Straddling The Edge

by Julie Prestsater

  “Damn, that’s some love.” I tease him. “How about Yankees gear?”

  “Now let’s not push it.” He brushes my hair away from my face with his fingertips and claims my mouth with his own. One night going to bed without his kiss is one too many and I plan on making up for that right now.

  Chapter 22

  Summer

  I really wanted to surprise Dean, just like he has always surprised me but I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer. After that night full of apologies and amazing make-up sex, I spilled the beans. The excitement just burst out of me uncontrollably. There was nothing I could do to stop it.

  “I can’t believe you did this,” Dean says when we get to Angel stadium. “What’s going to happen when the Dodgers get a beat down?”

  “That’s not going to happen,” I tell him.

  “Don’t be so sure of yourself.” He parks his car, we both get out, and meet each other right in front of the hood. He snickers at my Dodger gear. I look his Angel attire up and down. “Shall we?” he asks, holding out his hand with a chuckle.

  “We’re going to get booed.” I glance around to see if anyone is giving the mixed-fan couple dirty looks.

  “You’re going to get booed,” he says. “I’m wearing the right colors.”

  I roll my eyes.

  When we get to our seats on the field level, Dean’s eyes widen.

  “Fancy meeting you here,” Mel says. She’s sporting a Dodger shirt to support me and irritate the Angel fans. I love her.

  “Hey, what are you guys doing here?” Shelly asks, with a wink.

  Dean looks back at me. “Did you know about this?”

  “Surprise!” I yell. “I didn’t blow the whole thing. I thought it would be fun if we all came together.”

  He leans over and kisses me right on the mouth. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

  Ty and Matt stand and shake hands with Dean, and I hug the girls.

  “How about you guys go get us some food and beers? We’ll stay here and save our seats.” Shelly pats the seat next to her and waves me over to sit down.

  “We have ticketed seats, smart one,” Tyler says.

  “Yeah, I know,” she tells her brother, “but you guys can go anyway.”

  He shakes his head at his sister, but asks his wife nicely what he can do for her. The guys hike back up the steps and I sit down with the girls.

  “Don’t tell Dean I said this but this is a really nice stadium.” I look toward the outfield and notice the waterfalls coming down under the scoreboard. Nice touch.

  The first inning starts by the time the guys get back, but they don’t miss anything. Dean passes me some nachos and a large beer. I fill him in on who got out and how. The game is uneventful through the fourth inning. Mel and Shelly are totally bored. The only time some life springs into them is when the crowd gets the wave going. That lasts about two rounds before it dismantles. They also like all the claps.

  “I feel like I’m a cheerleader,” Mel says, “Stand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight!”

  Without warning, the crowd begins a chant that roars through the stadium. This happens often and by the six inning, I’m even joining them. Only, I shout Dodgers instead of Angels.

  “Wow, the game is really flying by,” I tell Dean.

  “That’s what happens when there’s no score. I’m ready to go out there and hit for them.”

  “If you do that, I’ll go out and play the field and stop you from getting on base.”

  He just shakes his head with a laugh and leans over and kisses me.

  “Hey, it’s the Kiss Cam!” Shelly shouts, pointing at the big screen.

  “Oh, I love those.” I look up at the screen and watch as an older couple is stunned to see their faces appear. The little old man kisses his wife and the crowd cheers. Next is another couple who … is not a couple at all. The girl mouths to the camera, “He’s my brother!” Uh, no thanks. They should come over here and get Shelly and Ty. That would be hilarious.

  “Oh my! That’s me!” I shout. “That’s us!” I’m so busy watching the screen that I don’t notice the camera right in front of my face. I look over to grab Dean but he’s not sitting next to me.

  What?

  Oh my!

  He’s kneeling in front of me. I glance up at my friends and Shelly and Melissa have tears in their eyes. Then, I catch a glimpse of the screen and see Dean on a bended knee holding out a box.

  “You want to look over here now, sweetheart.” My gaze meets his and I almost pass out. “Summer McGallian, I love you with all my heart. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you, even if that means I have to look at that ugly shirt and go to that other stadium across the freeway. Sweetheart,” he opens the box to reveal a very impressive diamond ring, “will you marry me?”

  I throw myself into his arms, yelling for the whole world to hear, “Yes! Yes! Yes! I will marry you, Dean Michaels. I love you so much!”

  He pulls my face back to look into my eyes and kisses me soundly. “I love you,” he whispers against my lips.

  “I love you too.”

  He reaches down, holds out my left hand, and slides the ring on. “Damn you. I can’t even spoil you right. I tried with this game and you just swoop in and spoil me instead.”

  He kisses my left hand. “Get used to it.”

  The crowd erupts into a roar of cheers and I can’t help but fall a little bit in love with Angel stadium too.

  Dammit.

  Epilogue

  October, 1 year later

  “What the hell were we thinking getting married in October?” I say, pacing the bridal room. “Never in a million years would I have thought that the Dodgers would have made it into the World Series.”

  “And played Game 7 on your wedding day?” Shelly adds, rubbing it in.

  “And played the Angels in Game 7 of the World Series on your wedding day?” Mel adds, pouring salt on the wounds.

  “You guys aren’t helping.” They laugh at my pain. It’s not like they’re baseball fans. Dean isn’t even all that nutty about this. He thinks it’s funny.

  Yeah, right.

  Our teams are playing each other in the World Series for crying out loud. How is that funny? It’s like one of the things that you hope will happen in your lifetime, but just know it never will. I had come to terms with that. In fact, it wasn’t even something I considered when I chose a late October wedding. I was thinking about the weather, and the season. With a name like Summer, I really didn’t want to get married in the … Summer. I’ve always known that someday I’d have a fall wedding, just not on the same day that my beloved team made it to the biggest game of the year, or ever for all that matter.

  This has never happened, yet it’s happening today, right in the middle of my wedding day. My team is playing my fiancé’s team. In the World Series. The final game. On my wedding day.

  “There are really more important things to think about,” Mel says.

  Do I want to know? “What’s that?”

  “My dress!” She points at her breasts. “What the hell was I thinking picking this style? I had to go buy a bra that would perk up my boobs because after nursing Mia, my tits are as saggy as Tyler’s nut sac on a hot day.” She puts her hands under her breasts and lifts, letting them sit on her palms like they’re on a display shelf. “Seriously. Look at them.” She drops her hands and her tits fall. “Saggy balls. Like an empty sac.”

  I crack up. Like really crack up. “Oh my. Mel, you kill me.” Shelly is laughing too and suddenly I can’t stop. The snorts come on and I’m practically wheezing, trying to calm myself long enough to take a breath.

  “Sounds like a bunch of hyenas in here,” my dad says when he steps into the room. “I’m surprised you don’t have the TV on.”

  I cough a few times trying to catch my breath. “We recorded it. We’re going to watch it in the morning.”

  “Well, are you ready?”

  “I sure am.”

  “You look absol
utely gorgeous,” he says.

  “Thank you, Daddy.”

  “I’m going to peek out and give them the thumbs up so we can get started.”

  I look over at the photographer and ask, “Can we get one last picture of the three of us?” I swirl my hand around, pointing to Mel and Shelly, my bridesmaids. They’re both wearing Dodger blue gowns with a thin Angel red ribbon around their waist. They look gorgeous. My dress is like a Cinderella ball gown—fitted at the top with a big skirt and a long train. I also have a red sash tied around my waist. It’s my little tribute to my future husband, letting him know that marrying him means that I’m also marrying his team. “When they’re not playing my team, of course,” I had told him when I picked out our wedding colors. But again, I never dreamed that our teams would choose to make history on our wedding day.

  When my dad comes back, I ask, “Are the kiddos ready?”

  “They are. They’re just waiting for the bride.”

  “Well, let’s go get me married off.” Shelly and Melissa get to their feet and Mel sticks her hands in each side of her dress, scooping up her saggy tits just one more time before we make our way down the aisle.

  The resort ballroom looks breathtaking. I couldn’t have imagined all of this if I tried. They really know their stuff. Dean scheduled a couple’s massage for us tomorrow afternoon so we can relax after months of planning and a night full of dancing. He even managed to book the massage with Micah and Frieda. They were beside themselves when we told them we were engaged and getting married here at the resort. I couldn’t think of any place I’d rather have my wedding. Our ceremony, reception, and the dance are all in one room. I wasn’t sold on the idea at first, but the more they described it the more I came to like it. And the addition of a selection of beers from our favorite local brewery was really the tipping point that sent me over the edge. How could I say no to five-star resort and hand-crafted beer?

  “You’re up,” Mel says to Shelly.

  The wedding coordinator signals that it’s time. Shelly makes her way to the entrance and pauses at the door way. I hear the shift of people as they all turn to look at her. I can’t see it, but I can definitely hear it. She smiles her beautiful smile, holds her bouquet of white roses in front of her, and glides out of sight.

  Mel is next. Before she takes her first step into the ballroom, she glances over at me and winks. Then with her wicked smile, she sashays out of view.

  The little ones are next.

  “You guys ready?” I ask, bending down to their eye level.

  Noah and Mia are wide-eyed and probably terrified, but they nod. Mia tosses a few rose petals at me.

  “Not yet, sweet pea. Wait till you get out there.” She nods. I know they’re too young for this but I had to ask if they could be in the wedding. They’re the only kids I know and I just adore them. Dean’s little cousin is also our flower girl, and she’s going to pull them down the aisle in a Radio Flyer wagon. At rehearsal, everything went perfectly. Let’s see what happens when the room is filled with people.

  And they’re off. I can hear the ooos and awws as they make their way down the aisle. Mia shouts, “Mama!”

  “They’re the cutest kids ever,” I tell my dad.

  “Until my grandchildren come along,” he says, taking my hand in his.

  We look over at the wedding coordinator who flashes someone a signal. The bridal procession begins to play and my stomach does a back flip.

  “Did you like Dean’s wedding present?” Dad asks.

  “Oh my. It’s amazing. You have to come over and see it.”

  “We have. Dean invited your mom and me over to get our opinion. He wanted your mom’s input on the color scheme. Actually, he knew exactly what you’d want, but I think he wanted to make your mom feel special.”

  Dean’s new project, the last room in the house that he’s been working on, was actually another surprise for me. Knowing how much I love to read romance novels, he turned it into my own private sanctuary with a floor to ceiling wall to wall bookcase, a chaise lounge, table lamp, and an electric blanket in neutral colors to keep me nice and toasty. That was just one side of the room. A drafting table and stool take up space on the other side. Dean said he loves to watch me read, so he wanted a place for us both to do what we love—me read and him create new plans. It is absolutely perfect, and what’s even better is that he’s not selling the house. It’s ours. It’s where we’ll live, raise our children, and grow old together.

  “He’s pretty amazing, that soon-to-be husband of mine.”

  “Congratulations, honey. I’m so proud of you, and I’m so proud of Dean. Your mom and I are so honored to invite him into our family. I wish you many years of joy, Summer.”

  His eyes tear and his shaky voice chokes me up. I haven’t even seen Dean yet and my eyes are already puddled.

  I keep my head down until we’re at the doorway. When I look up and see my handsome fiancé standing at the end of the aisle waiting for me, I want to run to him. He is absolutely stunning in a suit and Dodger Blue tie.

  My dad takes the first step, and I take two hurried ones to catch up. I smile at my guests as I make my way down the aisle.

  The minister asks something about my dad giving me away and then I’m in Dean’s arms for the first time today. He was supposed to take my hand, but being in the warmth of his arms is so much better.

  “You’re beautiful,” he says into my ear.

  “And you’re gorgeous,” I murmur.

  “Are you ready to marry me, sweetheart?”

  I gaze into his crystal blue eyes and see nothing but love reflected back to me. And then I think about the damn game. “What if my team wins?”

  He laughs, but asks right back, “What if my teams wins?”

  I shrug. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Let’s not make these wonderful people wait any longer. I’m ready to get married now.”

  “Summer.” I love the way my name booms from his mouth, all sexy and so deep and smooth. He puckers his lips to me, and I meet him the rest of the way for a big muah. Our guests chuckle at our loud smooch. “Sweetheart, it doesn’t matter who wins the game tonight, because I’ve already won more than I’ve ever dreamed of with you.”

  The end.

  Dear Readers,

  So, did you fall in love with Summer? I bet you did. And how about Dean? Oh my! If you thought Matty was the sweetest guy ever, Dean just knocked him out of the running.

  Well, if you’re surprised I could get you to like Summer, what do you think about Chase? Do you think I can make you love him too? I bet you have your doubts.

  Slick Reads has convinced me to write Chase’s story. It’s time for him to meet his match and find his happily ever after. Even I’m having a hard time trying to imagine anyone believing Chase will fall in love, but it’s going to happen.

  And hey, the Book Heaux challenged me. She called me out. She said, in her review of Straddling The Edge, “Chase is still a douchebag.... Just when I think there's no lower for him to get … he sinks even lower! Julie, if you can make my feelings about Chase change in his book I will change my Facebook status to ‘Julie P is God!’.”

  I can’t just let that go. I want to see Book Heaux change her status and when she does, I’m going to screenshot that shit with pride.

  So look for Playing Chase, the final book in the Against The Wall series, to hit your book retailers in August of 2013.

  Till then, spread the word. Tell all your friends, and anyone who will listen, about this series. Word of mouth is the best way to connect authors, readers, and books. Spread the love! Go on now. Do it!

  With love and gratitude,

  Julie

  PS: As a little thank you, I’m giving Straddling The Edge readers a preview of the cover for Playing Chase. Just click on the title and enjoy!

  Other links:

  Straddling The Edge on Goodreads

  Julie on Twitter

  Julie on Facebook

  Julie’
s Website

  Titles by Julie Prestsater

  This is Julie’s fourth adult romance novel. She has also written a young adult series. Against The Wall is actually a spinoff from her teen series. The Double Threat novels focus on the high school years of Megan Miller, who is Shelly Gelson’s student aide. If you haven’t already, check them out.

  If you were to read both series, here’s the order:

  So I’m A Double Threat (Start the series for free)

  Double Threat My Bleep

  Against The Wall

  Double Time

  Between The Sheets

  Double Threats Forever

  Straddling The Edge

  Playing Chase (Coming Summer 2013)

  Standalone Titles

  More Than A Friend Request

  (Adult Romance—novella)

  “This really sweet story of long lost love recaptured grabbed my attention from the first page. I couldn't stop reading until I was finished. It gives such hope that some things like true love never die. I absolutely loved it!” – Kelli Kamryn, author of Monkey’s, Sex, and Other Birthday Surprises, and the Love and Balance series

  You Act So White (YA)

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18