Pas de Trois

Chapter 30: "Busy is a stupid excuse."

From the time they arrived at the private resort and were whisked behind a wall of security guards and privacy screens to the moment he saw Scarlett and her new husband leaving the reception by hot air balloon, Danny was in fanboy heaven. Everything about the Academy Award-winning actress's wedding was picture perfect. It couldn't have been more magical-

"-if I'd planned it all myself," Danny sighed, collapsing against the seat in the car. "I will seriously never be able to repay you for this," he put his head on Chloe's shoulder.

"I'm so glad I talked my parents into this," Chloe laughed. Slade snorted.

"I can't wait to see all the pictures," Danny said. He closed his eyes. Everything about the wedding was so perfect it was almost unfair. How could he even imagine getting married now? Nothing he put together would ever measure up.

The thought hit him a second later - would he ever even have a wedding? His stomach turned. There was no chance his mom would sit there watching him promise the rest of his life to Slade and Chloe. The chances were equally bad that she would even watch him marry Slade alone.

Danny opened his eyes and the first thing he saw were Slade and Chloe's hands clasped together. That was a wedding everyone would attend, no questions asked. Assuming they waited until they were old enough at least.

That was the only thing that brought Danny any comfort. They were barely 17, marriage was so far in the distance that there was no point in worrying. Not yet. Because if Slade had to pick one of them to marry that day, he would definitely pick Chloe.

"Ah, Clay just left with that girl," Chloe gasped, holding her phone up. Danny could see the text from Emma, who was still at the reception with her Aunt Kylie. Slade had taken all of 15 minutes to get Clay talking to one of the only girls their age at the wedding and apparently that was all it took.

"I told you I'd find him someone," Slade was too proud of himself. Danny rolled his eyes but he knew Chloe was probably relieved after what had happened the night before.

"I'm still shocked that Hannah left so early," Chloe shook her head. She smiled. "I'm glad, but still surprised."

"Her boyfriend seems like a good fit for her," Danny agreed. "Maybe he can get her to relax a little."

"I bet he's got her nice and relaxed by now," Slade laughed. Chloe elbowed him. "Sorry."

"Are you sure we have to go back tomorrow?" Danny asked. "We could stay here a little longer. Just the rest of the week."

"Colin starts summer camp tomorrow," Chloe said.

"I know, but Dax is here," Danny pointed out. "Brent could take the others home."

"Carol would be so mad," Slade was right, though Danny hated to admit it.

"I should call her," Danny realized. "I keep forgetting about the time difference."

"I should talk to her too," Slade agreed. "Pass me the phone whenever."

Danny tried to explain everything he'd loved about the wedding to his mom but it didn't seem quite so perfect and shiny now that the truth had set in. She asked all the right questions, like she knew how excited he was, but his heart wasn't in it anymore.

"We weren't allowed to take any pictures but I'm sure Dax will let us see whatever Scarlett sends him," Danny said. "Slade wants to say hello."

"Oh good," his mom said. "I love you, Dan, remember to say thank you."

"I love you too, Mama, I will," Danny promised before he passed the phone over.

"Hey! We're good," Slade always sounded happy when he talked to Danny's mom on the phone. "How are you? How's Ivan?"