Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
They were going on four days now with no word from Quinn. Tonight was the rehearsal dinner and tomorrow was Sebastian and Raelynn’s wedding. Quinn’s disappearance was ruining what was supposed to be a joyous occasion. Instead, everyone was upset and angry and getting a bit testy with each other. There have been so many arguments between everyone in the past few days that Christian couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Hey, man,” came Shea’s voice from the bathroom doorway.
Christian glanced up at his best friend’s concerned face. “Hey,” he rasped, his throat raw from throwing his guts up.
“Not doing too good, huh?” Shea sighed and leaned his shoulder against the doorframe.
“No.”
“Has there been any news?” Shea asked.
“Nope, Quinn is still missing.” Christian sighed.
Shea hung his head. “Shit.”
“I’m just...I don’t know what to feel. I’m worried, of course, but I’m also pissed off. Why did he have to do this right before Sebastian’s wedding?” Christian muttered, shaking his head.
Shea hummed in understanding. He pushed away from the doorframe and took a seat on the floor next to Christian. He draped his arm around Christian’s shoulders and gave him a squeeze.
“Everything will be okay,” Shea said, trying to be reassuring.
“I hope so,” Christian replied, dropping his head to Shea’s shoulder.
After a few minutes of sitting on the bathroom floor, Shea helped Christian up so he could take a shower and get ready to go to the rehearsal and dinner. Shea was also going, which Christian was glad for, definitely needing Shea’s support right now. Shea waited downstairs while Christian got ready. They drove together to the hall where the wedding and reception were being held. Everyone was already there and waiting. Christian knew he was running late, but he couldn’t help it, he couldn’t stop throwing up.
Everyone was standing in the lobby looking somber. Sebastian and Raelynn invited Margot, wanting her to be with the family so she didn’t have to worry and suffer all alone, which Christian thought was really nice of them. Margot looked horrible - not horrible as in ugly - horrible as in upset, tired, worried, and devastated. She was wearing a lovely hunter green dress and pretty little gold flats. Her hair was down and straight with a matching green flowered headband holding it back from her face. She only looked like she put on a small amount of makeup, but she didn’t need it anyway; she was a beautiful woman.
Christian and Shea said hello to everyone and they got started with the rehearsal. Shea stood in Quinn’s place, and would tomorrow if he didn’t show up. The rehearsal was over quickly since no one was really fooling around, or actually paying attention. After the rehearsal, they all headed over to the restaurant where they had reservations. They had a really large group since it was both Sebastian’s side and Raelynn’s side. When they got to the restaurant, they sat, and Christian ended up with Shea on one side and Margot on the other. Christian looked her over; she has barely said a word the whole night.
“Margot, are you okay?” Christian asked quietly.
Margot’s big hazel eyes lifted to meet his. “I miss him,” she whispered. “And I am so afraid that something has happened to him.”
Christian nodded in understanding.
“I feel like I am never going to see him again,” Margot rasped, her eyes welling up with tears.
Christian wished there was something he could say to reassure her, but he had nothing. He reached over and squeezed her hand where it rested on the table. Margot quickly regained her composure and swiped away the tears that were falling.
“Let’s not talk about Quinn right now, tonight is about Sebastian and Raelynn,” Margot said quietly and picked up her menu.
Christian followed her lead and tried to put Quinn out of his mind. It wasn’t too hard when he had Shea’s hard thigh brushing against his own. Oh what he would give for one night with Shea. Even if it was just to hold him while they slept. They’ve shared a bed many times over the years for various reasons, but they always stayed on their respective sides. Shea leaned in toward Christian, breaking his thoughts.
“Share an appetizer with me?” Shea asked.
Christian caught a whiff of his cologne and had to stifle a groan. Damn, he smelled good. “Yeah, sure,” Christian replied.
Christian was living in Hell, he was sure of it.
~~~~~
Quinn stepped out of his car and into the rain. It was pouring, but he didn’t care, he needed to see his family. He knew that they had to be furious with him, but he had to get away; away from everything and everyone so that he could pull himself back together. That bed and breakfast was exactly what he needed, and he needed to hear what Helen said, also. He was able to think and make decisions without anyone there constantly asking if he was okay.