by Cee Bowerman
“Okay. He said it would be fine, but he is on his way anyhow.” Bear turned around and went back to his work.
Before I got too far away from the door, I heard a motorcycle in front of the house.
“Looks like Bird can fly when he needs to.” I chuckled to myself and walked toward the side door to greet my man. “Lark, Daddy’s home. You ready to get some snuggles?”
The baby continued to coo in my arms as we waited on her father. The door opened and I smiled at Bird.
“There’s my girls.”
If possible, my smile got even wider. I liked that greeting.
14.
“Hang on. Let me overthink this.”
Summer’s secret thoughts
“I like the red one.” Jenna was sitting sideways in the chair, her legs hanging over the arm. “Or the black one.”
“You want her to get married in black? At an outdoor wedding. In the middle of summer?” Drea snorted. “If she dies of heatstroke, you’re not going to automatically get everything in her closet. You know that, right?”
“Okay. True. But she’s going to die of heatstroke anyway if she wears any of these dresses.” Brenda was sitting in a chair next to Drea, fanning herself with a magazine. “Why is it so fucking hot in this place?”
I stood there looking at my reflection in the mirror, listening to the girls bitch and bicker. I put my hands on my hips and realized that I didn’t like any of the dresses I had looked at so far. Not even one.
“Let’s go somewhere else.” I turned around to go back into the dressing room. The poor salesgirl looked like she was about to cry. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I’m marrying a biker I have known for a week. In the backyard. Surrounded by other bikers and family. And kids. Seriously.”
I shut the door behind me and sat down on the little stool in the dressing room. I tried to lean over to put my head in my hands, but the damn dress was so tight I couldn’t do more than drop my chin to my chest.
Screw this. Why was I even in this store? I didn’t want to look like Boobalicious Barbie, sweating like a whore in church, while I got married by a bearded biker with hair longer than mine. No. I wanted to start this wedding the way I wanted to live the rest of my life.
In comfort, dammit.
Screw the satin. I needed breathable cotton and a good quality bra. That’s it.
“Are you okay in there?” I heard Drea at the door to the room I was hiding in. “Can I come in?”
I reached up and turned the knob so she could enter.
“I’m done with this, Drea. I want to go to a regular store and buy a regular dress.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Let me unzip you.” I stood up and turned my back to Drea as she yelled loud enough for the girls in the waiting area to hear her. “Jenna, bring in the juice.”
In just a second, Jenna came and squeezed into the dressing room with me and Drea. Right behind her was Carlie and Terra. We were packed into the little room like sardines. Brenda was standing at the open door. As I slowly let the dress drop down to my feet, Jenna handed me a travel mug.
“Take a swig of that, Summer. It will get you in the mood to shop.”
Without thinking, I tilted the drink up and took a swig. It was pineapple juice and rum. Oh my. This could make shopping fun. I took another swig, this one even bigger than the first one. I looked down to step out of the dress as Drea gathered it to give to the salesgirl. I started to give the mug back to Jenna, but she pushed my hand back.
“Drink up, sister. I’ve got two more pre-mixed gallons in a cooler in the trunk. Terra and I ran by the bar and had one of Kale’s girls mix it for us. We’re mixing shopping with a bachelorette party. We just have to try and not get so drunk they kick us out of the mall. I make no promises.”
Brenda moved her own travel mug up to clink it against mine. She and I both took a big drink. I wondered why she was drinking since she was pregnant, but as she put her mug up to her mouth, she winked at me. I knew that meant that she wasn’t drinking the same concoction as Jenna and me.
“Best way to shop!” Brenda handed her mug to Terra. I took another drink of mine and gave it to Jenna so I could get dressed. Terra tilted hers up to chug as she sat down on the stool. “So where are we going?”
“I want to just go to a department store and find something I like. Something more suited to a backyard wedding in the middle of July. You know. Reasonable.” I pulled my sundress on and leaned against the wall to slip on my sandals. “How about we knock the dress thing out of the way and go to a salon for a mani-pedi?”
“Oh, I like how you’re thinking.” Terra pulled her phone out of her pocket. “I’ll call Kale and let him know. I’ve got the prospects out in the car to drive us around.”
“You’ve always got a prospect because you can’t drive.” Carlie joked with Terra. “When are you going to get a license?”
“Well, I scared the shit out of Kale when he took me driving. He got Clem to take me the next day. Clem screamed like a little girl even though there was plenty of room between me and the other car when I finally stopped. Daughtry went out with me yesterday and said he loved me, but he loved breathing more. Maybe I’m not meant to be a driver.”
“You scared the shit out of all three of them?”
“Yeah.” Terra looked so sad, I felt horrible that I was laughing along with the rest of the women.
“One of us can teach you. Women are stronger than men anyway, everyone knows that.” Jenna put her hand on Terra’s shoulder. “We’re not laughing at you; we’re laughing at the fact that you scared the shit out of three of the four of my big, bad brothers.”
“You should have heard Clem scream. It was fucking hilarious.” Terra giggled. “So, the next stop sign we came to I slammed the breaks on again just so I could hear him scream some more. I’m better than he thinks I am. I think.”
“Let’s get this wedding shit taken care of and then I’ll teach you how to drive.” I picked my purse up off the floor and put the strap over my arm. I was feeling the liquor already, but I wanted just a little bit more. “Let’s go. I need to call my Mom really quick when we get outside. I want to see what time she’ll have my boys home tomorrow.”
I took the mug from Jenna and finished off the rest of the liquid inside it. Jenna smiled at me and took the mug back. She reached into her purse and pulled out another full mug and handed it to me with a big smile.
As we walked through the mall, I fell behind the women so that I could call my Mom.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
“Hi, Mom. I haven’t talked to you in a few days. Everything okay?”
“Everything is fine, baby. How are things with you? Is the new baby settling in?”
“She’s doing great. You’re going to love her. She is so calm and happy. She only wakes up once in the night to eat. The rest of the time she sleeps like an angel.”
“Good. That’s good.”
“So, what time will you be here with the kids tomorrow?”
“Well, plans have kind of changed sweetie. I meant to call you on Tuesday, but time got away from me. I left all the kids at Atlas’s house on Monday night and drove home.”
“But there’s someone staying at your house!”
“I figured that out, Summer.” Mom made an exasperated noise. “I’ve been here with Grayson since I got here late Monday night.”
“Grayson?” Well, it made sense that his Mother didn’t name him Grunt, after all. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“I’m a nurse. Taking care of sick people is what I do. I’m not really going to call an Accounting Major for advice on medical procedure. He was sick sweetheart, but obviously he couldn’t just go to the hospital if you know what I mean.”
“Well. Yeah. About that.”
“Honey, I don’t want to know. He’s just fine now rested up and ready for the wedding. I ran out and picked him up a new shirt for the ceremony. He said he’s wearing his cut and he’s, and I quote, ‘not going to wear a fucking
tie.’ I hope you’re okay with that.”
“I’m fine with that. He can wear whatever he wants.”
“Grayson has been working on the ceremony between naps. I've seen what he’s working on and it’s beautiful. I’ll make sure he’s healthy and there with bells on. He’ll be ready to marry you two.”
“I’ll let Bird know. Thanks Mom. We owe you one. Or a million.”
“Just let me be next in line to take care of my granddaughter and we’ll call it even.”
I was waiting patiently for her to explain what had been going on, but she was avoiding the subject. “So, are the two of you getting along?”
“We have developed a pretty good friendship over the last couple of days.”
My Mom was not usually a vague person. She usually just threw things out and let the chips fall where they may. I had the feeling that she was hiding something, but it wasn’t my place to pry.
“Good. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you. I planned on it but…”
“Honey, things were crazy. They still are, I’m sure. I know you wouldn’t let just anyone stay at my house. It’s okay, don’t worry about it. It will all work out the way it’s meant to in the end.”
“Okay.” I didn’t know what the hell she meant by that, but I’d think about it when I was completely sober. “Well, I’ll call Atlas and get the details.”
“No need. They will be here at Noon. I’ll feed the boys and let them nap. We’ll all be over to you guys by four at the latest. Sound okay?”
“That sounds perfect. Love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, Summer. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Mom hung the phone up, and I tried hard not to worry about her. Her tone of voice was different, she wasn’t her peppy self.
I realized that the girls were all huddled about ten feet ahead, and I dropped my phone in my purse and joined them.
“So, Drea just thought of something. What are the kids going to wear?”
“Shit.” I put my hand on my forehead and thought it through. “Let’s get my dress, then we can find some coordinating things for the kids. Thank God y’all are here with me and we’re not totally plastered.”
“Let’s do this.”
I took another long drink. “Yeah. Let’s.”
~*~
BIRD
“You get to meet her boys tomorrow, right?” Kale was leaning back in a lounge chair by the pool, Lark resting on his chest. “And her brothers and sisters?”
“Yep. The whole family, including her Mom will be here for dinner with us tomorrow evening. Drea made the arrangements for food and all that, we’ll get everything set up for the wedding that we can and then have a party.”
“Remember when our parties included lots of beer, shots and willing women?” Clem asked from the chair beside Kale. “Oh, the days. That was, what? A month ago?”
Sonny, my brothers and I all laughed.
“This is your bachelor party, man.” Daughtry was sitting on the edge of the pool, dragging his feet through the water, a beer in hand. “Not like the movies at all.”
“I like this better.” I told him, honestly. “I like the fact that my woman is going to come home to me, and I’ll fall asleep next to her tonight, wake up with her in the morning. And, repeat that for the rest of my life.”
“Yeah.” Daughtry looked down into the water, his face showing so much emotion it was hard to watch. “Lucky man. You and Kale both.”
“I never imagined it, but I like it. I thought I’d be that cranky old fucker until I died.” Kale sat up and put his feet down on either side of the chair. He laid Lark down between his legs and picked up her little feet in his big hands. “Now, I’m a cranky old fucker who has a smoking hot fiancé and a baby on the way.”
Daughtry and Clem’s heads snapped to look at Kale.
“Fuck. That was a secret.” Kale groaned.
“I was wondering why no one had mentioned it, so I didn't say anything.” I stood up and went to the cooler by the back door. After I grabbed each of us another beer, I went back to my seat. Daughtry and Clem were both staring at Kale.
“What? Terra and Brenda made Sonny and I promise not to say anything until after Bird’s wedding. They didn’t want to take the limelight from Summer on her big day.” Kale leaned down and tickled Lark’s bare belly with a lock of his hair. When she giggled, all four of us smiled.
“You mean, we know before you told Mom?” Clem was worried, Mom liked to be informed of what was going on with her kids. She wouldn’t be happy that she was the last to know.
“Hold on! Brenda’s knocked up too?” Daughtry spoke at the same time as Clem.
Kale and I laughed for a second at their shock. Finally, the guys found their manners and congratulated our brother on the good news.
“Bird has probably knocked up Summer already too. Who uses condoms that old? Dumbass.” I took a deep breath and looked down at my feet as Kale spoke. “Unless you want her knocked up.”
When the guys were quiet, I looked up to see them staring at me.
“I didn’t. I never even thought about it. I know. I fucked up!”
“Your Daddy is a dumbass, little bird.” Kale cooed at Lark as he ticked her again. Then, he spoke louder to us, “I left condoms in my nightstand when I moved out. Bird and Summer blew through the whole box last weekend.”
“You moved out, what? Five years ago?” Clem looked at me with his eyebrows up. “Dumbass.”
“Closer to seven, actually.” Kale corrected. “You should have seen Summer’s face when I mentioned how old the condoms were. It was fucking hilarious.”
“Her first son was planned. The next two were both conceived on birth control. She says she is the most fertile woman on the planet.” I shrugged. “I’m kind of liking the thought. So is she. We just stopped using them.”
“Holy fuck.” Clem looked over at Daughtry. “We’re the last men standing. Be careful, dude. It’s in the water.”
“Beer will kill it.” Daughtry tipped his beer toward Clem and they clinked them together at the necks.
“What’s going to happen with the grandma?” Kale asked quietly. “I was serious about my offer.”
“I know. All of you were, and thanks for that. I’m going to let this ride out. The woman lost her kid for God’s sake. Now, she thinks she’s going to lose the baby too. Maybe when shit calms down we can come to a truce and she can be involved. If she doesn’t calm the fuck down, then I’ll let you guys take care of it for me.”
All three of my brothers nodded. I had no doubt in my head that they would ‘take care of the problem’ before they let it affect Lark or any of the rest of my new family.
“I’ve helped Drea make sure everything is arranged as far as chairs and shit. I’ve got Grady doing the speakers and sound equipment. Bear is going to put the dance floor together tomorrow morning after he puts the finishing touches on the stairs. Oh, and I heard the guys practicing that song today. They all sound good. Sonny’s got the guitar part down, along with the singing.” Clem updated me on the wedding progress, and I was glad to hear that he had been helping Drea. “Did you get her a ring?”
“I did. She thinks I was working, but I got it picked out and it’s being engraved. Fain is picking it up for me tomorrow when he gets my shirt and shit.”
“So, everything is ready then. Terra said she’s taking all of us to go buy clothes in the morning. She and Brenda are going to make us look respectable.” Kale handed Lark over to Daughtry and got up from his chair. “I’ll be back in a sec.”
“You guys don’t have to dress up. I’m wearing a white shirt and jeans. Seriously. Wear whatever the fuck you want to.” I hoped I wasn’t speaking out of turn. I didn’t know if Summer had some other idea of how I needed to dress for this. “Fuck. I guess maybe I should talk to Summer about this shit.”
“You think?” Clem asked me sarcastically. “Well, I guess you can ask her right now.”
I turned to look at the back door and saw Summer, Brenda, Terra and J
enna walking out onto the patio. Kale, Fain, Sonny and Lout all followed close behind. Summer and Jenna were both holding a gallon jug of what looked like fruit juice. Neither one of them was walking very steadily, so I assumed there was something added to the juice.
“Well hello, future husband!” Summer smiled at me, and I could see that she was feeling no pain.
“Hello, future wife. How was shopping?” Summer plopped down on the concrete next to my chair and sat the jug in front of her. She twisted the lid off and started to pour some into the travel mug in her hand. She shrugged and put the jug up to her lips for a swig instead. “Did the girls corrupt you?”
