Fuck, that hurts. “Then, I’m gone. I’ll see you at the house, okay?”
She nods.
Kodi ushers me out of the room, and my eyes narrow on her before she slams the door in my face. I deadpan at it, sighing before I head back out to my car.
Chapter fifty-four
Melody
Yourbestfriendwalkingin on your stepbrother groping you through your wedding dress opens the door to many reactions: disbelief, anger, and worst of all, disappointment. Kodi has been giving me an earful since we left the boutique, and I’ve sat here quietly, taking every verbal blow as if I’m indestructible.
I’m not.
I want to cry. Scream. Maybe even puke.
But I don’t. I bear it because she’s right. I should have said something to Kaden. I shouldn’t have let him sweep right through and touch me while I’m still with Dylan. It isn’t right.
What a wonderful time for me to have morals. Kaden has touched me more over the last few days than my fiancé has in months. It’s all so confusing, and I don’t know what to do…
Kodi breathes deeply as she finishes her rant, resting her head back against her seat as Mom follows behind us in her car. A thick silence blankets us.
“I fucked up,” I admit.
“Yeah,” Kodi sighs. “But I still love you. It’s totally your choice in the end, and I’ll support you no matter what you choose. ButKaden?”
I chuckle. “I never said I picked him.”
“Well, of course,” she nods. “But he’s just so…brutal. That’s the only nice way I can put it.”
I rest my elbow on the windowseal, looking out at the blurring scenery. “It’s just different with him. I feel like he sees me and not just a wife to flaunt in front of CEOs. Kaden knows me, while I feel like I’m just existing with Dylan.”
My friend’s features soften. “I’m just worried…”
“I know you are,” I say thickly as I take her hand in mine. “Thank you for worrying over me, but I can’t keep this back and forth up. Something has to give. Even if it’s me stepping away from both of them.”
Kodi squeezes my hand as she pulls up to the front gate of my home. “And I’ll be there every step of the way. I still have space on my couch—”
We both freeze at the sight that greets us. There are flowers, roses, scattered throughout the whole front entrance of the mansion. Cars and trucks we haven’t seen before overcrowd the driveway, parked close together and resting idle.
I slowly turn to Kodi, and she holds her hands up. “Don’t look at me. I have no idea what the fuck is going on.”
We park further out as Mom pulls behind us. When she gets out, the questions are already flowing.
“What’s all this?” She asks.
“I have no idea,” I answer as a bad feeling tugs in my gut. I swallow past my apprehension, walking up to the front door before it’s ripped open and a crowd of people, some I recognize as Dylan’s family and friends, and a few close relatives, clap loudly and cheer. There’s a delicately crafted welcome sign in the foyer with swelling cursive spelling out “Mr. and Mrs. Callahan.” A balloon arch is stationed near the kitchen with white and golden globes of different sizes. Floral arrangements have overtaken everything, heavily wrapping around the counters and making the blooms pop.
I’m stunned, blinking as I remain frozen in place.
“Fuck,” Kodi whispers tightly.
Dylan is at the head of the crowd, a beautiful bouquet in his hands as he smiles past his bruised, swollen cheek. His suit is crisp and clean as if he just got off the plane, and he holds it out to me as he glides closer and kisses me deeply.
My head rears as I scowl and break his greeting peck. “What’s going on? What is this?”
His eyes crease as his jovial mood stays perfectly intact. “Your bridal shower.”
I glance around, taking note of my bridesmaids lingering as they mingle with the partygoers. Everything rushes back to me as I shake my head in disbelief. “We just set a date, Dylan.”