Handsome Devil: A Hero Club Novel

She’s not buying it. She can’t possibly believe anything I said when I tip-toed back to our room this morning. For one thing, I can’t stop yawning, and when I did the math, I realized I only got about three and a half hours of sleep. The rest of the night was spent in a sex marathon that left me wincing every time I sit down. My back is sore, legs are sore, and even the sensitive spot between my legs is sore. But it was worth every second. I didn’t even know sex could feel so good and so…different. Every position Henry put me in had a different effect, and if that wasn’t enough, something about being in a hotel room, not far from his family and my best friend made it all feel so much more real. We were closer than ever.

My favorite of all the positions was definitely both of us on our sides, him behind me with his arms wrapped tightly around my body and his warm breath in my ear. He played my body like a fiddle, bringing me to climax like it was his only mission. I’ve never orgasmed so many times in one night in my life.

‘What are you thinking about?’ Kirsten asks while she’s curling her hair.

I’m sitting on the lip of the toilet, fidgeting with the bracelets on my wrist. Kirsten is in her simple white dress, and I’m wearing a blush gown she bought for me while waiting for us to finally arrive. Speaking of blush, my cheeks burn hot when her eyes meet mine in the mirror. I can’t tell her what I was actually thinking because it involved an image burned in my brain of her dad’s face right as he’s about to come.

Instead, I tell her, ‘I can’t believe you’re about to get married.’

She beams with a bright smile. ‘I know, right? I can’t believe my dad hasn’t tried to talk me out of it. You must have had an effect on him.’

I flinch, trying not to react too strongly. ‘Me? No.’

‘No, I’m glad. My dad is such a bore. He never wants to do anything spontaneous, so I knew he’d hate this idea. I was hoping spending a few days with you would change his mind.’ She’s watching me intently, making my skin crawl while she applies another coat of mascara.

‘He’s not a bore.’ It comes out far too defensive.

‘I’ve spent my whole life trying to get my dad to just let loose and have some fun. It never worked. He’s too uptight, too afraid to make a mistake that he never takes any risks at all.’

‘He’s just looking out for you,’ I reply, looking down at my pink nails, which I’ve already started chipping even though we just repainted them last night.

‘Uh oh…whose side are you on? You’re supposed to be my best friend. You can’t start siding with my parents.’

‘I’m not siding with your parents. I’m just pointing out that your dad wants to talk you out of this wedding because he cares about you and he’s worried you’re making a mistake. What’s so bad about that?’

She freezes and turns around. ‘So he is trying to talk me out of the wedding.’

‘I mean…he’s mentioned it.’

‘Then why hasn’t he?’

‘I told him not to.’

She watches me for a moment like she’s waiting for me to say something. I break the silence first. ‘I mean…he’s not wrong to try and protect you, Kirsten. This is a crazy idea. Are you really so sure Andy is the one?’

Her mascara drops against the bathroom counter with a high-pitched clink. ‘I can’t believe what you’re saying to me right now!’

My blood runs cold. I’m being a terrible friend. This is her wedding day and I’m supposed to be helping her get ready and getting her excited about her big day. Instead, I’m questioning her ability to make choices on her own. What is wrong with me?

‘I’m sorry,’ I mutter, looking down. ‘I shouldn’t be saying this to you on your wedding day. I’m just… I don’t know. Maybe Henry got to me more than I got to him.’

Kirsten crinkles her nose. Then she sits on the toilet with our knees touching and she takes my hand. ‘I’m glad you’re here. You can try to talk me out of crazy ideas anytime you want to. But you’re not talking me out of this one.’

I let out a tearful smile and squeeze her fingers a little tighter. Just then the hotel door opens and Kirsten’s mother comes in like a parade, squealing and running for her daughter with a face full of delight. There is absolutely no hesitation for her. She’s apparently been gung-ho for this whole thing since the get-go.

When we get to the chapel, my hands won’t stop shaking. I don’t know why I’m nervous. I’m not the one getting married, but everything just feels wrong. The chapel is nice, just nice though. Andy is late. Henry looks like he’s going to be sick. The frizzy haired woman who works here is perfectly kind, but it still feels very much like a tourist attraction and not some place you really want to say your real life marriage vows.

Not to mention, Kirsten is acting weird. She keeps glancing at Henry and back at me as if she wants to just ask what I know she wants to ask. She knows the truth, and she’s about one second away from throwing both of us out of her life forever. It’s coming.

Kirsten, her parents, and I are all standing at the back of the chapel when we get a text that Andy has arrived and we can finally come in. Kirsten looks more nervous than ever. Henry throws me a wide-eyed glance. I almost feel bad for him. He wants to protect his daughter but he’s caught between a rock and a hard place. Protect her and break her heart, or let her make the biggest mistake of her life so she doesn’t end up hating you.

It suddenly hits me. I can’t do this. I can’t let my best friend go through with something just because she ‘was feeling it’ or thought it would be cool. That’s no way to live your life.

‘Can you give us a second?’ I stammer quickly to Henry and Kirsten’s mother, Liz. They both glance awkwardly at each other before walking inside. Henry shoots me a warning glance, and I answer with a quick nod. ‘Kirsten, you can’t—’

‘It’s not real.’ The words fly out of her mouth so fast I have to stare at her for a moment to process them.

‘What?’

‘This isn’t a real wedding.’ She’s pacing, chewing on her lip and staring at me like a crazed animal.

‘What are you talking about?’

‘Andy and I decided a few days ago not to go through with the wedding, but you and Dad were already on your way, and…oh my God, he’s going to kill me.’

‘Wait. So you’re not getting married?’

‘Fuck no.’

‘I’m pretty sure he’s not going to be angry about that.’

‘You’re not angry?’ she asks, her brow contorted in worry.

‘Why would I be angry? Why didn’t you just tell us?’

‘I wanted you two—’

Just then, Kirsten’s mother pops her head out and smiles. ‘It’s time, sweetheart.’

My eyes stay on Kirsten for a moment while I wait for her to finish her sentence. She wanted me to what? But she’s already gone and my head is spinning. None of this is real? Why is she even going through with this then? What’s the point?

We walk into the chapel, and it feels like going through the motions. I walk down the aisle and take a seat in the front row. Laila’s mom sits on the opposite side. Then, we watch as Henry walks her down the aisle, and I just stare at her, waiting for her to tell everyone the truth.

Then, I see him. He’s walking her down the aisle. He’s doing it. Regardless of how he really feels about this and how much he wants to stop her, he’s letting her do it. And I was the one trying to stop her. Neither of us look very comfortable with it, but still, we’ve changed.

The next thing I know he’s sitting next to me, and Kirsten is standing at the front facing Andy. I feel the knuckles of his hand against my leg, and I fight the urge to reach out and grab it.

The ceremony is a farce, really.

‘I can’t do this,’ Kirsten blurts out before Elvis asks them to exchange rings. I breathe a sudden sigh of relief. ‘This isn’t real.’

‘What are you talking about, Kirsten?’ Henry asks.

‘Andy and I decided that we’re not ready to get married yet. This place does fake weddings. It literally says so in big red letters out front.’

The room grows quiet while we all stare at each other. Andy looks the most uncomfortable up there, grimacing. Next to me, Kirsten’s mom is holding her hand over her mouth.

‘That’s okay, love,’ Henry says finally.

‘I know I should have told you, but I wanted you and Laila to finish the road trip.’

Suddenly, Henry and I turn our heads and stare at each other, wide eyed and shocked that she brought us into this.

‘Why?’ I ask although I’m afraid to know the answer.

‘You two were stuck sleeping in your car the night Andy and I decided not to go through with it. And I could tell by just talking to you the next day that something happened between you two.’

My jaw drops. Wait, what? ‘We didn’t…”

She holds a hand up to stop me. ‘Laila, you’re not a good liar. I’m not mad that you had sex with my dad. I’m more mad that you finally did it and didn’t tell me.’

There’s an audible gasp around the chapel. Henry drops his face into his hands.

‘Henry!’ Kirsten’s mother barks, glaring across me at her ex. I am having that “Earth, please swallow me up right now” feeling.

‘Oh, I’m totally fucking this up,’ Kirsten moans. ‘I’m really sorry.’

She breaks out in tears and runs down the aisle and out the door of the chapel. The four of us left in the chapel jump up at the same time, but it’s Henry who puts up a hand to stop us.

‘Please, let me handle this.’ Then, he rushes out the door behind his daughter.