Page 84 of Fixate

City tries to contain his laughter. “You know, I’m not even surprised.”

Izzy cuddles into City and nods. “Me either. One thing I do know, though. Once South sets his eyes on a woman he likes, he doesn’t let it go. That man will wear Ingrid down until she falls for him. They always do.”

“Then why is he single?” I ask.

“The mood swings, women can’t handle them. He’s great fun most of the time, but when that switch is flicked… it can be intense, and most women can’t handle it. But the thing about South, when he falls, he’s all in. He doesn’t do shit by halves,” Izzy replies.

I glance over at Hurricane and Bayou walking up the aisle to get ready for the wedding. It’s going to start at any minute. “I just hope this doesn’t end badly. Ingrid is the nicest person on the face of this planet. She doesn’t need to have some young guy chasing after her,” I say.

Izzy and City nod.

“Couldn’t agree more. But we can figure that shit out later. The wedding is about to start. Let’s go find a seat,” Izzy states.

My eyes shift around the room, looking for the one person I want to share this experience with, and I spot Maxxy sitting with Raid and Frankie. So I make my way over and casually slide into the seat next to Maxxy.

She glances up at me with a casual smile. “You been doing the rounds?”

“Yeah, it’s been…interesting.”

She reaches out, taking my hand in hers, my skin tingling at her touch. “Well, now you can just sit back and enjoy the festivities.”

I lean in against her ear so no one else can hear. “I’d rather be enjoying you.”

Her body shudders, her breathing hitches as she slowly pulls back to look me in the eyes. “All good things come to those who wait, Hoodoo.”

Suddenly, a long, deep, peaceful sound echoes through the clubhouse, and we all turn to see Kaia’s grandfather, who has flown in from Hawaii for the wedding, blowing on a conch shell to signify Kaia’s arrival. Maxxy tightens her grip on my hand, and I smile at her before we turn, waiting for the procession to start.

This shit still blows my mind that Hurricane is getting married.

Once the soothing sounds of the conch end, the music starts, and “The Joker And The Queen” by Ed Sheeran (feat. Taylor Swift) starts playing throughout the sound system. I shake my head at how fitting this song is for them, and how the traditional meets unconventional melds together, fitting them perfectly.

My eyes glance over to Hurricane. I thought he would be fucking nervous, but he appears completely calm with his twin, Bayou, standing beside him as his best man.

Movement to my left catches my attention, and I turn back to the hall to see Lani walk out, wearing a halter-neck, floor-length white and turquoise dress covered in palm fronds and plumeria flowers and a Hawaiian lei around her neck in beautiful shades of pink and white. She’s stunning, her long dark hair in waves around her shoulders. I don’t miss the way Grit watches his Old Lady exit the hall. She’s pushing a stroller with baby Imogen, which is decked out to look like a motorbike down to meet her father. We can’t help but chuckle.

Lani walks down the makeshift aisle toward Hurricane, and he smiles at her the entire way. Their bond is like nothing I have seen before. He loves Kaia unconditionally, but the love he has for her sister, Lani, is unshakeable. They are such a strong family unit.

Lani finally arrives at the arbor, and Hurricane leans in, kissing her cheek, then gently caresses a sleeping baby, Imogen, careful not to wake her. After Hurricane is done, Lani walks them to the left of the wedding arbor. Then, we all turn again as Kaia steps out, with her mother, Kailani, by her side, to walk her down the aisle.

Everyone inhales as we stand to show our respect for the club’s First Lady when she begins to make her way down. The woman is breathtaking, wearing a simple white shoestring, tight-fitting lace bodice with the occasional sparkly bit. And then the skirt drops down in that shit that looks like what ballerinas wear—tulle, I think they call it—just not the puffy kind because it flows delicately and has a small train. Her hair is up high in a messy bun with flowers around it, and she has big sparkly earrings hanging down, which finishes her off to look like the queen she is.

Kaia takes Kailani’s arm, and they walk down the aisle toward Hurricane. Kaia’s eyes glisten, and Hurricane clears his throat as he chokes up. The emotion of it all seems to flow through the room.

My eyes shift to Maxxy, and she is smiling from ear to ear. She’s known Hurricane a long time. This must be amazing for her to watch too. Not one of us brothers thought we would see this day, but we’re so glad Kaia came into our lives.

She makes him better.

She makes us all better.

Kailani walks her daughter to Hurricane, and he reaches out for her hand. She places Kaia’s hand in his, and Kailani leans in, kissing Hurricane on each cheek, whispering something to him I can’t hear from here.

Kaia and Hurricane chuckle, and he kisses her back. Then Kailani moves to take her seat, and we all follow and sit on our chairs.

Grudge stands at the wedding arbor while Hurricane can’t take his eyes off Kaia. It looks like he’s desperate to kiss her but is holding back.

Grudge holds up a Hawaiian lei, looking right at Hurricane and Kaia. “The beautifully crafted lei, with its hand-picked flowers and ribbon, carefully bonded together with love, is a reflection of your love and theOhanayou are creating together. As you exchange these leis, you will begin to weave your life together with love, respect, and loyalty. Hurricane,” he states, handing the first lei to our president.

He smiles wide, taking the lei from Grudge, and carefully places the lei over Kaia’s head and leans in with a smile, kissing her cheeks as is custom.

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