After the reception, I needed to tell my brother he needed to have more friends like Rick. He would have fewer life problems, if only he had better taste in friends.
The hospital wanted to keep me overnight for observation and testing. Baseballs and heads weren’t supposed to collide, and according to the doctor, I’d gotten lucky to emerge somewhat unscathed. The entire medical team took a turn with me, scolding me for my refusal to go to the hospital via ambulance.
Wolfgang, who’d accompanied me through the entire wait and triage process, joined forces with Rick and the doctor. To add insult to injury, I was denied my milkshake. I would’ve accepted even a bad milkshake, but no.
Bad women who didn’t go to the hospital right away didn’t get a milkshake at all.
While he claimed he was doing it to make me feel better, Wolfgang left to attend the reception in my stead. I knew better. The bastard wanted to escape from my wrath over being denied my hard-earned milkshake.
Rick stayed, and because he wanted to get in on the action, he taunted me with his phone’s charger—and his working phone.
After arrangements for me to go to the hospital had been made, mine had died a terrible death, giving the last vestiges of its miserable little life to ensure my captivity. I retrieved the dead device from the table and pressed the power button hoping for a miracle. Nothing happened.
“Mine’s dead. This is all Mat’s fault. He just had to marry the thoroughbride.”
“I’m really impressed she didn’t give him the run around today.”
“I threatened the ball and chain, and I caught her trying to escape out the window once. The reception’s going to be a nightmare, especially without me keeping an eye on things. If I don’t show up, it will be guaranteed to be a disaster.”
“You’re likely right. That said, it’s going to be all right. A disaster of a reception is better than not having a reception. Mat can handle his new wife. He is the one who wanted to marry her, after all. I’m sure there’s a reason for that. It probably involves blind love and good sex, but there you have it. I wouldn’t have married her, personally. I’m still sane.”
I laughed at Rick’s implication he was not a fan of my brother’s new bride. “Yet you’re skipping the reception.”
“Well, yeah. Mat bullied me into attending both. While I rather no one be hit with a baseball, I’m eternally grateful for an excuse to skip the reception.”
“I don’t like receptions, but I never expected to meet someone who dislikes them more than I do. Also, Mat is going to find creative ways to make you pay for skipping his reception. He’s lowering your guard pretending to be grateful you accompanied me to the hospital. He might wait years before seeking his revenge, but revenge is coming. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” It seemed fair to make certain Rick understood he had signed up for my brother at his worst.
“I think I’ll be fine. Anyway, I am keeping an eye on you. That’s a get out of jail free card, as I know Mat values you more than any reception, even his own. Now, we have more important matters to attend to. As I’m the only one here with a working phone, you should be nice to me. I can be talked into sharing inane news and discussing the circumstances leading up to these unique events. I’ve found some gems, and I’m willing to share them with you.”
I had no idea how Rick wanted me to be nice to him, but it sounded scandalous, and it’d been long enough since I’d had a boyfriend that I was shamefully hopeful being nice involved removing my clothes—and his. “Inane news? What are you talking about?”
“It usually involves Florida Man.”
“Ah. The mystical Florida Man. He’s surprisingly durable—most of the time.” I giggled, as I often clicked any headline featuring the mystical Florida Man. Without fail, my day seemed a lot better because I’d never done anything nearly as stupid as Florida Man.
“That’s one way to put it. I read a lot of news, and Florida Man is a welcomed distraction. Following the news is part of my job.”
“Your job sounds tedious and possibly quite awful. I’m sorry your job forces you to watch the news. The news is so depressing lately.” I grimaced at how judgmental I sounded. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”