Risking the Crown

by Violet Paige

  He and Amber had Grayson without marriage. I didn’t want this baby to be a traip. I didn’t want to suffocate him.

  I touched up my nose with a dab of powder from my clutch.

  After he and Amber broke up and he moved out, he didn’t date anyone until me. Ryan made sure I knew he slept around. I inhaled again and pulled on the handle of the bathroom door. I had to get things together and get through the rest of the dinner. There were still toasts, dessert, and then dancing on the deck afterward.

  I pasted a smile on my face and walked back to our table.

  Dinner lasted longer than I expected, and then we headed to the after party at Sasha’s parents’ house. I guessed this is what Cole meant about keeping things simple. It felt as if we had only participated in wedding events all week. That is, except for the couch christening.

  The ocean was rough tonight. I couldn’t see it from the balcony, but I could hear it.

  There was a jazz band set up inside the living room, but I only heard them play when someone opened one of the beachside doors.

  Lance walked up behind me. “I checked the forecast for tomorrow. It’s supposed to be sunny and hot. You girls don’t have to worry about your dresses.”

  “Thanks. I haven’t had a chance to look at my phone today for the forecast.” I turned back toward the waves in the distance. Cole was getting us both drinks, but I was sure he had been cornered by one of the many parents at the event. They loved to ask him about the Dunes.

  “You look preoccupied, Carolina. Something on your mind? You know I’m walking you back up the aisle after the ceremony, so you have nothing to worry about.”

  “That’s sweet, Lance.” We had done a quick run-through at the church, and I was glad to know the groomsman who was my escort. “I’m just in one of those thinking moods.” I wasn’t about to tell him it had all to do about weddings and whether Cole was the man at the end of the aisle for me. Lance and I had worked through enough awkwardness for one friendship.

  “Ah, I get it. Weddings, the beach. It’s enough to make anyone think.” He tipped back his beer. Ok, I had pegged him all wrong. He was more astute than I realized.

  “Something like that.” I smiled. “Tell me what’s going on with you. Are you bringing a date tomorrow?”

  “Sure am.”

  “Lance, who?” I hadn’t heard he was dating anyone.

  His crooked teeth peeked out. “Girl I met in class. You’ll see her tomorrow. She’s pretty and smart.”

  “I bet. I can’t wait to meet her.” Love was in the air.

  Cole appeared with two bottled waters. “Here you go, darlin’.” He handed me a cold water. “Hey, Lance. Good time last night.”

  “Sure was.” They exchanged a knowing look.

  I imagined there was some element of male bonding that happened during bachelor parties, similar to what I experienced with the girls. I twisted the cap off my water. As much fun as I was having, I was ready to go. My feet were sore from my new shoes, and I had an entire day ahead of me in heels. I leaned toward Cole’s ear.

  “Do you think we could go in a few minutes?” I asked.

  He nodded, sweeping a hand around my waist.

  “See you tomorrow, man. Good luck at the altar.”

  “Thanks. See you tomorrow. Goodnight, Kaitlyn.”

  “Goodnight.”

  We left Lance standing at the railing alone.

  “Was that rude?” I looked at Cole. I hadn’t meant for him to whisk me away that quickly.

  “No, I was ready to leave the second we got here. We’ll say good-bye to all the parents, and then we’re out of here. Deal?”

  I laughed. “Deal.”

  I assured Sasha’s parents I would be at the house on time and I’d be ready to help with anything they needed. They had had a few glasses of wine and were giving hugs that lasted for minutes at a time. Cole managed to peel us both out of their grip before steering me toward the door.

  Cole slid behind the wheel of his truck after making sure I was in my side of the car. The way he always opened doors for me hadn’t gotten old. I wasn’t sure it ever could.

  “Did you have a good time?” I asked as he cranked the engine.

  “Yeah. It was a good party.” His eyes were on the rearview mirror while the truck lurched backward.

  “You sure we didn’t leave too early?”

  “Darlin’, it’s fine. I’m worried about you and the baby. No one else in there matters.”

  I wanted to bring up the conversation we had started during cocktail hour. What exactly was he implying by asking me about my wedding expectations? As the hotels and restaurants rolled past us, I lost my courage. I’d have to wait until he mentioned it again.

  Cole pulled into the driveway and parked under the cottage next to my car. It was quiet in the cab. He turned to me. “You looked beautiful tonight.”

  I blushed. “Thank you. And you look pretty hot yourself. No brace. No crutches.”

  “I could list twenty reasons I’m glad to be rid of those damn things.” He opened the door and walked to my side. He held my hand to help me down. It wasn’t as easy as it looked in high heels.

  “I have an idea.” His eyes fired.

  “And what’s that?”

  “Something we haven’t done in a while.” He clasped my hand behind his back and led me up the stairs to the kitchen.

  Cole disappeared in the hallway, emerging with a blanket. He tugged on my hand, and kept walking until we were on the seaside deck and headed down the steps. It took me a minute to figure out his plan. I smiled. The alcove.

  I ditched my shoes on the deck, thankful to have them off my feet, and followed him down the steps.

  My eyes adjusted to the darkness of the beach. Cole tucked the corners of the blanket into the sand and handed me a water. I curled up under his arm and nestled against his chest. I could still smell hints of his cologne.

  “This is perfect.” I sighed.

  Cole tipped the bottle toward his lips. “Sure is. We haven’t had enough of this since you moved down here.”

  The wind whipped around the alcove, but in here, I felt safe. It was as if we were secluded from the rest of the world. The cyclone that was the wedding. The dirtiness of the lawsuit. The uncertainty of our future. In here, it was only Cole and me. And our baby.

  We didn’t talk. We listened to the waves roll on the beach until our drinks were empty and I started to shiver from the chill of the wind.

  Cole helped me up, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “Let’s go get you warmed up.”

  I followed him to the cottage, hoping this night never ended.

  25

  Kaitlyn

  My phone was ringing, but I was in a tangled web of sheets and couldn’t get to it. I spun on my stomach to loosen the wrapping when Cole handed the phone to me. I couldn’t believe it. He was still in bed.

  “Here you go.”

  “Hello?”

  “Kaitlyn, you aren’t going to believe this,” Mary Ellen shrieked in my ear.

  “What’s going on?” I sank into my pillow.

  “I’m on my way to South Padre.”

  “What?” I looked at Cole, but he wasn’t paying attention to the call. His hand was sneaking over my hips.

  “Aiden called me last night and said he wanted to fly me in for Sasha’s wedding.

  she announced. “He bought me a ticket, and I’m headed to the airport right now.”

  I had no idea what time it was, only that the light in the windows was light and airy. It couldn’t be very late. I gasped as Cole’s fingers moved against my skin.

  “That’s great. I’m glad I’ll get to see you tonight.” I wasn’t sure what to say. I hoped we could avoid Aiden at the wedding, but that was going to be impossible if Mary Ellen was his date.

  “I know. I’ll get to see you in that blue bridesmaid dress, and Sasha and Cal. I cannot wait. I haven’t gotten a gift yet. What should I send them?”

  My mind was alrea
dy in a haze, and I couldn’t even tell Mary Ellen where Sasha was registered. Cole’s fingers slid farther and slower.

  “Um…I don’t know. Maybe we can talk about it when you get here.” I placed one hand over the receiver and tried to give Cole the death stare, but his head ducked under the sheet.

  “Ok. I’ll text you when I land in Brownsville. Aiden’s going to pick me up. He said he can’t wait to see me. Can you believe all this? It’s going so fast, but it just feels right. You know?”

  My eyes closed and I bit hard on my lip. Cole had maneuvered between my legs and I was doing everything I could not to moan into the phone. All I could feel was his heated breath.

  “Mmm-hmm.” I tossed the phone on the floor. I didn’t even bother to ask Mary Ellen when her flight landed. My head rocked back and my hips started to follow Cole’s lead. “What are you doing? That was important.” I spoke through heavy breaths.

  “I just wanted to say good morning,” he growled from under the covers.

  Well, who was I to argue with that?

  My car was packed with almost every accessory I owned. The girls were meeting at Sasha’s parents’ house to get ready. Sasha had hired a makeup artist and a hair stylist for all of us. I was excited about getting the royal treatment before the wedding, but I knew the whole thing just made Sasha more nervous. It meant more people fussing over her, more pictures, and more stress. I hoped Tara, Mindy, and I could try to keep her relaxed and calm. After all, it was her wedding day. It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.

  Cole was going to make the rounds at the Dunes then meet me at the ceremony. I hadn’t seen him this happy in weeks. I loved it. I loved him. For the first time, I felt like, regardless of the lawsuit, he and I were going to have a life together. I didn’t know if that life would include the Dune Scape, but we were going to be together every step of the way. I pointed the car toward the other end of the island.

  The wedding ceremony was going to be performed at an island chapel, and then everyone would drive over to the oceanfront golf club for the reception. Sasha said there were more than three hundred guests. I was surprised she hadn’t broken out in hives by now.

  I had to park on the side of the cul-de-sac. Her parents’ driveway was crammed with cars. I slung my overnight bag over my shoulder and lifted the blue dress, careful not to let the plastic drape across the ground. I sidestepped one of the florists as he ran past me with a box full of corsages and bouquets. This place was busier than graduation check-in at Wave Oasis.

  I tapped on the door, but everyone was too busy scurrying around to notice me. I let myself in and marched to the back of the house where I thought I’d find Sasha surrounded by an entourage.

  I was amazed that the house was so clean. There had been a massive party here last night. You would never know a trombone player had been standing on the coffee table hours ago.

  I was surprised to see Sasha was alone. She sat facing a vanity. Her auburn hair was in loose curls around her shoulders, pinned on the side with exotic flowers. She looked almost ethereal the way her cheekbones glowed and her eyes lit up.

  “Sasha, you look so beautiful.” I crossed the room.

  There was something different about her, and it wasn’t the beautiful bride makeup or the way her hair was styled with delicate orchids. She was calm, as if in the midst of all this madness she had finally found a sort of sanctuary within herself.

  “What do you think?” She stood and twirled in a small circle so I could get the full effect. It didn’t matter she was wearing a white robe monogrammed with the word bride over her heart; she looked ready to walk down the aisle.

  “I think you look stunning. I can’t wait to see you with the dress.” I noticed it was hanging on the outside of the closet door.

  “I feel like I’m walking through a dream or something today. This morning, my father broke down in tears over breakfast, and my mother keeps laughing hysterically for no reason. They have lost it.” She smiled. “But I’m ready to do this. I’ve never been more ready to be Cal’s wife.”

  “Well I better get dressed, then.” I giggled.

  “The stylists will be back any minute, and they can do your hair and makeup. How are you going to wear your hair?”

  I hadn’t given it much thought, but now that I knew Sasha was wearing hers down, I thought I should go with some kind of up do. “Maybe a twist or a chignon?”

  “Oh, a chignon would be pretty.” She crossed the room to her dress and stared at it.

  “Do you want me to help you with it?” I offered, wondering where the rest of the crew was hiding.

  She nodded. “Yes, I’m dying to put it on.”

  I closed the bedroom door and turned the lock. Sasha tossed her robe on the bed, and I helped her step into the dress one foot at a time. I would never forgive myself if I pulled a single thread or left a trace of a smudge on the fabric. It was flawless.

  She turned in front of the mirror. Sasha was the kind of girl who could pose in Bride Magazine. With the ivory dress against her olive skin and coffee-colored locks, she looked like she could pose on any page.

  I felt the tiniest twinge of envy as she spun in a circle. Would that ever be me? Would I do this one day with the dress and the wedding? Did Cole want me to be his wife? I realized the envy I felt was because Sasha knew the answers to all those questions. Cal was waiting for her at the church, and there was a house full of people getting ready to support her marriage a hundred percent. She had certainty I was still trying to lock up.

  My parents had been strangely ok when they got over the shock of Cole and me. Ryan came around. But a baby? A shotgun wedding? My heart started to race. What was I thinking?

  “Knock knock.” I rushed to the door to let in a man with spiky blond hair. “Oh, girl, we need to do your hair.” He pointed to my head.

  “Oh, ok.” I wasn’t sure if I should be offended.

  “And look at you.” He beamed at Sasha. “Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. Has your mother seen you yet?” He pushed my shoulders until I was sitting at the vanity, and he whipped up half my hair behind my ears.

  “No, Anthony. She’ll just start laughing like a hyena or worse, bawling like my dad.”

  “I think I saw the photographer out front. You ready for your pictures? Need me to do a touch up?”

  He had dropped my hair and was concentrating on the bride.

  She scooped up part of her train and walked to the door. “I’ll go find everyone.” I saw her take a deep breath as she crossed the threshold into crazy.

  As soon as Sasha left, Anthony seemed to be able to focus on my hair again. “All right, honey, are we putting this up?”

  I nodded. “I was thinking a chignon.”

  “Love it!”

  He started humming and working on my hair. In twenty minutes, I had a picture-perfect hairstyle.

  “You like it?” He held up a mirror so I could see it from all angles.

  “Yes, it’s great. Thank you, Anthony.”

  “No problem. I’ll send Lulu in to do your makeup. See you at the wedding.” He sashayed out of the room and in walked Lulu.

  She was quick and efficient, not as interested in chitchat as Anthony had been. I told her I wanted a natural look, not a complete glamour makeover. With the hair and the dress, I thought I should downplay everything else.

  I emerged into the living room feeling like a different girl.

  “Kaitlyn, come on, come on. Pictures.” Tara and Mindy waved me over to the fireplace.

  I scurried to pose with the other girls. We took pictures in the house, out of the house, along the stairs, with our flowers, without the flowers, with Sasha individually, and bridesmaids alone. By the end of the photo shoot, I was afraid I wouldn’t have any smile left for the ceremony. There was no time to reset my grin. Sasha’s father ushered us into a stretch limo, and we were on our way to the church.

  26

  Kaitlyn

  I knew I wasn’t the one who was supposed
to be nervous. I wasn’t getting married. However, as I stood at the back of the church, holding my bouquet of orchids and lilies, I couldn’t keep my stomach from churning and my palms from sweating. I smiled at Sasha as the door opened and I glided down the aisle, just like we rehearsed.

  The guests pivoted in their seats. I heard murmurs and whispers. I tried to keep my eyes straight ahead at the altar. If I could make it to the altar without tripping or wiping out, I could survive the rest of the ceremony. Keep walking. Keep walking. I smiled at Cal and the groomsmen lined up at the front of the church. Cal looked nervous, but I had a feeling that would melt away the second he saw Sasha. I focused on my next step, exhaling as I moved forward.

  Then I saw him.

  At first, I smiled lightly as if he was any of the guests seated in the pews, but then my eyes met his. His look cut right through me. In that second, he held me with his stare, keeping me from falling, yet making me tumble through clouds and rain, breathless and shaking. The piano music rose, and I took another step closer. Drawn to the way he looked at me with complete abandon, as if right then he would stand up and tell everyone in the church that he was in love with me. That I was pregnant with his baby. That we were a family.

  The waves were crashing over me one at a time, but this time, I could breathe. I could breathe because he had me. Then, my steps took me past him and I had to stand on my spot at the altar. I think I knew then that when I looked in Cole’s eyes, I saw everything.

  I had never been happier to drink a glass of sparkling cider in my life. Sasha and Cal were married. The ceremony was beautiful. Cal stumbled over one line of his vows, but it brought a little comic relief to the church.

  I let the cool bubbles slide down my throat, knowing the entire time Cole hadn’t taken his eyes off me.