Page 2 of aBound Wedding
It’s a beautiful sight, and I love being in Cooper’s arms, enjoying every minute of it. While I didn’t originally think this was me, it is, and I’m glad to have each person here.
“Everyone wanted to get away for a few days. This is perfect.” His arms give me a squeeze. “You’re perfect, and I can’t fuckin’ wait to make you my wife.”
He leans down and kisses me hard, deep, and wet. Everything around us ceases to exist. There are no sounds, no cheers, no catcalls of ‘get a room’—none of it. Because all I feel, all I see is my man. The one who will be by my side throughout this crazy life. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
2
Leah
Planning.Each item on the list needs to be checked off, and I scan the paper looking for more to scratch away.
Bristyl is my best friend in this entire world, and her day has to be right. It has to be what she’s always wanted. She told me forever ago about getting married on the beach, and I knew she’d do it, because it’s Bristyl—she does everything she sets her mind to.
When she told me it was going to be small, I laughed, full out barking. There is no small with this crew, ever. That is what I’ve learned since becoming part of Ravage. Since we’re so big, finding the right venue that fit what Bristyl wanted and all the people was a challenge, taking seven months to get it straight.
During this process, though, I learned something about myself—I love to plan. Like it’s in my blood and fires me up. There are problems—I find the solutions. It’s this huge jigsaw puzzle to put together, and you have to find just the right piece to make it go off without a hitch.
I love it. Really and truly love it.
While I’m not sure how much planning there is to do in Sumner, Georgia, I’m going to find out.
This is my thing. I just know it.
For a while, I was so lost in my head there was no light, only black engulfing me. That all cleared and now this, it has brought so much light to me. No way I’m going to pass it up. One thing I’ve learned in my life is when you have something good, you hold onto it.
If given an opportunity, one should run with it.
I am.
Maybe the girls would let me do their weddings. Austyn and Rylie are up next, and I’m sure that Emery isn’t too far behind. The gears in my head start turning and chugging while visions of colors and dresses parade through my head in a slideshow.
Yes. Absolutely. This is happening.
“Leah!” My mother bangs on my hotel room door. Yes, bangs. Not a light knock. Putting my list on the nightstand, I smile. Rolling out of the bed I hightail it to the door and open it. “There you are. Are you coming to brunch?”
The bedside table bleeps red numbers at me. “We have forty-five minutes, Mom.”
“I know, but you know your father. He’ll be late if we don’t get started now.”
Happiness fills me, and I let it show. She’s not wrong. My parents were devastated when I was hurt. It has taken them a long time, but together, we got through the pain. I loved them so much. “Why don’t you get him started, and I’ll meet you down there.”
She pauses a beat, and I know why. While she’s met everyone in the club, and they’ve all been super nice to her, there are two who freak her out a bit. Rhys and Deke, that is. Hell, who wouldn’t be scared of those two, but she has nothing to fear. They’d never hurt a hair on her head. That I’d put money on. After what happened to me, she is still a little jumpy at people. It’s hard as a person, much less a mother, to truly see and feel the impacts of what a dangerous man can do. Knowing and experiencing the true darkness and dangers in life makes it hard to trust again. I understand her trepidation, but I also know these men and this club. Nothing will happen while they surround me.
“Go, talk, socialize … all that stuff you love to do. Bristyl wanted you two here, so go enjoy it.”
My mother wraps her arms around me tightly. It takes me off guard, but I reciprocate quickly. She has a tendency to do this now and often. Ever since I was hurt, she sometimes just needs to feel me and know I’m alive and happy. I give her that, because I am and want her to be too.
I’ve let that all go, and she needs to as well. But I don’t have a child. Therefore knowing what it’s like from her perspective isn’t in my knowledge base. I just don’t want her to live with it hanging over her. It was horrific. It happened. We can’t change that, but we can’t give it power over our future.
“Love you, Mom.”
“Love you.”
I pull away, looking into her beautiful eyes that are like my own. “Go have fun. Promise me.”
“I will. Now, don’t be working all the time. You give Green a good time here.”
Green. God, I love that man. “Don’t worry. We’ll have plenty of time together.”
