Defend Me

Chapter 10: The Toast

Blake's Point of View
I stared out at the crowd of guests. I was never nervous, ever. Not even at press releases where there's hundreds of people watching my every move, taking pictures, and recording everything. But being here, ready to say my speech that may or may not end whatever it is Krissy and I have, is making me extremely nervous. I just want everything to go back to how it was, before we found out she was pregnant. I want the old us. I want her.

"Now it's time for the best man's speech." I heard the party planner say. I got up from my spot at the table. I took a deep breath as the party planner handed me the mic. I walked onto the stage and saw her. She was laughing at something my sister told her. We were both supposed to sit with Sophie and Asher. I took my phone out of my pocket and opened the Notes app. It was now or never.

-

10 Days Before the Wedding
I woke up with the worst hangover I had ever experienced. To make it worse, I couldn't remember anything from the night before. It was all mushed together in my pounding skull. Whatever I drank last night is threatening to make another experience. I really need to stop drinking so much. It keeps getting me into trouble.

I turned over and found a glass full of water sitting on my night stand. A bottle of painkillers sitting next to it. I sighed in relief. Someone cared about me. I popped two tablets into my mouth before washing them down with the cold water. I sat up, seeing my sister in the corner. She was sleeping on the couch. I got up, ignoring my pounding skull and nauseas-ness, and threw a blanket over her. Shouldn't she be with Asher? What happened last night? Another wave of pain hit my head. Maybe I should focus on the present.

I walked out of my room to hear some scraping of pots and pans. I grimaced at the noise as I walked into the kitchen. Asher and Carlos were cooking. Well Asher was while Carlos seemed to be making a mess. They better clean my kitchen. They know how hard I worked to get all the equipment.

"What is going on?" I asked. They both turned to look at me. Asher put down the bowl he was holding while Carlos put down a rubber spatula. What does he need that for?

"Hey Blake. How are you feeling?" Asher asked. Concern and worry was shown in his face. I gave him a confused look. Why is he asking? I have a killer hangover. Can he not tell? Did I do something stupid last night?

"My head hurts and i'm starving." I said eyeing the pancakes on the stove. Asher's eyes followed my vision until yelping. There was smoke starting to gather around them.

"You said you were watching them!" Asher screamed at Carlos. I covered my ears, making my brain hurt even more. They need to stop being so damn loud!

"Sorry. I was just waiting for Blake to ask about- ow! That fucking hurt." Carlos cried out in pain. I quickly turned my head to him. He was rubbing his arm. Asher had whacked him with the rubber spatula before flipping the pancake over. Was that why Carlos was holding it?

"What are you talking about?" I asked Carlos. Asher narrowed his eyes at him, causing Carlos to squirm. He didn't meet my eyes. I narrowed my own at him. He cannot keep anything from me. I will find out. "Spill it."

"Sorry Ash, I already started this conversation. He'll kill me if I don't tell him now." Carlos apologized to Asher. Asher only glared at him before turning his attention back to the pancakes. He then turned to me. "Well, last night we went to that club. We showed up and you found Krissy wrapped in the arms of some guy. You went all ape shit and saved her from some perv. Then, you guys spent the entire night dancing with her. Yata yata."

I felt myself internally smile. I spent the entire night with her and she didn't push me away. There is hope for us then. I am finally going to get her back!