“Punish me?” She raised a brow. “How?”
“Try it and find out.”
Parker stared at him for a few moments before a sly grin formed on her lips. “Well your girlfriend is a loser and probably is terrible in bed. You have terrible taste in women,” she said.
Ethan sighed and shook his head. “I guess you didn’t learn at the cabin. Now I’ll have to make a believer out of you yet again,” he said as he stood. “Stand up.”
Parker stood, the grin never leaving her face. “What are you gonna do then, big boy? Don’t like me talking about your loser girlfriend? Loser, loser, loser, loser—ah!” she shrieked when Ethan lifted her off the ground and put her over his shoulder, giving her ass a hard smack. Parker whimpered and bit her limp, a dull ache settling in her hip. Despite that, her nerve endings on fire as tingling settled at her core. Ethan only went as far as she allowed, constantly sure she wasn’t in pain anytime they were in intimate.
“You okay up there? I heard you whimper,” he said.
“I’m good,” she said. “I’m sure your lame girlfriend would tell you if it were too much.” Ethan smacked her again and squeezed, not as hard as the first time. Parker sighed in pleasure and dropped her head, the tingling increasing.
“Sounds like you liked that,” Ethan mused, smacking her again.
“Whether I like it or not has nothing to do with your girlfriend being a loser,” she breathed, gasping when he smacked her again.
“We’ll see about that after I get these jeans off of you and smack your bare ass,” he said with a chuckle as he carried her off to his bedroom.
Chapter 16
Joker
One and a half years later…
“Oh my God, Ethan. Where are we going?” Parker asked as Joker steered her down the sidewalk. She held up the bottom of her beautiful purple satin gown as she walked. The Sunday night air was comfortably warm, the sky bright with sparkling stars and a full moon.
“We’re almost there. Just keep moving forward,” he responded as a grin formed on his lips. He’d planned this night for her for a few months now, hoping that everything went accordingly. With the help of Adrienne and Ghost, he was able to snag the high school’s gym for a few hours tonight for Parker’s surprise. When they got to the doors of the gym, he took her blindfold off.
She looked around in confusion before settling her gaze back on him. “We’re at a school,” she said. “I don’t understand.”
“Remember when you told me you never went to your junior or senior prom?” he asked.
“Yeah…” she trailed and then her eyes widened. “You didn’t!”
“Oh baby, I did.” He smiled and pulled the heavy door open. Parker gasped as she walked inside to the Paris at Night-themed prom that was put together just for her. He watched her as she marveled at the string lights, the large Eiffel Tower that was lit up with a bunch of bright stars, and the Language of Love lampposts. She walked further into the gym, looking down at the floor to see the shiny dark carpet runner that looked like water.
“It even looks like the water near the real tower!” she exclaimed through tears.
“Do you like it?” Joker asked as she looked at the tables with sheer gold tablecloths over them, adorned with more string lights. She turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Baby, I love it. This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me,” she said and kissed him. “I kind of wish you would’ve told me. I would’ve got you the flower thingy I’m supposed to pin on you.”
“Already a step ahead of you,” Ghost said as he and Adrienne approached them.
Tears glistened in Parker’s eyes as Ghost handed Joker the corsage. “May I, beautiful lady?” he asked. Parker smiled.
“Of course,” she said, her voice shaky with emotion. He put the corsage around her wrist and lifted her hand to his lips.
“Now, it’s your turn, Parker,” Adrienne said and handed her the boutonniere.
“With all the tears in my eyes, hopefully I can put this on without poking you in the heart,” she said and giggled. Joker shook his head and closed his eyes.
“Baby Jesus, if you don’t answer any other prayer, please don’t let this temporarily blind woman kill me tonight,” he said. Parker laughed and wiped her eyes.
“Oh hush. I won’t kill you,” she teased as she pinned the flower to his tux. “There.”
Joker blew out an exaggerated breath and wiped his forehead. “Whew. Thanks for looking out for me, baby Jesus,” he said, clasping his hands together and shaking them toward the ceiling. Parker playfully pushed him.
“You’re so dramatic,” she mused and looked around again. “How did you manage to pull this off?”
“Prom was actually last night for the students. Joker picked the theme and it wasn’t that hard to convinced the prom committee to go with this theme when they saw how beautiful it would be. Ghost and I asked the principal if we could hold the gym for two hours tonight to give you a memory you’d missed,” Adrienne said, smiling at her.
“How in the hell did Ghost manage to sway Principle Wallace?” Joker snorted. “He gave that old man hell when we were in school.”
Ghost chuckled. “I’d saved Josephine and another student while on the Paris trip a few years ago, remember? It was kind of like cashing in an IOU.”
“Well, thank you. This is really beautiful,” Parker said.
Savage, Natalie, Carter, Bullseye and his date, along with Diablo and his date suddenly entered the gym.
“Balloon!” Carter shrieked, pointing at the gold and white balloons on the floor.
Parker put a hand on her heart. “The gang’s all here for my first prom! I can’t believe this is really happening.”
“Don’t count us out!” Gerald exclaimed when he walked through the gym door holding a camera. “I came to get my pictures!”
“Oh my God, Dad!” Parker exclaimed, hiding her face with her hand. Gerald laughed as he approached them.
“Well, I didn’t get the opportunity to embarrass you back then, so consider this as me getting my piece of the memory,” he said. “Now you kids get close so I can take a picture.”
Joker wrapped an arm around Parker’s waist, giving her a little squeeze that brought a smile out of her. He couldn’t help but marvel at her beauty. The purple gown she wore was made of thin satin, clinging to her curves that he loved so much. Her usual curly hair was straightened, hanging past her shoulders. She only wore minimal makeup, her natural beauty always on display.
“Camera’s over here, Ethan,” Gerald said, looking into the camera. Parker giggled next to him.
“Take a picture. It’ll last longer,” she teased under her breath and smiled for the picture. Joker chuckled to himself and smiled as Gerald took the picture.
“Great, now I want the rest of you in the next one,” he said. Joker leaned down near Parker’s ear.
“You keep that sassy mouth up and your dad might witness me spanking his little girl…and see how much she loves it,” he whispered and kissed her on the neck. He grinned when she visibly shivered and cleared her throat, running her hand along her hair.
Everyone positioned themselves with the ladies in the front and the men in back, smiling when Gerald told them to. Joker took the camera to get Parker with both of her parents and then a picture with each parent before handing it back to Gerald. After a few more pictures, Gerald finally looked at the screen on his camera.
“I think I got everything,” he said. He and Miranda walked over to Parker and hugged her tight. “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Absolutely stunning. I’m so glad you were able to have such good friends to do this for you,” Miranda added.
Savage stepped forward and said, “Parker’s family now. We look after our own. Joker told us how doing this would mean a lot to her, so we wasted no time in helping out.”
Parker put a hand on her chest. “Aw, thanks, Cam. You’re t
oo sweet,” she said.
“She’s like the only one out of the wives and girlfriends that call us by our actual names and not our call sign,” Ghost joked.
“It’s a habit. I always found nicknames weird,” she admitted.
Adrienne clapped her hands together to get everyone’s attention. “Well, we have an hour and a half to make this the best prom ever, so let’s party!”
Time went by quickly. They danced, drank punch, had snacks, and danced some more. Joker didn’t think he’d ever seen Parker smile and laugh as much as he did tonight. It made him warm to know that she was happy and enjoying herself. He was proud of the woman she’d become. She’d gone to therapy and worked out some of her trauma and was now even talking about starting a nonprofit for women who found themselves in the same position she was once in.
As time wound down, Joker became anxious. Even though the room was cool, he was feeling a little hot under the collar. He knew it was close to Ghost announcing him and Parker and prom king and queen, the grand finale of the night. His palms were sweaty and if they didn’t go ahead and do this, he thought he’d pass out from the nerves.
“Is this thing on?” Ghost said into a microphone, which squealed back at him. “Now it’s time for the best part of the night—crowning the king and queen.” He held up a sheet of paper, looked at it, and then tossed it over his shoulder. “That paper was blank. We already know that our king and queen is Joker and Parker!”
Parker nearly skipped over to Ghost in excitement, unable to stop bouncing around as he put a silver, sparkly crown on her head and draped a prom queen sash over her body, doing the same for Joker when he approached.
“Can I say something?” Parker asked. Ghost offered her the microphone, but she shook her head. “I want to thank you all for being here tonight. I can’t even process everything I’m feeling right now, but I know I’m happy, in awe, surprised, and so full of love that you all care about me so much to help Ethan put this together and be here for me.” She cleared her throat and blinked a few times. “There was a time in my life when I thought my life was over. I thought I’d either be dead or running for the rest of my life. And then I met Ethan.” She turned to face him, taking his hands into hers. “You’ve been the best thing to have ever happened to me. You didn’t know me from a can of paint, but yet you vowed to keep me safe and you kept your word. I love that you love me, protect me, and support me. I’m the luckiest woman in the world to have you and I pray that I get to spend many more days of my life with you.” She stood on her tiptoes and placed a sweet kiss on his lips, tears glistening in her eyes.
“Spend many more days of your life with me? Heh, here’s a funny story,” he said and got down on one knee, pulling a black velvet ring box from his pocket. “I’d already planned to make sure that would happen.”
Parker’s hands flew to her mouth as she stared at him with wide eyes, the only noise around them coming from his cheering teammates and their women.
“Parker, I tell you every day what you mean to me, how much I love you, and how you’re my entire world. But I don’t want to just tell you that. I want to show you that every single day of our lives. I thank God every day that I didn’t turn you away when you came to me for help. When I went to that cabin to grieve the death of my mother, I had no idea I’d be meeting the love of my life. I can’t imagine living life without you as my partner. Will you marry me, baby girl?” he asked, hoping his voice didn’t portray his nervousness.
“Oh baby…I don’t even know what to say,” Parker said, tears streaming down her face.
“Yes! Yes, yes, yes!” Carter shouted, stomping around trying to pop a balloon on the floor. Everyone laughed and turned back to Parker.
“Well, you heard the kid,” she said and smiled. “Yes, Ethan. I’ll marry you.”
Joker slipped the ring on her finger, stood, and embraced her as he kissed her passionately. He imagined his mom watching with the rest of his loved ones, smiling and clapping for them with tears in her eyes. His heart ached that she wasn’t here physically, but he felt her presence.
“I love you so much,” Parker whispered upon his lips.
“I love you too, baby.”
“Tonight was the best night ever.”
Joker chuckled. “I’m glad. But the party continues when we get home,” he whispered in her ear.
Parker bit her lip. “Mmm…an after party? I can’t wait then,” she replied. She looked up at the Eiffel Tower looming behind them. “And how romantic of you to propose in front of the Eiffel Tower.”
“Yeah, I have a few genius ideas here and here,” he said, dusting his shoulder off. Parker laughed and kissed him again. Joker’s heart was so full of love for this woman that he thought it would burst. A few months ago, he was lost. The joker wasn’t himself and depression was bound to claim him had Parker not come into his life. Now, he felt like a better version of himself. He and Parker had grown so much both individually and together over their relationship and he couldn’t be happier.
“Congrats, man,” Ghost said, hugging him. “You’ve got a good one.”
“Thanks,” he said, looking over at Parker as she gushed over her ring with the ladies and her mother. “Crazy that she’s about to be my wife.”
“The jokester is about to be serious for once,” Savage said, clapping him on the shoulder. “Proud of you, man.”
“Yeah, same. Congrats,” Bullseye added.
“Look at Joker all grown up,” Diablo said. “You did good, kid.”
“Thanks, guys. I appreciate you being here,” Joker said, looking at the faces of the men he called his brothers.
“You thought we’d actually miss this? Pfft,” Ghost scoffed. Gerald walked over to them and looked at Joker.
“Ethan, can I have a word?” he asked.
“Sure,” he said and held up a finger to the guys before walking off with Gerald.
“You know, all I ever wanted for my daughter was for her to be happy,” he started. Joker nodded. He was sure that was what any father would want for their kid, excluding his own. “When everything happened at the cabin, I thought I was going to be robbed of so many things. I thought I wouldn’t walk my daughter down the aisle, have any grandchildren, or see the fire in her eyes that she always had as a kid. I thought I was going to lose my baby.” He looked up at Joker, his eyes shiny with tears. “But then she found you and you saved her. I’ve never seen her as happy as she is now that she has you. If anything were to happen to me, I’d be able to go in peace knowing that she’s in good hands. I’m proud to have you as my future son-in-law.”
“Thank you, sir,” Joker replied. “I promise to love and take care of her.”
“I know, son,” Gerald said with a nod and a smile. “I know.”
“We only have seven minutes left, guys!” Adrienne called out. “Let the king and queen get their dance in really quick!”
Joker found his fiancée and wrapped his arms around her waist, swaying to a sensual jazz instrumental. “It’s so crazy that I’m someone’s fiancée,” Parker murmured. “I always wondered who would be crazy enough to want to marry my ass.”
“Have you seen your ass?” Joker teased. Parker giggled and shook her head.
“You know what I mean. I was so broken and all over the place before. Basically a hot ass mess.”
“Hmm. Sounds like someone’s talking shit about my woman again,” Joker mused. “Punishment will be even greater this time around because now she’s my fiancée. So you better watch yourself, missy.”
“Oh la la.” She giggled. “Get it? I was trying to be French.”
Joker laughed and shook his head. “You can be so corny sometimes,” he teased.
“Oh whatever. Well can I get a hint on what the punishment will be?” she asked, wiggling her eyebrows. Joker grinned and squeezed her a little tighter.
“It’ll involve handcuffs.”
She laughed and released a content sigh. “Joker, my Joker. What on earth am I going to d
o with you?”
He kissed her and shrugged. “Who knows, but we have plenty of time to figure that part out.”
Note from the Author
Hello!
Thanks for reading Jostling Joker! I really hope you all enjoyed Joker and Parker’s story. I started writing this book during my own bout of depression and when I’m down, sometimes I have a hard time being funny. That kind of posed a problem for me considering Joker’s personality. In the other books, Joker was the funny one, always goofing around with his teammates. This time around, he’s a little more serious as he finds his peace with the help of Parker, who struggles with her own trauma as well. There’s one thing I want you to know before you close this book.
It’s okay to not be okay.
No one has a perfect life. Everyone has bad days. If your days seem worse than others, talk to someone. You’re special. You’re important. You’re needed. And, quite frankly, the world would suck and be completely boring if you were no longer a part of it. Never be ashamed for needing help. Never feel as if you’re alone in this. I’m here for you. Your family and friends are here for you. There are also medical professionals you can add to your support system that are trained to help you get through it. Keep fighting the good fight and continue being the strong, beautiful survivor that you are.
The world loves you. I love you.
Take care of yourself!
Xoxo,
About the Author
Follow me on social media! I’d love to talk to you!
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Amazon
Fan Group
Newsletter
As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.
Jostling Joker_Special Forces_Operation Alpha Page 11
