Page 55 of No Second Chances

“I look good, I know.” He winks at us badly, and then he hugs his mom.

She kneels down, and thankfully the photographer is in the room with us, because I completely forgot to bring my phone. It is currently sitting in Linc’s truck, with my hidden stash of tacos that I had the cook at Lucy’s make for me so I have something to snack on after the wedding.

“I’m not gonna cry.” Vi wheezes as we all stand there and watch the touching scene between mother and child. “Don’t let me cry and ruin this makeup. I’ll never look this good again and I haven’t even had pictures taken yet.”

We are all a blubbering mess by the time the wedding march starts two minutes later. And by the time we make it to the aisle, I’m ready to throw up. I can’t tell if it is from anxiety or nerves, but whatever it is, I’m not feeling great.

Linc and the rest of the men are standing at the front of the hall of St. Joseph’s, and my heart starts to race when I see him.

I expect his eyes on me, but I never thought I’d see him as focused as he is. Remy, whom he stands next to, says something to him quietly, and all Linc can do is nod.

When it is my turn to make my way down, I smile despite the feeling in the pit of my stomach that something is wrong. When I make it to the front, Linc winks at me and all the nerves vanish.

The music changes, and I smile broadly as the notes of Parker’s favorite song fill the air around us. While Remy sighs and runs his hands though his hair, Linc shakes his head.

“This is the one?” Remy asks me seriously.

“Yep.”

We all turn to see Parker and Nox walking down the aisle together while the beginning strains of Gabby Barrett’s “Rivers Deep” play over the speakers.

“I love her more than anything.” Remy never takes his eyes off them, and when they make it to the front of the church, there are more than a few people in the crowd already wiping at their eyes. The music fades, and Remy crouches down next to Nox.

Nox lets go of Parker’s hand to throw his arms around Remy’s neck. “I love you, Dad.” His voice echoes through the massive room, and I can’t keep the tears in anymore.

Needless to say, by the time the ceremony is over and we are walking out, there isn’t a dry eye in the building.

“I need a drink,” Vi mutters as we finish the last of the wedding photos.

There is more than a little agreement from the men and me. “Oh, I got you,” Emma calls out from the other side of the wedding party.

Then Linc’s little sister hikes up her bridesmaid dress and reveals the fact that she has four flasks strapped to the inside of her leg.

Dom chokes on air, and Remy has to slap him on the back.

When Dom finally catches his breath, he shakes his head. “You brought bootleg booze? To a party full of cops?” We all stare at her, but Dom isn’t letting it go just yet. “How did you even know to do that? How did you walk with that many bottles of alcohol? What happened here?”

Emma pushes past the obviously bewildered man to get to me and Vi. “What are you gonna do? Arrest me? Or do you want a drink?” She holds out a flask for him to take. “I’m a woman, Dom. We’re smart enough to be resourceful when we need. And I knew I was gonna have a need for alcohol before facing the masses. The masses being our friends and family while I look like a sad and fluffy cloud.” She takes a giant drink from the flask in her other hand, while still waiting for him to make up his mind.

“I’ll take one.” Remy grabs one for himself, and Linc grabs another. Pretty soon, there is only one left, and Dom is staring at his hands like he’s missing out.

Since we are out in the woods, too far to get a drink without a hassle, Dom does the smart thing. He shuts up and drinks the bootleg vodka out of the flask Emma had strapped to her thigh. Just like the rest of us.

We start walking through the field back toward the reception area, and everyone drinks except for Parker, who eyes us jealously.

Cain, who hasn’t spoken at all during the entire conversation or walk, eyes Emma up and down. “I think I need to introduce you to Mayhem.” He nods toward the reception area. “If you can carry that many bottles on the inside of your thighs without anyone noticing, I think we need to get you in a pair of skates on the track.”

“No,” Dom insists suddenly, burping after his exclamation. “She’s not doing it. She’ll kill me out there on skates.” As soon as he realizes that he’s spoken aloud, his face flames and he turns away.

“I think it’s a great idea.” Linc eyes the two of them suspiciously before turning to Cain. “Seriously. Get her on some skates. Maybe she can save my honor.”

“Oh!” Parker claps her hands together. “Let’s go to Galloway Bay. I want to try, too. It’ll be so much fun.”

“You’re not allowed.” Cain shakes his head wildly. “You’re gonna have a baby soon. You’re not getting on skates.” He nods at Remy’s dark expression. “Don’t worry. I won’t let it happen.”

“I want to do it.” My voice is a little lower than I think it will be, and I hadn’t realized how nervous the thought of skating makes me. Especially since Parker sent me a video of the derby team in action. They are fierce, powerful, and everything I don’t feel like I am anymore.

“I think it would be great for you,” Linc says right next to my ear, moving in so that he can wrap his arm around my waist. “You look beautiful, Kennedy. Just like always.”

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