Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Chapter 53

DEMI

I’m not having this. It’s one thing to have Ashton in my room. He can figure out a way to save our necks but having my husband’s friend who is like a complete stranger step into my room at my birthday party is really suspicious. Because I know I can’t possibly push him out, I yank my door open and head for the elevator knowing he’ll follow me. He does just that.

"I don’t know what you think you’re doing but I won’t allow it." I punch the elevator button for the ground floor and step inside. "You want to talk? We’ll do it downstairs where everyone can see." William laughs softly as he joins me in the elevator.

"Are you afraid you still have feelings for me?"

Yuck. Why am I always surrounded by arrogant assholes?

"You wish."

"Fine, if you want me to blurt out to your husband, his brothers and anyone who cares to listen that you and I had a thing back in high school, be my guest. I was trying to save your face by being discreet." The elevator opens up and I tear my eyes away from William’s luscious beard that frames his angular face almost perfectly.

We grab drinks from a servant passing with a tray holding flutes of champagne. I cuss under my breath when I stare at my glass. The last thing I want to be is drunk at my party with my ex right next to me.

"We didn’t have a thing, William. It was a fake relationship, like the others you were used to having."

"You and I both know that isn’t true. I dated the other girls for a week after selecting their names from a spinning wheel. You and I dated for six months. Yours was the first real relationship I ever had even though I can’t say the same for you." I stare at him, shocked at his raw admission while he glugs down his champagne. He grabs another from one of the servants and peers deeply into my eyes.

"Are you shocked? Yes, I am not ashamed to admit that I fell hard for you along the line. I actually thought your feelings for me were real and I stupidly tried to change myself to be deserving of you only to realize that you were playing me the whole time. You used me as target practice for your schemes, right? All that talk about dating a rich snob like me in order to acquaint yourself with the life? Then when you got what you wanted, you jilted me."

I try to walk away from but he snags my wrist and pulls me back.

"Don’t touch me, Will."

"Don’t walk away from me then."

"What exactly do you want to hear from me? You stubbornly pursued me for your own ego after I said no to being your girlfriend for a week. I lost my parents shortly after and in my messed-up state, I agreed to be your girlfriend for a week. I was emotional and at some point, suicidal. I needed the distraction to cope with my grief. You refused to break things up after a week and that’s how we ended up together for six months. So, maybe I wasn’t entirely honest about my feelings and strained you along but that wasn’t intentional."

"Damn right, it was." He fires back. "I especially remember the day you told me you loved me. That was after you visited my home and realized my family had ties with the Rollins family. You remember back in my room when you didn’t want to discuss anything other than my summers here in Danvarr and the one time I met the quads? You were so invested you barely even wanted to talk about us."

Will chuckles, eyes skirting around. "When I heard Ashely was married, I thought it had to be some model or rich man’s daughter. Imagine my surprise when it turns out to be my self-righteous ex-girlfriend who swore she hated everything a man like Ashley Rollins represents; a rich snob and famous philanderer. Wow, Demi, you’re such a hypocrite."

I lock eyes with Mila at the far end of the room. Ashton is nowhere in sight. No one else I recognize is within earshot. I shoot a sunny smile at her to fend off any suspicion and steer William behind the stairs.

"I don’t know why you’re doing this but this is not the time or the place. Move on, Will. We were teenagers for goodness’ sake. I was young and dumb, period. You want an apology because I didn’t reciprocate your feelings, fine. I’m super sorry for everything. It was a different life but I am a different person now. Please, don’t stir up trouble in my home because of my poor decisions in my teens." My hands are clasped in front of him.

"Do you love him?"

"What?"

"Ashley? I saw how eager you were to leave the party. His ex is also here with her tits and ass hanging out for everyone, including your husband, to see. Everyone can tell he isn’t over her. You’re not even his type. I’m trying to understand why you married him, Demi. Do you love him?"

My throat dries up as he waits for my response.

"Did you hear how our marriage came to be? If you did, you’d know that Ashley and I are still getting to know each other. That’s not to say that I don’t have any type of feelings for my husband. He might have a certain reputation but he has been very respectful and loyal to me irrespective of how bold and desperate his ex gets. He cares for me. If he didn’t, I wouldn’t have stayed in this marriage."

"Demi? There you are. Girl, you might be the celebrant but you’re not allowed to disappear on your best friends like that."

I whip my head to find one of the guests in a luxurious floor length gown, grabbing my wrist.

"What...?"

She looks tipsy and I fear she has me confused for someone else. She laughs and pouts her lips at William.

"I’m so sorry but I need to steal her for a couple of minutes. It’s a small emergency."

Relief floods through me for the interruption. I had no idea how I was going shake William off. I spin to him and give him a small smile.

"It was nice seeing you again, William Thorpe. Enjoy the party." I ignore the dissatisfaction in his eyes and follow the stranger as she tugs my wrist away, pulling me all the way outside the house. Though I have no idea who the heck she is, I play along just to get away from William. That conversation was too intense and deep to be handled without alcohol.

think you have the wrong person." We are by the driveway, under the glow of the moonlight. She stops yanking my wrist and turns. Something

it seemed like you were uncomfortable around him. I thought you needed saving so I

We share a short

shaking my

after giving the gigantic mansion a survey, "...and mansion. It’s

very involved in planning my own birthday or controlling the guest list so a lot of the people that attended are strangers to

"I understand."

graced

a smile. "I’m here with my husband. He is an employee in one of your family’s

"Oh, that’s great."

is he like a crazy stalker or an

chilly now. I rub my hands over

"Any time, Demi."

area to rejoin Ashley and the others. From the loud

of champagne at the champagne fountain set up on the ground floor and try

rim of the glass to my lips. Just as I am halfway through the glass, it gets yanked from

"That’s enough."

Why does he have to show up now

and manage a big sip before Ashton wrenches it from my

smack your cheek like the child you’re being right now.

head and laugh. Why won’t they ever let me

am I supposed to learn to hold my liquor

your room and rest.

happening by the pool. Nicola should be giving my husband a lap dance in his head by

His voice is edged with

must really be drunk to admit that right now. Yet, instead of cringing with embarrassment, I giggle at the look on his face. "Your face right now. It’s...cute." The ground gives way under

get Ashley to tuck you

don’t know my new passcode? I

I’ll

"0-7-0-3-2-3."

our botched date as Dee and Will. From the look in his eyes, I think he recognizes it

"I’m sleepy."

"Ashton?"

it’s the lady

"What’s wrong with her?"

position but I continue to cling to his chest. Mila is clearly uncomfortable with my wandering hands. "Could you help me go over to the pool and call Ashley. Tell him he needs to put his wife

he

head at my

just drunk. You know what? Give me a minute. I’ll help

be by the

me up like I don’t weigh more

she leaving?" When he says nothing to me, I rest my head

"I did."

you

"I do. It’s beautiful."

the dress? What about me? Am I not beautiful?"

from his lips

"More than the dress?"

"More than the dress."

"More than Mila?"

sting my eyes. Why the pause? Is he unsure? The elevator opens

back to the pool. Mila and a

reject Ashton’s help. Bending, I undo the straps and take off the shoe to massage the sore

of the staircase echoes. Ashton turns to him and then back to me, his

up. "This way, ma’am." While he helps me to my door, Ashton pivots on his heels towards the elevator. I glance

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