Page 70 of Biker's Property

Yum.

I graba random black suit off the rack and approach Joslin’s dressing room to find her… naked.

“Where’s the dress.”

“It’s perfect,” she says. “And it’s bad luck for you to see it.”

I scowland prepare to say something defiant, when Joslin distracts me by grabbing the thong and holding it up to herself.

“You have to buy this now because I’m putting it on.”

“I’ll buyyou another one if you let me rip that one off…”

Joslin glaresat me and then the bell sounds at the front door, indicating Catalina’s return. I shut the door to Joslin’s changing room and walk out to the emporium lobby before Catalina can get any closer and investigate what just happened in her changing room.

When she sees me, Catalina looks relieved.

“If you ran away, I would have tracked you down and kicked your ass.”

“Do you have good news?”

I’m assuming this excessive familiarity indicates Catalina’s success. I raise an eyebrow and Catalina hands me a business card.

“This is the place you need to go. The guy is Pastor Barry and I got you the complete package.”

It’s everything we need, ready way faster than I thought possible. I don’t feel cold feet. Some guys compare getting married to the feeling you get before prison and I think those guys are sick in the head. All I feel about marrying Joslin is pure excitement.

“Excellent.”

“You have about thirty minutes to get there since it was so last minute, but if you pay for the dress and I guess that suit… you can make it.”

So that’s it.

We’re getting married.

Joslin emergesfrom the changing room, grinning from ear to ear and holding the dress.

“This is the one, Catalina!”

“Oh thank goodness,” Catalina says. “Because if it wasn’t… you might have missed your appointment. Are you ready to go?”

Joslin nods, but I mumble that it’s probably better for me to change into the suit here and make sure it fits. I’m a little bigger than a normal man. Catalina reminds me that we don’t have much time, so I take quick strides to the changing room and try not to obsessively listen in on the conversation Joslin starts up with her.

This might bethe craziest thing I’ve ever done. Getting married without telling my family. No regrets. I look in the mirror at my face, completely changed by prison and now… changed by Joslin. I feel like I have a constant half-smirk on my face when she’s nearby. Like she’s my peace. My joy.

The womanI always want to come home to. I quickly strip down and try the suit on, surprised to find that it fits perfectly. It’s normally not so simple for me to find clothes that fit. This feels like a sign.

I walk outinto the emporium lobby, and the look on Joslin’s face makes me feel like a king. Finally. I’m getting married. I never thought this day would come… until I met her.

I wear my suit, keeping Joslin’s silk dress wrapped in a dress bag and tucked into my cut. In about fifteen minutes, we’re going to be at the address where Catalina found the priest that would marry us on such short notice. Joslin clings to me throughout the entire ride, her body’s presence comforting me, although her closeness just reminds me of how hard it was not to fuck her in the changing room.

I don’t like getting on my bike without her now. This is the last time I’ll have to worry about letting her out of my sight.

HitchedIn The Heartland Chapel

Joslin spotsthe sign from the road and squeezes my torso forcefully. Just as excited as I am. I don’t feel nervous when I park the bike. The dress is still safely tucked into my cut, and Joslin takes her helmet off, letting her pretty hair loose. When I look at her, I expect a rush of nerves to overwhelm me.

What the fuck am I doing? Marrying some woman I barely know who killed her previous husband?

---