“Why is this just now being done?” I shout to the nearest prospect.
“Truck broke down last night. It just got here about an hour ago.”
“I want someone else setting up the tables already finished.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The short, stocky, brown-haired male glances around. “Scott, come over here and do whatever Ms. Dixie Rose tells you. She’s the one in charge of everything.”
“Thanks, Brock,” I say, patting his shoulder.
He grins. “Just put a good word in for me?”
“You got it,” I reply with a wink.
Scott slinks over and instantly—I’m chilled. There’s something about the blue-eyed blond that makes the hairs on my arms and neck set up. He narrows his eyes and I suddenly wish I had a can of pepper spray handy.
“You need me to do something?” he asks.
“Yes, please. I want to show you how to set the table up, and then you can assemble a crew to start on the left side while they put the tables up on the right.” I hate to turn my back to him, but I don’t have a choice. I power walk to the side of the tent where bags are full of white lace tablecloths and burlap runners. Buckets of flowers, mason jars, and the bike chain candle holders painfully crafted by us are lined up and ready to go.
“I’ll set up this table,” I say, nodding toward the table a few feet away. I focus all my attention on the task at hand, ignoring the way his gaze is making me feel. I lay down the lace, place the runner in the end, and center the Mason jar. “Just place a medium amount of flowers in here. There are all shades of blue, so you don’t have to worry about actually trying to arrange anything.” I grab the flowers and set them in the jar. “Add a few candle holders, and the table is done.”
“What about seating?” Scott asks.
“There’s nothing assigned, so once this is all set up, we’ll be good to go.”
“I can do that. Anything else?” His tone is disrespectful.
I bite my tongue and turn to eyeball him. “You got a problem?”
He flashes me a smile that somehow looks like a devilish grin. “Of course not, ma’am.” One of his tattoos show from beneath his rolled up sleeve.
It’s AN tat… I know what that means. I take a step back. “I’ll leave you to it.” This is one of the new people Mouth brought in. That son of a bitch. He’s taking his racist movement to a whole other level, and trying to infect the club. Taking a deep breath I force myself to move out of the tent. This is Blue’s day, and I refuse to let anything ruin it. I make a call to the beer company coming out to set up the portable alcohol trailer, the caterer, and the bakery. Assured that everything is on track, I allow myself to slip into the role of best friend and co-Maid of Honor.
Echo
My eyes are glued to Dixie Rose at the ceremony. I can’t hear the responses, because I’m trying to envision what life would be like if we’d made it to the altar. Would we have a few mini me’s running around by now? The sweet smile on her face and the wistful look in her eyes has me thinking her thoughts are running the same line as mine. I’m thirty-four and not getting any younger. I’m ready to start our life together. I’m a greedy motherfucker. I don’t want this big fanfare when we say our vows. I want her, me, and a weekend to ourselves. We can come back and remarry for everyone else later. After everything we’ve been through, I think we deserve to be a little selfish.
She looks up at me and our gazes lock. We’re magnets. When we’re in the same vicinity, we can’t help but be pulled to one another. Her lips curve up into a sweet smile she reserves for me. I wink. She bites her lip and looks down. Even after all this time, she still has traces of that shy girl I once corrupted.
Shadow pulls Blue to him, grabs a handful of blue and white gown, then proceeds to eat her face.
The crowd cheers and bikes rev.
They pull apart, grinning like mad, and make their way down the aisle.
I hold my arm out for D’Rose and she hooks her arm in mine. We walk into the tent to Back in Black by AC/DC. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder I pull her to my side. There are foxes in the hen house, and I’m not letting her out of my sight. She wraps an arm around my waist, and I’m home. It’s more than I ever thought we’d have some days, being like this among our family.
“I’ll be right back. I need to make sure Blue is ready for her grand entrance,” D’Rose says.
“All right. I’ll be waiting.”
She rushes out and I watch her exit the tent.
“That’s yours?”
I turn to see Scott and Brett standing side by side in crisp white button downs and slacks.
“Damn straight, that’s my old lady,” I answer, staring them down.