48

Bria opens the door and Gregg’s mouth drops open. ‘Wow! You look stunning.’

She smiles and her eyes travel down his body. ‘I have to say you look rather nice yourself. Never thought I’d see you in a suit. I have to admit, Pippa insisting you don’t go for your usual black may not have been her worst idea.’

Gregg looks down at his navy suit, white shirt, and navy tie and shrugs. ‘It’s not my usual get-up but a wedding is kind of big deal. Had to dress for the occasion.’ He follows Bria into Tate’s house and closes the door behind him. They decided they’d all go to the wedding from Tate’s place. Kind of a strength in numbers thing. As best man, Dillon would be sticking close to Luke for the day. Well, if Pippa lets him.

There’s no sign of Tate or Chloe when they go into the open plan living area so Gregg pulls her into a hug and kisses her.

‘Not under my fucking roof.’

Gregg groans and releases Bria as Tate comes down the stairs.

‘Wow. I can’t believe that actually worked,’ Tate says with a grin.

Bria nudges Gregg in the side. ‘He’s joking.’

‘It’s hard to tell sometimes,’ Gregg replies.

Tate stops in front of him as he fastens a cufflink in place. ‘Fuck me. You’re in a suit.’

Gregg rolls his eyes at Tate. ‘Yes, Tate. I am in a suit. But I’d just like to add that you are too. It’s not that big a deal.’

Tate smirks at him as he straightens his waistcoat. ‘You’re not one for suits, mate.’

‘Whatever. Like I said to your sister, it’s a special occasion.’

Tate raises his eyebrows and looks away.

‘Hey, Tate. None of us are keen on Luke and Pippa tying the knot, but she makes him happy. We gotta go with it, for his sake if nothing else.’

‘Yeah. I know. I’ve had it on fucking stereo for days.’

‘And you’ll behave,’ Bria adds.

‘Yes! I’m not going to ruin his day. I’ll do my usual polite keep my mouth shut thing I always do around Pippa. Fuck, it’s going to be a long day.’

‘Tate, please.’

He looks up at Chloe, leaning over the balcony overlooking the living room. ‘What? I said I’ll behave.’

Chloe comes down the stairs and pokes Tate in the ribs. ‘Just get it all out of your system here if you need to.’

‘I’ll keep away from her. I promise. Now, can we just get the fuck out of here so I can leave sooner and pound the shit out of something in the gym.’

Chloe rolls her eyes and picks her bag off the table in the hall. ‘As you wish. C’mon grumpy. You’re driving right?’

Tate pulls his keys from his pocket. ‘Designated driver. I want to be able to leave at a second’s notice. None of this waiting around for a car shit.’

He takes Chloe’s hand as they walk outside and go over to his truck. Gregg pulls Bria back and leans over her. ‘You really do look stunning.’

She kisses him and Tate blares the horn on his truck. ‘Relax, Tate! We’re coming! Is it just me or is he grumpier than usual?’

Gregg looks over at the truck and nods. ‘Yeah. He’s not entirely on board with Pippa and Luke.’

‘I know Pippa is a little...’

‘Bitchy. Stuck up. A total bore.’

‘Do you need a few minutes to get it out of your system too?’

‘Nah. I’m good.’ He looks out at Tate’s truck, making sure he’s still inside before guiding Bria back into the hallway. ‘Tate and Pippa don’t get on. As in have a serious dislike for each other.’

‘I kind of get why he doesn’t like her. But why does she have a problem with him?’

Gregg looks over his shoulder and pulls her further down the hallway. ‘Okay, I didn’t tell you this and you are absolutely not to repeat it to anyone.’

‘Oooh gossip. What is it?’

‘A few years ago we were at Luke’s place having food and a few drinks. Pippa was there too because, well she’s always there. Anyway, we were talking about a performance we were giving the following weekend. Pippa got her nose out of joint and said Luke couldn’t go cause there was a do on she wanted him to go to. Tate... well, he kind of told her that Luke had to go cause it was for work. They argued back and forth then Tate called her a money grabbing leech or something to that effect.’

Bria raises her eyebrows. ‘Good for Tate. Can’t see Pippa taking that well.’

Gregg shakes his head. ‘She slapped him. And I mean she gave it her all. Tate reckons it was only a tap, but she broke a nail so it must have had a little force behind it. Anyway, that was the end of Tate and Pippa being in the same room alone with each other. Ellen had a word with Pippa about it and Tate agreed to let it go so long as she kept away from him.’

‘Wow. Oh dear. Poor Luke. That must be awkward for him.’

‘You think?’ Gregg says. ‘Poor guy is stuck in the middle. Anyway, this is Luke’s day. As long as he’s happy who cares about anyone else.’

‘Exactly. And we need to go so we can leave early.’ She runs her hand down his chest. ‘I need to get you to myself as soon as possible.’

When Tate blares the horn again Bria groans and walks towards the truck. When they’re in, Tate pulls out of the drive and heads towards the lavish and ridiculously expensive hotel where the happy couple will be tying the knot.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the fact that Pippa had sold their story to any magazine that would pay her even a few Euro means they’ll have a swarm of cameras in their faces most of the day. Being photographed was something that came with the job. Having cameras stuck in their faces while trying to survive a friend’s wedding, that none of them are entirely happy about, will make for an interesting day.

Gregg and Tate have already put money on Dillon punching someone either before or after Pippa finally has enough of them and asks them to leave.

Tate groans as he pulls through the monstrous gates of the hotel and sees what’s waiting for them. He stops his truck at the bottom of the hill and glares at the paparazzi lined up at the entrance. ‘Fuck. I will pay any amount of money not to go in there. How about we ditch this and grab fish and chips somewhere?’

Chloe takes his hand and squeezes it. ‘This is for Luke. Just smile. Okay, just don’t grimace. Walk past all the cameras and be there for him.’

‘Fuck.’ Tate mutters again as he puts the car in gear and drives up the gravel entranceway. A valet opens the door for them and Tate begrudgingly hands over his keys. He takes Chloe’s hand as Gregg and Bria get out and face the world for the first time as a couple.

Gregg can hear his name being shouted but he follows Tate’s lead and doesn’t respond as he walks into the venue and into the grand reception hall. The bannisters of the sweeping staircase ahead of them is draped in silk and fresh flowers. Decorating the staircase alone much have cost a fortune. Everywhere Gregg looks he sees fresh flowers. ‘You reckon she got enough flowers?’

Bria smirks and nods towards the enormous room off the hallway. ‘Did you include all those too?’

More vases of flowers cascade down the monstrous fireplace and along the dozens of windowsills. ‘I think I feel my allergies coming on.’

She laughs and leads him over to where Tate and Chloe are being accosted by a waiter with a tray of champagne. Tate shakes his head. ‘No thanks.’

Chloe nods over to the bar. ‘I’ll grab some juices. Back in a sec.’

Bria looks around the room and shakes her head. ‘You think they’d have some waiters with fresh juice or something else non-alcoholic.’

‘Yeah well Pippa likes to make things awkward,’ Tate replies then smiles as Chloe comes back with Luke and a tray of drinks.

‘Look who I found,’ Chloe says as she passes Tate a juice.

‘Hey guys. Sorry about the drinks, Tate. I thought we were having trays of juice too.’

‘Nothing to apologise for. How are you doing?’

Luke shrugs and smiles, but there’s something not quite genuine about the latter. Luke may be the quiet one in the group but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t stand out in a crowd. This is the wedding of a famous musician. Luke should be the star of the show, bar Pippa of course, but Gregg barely recognises his friend.

He’d taken out his earrings and the stud from under his lip. His short dark hair is well groomed and something about the dull grey suit makes him seem so much smaller than he actually is.

Gregg doubts his screaming fans would recognise him. He doesn’t look anything like the guitarist who comes alive on stage. ‘Hey buddy. What happened to your bling?’

Luke rubs a finger over the small hole in his chin and shrugs. ‘Thought it would be best to take out all the piercings for today. Feels weird without them.’

‘I’ll bet. So, you all excited?’

He nods and turns as someone calls him. ‘Sorry. I’ll catch you later.’ And like that he’s gone again. Dillon saunters over from the direction of the bar and smiles thinly at them. ‘All set for a fun filled event?’

‘Dillon, nice suit,’ Gregg says, earning a stern glare from the best man.

‘Yeah. I look like a fucking tool. Grey is grand and all, but not from head to foot. The second this shindig is done, I’m burning this suit. Oh and FYI, as soon as the ceremony is done, I’m hitting the bar. Sorry Tate. This fucking circus is testing my patience. Have you seen Luke?’

Tate nods. ‘Didn’t look like himself.’

‘I know. It’s a joke.’ Dillon groans loudly and nods towards Luke who is gesturing at him. ‘Duty calls.’ He finishes his drink and places the empty glass on a tray as a waiter appears from thin air behind him. ‘See you later.’

Gregg wraps his arms around Bria and walks out on the patio with Tate and Chloe.

Chloe takes Tate’s hand and smiles at Gregg. ‘We’ll be back in a sec.’ She leads Tate to the other side of the patio and talks to him while rubbing his arm.

‘Is he okay?’ Bria asks as they sit on incredibly ornate metal chairs which were absolutely designed with style instead of comfort in mind.

Gregg nods and looks away from his friend. ‘He’ll be grand. He’s still not keen on social things like this. Having everyone around him drinking isn’t a massive help. Chloe has his back. She always does.’

Bria takes his hand and squeezes it. ‘I have yours, Gregg.’

He leans over and kisses her, not caring that big brother is a few metres away. ‘And I’m one lucky guy because of that.’

He kisses her again but the moment is cut short when a man in a grey suit appears on the patio and summons them all inside.

‘I guess it’s time for Pippa’s big entrance. I can barely contain my excitement.’ Bria nudges him in the ribs then laughs when she spots Chloe doing the exact same thing to Tate.

‘What did you do to deserve that?’ Gregg asks as Tate and Chloe join them.

‘Said it was time for Pippa’s big entrance.’

Gregg slaps Tate on the chest. ‘No way! I said the exact same thing. We’re connected, buddy. Spooky.’

Tate grins down at him. ‘In all fairness I’d bet my truck on the fact Dillon thought the exact same thing.’

‘Fair enough. It is Pippa after all.’

‘Would the two of you please shut up,’ Chloe hisses as they join the rest of the guests. ‘Please, please, please save your bitching for when we’re at home eating chips. For now we are all going to put on our best fake smiles and behave until we can escape. This is for Luke.’

‘For Luke,’ Gregg and Tate mutter in unison as they follow the crowd into the ridiculously ornate grand hall and take their seats.

***

Gregg leans against the stone railing surrounding the immense patio area at the back of the house. The wedding was like all others weddings. A little boring and far too long. The speeches went on for what seemed like hours and the only relief was Dillon’s less than enthusiastic best man’s spiel. It was brief and to the point. If only all the other hoards of people who wanted to talk about how great Pippa is followed his lead.

The whole fiasco had gone on so long he had to sneak a few gummy bears in the middle. Then again, messing with his sugar levels might have given him an out.

He smiles as Bria twirls past the window. She’s been dancing for about ten minutes with Chloe and he can’t take his eyes off her. His girlfriend.

He nearly laughs out loud at that. After wanting this for so long it’s taking time to get used to that fact he has it. Has her.

‘You eyeing up my sister again?’

He grins over at Tate as he joins him at the railing. Tate places the glass of juice on the wall then crosses his arms as he looks down at him.

‘Only in the nicest possible way.’

‘Right.’ Tate sighs and looks around him. ‘Too early to fuck off?’

Gregg laughs. ‘You’re going to have to give it a little while longer, buddy. Why don’t you dance with Chloe?’

‘Why don’t you dance with Bria?’

‘Fair point. We’re musicians not dancers.’

‘Too fucking right. Hey, you haven’t seen Dillon have you? He disappeared after the food and I can’t find him.’

‘You know what he’s like. He’s probably entertaining in his room. This whole wedding is driving him crazy. Probably best he keeps to himself until the happy couple disappears on their honeymoon.’

‘Yeah. I noticed he’s in a shite mood. And I thought I was the one with major Pippa issues.’

‘He’s worried about Luke. Maybe now he’s married things will settle down. Dillon just needs time to get used to it. It’s a bit of an adjustment for all of us.’

‘Did you know Dillon is using again?’

Gregg nods slowly. ‘He hasn’t admitted it to my face but he didn’t deny it either. Andy found him passed out in his cottage after the blood incident. He doesn’t know what Dillon took but he definitely took something. Did Dillon admit it to you?’

Tate shakes his head. ‘I rang him last night. He was talking shite. Thought he might have taken something. Fuck. I thought we were all done with drugs. What the hell is he playing at?’

Gregg shakes his head. ‘I’ll try to have a chat to him after the wedding is done.’

Tate snorts. ‘Yeah. Good luck with that.’ Tate crosses his arms and glares down at the gravel.

‘So, how about you?’

Tate look sideways at him. ‘How about me what? Are you asking if I’m using again?’

‘No. Are you okay though? I saw talking to you earlier. Seemed a little heavy.’

Tate shrugs and looks into the dining room again. ‘Just having a bad day. Well, a few bad days. Nightmares are back.’ He laughs harshly. ‘Never really went but I’ve been hit with a few good ones lately. I’m running on too much fucking caffeine today. Having a swarm of waiters offering me champagne every time I turn around isn’t exactly helping.’

Gregg thought as much but was kind of hoping he was wrong. ‘Why are you doing this to yourself? Go home. Luke would absolutely understand.’

‘As much as I don’t want to be here, I’m not bailing on my friend’s wedding because I’m tired and want a fucking drink. I can handle it, Gregg. I’m fine.’

That’s the first time in months Tate has openly admitted he wants a drink and that freaks Gregg out. Chloe stops by the open door, smiles at them then goes back to Bria. ‘She doesn’t think you’re fine.’

Tate nods slowly. ‘She’s just worried about me. Seriously, stop looking at me that way. I’m not going to act on it, okay? I need to be able to do stuff like this, Gregg. If I can’t, my fucking career is over. Like I said it’s just a bad day. I’ll survive another few hours then I’ll go home and work out for a bit. That always helps. I’ve already got Chloe stressing about me. I don’t need you on my case too. Please.’

Gregg nods and smiles even though he’s now as worried as Chloe seems to be. Tate used to drink too much, but it wasn’t alcohol that took him down last time. It was drugs. That addiction had a much stronger hold on him - always had. And that’s absolutely worth worrying about.

Anything else he was going to say he keeps to himself as Bria and Chloe join them. ‘I don’t suppose we can convince you two to join us on the dance floor?’ Chloe asks.

Tate and Gregg look at each other then back at the women. ‘Eh no,’ Gregg answers.

‘What he said,’ Tate agrees. ‘We don’t dance.’

‘See,’ Bria says as she tucks herself under Gregg’s arm. ‘Told you they were both miserable.’

‘It’s got nothing to do with being miserable,’ Gregg says.

‘We’ve got an image to live up to,’ Tate says. ‘If either of us get on that dance floor our careers as rock stars is dead. Believe me.’

Chloe laughs and holds out her hand. Tate takes it and she pulls him towards her. ‘How about a walk then? I’m all hot and bothered after dancing.’ Tate wiggles his eyebrows, but Chloe shakes her head. ‘Not like that. Can you not turn it off for even a minute?’

‘Not a chance. Let’s go for a... walk.’

She leads him along the patio. ‘I seriously did mean just a walk.’

‘Whatever you say.’

Gregg watches the couple as they stroll hand in hand along the patio and towards the fountain.

‘They are just going for a walk, right?’

Gregg pulls Bria into a hug. ‘I hope so. Anyway, have I told you that you look incredible? I’m half tempted to go for a walk with you.’

She laughs and holds out her hand. ‘Come on then.’

‘Come on then what?’

‘I booked a room. I plan to bring you upstairs, take off this fabulous suit, and fuck you on an incredibly expensive bed. How does that sound? Unless you’d prefer to stay down here and mingle.’

Gregg swallows and adjusts his tie. ‘Was that a trick question?’

‘Nope. So is that a yes or a no?’

Gregg takes her hand and quickly pushes through the other guests, dragging her laughing after him. They get into the elevator and Gregg pushes her back against the wall as he kisses her. They squeeze through the still opening doors and Bria takes the key out of her bag, checking the room numbers as they hurry down the corridor. ‘Stop. It’s this one.’

She fumbles with the key-card, finally convincing the plastic to slide into the narrow slit. As soon as the door closes behind them, he throws her over his shoulder, and walks into the bedroom before lowering her onto the enormous bed. He pulls off his jacket and tie before climbing on top of her. ‘Can’t believe this is happening.’

Bria laughs as she kisses the side of his neck. ‘Oh it’s happening.’

‘I’m having a moment here if you don’t mind.’

She smirks and looks up at him. ‘My apologies. Carry on.’

‘You’ve sort of killed the moment.’

‘You said you can’t believe it’s happening.’

‘I meant you and me, not what we’re about to do, you sex crazed woman.’

She cups the side of his face and smiles at him as she strokes his jaw. ‘Well you better believe it. I’m in love with you Gregg. I love you.’

He can’t help but beam when she says the words. He doubts he’ll ever get used to hearing her saying them to him. He never thought it could feel so good. So natural. She loves him in spite of his past and his mistakes. He totally gets why Tate was so floored when he met Chloe. Having someone love you for being yourself - flaws and all is a rare thing and something he didn’t think he’d find, especially with Bria.

‘I love you Bria.’

She smiles at him and the goosebumps come back. He’ll never get tired of her smiling at him like that.

She traces her fingers down his chest and gives him another look he won’t get tired of seeing. ‘Now, I would very much like if my sexy rock star boyfriend gets me naked and shows me exactly how much he loves me. Twice.’

Gregg slides his hand under her dress and slips his fingers under her panties. ‘Twice. Asking a lot there but I’m up for the challenge.’

He grinds against her leg and Bria sucks in a breath. ‘I think you are.’