Empty Net

Just then the music to Gavin DeGraw’s “More than Anyone” started and everyone turned as the back doors opened, revealing Lucas, a charming smile on his face as he made his way down the aisle behind the minister. He grinned at people he knew, and when he saw Tate, gave him a nod before going up the steps toward the altar. Tate turned back to the doors just in time to see Aiden grinning at him as he moved down the aisle. The little guy looked handsome in a black suit. His unruly hair was brushed to the side, and Tate could hardly believe how much older he looked as he made his way toward his dad.

Once Aiden took his spot next to his father as the best man, they turned and looked back. Tate turned, and suddenly felt like his legs were going to come out from beneath him. Coming up the aisle in his direction was his Brunette Beauty. She was stunning … gorgeous … breathtaking. His eyes ran up her body, taking in a pair of insanely high, sparkly heels before drinking in legs that disappeared into a short champagne-colored dress. Legs that had been wrapped around his body just a few days before. The dress was split down the front, showing off her fine breasts. She was mouthwatering. As his eyes settled on her beautiful face, the overwhelming need to have her hit him full force. And he thought he had gotten over her.

What an idiot.

He was so overcome with lust, he missed Fallon’s entrance. He only noticed her when his Brunette Beauty took the bouquet from her. Of course, Fallon looked beautiful, but honestly, she had nothing on his Brunette Beauty. Tate’s eyes stayed on her face; he couldn’t look away. He willed her to look at him, wanted that moment when lust would hit her like it was hitting him.

She had bewitched him.

When everyone started cheering, Tate looked toward the happy couple to see Fallon’s hands on Lucas’s face and her lips pressed to his. Somehow, he had missed the entire wedding.

“Showoff,” Erik muttered as people whistled and cheered. Everyone stood as the happy couple made their way back down the aisle, his Brunette Beauty and Aiden walking behind them. Tate smiled. She couldn’t run from him today.

“What the hell are you staring at?” Phillip asked.

Tate looked down at him. “Fallon’s bridesmaid.”

“Oh, Audrey?”

“Audrey?” Tate said, his stomach sinking.

“Yeah, that’s Fallon’s sister and Lucas’s new sister-in-law. She isn’t as hot as I thought she would be.”

Tate fell into his chair, breathing hard as Erik and Phillip made their way to the aisle to follow everyone to the reception. He couldn’t believe it. The girl he was infatuated with was his best friend’s sister-in-law and also his neighbor? The same sister-in-law who Lucas was insanely protective over.

Awesome. Just fucking awesome.





Chapter 5


The wedding was exquisite.

Audrey couldn’t decide if the best part was when Fallon walked down the aisle with her hand gripped tightly to their father’s arm, or when Lucas held his fist in the air as he kissed Fallon. Both moments brought her to a puddle of tears. Hell, the whole wedding did. Everything was just so perfect. She couldn’t wait until the day when someone would look as intensely in her eyes as Lucas had looked at Fallon. It was so fulfilling to watch him catch a stray tear from her cheek, and smile when his own eyes filled with tears.

It was magical.

Audrey leaned against the back of her chair, her eyes locked on the happy couple as they held each other in the middle of the dance floor. As Jason Mraz sang about not giving up on the other person, she watched her sister cry in the arms of the man who she was going to be with for the rest of her life. When Lucas leaned over to kiss Fallon’s nose, Audrey’s eyes fell shut as she sent a little prayer of thanks up to heaven. She wasn’t sure how much more she could have taken of Fallon’s stubbornness if her sister had continued to ignore Lucas. Thankfully, the Lord had other plans, and now Fallon was living her Happily Ever After.

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