Page 3 of Braden

“Renald Desanch, the greatest tisba player to ever take the field.” It was his turn to stare now. Even he’d heard about this couple. It was the biggest wedding event in the Sectors this year and now he was invited. Sort of. As Elodie’s plus one. “They’re getting married here?”

“She did a promo campaign for IDA a few years ago and they set her up with Renald as part of the campaign. The two of them did it for the publicity and the credits, but then they fell in actual love. It was a whole thing but I guess you missed it.”

“Yeah we don’t exactly keep up on the celebrity gossip when we’re deployed behind enemy lines,” he said. “How do you know Tamarind?”

“We actually grew up together. I’ve known her since kindergarten. We’ve stayed in touch even as she became this interstellar superstar. She says it grounds her to have one friend who knew her when she was just a kid. She’s loyal to her friends. I’ve gotten to do some amazing things with her.”

They were getting closer to the next cluster of hotels so Braden tried to think what else he needed to know to carry out this mission. “Tell me more about Chet. How does he figure into all this?”

She sighed and stopped walking. “I need to sit down for this.” Leading him to a bench off the sidewalk, she said, “He’s Renald’s friend and personal assistant, all the way from when he was a rookie. I think he was Renald’s roommate in college and they bonded there. I met him though Tamarind of course and we dated and I thought we were a solid couple with a future. Then I found out he was fucking groupies who believed if they slept with him he’d get them an introduction to Renald. Apparently I was one of the last people in the Sectors to learn this fact. Even Tamarind knew. I guess she tried to tell me a few times but I didn’t want to hear it.”

“How did you find out then?”

“We were all on Kashas One for the Sectors semifinals. I was supposed to be on a day long excursion to an archaeological site I was interested in because…well never mind. I got a migraine and had to be brought back to the hotel early. I walked in on Chet and three women and I’ll never get those images out of my head. I walked right out but then we had a screaming argument in public in the lobby and I threw his ring at him and left.”

“That’s rough. You did the right thing though.”

“Not according to my stepmother who still thinks Chet is a catch. She blames me for the breakup and her rationalizations of the episode make me livid. She also alternates between wanting me to forgive him or to go out with various men in her social circle. Ugh. Hence the need for an imaginary boyfriend, which now you, my friend, are bringing to life for the week.” Elodie smiled although the amusement didn’t reach her eyes. Braden gave her credit for trying. “We’d better go,” she said, rising. “There’s late and then there’s fashionably late and then there’s insulting the bride and we’re getting close to that level.”

The hotel was huge and it was obvious to Braden this area of the Resort Planet was on a whole different level than where the Ardannans were conducting their dates. The hotel he’d been booked into was luxurious and well run but this place he was entering now was all gleaming Maurinna marble and gold fixtures, with a Zulairian mahogany reception desk, lush carpets underfoot, scattered about on a black-and-white tiled floor. He recognized the black rock in the pattern as Pozthan opal matrix and there were tiny slivers of gems mixed into the obsidian like surface. No expense had been spared here.

Elodie bypassed the desk and led him to the gravlift, which they took to the second floor ballroom. Music was playing and as they entered the room he saw a live band on the small stage. He recognized the name as a midlevel rock group and wondered briefly what entertainment of that caliber cost to book for a private party. More than he made in military pay in five years, he’d bet. The room was crowded with people in attire ranging from glittering cocktail dresses to beach casual so he fit in well enough. He’d probably have to see about getting a dress uniform made for the wedding at the end of this week.

His companion snagged two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed him one. “Here’s to us,” she said, tossing the feelgood back and swallowing it all in one gulp.

“To us.” Looking around, he was puzzled and said, “A lot of these people look so familiar, as if I know them from somewhere but I’m sure I never met any of them before tonight.”

“She’s a trideo actress in the new space comedy,” Elodie said, subtly indicating a woman nearby. “The three men with her are on the Beta Novaeum tisba team. That man there? He’s a famous comedian, does those riffs on the Sectors Senate? We’ve got people from all areas of Sectors life, believe me. Between them Tamarind and Renald know everyone. And I understand from a few comments Tamarind made it’s customary at a big celebrity event like this to also invite A list type people they aren’t actually friends with. I don’t exactly understand the logic there but I’m not on the A list.”

“Darling! Late as usual.” The voice came from behind them and was loud and blaring, drawing attention even from this jaded crowd. The sound grated harshly on Braden’s ears as he took Elodie’s elbow and they faced the arrival.

“Incoming,” she said in a low tone. “My stepmother.”

Braden eyed the older woman as she embraced Elodie, careful not to crush the front of her own dress, which was elaborately pleated and embroidered with small gems. She gave Elodie an air kiss on each cheek and then held her at arms’ length as she eyed her dress critically.

“I suppose this will do for tonight but you need to step up your game for the events later in the week, darling. There are boutiques here in the hotel—you need to spend serious time and credits there. Thank goodness Tamarind commissioned Twilka for her gown and the bridesmaids’ dresses. No telling what you’d show up in otherwise.” Leaning closer, she lowered her voice a decibel or two and added, “This thing you have on adds the pounds, dear, which you don’t need, trust me.”

Irritated, Braden put his arm around Elodie’s waist and drew her close. “It showcases her beauty and her curves.” He nuzzled her ear and after a startled second Elodie went with it and relaxed into him. “I love it. She shouldn’t change a thing.”

Elodie’s mother looked him up and down and he gave her back stare for stare. “And you are?” she asked with a sniff.

“Mother this is Braden, my boyfriend,” Elodie said in a rush. “Braden, my mother Leota Farantson.”

He extended his hand and she gave him a limp handshake as if afraid he was going to crush her fingers.

“I thought you said his name was Dext or Rex or something,” said another woman standing beside Elodie’s stepmother.

“My stepsisters Emiliara and Evelynda,” Elodie said, indicating the duo.

“Your family really likes those names starting with an E I guess,” he said, giving the sisters a nod. “Yeah, my middle name is Dextner.” He gave Elodie an affectionately teasing glance and a side hug. “She likes to use my whole name sometimes when I’ve been…bad.”

“Oh. Well then.” Elodie’s stepmother was at a loss for words, fidgeting with her long necklace of pearls.

“We need to find Tamarind and Renald and say hello,” Elodie said in a rush, tugging at Braden’s hand. “Excuse us.”

As they moved off into the crowd, Braden pondered the fact he’d just given himself a fictitious middle name in support of the con Elodie was running. He was okay with it but made a silent vow not to get drawn into any other lies other than the one big one that they were a couple. And we are a couple tonight. Conscience eased, he redirected his attention to the people they were approaching.

The bride and groom were holding court in a corner of the room which featured a huge floral arrangement and as he approached Braden saw there were holo photographers busy taking pictures of the guests with the couple. When it was their turn, Elodie and Tamarind exchanged hugs and he was introduced. Renald shook his hand and said, “Military?”