The WRONG Brother (Love You Forever #1) - Alexis Winter Page 0,77
written off given the stress of planning a wedding. She’s already become self-conscious about it, though, so outside the house, she’s opted to wear loose-fitting tops. She’s afraid someone will notice her stomach and think she’s either pregnant or fat. I’m just glad we’ll finally get to tell our families about the baby at the reception this weekend.
We’ve talked about how to tell them over the last few months. We thought telling everyone over the toasts would be a good idea, but you know Piper—everything has to be a grand gesture. After mulling over several ideas, we finally figured out the perfect way to tell them . . . though I wonder if they’ll catch on.
“Let’s hit the road,” I say, pulling away and helping her to her feet.
The drive is long and with her growing belly comes more bathroom stops than I’m used to. All the stopping to pee, eat, and stretch her legs because of a cramp almost doubles the drive time, but we finally make it.
The wedding is tomorrow, so we’ve agreed that she will stay with her parents tonight and I’ll stay with mine. Then after the wedding and reception, Preston will take us to the airport for our honeymoon in Hawaii. She loved our little vacation spot so much that she’s been dying to go back. In fact, I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t have a problem with staying there forever to become a professional beach bum. I have to admit, the sun, sand, and ocean are a hell of a lot better than the windy city of Chicago.
I pull the car up to my parents’ house and grab her bag out of the back. Preston has already arrived and he comes walking out.
“Hey, you guys got a minute?”
“Sure, what’s up?” Piper asks as I set down our bags and close the trunk.
“Would it be cool if I brought a date to your wedding tomorrow?”
Piper laughs. “Really? Who?”
Preston looks at his feet as he kicks at the rocks. “Riley?”
“Riley? My maid of honor, Riley? She’ll already be there,” she points out. Then it hits her. “Wait, the two of you have been seeing each other?”
He wrinkles his nose like he’s afraid to admit it. “Yeah . . . I mean, it’s nothing serious, but after that dinner at your place, we kind of hit it off and have been hanging out here and there.”
“That was three months ago, Preston. Why didn’t you tell me?” She’s obviously getting slightly annoyed, so I put my arm around her to calm her down.
“We just didn’t want to tell you until we knew what we were doing. We didn’t want our relationship to end badly and put a strain on you guys.” He looks up at the sky for a moment. “Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?”
I laugh and she rolls her eyes. “Preston, she’s my best friend. I swear, if you treat her like the rest of your whores, this won’t end well for us. Why would you risk our friendship like this?”
He frowns as he crosses his arms and leans against Dad’s truck. “You mean like you risked our friendship by dating my brother?”
I don’t say anything, I just wait. She shakes her head. “That was different. Calvin and I didn’t blow through the opposite sex the way you do. What we had from the beginning was real, unlike anything you’ve ever had in your life.”
I lean in and whisper in her ear. “I think you’re overreacting, Piper.”
She nods and takes a deep breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Pres. It’s just all the stress and the hormones.”
“So, you’re cool with Riley and me?”
She laughs and nods her head. “Well, I guess you found a way to sleep with the godmother after all, didn’t you?”
Preston just shrugs and smiles.
“I need a nap,” Piper says.
“Let’s get you home.” I lead her across the street to her parents’ house. I carry her bag to her room then turn to give her a kiss. “I’ll see you at the church.” I press my lips against hers.
“I’ll be the one in white,” she whispers against my lips.
I kiss her for a while longer before pulling away. “Rest up, baby. You’re going to need it.” I flash her a grin before retreating.
Later that night, Preston, our dad, and I are sitting around the kitchen table with a glass of scotch. “Come on, Cal. You wouldn’t let me throw you a bachelor party. At least celebrate your last night of being single.”