DAWN PAIGE GREY Young Adult Romance

Chapter 25 - Stag Night

 “Luke you ready for a night to remember?” Chris said as he playfully punched his best friend’s arm. “It’s your last night out on the town as a single man.” Chris laughed at Luke’s expression.

“Hey, Chris I don’t intend to get so drunk I’m not aware of my actions. I don’t think your sister would like me making a fool of myself.”

Dawn’s twin brothers walked into the kitchen at that moment. “The chopper is ready to take us to Perth. Let’s go and get this party started.”

“Luke is dragging his heels.” Chris said as he shoved Luke towards the door.

“What?” Said the twins in unison.

“Luke, are you getting cold feet already?” Rowan asked.

“No, definitely not. Just wondering what you lot have planned for me tonight?”

“Nothing, if we don’t get going right now.” Stuart complained. “Let’s go, I’m in the mood for a party.”

Just then Andy and James appeared in the doorway. “Are we still going?” James asked. 

“Yep, we are right behind you.” Rowan said as he started walking towards the door.

Chris grabbed Luke’s arm and said, “Come along brother-in-law to be. You are the guest of honour after all.”

“And you’re my best man Christopher, so I’m trusting you to make sure I’m all in one piece and get to the church on time for the wedding.”

“What could possibly go wrong that you would not get to the church on time?” Chris said as he winked at the twins.

“Putting me on a train to the remote outback of Australia, perhaps!” Luke muttered.

“Now would we do a thing like that to our sister’s future husband?” Rowan said laughing.

~~~

When they arrived at the Rockpool Bar all Luke’s friends were already there and the beers were flowing freely already. Everyone was in a very jovial mood, jokes and laughter with Luke being the highlight of all the jokes.

Luke was made to dress up in a kangaroo outfit and a cardboard model of Dawn was placed in his pouch, along with a bag of sugar weighing five pounds. Downing shots followed by pints of beer the noise soon escalated and the men had to shout to hear each other.

Luke began to relax and the alcohol loosened his tongue a little too much. Whilst declaring his love for Dawn he accidently mentioned Annie’s name instead of Dawn’s a couple of times. Nobody noticed this except Andy. It struck him as peculiar that Luke would make such a mistake and he decided he would ask him about it later.

“She’s sooo amazing… her eyes are soo big and beautiful. I’ve never seen… Annie… is just everything a man…. Dreams of.” Luke stammered.

Chris laughed, “Yeah she sure is. I’d love to meet the guy who stole her away from me.”

“Who stole… Dawn away? I mean…Annie?” Luke struggled to get his words out.

Suddenly the music drowned out all conversation as the dance group Chris had organised jumped up on the bar and danced the ‘Coyote Ugly’ routine.

The men cheered and whistled and proceeded to toss dollar notes at the girls. When the routine was finished they shouted for more and the girls did another routine and one more before they jumped down and mingled with the guys.

Luke had one of the girls sitting on his lap and he kept calling her Annie and then Dawn. Andy sat on the table near enough to overhear Luke and got up to offer him another beer.

“So Luke who are you marrying day after tomorrow?” Andy asked putting his arm around his shoulders.

“Dawn… and I don’t ever want you to touch her again.”

“Hey Luke calm down. Women aren’t my type. What happened in the barn was just fun."

“You call lying on top of my fiancé naked… fun… you call that fun?”

Luke stood up and took a swing at Andy and lost his balance falling back on top of the table and breaking it.

Dawn’s eldest brother Stephen stepped in between Andy and Luke. “I think maybe it’s time we took the groom home before he injures himself. I don’t think Dawn would forgive us if her fiancé ended up in hospital the day of the wedding.”

“Agreed.” Andy said.

Supporting Luke between them Andy and Stephen carried Luke outside the bar and took a taxi to the hotel. They dumped Luke on his bed and left a note on his bedside table saying they would meet him in the dining hall for breakfast.

~~~

At breakfast Andy pulled James aside. “I am a little concerned about Dawn.”

“Why, what’s wrong?” James asked rubbing his temples trying to ease the hangover headache he had.

“Not sure, but I just have this feeling this wedding is a mistake.”

“Why Andy?”

“I can’t put my finger on exactly why; it’s just that Luke kept mentioning Annie instead of Dawn.”

“Mhmm, maybe it was just the drink talking.”

“Something is not right James, I can feel it.”

James pressed his thumbs into his temples. “Andy, thinking hurts my head at the moment. Can we talk about this later when we are not suffering the ill effects of a damn good party?”

“Okay, but I’d like to have a chat with Dawn when we get back to the ranch this afternoon.”

“Andy, I wouldn’t go messing with Dawn’s head a day before the wedding. Her brother’s may just kick your butt from here to hell and back. You don’t know anything for sure.”

“Well I’ll just have a friendly chat with her. Just sound her out and see what sort of friendship there is between Annie and Luke.”

“Okay, but don’t go sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong. Remember we’re not family, just invited guests and we haven’t really known Dawn that long. We don’t know the history her and Luke have.”

“Okay, okay. I get your message.”

“Andy promise me you won’t say anything to upset Dawn or spoil their wedding plans.”

“I said… okay didn’t I?” 

“Let’s get something to eat, I’m starving and I need something for this headache. Suggest you keep quiet, Luke has just walked in looking like death.”

“Morning Luke.” Andy said. “You look as bad as my brother feels.”

“Yeah… had better days. Need to eat something to stop this hole in my stomach getting bigger.”

“Morning.” Chris shouted, as he walked in and slapped Luke on the back.

Luke doubled over and threw up.