Aruba (Bad Boys on the Beach Book 3)

by Kimberly Fox

  “It’s Tucker,” I say after knocking on the door.

  I hear giggles than footsteps before the door creeps open. It’s Julia. Her makeup is done and she’s dressed up in her baby blue bridesmaid dress. I gasp when I see her, not expecting that.

  “Oh, man,” I say, swallowing hard as I look her up and down. My heart is pounding like a jackhammer as I try to find the words that will tell her how beautiful she is, but all I can do is stare with my mouth hanging open. There are no words to describe her. She’s beyond this world.

  “You are magnificent,” I say as I drink her up with my eyes. It’s not enough, but I still have to say something. “You look stunning.”

  It seems to be enough for her. She’s got a smile from ear to ear.

  “How is it looking out there?” Tanya asks.

  Julia lets the door swing open, and I get a pain in my chest when I see my beautiful little sister all done up in her wedding dress. My throat burns as my eyes well up.

  “Wow,” I gasp, staring at her in disbelief. My little sister is all grown up. She’s a gorgeous woman now. “It’s not looking as good as in here.”

  The girls laugh as I step in. “Cynthia. You look beautiful. You all do.”

  “Did you come to hang out with the girls?” Julia asks with a grin.

  “We have wine,” Megan says, holding up the almost empty bottle. She closes one eye and peers into the bottle with the other. “Well, we did.”

  “We’ll hang out soon enough,” I say. “Can you ladies be downstairs in an hour?”

  “It’s a date,” Julia says, smiling up at me.

  “Good luck, girls,” I say before heading back to the door. “And Cynthia. Absolutely stunning. Chase is a lucky guy.”

  “Now out!” Julia says, pushing me out the door.

  I step into the hallway, grab her arm, and pull her out with me. She grins as I pull her in for a kiss.

  “You’re amazing,” she says when we pull away. “I can’t believe you saved this wedding.”

  “That’s what big brothers are for. I even got Yanina and Irving to promise to keep their clothes on.”

  Julia laughs. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

  I give her one last smile and then head for the stairs.

  “Tucker,” she says, following me down the hall. “You said we only have to be downstairs in an hour?”

  “Yeah.”

  She grabs a fistful of my shirt and pulls me into the hall closet. “Good,” she says, closing the door behind me and plunging us into darkness. “Then let’s get this party started early.”

  19

  Julia

  Day Six

  “Good luck,” I whisper to the beautiful bride behind me before taking my first step down the aisle. The place really does look gorgeous. Tucker and the boys really did outdo themselves.

  I glance at Tanya and Megan who are already under the arch, looking stunning in their bridesmaid dresses. I try to keep my eyes off He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named because once I look at him, I don’t think I’ll have the strength to turn away.

  A Thousand Years by Christina Perri is playing softly over the speakers as I walk over the flower petals on the aisle past the smiling guests. It doesn’t take long for my resolve to crack, and I glance over at Tucker. A flood of warmth flows through me as my breath quickens. He’s standing there, back straight, staring right at me with the sexiest honey-colored eyes. He’s wearing beige pants with a white button up shirt that hugs his large frame so well that it makes my mouth water. His sleeves are rolled up, showing off his thick inked-up forearms. My mind is two-thirds focused on him, one-third focused on not falling. Cynthia chose thin black ties and thin black suspenders for the guys, and I must say, they look spectacular. On Tucker, anyway. I still haven’t managed to pry my eyes off of him to look at the other guys on the platform.

  “Wow,” Tucker mouths when my eyes finally crawl up to his tanned face. I turn away shyly, smiling at Chase and Ethan, who are looking pretty fine too. Chase is looking delicious in his Navy uniform beside Ethan who is dressed like Lucas and Tucker.

  Chase gives me a wink and a smile as I step onto the platform, standing beside Tanya. “Hey, Toots!” I whisper giving her a smirk.

  “Looking good, hot stuff,” she whispers back.

  “This old thing?” I answer, sounding like a good little wife from the 50s.

  “Ah,” Tanya says, starting to cry already as the music changes to UB40’s (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You. “I love this song.”

  My eyes start burning with happy tears as I watch Cynthia take her first step down the aisle with her mother by her side. She looks perfect with her big curly hair done up over her head, with only a single strand falling down the slender curve of her neck.

  I helped pick her dress, a white strapless chiffon wedding dress with a sweetheart neckline. I thought she looked hot in the store, but she’s rocking it on another level now with the sun shining down on her shoulders.

  The crowd of guests stand up, all smiling and crying as they watch her walk to her soulmate. Chase is holding his breath as he watches her approach, staring at her with hearts in his eyes. His cheeks are glowing and he hasn’t blinked once, not wanting to miss one second of this moment.

  Her mother looks so proud as she keeps stealing little side glances at her beautiful daughter. She did a great job raising her. I love that girl to death.

  I steal a glance at Tucker as his mother gives Cynthia away to Chase. He has a tear in his eye as he watches his little sister move on to the next phase in her life.

  “Thank you,” Chase says to his new mother-in-law, looking eternally grateful for the precious gift. “I promise to take care of her forever.”

  “I know you will,” Amy says, kissing him on the cheek. “You’re a lucky man.”

  “I was thinking the same thing,” Chase whispers to himself as he takes his bride’s hand.

  Cynthia steps onto the platform and faces her man with a smile on her face. I glance over at Tucker as the music dies down and Irving starts the ceremony.

  We hold each other’s eyes as Irving rambles on. It’s a beautiful ceremony, and for the first time in my life, I want this for myself. I want to get married. I want a wedding. I want a husband. I want Tucker.

  I’ve jumped from boyfriend to boyfriend in the past, never fully committing, because deep down I always knew something was wrong. Something was off. But I never knew what it was until now.

  It was that none of the other guys were Tucker.

  I can already tell that there will be no more bouncing around from guy to guy. We’re going to stay together. We’re going to make it work.

  He gives me a smile that flows up to his eyes, and I know that he is thinking the same thing.

  It’s not long before Irving asks the bride and groom for their I Do’s. They both eagerly give them, and then he’s pronouncing them man and wife.

  “You may kiss the bride,” he says proudly.

  Chase grins as Cynthia jumps into his arms.

  “Woooooo!” I cheer, clapping my hands along with the rest of the guests as the two lovers seal their marriage with a kiss.

  They finally break apart and hold their hands up for the first time as husband and wife. I couldn’t be happier for my best friend. Those two make a great couple, and I know she’s going to have an amazing life with her sexy Navy SEAL by her side.

  Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros starts playing through the speakers as Cynthia and Chase dance back down the aisle holding hands. Tucker butts through the rest of the wedding party and joins my side as I follow them down to where the trays of champagne are waiting for us.

  “Did I say you look hot as fuck?” he whispers into my ear, making me laugh.

  “About a thousand times,” I say, smiling shyly.

  “Well, here’s another one. You look hot as fuck.”

  I laugh as we arrive at the end where the wedding group is out of their chairs, congratulating the happy bri
de and groom.

  I have to fight back tears when it’s my turn. “Congratulations,” I say, throwing my hands around Cynthia. Her curly hair tickles my face as she squeezes me tight.

  “If I was born a lesbian, I would have married you,” she says, kissing my cheek.

  “Maybe in the next life,” I say with a laugh. “Lucky for Chase, you weren’t.”

  My heart strums happily in my chest when I pull away from my girl and see Tucker hugging Chase. They look like brothers, which is good, because they’re brothers now.

  Tucker and I sneak away with our champagne as the bride and groom head out with the photographer for some pictures.

  I lean my back against a palm tree as he leans over me with his tattooed arm over my head.

  “I want to move to Buffalo,” he says, taking me by surprise.

  “What?” I snort out, nearly spitting champagne all over him.

  “I want to move to Buffalo,” he repeats. There’s no hesitation in his voice.

  I look up at him with a raised eyebrow. “You know I’m not going to be dressed like this every day, right?”

  “I hope not,” he says, looking down at me with a grin. “I’d prefer you naked.”

  I swallow hard, wondering if he’s serious or if he’s just caught up in the magical moment of the wedding.

  “It’s fast,” I whisper, staring at the rising bubbles in my glass.

  “Does it feel too fast?” he asks in a voice as smooth as leather.

  I slowly look up at him and shake my head. “No. It doesn’t.”

  “Then let’s do it,” he says with a grin. “I think we wasted enough time apart.”

  I couldn’t agree more.

  “Okay,” I say after taking a deep breath. “This is so crazy.”

  “Crazy is good,” he says with a smile. “We’re good. Together we’re good.”

  I look up at him with a mischievous grin. “I’ll ask my parents if you can move in.”

  He laughs. “You let me worry about where we’re going to live.”

  “Deal.”

  After a record-breaking number of pictures, we finally sit down for dinner. Tucker really pulled through with everything. We’re served fresh lobster, rice, and grilled vegetables. And it’s freaking delicious.

  On my way back from the bathroom, I stop at where he’s sitting and lean down close to his ear. “Fresh lobster?” I ask.

  He grins. “I always get lucky when I serve you lobster.”

  “And you always will,” I say with a laugh, patting him on his broad shoulder.

  I take my seat between the bride and Tanya. The girls are on one side of the head table and the boys on the other. We’re overlooking the rest of the guests and facing the spectacular view of the ocean.

  “What a spot,” Tanya says, smiling as the setting sun shines down on her face.

  “This rock is way better than sand,” Megan says, tapping the flat rock with her foot. She nods in approval. “Yup. My moves will look way sicker with a firm ground.”

  “Great,” Cynthia says with a laugh. “I wouldn’t want any sloppy dance moves to ruin my wedding.”

  “I completely understand,” Megan says with a nod. I can never tell if that girl is joking or not.

  Ethan is the MC for the night as well as the best man. He turns on the microphone and weaves his way through the tables. “I’d like to call the bride and groom to the dance floor for the first dance.”

  We all cheer as Chase helps Cynthia up.

  “Have fun,” I whisper to her as they walk hand-in-hand to an empty area of the flat rock, which works as a perfect dance floor.

  Love Love Love by Of Monsters and Men starts playing softly through the speakers as Chase holds her tight, whispering something in her ear that makes her blush.

  “I broke Ethan,” Tanya whispers to me. “We’re not naming our kid Rocko.”

  “Thank God,” I answer.

  “I get to pick the name,” she says happily.

  “What did you pick?”

  “Milhouse,” she says proudly. “It was my grandfather’s name.”

  I cringe. It should have died with him.

  “I love it,” Megan chimes in.

  I think that poor kid would be better off with Rocko.

  The song finishes, and my stomach starts rolling with nerves. It’s almost time for my maid of honor speech.

  Luckily, Ethan goes first once the bride and groom are seated at the table once again. He stands beside his brother with the mic in his hand.

  He thanks everyone for coming and compliments the bride but then starts to get to the good stuff—the stuff that has everyone reaching for their Kleenex.

  “Cynthia, I truly believe that you were made for my brother,” he says, looking at the bride. “When he came to us in Belize, he was a lost man. You grounded him. You made him complete. I’m thrilled that my relationship with my brother has never been stronger, and I owe a big part of that to you. Chase was always a man to look up to, a brave hero who fought for his country as a Navy SEAL.”

  The two tables of Navy SEALs smack the table and cheer. “Hooyah!” they all shout at the same time.

  “He was always tough. He was always brave. He always had heart. But you, Cynthia, gave him his true heart. You bring out the softer side to him. The loving side. The side that was always hidden under a rough exterior. I love the both of you so much, and I’m so excited to have a new sister in my life. Congratulations to the both of you.”

  Chase and Cynthia both stand up and hug Ethan, thanking him for his speech.

  “Your turn,” Tanya says as my stomach does a cartwheel.

  Megan leans over with a grin. “Don’t fuck it up,” she whispers.

  I take a deep breath and stand up. Tucker smiles at me and wishes me good luck with his eyes, and I instantly feel a little better. I always feel better when I know he’s here with me.

  “Nice speech,” I whisper to Ethan as he hands me the mic.

  “Good luck,” he whispers back before sitting down beside his brother.

  Cynthia is watching me with a smile on her face and with excitement in her eyes.

  I take a deep breath and get started. “On my first day of kindergarten,” I say, biting my lip as I turn to the bride. “I was terrified. I was holding back tears all day wanting to crawl under the table and cry out for my mom.”

  People let out a small laugh, and I start to loosen up, feeling the nerves drift away with the warm breeze.

  “The teacher handed out some little milk cartocccccccccns, the ones that are impossible to open, and mine was expired. It was full of chunks and smelled as bad as Megan’s dancing.”

  “Hey!” Megan shouts.

  I stick my tongue out at her and turn back to the bride. “That was enough to get the waterworks going, and I started bawling. I cried and cried until the cutest little girl with the wildest hair I’d ever seen walked over and sat down beside me. The tears stopped as I stared in amazement at the untamed brown curls and the adorable little girl who was offering to share her milk carton with me.”

  Cynthia smiles at the memory. I can still remember it like it was yesterday.

  “We took turns taking sips, and eventually I built up the nerve to ask her if I could touch her crazy curls. She said yes, and in that moment my life was changed for the better because those curls were attached to the best person on the planet.”

  We both start to get choked up as we smile at each other. “We’ve been through a lot, Cynthia and me. Two and a half decades of being best friends has put us through countless firsts and challenges, but we always come through stronger than ever on the other side. We have millions of memories, inside jokes, embarrassing stories, and secrets, and I cherish every single one of them.”

  I turn to the handsome groom and smile. “Chase, I hope you know how lucky you are to have this girl.” He nods. He knows. “I should be upset at you for taking some of Cynthia’s heart from me. But I’m not, because Cynthia has the biggest h
eart of anyone I know, and she has more than enough love to go around.”

  I look over the crowd at all of the smiling faces. Cynthia’s mother is holding her iPad up, recording every word.

  I raise my glass of wine for the final toast:

  “So, here’s to the lovely pair,

  And all of the beautiful love they share,

  To the fulfilling of the vows they swear,

  To their joint love, affection, and care,

  And may their children get Cynthia’s crazy hair.

  Cheers!”

  “Cheers!” the crowd says as everyone raises their glasses and laughs. Cynthia gets up and swallows me in a hug as Chase joins in, hugging me from the side.

  “I love you too,” she whispers into my ear before kissing my cheek.

  I feel great and ready to party now that my speech is done, and I get to let the nerves go.

  “Hot and articulate,” Tucker says over his shoulder as I walk by. “What a catch!”

  I roll my eyes and laugh as I walk by him back to my seat.

  “Cute speech,” Tanya says as I sit down, taking a breath of relief.

  “I didn’t care for the part about my dancing,” Megan says with a frown. “But the rest was pretty damn good.”

  “Thanks, guys,” I say as I take a long gulp of wine and sit back, finally relaxed.

  My relaxation doesn’t last long when I glance behind us at the road in the distance. Anger and anxiety takes its place when I see an uninvited guest standing next to a white car.

  Stephanie is standing there, watching us.

  I squeeze my hands into fists as I stand up with my pulse racing.

  “Keep Cynthia occupied,” I whisper to Tanya through a clenched jaw. The bride doesn’t need to know that she’s here.

  And besides, I want her all to myself.

  20

  Julia

  Day Six

  “What in the hell are you doing here?!?” I hiss.

  I’ve never been so mad as I charge up to Stephanie. My knuckles are burning from squeezing my hands into fists so tightly, fists that I want to introduce to her nose.