The Barmaid's Contract

20.

It was the day before my unwanted commitment and I knew I was nervous because my will power to have the maximum of six cigarettes a day was broken in the first three hours of being awake.

I stayed outside, drinking coffee and sucking down cigarette after cigarette. Having a quiet breakdown is something I was experiencing.

Avery had the day off and I sat quietly watching the flowers, the seats, the decorations coming in.

Bash had found me in my quiet corner and disrupted my silent freak out. "What are you doing here?" He asked me as he sat next to me. "Why is Avery commanding everything?"

"I don't do weddings." I simply stated as I watched someone place some thick clothe over a chair. "Avery knows that."

"Then why are you getting married?"

I turned to look at Avery's brother. Because I have to. I unfortunately need to. "Because I love him." I lied.

Bash sighed out.

"Why are you here?" I asked him, rubbing my smoke in to an empty pot plant turned ashtray. I had three empty coffee cups in front of me and I was in need for another.

"Cally told me to keep you company while she goes to the shops."

I smiled mirthful. "How sweet."

"Have you fully recovered from yesterday?"

I saw the playful glint in his eyes.

"Oh dear. Don't start on that. It was a one time show." I laughed out. I don't know why, but even a serious conversation with Sebastian lifted my spirits.

"With you in the family, I doubt that." Bash laughed with me.

"That wasn't meant to happen. That was the bourbon taking over me."

We sat in our silence a bit more as I nervously watched the set up for the wedding from afar.

"Are you nervous?"

I took a deep breathe. "A little." I gave him a small smile.

"Are you really willing to do this?"

"Geez, Detective Montgomery." I grinned. "What are we, the Spanish Inquisition?"

Bash frowned as he turned to me.

"I'm not getting up and stopping them. I'm getting married tomorrow. I have my dress ready, Cally has already yelled at me about my hair. Everything is nearly done." I stared at my soon to be brother in law. "Why does it sound like you have cold feet? You ain't getting up there."

Bash frowned a bit more before smiling, lighting up in his eyes. "I want to say that I'm being the supportive brother to Avery, making sure no one is foxing him for his money. But I find this isn't this case, exactly. I don't want to see you get hurt Alex, and I've only really known you for a week."

"I leave quite an impression." I smirked as I lit up another cigarette. My hands were slightly shaking and I need to find something to do with my hands.

"I don't think you are a gold digger, hell, why would you be? You're a heiress to a multi billion dollar company. I'm only saying this because I don't want you hurt." Bash took my empty hand as he looked at me.

"But?"

"But, I think Avery is using you." It was a good minute of silence before I busted out in to fits of laughter. Of course he is using me, I wanted to say to Bash, but I squeezed his hand.

"It's okay Bash. We both know what we are doing." I gave him a friendly smile. "Avery and I are getting married tomorrow, we are both adults and we can look after each other."

"You know he is using you?" Bash asked me in confusion. I'm gonna have to skirt my way around this.

"What? What gave you that idea?"

Sebastian looked away before turning back to me. "To start off with, you both ain't lovely dovey."

"Avery doesn't like showing affection, especially when other people are watching." I quickly answered.

"You came out of nowhere."

"Avery told me he cut ties years ago, of course you'll be out off the loop."

"You have no interest in anything that's happened today." Bash fought out.

My heart felt for him, it really did. "Not every woman goes bridezilla."

"I don't think you should do this." Bash sighed out again. "I don't think he loves you."

I turned away from Sebastian and stood up, taking in my smoke. "Love is just one of many emotions that are small pieces to a large puzzle. He proposed to me, Bash. What are you trying to say?"

Sebastian got up and stood in front of me as I dug my smoke in to the pot plant. "Please, don't marry him."

I stared in to his eyes. They were the same colour as Avery's. "There are some things that need to play out, Bash." I said softly as I placed my hand on his cheek. I think I know what is happening and I can't allow that. "I'm so happy I'm going to have you as a brother. I always wanted one." I gave a small kiss on his cheek and walked away to inside the estate, to my room, away from everyone.

****

I heard the small knock on my bedroom door. I got up from my nook and opened it, seeing a slightly embarrassed Sebastian. Before either of us could speak, Cally came between us and helped herself in to my room.

"Why aren't you in with Avery?" She asked casually as she sat on the bed.

Frowning, I answered her. "I will be as of tomorrow night." Stepping aside and letting Sebastian in, he hesitantly went to the small table and chairs.

"Would you like to play a game of gin?" Bash asked as he held up his hand, holding a deck of cards.

"Bash thought that you shouldn't be alone tonight, saying you were stressed today." Cally said bluntly.

I frowned at them as Cally joined her brother at the table.

"Very well." I answered. I didn't appreciate Cally's bluntness, but my nerves were frayed and if I berated her, that would be the exact opposite of smoothing them down again. "I was stressed, but I'm fine now. Deal them up."

I sat at the table as Bash shuffled and dealt out the cards. "I admit, it's been a long time since I have played gin."

"So we will have to bear with your slowness?" Bash teased at me.

"I'll only go at a pace you can handle." I grinned back at him. I picked up my cards and started sorting them out. I can't remember how to play.

"Obviously Alex isn't as stressed as you said, Bash. Not if she is roasting you." Cally laughed as I joined in.

I heard a knock on my door and my head turned to it as I got up. Opening the door slightly, I saw Avery on the other side.

"Avery?" I quickly stepped out and closed the door. "What's wrong? Has your guilty conscience caught up to you?"

"No." He stated. "Just making sure you didn't decide to leave."

"Ha!" I smiled as I shook my head. "It's so hard to leave. I've always got one of ya's stuck to me."

Avery looked at me in confusion.

"Bash and Cally are in my room, wanting to play cards." I told him. "No matter how hard I try to shake them off, they are stuck to me like a sticky half sucked lolly."

Avery chuckled. "They have taken a liking to you."

I saw Avery in a slightly different light then and decided to do something I thought I wouldn't ever do, I invited him. "Would you like to play gin?"

Avery shot his eyebrows up. "Gin?"

I nodded at him. "I can't remember for the life of me on how to play and I'm getting my butt kicked."

I could see Avery think of the offer. "Very well. It's been a while since I've beaten them at an actual game."