Page 54 of Reaper Released

“Go and clean up then, and we can move my shit in here, then talk!”

“You coming?” He nods towards the bathroom.

“If I do, we both will be, and I won’t stop, so just go. It's better to remove the temptation and close the door… and maybe lock it so I can’t get in. I’m really trying, but my inner Reaper wants to shout ‘fuck it’ from the rooftops while I tie you to the bed and ride your face!”

Stuttering out a laugh, he heads off but doesn’t look convinced he’s making the right decision. After his shower and emptying the van, it turns out Scar's stuff has been gone for a while. Who knew? Steel tells me he wants me to give up the van and stay in his room while he’s gone, and then we can live here for a bit until we get sorted. He has also booked the van to be taken back tomorrow, so I will need to take it, and Beauty has offered to follow me. Steel tells me that we have to drop the van off at a specific rental place which is a two-and-a-half-hour drive, so that’s most of the day gone. So we decide to make a day of it after and go visiting.

Saying my goodbyes to Steel and sending him on his way, telling him to stay safe, I have an uneasy feeling. Something’s not quite right. Scar and Beauty are waiting for me at the garage, and seeing as Steel is gonna be away and I don’t have to be back at work till tomorrow, I make a call.

Scar heads off with Beauty. They’ll meet me at the diner so we can pick Demi up and then head over to drop the van off. After dropping the van off, we head to Carmen’s to stay overnight, and I give her the details for the wedding and tell her I have a surprise for Tali on the day. Tali's at a friend's house, so we sit around the pool and have a few drinks.

“So Carmen, what’s the deal?”

“What deal?” she asks.

“You know the business deal that kept Viking away for nearly a week?” Then we all burst out laughing.

“I’ve never had girlfriends before… I don’t think I like it!”

“Ah, come on, Carmen,” Scar asks.

“It’s not like we didn’t see you guys together before we left. There was no business. That was all pleasure!”

“Ooh, if looks could kill, Carmen, we would be toast! Come on, spill.”

“Guys, this isn’t fair. I don’t know… I don’t do feelings. I normally order a guy for my needs. You know… a professional! But Viking is just so… ”

“Dreamy,” is Scar’s input.

While Demi adds, “Sexy.”

Unlike Beauty’s reply, “God-like.”

On the other hand, I have seen him in his shorts and go with the obvious, “Hung like a donkey?”

“Ray!” She blushes. “That is not the only reason.” This causes us all to laugh, and when Carmen realises her words, she punches me in the arm.

“I actually think I hate you, and you are... how do you say it… a knober head?”

“Knobhead!” I reply smiling.

“Yes, definitely one of those.” We spend the rest of the night laughing and talking and having some chill time, which is what we all need.

I’m not even hungover at work as we had taken it steady-ish for us lot, anyway. Me and Dozer have worked hard trying to get ahead as we know I need some time off for dress shopping. Urgh, not my idea of bliss! The week goes by in a blur. Beauty’s keeping me vaguely informed on what she’s doing. We still need a colour scheme, but fuck, I like grey and black, so maybe that, with a bit of white thrown in, seems good to me. The guys will probably wear their jeans and cuts as we are getting married on the grounds behind the clubhouse.

I blink, and a few more days have passed, and I decide to go shopping on my own. I have no idea what to wear, but Marie has told me about a boutique that does evening wear, tuxedos and stuff if I want something like that. I head off there, then to the dress shop, then a department store and then I make my mind up. I’m only doing this once, so I’m going big or going home.

After picking an outfit, I stash it in the cupboard in Roach’s room. I think he will be the least likely to tell anyone it’s there, as he knows I will kick his arse. He has really come on leaps and bounds in his training, and it’s really starting to pay off.

Beauty’s an absolute godsend. I’m still pissed that my pas aren’t gonna make it to the wedding. I mean, I get it. I know they just can’t all leave the centre, but I was kinda hoping at least one of them would make an effort. Out of all of them, I thought Pa Cade would be here.

I have decided on the colour scheme. Steel's still away, but the guys are sorted. I’m assuming that’s jeans and cuts, and hopefully clean boots would be nice. Beauty has sorted the food, I have asked for a hog roast, she’s done decorations, organised the officiant, absolutely everything. We just have to sort the bridesmaids dresses. We’ve put it off till now as we’ve just been so busy at the garage with people hearing I’m getting married. They want things sorted before I have some time off.

The next few days pass pretty much like the last few weeks, in a blur of work and wedding shit. Steel’s still away, which sucks, and the wedding is just over a week away. I’m starting to panic slightly. However, I’ve had some news this morning that is helping me, and that’s that Pops is on his way. His flight will be here in a few days time, and I can’t wait to see him.

I’ve got the afternoon off, and me, Marie, Scar, Beauty, and Demi are heading over to the shop, and after speaking to Carmen, I’ve got everything I need. There’s a little dress shop in Ravenswood, but they have a bigger store in Gosport Harbour, so if we need anything, we can get it shipped. The store is on Main Street, and there’s a dead-end alleyway to the side of the building between that and the florist. I park there as I can’t be arsed to walk. While Beauty heads to the florist to check on something, we stand on the street discussing the wedding, and Marie shows us a picture of her outfit.

“Ma, it’s stunning. You’re gonna look amazing.” I grin at her.

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