Page 102 of Clash
Yeah, now she definitely was crying. Snyder’s gonna kill me. “Clash, are you sure?”
“Absolutely! It would be my honor to do it, Shasta. What are friends for?” She embraced me in a hug, one I had to side step so I wasn’t pressing on her belly. “You’re getting pretty big, little Momma.”
“Yeah, being pregnant is exhausting.”
Ramona peeked her head inside the curtain and smiled. “You ready?”
Shasta nodded. “Yeah, just let me touch up my makeup.”
Ramona frowned. “Clash, did you make her cry?” She looked ready to commit murder. “So help me, Clash, if you made her cry…”
Shasta came to my defense, “They’re happy tears, Ramona.”
Ramona’s wrath subsided. “Oh good, because I didn’t want to go postal on him at your wedding. But I would if I had to.”
“You can kick his ass another day,” she offered.
Ramona grinned. “I can live with that.” She made a gesture with her hands like she was gonna keep an eye on me.
“Hard to keep an eye on me when you live in the middle of nowhere, Ramona.”
“I’ll drive up here just to do it, Clash. Don’t test me.”
Normally, this would be where I’d say I’d rather enjoy that, but I refrained, only wanting the attention of one woman.
“Shall we?” I asked, offering Shasta my arm after she finished touching up her makeup.
“We shall.”
Snyder seemed shocked as hell when the music started and I appeared next to Shasta at the back of the aisle. Gina already knew of this plan, as it was actually her idea. She said in order to mend a broken fence, you need to come with super glue, a good hammer, and pliable wood. Whatever that means?
As I walked with her, I could see the tears in Gina’s eyes, watching me grow as both a partner and a person. And I really had. Gina and Alex had changed me into a person I was proud to look at in the mirror. I actually gave a fuck about someone other than myself for once in my life—two someones. When Gina was ready, I’d happily take a knee, popping the question I’ve wanted to ask since the day we met. But she’s not ready for that right now, and that’s okay. I was in this for the long game, and however long she needed to get over what happened with her ex, I’d give her. She’s worth the wait.
As we neared where she was sitting with Wasp and Alex, I heard Alex shout, “That’s my new daddy!” making everyone laugh, including Shasta.
Once we were in front of the altar, Zeppelin smiled at me and asked, “And who will be giving this woman away today?”
I looked at my brothers, smiling when I realized there was only one answer to that question. “My brothers and I do.” Then I kissed her cheek, handing her off to Snyder who already had tears in his eyes.
He gave my hand a shake. Then I took my rightful place beside Gina, loving how easily she snuggled into my arms.
“You look beautiful,” Snyder mouthed to Shasta. And she really did. Shasta was wearing a long flowy white dress, with a plunging neckline and an empire waist—one that almost completely hid her baby bump. Every woman at the wedding was jealous of her, but how could they not be? She had won Snyder’s heart, making her officially the Prez’s Ol’ Lady. This only solidified her place in this world. Now nobody better fuck with her.
Zeppelin didn’t bore people with a boring ceremony. The guy had us all cracking up as he shared memories of both Shasta and Snyder with the crowd. But the second it was time for their vows, everything got serious, and they took each other’s hands, looking deeply into one another’s eyes.
“Shasta, not only are you the most beautiful woman in the world, but you’re also my whole world. That little baby growing inside of you is a symbol of how special you truly are to me. This is a baby of love—a love that has built over time and only grown stronger the more I am around you. I can’t wait to wake up each day with you in my arms, and know that you are truly and forever mine. I promise to be here for you and our child until the day I die, giving you the life you always deserved. I love you.”
Shasta wiped away a tear, then let out a struggled breath. “How do I follow that?” she asked the audience.
Everyone laughed, and Shasta turned back to face Snyder. “Reese, my knight, my partner, my best friend. You came into my life in a time that was dark and full of despair. You made me feel things when parts of me just wanted to end it all. You saved me from myself, and from the things in real life that tried to take us both down. You’ve never given up on me and always been there when I needed you. You comfort me in ways no man has ever been able to. You’re the most amazing man I have ever met, and my heart has never felt as full as it does when I’m in your arms. I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together, buildingthis family, within the chaotic, sometimes fucked-up, but overall amazing family we already have. I have grown to love you more each day, and even though some of your brothers piss me the fuck off, I’m talking about you, Clash…”
“I’m the king of pissing people off, Shasta, get used to it.”
She laughed. “Never!” she shouted back before turning her focus back on Snyder. “Reese, I am happy to stand by your side as both your wife and Ol’ Lady. I love you.”
Snyder was crying like a bitch, but this was one time we’d all let him slide. None of us were without watery eyes right now, realizing this was just the beginning of happier times ahead.
Zeppelin gave them both a smile. “Well, now that we’re done with that part, I gotta ask, is there anyone in this park that rejects this marriage? Speak now or forever get a bullet in your head.”
