18- Alex
I’d missed most of the ceremony, because I’d been too busy watching Joey. Watching every word the priest spoke, every vow Jake and Phoebe made, suck the joy and life out of her.
She deflated, her shoulders slumping, her flowers held loosely in her hands and at one point, I was sure she would faint. This was destroying her and there wasn’t a damned thing I could do.
Sure, when the priest asked if anyone objected, 1 looked at her, goading her into saying something. Show me the spark that I’d seen earlier and the fire which she’d burned me with on Thursday night, but she had just dropped her head, like a child being told off and stayed silent.
I mean, I could have said something.
Stood up and told Jake I thought he was making a mistake. Or that Joey was in love with him. Couldn’t he see he was breaking her heart?
But I didn’t, because of the woman by my side. Mom would disown me for sure if I had stood up and said anything, even if it was to help Joey
It was bad enough I’d been chewed out by mom and my grandmother, for wearing all black to the wedding
So, I had just sat in the chair and sulked
Now I was standing here. getting photos taken with my parents and my brother, like we were a happy family, when all 1 wanted to do was belt the shit out of Jake. My gaze couldn’t help in seeking out his best friend, to make sure she was okay. The
Crowd wasn’t huge, so I knew I would be able to pick her out in that disgusting colored dress, but I couldn’t.
She was gone.
I stepped away from my parents and Jake and turned in circles, looking for the broken woman, but no matter how many times I looked, I couldn’t find her. “Fuck.”
Making sure my mom was occupied, or I’d be crucified, I quickly left the garden and headed back toward the bridal suite. That would be where she was. Probably trying to make an escape and if she was, I wouldn’t stop her. I’d probably drive her
home.
As I got closer to the rooms, I stopped, tilting my head to the side and turned away from them, toward the back of the compound, where the cars were.
I closed my eyes and tilted my head to the side again, trying to pick out the sound I’d heard.
There
A sob
My stomach sank to my feet as I strode out into the car park and moved between the cars until I found her.
Leaning with her back against one of the tires on Jake’s car, Joey’s head was buried against the knees of her dress, her arms wrapped around them as her shoulders shook and another sob escaped.
I sighed and walked closer, crouching down in front of her and my hand went to her shoulder. “Hey there, doll.”
“Fuck off. Alex”
“Not on your life, sweetheart.” I sank down onto my ass on the pebbled driveway, bringing my knees toward my chest, resting my forearms on them and watched her.
Another sob.
I wasn’t good at this sappy crap, the last woman to cry in front of me, had been the wife of a clan member, when I’d gone to tell her he’d been killed on a routine patrol. Before that… a straggler who thought by climbing into my bed, she’d be able to climb the social ladder of the Takada clan. She had become a puddle of tears, when I had called security and had her escorted out of my apartment and charged with breaking and entering.
But seeing Joey so vulnerable and crying, tore something inside me.
“Come on sweetheart, you’re going to ruin your dress”
Joey’s sobs subsided and she lifted her head, glaring at ine. Her makeup was smudged, her mascara running in black lines
14
15 – Alex
down her face, and she clenched her jaw. “Does it look like I give a fuck?”
With that, she picked up the skirt of the dress and wiped her face, smearing lipstick and mascara across the green silk
“Well, that’s one way to do it. Although…“I reached out and brushed my thumb across her bottom lip. “You missed a smudge.”
Joey’s hand whipped up, slapping at mine and I chuckled as she picked up her skirt and rubbed furiously at her face. “Fucking stupid wanker and his whore of a fucking wife.”
I blinked, putting my fist to my mouth, biting my knuckles and she glared at me.
“Don’t you even say a fucking thing, Alexander Kazumi
“Wasn’t going to, doll. Promise.” I smirked and she narrowed her gaze at me, before sighing.
“I’ve lost him.”
The smile faded from my face, and I turned my head, looking back toward the gardens. I could hear laughter, but it didn’t do anything to lighten the mood of the woman in front of me.
If Jake could only see what this was doing to her, maybe he might realize how much of a mistake he was making. But knowing my brother, that wouldn’t happen. He’d just tell Joey she was being stupid, and he loved Phoebe and blah, blah. blah…
“Where have you been for the last ten years?”
I blinked, turning my head back to her. “Huh?”
“You left. Ten years ago. Jake said you lost your shit one day and just left and haven’t been back since. Why?” The way she looked at me, innocent and broken, I wanted to tell her what had happened all those years ago. Why I had left, why Jake had a broken nose and why I couldn’t come back.. But I also knew today was not the day to dig into the past.
She was so raw from the wedding. I couldn’t break her heart any further.
“Just wanted a change. And I haven’t come back, because I’ve been busy working.”
“And you come back, because Jake asked you to?”
“No, Ma did.” I replied, turning my head back to the venue. People would be heading into the reception soon, we’d have to head back, before someone decided to spread a rumor about us disappearing, “I didn’t come back for Jake. I came back for Ma and Pa
Joey pursed her lips and frowned, looking toward the venue.
“And what about me?” She turned back to me. “Did you know?”
“About what? Who you were on Thursday night?” she nodded, and I shook my head. “Of course, I didn’t. You said your narne was Rosey and I hadn’t seen you since you were thirteen. I wasn’t expecting 1 gestured to her whole body. “This and the incredible night we had.”
Joey rolled her eyes and climbed to her feet, looking down at me. “Well, that incredible night was a mistake. One that isn’t going to happen again.”
I sighed and climbed to my feet, brushing my hands across my backside to get rid of any dirt. “Wow. That’s a bit cold.” “What am I supposed to say, Alex? Thanks for fucking me?”
“Well–Joey glared at me, and I chuckled. “Relax, I’m not going to tell my brother what happened if that’s what worries
you
“No, what worries me, is that…” her lips pursed, and my grin faded. “Never mind. Just keep your distance. I don’t want Jake thinking anything is going on, because there’s not. I mean… ugh ”
She turned and stormed off, leaving me in the car park and 1 tipped back my head, closing my eyes. When I’d realized who she was, one of my first instincts was to get in the hire car and go back to the hotel and forget the whole thing.
But now. With how broken she was, I had to stay and keep an eye on her. Make sure she didn’t do anything stupid and if she did, that I would be there to back her up. I’d rescued her once before, I would happily do it again.
