…
“Jax, the groom is typically the nervous one at a wedding. If you don’t stop pacing, you’re going to wear a path to the bottom of the island.”
Jackson threw a dirty look in Reid’s direction but didn’t stop his brisk walk back and forth across the room where they’d gotten dressed. His friend’s placid disposition as he lounged on the couch was enough to aggravate him—he didn’t need his smartass comments, too.
It was driving him insane that mere drywall was all that separated him from Vanessa in the next room. He hated waiting to see her, to tell her the things that had been like bullhorns in his mind for the last thirty-six hours. But he’d promised both Reid and Lucie he’d keep himself in check until after the wedding. That way, if things went badly, it wouldn’t affect the ceremony.
The last thing he wanted to do was ruin his baby sister’s big day. But the next to last thing he wanted was to let Vanessa run from what they had together. Because that’s what she was doing. He’d had a lot of time to think about things since she got into that cab and seemingly disappeared off the face of the damn island.
He had no doubt the deception bothered her, but he did doubt that it was the main reason for her avoidance. When her sister called, everything from the past—the pain, the fear, the guilt—came rushing back from the dark place she’d buried it. And with the reminder of the past came the reminder of why she’d created her rules and why she needed to keep them.
Jax was certain Vanessa loved him. She’d admitted as much when she told him he’d caused her to break Rule #1. But even without that, he’d never been more sure of anything. They fit together, made sense together. As cliché as it sounded, they completed each other.
So now it was up to him to prove how much he loved her in a way he hoped would speak to her.
Reid stood and stepped in Jackson’s path. His casual wedding attire of white linen pants and shirt matched his composure. Not even a hint of unease marked the man’s face. This was a man who trusted in his love and the love of his bride. As much as Jax loved them both, a pang of jealousy twisted deep in his gut. Jax wished he could be as trusting, but right now things were a mess.
Reid clapped a hand on his shoulder and asked, “Got the rings, bro?”
Jax put his hand in the pocket of his pants and felt the cool metal of both rings. He nodded.
“Good,” Reid said. “And how ’bout your best man speech?”
Sticking his hand in the other pocket, he almost shit himself when he came up empty. Then he remembered he’d moved it. Touching the breast pocket of his aqua shirt, he felt the outline of the folded sheet of paper and told himself to calm the fuck down. “Yeah,” he said, his voice sounding strained. “Got it.”
“Then relax. Everything’ll work out. I got your back, all right?”
Jax inclined his head once.
A knock at the door announced Jilli before she entered, all smiles as usual. “Well, don’t you boys clean up nicely. Looking good, Jackie.”
“Jackie?” Reid said with a hitch of his brow.
Jax cut him a death look. “Don’t even think about it. You can still get married with a black eye.”
“It would totally be worth it, but Luce will kill me if I ruin the pictures, so you’re safe. For now,” he added with a smirk.
“Asshole.”
Jilli held the door open wide. “Come on, children, time to take your places.”
Reid turned to Jax and with nothing more than a look, they said more things in three seconds than most women could say in three hours.
Thanks for always being there for me.
No problem, you’ve done the same for me.
I love your sister, man, I’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy.
I know you do, and I know you will. Plus, if you don’t, I’ll break your fucking legs.
Fair enough.
Then let’s do this.
Hell yeah.
Reid walked out first. Jax followed but paused when he reached Jilli. He knew she’d seen Vanessa. He wanted to ask her how she was doing, if she was okay, if she said anything about him…but he knew that if he let himself start, it would be a slippery slope.
She seemed to read his thoughts. Rising on her toes, she gave him a big hug that helped to somewhat calm his nerves. Then she kissed his cheek, pulled back, and said, “Good luck, Jackie.”
“Thanks, girl. Let’s hope I don’t need it.”