uncle, and his girlfriend,” I reply with an uncomfortable chuckle.
He glances over at me, his eyes studying me intently. “I’m sure small families have their perks.”
Lifting my shoulders in a shrug, I reply, “I’m sure you’re right. Ever since my grandparents passed, no one gets together. My mom still lives in Cincinnati, and my uncle Gary is here.”
He takes his eyes off the road just long enough to look my way one more time. “And your dad?”
“Don’t know him,” I state casually. “My mom only knew him a short time, and she didn’t know she was pregnant until after they split. She tried to reach out to him, but didn’t have any luck. His phone number was disconnected and the place he said he lived was empty when she showed up.”
“That’s tough. Have you tried to find him now, using today’s technology?”
I shrug once more and keep my gaze locked on the landscape we pass. “No. The story just left me…unsettled. She explained it was a fling over a two-month period. He was older and would never allow her to come to his house or anything, and the phone number she had to call was his work number. She said she felt like he had secrets. I’ve always wondered if he was married.”
“Yeah, something sounds off,” he concedes, slowing down as we approach the turnoff into the church parking lot.
“When she found out she was pregnant, she called his office, and they said he didn’t work there anymore. No one had a forwarding address or number. Paired with the empty house, she just decided to move on. She raised me as a single mom, with help from my nana. We did pretty well, all things considered.”
Caden parks his big SUV in the back row of the lot, his front end facing the church. While he shuts off the ignition, he makes no move to climb from the vehicle to go inside.
“You ready for this?” I ask, releasing my seat belt and turning my attention his way.
“Is anyone ever really ready to attend a wedding?” he asks, a teasing tone in his words, but I don’t miss the way his lips form a straight line, and the corners of his eyes crinkle a little from tension.
“I guess not,” I answer, turning in my seat to face him. “I have a really important question to ask, Caden.”
He holds my gaze. “Shoot.”
“You weren’t lying about dancing, were you? I really do like to dance.”
He grins that knowing smirk, flashing me perfectly white, straight teeth. “I’m your guy, sugar. I’ve got all the moves, as I’m sure you’re well aware of, since I’ve given you examples of them several times over the last week. And, if you play your cards right, you’ll get to see those moves later this evening.”
“I’m looking forward to that,” I reply with my own smirk. “But just to clarify, you’re not talking about the robot or the sprinkler, right?”
“The running man, Adrienne. I’ve got the best running man you’ve ever seen. Pair that with my shopping cart, and the panties will be thrown at me.”
I burst into a fit of laughter. “I can handle the shopping cart and running man, as long as you’re not doing the floss. That’s just weird.”
He makes a face. “Definitely.” Then he glances up at the front of the church. “You ready for this?”
“To be the best fake date you’ve ever had? Absolutely,” I insist, reaching for the handle and opening the door.
He’s out of his seat and jogging around the front of his SUV moments later, taking my hand and closing my door. Before we move, he leans in and brushes his lips against mine. “Just so you know, this isn’t a fake date.” Caden presses his mouth to mine harder, his tongue delving deep inside. My body erupts with need, as the familiar pull of desire sweeping through me.
“Get a room!”
We pull apart, the moment shattered like glass on a tile floor. Caden chuckles and glances to his left, spotting the man who hollered across the parking lot. He lifts his hand and waves. “My cousin Derek,” he says to me.
“Ahh,” I reply, offering a polite smile to the man approaching.
“Well, I have to admit, I didn’t think I’d see you here.” He leans in and pulls Caden into one of those tight bro hugs. “But damn glad you are.”
“Gram,” Caden replies in way of answer, making Derek chuckle.
“You know, when she said everyone was coming, I assumed that meant everyone but you.”
Caden lifts his shoulder casually. “You know Gram.”
Derek barks out a laugh. “Yes, yes I do.” Then he turns his attention my way, extending his hand. “I don’t think we met. I’m this jerk’s better-looking, richer cousin, Derek.”
Flashing him a wide grin, I reply, “I’m Adrienne, Caden’s sugar mama.”
Derek barks out laughing. “Nice,” he states, elbowing Caden in the gut. “She’ll fit in just fine.”
We start walking toward the church. There are a few people hanging around on the front steps, and as soon as Derek sees them, he excuses himself to go say hello. Caden waves a polite greeting but makes no move to head in their direction.
After only a couple of seconds, the guests start filing inside as the start of the wedding approaches. We move up the steps, my hand tucked securely in his, and even though he appears calm and collected, I can sense a heavy dose of uneasiness surrounding us. I’m not sure what to say, what to do. Do I ask him if he’s okay? I’m sure this isn’t easy for him, especially since everyone here clearly knows his past.
An usher opens the front door as we approach. “Good afternoon,” he greets as we enter.
Another man steps forward wearing a crisp, black tuxedo. “Bride or groom?”
“We’re just gonna slip into the back,” Caden replies, squeezing my hand a little tighter.
Something hits me as we bypass the confused usher and enter the church. We slip into the back pew, while everyone else seems to be filling the front of the church first. Caden keeps his head down as we take our seats. “Can I ask you a question?” I whisper softly beneath the organ music playing through the church in hopes of no one overhearing.
“Of course,” he says, releasing my hand and sliding his arm across the back of the pew to rest against my shoulder.
Leaning into his side, I murmur, “So, the bride is your ex-fiancée, I know that, and I have come to the conclusion the groom is somehow related to you, since I assume your ex wasn’t the one related. Can I ask how?”
He keeps his gaze straight ahead for a moment before turning toward me. “The groom is my cousin, Tyler. He’s my uncle Bruce’s oldest boy. We’re only a year apart and we were pretty close growing up.”
I stare at him, his features tight but not giving away any emotion. “Your ex is marrying your cousin. Now I see why Jack was so worried about you attending.”
He shrugs. “It happened about eight years ago. I’m over it.”
The music changes just as someone slips into the pew next to Caden. I glance over and smile at Scarlet. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispers, waving and smiling politely to guests filling the pews in front of us.
“You knew I was coming,” Caden replies.
His older sister sighs dramatically. “I was talking to Adrienne.”
We turn as Caden’s grandma is escorted down the aisle and led to the second row. She smiles proudly, clearly very happy to see all her family in attendance today. “She looks so beautiful,” I whisper.
“She does,” Caden agrees, a small smile on his face.
I turn to watch his face as he takes in his grandma, who is followed by the parents of the groom and the mother of the bride. But I also get to watch the moment he observes a young boy and girl enter. The girl in an adorable white dress drops red rose petals. Several guests in attendance ooh and aah over the little ones, both smiling brightly as they fulfil their wedding duties.
Caden tenses. There’s no missing it. His entire body goes rigid as he watches the kids walk toward the front of the church and take their positions beside the minister and groom.
When he sighs, I can’t help but lean over and whisper, “Are you okay?”
He nods tightly, his eyes locked on the little boy. “Those are their kids. Sarah is five and Scottie is eight.”
Eight.
Holy shit.
Reality slams into me as the math starts mathing. I realize why everyone was so concerned about him attending this wedding. Not only did his fiancée cheat on him with his cousin, she apparently got pregnant to boot.
The “Wedding March” begins, and everyone stands. A pretty blonde enters the church, walking beside her father. Even though she’s on the opposite side of her escort, I get a good look at her. Her makeup and hair are done to perfection and she’s beaming up at the front of the church, to where her groom awaits.
Despite the fact she’s pretty and seems happy, I hate her. I know that’s probably not appropriate, to hate someone you don’t even know, but this woman hurt Caden. She lied to him, cheated, and then broke his heart, and although I’ve never met her, I hate her.
If that makes me a bad person, so be it.
I squeeze Caden’s hand in silent support, and when he looks my way, he offers a smile. It’s a real one. It may be small, but it’s stunning nonetheless, and just that one slight gesture sends shivers of awareness down my body.
This man is like a magnet.
The wedding ceremony gets underway, and even though we’re sitting inside a gorgeous church, listening to two people declare their love for eternity before God, family, and friends, my attention isn’t where it should be. My eyes might be on the couple at the front, but my thoughts are with the man beside me. Deep down, he’s sweet and kind, and something tells me those are traits he doesn’t readily show the rest of the world. On top of that, he’s sensitive. Much more sensitive than you’d expect for a man covered in tattoos. But after spending the last week in our friends with bennies zone, I’ve caught glimpses of the man he hides.
It's intriguing, and maybe a little sad.
The guests all start to clap as the minister pronounces them husband and wife and the groom kisses his bride. I don’t clap, however. I keep my hand tucked inside Caden’s and rest my head against his shoulder. His woodsy scent envelops me, beckoning me closer.
The newly wedded couple starts down the main aisle, beaming at their wedding guests. As they approach the back of the church, both sets of eyes land on Caden, almost at the exact same time. Both bride and groom seem shocked, as if perhaps they didn’t expect him to actually show. His ex’s eyes flick to me for a brief moment before snapping straight ahead as they exit the church.
They start to excuse the crowd, starting in the front, and when a line forms at the back exit, Caden glances in that direction to see what the holdup is. “Crap,” he mutters.
“What’s wrong?”
“They’re doing one of those receiving line things. Like, the guests are lining up to congratulate the happy couple before they exit the church to head to the reception.”
We both sit there, Scarlet even looking a touch uncomfortable as people standing in the aisle look our way. I lean over and mutter, “Wanna sneak out?”
“You know it,” he declares, squeezing my hand and standing up.
Then, we bypass the guests exiting and make a beeline for one of the side doors.
Away from the bride and groom.
Out of the church.
Phase one complete.
Up next…wedding reception.