Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Don’t stress, they’ll be leaving soon. They just needed to show their faces at the wedding of the year,” I tell her, hoping they’re not ruining Sean’s night.
“They haven’t changed,” she grunts as we head back to the bridal table.
“Never will,” I murmur.
The party kicks up, and soon enough, the emcee announces the first dance and introduces Cass to the stage, and the crowd applauds as they gather around.
Cass nervously adjusts the microphone as Sean and Sara get into position. Her eyes flick to mine, and I give her an encouraging smile, even though it’s selfish. All I want at this moment is to hear that magical voice of hers once again.
The music starts and she belts out the opening lines of “At Last” while Sean and Sara dance and sway to the beautiful song. Her eyes remain locked on mine, and I watch as another tear falls from her eyes, reminding me once again that this should have been us.
Chapter 13
CASSIE
As the song comes to an end, I feel empowered. I still can’t believe my stupid brother and Jax convinced me to do that, but either way, I am so glad they did. Singing on a stage again felt amazing, and I can’t for the life of me understand why I stopped.
Well, I know why I stopped, and it was necessary at the time, but tonight something feels as though it has clicked back into place. Like a piece of my soul has returned to me.
They gave me the hardest song on the planet to sing, not because of the notes or the runs, but because of the lyrics. My eyes sought out Jax’s as the lyrics poured out of me, and at that moment, only the two of us existed.
I look out at the crowd and am humbled to see them all come to their feet and applaud for me. Even Sara and Sean turn to face the stage, Sara with a beaming smile while Sean watches me with love in his eyes and mouths, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I mouth back with a little nod before giving a slight nod to the crowd and making my way off stage.
Elation pulses through me as the emcee invites the rest of the bridal party and the guests to join the bride and groom on the dance floor. I’m hardly back to the table before Jax sweeps me up in his arms and turns me around to head straight back to the dance floor.
A waiter walks by with a tray of champagne, and Jax scoops up two glasses and hands one to me. “Enough of the serious bullshit tonight. We’re partying now.”
Undeniable happiness tears through me, and with a grin, I take the champagne flute and throw it back. “Let’s do this,” I say.
The band makes way for a DJ to take their place, and he cranks the music right up the moment he takes the stage. Drinks float around, and all the older guests hit the road, leaving us young ones to celebrate a great night.
We dance and party the night away, and I’m stolen from Jax by an extremely drunk Tom when the emcee asks all the couples to hit the dance floor. “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer comes on, and all the couples around start making out on the floor with a bit of dirty grinding involved. I try my hardest to bat Tom away, but I end up slapping a hand over his mouth to hold him off, though that only has him making out with the palm of my hand while I’m laughing like a hyena.
“Would you mind not defiling my little sister?” Logan deadpans as he and Carter finally come to rescue me. They drag Tom away as he confesses his undying love for me over the sound of the music and promises he will be back to rescue me from the torturous clutches of my evil brothers.
With that, I find another glass of champagne and search the room for Jax. I find him trying to avoid being groped by an older woman looking for a young stud to show her the time of her life. I walk right up to them and drape myself over Jax who instantly puts his arm around me.
“Sorry, love,” I say to the lady while roaming my eyes greedily up and down his body. “I think you’ll find this one is taken tonight.”
Jax looks down at me, lust burning in his eyes, before turning his attention back to the lady. “I think you’ll find more luck over there,” he says, pointing out the senior’s table. She gasps in outrage before Jax sends her a wink and whisks me off.
I lead him outside and start walking out into the yard. “What are we doing?” he asks with a grin.