Wicked Wedding

By Brooke Page

As if being dumped on my wedding day wasn't bad enough, my self-absorbed parents refused to cancel the reception, and demand I still attend with a smile on my face. Now I'm not only mortified from Malcolm's cold feet, I'm stuck in front of my peers, putting on a smile as if I'm as strong as my parents desire for me to be.
Little did I know, the bartender my parents hired would be a steamy blast from the past, and Malcolm's most despised college acquaintance.
Pouring drinks never looked so sexy on Josh Titlist, especially when having a quick fling with him could help cure the sting of being ditched.
That is if the chemistry we shared in the past won't create another explosion...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brooke Page
• Release date: Jan 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370304899

Brooke Page

Indie New Adult Romance AuthorMother of two, wonder wife, after school art/pottery instructor, self proclaimed runner, and Indie Romance Novel junkie!

Book preview

Wicked Wedding

Brooke Page

Copyright Brooke Page 2017

SMASHWORDS EDITION

All Rights Reserved. This book may not be re-produced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect is appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

WARNING

The following story contains mature themes and sexual situations.

It is intended for adult readers.

For Beth.

You deserve a happily ever after.

And a wedding reception with an amazing groom.

Love you!

Table of Contents

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

About the Author

Acknowledgements

Part One

I don’t think I’m ready.

That’s what Malcolm said when he pulled me from the bridal suite five hours before we were scheduled to say I do in front of seven-hundred people.

I thought he was kidding. Really, I hugged him and laughed, but he was as stiff as a board, not returning any warmth. He just stood there, straight faced in his designer jeans and overly priced sweater.

With tears welling in my eyes, he turned and left me in the chapel.

I stood there dumbfounded, basked in the sun through the stained glass, my hair curled perfectly, and my heart shattered.

What did my mother and father do? You’d think they would have consoled me, told me Malcolm was a prick from the beginning and that by him leaving it would save me from years of misery. You’d think they wouldn’t care if they lost their money on the venue because the new owner wouldn’t offer a refund.

No, instead, my mother wiped my tears, told me shit happens, and that I had to put on a smile for my father’s clients and business associates. Everyone would be informed when they’d show up for the wedding ceremony that my supposed prince charming got cold feet and the party would still be on. And yes, their strong, independent daughter they’d groomed for success would be present and accounted for.

They might have a different opinion if Malcolm’s father weren’t my father’s biggest client at his law firm.

This is bullshit. Let’s just leave, Stacey, my maid of honor, huffed while throwing makeup into her bag. He can’t humiliate you and get away with it.

I sighed, dabbing the mascara that had bled underneath my eyes. I can’t leave. If I left, my job at my father’s firm would be gone, my school debt wouldn’t be paid, my trust fund would be compromised, and I’d be fucked. My parents had too much leverage. Just make sure I always have a drink in my hand.

Stacey frowned. I always thought Malcolm was an asshole. He just nailed his own coffin with this one.

I shrugged my shoulders as if I wasn’t a wreck on the inside, tossing back a hit from the bottle of Cristal that was intended for the limo ride to the reception. Well, if they didn’t think he was an asshole before, they’ll know it now. Sometimes he was moody with me, but for the most part, he had me fooled to believe he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.

Setting the bottle next to the sign on the end table that held a photo with a bible verse, I rummaged through my luggage bag that was packed for Cabo, still well aware I’d be going on a romantic honeymoon alone.

Should I wear red or black? I asked Stacey, who was striping from the burgundy bridesmaid’s gown and throwing on a stunning royal blue Sheath dress.

Red says, I just want to have fun, while black says, I’m depressed and hate my life. What about the little white one?

I glared at her, grabbing the red dress. I’m sure as hell not wearing white.

She smirked. Will the red one meet mom and dad’s standards?

I raised a brow, sliding the short, tight number on my slender frame. I gave up sugar for a month so I could squeeze into my designer wedding dress. Malcolm didn’t want me to wear this one in public.

Stacey grinned. Then it’s perfect.

***

The venue was on the lakefront, one of the most prestigious banquet halls in the area. My parents threw down big money for it and made sure I knew how much they had invested in their only daughter’s ‘perfect’ day.

I drove separate from Stacey, wanted to have the time to myself in the car on the way there. She could ride in the limo with the rest of the wedding party. Malcolm’s frat buddies and my sorority sisters could drink all night with my parents without giving a shit if my heart had been yanked out and ripped in half. Even though my sorority sisters huddled around me when I came back to the suit balling, the bitches were probably plotting how to get Malcolm for themselves. He was the catch; everyone on campus either wanted him or wanted to be him. He was well bred like I was, came from money, did what his parents always asked and demanded of him. Maybe he finally got the balls to tell them to fuck off, and that included leaving me. Maybe he never really loved me at all, but only played the part to please his parents. I had done plenty of things I didn’t agree with to please my parents. I closed my eyes, willing myself not to lose it again.

Taking a deep breath and placing my aviators over my blue eyes, I lifted my chin and mentally prepared to face the looks of pity and disapproval. I knew how these people acted. I grew up around the entitled attitudes and endless flaunting of money. They’d judge and blame me, that’s just how they rolled.

Fluffing my now straightened hair in the mirror; I took one last deep breath and opened my car door, my black Jimmy Choos that were meant for the honeymoon, giving me a good five inches of confidence. I kept my eyes forward, not bothering to see who was standing outside of the venue or who might be walking in at the same time as me. I held my clutch to my stomach, ready to take on the world.

Are you here for the Baxter/ French wedding reception? The bellhop asked as he opened the door. I mentally cringed. You’d think my parents would inform the workers that the party title had changed.

Yes, I coughed, sliding through the threshold of the heavy glass door.

The perfection of the décor sickened me. No detail was missed by the wedding planner, from extravagant center pieces to the bows on the backs of the chairs. Keeping my sunglasses on, I stepped into the room, well aware everyone was already staring at me. The soft hum of voices evaporated the second my presence was known.

Chloe, come over here, darling. I wanted to introduce you to Mr. Callahan, my mother chimed. Thankfully, my sunglasses hid my eye roll. Matthew Callahan was the CEO of a Sporting Goods company across town and happened to be one of my father’s clients. He was mid- thirties, very handsome in an exotic way, and had my heart not been stomped on earlier, I’d been halfway interested in batting my eyes at him. I knew my mother’s intentions. I could tell by the pitch of her voice. She was already trying to fix me up with the next best thing.

Forgive me, I said sweetly, holding out my hand to Mr. Callahan to shake. He took it gratefully, a gleam in his eye that matched his grin. But I need to take care of an issue before our chat.

Of course. Come and find me after? I’d love to talk more.

My lip twitched when I tried to smile. Taking my hand away, I spun on my heel, my eyes floating around the room. Searching for anything to make me feel at ease. All I saw were multiple pairs of eyes.

Yep. They were all looking at me without trying to be obvious.

I sighed, then marched to the DJ booth. Can you please get some music going?

The DJ looked up from his laptop, a heavy furrow in his brow. Um, sure… who are you?

My head cocked to the side as I sucked in my cheeks. Yeah, they didn’t inform the staff…

Taking my sunglasses off and placing them on the tip of my nose, I snarled, I’m the bride. Play something that doesn’t scream, ‘I just got stood up, alright?

His eyebrows shot upward while his jaw slacked open. Um, sure… so… this isn’t a traditional wedding?

I bit my bottom lip so I wouldn’t bite his head off. It wasn’t his fault I got ditched. Nope. No groom. I caught him fucking my dog. Play music that doesn’t suck.

He nodded, then went back to his laptop. So I lied about the dog, but it made me feel better.  Placing my

Reviews for Wicked Wedding

[kendall · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Everything seemed a bit rushed throughout the story. The end was especially. Maybe the author could have created more of a dilemma with Malcolm. It wasn't a bad read.