Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Gavin
The day had gone quickly, but my headache was coming back, not that it had gone entirely, but it had eased as we’d got ready.
Now though, with the hustle and bustle of everyone running around, it was back with a vengeance.
“Roman, do you take Paisley to be your wife?” The minister asked my best friend.
I saw the look on his face, and it even made me smile.
His eyes shone while his face glowed in the bright sunshine.
There was a time when I thought Paisley Kennedy was all kinds of wrong for him, but what did I know.
My eyes rolled at my stupidity because when I looked at him now, I knew no one else could ever make him that happy.
“I do.” Roman replied. His gaze never left hers all the time their vows took place.
God, if anyone could hear my thoughts, they would think I loved all that romance bullshit.
Nope, not me. I would not fall for that crap.
I was quite happy being free and single and doing what I wanted.
I knew that the last twelve months weren’t my greatest accomplishment, but I’d like to think I was over that now; well, maybe not over, but more a work in progress. Still, I was trying.
My thumb and fingers pressed against my temples, rubbing small circles in the hope I could ease this throbbing in my head.
Luckily, I had sunglasses on so no one could see my eyes because, from this end, they didn’t look good at all.
It was never a good idea to get shitfaced the day before you had to perform best-man duties.
I wouldn't recommend it, anyway. My eyes squeezed shut for a moment, hoping the pain would pass. It didn’t, but as I opened them again, I found Nikki staring right back at me.
Ugh, shit. I didn’t need this. Not today.
I flicked my gaze away from her judgemental one and back to the happy couple instead.
Nikki Wilson and I had a love/hate relationship.
She hated me, and I loved that she hated me.
It made for some very interesting times.
And it wasn’t a hardship on my side that she was hot as fuck.
I could never give her what she wanted, though.
I couldn’t allow myself to have what I wanted.
I wasn’t good enough. I’d been told enough.
There was a silent agreement between Nikki and me; neither of us was relationship material, but right now, she looked fucking hot, and I’d give anything to slide my palm around her nape, bend her over, shove her dress around her hips and fuck her senseless.
Her red hair was swept away from her face, and out of her nape, it allowed me to take in the sleek lines of her neck.
As I dragged my gaze away from her eyes, I traced every curve of her petite body.
It was the wrong place to have a hard-on, and the wrong trousers, and right now, I felt like it was draining all my brain power. I had to stop.
“Roman, Paisley you have taken a vow in front of witnesses to uphold. May they now join me in the honour of pronouncing you husband and wife.” The minister ending the ceremony had me focusing back on my best friend.
Roman had Paisley’s face in his hands, his lips were on hers before the minister had finished saying wife.
Thank fuck that’s over. “You may kiss the bride.” The minister smiled at his own announcement, but Roman had already taken it upon himself to conclude the proceedings, so he stepped back and let them carry on.
When they finally came up for air, the minister took both of their hands in his and whispered to them.
I pushed two fingers under my collar, trying to get some air to my skin and room to breathe.
This heat was fucking killing me. I didn’t know what was worse, a stuffy old chapel in England in summer or L.A.
heat? Dressed in this fucking penguin suit, I was thinking England right now.
I swept my hair back from my forehead, I was sweating like a bitch.
I needed out of this poxy suit and an hour’s kip.
The first notes of From This Moment, by Shania Twain, started as Roman led his new wife up the makeshift wooden aisle.
My eyes rolled as the Queen of country music belted out the lyrics, droning on about that certain someone being the reason for everything… Fuck me.
Kill me now!
As I slipped my hands inside my pockets, I strolled behind the happy couple alongside Nikki.
“Still hungover?” Nikki asked smugly in a low voice and with a slight turn of her head to look up at me, her brow set in a deep frown.
“What makes you say that?” I met her gaze and lifted an eyebrow.
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe the fact that you kept rubbing your head and fidgeting all the way through the ceremony.
” Her head shook, “You always do that when you’re hanging.
I’ve seen it enough,” she let out an irritated sigh, “but just for once Gav, it would have been nice if you’d have actually put your best friend first instead of yourself. ”
“Do you have to nag?” I whispered back sharply, “Just for once…” I leant down, and with my finger held up in front of her, I threw her words back at her, “…for one day, could you just give it a rest.” I snapped as we reached the top of the aisle.
“You know, I much prefer you when you’re drunk. At least then you’re fun.”
“Yeah?” she came to an abrupt halt and turned her body towards me, her finger pushed into my chest. “Well, you’re a wanker all of the time. Drunk or sober.” She grated back in a low, harsh tone and threw me the death glare.
I leaned down toward the poison dwarf and whispered slowly in her ear, “At least I’m consistent.” A small smirk pulled at my lips, and feeling rather satisfied with myself, I left our battle of words there and stepped off the decking.
Today wasn't the day.
As I looked around, I saw a couple of reporters set off to the side with their cameras in hand, ready for the go-ahead to start clicking away.
Only the magazine that had rights to their big day was on the grounds.
Roman had been strict on that, but I’m sure if I went to the gates surrounding the house, there’d be plenty more waiting to get a glimpse of them.
Rhys and Kevin were here with the happy couple, and the rest of the security team were keeping the riff-raff out.
I stepped away from Nikki’s nagging, and towards where Roman had Paisley wrapped up in his arms; my head just couldn't take it anymore.
The sooner I could get a drink down her, the better.
The bad-tempered dwarf usually turned into a submissive pixie the more she drank.
My arms slipped around them as I pushed my head between them, smiling wide at my friends. “Congratulations.”
Roman gave me the side eye, “Dude!” I laughed as he shrugged my arms from them, he took one of his arms from around Paisley and turned to shake my hand, his scowl soon turned to a smile as I turned my attention to Paisley, it wasn’t often I gave her compliments, if ever, but as I looked at her now with her dark hair twisted into some kind of roll and her cheeks flushed with the excitement of the day, there was no doubt about how beautiful she was.
I smiled, pulled her against me and kissed her cheek, “You look beautiful. Congratulations.” I whispered, squeezing her as she hugged me until I released her again.
“Thanks, Gav.” She slipped back into Roman’s side and sighed as she looked up at him, then turned her gaze back on me, “It means a lot.” Her cheek fell to his chest, and Roman kissed her head.
I felt a twang, I'm not sure what, but something pulled at my empty heart, it almost felt like jealousy.
What the fuck is going on? Not like before, but like I was missing something.
As I pulled back from her, I frowned, “Listen, I need to find some more painkillers or something, I’ve got a banging fucking headache….” My feet were already moving. “I’ll be back.” I needed five minutes to sort my fucking head out.
“Don’t be long, we’ve got photos being taken soon and I want you in them.
” Roman called out. I threw my hand over my head to let him know I’d heard him and headed back towards the house.
I rushed into the kitchen, went straight to the sink and ran the cold tap.
I popped the lid on the little bottle again and filled a glass with water to wash down two more tablets.
I took my sunglasses from my face, threw them down on the counter and cupped my hands beneath the ice-cold water.
I splashed it over my face, cooling my overheated skin.
The relief was instant. With the water on my face and the cold water in my system, I felt a little more human.
Now, I needed this headache to go, once and for all, and I’d be sweet.
The photos had already begun when I joined the congregation again.
The photographer was clicking away at Roman and Paisley as I walked back over.
I came to stand next to Rhys and folded my arms across my chest. I needed this tux jacket off, but I knew Paisley would probably kill me if I did. “Look at him, pussy whipped.”
Rhys’ snigger made me look up at him. I smirked and shrugged, “What? He is.”
“It might be you one day?” Rhys added as he looked around the grounds.
“Fucking doubt it, mate. Have you seen me?” I pointed at myself.
“Yeah, anyone that can put up with your impossible arse needs to be someone very fucking special.”
I laughed just as some bird called me over. Not by name, but she made eye contact and pointed; I guessed that was my cue. “My turn then?”
“I’d say so.” Rhys smiled, and his head nodded towards the shoot.
“Gav?” Roman called out impatiently. I sauntered over, straightened my bow tie, and shoved my hands in my pockets.