Page 152 of Timber

“I swear he’s been taking stealth lessons from Lex and the others,” I reply, laughing.

Lex grins from behind the bar, which has us both laughing harder.

“Timber,” Kristy yells from upstairs. I finish my beer and clasp Patch’s shoulder.

“Like Thor said, I’ve got your back on this. Let me know if you need me for anything.”

He gives me a chin lift and I head upstairs to see what Kristy wants.

I chuckle as I think back to when Kristy first came here this morning. She’s got to be no more than five feet tall, with long wavy brown hair, and her body is curvy as fuck. I saw more than one brother looking at her appreciatively and I know more than one loves the fact that her waist is not small. I wouldn’t call her overweight, but from past conversations, I know a few of my brothers love their women to be heavier and curvier.

Regardless, the woman is a hurricane—a force to be reckoned with. She didn’t even bat an eye at being surrounded by a bunch of muscular, tattooed men that tower over her. The second she was inside, she started barking orders. It was almost comical to see my brothers jump to do whatever she needed.

Shaking off those thoughts, I enter the room that us guys in the wedding party are using. I guess I should say wedding parties. With so many of us now, it’s a tight fit in here. There are fifteen of us in this little room, but only Jordan, Smoke, Thor, Dragon, and I are in both weddings.

Kristy nods as she looks me over in my black jeans, boots, cut, and new shirt. Mama Astrid had taken our shirts as soon as we got back to wash and press them, which I was grateful for. The material had scratched my skin like crazy when I was trying it on in the shop.

“Good, you all are looking handsome. Now just don’t fuck it up or get into any fights in the meantime. For now, Axe, Punisher, Erik, Dom, and Gunner, you all can take a seat in the audience when you are ready. Before we begin Levi, Thor, and Dragon’s wedding, I will make an announcement that instead of just one wedding, there will now be two, one right after the other.” She pauses right as I open my mouth to ask her something and she waves me off.

“Don’t get your boxers in a twist, Timber. We’ll make sure to give Levi and Mae enough time to change dresses and freshen up in between, and then we’ll get to your wedding. After Levi, Thor, and Dragon’s wedding, that is when Axe, Punisher, Erik, Dom, and Gunner need to make their way back and stand in the hallway near the room the ladies are using.

“Don’t forget, we’re going to get a few photos of the wedding party before we start getting ready for Timber and Mae’s wedding. Once we’re done with pictures, it shouldn’t take too long for the ladies to get ready, and then we’ll get you all paired up again. Now, do you all understand? Any questions?”

When all of us tell her we’re ready, she nods. Grinning, I can only shake my head. Kristy is really a force to be reckoned with.

“Okay, those of you in the first wedding, wait in here while I go and check on the ladies. I’ll text Phoenix when you can all come over to their room to get paired up.”

The room the ladies are in is off down a hallway on the first floor. To help with keeping us separate and so that neither Thor, Dragon, or I could see our fiancées before the wedding, we’re in a spare room up on the third floor.

Once the others step out, I’m able to breathe a little easier, but I’m nervous for some reason.

“Take a deep breath. You’re going to do just fine,” Roy says as he clasps my shoulder.

“I don’t know why I’m nervous,” I whisper, and he smiles.

“It’s normal. Honestly, I think everyone gets the pre-wedding nerves, even if they won’t admit it. You’ll be able to see your lovely bride in just a few minutes. Levi told me this morning that she rearranged the lineup so that you two could be together.”

I look at him in shock and he laughs. I was supposed to walk Erin down the aisle. But that was also before Levi asked if Mae could also be her bridesmaid right before we left for Junction Creek. Mama Astrid had taken her into town when we were there for her to pick out her dress and shoes. I never thought she’d change the lineup, but fuck, am I grateful she did.

“Who’s walking Erin down the aisle now?”

“Well, since she was already changing it up, she changed up a couple of people as well. Susie and Tripp will be together and then Erin and Ethan will walk together.”

I glance over at Tripp and smirk. I know he’s got it bad for Susie, but I didn’t think he’d actually act on it. He’s been wanting her for a few years now but has always been worried about how Axe would take it. Not that I blame him. Axe is very protective of Susie and Jordan. Though, I think it would be a plus in Tripp’s favor since he and Jordan get along so well.

Actually, now that I’m watching him, he seems more nervous than usual.

Shaking my head, I take a sip of my water and wait for Kristy to tell us we can head downstairs. Fuck, I can’t wait to see Sunshine.

Slipping into my dress, I try to calm my nerves.

I’d chosen a dark blue dress with spaghetti straps that goes down to the floor. There’s a fair amount of cleavage, and the slit on the side goes up to mid-thigh. At first, I thought it was too much skin, but when Mama Astrid had me text Levi and Sasha pictures of me wearing it, both of them insisted I buy it. To go with them, I got silver strappy heels.

After my attack, I was worried that I should get a different dress since this one will show so many of the scars on my chest. It wasn’t until after a long tear-filled call with all the ladies that I finally decided to keep it. Remembering Levi’s words has me tearing up and I blink rapidly to keep them at bay.

“Our scars do not define us,” Levi told me. “They are a sign that you have been through the unthinkable and have come out on the other side stronger than before. A survivor. Those scars are your badges of bravery. Even if you didn’t feel very brave at the time. They didn’t break you and nothing will. You are a Steel Archangel’s Old Lady, Mae. Like our men, we are as strong as steel. Our club does not bend to the enemy. Our club does not break—our bonds with our brothers and sisters make sure of that. Your scars do not own you. You own them. Wear those scars with pride, babe.”

Earlier, Kristy had done my hair so that it was half-up and half down and kept my makeup semi-light. She said she’ll pin the rest of my hair up and tweak my makeup when we’re done with pictures for Levi’s wedding.

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