The Wager

Chapter Forty-two

Char stared in shock at the closed door. What had just happened? Was Jake actually giving her advice on how to be a good friend? After he’d led her on and then took Amy into a room and made out with her? The man was a mess! And he had the audacity to say that what Char was supposed to be doing was low? She wasn’t even going to do the interviews! She’d decided to sacrifice her job, a job she needed in order to eat, because she didn’t want to betray her friends.

The jackass hadn’t even given her a chance to explain! Once again, his cocky know–it-all attitude had surfaced, leaving her heartbroken and confused. She’d seen him in a searing lip lock with enemy number one and he was lecturing her as if she was the one who’d broken his heart!

Jake would never understand her hesitation about what she did because he’d always had money. He didn’t realize how tempting it was—to be able to pay rent, to eat, to not let your parents down again and again!

With a cry she threw herself onto the bed and cursed Jake Titus to hell. It was becoming a habit. Maybe if she cursed him enough times her heart would stop breaking. So close, yet so far away.

Jake said almost nothing to Char all day Saturday. In fact, the only time he did speak to her was when he’d asked to use her floss that morning. She’d dangled it in front of his face and waited for him to make some sort of joke.

Instead, he took it, flossed his teeth, and left the room.

Adding insult to injury, she was fired that morning.

She’d missed her deadline. It was entirely possible her life as a reporter was completely over.

Char checked her watch. It was already five and Kacey and Travis still weren’t back from town. They’d run some sort of last minute errand.

She tried Kacey’s’ phone again, but there was no answer.

Everyone was getting restless. Char began to pace in front of the gazebo. Thirty minutes later Grandma burst through the door.

“They won’t be making it to the rehearsal,” Grandma said. “Flat tires.”

“Tires? As in more than one?” Jake asked, rising from the pew.

“I’m afraid so. It was as if someone slashed them.”

Petunia shook her head. “Portland’s full of gangsters. Probably one of them boys.”

“Right.” Jake smirked. “Because we know lots of gangsters that want to off us.”

Petunia stiffened.

“We’ll just have to carry on without them.” Grandma rubbed her hands together. “Char, you’re the maid of honor, you’ll stand in for Kacey; and Jake, as the best man, you’ll be standing in for Travis.”

Char’s stomach plummeted. God was cruel. The one man she had been in love with since junior high was now standing in the groom’s, only it wasn’t real. And again, so close. Her heart constricted as she looked into his eyes because she knew this would never be her reality. It was all some sort of sick joke from the universe. She’d hold his hands; he’d pretend to put a ring on her finger.

And at the end he’d walk away.

Char jumped when Grandma blew her whistle. “Order, everyone!”

“We aren’t in a court,” Jake grumbled.

“I need order!” Grandma blew the whistle again, this time right in the pastor’s ear. He winced and looked away, poor soul. “Now, let’s have the girls fan out under the gazebo. Yes, perfect!” She pointed to the guys. “And the men: let’s have you line up on the other side. Oh, that looks lovely.”

It looked horrible, but nobody asked Char so she kept quiet. Then again, it could just be her crappy attitude.

“Pastor?” Grandma raised her hand instead of blowing the whistle, praise God.

“Yes, Nadine?”

“Will you please go through the entire ceremony? I want to be sure that the microphones are working and we’ll be able to hear the bride and groom.”

“Of course.” The pastor smiled and held out his hand to Jake. “I’m Jim.”

Jake shook his hand.

Pastor Jim turned to Char. “And you must be the maid of honor.”

Her smile was tight as she took his hand.

“Both of you stand just here.” He pushed them together.

Char almost stumbled into Jake’s hard chest. His eyes were distant, as if he was shutting her out from his world. She could almost see his abs through his tight black t-shirt. Lowering her gaze didn’t help because then she had a full view of his distressed designer jeans, and his Marc Nason boots that had probably cost more than her car.

“Dearly beloved…” Jim began reciting the welcome and the prayer. “Now we are going to move on to the vows. Take each other’s hands and repeat after me.”

“I, Jake Titus…” Jim started.

Jake cleared his throat. His hands were so warm as they held Char’s. “I, Jake Titus.” his voice had a husky drawl to it as he continued to talk. “Take you, Char Lynn, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.” His voice caught in his throat as his eyes burned into hers. “To love and to cherish, to treasure, to be my best friend, from this day forth until my last breath leaves my body—I will be yours, as long as we both shall live.”

Char had to bite her lip to keep from crying. It was everything she’d always wanted to hear him say.

Jake closed his eyes when he was finished.

“Now, Char.” Jim cleared his throat. “Repeat after me. I, Char Lynn…” Char repeated the same vow. Halfway through her hands started shaking. Jake opened his eyes and mouthed It’s okay, so she kept going.

By the time she was finished, her heart was pounding so hard she would swear Jake could hear it. He smiled sadly when they had to release each other’s hands.

Jim addressed the nonexistent guests. “Travis and Kacey, or in this case Jake and Char, both expressed interest in writing personal vows to each other. We will hear them now.”

He handed the microphone to Jake. Clueless, Jake handed it back. Jim shook his head. “No, no, Nadine needs to hear your voice. I doubt you’ll have trouble talking about a pretty girl like Char.”

Holy crap. He was going to humiliate her in front of everyone.

“I’ve always liked pretty girls.” Jake laughed into the microphone, ruining Char’s brief moment of happiness. “And I can honestly say, Char’s the prettiest I’ve ever come across.”

The bridesmaids sighed behind him.

“Too bad she’s crazy.” He winked. “I mean really crazy. She’s threatened me more times than I care to admit. Don’t even get me started on wedding gifts and drug stores. Some of my happiest moments have been with her, some of my worst moments, too.” He paused. “Maybe that’s what love’s all about. You share the good and the bad, and hope to God that in the end the person will still be waiting for you on the other side. Marriage is a complete and total leap of faith—I’ve always thought of myself as a risk taker. The greatest risk of all is pursuing someone with your entire heart, knowing that it’s completely possible they won’t want you back.”

Char wasn’t sure if she should laugh or cry.

Everyone was silent.

A car turned into the driveway. It was Kacey and Travis.

Grandma blew her whistle. “Finish the ceremony, Jim.”

Char shook her head. “But—”

“Finish it!” Grandma yelled as she made her way down the driveway.

“Do you take her?” Jim asked Jake.

“Uh, yes?”

“Do you take him?”

Char felt her eyes narrow as she gave a jerky nod.

“You have to say it.” Jim laughed nervously.

“Fine. Yes. I take him.”

“Then with the power vested in me by the state of Oregon, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”

Everyone clapped lamely, until Jake stepped forward and pulled Char in for a mind-altering kiss that melted every defense she had erected that morning.

“Looks like I married the shrew.” He winked.

“Better than marrying the harem-possessing whore!” Char fumed, pushing against his chest.

Pastor Jim tried to separate them but they were already nose to nose.

“Is that jealousy I hear?” Jake snorted.

“Jealousy?” Char repeated, then threw back her head and laughed. “Yes, I’m so jealous of all the women who’ve shared your bed! At least I’m only one notch on your bedpost.”

“Two.” Jake smirked. “You’re two; you know why.”

Char lunged for his throat but Jim stood in the way.

“Smile and laugh all you want, Jake, but ten years from now, when I’m married with kids and living a happy life, you’re going to be nothing but a lonely bachelor.”

She couldn’t stop the words from coming. It was as if all the hurt inside her bubbled up and finally forced their way out into the open. Jake’s rejection had re-opened so many old wounds, wounds she’d kept packed away for so long.

His smile fell. “Better a bachelor than a bitch.”

The entire wedding party fell silent.

Travis walked up, shoving his hands into his pockets. “So what did we miss?”

Pastor Jim still stood between Char and Jake, his face a deep shade of red. “A blessed union.”

Jake swore and walked off.

Kacey came up alongside Travis; her gaze followed Jake’s disappearing form. “What happened?”

“What always happens with Jake?” Char shrugged. “He’s walking away.”