Page 23 of On the Ropes

Luke was encouraged to see that although Abbey was still angry with him, she wasn’t completely unaffected. He’d noticed her hard nipples poking against the lacey bodice of her pretty bridesmaid dress. And he bet if he checked, he would have found her pussy was nice and wet for him too. She’d been so responsive to him back in the day and it appeared she still was.

Luke had been Abbey’s first. He was still proud and humbled by that fact. He’d been the lucky one to introduce her to everything. The pleasure of getting her nipples sucked and teased, moving past her embarrassment of having him eat her pussy until she yanked on his hair and came so hard she shook. He’d taught her how to suck his dick so well he nearly went cross eyed when he came in her mouth. And the sex. Still to this day he’d never felt as connected to or as in sync with someone as he did when he’d fucked Abbey.

His sweet little princess had been so trusting and open to experimenting he couldn’t have asked for more. Her tight little pussy fit his dick perfectly, so snug, hot, and wet. It was the only place he ever wanted to be. It was home. She was home.

Luke cursed himself for getting hard in front of a church full of people. The damn tuxedo jackets provided no cover. They were cut leaving their crotches exposed.

Suddenly, Jake turned to him with tears streaming down his face. Shit, Luke hadn’t been paying attention. He’d been lost thinking about Abbey.

“Jake, buddy, you all right?”

Jake wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and shook his head. “No, I’m not. I gotta go.”

Luke panicked. Jake was leaving Cassie at the altar? He looked to Pastor Jenkins for help and the pastor shook his head slightly. Pastor Jenkins seemed calm.

Before Luke could say anything more, Jake took off toward Cassie and her father. Everyone in attendance gasped and whispered amongst themselves. The bridal march stopped playing. The photographer was clicking away, taking photographs of the impending disaster and the videographer was capturing every horrific moment as it unfolded.

Luke looked over to Abbey and Leah to find them both in shock with their mouths wide open. He didn’t know what to do. Should he chase after Jake? He turned to Heath, his expression guarded. Not much help at all.

Luke looked to his Uncle Darren, desperate for guidance. Darren, his father and mentor of twenty years now, would know what to do. Darren looked him straight in the eye and shook his head slightly. Luke raised a brow, not sure if doing nothing was the right thing or not. Darren smiled at him and shook his head again. All right, Luke would butt out.

Luke took a deep breath and waited along with everyone else as Jake made his way to Cassie and her father. No one was sure what would happen next.

Pastor Jenkins was right. Cassie was a vision to behold. She and Jake wouldn’t allow him to buy her a designer couture bridal gown like he’d wanted to, but the gown she chose was beautiful none the less. The lace looked like it was floating up her chest and down her arms. Her hair was done up and she looked absolutely radiant. How could Jake turn tail now? He’d wanted to see her before the ceremony for fuck’s sake. And Cassie was expecting. He couldn’t believe Jake would be so cruel.

Cassie’s father looked more than a little concerned. “Jake, are you all right?”

Cassie cocked her head with a little grin on her face, poised and calm. “You decided on a top hat?” A few people laughed. Cassie was making jokes?

Jake’s hand quickly went to his head, touching the brim of the top hat like he’d forgotten he had it on. “Oh, right. I thought it would be fun?” He took it off, turned to Luke, and tossed it over to him. Luke caught it easily and put it on. A few people laughed nervously. Everyone not quite sure what to make of what they were witnessing.

Jake shook his head and looked at Cassie’s father. “No, Phil, I’m not all right. Would you mind if I walked Cassie the rest of the way?”

A collective sigh went through the crowd. Jake wasn’t leaving Cassie, he was overwhelmed and emotional by his beautiful bride. For a moment, Luke wondered if he would react the same way when he and Abbey got married because he knew they would. If he had anything to say about it, and he sure as hell did, they’d be getting married in the not-too-distant future. He had no intention of Mission Abbey failing.

Cassie’s father smiled warmly at Jake and nodded his head. “Sure, Jake, you go ahead. Take good care of my little girl.” Cassie’s father kissed her lightly on the cheek and placed her hand in Jake’s.

Jake nodded. “Thank you, Phil. And I will. I promise you.” Jake brushed his lips against Cassie’s knuckles and led her to their place up front. Phil followed behind, steering clear of Cassie’s wedding dress train.

Luke’s stomach, which had been twisted in knots, relaxed. Everyone sighed. Luke looked to Abbey and Leah. They were both smiling again, appearing relieved like he was. Luke shrugged and flashed Abbey a grin. She shrugged back, still smiling. That smile made his heart race and his dick hard. He wanted to keep that smile on her face for the rest of her life.

“Who gives this lovely young woman to this emotional young man?” Pastor Jenkins bellowed out.

Once the laughter died down, Phil spoke up, pride shone in his eyes. “Her mother and I do.”

Luke was grateful the ceremony proceeded with no other incidents. Luke kept a careful eye on Jake just in case, and on Abbey too. Since Jake told Cassie he got the top hat because he thought it would be fun, Luke and Heath alternated wearing it throughout the ceremony. He caught Abbey rolling her eyes at him at a couple of times but she’d always had mirth dancing in them. Luke considered it a win.

After the ceremony was over and pictures were taken, Luke sat alone in the first pew on the groom’s side, enjoying a moment of solitude. He had spent a few minutes with Pastor Jenkins’s young sons Noah and Joshua, taking pictures, tossing the ball around, and signing autographs. His Uncle Darren had plenty of merchandise and swag in the trunk of his car to give not only Noah and Joshua but the pastor as well. Luke’s shoulder was faring well with only a slight ache.

The clean-up crew were busy tidying up while some ceremony guests were mingling and enjoying light refreshments in the church’s Fellowship Hall before everyone headed to the reception being held at Cucina Antonetti’s in Elmhurst.Antonetti’s was known for their amazing Italian food and they served the best family-style food service in the Chicagoland area.

Luke was famished. The last few stressful days had killed his appetite. He would make sure he ate well tonight. He needed to take good care of himself, especially now.

Darren had asked Luke not to lose his shit until after the wedding. Luke could only do so much without breaking down. His uncle’s diagnosis was a hard kick to the gut. He still hadn’t fully processed it. Luke’s own physical issues didn’t help his frame of mind either. Add to that Abbey’s hostility toward him, and he wasn’t sure how more he could take.

Since he was in a church and had a rare moment of solitude, Luke bowed his head and closed his eyes.

Lord, please help my dad get through this awful time. I know the statistics aren’t good but you can turn things around for him. Please don’t take him from me too. You took my parents way too soon, give me my uncle for as long as you can. Bless Jake and Cassie in their new life together and grant them many years of happiness. Take good care of Cassie during her pregnancy and bless her and Jake with a strong healthy baby. Please see your way to helping Abbey let go of her anger so we can move on from the past. Open her heart and mind so she can see that we belong together. Guide me with your divine wisdom as I do my best to handle the challenges that lie before me. Thank you for the many blessings you’ve given me over the years. I appreciate every single one. Please continue to bless me, my friends, and family. They mean the world to me. Amen.

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