Rachel is in the seat beside mine, and I feel like clawing my eyes out, scratch that, clawing her eyes out.
“Hey, charity, nice dress,” she says sarcastically.
“Shut up, Rach. Leave her alone,” Tucker growls, and she sneers at me.
“Where’s Isabelle?” I ask, really hoping he’ll answer and not her.
“I wanted some alone time with my man. Wedding planning is so stressful, I felt that we both needed the break. Besides, at least this way we won’t have to worry about staying quiet.” She runs her hand up his arm and I feel as though I’m about to puke.
“Come on, Luna. Let’s go and congratulate the happy couple.” Thallon stands up and I move to follow behind him, but he waits until we’re level and he can wrap his arm around my waist.
“So, which one?”
“I’m sorry. Which one what?” I ask, as I stare up at him. How we don’t walk into anything, I have no idea.
“Emmet, Aeron, or Tucker. Which one were you hoping would propose?” His eyes are hard but his smile is relaxed and a complete contrast.
“None of them. I’m not a Harkwright chaser, and I wouldn’t want to hurt any of them… or Tom.” Sometimes I wonder why I also add on extra.
“You don’t want to waste your time on Tom, Luna. He’s not worth it, not even for a girl like you.”
Ouch.
“Shane, Roz. Congratulations. I think I even saw a tear or two for a moment there, mate,” he says as we come to a stop beside them.
“So what if I did? I know my wife didn’t mind.” He kisses her gently on the cheek and she’s positively glowing.
“Wow, Luna. You look beautiful. That dress is perfect.” She smiles warmly at me, but Shane just scowls.
“You can put sprinkles on shit, that doesn't make it a cupcake.” He smirks.
“Please, my love, not now. I’ve let it all go. Why can’t you? She has nothing to do with it, and she isn’t to blame for the other shit either. Please, for the rest of our life together, I won’t ask you for anything else.” She stares into his eyes and his entire demeanour softens before me.
“Okay, my love, for you, I’ll try.” He pulls her close and drops a kiss onto her forehead. Like what Tucker used to do to me. He turns back to us and his lips purse as he takes me in.
“I don’t think I’ll ever like you, but I won’t make it my mission to make your life hell anymore. I won’t ask anyone else to either.” He turns his gaze to Thallon, but I don’t look away.
“Congratulations on your wedding. I sincerely hope you have nothing but happiness in your future.” I try to smile as Thallon pulls me away and back over to our table.
“For the last time, I said no!” Tucker’s face is growing red as he pushes away from the table.
“I only said I’d join you,” she pouts, but I have no idea what she is hoping to achieve.
“I am going for a piss, I don’t need your help,” he grounds out as his fists clenched at his sides.
“There is so much fun we could have in a bathroom, baby, especially in this dress.” She stands up to show the indecent high slit in her fire truck red dress.
“Stay here, I will not tell you again.” He storms away and I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t come back.
“Looks like I’m on for a fun round of make up sex tonight. I mean, it is the best kind. He’s had a lot to make up for recently.” She smiles slyly at me, and I roll my eyes at her.
“Oh look, there’s Tom.” A gleam enters her eyes as she waves at him and he heads over.
“Moonbeam, Rachel.” His voice isn’t as warm for her, but he doesn’t sound as though he’s filled with hatred like the other guys.
“It’s been so long! How’s the Academy? I bet it can’t be anywhere near as exciting as last time.” She smiles coyly at him and he smirks back.
“Believe me, it has its moments.” His eyes flick to me, but soon return to her.
“How’s our shed?”
Hang on, what?
“What are you going on about now, you toxic imp?” Thallon asks with a forced yawn and she narrows her eyes in his direction.
“Tom always had this little wooden shed on the grounds, where he goes to when he needs some time alone. I was the only girl he ever took there, it became a sort of theme. Didn’t it, Tom?” Her tongue drips with sex as she flutters her lashes at him, her tongue poking out to lick along her lips.
“Aren’t you supposed to be marrying Tucker? What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Stay out of it, Thallon,” Tom growls out, and I start to shake as hysterical laughter starts to build up within me. I’m not even happy, if anything, I think I’m falling apart.
“So what, you never forget your first? Or the place you lost it? He always said that any other girl could never compare and if he ever took a girl back there… well, he’d only be thinking of me. So then, Tom, have you taken anyone else to our place?” Her eyes turn as cold as her voice turns hard.
The color leeches from my face as the urge to laugh passes and my hand is suddenly in Thallon’s.
“Come on, princess. They’re about to have their first dance, which means that we can have ours straight after.” He drops a kiss on the back of my hand as he pulls me to my feet and against his chest.
“What are you doing?” I breathe out, as my brain cells malfunction.
“Dancing,” that’s all he says as we watch Shane move Rosalyn around the space. Her laughter reaches us on every turn and it isn’t long before the song ends and he leads me out there.
“I love this song,” he mutters as he pulls me closer, his hands falling onto the small of my back as mine rest on his shoulders.
“What is it?” I ask, enjoying the tune and the words. I’m not lost on the fact that Thallon just rescued me, whether he realizes that or not. My head and heart ache over what Rachel said. I wondered if that place was special to him, but I never could have imagined it would be because of her.
“Human by the Killers. Now then, your friend seems to think that I’ll change my mind if I get to know you, so here’s your chance. Convince me I’m wrong.”
I stare at him for a moment, before I remember what I just asked. Oh yeah, the song. Guess I better get out of my head and back into the moment.
“I take it you already know why I’m here?” I ask, wondering how I could ever get him to change his mind, and even if it’s worth trying.
“Sure do, and your sister’s sob story won’t work on me. For all I know, she probably deserves it.” I breathe in harshly as my grip tightens and his chest vibrates with his laughter.
“You know what? No. She doesn’t deserve it. I used to think that Poppy was amazing, that if I could even be half the person she is, then I’d be okay. Maybe I don’t think that anymore, and maybe she isn’t a nice person, but she doesn’t deserve to be there. But I don’t expect you to understand that.” I try to pull away, but he tightens his hold on me.
“Why wouldn’t I understand, Luna?” His voice is hard to place, but it feels like a trap.
“Didn’t you put a girl in the hospital? Just to see if you could. Why should I prove myself to you?” I lean my head on his chest, even though it pains me to do so.