Page 1 of Resolutions

Chapter 1

Melanie

Cameron and I sat on lawn chairs in our driveway, soaking in the unseasonably warm November evening while waiting for our friends to arrive. The weather was a gift - allowing us to use both indoor and outdoor spaces for tonight's combined bachelor and bachelorette party. The party was our idea; we wanted everyone to have fun while staying safe, especially since the wedding was on Sunday afternoon. We’d made this choice, because neither of us could face dealing with his mother while nursing hangovers. Evelyn Whitaker's disapproving looks could cause a cactus to wither. And her lectures were legendary in the family.

That's why we'd come up with our stop word: “mum.” We'd both sworn with hands raised in a mock court, really our bedroom, that we'd stop drinking the moment either of us called it out. I caught Cameron's eye, and we both grinned, knowing full well that between his brother's mischief and my friend's enthusiasm, keeping that promise would take a miracle.

I glanced at Cameron playing a game on his phone, still amazed I was marrying my best friend. When I met him during freshman orientation on my second day of college, I knew we'd become close. Our personalities clicked instantly, and it didn't hurt that he was drop-dead gorgeous with his surfer-blond hair and those mischievous blue eyes that seemed to always be laughing.

Cameron had other ideas from the start. To hear him tell it, it was love at first sight—he knew right then we'd get married. That he loved me before I loved him was a fact he'd taken to constantly reminding me and everyone else as our wedding date drew closer.

Tonight wasn't about us, though. It had taken two full days to organize everything. We'd set up themed rooms throughout the house: the basement arranged for poker with a giant inflatable shark hanging from the ceiling a card shark Cameron had explained while I rolled my eyes. The dining room hosted a cookie decorating station complete with take-home boxes. A nail station occupied the living room. Each space had its own themed bar and snack stations. Romantic movies played on every TV, and a frozen margarita station dominated the kitchen. The backyard featured a giant croquet with oversized mallets and beach balls, plus a mini-golf course. We'd even hired a private BBQ chef and set up a heated outdoor tent for dinner.

Tomorrow morning will be all about us. After cleaning up and sending home our passed-out friends, we'd have brunch at our favorite spot. Then home for sex before his mother whisked me away. She was adamant about Cameron not seeing me the night before the wedding. Neither of us wanted this separation, but his mother wouldn't hear otherwise. So, in the spirit of keeping peace, I'd get in her car.

“Did you know we're getting married in two days?” Cameron took my hand and kissed the back.

“What? I don't think so. When did this happen? I. Am. Not. Prepared!” I teased, stomping my foot dramatically.

“Ha ha. Just for the record, I've been preparing since freshman year.” He kissed my hand again.

“You must be marrying someone else. I didn't know you in high school.”

“You're on a roll today, aren't you?” Cameron nipped at the back of my hand and I smacked him playfully.

“Yes, I am very much aware of the fact that YOU loved me first,” I said in an exaggerated, melodramatic voice. “A fact you're never going to let me forget, are you?”

“Nope. I might even put it in my vows.”

“Not on your life, you won't.” I glared at him. “I don't want our kids watching the video and seeing their dad make fun of their mom.”

“Kids, huh? You know how we get kids, right?” Cameron winked suggestively. “Maybe we should go in and have a quick practice session.” He stood, reaching for me.

“Oh, look at that. So sorry, our guests are arriving.” I stood and kissed the now-standing Cameron on the cheek, then slapped his ass as I walked to the driveway.

“Bastards—cock-blocked by my own party.” Cameron returned the smack to my ass as he stepped around me and headed to the bar cart he had so proudly set up at the side of the driveway.

Laughing, I folded up our chairs and moved next to Cameron. He'd assigned me to hand out the welcome packets we'd made for our guests: a hand-drawn house map showing all the stations, dinner menu, poker tokens, and gift cards to places we knew they liked. The ladies also received necklaces and matching bracelets to wear for the wedding, while the guys got engraved pocket watches.

After an hour of welcoming and visiting with each guest, the evening air thick with laughter and excitement, we heard an obnoxiously loud blast of music that made several of us jump.

“What the hell is that?” I yelled to Cameron over the thundering bass.

“No idea. We told all the neighbors about the party so no one would be upset at our noise, but shit, we haven't even started.” Cameron rose on his tiptoes, trying to see over the cars. “I can't even tell where it's coming from.” We joined our guests walking toward the road to investigate.

Several of us jumped when a male voice boomed over a loudspeaker: “Cameron, my poor boy, this is your last night of freedom. You MUST receive an appropriate send-off to the NO NUTS, BALL AND CHAIN WORLD! Hold on to your boobs and balls everyone—the fun has arrived!”

“Is that who I think it is?” I turned to Cameron, seeing he looked as shocked as I felt.

“Well, I'll give you two guesses, but I think you'll only need one.” Cameron nodded toward the driveway where a party bus, the source of the deafening music, had stopped.

“Why would he rent a bus just for himself?” I yelled over the music, though I already knew the answer. Michael never did anything small.

“There's your answer.” Cameron shook his head, blowing out a frustrated breath.

Seven women in barely there thong bikinis danced their way off the bus, each with a bright red letter painted on her stomach. Once they'd all emerged, they lined up to spell Cameron. The dancers began making their way up the driveway, jiggling and shaking as they advanced.

I broke my gaze from the gyrating ladies to gauge other guests' reactions. The men's expressions ranged from shocked to amused. The women, however, looked shocked and pissed off.Which is exactly the camp I'm in. Cameron and I had specifically agreed to no strippers—not because we were prudes, but neither of us wanted strangers' baby-oiled bodies rubbed in our faces.

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