I walk away and head for my future wife.She’s been awayfrom my side for far too long tonight.As I approach, her friends move aside,clearing a path for me.
“I was wondering how long you’d be able to stay away.”
“Oh?How did I do?”I ask.
“Eh… okay.”
I pull her into my arms and Sandy groans behind me.
“You two are sickening.”
She grabs my hand, pulling me away.Casey giggles, wigglingher fingers at me.Good-bye?What the hell?
“Go.Find your brothers or Charlie… somebody, anybody.Thisis girls’ time,” Sandy continues.
“Now I see why you two are friends.So bossy.”
“Go.”
I leave reluctantly, following my nose to where my brothersand friends have congregated.
“They ran you off, huh?”Brick chuckles.
“It seems I’ve been banished, Brick.”
“Good.You’re clinging like a little pussy,” Michael says.
Only he would dare say a thing like that to me; however, itdoesn’t stop the others from laughing.I reward them by giving them the finger.As I take a pull of my beer, I glance in her direction and see her headingupstairs with her bridesmaids—Sandy, Anna, Jan, and Carlene.Josh bumps my shoulder,and I turn to see the Millers approaching.
“Ethan!Congratulations, son,” Mr.Miller says.
“Thank you.I’m glad you could make it.”
“Me, too.Shara here would have loved to have you as ason-in-law, but what can you do?”
Mrs.Miller gives me a weak smile and nods in agreement.
“It’s okay, Ethan.We all understand how this works.I wishyou all the best.”
“Thank you, Mrs.Miller.I appreciate that.”
“Have you seen Shae?”
“I saw her earlier, but—”
A scream coming from upstairs cuts me off.What the fuck?I drop my beer and take off toward the sound, eight men following closely.
“Casey!”
“Uncle Ethan, in here!”
Anna beckons me to the bedroom, and I skid to a halt when I findthat Casey has Shae pinned to the floor.I grab her by the waist and pick herup, placing her behind me.Charlie moves forward, helping Shae up.
“What’s going on here?”I demand.
“That bitch!Ugh!”
Casey tries to move around me to get at Shae, and I blockher.Shae shrinks farther behind Charlie.
