Chapter 2

2

Jake immediately pulled Mandy into a protective hug, acting like he'd let his mom beat him black and blue.

His mom was furious, but she couldn't bring herself to lay a finger on her precious boy.

Just as she was about to turn her rage back on Mandy, my family piped up, stepping up to the plate.

"Mandy's not usually this out of line. Let's all take a breath and hear what she has to say…"

"I don't care! Whatever's going on, she doesn't get to wreck my son's wedding today. I think she has a death wish!"

With that, Jake's mom reached out to grab Mandy.

In the chaos, someone �C whoops �C pushed Jake's mom, and she went down like a ton of bricks, tumbling backward over the steps.

"Mom!"

Jake rushed over and helped his mom up. She was bleeding from a nasty gash on her forehead.

Before she could even string together a sentence, she passed out.

Jake scooped her up and bolted for the hospital.

I stood there, watching the whole train wreck unfold.

Last time, I was too terrified of Jake and Mandy leaving, so I broke the glass and threatened suicide to keep Jake by my side. That's when his mom finally took my side.

This time, I didn't do anything, and things were already headed down a different path.

"Brooke, are you deaf or blind? Things are a total disaster, and you're standing around like you don't have a care in the world! Are you made of stone?"

My mom whirled around and started grilling me.

I snapped back without even thinking, "Are you out of your mind? Mandy crashed my wedding, and she's the one who sent Jake's mom sprawling! She ruined my wedding, but you come running to me and asking me what's wrong?"

My mom was stunned.

I'd never been so rude to her before.

My dad glared at me, "How can you talk to your mother like that? Do you have any manners at all?"

"Nope. Guess I have my parents to thank for that. Like father, like daughter."

I didn't hold back with him either.