Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 53034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
It’s been five hours since the jellyfish branding, and the pain is finally manageable. This morning, we went to a rinsing station, and it helped, but Talia had to go buy more vinegar and pour it on the stings in our hotel shower.
I stood there in my underwear, and it took all my self-control not to bitch and moan the entire time. I’m not sure even Loki would’ve gotten himself stung by jellyfish on purpose. I was showing off for Talia, and I’m only functional because of the prescription-strength pain reliever she had in her bag.
Now we’re on a group hike with the bridal party, and the rest of them are doing a scavenger hunt. Talia and I just wanted to enjoy the scenery.
“So how did you two meet?” Audra’s bridesmaid, Kayla, asks us from nearby.
I smile at the memory of Talia scowling at me in her Unabomber hoodie at the bar where we met.
“I was hitting on another woman and Talia shot me down.”
Talia laughs at my description. “His pickup line was so cringe. He asked her if her name was Anesthesia.”
Kayla groans.
“I didn’t use that line, I said I had a friend who was going to use it.”
Talia gives me a pointed look. “But you didn’t. Which actually makes it worse.”
I grin and take her hand. “Yet here we are. You can’t get enough of me.”
“Enjoying my leftovers, Beaumont?” Kyle calls out from ahead of us.
Hurt flickers across Talia’s face and I release her hand. Kyle’s around twenty feet in front of us, and he doesn’t even know I’m coming when I slam into him from behind and we both land on the ground.
“What the hell?” Audra shouts.
I land a punch to his gut that makes him grunt. The pain from the jellyfish stings reignites, but I just keep punching. I roll so I can get on top of him and pound his face, more feral than I’ve ever been in any hockey fight. The punches he’s getting in don’t even register.
“Don’t ever talk about her.” I grab the collar of his shirt and pull him up from the ground. “If her name ever comes out of your mouth again, I’ll break your fucking legs.”
Something pummels into me, sending me flying. I’m buried beneath something heavy and I can’t breathe.
It’s not until Kyle’s groomsman gets off me that I realize it was him. His name’s Brad, and he weighs a solid two hundred and fifty pounds. Another groomsman is on the ground with Kyle, holding him back.
“Enough!” Audra yells, standing in the space between me and Kyle with her hands out.
She looks unhinged, a vein visible in her forehead. When she turns to face Talia, her expression is murderous.
“You brought him here to ruin our wedding, didn’t you? You can’t stand the idea that he’s happier with me and that you were rejected.”
I shove Brad’s arm off and walk away, my blood boiling. If I wasn’t the kind of man who’d never raise his hand to a woman, I’d be all over Talia’s bitch of a sister.
“I don’t care whether or not you two are happy,” Talia says, shrugging. “I’m with Lucien now, and that’s why I brought him.”
Audra stomps over to Talia, pointing right in her face. Hands on my hips, I watch her every movement. If she touches Talia, we’re going to have a problem.
“Everything’s been a goddamn disaster since you two got here! I’ve been puked on and humiliated! My fiancé has jellyfish stings all over and he’s going to have a black eye and a fat lip during our wedding ceremony!”
Talia raises her chin and fires back. “So you’re saying we made Kyle seasick?”
Audra scowls and stomps her foot. “No, but the jellyfish thing was him!” she points a finger with a long red nail at me. “And the fight!”
I put my hands in the air. “He knew damn well that was going to happen. Talking shit about Talia is a ‘fuck around and find out’ situation.” I glance around at the shocked faces of the bridal party. “Anyone else got something to say?”
Kyle’s on his feet now. He wipes the back of his hand beneath his bleeding nose and sneers at me.
“Fuck you, Beaumont.” He spits on the ground. “You’re all cheap shots and empty chirps. I’m ready to finish what you started.”
“No!” Audra cries. “I don’t want you standing at the altar in a fucking neck brace, Kyle! Your jacked-up face is already going to ruin enough.”
Kyle’s torn between coming for me and keeping his bride-to-be happy.
“Hey babe,” I call, glancing at Talia. “You mind if I fight him?”
“Not at all.” She smiles. “Your balls belong entirely to you.”
Audra lets out a bloodcurdling scream that shuts everyone up.
“Stop! Ruining! My wedding!” She looks around at everyone, her eyes wild. “Tomorrow is my day, and I will personally dismember anyone who ruins it.”