Page 79 of Playing for Keeps

Feeling weak isn’t the same as being weak. Though the future isn’t certain regarding the clubs, Duke did right for everyone involved.

Nodding at my words after a moment of hesitation, Duke gets what I’m saying. We’re on the same team, not only because of our clubs or families but because we want the best for Lola.

As Duke returns to Lola upstairs, I join my family in the meeting room which has been transformed into a sparkling, luxurious location. Pa-Emmett is at the front with my uncles, brother, and cousins. I join them and try to stand still. Yet, I’m dying for the ceremony to start.

Ma-Poppy must see me struggling because she gives me a long, tight hug. My agitated breathing slows, and I calm the hell down.

“You’re marrying your dream girl today,” Ma says once she frees me from her mama bear hug. “No one will frick that up for you. If anyone tries, your family will flatten the queef.”

I glance at West, Ike, Otto, Poet, and Bullet. They all nod, ready to jump on any troublemakers. As I stop running through all possible problems, my groomsmen walk to the lobby to meet the bridesmaids.

Minutes later, “A Thousand Miles” begins to play. People take their seats. I smile at my grinning parents in the front row. My family fills up the first three rows followed by the men I call brothers.

Sitting next to her goofy blond husband Merv, Lola’s mom is already crying. Erin has a full box of tissues at the ready. The back rows of the bride’s side are filled with the Blood-Red Suns members. Like a bunch of meathead older brothers, they seem excited over Lola getting married.

As West begins walking down the aisle with Alexis, I realize I’ve been holding my breath. I inhale sharply and smile at Tuesday with Bullet. Next up is Ike with Oana. Otto follows with Betty and Edith. Poet walks next to Cricket. Clover and Roxie bring up the rear, wearing matching jumpsuits.

My heart nearly busts out of my chest at the sight of Lola with Duke. That’s the moment I realize I’m about to take my vows while sporting a half-woody.

It’s not as if I didn’t know what Lola’s dress looked like. I helped her pick it out. Yet, I’m unprepared for the sight of her walking down the aisle toward me in that gown with the lacy straps hanging off her shoulders.

She’s a vision in white. Her shiny straight hair drapes her shoulders and hangs down her chest. Her face is perfection with her red lips and softly pink skin.

Those damn straps are too much for me. I swear she’s about to fall out of her top and reveal her stellar tits to a room full ofpeople.What would be the proper response to that happening? Poke out everyone’s eyeballs? High-five the people bound to applaud?

Remaining perfectly locked into her dress, Lola floats toward me while holding Duke’s arm. I stare in awe at the woman I get to keep. Lola smiles at me, refusing to hold back or play coy. She’s just as amazed at how she gets to keep me.

Everything flipped around so fast between us. A month ago, Lola was screaming in a grocery store. Now, she’s saying, “I do,” and meaning it.

Our first kiss as husband and wife prompts applause. Maybe that’s normal, but I like to think Lola and I inspire a celebratory mood.

“I love you,” Lola says after our first kiss as a married couple. “Thanks for taking Duke’s deal and breaking the curse.”

“Everything I did was for selfish reasons. Being away from you was killing me.”

Nodding, Lola understands the pain of knowing the perfect person is within reach yet unattainable.

I look into her sapphire eyes and see our future spread out before us. The details like our home and kids are foggy, but within the uncertainty, there stands Lola as a beacon. She’s my home now.

LOLA, AKA THE END OF A COOCHIE CURSE

My dress has a fun little clip thing, so I can tie up the train and move more easily. Val and I share our first dance as a married couple to “Riki Tiki Tavi” by Donovan, which was playing when he first strutted his fine ass in my direction.

It’s an awkward song to dance to, so we have the same goofy moves as when Val tried to dance to “Psycho Killer.”

Duke frowns at Emmett as if Val’s to blame for our ridiculous dance. Kerrie thinks it’s hilarious because she likes to do silly shit.

Soon, the music changes, and we’re joined on the dance floor. Poppy bounces around Emmett who mostly bobs his head to the beat.

Duke grudgingly dances with Kerrie who seems to be voguing as if channeling Madonna. My father stands very still while she moves around him, making hand gestures.

I think back to their marriage. They seem so poorly matched now, but back in the day, they acted happy enough.

I smile at Val and never want to be “happy enough.” Unrealistic or not, I always want to be perfectly happy.

Right now, Val and I dance slowly to a fast song. I’m never sexier than when Val stares at me with thoughts of sex floating around in his gorgeous head.

“You own me so completely,” he says, sounding pained. “It’s almost too much, but I’m getting used to my heart feeling this full.”

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