“They lived happily ever after.” Mo tilted her head into the air and narrowed her eyes.
Tex leaned down and tapped her on the nose. “Yes, if happily means they lived for five damn minutes before marching directly into oncoming traffic.”
“I think the wedding reception just hit its low point,” Mil muttered. “Save us, Tex. I beg you. Find the gun, and I’ll give you a prize.”
“Prize?” Tex’s eyes lit up. “As in—”
“As in her new husband won’t punch you in the face. You’re welcome. Hooray for prizes!” I did a fake punch into the air. “Now go create some excitement before Nixon starts picking people off with his semi-automatic.”
Nixon rolled his eyes. “Right, like I’d even bring—”
“It’s in the SUV,” Trace answered, sounding bored. “Saw it when I took out my dress.”
“Damn.” He looked away.
Just then a very drunk-looking cousin, Vinnie, got up and took the microphone from the band. “Look here! I have a toast to the bride and groom!” Shrill feedback from the microphone pierced the air, and Vinnie staggered, seemed to struggle, but finally found his footing. The microphone stand wobbled and then fell onto the stage with a loud clang. In a rush to grab it, Vinnie tripped over the cord and landed flat on his ass with a loud “Oomph.”
“For the love of God, save us all,” I grumbled, pushing Tex toward Grandma. Hopefully that would provide us some entertainment even if it was just watching them talk. Right, that’s how bad things had gotten.
We all sat at the table, the very depressing bridal party table, and watched as Tex slowly made his way toward the elderly woman.
“This won’t end well,” Trace said under her breath. “The man has the subtleness of a bomb.”
“Exactly.” Mo grinned from ear to ear. “I did say we needed entertainment, didn’t I?”
“Mo…” Nixon warned.
“He cheated on me, Nixon. Let me have my fun,” she said smoothly.
“He what?” Nixon roared, jumping to his feet. Curious stares pinned in our direction as Mo grabbed his hand and pulled him back to his seat.
I let out a low whistle. Dysfunctional didn’t even begin to cover it.
“I’ve got this. You aren’t the only one who knows how to use his powers for evil, brother. Revenge is a bitch. Isn’t that what they say, Trace?”
She looked guiltily down at her hands. Yeah, double meanings I could really do without. Hopefully, Mo wasn’t going to get Tex shot at our wedding, not that I’d be against it. This was the first I’d heard of him cheating. Granted, Mo hadn’t really been all that for sharing recently. She’d been as secretive as ever. Something told me it was for a reason, but I’d been too wrapped up in my own drama to even ask. How bad did I suck as a half-brother? Bad, real bad. On a scale of one to ten in the suckiness department, I’d be around an eleven.
Tex finally reached his unlucky target and sat down in the chair next to Grandma, his smile wide. I couldn’t tell what he was saying, but his hands were all over the place, and then he set one hand on the old lady and winked.
“Oh, this isn’t going to end well.” Mo chuckled. “She hates being touched.”
“It is Tex,” I pointed out. “She could do a lot worse.”
“Doubtful.” Mo snorted, crossing her arms.
Holy shit, what the hell? I really had been living under my own personal rock somewhere. What had gone down? And how didn’t I know about it?
I winced when Tex moved his other hand next to Grandma’s leg. Probably wouldn’t be a good time to tell him that she’d seen her fair share of murder. I almost closed my eyes when she looked down at his hand.
“Aw, shit.” Nixon shook his head. “You had to challenge him, Mo.”
Mo’s face twisted into a murderous smile as she pointed and exclaimed, “Game. Set. Match!”
Grandma had Tex by the balls.
“Ouch!” This from Mil.
“Look, I know it’s not me.” I cringed when Tex’s face twisted in pain. “But I can literally feel my sperm dying.”
“That’s too bad.” Nixon smirked in my direction. “Because I was hoping to see little Chases running around now that you’re married.”
I didn’t laugh.
Neither did anyone else.
Nixon immediately looked apologetic, but it didn’t matter. It was done, he’d released those idiotic words out into the atmosphere. No take backs.
And it had officially gotten more awkward — didn’t think that was possible, but there it was. The only sounds were those of Vinnie still trying to make his toast, and Tex’s screams coupled with Mo’s laughter. I was officially ready to call it a night.
I stood. “Let’s go, Mil.”
Wordless, she put her hand in mine as we said our goodbyes and walked out the door. Not once did I look at Trace or Nixon. It was as if the door was my only salvation. In walking out, I was leaving them and starting my own life. Hell, even if it ended in death, it would still be better than sitting on the sidelines while my best friend screwed the girl I loved.
Past tense.
My feet crossed the threshold. I paused. I hated that hesitation was becoming my new thing, but I had to know. Was she watching, or did she even freaking care?
I glanced over my shoulder.
They were gone.