Marrying My Fake Boyfriend

“I think so.” Brad sat up and rubbed at his chest. “I’m amazed he didn’t break any ribs.”

Sarah grunted and helped him to stand.

“We need to get Logan Mason calmed down,” she said quietly. “Go out and talk a walk until he’s calmer. It would be best if you two weren’t in the same room.” Her expression softened. “And see if you can get some ice for you face.”

Brad decided not to argue. So, he kept his head down as he hurried out, knowing that everyone was watching him leave.

*****

Cherrelle had no idea what had just happened. She had just left the room to go to the restroom. Now she was standing in the doorway staring at the scene. People were standing in groups whispering excitedly. A table had been knocked over, and her father was sitting on a chair across the room with a bloodied handkerchief held to his nose.

And Brad was nowhere to be seen.

She went to where Sarah was standing over Logan, who was glowering at her.

“Mr. Mason, just sit down and calm down.” Sarah looked up and glared at Serena, who was standing beside Emily seated next to her husband. “And you, madam. You go near Brad again and I’ll forcibly remove you from here myself.”

Serena gave her a look of disdain only teenagers could give. “How are you going to do that, Dumpy?”

“With us.”

Jim, Ken and Michael were standing behind Sarah, all of them wearing scowls. Serena took one look at Jim and licked her lips hungrily. Cherrelle recognized the signs.

She was saved from warding her sister off when Paige stepped between them, leveling a glare at the girl.

“Hey, sweetie,” she said sharply. “Touch my fiancé and I’ll be joining her in removing you.”

Serena’s smirk snapped off her face and she scowled moodily.

“Bi*ch,” she muttered.

“Right back at you.”

Cherrelle decided to step in before Paige decided to have an all-out fight. She hurried over to Sarah. “What’s going on?”

Sarah took Cherrelle’s arm and drew her away, Paige and Jim going with them. Ken and Michael stayed to watch over Logan. Sarah spoke in a low voice. “Your dad punched Brad and they got into a fight.”

“What? Why?”

She knew Logan didn’t like Brad but he had never done something like this before.

Paige looked troubled.

“Your sister went over to Brad and started pawing him. Brad pushed her away several times, but she kept coming back.” She raised an eyebrow. “Is your sister on something?”

“You don’t need drugs to be a sociopathic bi*ch,” Cherrelle said grimly. Something was going on and she didn’t like where it was going.

She stormed over to her father and stood over him. “What the hell, Pa? What did you hit Brad for?”

Logan lowered the bloodied handkerchief and scowled at her.

“He seduced your sister,” he said gruffly. “He was kissing her in front of the whole room.”

“It’s true,” Serena piped up. “He’s been all over me all evening.”

Cherrelle laughed with mirth and swung around on her sister. “You think I’m going to believe you after all the times you’ve tried to touch him up and drape yourself all over him?” she demanded.

“I said it’s true.” Serena squared her shoulders haughtily. “Are you calling me a liar?”

“Yes.”

Logan shook his head incredulously. “This is incredible. He’s brainwashed you. You’ll believe anything he says.”

“I believe independent witnesses and my friends,” Cherrelle snapped back. She glared at Serena. “I don’t believe her.”

“He cheated on you blatantly and you’re denying it.” Logan’s jaw set, the way it did when he had made up his mind. “The wedding’s off.”

Cherrelle couldn’t believe it. She hadn’t asked Logan for any money for this, and he was trying to claim control.

“No,” she said firmly. “I paid for this wedding so you can’t claim you’re withdrawing the finances.”

Logan looked at her like she was a little child with difficulty grasping a situation. He lowered his head and shook it with a frustrated sigh. “If you were marrying Jason then this would never happen,” he said.

“If I were marrying Jason, he would be all over the bridesmaids before we’d left the church. Brad is honorable and that little witch I sadly call my sister has made him uncomfortable the whole time he’s been in her presence.” Cherrelle scowled at Serena. “I’m amazed he hasn’t snapped and given her a slap already.”

Serena flushed. “I resent that,” she whined.

“And I resent the pair of you trying to sabotage my wedding.” Cherrelle looked from her sister to her father. “I know you’re not happy I’m not marrying the man you want as a son-in-law but this is stooping to new lows, even for you, Pa.”

Logan glared at her. “Brad Jarrett is a lowlife car dealer who is a sleaze and a cheat,” he bellowed.

That had the whole room quiet, and Cherrelle could feel everyone’s eyes focused on them. Emily seemed to sense it, too; she coughed politely and shifted in her chair.

“And I bet Jason Colney’s a saint,” Cherrelle sneered. She groaned. “Get it into your head: I am not marrying Jason. I am going to marry Brad.”

“I’m not walking you up the aisle to that little creep,” Logan snapped angrily. “I’ll walk you up the aisle to Jason, but that’s it.”

Cherrelle raised an eyebrow.

“I think we’ve established I’m not marrying Jason. So, there will be no chance…”

Her voice tailed off when she saw Logan’s expression. She knew that look. And now she knew what was going on. Anger raged up fast and Cherrelle could barely contain it. “You’ve been sabotaging my wedding so Jason can step in when I kick Brad to the curb?”

Logan’s silence said everything.

“How dare you?”

“You need to know your place, Cherrelle,” Logan growled, pinning her with a glare that would have withered Cherrelle in the past. “You shouldn’t be marrying men like Jarrett.”

Cherrelle felt sick. Her father was so desperate for her to marry Jason. She couldn’t understand why and she didn’t want to understand. Nor did she want to be anywhere near him.

Her mind made up, she turned to Michael.

“Michael, would you mind giving me away, please?” she asked sweetly. “The original person who was going to do that has been uninvited and banned from the wedding.”

Michael gave her a slight nod of the head. “I would be delighted.”

Cherrelle turned back to Logan and jabbed a finger at him. She had had enough, and she was going to make sure the insufferable man knew it. “You’re not coming anywhere near my wedding, Pa. I’ve had it with you. And don’t threaten me with cutting me off seeing as I have my own money and I haven’t had an allowance since I left college. You are not welcome.” She swung around on Serena, who was smirking. “And neither are you. You’re an evil little cow who is determined to make me miserable.”

Serena’s smirk disappeared. Cherrelle looked between her and their father.

“If either of you are seen on the premises during the ceremony or at the reception, Sarah’s security will remove you and call the police.”

Logan’s eyes widened. He looked like he was about to explode.

“You can’t do that!” he bellowed.

“Too late. I already did. I’m the bride, remember?” Cherrelle glanced at Emily and softened her voice. “You’re still invited, Ma, if you wish, but it won’t be any sweat off my brow if you choose not to come as well.”

She turned away from three stunned faces and went over to Sarah, who had been watching the scene with a grim expression. She needed to find the one man who could make things better.

“Which way did Brad go?”