The Keys to Jericho (103 page)

Sometime later, when people fill the small dance floor and Kat is talking to someone, I grab a glass of champagne and watch my sister dancing with Rod to some song about riding a train. She looks very uninhibited, most likely drunk.

My jaw unhinges when she dances really close to him, while whipping her hair and arm into the air, making the choo-choo sound to the song. Jesus Christ. I’m going to bludgeon whoever requested this stupid-ass song.

With her back to him, they swivel their hips together to the cheers of the crowd gathering around them. She must have taken some pain medicine, but she’s also been drinking. What the fuck is she doing?

She spins around and they start weaving side to side. Hadley then puts her arms around Rod’s neck and he sends her behind him, where she twirls and shakes her ass, pumping her arm in the air again, as people cheer them.

This isn’t the Hadley Beckett I ever thought existed. My sister is quiet and shy. I’ve never seen her act like this before. Does cocky Finn even know this side of Hadley? Has he seen her dance like this with Rod?

With the way they’re grinding against each other, no wonder Finn was raging with jealousy.

Holy damn shit…

Maybe I don’t know everything I thought I did. Is Hadley having a fling with Rod, when I was blaming Finn for cheating on
her
? Does he know and…?

Oh, fuck…

Hadley returns to Rod’s arms and when she bends backward, I have to look away.

My sister and I
will
be having another talk.

Suddenly striking me who else may have an issue with this, I swing my gaze around the room, spotting Dash sitting at a table, glaring at them, and I shake my head at the whole situation.

A slow song comes on, and Hadley and Rod dance, while Dash gets up, going to the bar for another drink. I follow him.

As he swigs a beer, I put my hand on his shoulder. “What’s going on, Calder?”

“Just having a good time,” he lamely answers before taking another drink.

He looks forlornly over at my sister, not even trying to hide it from me. I sigh and say, “They’re just friends.”

Dash shrugs. “Not that it matters anyway.”

I cross my arms and watch him watching her. “Jesus, Calder. I don’t know what to say or do.”

“I don’t, either.”

“Do you have real feelings for her?”

Oddly quiet, he just stares at Hadley, not giving me an answer.

The song ends, and Liberty carries over a tray of small, colorful cups, giggling. The DJ announces it’s time for the dollar dance.

“A what?”

Dash says, “People pay a dollar, take a Jell-O shot, and dance with you. You use the money for your honeymoon.”

I glare at Liberty waving me over to the middle of the dance floor. “This was her idea, wasn’t it? Jesus Christ. When is this shit over?”

“You just married the love of your life, your soulmate, Jericho. Be grateful you’re sharing this
shit
with her. Seriously. Just go with it. It could be worse and you’d be sitting alone in Philly tonight, still wondering what ever happened to Kat Merrick, missing her, and still in love with her from afar, while she’s giving birth to her second child by another man.”

I roll my eyes. “God. I hate you, Calder.”

He shrugs. “I’m glad you finally get it.”

I’m summoned to the dance floor and I unwillingly go, since I know someone will drag me there anyway. As I dance with a line of women, while Kat dances with an endless line of men, we make efforts to catch each other’s gaze, and from the looks she’s giving me, she wants this to be over with, too.

My sister is my first customer. She instantly wraps her arms around me, pressing her cheek to my chest. I ask, “What the hell was that earlier?”

“What?”

“The Soul Train audition?”

When she doesn’t look at me, I tilt her chin and see the tears. “Hadley, why are you crying?”

“I’m just so happy for you.”

“I know there’s more to it. We’re going to have a talk when I get back. Call me if you need me.”

“I’m not calling you on your honeymoon.”

“Call me.”

Hadley rolls her eyes. “Have fun with your wife.” She slightly smiles. “That’s weird to say.”

“I know, but I love it.”

Tears fill her eyes and she says, “You should. Some men don’t want one.”

“Hadley.”

“Spend time with Kat. Love her with all your heart, Jared. Please.”

“I will.” I pull Hadley in for another hug, kissing her on the cheek, before she pushes away from me, hurriedly leaving the dance floor.

Holy hell. Hadley’s spiraling. Is it because of Finn or is it because she has a guilty conscience? Shit.

Shell squeals into my arms, hugging me. “Congratulations, Jared!”

“Thanks.”

“Your wife is quite the student.”

I laugh. “Yeah. She is.”

“We had fun. Kat is a darling. She’s also a beauty and very flexible.”

“Stay away from my wife, Shell,” I partially joke.

She shakes the same bright blonde hair Calder has. They probably share the same brand of hairspray, too. “Oh, now. I’m not leaving you out. Kat is a
very
fortunate woman.”

“I’m pretty lucky myself.”

“Seriously. You go and have a happy life with her. You’ll make beautiful babies together.”

“Only because of her.”

Before ending our dance, she smiles and pinches my ass, saying, “You have plenty to contribute.”

Laughing, I shake my head at her, but am nearly knocked on my ass when Clayton is next in line. Instead of dancing with me, he drops a wadded bill into the bowl, skips the shot, and offers his hand to me. Shaking it, he says, “Take care of my baby girl. She’ll be with you for eternity.”

“I promise.”

Clayton steps aside, and I’m still shocked when Liberty puts a dollar into the bowl, takes a shot, and throws her arms around me. “You’re married!”

“Yeah. I might have missed that memo.” I put a hand on her lower back, while shoving my other hand into my pocket, feeling awkward, her being this close to me. Although we’ve declared somewhat of a truce and she did help me, I still could stab her in the throat with a fork.

“I’m just saying that you married her! I’m so happy for you two! Kat and Jerry together. Adorable.” I roll my eyes and she says, “And I’m glad you’re going to be River’s best man. That makes him happy.”

“I wouldn’t let him down.”

She whispers, “Yeah. I’m in on your little secret. You’re a nicer guy than even
you
thought.”

I scoff, “Wrong, Libby.”

“We did work well together.”

I roll my eyes, but reluctantly nod. “I guess we did.”

“You’re welcome, Jared.”

I sigh and Liberty nods behind me. “Is Hadley okay?”

Looking around, I notice she’s standing in a corner, covering her face. “Shit. Not really.”

“I know she’s still mad at Finn.”

“That’s a gross understatement.”

She sighs. “He’s such a—”

“I can’t even go there. I’m already debating on paying him a visit tonight.”

“You can’t do that! It’s your wedding night!” Liberty steps back and says, “I’ll check on her. You have more dancing. Congratulations, Jared. You make Kat so happy, and if you don’t, I’ll kick your ass.” Jesus. She kisses my cheek and leaves me for Nora.

“Congratulations, sweetie!”

“Thanks.”

She laughs. “You can’t wait to leave, can you?”

“Yesterday.”

“I know. There is just so much on TV tonight.”

“Uh-huh.” I bite my lip and she shakes her head with a laugh.

“It’s been a fun night, though.”

“I’ll remember this part for your wedding. I mean, if you do marry my dad.”

She smiles. “He hasn’t asked, but maybe someday.”

“I’ll move his ass into gear.”

Nora laughs. “You do that. I’ll owe you.”

“You make him smile. That’s payment enough.”

She hugs me and allows the next woman to attack my personal space. Brenda.

“My God, Jared. Your wedding was perfect. The way you looked at Kat when you first saw her. Those vows. The pictures. Your father’s speech. Your first dance. Jesus. I’ve never cried so much in my life.”

“Yeah. It’s been some night.”

She smiles up at me, wiping more tears. “You really do love her. We all see that.”

“I do,” I say with a smirk, repeating what I told Kat at the gazebo.

“I bet you can’t wait to get out of here.”

“Yep. I’m tired.”

“That’s a load of shit. You’ll perk up once you get your wife all to yourself.”

I grin, but don’t add any more fuel to her fire.

Brenda asks, “Where are you two staying tonight?”

I shake my head as my smile grows. “That’s our little secret.”

She pouts, “You two and your secrets. I need to know so I can pick up the tux and dress before you leave for the airport in the morning.”

“I know. We’ll text you which one we’re at in the morning.”

She sighs. “Okay. You take care of my Katydid. I don’t mean just in bed, either.”

I scowl at her. “I will.”

Brenda smiles and pats my chest. “You’re a good boy, Jared Beckett.”

I laugh and whisper, “Not
that
good.”

She whispers back, “And I’ve seen the satisfied look on my daughter’s face, so I’ll beg to differ.”

Leaving me gaping at her, Brenda again pats my chest before stepping aside, allowing me to be accosted by my three groomsmen. As they do, “Everything About You” starts and they grab me into a damned group hug. They then push and pull on me, mouthing the words until I start singing about hating them. The song is even more fitting now. Assholes.

They dance around me during the guitar solo, while I stand with my arms crossed, shaking my head at those idiots. Dad dancing and not knowing the words? That’s fucking hilarious. Even Duquesne loosens up with a drink or two in him, which is funny in its own right.

When the song is over, the three of them shout, “We love you, Jared!”

I roll my eyes and they force me into another group hug.

After that, the DJ plays “Mercedes Boy.” Kat and her three dance to it, mostly hugging to it, but the best part is when it’s over and the DJ announces for Kat and me to take the dance floor for the last two songs of the night.

The lights dim again as I walk up to Kat and take her hand, leading her to the middle of the floor. Her arms go around my neck and I pull her close to me, forgetting about everyone watching us, and we rub our noses together until, like magnets, our lips meet.

The DJ announces he has a song for us at the bride’s request, and we dance to “Cat and Mouse.”

I laugh. “How nice, Kit Kat. It’s kind of a breakup song.”

Laughing, she says, “It’s a song about people being apart. We wrote the book on that subject.”

“We’re together now.”

“Forever.”

“How’d we get so fucking cheesy?”

She shrugs. “You
are
a mouse, right?”

Rolling my eyes, I sigh. “So funny. You and Libby really are running away with Dash’s Tom and Jerry remark.”

Kat smiles. “Maybe.”

“I think that deserves another demerit, don’t you think?”

She giggles and traces her fingers along my jaw. “Oh, definitely.”

The last song, an oldie, ends the night and we kiss for a good part of it, but I’m saved from getting hard, knowing that a roomful of people are gawking.

The DJ says congratulations to us, and people, once more, split us up, wanting our attention before they leave. Dad and Brenda do their best to keep people from overwhelming us too much by having the limo pull up out front. She informs us that our bags for our trip are already loaded to take with us to the hotel.

Before we leave, I look around for my sister, but don’t see her. “Dad, where’s Hadley?”

“I haven’t seen her.”

Peering around the room again, I frown, seeing Rod looking around, too. “Oh, no.”

Dad looks at me. “What?”

“Where’s Dash?”

Rod comes over and asks, “Have either of you seen Hadley? She was with me, but then went to the restroom. When she took longer than my grandfather does after Thanksgiving dinner, I had Liberty check for her, but she wasn’t in there.”

Dad sighs and rubs his forehead. “Damn it.”

“You don’t think they’re somewhere…?”

“She just got out of the hospital a few weeks ago. They can’t be doing much.”

“Enough. Shit.”

“Maybe they’re sitting on a bench outside. I’ll find them. Just go and start your honeymoon.”