And surprisingly enough, Lucy is the reason I can walk out the door, at peace with being on the way to see my ex-wife get remarried. Before, just a few weeks ago, I didn’t think it would be possible for me to be in the same room with Ellie without missing her. Now, not only am I over her, but I’ve realized how much time I wasted pursuing her, marrying her, and being miserable. It’s a shame that so many years and so much of my energy went into someone so undeserving of my love while my time with Lucy hasn’t even come close to being enough.
Down in the ballroom, Lucy and I find two empty seats on the bride’s side of the aisle. Unlike our wedding, this one looks elegant and expensive, decorated with tons of light pink and white roses and so many candles the whole place is a fire hazard. To some, it may look beautiful, but to me it just looks like they’re trying too hard to fake the love and romance.
“How are you feeling?” Lucy leans over and whispers.
“Sort of nauseous, but that’s probably just from not eating anything today and expending thousands of calories last night,” I respond truthfully with a smirk.
“Probably,” she agrees with her own shy grin.
“What about you?” I ask.
She tilts her head this way and that, considering her answer. “Surprisingly, I’m not feeling too bad myself.” I follow her gaze to the groom, who is rocking back and forth in front of the decorated gazebo, anxiously awaiting his bride.
“Glad he’s not waiting for you?”
“Yes, I am,” she replies, and I can hear the truth in her words which is good. Barry’s such a dick, and she deserves better. Lucy deserves better than me too, but I want to spend every second I can with her before I lose her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lucy
* * *
Last night with Nash was exactly the distraction I needed to take my mind off of everything and give me some perspective. Sex was never that hot and amazing with Barry. Although, at times, being with Nash and getting to touch him and kiss him like I’ve wanted for weeks, was also bittersweet because I know that in just a few days I may lose him for good. At the moment, that’s upsetting me more than anything, causing a gnawing ache in the pit of my stomach.
Or maybe I’m just hungry too.
Nah, I’m going to miss Nash like crazy, especially now, after how close we were last night.
I can’t help but worry that, after the wedding, he’ll get so drunk tonight that he’ll pass out before we get a repeat. I definitely want more before we have to leave in the morning to head back to Carolina Beach.
Will the police be waiting at Nash’s apartment for him? Or will he finally open up and tell me what’s going on before insisting that I drop him off at the police station?
God, this sucks.
Before I work myself up into a complete panic, the string quartet begins to play the very recognizable “Wedding March.” Jesus, I didn’t even notice the bridesmaids and flower girl coming down the aisle!
Everyone gets to their feet and turns around, waiting for the bride.
And there stands Ellie with her father on her arm in a formal tux. Her dress is beautiful and sexy, strapless with a fitted bodice that somehow hides her baby bump. It’s not fair that someone so evil could be so gorgeous. It’s horrible for me to think such a thing, but I hope one day her rotten core will show on the outside.
I don’t even risk a look at Nash while the pair walk down the aisle, afraid of what I will see on his face – the love in his heart he has for her and will only ever have for her.
But when we take our seats and the reverend begins the ceremony, Nash’s hand reaches for mine, interlocking our fingers. It’s such a sweet gesture for the outlaw biker, a suspect in a murder investigation, that I finally glance over at him.
His amber eyes are warm when they meet mine, filled with sadness, yes, but there is also a strength in them that clearly translates into seven words I can almost hear him muttering, Fuck ‘em, we’re better off without them.
For once, I think he may actually mean that.
Then, the reverend grabs my attention when he does the whole spiel while I hold my breath.
“Into this union Ellie and Barry now come to be joined. If anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully wed, speak now, or else forever hold your peace.”
There’s a heavy moment of silence, and I can feel several sets of the eyes on me and Nash. I’m not sure what he does, but I simply smile sweetly and give his hand a squeeze.
“Very well,” the reverend says before he carries on with the next part of the sermon and the crowd lets out a collective exhale.
Nash
“We survived in one piece without causing any problems for the happy couple, much to everyone’s surprise,” I lean over to whisper in Lucy’s ear as we sit at our assigned table with the other cousins.
“We did,” she agrees, flashing me a proud smile before leaning over to my ear. “And if you don’t drink like a fish, I will make sure you get more than one very happy ending tonight.”
My cock hears her loud and clear, perking up like an excited puppy, wanting her to pet it again. Or suck it. Hell, I think I could get off with her just looking at it in that wide-eyed way she does, like she’s impressed and a little terrified of the destruction it may cause between her legs. Not that those concerns slowed her down much last night. The sun was up before she tapped out and we switched to several amazing rounds of oral.
“Two drinks and I’m done,” I promise her, looking forward to another sex-filled night despite how shitty the sleep deprivation on the way home tomorrow will feel.
“Good,” she says.
“I’ll go find us both a glass of champagne.” I give her a quick kiss on the lips before I stand up, without even thinking about it and definitely not for show. Guess that’s how comfortable I feel around her after last night.
I’ve just grabbed two glasses from the bar while still thinking about the kiss when I turn around and find Ellie and Barry right the fuck in front of me like they’re purposefully cornering me.
“Congrats,” I say, handing them each a glass of champagne and then grabbing two more from the table.
“Thanks for not making a scene,” Barry says. “I was holding my breath waiting to see if you were going to stand up and proclaim your love for Ellie or not.” Both of them laugh together, happy and carefree like I’m the joke, the loser ex who can’t get over her.
“The thought didn’t even cross my mind. I’m already with the better woman,” I assert, the words ringing so true to my own ears that I’m certain they will also know I’m not bullshitting them. “Congrats again!” I add before slipping around them to head back to my seat.
“What was that about?” Lucy whispers when I hand her a glass.
“Nothing important,” I assure her as the happy couple and several others take the dance floor for a slow dance. “You want to dance with me?”
“Is that a joke?” she asks with a giggle. “I didn’t take you for the dancing type.”
“Guess there are still a few things you don’t know about me,” I say when I get to my feet and offer her my hand.