Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
“She seduced you, didn’t she?” I ask shakily as he moves us out of earshot.
He chuckles softly, shaking his head. “Addison, love. I gave you my virginity just like you gave me yours.”
“Tanner,” Emmitt interrupts, catching us by surprise. “I just want to apologize for my mom. I told her to behave. She’s not being a bitch to your dad, but this is the second time I’ve caught her harassing you.”
Second time? When was the first?
“No, problem. Let’s not let her upset your wedding day. It’s not a big deal.” I could tell that Emmitt had no clue what was going on with his mother, and Tanner meant to keep it that way.
Chapter 10
Tanner
I barely made it through dinner without lifting her up and carrying her over to my side to sit by me or fuck it, on me.
“Now, it’s time to hear from the best man.”
I blanche because he told me that I didn’t have to give a speech, but I have a newfound zeal. I stand up and take the mic from the DJ and begin.
“I’m so proud of my brother for finding someone to make him complete. I don’t really know Madison, but if she makes him happy then she’s a remarkable woman in my book. I’m not the kind who likes attention and is the reason I almost turned down this prestigious gig, but I love Emmitt. There’s no greater guy and I wish you both eternal happiness.”
Emmitt pulls me in for a hug then his bride does as well. Afterward, they go to hand the mic over to Addison when all hell breaks loose. Tanya snatches that fucking mic. “It seems the mother of the groom would like to say some words.”
“Son, I’m proud of you for finding a pretty wife even though her friend is a whore.” A shocking gasp rips through the crowd and I’m on my feet ready to climb over the damn banquet table. “Oh hush, we all know she’s fucked the whole bridal party and my son included.”
“Enough,” my father roars, stepping up to her and snatching the mic.
Addison looks to Madison who is looking back and forth between them.
“It’s not true,” Addison interjects in tears. The way her eyes are haunted by the lie makes me want to rip Tanya’s heart out.
“Of course the fuck it’s not,” Emmitt adds. “You believe me right?”
“Why would she say that, Emmitt?” Madison questions.
I tap his shoulder and offer, “Go deal with your mother, bro. I’ve got this. I promise.” I lead both my woman and his out into the hallway from the other exit.
“Madison, calm yourself down. You love my brother and he loves you. Besides, I know best friends do that shit all the time, but I know Addison hasn’t.”
“How can you be suure?” she sobs. This is her wedding and the other most important woman in the groom’s life just said he banged the maid of honor.
“Madison, I’ve been your friend for years. How could you think that?”
“She’s been his mother all his life. Why would she lie?”
“Because she hates me even more,” I admit.
The shouting is getting louder, and I can’t stop myself from going over there. “Stay put. I’ll be right back.” They don’t listen one bit and follow behind.
“Fuck you, Richard. That boy wanted me, and you were jealous,” she accuses my father.
“Tanya, you’re fucking insane. Tanner didn’t even know that you had been watching him in the shower. If I didn’t catch you, you would have been trying to get your claws into my son. I should have had you arrested, but I didn’t want the scandal around him.”
“You were spying on him? How could you?” Emmitt exclaims. I want to confront her because this all had to do with me, but I held back.
“Oh, get over yourself. Like you didn’t know I liked hot men.”
“He was sixteen, Mom. That’s fucking sick,” Emmitt roars, slamming his fist down on one of the hall tables.
“Please, he was a freshman in college. He knew what sex was all about and I could have shown him properly,” she slurs, clearly drunk as fucking hell.
“Oh, hell no,” I mutter, feeling fucking violated. I knew she said things that weren’t appropriate, but this had been why my father divorced her. Never once did anyone say anything about it and I thought that she just did those things to get between me and my father.
A small hand grabs my bicep and gives it a comforting squeeze. I turn my head to see Addison. “I’m sorry, Tanner.”
“There’s nothing to feel sorry for. This is Madison and Emmitt’s day and she ruined it. She never touched me, and I told you that earlier. She’s fucking nuts is all.”
“I shouldn’t have let her get to me,” Madison sighs, talking to herself. Then she steels herself before she addresses Addison, “Can you forgive me?”