Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,188

my health insurance was under them, but I never told them what the doctor said. Now I guess everyone knows.

I lay my head on my mom’s shoulder. “Guess you were right about him.”

Her hands tighten with mine. “Somehow I don’t think that’s the last we’ll see of Dean Bennett.”

Chapter Thirty-One

The next morning Skylar stands in front of the mirror, her white dress puffing out into a million layers, her bodice beaded down to her waist. She looks stunning.

I’m trying to forget the whole mess with Dean and the fact that I didn’t hear from him after he left the church last night. Today is my cousin’s big day and I can’t let my situation overshadow that.

“I still say you should’ve planned it like most people do. This whole whirlwind wedding stuff is a lot.” I sit down on the couch in the bride’s room, checking out my shiny blue bridesmaid dress in the mirror across from me. “And I know you say I’ll wear this dress again, but I’m calling bullshit, I won’t. And you’ll never wear the one I made you wear.”

“Noted, but I have to say, mine is ten times more beautiful than the pink number you put me in.”

“Your groom is ten times better, too,” I grumble, unable to completely put the man I love from my mind.

“I won’t fight you on that. He’s slow out of the gate, but he sure knows how to make up ground.”

“That’s where I went wrong. Mine was fast out of the gate and then didn’t know which lane he should stay in.”

Her eyes meet mine in the mirror and I ignore the look she’s giving me. It’s the same one she’s given me all last night and all day at the hairdresser. Go after him. Get him.

“Why did we rush again?” she asks. Maybe I had it wrong and she was thinking of herself…not that she shouldn’t, this is her day.

“It wasn’t a rush. It was four years too late.” Demi walks in with her veil in her hands.

Four years.

I slide out from the bride’s room, needing some space to think. This is Skylar’s day and I’m not going to ruin it. I find some space down the hall on a bench, enough to see some guests, but far enough that no one will come up to me.

I’m leaning with my head against the wall, eyes closed, trying to draw in some strength and fortitude to get through this day when somebody sits next to me. Before I can see who it is, something falls into my lap. “Here.”

I look up to find Mikey, his eyes wide.

When I glance down I see my phone and I shake my head, tears threatening once more. “No.”

“Stop being bullheaded and stubborn. What you went through, Chelsea, it’s horrible and I was all for you punishing Dean, but now you’re just punishing yourself, too.”

“No, I’m not.”

He stops, pausing for dramatic effect and urges the phone back at me. “You are. You’re miserable. Just apologize to him. Tell him that you still love him. Be honest with him. Open your heart to him. Let him in.”

“You make it sound easy.”

“There’s a reason I’m single…the way you look at him and the way he looks at you...I haven’t found that yet. And I’ll make you a promise. If I ever do find it, I’m not going to lose it. I’ll protect it. Whatever the cost.”

I reach over and squeeze my little cousin’s hand. “Look at you, talking so grown up.”

“You can deny it all you want, but you never stopped loving him. I know it’s scary, but if you’re going to make this work, you have to be vulnerable. You have to risk getting hurt.” He pauses for a moment to let me take in his words. “When I ran into him a few years ago, I punched him because I was still protecting you. I wanted to make sure he knew what an asshole he’d been. But right now, he’s looking like an angel and you’re looking like the one who should be punched.”

I scoff, and he knocks his shoulder against mine, smiling.

“You’re supposed to have my back,” I complain.

“I do, which is why I’m keeping it real with you. And now Dean’s going to be the father of my newest cousin.”

He taps the phone in my lap, stands and walks away. “Make it snappy. We’re on in ten.”

I stare at the phone. How Mikey got my phone, I have no idea, but the guy’s