The Wedding Of The Year 2: Bridesmaid Mania

Chapter 22

We don't get any more time to process. The next day I'm called over to Lola's; I saw Corey when I got up and when I went to bed later that night. It's been like this all week. Thankfully the weekend has finally arrived. 

Corey is already out of bed. He has been taking phone calls from the guys at the graduation. It's not until this afternoon, but for this proposal to work out, they had to get a few there early. However, they told Corey he couldn't come because they were annoyed by his moaning about barely seeing me.

I wrap my arms around him and slowly take the phone out of his hand. He tries to get it back, but I put it to my ear and lean against his back. "Hey boys, we'll see you later, but I'm now stealing my fiancée till then."

I hear loud laughing in the background. "Of course, Clara, we understand. That's why he's been banned from here unless you're with him," Marco's voice filters through the speaker. I can hear the laughter die down like with a dimmer switch. "I did it. I'll fill you in later." That's all I get before he hangs up.

I give Corey his phone back over his shoulder and quickly dart away and into the kitchen. "Clara Grace Downey," He shouts and appears in the doorway. "That was a vital conversation." He leans against the frame while I prop against the counter. 

"Oh well. You can have it later," I shrug, knowing full well how Corey will react. I slowly detach my arms from the counter behind me, seeing the mischievous glint in Corey's eyes that I've missed so much. I rush quickly to the other side of the kitchen as Corey reaches the counter.

We run around the whole apartment, and every room but the bathroom got visited. I even jumped over the bed at one point. Corey may be fast, but I'll always be a little more agile. Except when we get back into the kitchen, and he shuts the door to the living room. He knows he's won when he stays by the door with a smirk on his face. 

I smirk right back at him. I'm not going down without a fight. Well, too much of a fight. I'd call it intermediate resistance. I snap out of it as he nears close. His arms open, and as they close around me, I duck and move behind him. He stands up, blinks, and before he can register where I am, I jump on his back.

"Now I've got you instead," I say triumphantly. I move as Corey chuckles, wrapping an arm around my thigh. I quickly get jolted until I'm on his front. How did I not think he'd do that? 

"Well, shortcake, I believe it's the other way round," His voice is a bit rough, and his hands are firmly on my bum. "Now, how to punish my little monkey for being cheeky." His hands squeeze my bum, and a small shriek leaves my mouth. His smirk intensifies into a full-on smile. 

Before I could tell him off, his hands rise to my waist and start tickling my side. My uncontrollable laughter fills the room. I squirm so much that I get placed on the floor while he continues his attack on my sides. 

"Now say you're sorry," he says while I gasp for breath. I don't say a word as his fingers glide up and down my sides. 

"Fine, fine I'm sorry," I give in after him torturing me for another two minutes. Corey's assault stops and he lifts me and kisses me. My legs wrap around his waist while I kiss him back. He pulls back breaking the kiss but keeps me close to him.

"We do need to discuss the thing about the girls and Jonah. We also haven't really spoken about the Molly situation," He whispers to me. I release a groan and rest my head on his shoulder. "I know, I know. I killed the mood."

I get off him and go over to the kettle. "You always do. We can discuss it while I've got a cup of tea in my hand and not before." Corey chuckles but doesn't say anything else. 

It doesn't take me too long to do my drink. We sit in the living room on the sofa. It's silent for a while. We do need to talk about it but at the same time, neither of us actually wants to. I focus on everything else in our small apartment. 

"Your parents seem to be learning. I checked with mom and they told the truth about defending you," Corey starts. I look at him. It's good to know Corey will always check things that may end up hurting me. "She also said that she isn't going to speak with Mila as much. Something about not having her treat her daughter that way."

I allow the laughter to flow out of my mouth. Sophie did tell me I'm like her daughter so it seems fitting she'd tell that to aunt Mila. "Well, at least we have four fewer people to write Christmas and Birthday cards for," I shrug. Corey laughs and shakes his head at me. "Honestly I'm over it. If Molly tries to speak to me, I'll act as I do to everyone else I don't like."

"Ignore and glare," Corey says with a raised eyebrow. I know he's joking but at the same time, I think he'll be right. "What about the whole Jonah thing?"

I let out a sigh. "It's your decision, Corey. I'm not going to tell you what I think you should do because I'm biased. I meant what I said to him though. He doesn't think about your support systems. When I first spoke to Esme and Tempest they did say that Jonah is fine with the partners of the players if they're not serious but as soon as he can tell it's a long-term relationship he switches. He just is sneaky about it and did it behind the team's back."

Corey seems to be taking this in. His face looks torn. I know he doesn't want to believe that Jonah would do that but his history says otherwise. Finding out your friend isn't who you think they are is hard. I place my free hand on his thigh as a way to comfort him. 

"The team and I have spoken about it briefly while setting things up for the proposal. We're pretty much split about it. Since Samu, Terry and Deandre are now graduating they have decided to abstain. Madhur is against it, especially now he's with Vera and doesn't want him to do anything to her. Redek is the same, saying that Zala was relieved when Jonah left and has been coming to more games. Tamaz was fine with Jonah coming back. Marco and Chris wanted to know how you feel about it. I'm just unsure. I don't want him on the team if he hurts you but at the same time..." He trails off. A defeated look comes across his face.

"He was a big part of your life and your close group of friends. A part of you believes he can still be that" I finish. His eyes meet mine for the first time since talking about Jonah. The blue-green eyes hold so much sadness in them, I can just feel my heart breaking for him.

I take a quick look at the clock. "We've got to get ready for the graduation. How about we pin this here until either of us knows of a way to figure this out?"

Corey nods getting up. He takes my cup out of my hand and helps me up. I tug him to me and just hold him in my arms. His arms wrap around my small frame and I can feel him lighten a little bit. If we didn't have a graduation to go to I'd just hold onto him for as long as it takes for him to feel remotely better about this situation.