The Perfect Spiral (by Ashley Constantine) novel Chapter 91

One kiss wouldn’t hurt, would it?

Ashley Constantine

“You’re in luck, Chad. I don’t have a boyfriend,” I say, glancing at my friends who are waiting by the bus, silently cheering me on.

“So Carter isn’t your boyfriend?” he asks. I shake my head, and he steps closer.

“Well, in that case…” He leans in, and our lips meet. I taste the beer on his breath as his tongue slips into my mouth. It feels rushed, unnatural, forced.

It’s not him.

I pull back and offer a smile. After thanking him and his friends once more, we manage to drag Zara

onto the bus.

As I settle in next to my sister, I run my hands through my hair and take a deep breath. The night’s excitement still tingles in my veins, but I can’t shake the feeling that something’s missing.

Water. I’m parched.

I

grope

around on the chest of drawers next to the California king–sized bed in the room.

I remember coming back with pizza in hand, barefoot and sprinting like a madwoman through the foyer to escape my brothers‘ wrath.

Sam and I dashed into our room, pursued by them, and locked the door, diving into bed together like we used to when we were kids. The memories of last night make me chuckle and cringe a little at my

antics.

Finally locating the cool bottled water on the drawers, I guzzle it down gratefully, groaning at the relief it brings to my dry mouth.

“Pass it here,” Sam sits up, rubbing her eye with the heel of her hand, smearing the remnants of last night’s mascara.

I toss the bottle to her and she drains the rest. I flop back down and she mirrors me, snuggling up to me. For once, I don’t have a headache or feel nauseous. The pizza must have absorbed most of the alcohol.

Thank God.

“Last night was a blast, sis! From what I can remember,” she giggles, wrapping an arm around me. We hear a knock on the door. She climbs out of bed and I sit up again.

Opening the door reveals my three brothers and my mom. My brothers scoop Sam up and toss her back onto the bed. They pounce on me and we all sprawl out on the giant bed together.

Once the laughter subsides among the five of us, my mom joins us on the bed. Always in the center.

“I can’t believe my little sister is getting married today!” Cole exclaims, putting Sam in a headlock and giving her a noogie. She swats his hand away with a smack.

“Max, you need to propose to Jane soon. And Kyle, you and Andy…” His gaze lands on me, the only one left out. I can see the guilt in his eyes.

I flash him a smile to let him know I’m okay.

“My career better propose to me!” I quip, making everyone laugh. Max nods, biting his lip and smiling

at my mom.

“I will… soon. But today is about Sam and Tyson.” There’s something he’s not telling us. My mom will

get it out of him soon. I know she will.

An hour later, after we’ve all had breakfast in bed, we decide it’s time for the bridesmaids to get their hair and makeup done for the wedding.

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Sitting in the chair for the hair and makeup team Sam hired, I gaze out the wide window at the bustling town below.

Kyle approaches me. Placing a hand on each armrest, he leans in.

“I’m going to let last night slide. I got enough grief from Andy about it. But if I ever see or hear about you doing that again with any guy, especially a stripper, I’ll lock you up on a mountain where the only humans you’ll see are me… and Andy.”

I roll my eyes at his melodrama. And they say girls are the dramatic ones. He kisses my forehead just as the other boys enter the room to hug Sam and wish her luck.

I’m sitting there getting my hair and makeup done, with Andy and Hannah beside me getting theirs

done too.

All the bridesmaids are having their hair styled in old Hollywood–style curls to one side, with the other side pinned back and cascading over the shoulder.

The makeup is simple and natural, all per Sam’s request.

My brothers are getting ready in another room in this suite, donning custom–made tuxedos. All three are groomsmen, along with Knox and Tyson’s two brothers.

Zara, Amy, Rachel, Sandra, and Lena are all bridesmaids, and I’m the maid of honor. People are coming and going from the room as we get ready.

“Ohhhh, let me take a picture of you!” Andy squeals, drawing everyone’s attention. Even mine. I open my eyes to see her camera pointed at me. She rushes over, nudging the makeup artist out of the way.

I’m technically in my underwear and a silky mid–thigh white robe. She tugs the shoulder down on my right side, revealing my bra, and I laugh at her antics. What is she doing?

I suppose now is the time, seeing as all my brothers aren’t in the room.

“Okay, now give me smeyes. You look so hot right now, Alex! This is going on Instagram!” She snaps a few photos of me trying my best to smeyes without laughing too hard.

I fix myself before my brothers emerge in their tuxedos. When they do, the whole room pauses to smile at them, even me. My mom starts to cry and they all roll their eyes at her.

Each of them goes to hug her and they laugh. They’re all such mama’s boys.

“My boys look so handsome in their tuxedos!” She beams at them all. Sam and I join them to hug them, too, careful not to ruin our makeup.

“You guys look so handsome,” I murmur, looking up at them. Sam agrees, clasping her hands over her

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mouth.

They each have a charcoal grey tuxedo on, with different colored handkerchiefs; Cole has a silk yellow one, Max has a silk purple one, and Kyle has a silk green one.

They each kiss Sam, my mom, and my forehead, and then Lauren walks in with Knox.

Jesus Christ.

He strides in with an air of confidence, his charcoal grey tuxedo accented with a light blue silk handkerchief in his pocket. Holy mother of God.

He looks so handsome, his bright blue eyes meet mine and I can’t help but check him out, my heart

racing.

Feeling his gaze roam over me in my robe, I swallow hard, averting my eyes back to my brothers. I lick my dry lips and turn around to grab a bottle of water from the minibar.

“Hey man!” Kyle greets him from behind me. I don’t want to turn around to look at him. He looks too good in his tuxedo. Damn him! “You look good!” Kyle compliments him.

“Thanks, man! You’re looking sharp yourself. Finally found a suit that fits?” His voice is laced with

playful mockery.

“Well, you know, I’ve been hitting the gym a lot lately. Must be all the muscle I’m building,” Kyle retorts, his voice brimming with pride. I can almost see him puffing out his chest.

As I turn around, my theory is confirmed, but Knox’s gaze is fixed on me.

Look away!

I manage to shift my attention towards my mom and Delilah, who are engrossed in a conversation about something I can’t quite catch. The room’s atmosphere grows heavier after Kyle’s next words.

“Lauren, I’d say it’s good to see you, but I’d be lying-” I choke on my water, gasping for breath.

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