Tipsy

Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Hallie

No view in Cancun could compare to Sloan on her wedding day. She'd cried many tears over the last few years, but watching her recite her vows to Ollie with glassy eyes and the biggest smile, one that he returned tenfold, was enough to make everyone exhale the biggest breath. These two had made it. Two very broken people healed each other and had crossed one hell of a finish line. The way Ollie held Sloan close as he kissed his bride sweetly was enough to make everyone on this beach swoon. And while I knew Sloan was silently panicked about informing him of her pregnancy, she had nothing to worry about. Ollie's face said it all... he would go to the end of the earth to make this girl happy, and happiness to Sloan was a baby with her new best friend.

Kit pulled tissues from her breasts and offered me one. I took it, knowing my makeup was doomed not only from tears, but from the heat. Mikah and Tim stood beside Ollie, and both seemed to agree as they rolled their sleeves and swiped their foreheads for sweat. Rain was coming, and thankfully, it held off for the ceremony. The humidity was another story... I was ready to take this party to the bar. It was time for adult beverages.

I felt Dean's attention on me throughout the afternoon. And while normally I wouldn't have minded some male attention, I didn't appreciate the way he ignored his daughter's happiness. He was here for Sloan. Not the maid of honor. Even if the sex had been adequate, Dean was a one and done. If Sloan found out, I'm not sure she'd ever forgive me. Even if I wasn't jealous that she'd found her dad, that would come off differently to her. I wasn't out to sabotage her relationship with him. I just wanted a damn apartment.

Mikah could have used my hookup as a threat and didn't. I had to trust that wouldn't change. As I shifted my attention to him, I found his leaving Dean and catching mine. I flushed, quickly turning back to the happy couple. We were tied in our bet for the apartment. While I had gone into this weekend with this game of ours in mind, it was hard not to notice the shift in our relationship. On the plane, he'd asked me if I was okay. He attempted making TJ jealous, and of course, keeping my Dean secret. Was this the same guy who trapped me in my room? Our hatred of each other seemed paused, and while I enjoyed hating Mikah, I was also enjoying not hating Mikah. Perhaps this was a silent mutual agreement that this was Ollie and Sloan's weekend. Acting like children would only cause the newlywed's unnecessary stress.

Upon hearing Ollie and Sloan were officially hitched, our group cheered, becoming the loudest ones on the beach as the sun set. I hugged my best friend tight, feeling stupid for being angry with her these last few weeks. I should have kept those insecurities to myself. Her happiness was all that mattered right now, and it was radiating from her.

"I love you," I whispered in Sloan's ear. Her hold on me tightened. "Tell that man he's going to be a dad, Sloan. Anxiety isn't healthy. He's ready."

Sloan nodded, swiping her tears away. "I will."

I hoped she would. They deserved every ounce of happiness from this day they could get. Sloan was soon pulled away by Penny, leaving me beside TJ with the wind over the water tossing my hair in every direction, including his face. He laughed as he caught it, tossing it over his shoulder.

"Just like old times." He was smiling while I found that anything but funny.

That? That's what he has to say to me? That was supposed to be us. We were supposed to get married. That was supposed to be our first wedded kiss while our friends cheered. No... he ruined it. TJ ruined everything. I remained tight-lipped, recalling his reason for cheating on me, until I noticed his better-half didn't attend the ceremony. He had no one else to talk to and chose me?