022

As he spoke, I started to cry, knowing my lips had touched another man, my soul besmirched, my heart tawdry and torn. I'd wanted to save myself for only Tanner, but another had me first and I could never remove the stain he'd left on me. Why did Tanner have to talk about me in this way after what happened right before the wedding. He was stabbing a dagger in my heart, though he did not know and it wasn't his fault. The only good thing; it was finally over and I never had to worry again. Tanner would have all the rest of me. I would make up for what I'd done. I would love him with all my heart and soul and give him my body without reservation.

Tanner sat down and I hugged and kissed him, desperately. I was filled with love and admiration for his waiting for me. I only wished I was as pure as he thought I was.

Tiffany stood up afterward. "Hello, ladies and gentlemen, and I use the word loosely for some of you. You know who you are." She waited for the laughter to die after her comment. "I've known Brooke since we were in Junior High School together. Brooke has always been an amazing person, full of life and love, loyal to a fault, believing the best of everyone. She's made me a better person just by knowing her. She's always, ever since we started talking about boys, always wanted to save herself for marriage. It isn't easy in this day and age. Sex is everywhere. It's used to sell everything from jewelry to Coca Cola. Despite the social pressure to succumb to the allure of the carnal, Brooke remained steadfast in her beliefs and her commitment to chastity. She was teased constantly. Even I was guilty of doing it, but she was convinced the man she married would appreciate and respect her for waiting for the one she truly loved. Tanner is the man she's waited for. The one she wanted to surrender to, and from his speech earlier, it seems he really does appreciate she's had to courage and fortitude to wait only for him."

She raised her glass and everyone drank. Oh, God, even Tiffany was talking about it now. Why couldn't they talk about anything else? I had waited. Waited right up until thirty minutes before my wedding, and fearing what might happen if that stupid fucking picture got out right before the ceremony, tarnished myself on my wedding day. Couldn't anyone talk about anything else? I started crying harder, leaning in on Tanner's shoulder to weep. What excuse would I use this time? Tears of joy again. Overcome with emotional happiness? Maybe still somewhat sick or overwrought from being sick? Talk about anything else, please. Tanner put his arm around me and kissed the top of my head. It was my turn; my turn to speak and my eyes were red, my nose was running, my make-up ruined and I looked like a mess. The pictures and video from my wedding would show Brooke Grant running from the altar, crying all the time, sobbing hysterically, and I would be the only one who knew why.

I was an emotional, hysterical wreck. Taking my napkin, I wiped my face. If my make-up was ruined anyway, I might as well finish the job. My Dad on one side and Tanner on the other were patting my shoulders and encouraging me. What to tell them now? I appreciate everyone saying I was a good girl and waited for my wedding day before sex, but a half hour before I married the wonderful person beside me, I sucked another man's cock. I'm a horrible person and I'm sorry for all the nice things said about me, but it's all a lie now. It's not what I'd planned on saying, but it's what I felt like saying. I stood up and faced my guests, every eye on me but a few of the wait staff.

"I want to thank all of you for coming today. Some of you have come from far away to share in our joy, including three of the groomsmen. I'm thankful you think enough of us to take the time out of your busy lives to be with us here. I apologize to everyone for being such a wreck today," I said. "This has obviously been a very emotional day. I love the man beside me like no other. As others have rightly pointed out today, it was not love at first sight, for me at least. Tanner did have a reputation which did not strike me as a good fit for myself when I first met him. I did not want to fall in love with someone so clearly unlike what I'd been looking for in a life partner. It was only through his patience and persistence, I gave him a chance to prove himself to me. And he has done just that - proved himself to me every day. He has been kind, and loving, and understanding with me. I look at him now," I looked down at my love, "and feel inadequate and unworthy of him. He has waited for me, treasured me and loved me, and I want to be a better person for him. I shall attempt to prove to him every day how much he means to me and how much I love him, and I pray he never regrets marrying me. I raise my glass to Tanner Mason, my friend, my husband, and soon to be, my lover. I love you, Tanner."

I touched my glass to his and Daddy's and emptied my glass, then looked around the room, sweeping all our gathered company. I barely noticed them, the obsequious waiting staff, but there was one clearing off our table I glanced at more closely and I could see a cruel mouth, a whisper of an evil smile on his lips, and I fell into a dead faint, my glass shattering on the floor.

When I wake up, Tanner, Tiffany, Taylor, Donna, Yvonne and my parents are all standing around me. Beneath me is soft cushions and I look around, recognizing the billiards and dart room of the Druid Hills Golf Club. They have couches and easy chairs for members to sit in while waiting their turn for the table and dart board. I was lying on one of the couches and Tanner was stroking my face and head. Mom and Dad were leaning over the back of the couch, concerned for their one and only child.

"How long have I been unconscious?" I ask, trying to sit up.

"Stay down for a minute," Tanner said. "There's no rush. About twenty minutes, I think, maybe a little less." He looked at the others for confirmation and several of them nodded in agreement. I laid back down, glad to comply, my head still spinning.

"What's happened to our guests?" I ask.

"The DJ is playing music and most of them are dancing and drinking," Tanner smiled. "Some went home, a little overwhelmed by what's happened today, but most are still here waiting for us to make an appearance."

"We didn't get to dance the first dance together, Tanner."

"So we'll dance the tenth, or the twentieth, or the fiftieth together. It's no big deal. Did you not have enough to eat today. Why did you faint?"

What was I supposed to tell him? That I thought I saw the man who blackmailed me into sucking his penis right before my wedding? That Tanner wasn't the first one I'd done that for? Someone else had beat him to it? Was it even the same man? I saw so little of him for so briefly, I could be wrong, though I doubt I could ever forget his cruel expression if I didn't see it again for a hundred years.

"I don't know," I lied. Starting out my marriage with a second lie, the first being I was unstained.

"Brooke, are you okay?" Tiffany asked. "You haven't been right almost all day? Are you sick? Do you need to see a doctor? I'd ask if you're pregnant, if it weren't patently ridiculous."

My dear friend, Tiffany. Was she the one who betrayed me? One of my friends did and put me on my knees sucking a stranger's dick.

"I think I'm fine. Just emotional, I guess. It's been an exciting day."

"You're one of the calmest people I know, Brooke. Nothing ever flusters you," Yvonne said. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Was it Yvonne, or Taylor, or Donna? They were all here with me now. Did they want to witness what their effect on me, what had been done to me? Keep an eye on me in case I started to figure it out?

"Please, Tanner, help me sit up. At the very least, I'd like to go back to the hall and wish our guests a good night."

"Are you sure? You can rest here for a few more minutes."

"My head has stopped spinning. You and Daddy will make sure I don't collapse anymore. I need to go." I was hoping to see if I could spot the waiter, get a better look at him. Was it the same man?