Chapter 7
A
-GRAYSON~
I was still pissed.
Not just at the situation. Not just at my father for selling my future like it was a business asset. I was pissed at myself
Because when Blair kissed me at the altar, I had kissed her back like I meant it.
I hadn’t meant to enjoy it. I had walked into that ceremony treating the whole thing like the obligation it was–cold, necessary, nothing more.
But the second Blair’s lips met mine, something in my head short–circuited.
For a few dangerous seconds I had forgotten there were hundreds of people watching.
Forgotten Lily. Forgotten the arrangement. Forgotten every reason I had to keep her at arm’s length. Her mouth had been soft and unexpected, and the second she leaned in I had taken control of the kiss without thinking. The sound that left my chest hadn’t been planned. Neither had the way my hand settled on her waist like it belonged there.
I hated that I enjoyed it.
I didn’t want to want anything from her. Not her attention. Not her mouth. Not the spark that had shot down my spine when she matched the pressure of the kiss instead of pulling away. She was a debt I was paying. A temporary obligation. Nothing more.
And yet the taste of her still lingered.
The after–party continued across the mansion’s main floor and out onto the lit terrace. Servers moved through the crowd with trays of champagne. People laughed too loudly and congratulated me like this was a real celebration instead of a transaction. I accepted the handshakes and empty words without really hearing them.
That was when I saw him.
Chase Holt stood near the open bar in a suit, drink in hand, looking entirely too comfortable for a man who had no business being here. His new wife hovered at his side, smiling like she owned the room.
Fucking Chase.
My biggest rival. The captain I could barely share ice space with without ending up in the penalty box. And yet someone had invited him to my wedding reception. This was fucking ridiculous. He should not be here.
It was impossible for anyone to get in here without a wedding invitation and since I was sure it didn’t come from me…who did it come from?
My grip tightened around the glass.
I set it down without looking and cut through the crowd.
People moved. They always did when I looked like this.
Chase saw me coming. His smile didn’t fade–it sharpened. He murmured something to his wife, then stepped forward slightly, already ready for a fight.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I demanded.
Chase took a slow sip of his drink, unbothered. “Relax, Shaw. Your wife invited me.”
My jaw tightened.
Blair.
Oh fuck. Of course.
She had invited him on purpose. After overhearing me with Lily. After I told her I would make her hate me. This was her way of pushing back. Of proving she could play the game just as dirty.
If that was how she wanted it, fine.
I could play too.
My jaw tightened.
Chase watched the realization hit me and his smile widened. “You didn’t know.”
“No,” I said, voice flat. “I didn’t.”
“Interesting.” He tilted his head. “Maybe she thought it would be fun. Or maybe she just doesn’t care how much you hate me. Either way, I’m here. And the drinks are free, so I’m not complaining.”
50 voucher
“You shouldn’t have come, I said. The invitation didn’t come from me.”
Whase’s smirk widened. “Funny. It doesn’t look like I needed your invitation to get in. Does it? Didn’t take you long to get married after me? I walk down the aisle, and suddenly you’re getting married the same week. Almost looks intentional.”
“Watch your mouth.”
“Or what?” He stepped closer, still smiling. “You going to start a fight here too? In the middle of your own reception? Classy.” “You don’t belong here,” I repeated. “It’s only for people with real talent.”
“I’m here because I was invited. Maybe you should take that up with your new wife instead of starting something in front of all these people.”
‘I heard you the first time,” I said. “Blair invited you. And know why.”
Chase let out a short laugh. “Do you? I highly doubt that. Married for a few hours and your wife is already inviting your biggest rival to the party. That’s rough, Shaw. Maybe you’re still sour that you didn’t receive a wedding invitation to my wedding.”
My blood went hot.
I smirked, “I heard your wedding wasn’t anything special. I wasn’t the only one who didn’t attend. Look around. All of the important people are here. Half of them didn’t show up for you.”
I had to keep reminding myself that William Monroe had seen potential in me when I was still trying to prove myself. He had funded opportunities, opened league connections, and made sure my father’s business stayed afloat during the years
it mattered most.
I owed the Monroes more than I liked admitting. That debt was the only reason I was standing in this room with a ring on my hand. Married to his daughter.
But none of that meant I was going to let Chase Holt stand in my reception and talk shit.
‘Your wife must have a hard time every night. Feel sorry for her.”
‘Worry about pleasing your own wife,” Chase shot back. “You must be desperate for a wife if you married her.”
What the fuck did he just say? Was that an insult at Blair? Why did I suddenly feel like punching him straight in the mouth?
‘The only desperate one here is you,” I replied. “Showing up somewhere you weren’t wanted just to remind yourself you’re
rrelevant.”
Chase’s smile thinned. “Keep telling yourself that.”
His wife was quiet at his side, watching the exchange with sharp interest. Across the room I caught a flash of white–Blair moving through the crowd with her sister, still in her wedding dress, still wearing that fake expression she had carried all day.
She glanced in our direction once.
Our eyes met.
There was no apology in her face. No explanation. Just a quiet, deliberate acknowledgment that she knew exactly who she had invited and why.
Something restless and competitive stirred within.
If Blair Monroe wanted to start a private war in the beginning of this marriage, she had chosen the wrong opponent.
I looked back at Chase.
“Enjoy the free drinks,” I said. “You look like you need it.”
I turned and walked away before he could answer, suddenly aware that my unwanted wife was not going to be as easy to ignore as I had planned.
Dex Morgan
Dex works to elevate each story with clean writing, emotional balance, and thoughtful flow for readers.