“Yes,” I tell him. “There will be tons of alcohol at the reception if we survive the ceremony,” I add as an enticement since he seems hesitant to leave the room. “Unless you don’t want to see her…”
“Fuck her. Fuck them,” Nash says, finally cracking an eye open to look at me. “I’m good with it. Are you?”
“Yeah, I am,” I say confidently for the first time. “Besides, we need to let housekeeping in to change the sheets.”
“True enough,” he agrees with a gruff chuckle. “I love not using condoms, but I had forgotten how messy sex is without them.”
“No kidding,” I agree. “Come on, let’s shower together. If you can get it up, I’ll get on my knees and let you fuck my mouth again while we get clean.”
Nash goes from being a partially unconscious sleepyhead to wide awake when he jumps out of bed. I’m still laughing at his sudden burst of energy when he scoops me up, throwing me over his shoulder as he carries me to the bathroom.
Nash
* * *
Last night and this morning with Lucy have been the best time of my life. Memories I won’t ever forget.
I just hope they weren’t as unforgettable for her. I fear they were, which makes me selfishly happy and concerned at the same time.
While Lucy is finishing up in the bathroom, I pull out the hotel’s iron from the closet and go to work getting the wrinkles out of my black slacks and white dress shirt that she packed for me to wear for the wedding today. Hopefully they both still fit, because I honestly can’t remember the last time I wore either. My usual attire consists of a t-shirt, jeans and, of course, my cut.
I’ve just finished buttoning up my shirt that not only fits but is a little loose, when the bathroom door opens, and Lucy comes out in her blue floral dress.
“You look beautiful,” I tell her.
“Thanks,” she smiles, her lips curving while her cheeks blush a darker red. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”
“Cut or no cut?” I ask even though I feel naked without the leather and patches.
“Always wear your cut,” she replies, her smile broadening when she picks up the worn leather and holds it up for me to put my arms through. Once it’s on, she runs her hands down either side of the opening over my chest. “It’s who you are.”
“Thanks,” I reply, happy that she just understands that without argument or bitching.
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