Wedding Bells..

INDIEGO

The wedding bells rang out, each toll seeming to mock me as I stood in front of the tall mirror, the peach dress clinging to my curves and feeling like a consolation prize.

I frowned, tugging at the dress, feeling like it wasn't what I was supposed to be wearing.

If Braxton had asked, I would have been the one wearing a white dress a few rooms away.

I didn't realize I had said that out loud until I heard a voice at the doorway. “Good thing he didn't” A voice drawled at the doorway.

Spinning around on my heels, I spotted Slade leaning against the doorframe, his broad figure blocking most of the outside view.

“Do you have to be everywhere?” I rolled my eyes, pulling at my zipper.

He pushed himself off the doorway and I caught sight of the dark ink that painted his skin peeking out from under the rolled up sleeves of his shirt.

Snap out of it. I berated myself, turning back to the mirror to add the finishing touches to my make-up while aware of his heated gaze on me.

“Everywhere you are, yes…” His gaze unabashedly raked over me, a dark glint in his eyes. “How could I not come looking for you when you avoided me for the entirety of yesterday? Do you know how hurt I was?” The words rolled off his tongue, tainted with the familiar mischief.

I ruffled my hair a bit and frowned at him. “You seem fine to me” I tried to step past him because I didn't like the growing closeness between us but he shot out a hand to grab my arm, pulling me back.

“Not so fast, princess” His brows drew together, his touch feeling like fire against my skin. “I look fine but I'm not fine. You're still brooding over him?”

Something in me churned at that question and I twisted my arm out of his grip. “Firstly, don't touch me without my permission. Secondly, no, I was just worried because Emily hasn't still spoken to me”

His expression didn't falter. “You look good in peach” He suddenly blurted out.

Silence stretched between usㅡ taut and overwhelming. Then I spoke first. “How sweet, just what I needed to hear”

Without waiting for a reply, I pushed past him and he gripped my arm againㅡ tighter. “Calm your horses, Princess. I mean it. White would have been a lie, let's be honest”

“Well, that's what I wanted,” I glared at him.

A smirk cut across his face. “Give me an hour and I'll put a ring on your finger so you can wear white” His voice was low and dripping with sarcasm but there was an undercurrent of sincerity that threw me off.

“Slade”

“Indigo” He drawled, my name rolled off his tongue with a pleasing tint to it.

“I don't wanna go out there” The words were out of my lips before I could stop it.

I wasn't sure why I was telling him that but something in his gaze made me want to confide in him.

His expression softened and he pulled me closer, his touch leaving a burning sensation wherever it ghosted over. “Say the word and I'll take you away. You don't have to attend his wedding. We can go into town. I don't care much for it either”

For a second, I was tempted and he seemed pretty serious but I shook the thought out of my head. “Tempting but he was my best friend”

“Unfortunately, he still is. Even as much as I want to deny it”, He let go of my hand and stepped away slightly, his hand reaching to rest on his belt.

My eyes twitched and a bitter laugh escaped me. “Is?”

He nodded slowly. Once. Twice. “Loyalty doesn't disappear overnight. C'mon, let me walk you outside, everyone is already there and I saw Emily lounging by the snack table” A grin spread his lips again.

“You're starting to sound like a decent person, should I be worried?” I deadpanned.

He chuckled, the voice low and dark. “I'm not exactly having decent thoughts about what I want to do to you so…no, you don't have to worry. I'm still the same old Slade”

With a roll of my eyes that lacked as much heat as I wanted, I walked out with him.

***********

We walked out together, my heels clicking against the tiles as the venue already buzzed with sights and sounds. Guests filled the hall, smiling like they’d practiced.

Slade offered his arm as I hesistated at the door, my gaze searching round the crowd for the familiar mop of hair that meant Emily but I found nothing. “Ready?” His voice pulled me back to reality and I felt my heart stutter.

“No.” I didn't bother to hide my nerves.

“Perfect.” He smirked, pulling me forward.

Music started and I forced a smile. Every step felt like walking into a bad dream.

Finally, we got to our seat and I sat down heavily on the chair, watching as Slade slid in the seat beside mine.

My eyes widened as people began to send us glances. “You're not supposed to be here” I whisper-yelled at him. “Your mother is waiting at the front row for you”

Up ahead, Teresa looked back at the two of us, her face radiant and glowing as she beckoned us over. Slade threw a mock salute to her and turned back to me. “You're also supposed to be there”

True.

“I'll pass. Front view eventually bores me” I muttered under my breath.

Half truth.

He leaned back in his seat and muttered under his breath. “Then we can watch from the back”

What seemed to be an eternity later, Brax stood at the altar, calm, collected. Didn’t even look my way.

Figures.

The music changed. Lights dimmed. Heads turned as the doors opened.

Bianca floated in, all lace and sparkle, like the universe hadn’t mocked me enough.

My stomach flipped and I struggled to keep up the smile as she walked forward, led by her bridal train.

Slade seemed to notice my mood. “Breathe, witch.”

“Don’t call me that.” I turned to him with a glare.

“You’re scowling like one.”

“Slade.”

“Hey.” His voice softened, just enough. “You got this. You’re fine.”

I stared straight ahead, jaw tight. “Yeah. Fine.”

I was sitting at the back watching Braxton marry my bully. Yep, I was totally fine.