Chapter Twelve

Rock

“Something big I feel it happening

Out of my control

Push and pull and then it's grabbing me,

Feel it in my bones” - Shawn Mendes

I haven’t put shit like this on in a while. I button up the shirt counting the minutes till I can take this shit off and put my cut back on. I was messing with Chris and telling her I was wearing it today and I thought her head was gonna explode. She refused to let me see her in the dress when I asked last night and had to run out of here early this morning. I’m meeting her at the church soon, and then we can get this over with.

I thought she was exaggerating about her family, then I met them. They are the worst kind of rich people you ever want to meet. The dick sitting next to her was about to have his goddamn teeth knocked out if he stared at her tits one more time. Little prick kept looking at me like he could take what’s mine.

I’d like to see him try.

My cell rings and it’s Tracker. “Hey brother, how’s it going?”

I laugh. “It sucks but it’s almost over. Her family are as big of assholes as she says. How is everything there?”

“Fine, same shit different day. Megan’s hormones are all over the goddamn place though. I’m afraid to even ask her how she is feeling because she might bite my fucking head off.”

“Sounds about right. Have fun with that, brother. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I grab my wallet and our bags so that we can leave right after the wedding. Chris didn’t want to stay in the hotel tonight. She said that she would need the space between her and everyone else after yesterday and today.

The church is only a few minutes away and calling it a church almost feels like an insult. This thing looks like the damn Sistine chapel. Limos are lined up all over. I park and walk up so I can try to find Chrissy.

I see a bunch of girls start to get out of the limos and they look like damn pink cotton balls. I catch Chrissy’s eye and burst out laughing. Her hair is pulled back tight and I doubt I could even fit my arm around her without crushing the dress she’s wearing. “Hey there…sexy.” I wink at her and her eyes narrow at me.

“Don’t you dare. Keep it shut. I know where you sleep.” Her finger points at me.

“I don’t know what you mean, babe. You’re as pretty as cotton candy at the state fair.”

“I’ll cut you.” Her voice lowers and I swear if I didn’t know her better she might actually scare me.

“Okay, ladies! Find your men and line up!” her mom calls and starts to herd the girls like cattle.

“Are you ready, my lady?” Carl walks up and extends his arm to Chrissy.

She glares at him and he acts as if he doesn’t see me standing here. “You go, babe. He’ll be there in a minute.”

She gives me a confused glance before walking toward the lines of people.

“I don’t know—” he starts but he isn’t finishing.

“That’s about the only thing you’ve gotten right.” I take a step closer so no one else can hear me. “You don’t know shit. You don’t know her anymore. You sure as fuck don’t know me. If I need to find a secluded place to drag your prick ass and beat the shit out of you I will. You lay a hand on my girl, I’ll fucking cut yours off, got it?”

He nods but I can tell his smart ass wants to say something to me. Lucky for him he doesn’t. I walk into the church giving Chrissy a quick kiss as I pass her.

The ceremony is long as fuck and boring as shit. By the time it’s done I might need a couple Red Bulls just to undo the damage. Walking outside I find Chrissy standing with douchebag Carl. When he sees me coming he turns to talk to some guys standing behind them.

“Happy that’s over, babe?”

“Not over yet. I still have to go do pictures with everyone. I am so over this and seriously regretting coming. It’s exactly what I thought it would be. An entire weekend of hearing why what I’m doing with my life isn’t right and what I should do to make myself happy.” She shrugs and this is one of the few times I feel like she’s actually opening up to me. Her eyes are glassy and I can tell how much all of this is bothering her.

I grasp her chin. “Hey.” She looks up at me. “You happy? With me? With your life?” She nods. “Then that’s all that fucking matters.” I kiss her on the lips. “I’ll be here ready to make a getaway whenever you say the word. “

“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.