Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Callum raises his glass, staring at Paxton and Hartford. “So, let’s raise our glasses to the bride and groom. Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and countless adventures. May your days be filled with joy, your hearts with love, and your lives with endless happiness. To Paxton and Hartford, congratulations! I love you both."
I’m beyond impressed and proud of Callum. That speech was so much more than I imagined it would be. Paxton and Hartford clearly feel the same, as she wipes her tears as they all hug.
I grin at Willow and take a step in that direction when the microphone buzzes loudly from someone tapping on it. Everyone looks over to see Lake standing there with a smug look on his face. He looks distraught and slightly disheveled as he grabs the microphone.
“What the fuck?” I whisper, looking around at all the confusion in the room.
The room falls silent as everyone stares at him.
“Good evening, everyone. For those who don’t know me, I’m Lake Spriggs, a friend of Paxton’s. I wasn’t planning to speak tonight, but there’s something I need to get off my chest. Something that everyone here deserves to know.”
Willow’s eyes are bouncing from Lake to me and an uneasy feeling creeps through my pores. I’m frozen in place, unsure what the hell is happening when Lake looks directly at Willow.
“Willow and I used to be together. And I know it might sound like I’m bitter or that I’m trying to stir up trouble, but that’s not it. What I’m about to say comes from a place of hurt and betrayal, not malice.”
The guests exchange nervous glances, whispers starting to circulate through the crowd. My eyes widen as I look at Willow who stares at Lake with tears shining in her eyes.
This son of a bitch.
“I found out that Willow and Brock’s relationship has been a lie. They’ve been faking it. This whole thing has been an act to fool everyone. I don’t know all the reasons behind it, but I know for a fact that it’s not real. They’ve been pretending this entire time, making everyone believe in this perfect love story. But it’s all just a façade.”
He turns to Paxton, his voice softening. “Paxton, you’re my friend. You deserve to know the truth. Your brother is a liar and you took his side when he hit me over a woman he’s not even dating.”
Willow’s face pales, and I’m visibly tense. The guests are stunned, some looking at Willow and some looking at me in disbelief, others turning their attention to Paxton, waiting for his reaction. My mother is staring at me, shaking her head, hurt visible on her face.
“I’m sorry it had to come out this way,” Lake continues. “But I couldn’t stand here and watch this charade any longer. Everyone deserves the truth, especially on a day like this.”
He steps away from the microphone, the room buzzing with shocked murmurs and uncertain glances. The once joyous celebration has taken a dramatic and unforeseen turn, leaving everyone to grapple with the revelation and its implications.
“Brock, is it true?” Paxton asks.
I glance at Willow seeing the uncertainty on her face.
“Yes, it’s true. I’m so sorry,” she says through her tears. And then she’s gone. Anya chases after her, and I’m left shell shocked, unable to even move. .
“Fuck,” I say, running my hands through my hair.
Two things are certain. I need to talk to Willow and I need to kick Lake’s ass.
Chapter 27
Willow
“Willow, wait,” Anya says, rushing after me.
I lean against the sink of the women’s restroom and stare at the tears streaming down my face. I look awful, but I feel even worse.
I hate Lake.
It’s official.
“Are you okay?” Anya asks, coming up beside me.
“It’s true. What Lake said is all true, but…” my words fall away. I’m humiliated. I don’t want to be even more embarrassed by admitting to feelings for Brock when he probably doesn’t feel the same way.
Anya runs her fingers through my tangled mess of brown curls. “I’m so sorry.” She glances at her phone. “Paxton asked Lake to leave the reception.”
I nod. “I can’t go back in there. I’m so sorry. Will you give my best to Paxton and Hartford? I just can’t show my face, oh my god, especially to your mother.”
I can’t believe how foolish I feel.
“Don’t worry about anybody but you right now. And Brock. Maybe you should talk to him?”
I shrug. “What for? He doesn’t care about me. We’ve been enemies our whole lives, nothing’s changed.”
Anya tilts her head slightly, studying me through the reflection of the mirror. “Are you kidding? I know my brother. He was never like that with any of his past girlfriends.”
“He’s a good actor,” I say, moving away from the sink and grabbing a few tissues from the Kleenex box on the counter.