Page 51 of The Score

Chapter 17

Bear

Arriving at the club is a whirlwind. People line up for a chance to get in, while a decently-sized group waits around just to see who comes in. They're roped off, but I hold Pen close as we're admitted, just in case.

I expect things to calm down once we reach the VIP section on the second floor, but they don't. Our friends bribed someone and they play the wedding march as we take the last few steps. They laugh and applaud around us on the mezzanine, as Pen and I steal glances at each other in shock. People on the first floor whoop.

I can't imagine how this would have gone, had they not known this is a fake wedding. They're acting like they forgot.

We're still processing their welcome and the amount of wedding-related decorations hanging about the space, when Evie and Saint approach us. Soon, Pen wears a fake veil and a sash reading Bride To Be. At the same time, I get a sash of my own that reads Groom To Be, and a small flower arrangement gets clipped to my chest.

"You're not the first to get married in the group." Saint accommodates the flowers on my lapel with a focused look on his face. "But you're the first we get to have a party like this for."

"I thought this was going to be like any other night," I complain.

"You're getting married at the end of next week." Dom reaches us and hits my back. "Of course we're going to make a big deal about it."

The club keeps a dim light everywhere but, here on the open second floor, recessed purple lights cast a moody glow. Different sitting sections live tucked against the back building wall. A mix of booth-type sitting areas, tufted sofas and chairs, and a sprinkling of small tables furnish the space.

Evie, Nat, and Ames take Pen to one of the sitting areas, not bothering to explain why. The guys take me to our own area and sit around me.

"Do I have to wear this?" I point at my sash and flowers.

It feels a bit too close to what I would have wanted, had I been going into this thinking it would be my only wedding.

Fuck, seeing the ring on Pen's hand had me biting back feelings I don't know what to do with.

"Absolutely," Saint says, unaware of the thought running through my head.

"You have to," Logan argues. "Especially once you consider what Evie told me. She said that half the people outside— and probably most of the people in here— want to take a good look at us. Something about wanting to be around the championship-winning team."

"They'll take pictures of us," Dom adds. "Put a few videos on social media. You want all the parents in the world to think this wedding is real, don't you?"

I nod. Club staff show up with shots and drinks. One small glass lands in my hand, another on the table in front of me. Everyone around has a small drink of their own.

"I will not get drunk," I say.

"This is just a toast," Dom says.

Saint stands up and lifts his glass up high. "I'll keep it simple tonight."

The group told us Saint would read a little speech from everyone for the wedding reception. It seems he took the role seriously, and is stepping up for a few words tonight as well.

The wide receiver dresses boldly, and this outfit is no exception. His pants are tight and tailored in a lilac tone, while his shirt is printed in dark purple tones, unbuttoned at his neck into a deep v-neck line, and with lots of volume to contrast with the tight bottoms.

He grins at both groups, and speaks loudly enough we can all hear him. "Thank you for attending the first bachelor-slash-bachelorette party of the best friend group in the Thunderdome, home to our winning team, place of daring bets, and many little stories with our loved ones."

"Hear, hear," Evie exclaims.

"I'm endlessly grateful for you all," Saint says, "and for the opportunity Pen and Bear are giving us tonight. It's not every day that we get to celebrate a wedding like this. Damián and Nat skipped it altogether, and Logan is too grumpy to let us put a sash on him."

"Not that we're not going to try," Dom taunts.

"I'll make him!" Evie laughs.

Logan frowns, but there's humor in the line of his mouth.

"In any case," Saint continues, "let's have fun tonight. A wedding is coming up, and it's a special one. Pen and Bear have been friends for longer than some rookies have been alive. I know we're all very, very excited to attend and see them take the friendship as far as you can go. Congrats on getting hitched and saying 'I do', Pen and Bear. We love you. Cheers!"