Strike ( Book 4: Stronger Series )

21. The Dark

I watched Darren walk away from me on our wedding night and disappear into the growing, moving crowd. He had been working toward this day for so long, bragging of its eventual manifestation, and now he was leaving me during it? I didn't understand. He'd been so happy when he kissed me at the end of the ceremony. I could feel it in my bones. Had I upset him? Was something going on I wasn't aware of? What the fuck.

Before I could delve further into my thoughts, Kayla placed two shot glasses filled with pink liquor on the table in front of me.

"Okay, time for shots!" she said, her voice filled with surprising excitement.

I looked down at the shot glasses and then back at her face, raising my eyebrows. She hated the idea of me marrying Darren, and now she wanted to celebrate with shots?

"Shots? Are you even allowed to do these?" I asked her.

She smirked. "Only for tonight, so don't make me waste this chance. Now, drink up!" she said, holding up her little glass.

I shook my head with amusement and grabbed my glass. Tapping it against hers, I swallowed it back. There wasn't much of a burn, and it tasted delicious, which meant it was probably watered down. I wouldn't complain, though. I wasn't that much of a drinker anymore.

"What was that?" I asked, setting the glass down. "It was good."

"Pink Pussy," Kayla answered with a short giggle.

"Ooh, well, now I understand the obsession."

We both chuckled quietly to ourselves as the music continued to flow through the background. It was the first time I had a moment to sit down and actually process the day, and it made my heartbeat faster.

Fuck. Darren was officially my husband now.

Husband. That word was so foreign to me. It didn't fit Darren like it should. It was too domestic of a word. It fit someone else who was more qualified to hold that title. Pain tore into my heart at the thought of the one person I still failed to forget no matter how hard I tried. My gut would twist with guilt every time he entered my mind, knowing it was a betrayal to Darren, but I couldn't help but wonder where Jason was, or if he was okay. Was he still watching over my mom and brothers? Would Darren tell me if he found him? Would I even want to know?

The thought had my stomach churning with anxiety, but once again, Kayla interrupted my internal turmoil.

"Come on, let's head to the bar for another shot, and then we'll hit the dance floor. You're way too stiff for a bride!"

I let Kayla pull me from my seat and usher me through the guests and toward the bar. I could feel numerous eyes on me as we made our way through the crowd, receiving several nods and smiles from the people I'd met earlier, and then watching those smiles quickly disappear as soon as they caught sight of Clive and Owen. It made me laugh inside.

When we reached the bar, Kayla ordered us each another shot, Apple Jacks, this time, and it was two seconds before they were placed in front of us. It was then that I realized Matt was also nowhere in sight.

"Where's Matt?" I asked as Kayla handed me the shot.

"Hopefully dying in a ditch somewhere," she grumbled under her breath.

I snorted and took the glass from her. We toasted and then threw the shots back, the burn of the whisky taking the edge off and giving me that liquid confidence I was so fond of.

"Are you okay?" Kayla asked me. "You're too quiet. You look worried."

I folded my lips together, wondering if I should reveal anything, but I needed a little reassurance.