Chapter 6

Hadley kissed Chelsea good night as she bade him good will the next morning on his wedding day to her best friend, Alisha.

He couldn’t believe that it had come to this.  He had to marry a woman he didn’t love because his mother didn’t approve of the woman he did love.  No one could find out the argument he had with his mother in the hospital after his accident while on his way home after his mother called him about his brother in Afghanistan. 

After two days in the hospital suffering from injuries from the blast, Hadley’s brother, Tyler, died from his injuries.  Hadley and his mother had a terrible argument over his future plans with Chelsea.   His mother told Hadley she didn’t approve of Chelsea and told him she would make sure he never got his inheritance if he married her.  

Hadley had to get his inheritance.  He wanted to leave.  And leave with Chelsea.  But he couldn’t do it if he didn’t have his inheritance.  So he came up with a plan to marry Alisha out of convenience in order to get the inheritance so he could be free to be with Chelsea when the inheritance came in.

But unbeknownst to Hadley, his mother had a codicil put in that would make Hadley stay married to whoever he chose for a year before he got the inheritance.

The day of the wedding was here and Hadley text Chelsea:  “Babe, I miss you.”

“I miss you too!” Chelsea text back.

“Can’t wait to see you after the wedding.” Hadley text back.

“Me too.”

Hadley then text Alisha to see if she had arrived at the chapel yet:   “You there yet?”

“I just pulled up to the chapel.  Headed in to get ready.” Alisha text back.

“Great!  Meet you at the altar.” Hadley text back.

As Hadley put his cell back into his pocket, he wished that he was saying that to Chelsea, but he would go along with the sham of a marriage.  Soon, he would be marrying Chelsea.  Just as soon as he got his inheritance on his 18^th birthday in a month. 

Guests were arriving for the wedding as Chelsea sat in the back row watching her best friend marry the man she loved.  At least it was in name only. 

As the pianist played the wedding march, the flower girl, Hadley’s two-year-old niece, Aysha, headed the march, followed by Hadley’s sister, Taylor, who was the matron-of-honor, as requested by (more like demanded) Hadley’s mother.

Finally, it was time for the bride to head down the aisle.  There she was!  Alisha looked ravishing in the dress that Hadley’s mother demanded she wear.  Chelsea pictured her wearing it and got a little jealous at the thought.

The couple said their vows and after the minister pronounced them husband and wife, Hadley gave his bride a kiss on the lips, to which Chelsea felt a pang of jealousy watching them. 

The newly married couple headed down the church aisle as husband and wife and headed to the country club where there was wedding reception waiting for the couple. 

“I can’t believe my sister is married?” Ellis said to his new brother-in-law, Hadley, when he saw them at the country club.

“Nice to meet you too, Ellis.” Hadley said to him.

As the reception was in full swing, Chelsea showed up to see how it was going and was met with disdain by Hadley’s mother.

“What are you doing here?!”

“I wanted to congratulate my friend on her wedding.” Chelsea said.

“Well, this is a family party!  And you’re not welcome here!” Mrs. Jamison said, turning up her nose at Chelsea, showing her disapproval.

“She’s my best friend!” Chelsea protested.

“Alisha is having the time of her life!  She doesn’t need you anymore!”

“I can’t wish my best friend the best?”

“Get out of here before I have you thrown out!” Mrs. Jamison demanded.

Chelsea left before Hadley’s mother could throw her out, but not before texting Hadley why she left.

“Sorry, but your mother wouldn’t allow me inside the country club to see you at the reception.”

“K babe.  C U 2nite @ R secret place! J” Hadley text back, before joining Alisha at her side for their first dance at husband and wife.

While Hadley and Alisha paid their dues at the wedding reception, Chelsea was at the hotel preparing for her night with Hadley on his wedding night.