Tamed (Torn #5)(48)

He was nervous. I could tell that much, even over the phone. I was almost afraid to know what he wanted from me.

His next words came out in a rush, “I want you to plan my wedding.”

“Excuse me?” I asked, sure that I’d heard him wrong.

He sighed. “Chloe and I want to get married, but she’s freaking about planning it—like, completely freaking. She’s terrified, and she has no clue what to do. For some reason, she thinks we need this big, elaborate wedding. She doesn’t want something like that, but she thinks she’s supposed to have one like that.”

“Okay…I’m still confused. What does that have to do with me?”

“You’re…girlie. You could plan a wedding, no problem. Neither of us want anything fancy, especially not Chloe. She admitted that she didn’t. I don’t know why she thinks we have to have something fancy. She’s a damn lunatic. Simple is best. In fact, I have the perfect place in mind for where to have it, but I’ll need your help since it’s in West Virginia.”

“Aw, this is so cute.” I said, grinning. “Just tell me what you need me to do, and I’ll do it.”

He exhaled heavily, like I’d just taken the weight of the world off his shoulders. Guys were so strange.

“There’s a secluded spot next to Cheat Lake. It means a lot to Chloe and me. I want to have it there. I just need you to get a few flowers, invite her cousin and Logan, and find a preacher. Can you do that for me?”

“Of course. Do you know what kind of flowers Chloe wants? Actually, why don’t you let me talk to her, and we’ll figure it all out?”

“No! I don’t want her to know that we’re planning this.”

“So, you’re going to surprise her…with a wedding? No way that could end badly,” I mumbled.

“If I wasn’t completely sure that she wanted to get married, I wouldn’t do this. I promise, she’ll be excited.” He paused. “I think.”

I groaned. “Whatever. I’ll get everything ready.”

“Thank you, Amber.”

We spent the next few minutes going over a few tiny details. It seemed simple enough that I was sure I could handle it. Getting flowers, making a phone call to Danny, finding a preacher—I could handle that. The only thing that terrified me was the prospect of telling Logan. That would go over real well.

“I’ll call you a few days before to make sure everything is set. Jade, Adam, and Eric don’t know yet, so I’ll tell them. I’m sure they’ll want to be there.”

“Okay,” I said, suddenly desperate to get off the phone. “I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Thanks again,” he said.

“No problem.” I disconnected the call and dropped my phone down beside me.

Adam. He was coming back to West Virginia. After an entire year, I would finally see him again.

I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or cry. Maybe I should be doing both—or neither.

The thought of seeing him again had goose bumps rising all over my body. My girlie parts started singing joyfully. My heart felt like it was doing cartwheels in my chest.

But my brain told me to run like hell.



Everything had gone according to plan, including Logan’s freak-out. Still, he’d agreed to come, so I’d considered that a win.

A week after Drake’s phone call, I had everything ready to go. I stood in the clearing next to Cheat Lake, waiting for everyone to arrive.

I’d taken great care when choosing my outfit. I’d told myself it was because I wanted to look good at my best friend’s wedding, but really, I just wanted to look good for Adam. I was wearing a pale yellow sundress that stopped just a few inches above my knees. It hugged my curves nicely without looking trashy. Compared to the outfits I normally wore, I looked like a saint. The dress was strapless, but I had enough boobage to hold it up, thank God. I’d never live it down if I accidentally flashed everyone at the wedding. My hair was styled in loose curls, perfectly framing my face, and my makeup was light. Overall, I thought I looked pretty good—a little innocent but good. I’d take it.

Logan was with me. He looked like he wanted to bolt or kill someone. At this point, it could go either way. I prayed that he would behave himself.

“Can you at least pretend to smile?” I asked as I leaned back against his car.

He flashed his teeth at me. “There. Happy?”

I laughed. “I asked you to smile, not act like you’re going to go cannibal on my ass and eat me.”

He rolled his eyes at the exact same moment my phone lit up and Adelitas Way’s “Criticize” started playing. My heart stopped. Only one person had that ringtone—Adam. I unlocked my phone and quickly read his text.

Adam: Almost there.

That was it. There was no I can’t wait to see you, or I can’t wait to f*ck you up against a tree. My whole body sagged in disappointment.

“Adam, Eric, and Jade are almost here. The preacher dude is following behind them,” I told Logan.

I replied to Adam, feeling a little pissy.

Me: K.

Asshole.

Logan and I both looked up as two cars pulled into the clearing. A man stepped out of the second one—the preacher I assumed—while Eric, Adam, and Jade climbed out of the first one. My breath caught when I locked eyes with Adam. God, he was beautiful. He still looked exactly the same as he had the last time we’d been together. After a year apart, I’d thought that maybe I wouldn’t be so bothered by his presence. I was wrong. Seeing him caused my entire body to catch fire.