Page 62 of Resist

“Lingy?” Phoenix turns to face my sister and me, a wry smile on her face suggesting she’s going to use this against me in the future. She grins at me, then turns to face Tessa.

Her face freezes, and she swallows but says nothing, just stares for longer than is probably appropriate. “Tessa, this is my friend Phoenix. Phoenix, this is my sister, Tessa.”

Tessa’s cheeks heat as she offers Phoenix a demure smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Phoenix.”

Phoenix smiles awkwardly, something I’m not used to seeing from her. “Nice to meet you too, Tessa. Tell me, what other childhood gems do you have against oldLingyhere that we could hold over his head?”

Tessa throws her head back and laughs. “Oh, I have some stories. Did you know he made me drink laundry detergent when we were kids?”

Phoenix slaps my bicep. “Asshole. Why you gotta be so mean, bro?”

I hold my hands up. “I found a sample in the mail, and thought mixing it with water to make a potion would be fun. I didn’t think it would actually make her sick.”

Tessa’s shoulder shake with giggles. “Turns out it wasn’t a magic potion at all, it just turned my vomit blue for a few hours.” She links her arm through Phoenix’s and leads her away from me. “Plenty more stories where that came from.”

Thor nudges my elbow. “That looks like trouble.” He jerks his chin at the retreating backs of my friend and my sister.

“I’m not quite sure what it looks like.”

Thor grins. “She’s Foxy’s type, Ster. Prepare yourself. Hooking up with the bridesmaids is traditional at weddings, right?”

I nod, accepting the glass of golden liquor from him as my eyes remain fixed on Phoenix and Tessa approaching the bar. I can’t find a single negative thought in my brain against Phoenix, if she and Tessa want to hook up at my wedding, I can’t think of a single reason to protest.

Can’t say I thought Tessa liked girls, buuuuuttttt... Not my tits, not my problem.

I’d like to think if things weren’t fake between myself and Phoenix’s best friend, Corabelle, Phoenix wouldn’t stick her oar in with any negative opinion about me, either.

We’re all grownups, we all have advocacy over our own bodies. If Tessa decided she wanted to date Phoenix, it’s none of my business. And yet, I can’t bring myself to look away when Phoenix sweeps Tessa’s hair behind her ear.

Thor nudges me again. “Drink.”

The single, large ice cube in the middle of my drink rattles against the glass as I take a drink.

Thor leans in close. “You’ve outdone yourself, man. For real. It’s just...” He looks around, a low whistle hissing through his lips. “Impressive.”

I clink my glass against his. “Anything for my beloved.”

He snorts. “Aren’t we supposed to be doing something? Having food? Speeches? Cutting those delicious looking cakes in the corner?”

I shake my head. “There’s a delay. Not on our side, but the hotel says there’s a hold up, so we’re just... drinking.”

“I’m down for that.” He grins and throws back the last of his drink.

“Got any advice for me, Thor? You’re in a happy marriage, right?” As soon as I’ve asked, I almost regret the words escaping from my lips. If he were to tell me that he and Adi weren’t happy together, I’d give up on love forever. Every time I look at them, the love they have for each other is clear.

His eyes fill with tears as they seek out his mate in the crowd. “She’s the best thing to ever happen to me, Ster. I never knew I had the capacity for so much love until I met Adi and Matty.”

A lump obstructs my throat.

“Do you think you and Cora could...?” He shrugs. “Fall for real... eventually?”

I know without a shadow of a doubt I could easily love her. But considering my intentions for her company and who her father was, I’m not sure either of us could find a way past that into a healthy, loving relationship.

I’m not sure Mom will ever forgive me for marrying her rapist’s daughter, either. I’m hoping she doesn’t tar Corabelle with her father’s crimes, but I don’t know how she’ll react to be honest. I pinch the bridge of my nose.

It was a fleeting, “Hey Mom, here’s my future wife,” and out the door before we could talk about it anymore. It was a lie of omission. And her scrunched up face told me she has opinions on what I’m doing today—even without the added context of my bride’s last name—but she’s kept them to herself.

I’m hoping she thinks I simply met Corabelle, fell madly in love in a whirlwind romance, and couldn’t wait another moment to change her last name.