JAX (The Beckett Boys #2) - Olivia Chase Page 0,10
to deter from the beauty of the day. The colors in the environment seem more saturated to celebrate the wedding, with beautiful white flowers decorating the gazebo, the chairs, the freestanding columns.
It’s gorgeous. Perfect.
Aubrey walks down the white silky runner toward the gazebo, her train trailing behind her. Her gown is off-white, off the shoulders, her hair swept up and smattered with pearls. She’s stunning, and I find tears stinging my eyes as I stand off to the side in front of my mic.
I keep my focus as best as I can and sing—to be able to sing the piece she walks in to is such an honor, and the impact of it hits me now. Everyone’s eyes are on her, and I don’t think it’s possible for her to look happier.
My uncle, her dad, is walking beside her holding her forearm. I can see his eyes tearing up. He pats her and lets her go, and she takes Smith’s hand and walks up the gazebo. He hasn’t stopped looking at her since she arrived.
The love between the two of them is so palpable it almost steals my breath. My voice fades as the song ends, and I draw in a few long breaths in an attempt to steady my emotions.
My eyes are drawn, unbidden, to Jax, who’s in the row of groomsmen. He’s staring at the couple with complex emotions flashing in his eyes—I can see happiness, but also something deeper, more vulnerable. My heart squeezes for him. It’s obvious he’s conflicted about his brother getting married.
His eyes meet mine, and the weight of his heavy stare hits me hard in the chest. Wow. I couldn’t speak right now if I had to. He looks away and clears his throat, then his usual affable demeanor is back in place, like that moment never happened. Jax lifts his chin and checks out a bridesmaid, and I see her chest rise in response.
I feel myself deflate. Boy, am I an idiot or what? After what happened today, I thought maybe I’d misjudged him. And seeing the depth in his eyes just now…it drew me in. More the fool am I.
I studiously avoid him the rest of the ceremony. Keep my attention on Smith and Aubrey. Watch them falling even more in love with every moment that passes.
They’re declared man and wife, and the kiss they share would sear the hair off a man’s chest, it’s so hot. We all applaud. My eyes sting with tears again and I let them flow freely. Hand in hand, they run down the aisle, her veil whipping behind her and a big smile on her face.
The bridal party moves off toward the lake to take pictures, and the rest of us go into the reception hall, where cocktails, beer, and wine are waiting for us at two bars. Music is already going; the lights are golden with candles in the center of every table. It’s lovely.
I grab a glass of wine, find my assigned seat with other distant members of my family, and slip in. I wish Della was with me right now. We’d talk about everyone’s dresses, about how good this wine was, how happy Aubrey looks. Odds are, Della would have words to say about Jax.
She’d keep me straight, help me remember how dangerous he is. I need her voice of reason right now, because I keep thinking about how I could smell his cologne in the car and I wanted to reach over and touch his hair. His lips.
I finish my glass of wine in record time and have another. What the hell—it’s a celebration, right? And I look pretty damn nice, if I can say so. I don’t dress up a lot, and it’s fun looking girly. The room fills quickly, and soon it’s buzzing with activity and laughs and people strolling around.
I find myself starting to move to the music, swaying in my chair. The wine is sinking in, loosening me up. A couple of family members stop by and tell me hi, giving me hugs and kisses and wishing me well for my upcoming graduation.
The wedding party finally comes in, and the crowd roars and applauds. The evening moves along with toasts, more toasts, people calling for the bride and groom to kiss, and alcohol flowing like water. We eat, they cut the cake, and Aubrey dares to cram a little in Smith’s mouth.
After wiping her mouth, he gives her a heated look and whispers something in her ear.