Four Brothers and a Bride

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.

you have the wrong person." We are by the driveway, under the glow of the moonlight. She stops yanking my wrist and turns. Something about the way she spins towards me confirms that she isn’t tipsy

were uncomfortable around him. I thought you needed saving so I pretended we were

you. I did need saving." We share a short laugh.

replies, shaking my outstretched

gigantic mansion a survey, "...and mansion. It’s more

birthday or controlling the guest list so a

"I understand."

glad you graced the event,

here with my

"Oh, that’s great."

is he like a crazy stalker

important." The night air is chilly now. I rub my hands over my arms. "I

"Any time, Demi."

nowhere to be seen. He probably went back to the pool area to rejoin Ashley and the others. From the loud shouts and music, I won’t be surprised if Nicola is doing more than swimming in front of

little drained, emotionally and physically, I reach for a flute of champagne at the champagne fountain set up on the ground floor and try to justify having one damn glass at

this hellish night." I mutter to myself before placing the rim of the glass to my lips. Just

"That’s enough."

he have to show up

from my hand. With a loud grunt of frustration, I glare at him. "I am a fucking adult.

like the child you’re being right now.

my heavy head and laugh. Why won’t they ever let me forget that one night? Am I

hold my liquor if you don’t

to your room and rest. The party

it? Because the last time I checked, it’s still happening by the pool. Nicola should be giving my husband a lap dance in his head by now, if they aren’t already smashing in a dark corner

not true." His voice is edged with pity.

easier to think of him and Nicci than you and Mila." I 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 my feet and I

to tuck you

You don’t know my new

want to know, Demi. I’ll just

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

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

"I’m sleepy."

"Ashton?"

look up, it’s the lady

"What’s wrong with her?"

Ashton helps me to a standing position but I continue to cling to his chest. Mila is clearly uncomfortable with my wandering hands. "Could you help me go over to

if he isn’t, Nicci won’t let

her head at my

what? Give me a minute. I’ll help her upstairs and join

I’ll be by the

Ashton picks me up like I don’t weigh more than one barbell and heads for the

When he says nothing to me, I rest my head on his chest.

"I did."

didn’t tell me if you liked my dress or

"I do. It’s beautiful."

me? Am I not beautiful?" He leans to press the

Hearing those words from his lips makes my cheeks

"More than the dress?"

"More than the dress."

"More than Mila?"

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

I can walk." With a little struggle, I plant my feet on the ground, slapping off his hands from assisting me. "Go back to the pool. Mila and a bunch of other hot women are waiting." Right now, I don’t care how pathetic I sound. Too tired, I trip on my

I undo the straps and take off the shoe to

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

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