Page 27 of Havoc
“Thanks, babe.” Her arms wrap around me as much as they can with the width of this dress.
“Christina!” her mother calls from the limo.
“Can I say the word now?” she whines.
“I wish.”
She turns and walks toward the limo. Her mother stares at me as if I just defiled her daughter in front of her. I can’t wait to get the fuck out of here.
The reception is at a hall and the valets insist on parking my truck which annoys the shit out of me. Walking in everything is lit up and dripping in money. A large bar lines one of the walls while endless tables line the other with appetizers.
I walk around taking everything in there is; sushi, lobster, fresh fish, mini filet mignon, and about a hundred other options. If this is the cocktail hour, what are they going to serve for dinner? As much as I want to eat I keep watching the door for Chrissy. I know she isn’t comfortable and I really just wanted to be there with her. It’s clear her family makes her feel like she isn’t good enough, which is bullshit.
An hour passes and I’m really done with being here. Everyone has their damn head up their asses and I’ve spent the last half hour playing poker on my damn phone just to pass the time. The big doors open and people start to file in. That must mean they are getting close and want everyone to sit down. Instead of going in I decide to go outside and wait for my girl.
The cars pull up and the bride and groom are the first out. Her dress is so tight I can’t believe it hasn’t ripped yet. She could be beautiful if she didn’t look at you as if you’re the shit she stepped on yesterday. More cars pull up and the Pepto-Bismol bottles start to get out. Chrissy sees me and a relieved smile crosses her face. Her mother gets out immediately scowling at my presence.
“Hey, how was everything?”
“Just what I expected,” she says with a smile but I can see irritation behind it.
“There’s a really big bar inside,” I whisper in her ear.
“Why are you not holding a drink for me then?” She laughs.
“Excuse me,” her mother interrupts. “Carl is waiting for you dear.”
“Last thing I need to do then I’m all yours. I have to get introduced.” She gives me a pained look then walks off.
“I don’t know what your intentions are young man, but I hope you don’t think this is more than a fling.” She nods toward Chrissy and Carl. “She belongs with someone like him. Someone with standing, money, class, who can take care of her. She may be going through a wild phase but she’ll come to her senses.”
“This isn’t a phase for her. If you would get your head out of your ass long enough to pay attention, you’d see that. This is who she is. She is free, giving, caring, passionate, and crazy. I love every inch of that girl and when she’s around you, all you do is try and dim the light inside of her. She may not be a damn robot like the rest of you, but that’s the best thing about her. She is unapologetically herself. And I fucking love her for it.”
Her mother’s eyes are wide and her mouth is open as I walk away before I say anything else. I can’t take hearing her talk about Chrissy like there’s something wrong with her, because there isn’t. She’s fucking perfect and they just don’t see it.
I do.
I’ll make sure she knows it too.
