Part 83 (1/2)
”Why me?”
”Nate's not around.”
I splutter at his honesty. ”Is she pregnant?” I ask in a low voice.
”That's exactly what I asked! No, she isn't.”
”Why are they doing this then?”
”Because this is Jax and Tegan. They do s.h.i.+t like this.”
Will laces his fingers through mine, and we walk up to the couple. ”You're not supposed to do that until you're married!” He pokes Jax in the side, who lets go of Tegan and wraps an arm around her waist. She rests her head on his shoulder, the happiness radiating from the couple is infectious, and I can't help but smile back.
”Congratulations,” I say, unsure exactly what I should say.
”Thanks! Come on!” Tegan grabs my hand and pulls me into the small room, behind the doorway they kissed in. Several rows of chairs line the maroon carpet, dated pictures hang on the dark wood-panelled walls. At the front, an older lady dressed in a blue business suit looks over.
”Just the four of you?” she asks.
”Man, you're gonna regret this,” Will mutters to Jax under his breath.
Jax flashes him a look. ”I told you not to say that s.h.i.+t in front of Tegan!”
”Jesus, I'm not talking about you two getting married, that's your call.” He shakes his head. ”I mean, what do you think the big man is gonna do to you when he finds out?”
”If you mean my brother, this has nothing to do with Bryn!” hisses Tegan.
Will backs off and we sit as Jax and Tegan approach the woman.
The small room stifles and my head spins. Yesterday I spent all morning in the library; today I am witness to a rock star's wedding. How the h.e.l.l did that happen? I side-glance Will next to me; his eyes sparkle with amus.e.m.e.nt as he watches Jax and Tegan. The joy of being with him buzzes a forgotten happiness through me, and I touch his cheek. Will turns his head and gives me his heart-encompa.s.sing smile before he places his lips gently on mine.
Will. That's what happened.
I fight back the tears as I watch the ceremony because I'm a wreck at anything emotional, however hard I try not to be, and the last twenty-four hours have been overwhelming enough.
As I sign the marriage certificate, I study the pair. Yes, I agree with Will that the couple are crazy; but what's sane about their life? Very little. The tall beautiful girl and her stunning guy are surrounded by a natural energy I haven't come across before. The times I met them, it was clear how strong their love for each other is, and that it's a barrier against everything thrown at them.
We sign the register while Jax and Tegan resume their pa.s.sionate kissing, until Will smacks Jax across the back of the head again. ”I don't think we want to see this!”
Tegan wipes her already smudged lipstick with a finger, and pushes a hand into the back pocket of Jax's trousers. ”Thank you for helping out.”
”I'll give you a moment,” interrupts the registrar as she leaves the room. ”I'll organise the certificate for you.”
Will sits on one of the upholstered chairs, and slings his arm across the back. ”Jesus, man...”
Jax winks at him and opens his mouth, but is interrupted by Tegan nudging him. ”Jax, can you call Tony and ask him to drive around the side? I don't want to hang around.”
”n.o.body saw us arrive,” replies Jax. ”Don't stress.”
”You want to step out the front and check? Because I don't,” replies Tegan.
Jax wrinkles his nose. ”Yeah. True. I'll call.” He pulls his phone out and wanders toward the door.
Tegan grabs my arm and pulls me away from where Will sits. ”Are you two back together?” she whispers.
”We met up again yesterday.”
”What are you saying?” asks Will.
”Nothing. Girls stuff,” replies Tegan and pulls me out of the door into the hallway. ”I'm happy for him. He's had a tough time,” she says in a low voice. ”What happened really affected Will too. You know how he is.”
”He spoke to you?”
Tegan picks at a petal of a red rose in her bouquet. ”A couple of times. He's such a sweet guy underneath all that att.i.tude, but you already know that.”
”He'd hate you saying that.”
”Yeah, but he knows it's true. That's why what he did upset him so much.” Tegan's phone beeps and she drags it from the small matching bag she's carrying. ”Jaxon!”
He glances over and points at the phone to his ear. She huffs. ”Will!”
”Oh, I'm allowed to listen now?” he grumbles and heads over.
”Show her your arm.” She gestures at Will's sleeve attempting to catch her new husband's eye.
”No.”
Tegan shakes her head and takes Will's hand. She unb.u.t.tons his cuff and pushes the sleeve up his forearm. ”Show her!”
The mayhem happening around retreats as I stare at the inside of Will's wrist. This side of his arm wasn't tattooed before, and now a bright blue fleur-de-lys is inked there. I meet his eyes and Will gives me a hesitant smile.
”Will, why did ”
Distracted by a pa.s.serby's scrutiny, Tegan drops his hand and steps back. ”Jesus, we need to go soon. Jax!”
He covers the mouthpiece. ”Tony will be here in five.”
”Take those!” Tegan thrusts the bouquet into my hands. ”Sorry, I mean, please, can you hold those; I need the Ladies before we go.”
The whirlwind continues and I grip the small bouquet, continuing to stare at Will's wrist. ”I want to go,” I say. ”This is mad.”
”Good plan. The press will be here and chasing their car any minute and I'm not hanging round for that fun and games.” Will grabs my hand and marches us to the front of the building.
A group of photographers hang outside and Will mutters 'too late' under his breath as we take the steps two at time, toward the street.