“Stop! Stop!” I order both men, trying to insert myself between their bodies. Remy has Abe by the collar, holding him so tight his fists white-knuckle the fabric. I have to stop this. “Remy let him go.”
They completely ignore me, and I hate it. I hate that these two men are fighting over me when I’m not worth it. Remy finally uses his grip on Abe to shove him away and I see my chance.
Rushing forward, I reach Remy just as Abe charges forward, not even seeing the fist before it hits the side of my head. I crumple to the floor, barely aware of the pained yell that sounds like it’s coming from Remy.
The next thing I know, I’m lying down, but my head is on something warm instead of the cold cement. My eyes open and I have to blink a few times to bring the world into focus. Remy is looking down at me, his hand smoothing the hair from my face over and over and murmuring, “Please be okay, baby. I’m so sorry.” He just keeps repeating the words and rocking me gently back and forth.
“Remy?” My voice is thin, and when I move my mouth, I feel a shooting pain go through my head. Ow.
Relief fills his eyes and I swear it looks like they’re damp when I look closer. “Hey, sweetheart.” I start to sit up, but I’m not able to do it on my own. He has to put a hand on my back to help, and when I turn around to face him, I start to feel dizzy.
“What happened?” The last few minutes are a blur and it scares me that I don’t know how I got down here or why Remy is looking like he’s about to murder someone.
I follow his angry eyes to where Abe is standing on the other side of the room and he looks just as unhappy as Remy is. His eyes are full of sorrow and remorse when our eyes meet and looking at him, I finally remember what happened. Slowly, I bring my hand up to cup my cheek, expecting it to feel swollen or hot. It might be a little warm, but other than that, I don’t notice a difference.
Worried about what my face looks like, I try to stand, but Remy stops me. “You need to take it easy.” His eyes bounce back and forth between mine and the spot where Abe’s fist hit me. “You might have a concussion.” The way he says the words makes it sound like it offends him, and I giggle inappropriately. I don’t know why I’m laughing because the situation definitely isn’t funny, but here we are.
“I’m sorry,” Abe says, bringing my attention back to him.
Feeling bad that he feels guilty, I smile and try to reassure him. It’s not his fault I jumped between two men throwing punches. “I know you are, Abe. You weren’t trying to hit me, and I probably shouldn’t have tried to get between you. That was stupid on my part.”
Looking back up at Remy, I narrow my eyes, still mad he was fighting with Abe to begin with when we are the ones who were in the wrong. “I should’ve just let the two of you beat the shit out of each other.”
His head tilts to the side and he holds his hands out in front of his body. “Hey now. The only one who would’ve got the shit beat out of him is Abe.”
My eyes roll. “Yeah, well, there wasn’t a reason for you to be fighting with him anyway.”
“Bullshit, Melody. Abe was talking shit about you and I have every right to defend your honor.” Remy is so offended right now that I have to bite my lip to keep from smiling. This shouldn’t be amusing me so much. Maybe Abe did hit me a little too hard. My brain is all shook up and I’m not thinking clearly.
Remy’s eyes dart back to land on Abe and narrow. “By the way, Melody quit. She won’t be working for you any longer.”
“Pretty sure it’s up to Mel to decide that. I’m not taking her resignation from some asshole who thinks he can tell her what to do.” Abe’s arms are crossed over his chest and he’s glaring at Remy like he’d like nothing more than to continue their fight.
Stepping between them, something that’s safe since they’re on opposite ends of the room this time, I press the tip of my finger into Remy’s chest. “He’s got a point. You’re not my daddy.” Remy’s eyes widen at this and one side of his mouth lifts in a smirk. “Shut up,” I tell him, knowing exactly where his brain is going. “I’m a big girl, Remy. If I want to quit a job, I’m perfectly capable of doing it on my own.”
He looks down at me expectantly, waiting for me to agree with him, I’m sure. As much as I’d like to tell Abe to ignore him, like a big fuck you to Remy for thinking he can make decisions for me, he’s right. I hate admitting that so much. With a sigh, I turn to Abe and say, “He’s right though. I can’t work here any longer.” Abe starts to argue, but I hold up the hand that’s not pressing into Remy’s chest, so he stops. “I can’t, Abe. As much as I appreciate you giving me a job when I needed one, I can’t work here now. Not after everything that’s happened.”
What I don’t say is that it wouldn’t be fair to Remy and the relationship I want to build with him. That’s a conversation Remy and I will have to have at some point in the future. For now, it’s enough that I won’t be here, working with a man who knows what I look like semi-naked and has been inside me. Remy’s normally a pretty laid-back guy, but I don’t think he would be laid-back about this.
Knowing my mind is made up, Abe sighs, his shoulders slumping. He looks sad. I feel a little bad, but not bad enough to take it back. When I turn my attention back to Remy though, he’s grinning wide enough to be considered a gloat. All I can do with that is shake my head, then take his hand in mine and lead him out of the kitchen.
Chapter Sixteen
Remy
I haven’t spoken to Melody in almost a week. Not since the day she quit working at the bar. When we left, she made me drop her off at home and wouldn’t let me come in. She said she needed time to think and I can’t help but hope she is thinking about me… about us.
Today she has to see me though. Reed and Fallon are getting married in a few hours and she is Fallon’s maid of honor. Ryker and I are both the best men, and as unconventional as it may be, he’s going to be walking Ava down the aisle while I walk Fallon. It’s really cool that Fallon included Ava even though she doesn’t know her very well. They’ve become fast friends and I know Reed is happy Fallon finally has the friends she’s always wanted.
I’m honestly a little surprised that they decided to get married in a church. Neither of them, nor any of us really, are deeply religious, but Fallon insisted. This is the church she attended with her parents before they died, so it has a lot of emotional ties for her. The minister is the same one who married her parents too. I’m not sure how Reed pulled that off. The guy looks like he found him in a crypt. Fallon has no idea though. I can’t wait to see her reaction.
“Are you ready?” Ryker asks Reed, who’s standing in front of the mirror straightening his tie. “You’re sure you’re ready to be tied down to one woman… forever? It’s not too late. We can still disappear.”
Ryker’s just messing with him. He doesn’t really want, or think, Reed is going to decide not to marry Fallon today. Hell, if he tried, I think we both would yank him up to the alter by his balls.
“Very funny,” Reed doesn’t turn away from his reflection. The only thing on him that moves are his eyes. He glares at Ryker out of the corner of his eye. “Fallon will be marrying me today. She doesn’t have a choice.”
I snicker. “Are you sure you want to put it that way? Fallon will murder you if she finds out you’re telling people she doesn’t have a choice.”
Satisfied with the way he looks, my vain brother turns to face us and slides his hands in the pocket of his suit, raising one eyebrow sardonically.
“There’s no one else in the world Fallon would want to marry. We all know she loves me. I don’t have to worry she won’t be walking down the aisle to me shortly.” He narrows his eyes, looking between Ryker and I. “No matter what bullshit you jokers try to pull.”
All three of us grin, and I step forward, clasping Reed’s shoulder so I can pull him in for a hug. “I’m happy for you man. I really am. You and Fallon are so lucky. Mav is too.” I’m getting choked up, so I have to stop.
Reed’s eyes are gla
ss when I pull back, but he takes one step to the side to embrace Ryker too. I can’t hear what Ryker says to him, but whatever it is has Reed inhaling a shaky breath just as there’s a knock on the door.
Since they’re still having their moment, I answer, finding Ava on the other side. She’s wearing a pale, blush pink dress that falls to the floor. It looks amazing with her golden skin and blonde hair. I know Melody is wearing its twin, and with her dark hair and pale skin, I know she looks just as good, if not better.
“They’re ready,” Ava murmurs, her eyes darting behind me to where my brothers are talking quietly. A sheen of tears covers her eyes and she takes a deep breath to hold it in before returning her gaze to me. “Will you let them know?”
I nod, then watch her walk back down the hallway before shutting the door and heading back to Reed and Ryker. They both walk over to join me, and we head out to wait for the girls. My heart is pounding at the thought of seeing her. I want to say so many things to her, but now isn’t the time. Today is all about Reed and Fallon, and Maverick too.
The baby is sitting with Ava’s friend Gabby. I almost expect to see Marie, but she’s in the room with the other girls. Fallon included her in today too, even though we still don’t really know her. We might have just found out about her, but Fallon insisted.
Reed is standing at the front of the church, by himself since Ryker and I had to come back to get our girls. Grant’s standing beside us too. He’ll be walking Marie down the aisle. That should be interesting. He’s the biggest damn flirt, and while we may not know Marie well, she’s still our sister.
The door to the bridal room opens and all four women walk out. Ava goes straight to Ryker, but my eyes are stuck on Melody. Her cheeks flush a pretty pink when she sees me looking at her, and I wait impatiently for her to make her way over to me.
Wedding planner Barbie, because I swear she looks like she’s made out of plastic, comes over to tell us to take our places, and while Melody, as the maid of honor, would normally go last, Ryker and I have a plan that won’t allow that so she’s going first instead.
Holding out my arm, I let Melody slide her hand in to rest in the crook of my elbow and lead her to the aisle. The music begins and we start walking. I’m trying so hard not to look at her, but it’s impossible. When I break, she’s looking up at me too and the emotion I see in her eyes makes my heart race. I want to ask what it means, but I know I have to wait.
Once we reach the end of the aisle, I leave her on her side and walk over to Reed’s so I can watch Ryker and Ava come down. He drops her off beside Melody and nods to me. Walking out, I meet him at the side, and we hurry to the other end of the pews so we can walk back to the end of the aisle to meet Fallon. Reed had no idea we were going to do this, but we thought it was necessary for someone to walk her down the aisle. Who better than us?
Chapter Seventeen
Melody
What on earth? When Remy and Ryker walk to the end of the pews and head for the back of the church, I don’t know what they are doing at first. It’s not until they stop on either side of Fallon that I figure it out.
The expression on Fallon’s face breaks my composure. She’s sobbing, not caring about her makeup in the least. I know she’s been sad that there wouldn’t be anyone to walk her down the aisle, but I had no idea the guys were going to do that. Tears run unchecked down my cheeks and I don’t have to look at Reed to know they’re doing the same on his.
Ryker and Remy each hold out an arm and the three of them walk down the aisle, Fallon in the middle, her entire body radiating joy. I can’t take my eyes off Remy. He’s just such a good man. How on earth am I supposed to keep my heart safe when I see him do things like this? That particular organ is trying to rip itself out of my chest so it can fall at his feet and beg him to take care of it. I’m terrified by how quickly he’s become so important to me. Sometimes it feels like trying to keep him at arm’s length and keep this as a business transaction is destined to fail.
The three of them finally reach the front of the church, and when the minister asks, “Who gives this woman to this man?” they both say, “We do.” Father Michael nods, a soft smile on his face too, and when the boys release her, they each place a quick kiss on her cheeks before handing her over to Reed.
He's looking down at her like he’s never seen anything more beautiful, more important, more his whole world. My heart squeezes painfully in my chest because I want someone to look at me that way. God, I want that.
The revelation stuns me, because honestly, I’ve been telling myself I don’t want a relationship for so long I’m not sure how to change the way I think. If I tell Remy, he’ll never let it go. He’ll take over my whole life and that will be it. I’ll turn into a younger version of my mother, and then what happens when he leaves me for someone else?
I’ll be a single mother with no degree, no job… no anything. This is not the right place for these kinds of thoughts. I’ve been so busy panicking I haven’t noticed the way Remy is studying me, his eyes so intent on me I’m sure he can see through all my defenses.
My crazy has also led to me missing Fallon and Reed’s vows. Granted, they chose to do the traditional route, but I come back to myself just as the minister says, “You may kiss the bride.”
And kiss her he does. Reed bends Fallon over his arm, ignoring the cat calls from both his brothers and the few guys in the pews, kissing her so hard I think both Ava and I are blushing on her behalf. He finally lets her up and her cheeks are bright red as she stares up at him, love clear on both their faces.
Turning, they face the church just in time for Father Michael to say, “I now present Reed and Fallon,” he stops when Fallon rushes forward to grab Maverick, then smiles, “and of course, Maverick Winston.” We all clap, and Remy slides two fingers into his mouth so he can let out a piercing whistle that makes me cringe, covering my ears until I’m sure he’s finished. “The happy couple would like to invite you to celebrate with them at Abbott’s Grill.” He gives the address which is only a few blocks from here and I wonder for about half a second if I can get out of here without anyone noticing.
That hope is quickly dashed when Remy comes over to take my hand so we can follow his brother and new sister down the aisle. “I’ll drive you over to the restaurant.” I start to protest, but the possessive gleam in his eyes cuts me off.
Why is that so attractive? I’m a grown, independent woman. Some guy, okay, this guy, telling me what I’m going to do and how should make me punch him in the balls. Instead, I’m practically panting and tripping all over myself to do his bidding. Could I be any more pathetic?
It's easier just to let him take me, and that’s exactly what I do. He’s quiet on the short drive over, and when we walk into the restaurant, one I’ve never been to before, I’m a little stunned to see how bright and open the inside is. The outside makes it look like the place is a dingy little hole in the wall, but when you walk inside, there’s this big open room full of tables and smiling waitstaff. It’s the kind of place you feel happy just being inside.
The smells help too. My stomach makes an unattractive noise at the different food aromas wafting through the space. Remy snickers at how loud it is, but I am perfectly happy to pretend it never happened. The hostess leads us through a doorway and into what must be a private dining room, congratulating Reed and Fallon before she leaves us to take seats.
Unlike a formal wedding reception, there isn’t any specific seating, so everyone just sits wherever they want. Of course, since Fallon is my best friend, one I’m keeping so many secrets from, I wind up sitting directly across from her with Remy beside me. Ava and Ryker are on our right and Grant and Marie on the other side. The only one from our little somewhat group who isn’t sitting with us is Gabby, but she begged off, saying she had to go to work.
The restaurant has a special meal for our party today, so there’s no staring at the menu and figuring out what I want to get to keep the eyes off me. Remy’s hand is under the
table, resting on the top of my thigh. He’s rubbing small circles with his palm on my skin and the feeling has me wanting to both squirm and drag him off to the closest flat surface. I still can’t get over how much I want him. I’ve never had such an intense attraction to another person. All it takes is him being in the same room and I’m ready to strip.
Fallon and Reed can’t keep their hands off each other, sneaking tiny kisses in between words. Their attention is on no one but themselves and it’s so cute to watch. Maverick is in Fallon’s lap, and when their attention is not on him for a few minutes, he squawks in protest. Every time he does it, we all laugh.
Holding out my hands, I make grabby hand motions. “Give me that sweet baby.” Fallon gives me a look that says she’s surprised I asked, well, demanded, but she hands him to me anyway. He’s wearing a baby-sized suit one piece that looks almost exactly like his daddy’s. I’m curious where she found it, but I’ll ask her later.
The second he’s in my lap, he starts trying to grab the small hoop earrings in my ears and the necklace hanging down into my cleavage. Remy watches him, a soft look on his face, but when Mav digs his hand into my cleavage, he reaches over to pull it out. “Nuh huh. That isn’t yours, my friend. Keep your hands off the goodies.”
Looking at him out of the corner of my eye, I ask, “Oh? And whose goodies are they?”
The look he gives me in return can only be described as lecherous. “Mine, obviously.”
A red flush crawls up my face at his words. Does he have to say stuff like that? A quick look around says no one else heard him, and I glare, hissing, “Shut up!”
Fallon’s laugh grabs my attention, and when I look up, she’s staring lovingly at her son. “Mav thinks all boobs belong to him.”
Oh lord. Tell me we aren’t having a conversation centered around boobs while we eat.
Winston Brothers Box Set Page 46
