Ticket for Cheating novel Chapter 30

Chapter 4

Finally, Jax grabbed the mic.

“Alright, everyone, let’s give it up for today’s REAL star!”

That’s when Marlowe shoved open the dressing room door.

“Tessa! There you are!”

That fake-sweet voice made me wanna puke.

“We’re doing a bouquet toss thing. I need you out there. Come on!”

I snapped my lipstick shut and turned to look at her.

“A bouquet toss?”

I smiled.

“The bride’s not even out there. Who’s throwing it?”

“That’s why it’ll be fun, silly.”

She grabbed my arm, all buddy-buddy.

“I know you’re not into all the traditional stuff anyway. Let’s just go. I wanna try something. It’ll be fun, I promise.”

She didn’t wait for an answer. Just pushed me into the spotlight.

I signaled to my assistant to follow with the covered board.

This wedding had already turned into a total joke.

Nobody cared that the bride was missing.

Whatever.

I walked out next to Marlowe.

“What do you wanna do?”

“You know, the bouquet toss. But our way.”

She held up the bouquet-white, fancy, probably swiped from the decorations.

“I catch it, Cas has to do me one thing-whatever I say. No arguing.”

She paused, grin spreading wider.

“You catch it? I give you back that bracelet Mrs. Thorne gave me. Deal?”

She stopped dead and stared at Mrs. Thorne.

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Mrs. Thorne’s whole face froze up.

“Marlowe, honey, let’s not do this.”

She shot me a look first, then whipped around to face Marlowe.

“I gave you that bracelet. That’s not how you treat a gift.”

Then she finally looked at me.

“Tessa, she’s just being dramatic. Don’t worry about it.”

Everyone went quiet. Staring at me.

I laughed.

“Mrs. Thorne, this was Marlowe’s idea, not mine.”

“Plus, she’s been causing drama the whole time anyway. She obviously wants to do this.”

Mrs. Thorne’s mouth snapped shut.

I turned to Marlowe.

“Fine. Let’s play. But if you win, I’ll give you something extra.”

Marlowe’s eyes lit up.

“Like what?”

“You’ll see.”

Someone had cleared space in the middle of the ballroom.

Marlowe had twisted the rules-Caspian’s friends were in a half-circle now, all ready to fight for the bouquet.

Marlowe stood in the center, looking smug as hell.

The groomsmen glanced at each other, then slowly inched toward her.

Jax started counting down.

“Three.”

The guys moved in.

“Two.”

Marlowe was already on her toes, ready to jump.

“One!”

I threw the bouquet hard.

The guys jumped at the same time, all reaching in the same direction.

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Chapter 4

Marlowe was surrounded.

Someone batted the bouquet mid-air. It spun, arced and flew straight at Caspian.

He caught it on reflex. Didn’t even hesitate.

Just turned and handed it to Marlowe.

The room went dead silent.

Then-

“Damn, I thought Cas would back his girl, but nope. Marlowe first, as always.”

“Dude, you’re sleeping on the couch tonight.”

“So what? Marlowe’s in a wedding dress too. Maybe he gets two honeymoons.”

“Yeah, with all that history? She should just seal the deal.”

The jokes got worse.

Caspian finally realized what he’d done. He looked at me, face full of panic.

“Tessa, it’s not what it looks like. She’s been talking about this bouquet all day. If I didn’t get it for her, she’d lose it.”

Marlowe held the bouquet tight, cheeks flushed, and gave his arm a playful smack.

“Don’t make it sound like Tessa’s petty. She’s super chill. Right, Tessa?”

I stared at her.

her move in college too. Say the cruelest things in the sweetest voice.

at time Caspian flew overseas to bid on a pink diamond necklace for my birthday.

Next day, Marlowe was wearing it.

I just stood there, staring at that necklace.

Caspian scratched his nose, about to say something, but Marlowe cut him off.

“Oh my god, I’ve been eyeing this forever! Can’t believe someone beat me to it.”

“Cas said I could wear it for a bit. That’s okay, right, Tessa?”

She tilted her head, playing innocent.

“You’re always so cool about stuff.”

Caspian nodded along.

“Yeah, it’s just a necklace. I’ll get you a nicer one later.”

There was no next time.

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That pink diamond ended up in Marlowe’s jewelry box, untouched.

“Tessa? You’re not actually mad, are you?”

Marlowe’s voice snapped me back.

I smiled and kept my voice light.

“It’s just a bouquet. Why would I care?”

Caspian’s head whipped toward me. Something in my tone must’ve clicked.

He started walking over, but Marlowe grabbed his arm.

“You promised-one wish, no questions. Come here.”

I watched as she stood on her toes, lips brushing his ear.

His ears turned bright red. He tried to pull away. But she yanked him back.

I stood there, outside the circle, watching it all-

Caspian’s automatic reaction.

Marlowe’s entitlement.

Mrs. Thorne’s approving smile.

The guests’ knowing laughter.

I turned and walked toward the covered display board in the corner.

My heels clicked against the marble. Quiet, but steady.

One step at a time, through the crowd.

The noise died down.

Everyone turned to look.

I stopped in front of the board and grabbed the edge of the red fabric.

Ripped it off.

“Mr. Thorne. Miss Ashford.”

My voice came through the speakers, clear and cold.

“Congrats on your wedding.”

I paused.

“And congrats to me. For finally cutting ties with the Thornes.”

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