But it is so pretty. Look how the moonlight hits it.
“Violet? Don’t leave me hanging…”
My eyes pop to his and I realize I got selfish staring at the ring that will tell everyone I’m his and he’s all mine.
Our souls were really always meant to be together and tangled in sheets.
“Sorry. Yes, yes of course I’ll marry you.”
He slips the ring on my hand and kisses me ever so softly, while our friends clap for us.
“Let’s do this thing.” He clasps my hand and pushes open the large white doors.
Entering the chapel, we are met with red carpets, hundreds of different kinds of multi-colored flowers, which makes the smell of the place almost nauseating. There are golden figurines of Elvis and what might be Michelangelo standing in the corner. It’s tacky as hell, but I love it. This is where I’m getting married. Plus, in a way, this is me and Cooper: spontaneous and not giving a damn where and what we're doing as long as we are doing it together.
We walk to the desk and from around the corner come out Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe.
Only in Vegas.
They both smile at us and I think Marilyn’s pupils turn into twinkling stars as she stares at Cooper with her mouth gaping open. I think it’s safe to say someone is a fan.
“What can we do for you guys this evening?” Frank asks, looking between us, his voice sounding nothing like Mr. Sinatra’s.
Aren’t you supposed to try a little? Hope he’s not singing at the reception.
“We would like to get married. So, whatever we have to do to make that happen,” Cooper tells him wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
“Oh my god, you’re…” Marilyn stutters finding her voice. “You’re...Cooper Reid…Holy shit…I love all your stuff.”
“Thank you.” He beams sweetly at his fan and I think she’s about to expire. Her chest heaves and her face reddens to the color of the carpets.
“Can I have your autograph?” She frantically scavenges for a piece of paper he can sign. “I’d be happy to—if you can promise to get us married ASAP afterward.”
“Yeah, no problem.” She shakes off her starry eyes and looks between us with a sincere smile. “Thank you and Congratulations.”
Oh, I was sorta waiting for her to scratch my eyes out once she realized he was here to get hitched.
Marilyn finally finds an acceptable blank sheet of paper, and hands it over to Cooper. She thanks him repeatedly as he signs his name with a flourish. We have a fangirl for life here.
After we sign all the required paperwork, including our marriage license, we are ushered into the ceremony room. It isn’t any different than the lounge area, except for the white floral arch and Elvis standing beneath it; a pot-bellied Elvis, dressed in a sequined suit, with the perfect lip action going on. I break into a fit of giggles.
“What?” Cooper looks down at me, smiling. Probably wondering what's going on with his nut of a future bride.
“We’re getting married by Elvis. I swear we had this conversation before.”
“We did when we were sixteen. You said if we ever had to run off to get married you would want Elvis to do the ceremony,” he tells me kissing the top of my head. “I make dreams come true, baby,” he teases me and I shove his shoulder.
“I was kidding, but this works. I don’t care who marries us, as long as we're together.” I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his cheek.
“I should've worn my sequin boots and jacket!” Brody moves to stand next to Cooper. “So I’m the best man, right?”
“Sure. Why the hell not? I can let you be best at something for once.”
“If you weren’t getting married and need your junk tonight, I kick you in the nuts, asshole.”
I roll my eyes at them, wondering if they’ll ever grow up.
Alexa cheers beside me, “Julie and me are the best girls, then.” She throws her arms around my shoulders, hugging me tightly.
“Wait, you’ll need this.” Julie places a veil on my head and fluffs my hair a bit. “Now you’re a bride.”
“Who’s wearing a cocktail dress,” I say, suddenly unsure of my attire, and look at my reflection in one of the shiny statues against the wall.
“You look amazing,” Julie assures me.
“She’s right, baby.” Cooper pushes my hair out of the way as his lips travel down to my ear. “Plus you’re not going to be wearing this for much longer.” He bites down on my earlobe and it sends delicious shivers down my spine.
Can we just skip to the I do’s?
“Let’s do this. Get you two lovebirds married, uh-huh,” Elvis says interrupting our chatter.
“Yes, let's!” Cooper twines our elbows together while Elvis grabs the papers we signed moments ago, to look for our names, I’m sure.
Alexa and Julie come to stand at my side, and Brody at Cooper’s. I look at the back to see Collin, and Tucker, standing guard at the door.
Elvis starts the ceremony, babbling about love, bliss, and commitment, but the only thing I can make out clearly are the uh-huh’s after every sentence.
Cooper and I stare at each other, not only do I see his love for me shining in his blue orbs, but he’s also biting the inside of his cheek, like I am, to stop from laughing.
“Do you, Cooper, take Violet to be your lawful wedded wife…uh-huh?”
“I do,” Cooper says staring at me with the brightest, dimpled smile I’ve ever seen on his face.
“And do you, Violet, take Cooper to be your lawful wedded husband... Uh-huh?”
“Uh-huh…” I burst out laughing, no longer able to hold back after the fiftieth uh-huh.
“Hey, that’s my line,” Elvis says, falling momentarily out of character.
Don’t mess with the King, Violet.
“Sorry,” I say sheepishly but can’t control my laughter. Cooper is also laughing hysterically. My sides are beginning to hurt.
Oh, this is great.
Elvis sighs, annoyed, and stomps his foot like my father did when I was a kid, when he was waiting impatiently for me to do something. “So? Do you?” he urges.
“I do!” I scream out, my arms pumping the air, like a cheerleader asking for a ‘Y’.
Elvis rolls his eyes, but quickly gets back into character and twitches his pelvis. “With the power vested in me by the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
“Uh-huh!” Cooper and I say at the same time, still in a fit of hysterics.
Cooper grabs a handful of my ass and sliding his other hand through my hair, eagerly pulls my lips to his. My arms curl around his neck to keep myself upright for this over powerful-fourth-of-July like kiss.
Elvis begins singing “Love Me Tender” but I can barely hear anything with the fireworks going off in my brain as Cooper’s tongue dances with mine.
I’ve missed this man and the way his kisses make my toes curl. He moans against me as our bodies merge closer together. How I just want to jump on him right here.
Cooper’s lips rip from mine violently. Brody pulls Cooper off me and I guess I should thank him for stopping us from putting on a free show. We might be in Vegas, but they don’t tolerate that on this side of town.
“Come on you two, break it up. There’s other’s waiting.”
“There’s no one else here, moron,” Cooper growls at him smacking him in the chest.
“Fine, then take it back to the room. I’ve seen enough of you two go at it to last a lifetime.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Cooper grins at me. I have to fan myself because now I’m picturing what his tongue was just doing to my mouth, down there.
We walk out of the chapel to the noisy streets of Vegas. Cooper pulls me flush to his chest and runs his hand down my face. “I love you, wife.”
I beam, “I love you, husband.”
We’re married! Holy crap!
Cooper bends down and gives me a searing kiss. The white double doors where he jus
t proposed as our backdrop. My heart soars, knowing I’m back in the arms of my white knight, who once again swept me off my feet. I’m wanted, loved, and feel whole in these strong arms. This is where I belong.
I vaguely hear Brody yelling for us to get a room, but we ignore him, our lips not ready to disconnect.
I don’t want this moment to end.
Tonight is the start of our second chance. Our new forever.
THREE
October 5th, 1999
Cooper
I leave Violet’s house with an extra bounce in my step. I have myself a girlfriend; a girl who actually likes this angry kid. A voluptuous babe, with legs that go on for miles, and an amazing pair of perky tits. When I spotted her out in the crowd at Sonic Boom, I felt instantly drawn to her. I couldn’t stop watching her dance around. Her amazing blue eyes captured me, and I had to figure out who she was. I knew she went to my school because she was standing next to three people I have a class with.
Thankfully, John knew her and gave me the low down. I thanked the lord above that she was unattached. However, I couldn’t work up the nerve to talk to her right away. She was always surrounded by her girlfriends and if she were to turn me down, I wanted it done in private, so I waited after school for my chance.
I’m grateful I did.
Everyone knows Thomas Ryan. He’s the kid who gets away with everything because no one is willing to stop him. His dad is superintendent of schools and loaded. He has a lot of weight in this town, making teachers fear for their jobs and students fear for their academic standing if they dare say something.
Everyone knew he was stalking some girl in our class, but nobody did anything. I just didn’t know it was Violet.
When she didn’t come out of yearbook with everyone else, I went in to look for her. I heard the strangled screams and rushed down the hall. Rage tinted my vision when I saw Thomas’ hands around her neck. Like a man possessed, I stormed over to them and grabbed the asshole by his collar. I laid punch after punch into his pompous face, giving him everything he deserved for laying his filthy hands on her.
I kept hitting him ‘till I felt Violet touch my shoulder, causing me to stop. If she didn’t, I’m not sure if I would’ve stopped ‘till the meathead was brutally tenderized and stopped moving.
I shake it off, the images still circling in my head, not wanting to think what could’ve happened if I didn’t get to her in time.
When she kissed me and I got a taste of her sweet-honey lips, I knew right then I had to make her mine.
And I did.
I spot two cop cars outside my house as I approach. My gut twists, knowing this has everything to do with Thomas-fucking-Ryan.
I walk into the house, the door closing behind me, announcing my presence. My parents and the officers’ heads snap to look at me. I gulp nervously when one of the officers approaches me.
“Cooper Reid?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re under arrest for the assault of Thomas Ryan,” he says roughly and reads me my rights while putting my hands behind my back, slapping cuffs on my wrist.
“It was self-defense. I was protecting a girl from being attacked by him,” I tell them, pleading my case, looking towards my parents for guidance. My mom is crying with her hand over her mouth and my father is still talking to another officer.
“You’ll have your chance to talk down at the station. Your parents will meet us there.”
“You gotta be kidding me.”
I can’t believe the stupid fucker called the cops on me. I saved a girl, and now I’m the one who is going to be punished for it.
“Mom, Dad…” I plead for them to do anything.
“We’ll meet you there, Cooper. Don’t say anything ‘till I get there,” my dad says firmly, taking off his dad hat and replacing it with his lawyer one.
This is a load of shit.
I arrive at the station and immediately get shoved into an interrogation room. Shortly after, my dad joins me. Never thought I would ever consider myself lucky for having a dad as a lawyer.
“What happened?”
“There’s this girl, Violet.” A smile tugs at my lips, her name bringing me a moment's peace to this awful situation. “I was waiting for her after school to talk to her, but when she didn’t show up with the others, I went to look for her. When I found her, Thomas had her in a chokehold. I acted quickly and pulled him off her. I then punched him a couple times to make sure he stayed down and off her.” I pause and look at my dad who is staring back at me, pursing his lips.
If he doesn’t trust what I’m saying who will?
“You believe me, don’t you? I know I don’t have the best track record, but this time this punk really fucking deserved my fist to his face.”
“I didn’t say that. I’m familiar with the Ryans’ and their son’s issues.” He clenches his jaw and my stomach sinks knowing his family has outranked my father before. “They have deep pockets and know many people.” He lets out an aggravated sigh, pushing his hands through his graying hair.
I guess money really can buy you anything. Another reason why politics and big business hold no interest to me; I'd never let assholes like the Ryans’ get away with this shit. Why bother trying to find justice when you’re not even the one in control anyways?
“Do you have this girl’s information?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright, write it down for me. And I will try to get you out of here in the morning.”
“The morning?” I say, aggravated, standing. “I have to stay in this stink hole ‘till morning?”
No wonder nobody helps anyone anymore. The law turns on you and somehow gets the good Samaritan in trouble. This is fucking bullshit.
“They’re going to end up booking you for the night. You beat him up really good, and until we can get this girl's statement, it’s out of my hands. The kid has a broken jaw and nose, and you have a few cuts on your hand. I’m sorry, Cooper. I will work something out.” My dad pats my shoulder. “Just hang tight and it’ll be alright. I’m sure I can keep all this off your record and it won’t affect your future to Princeton.” I silently stew at my father’s final words. Like I give a flying fuck about Princeton. I’ve done nothing wrong and just want to get the hell out of here. It should be Thomas Ryan in here, not me.
Hours later, I’m processed and put into the detention center at the jail. Luckily, I don’t have to share a room with anyone.
I lay down on the concrete slab they call a bed and try to get some sleep. I pray that I will be out of here in the morning.
For now, I'll dream of the strawberry blonde, blue-eyed beauty I get to call my girlfriend.
I’m startled the next morning by the large metal door opening.
“Reid!” A large man, with arms bigger than my head yells at me. I jump up, my back aching, as I walk over to the detention officer.
“You’re being released. Let's go.”
Thank fucking god.
I collect my stuff for the clerk and walk out to the cement block lobby to meet my dad.
He puts his arm around my shoulder to walk outside telling me my mother is waiting in the car. The smell of exhaust and pollen hit my nose, and a car horn blares as it drives by. I sigh in relief at the smells and sounds of my freedom.
“Thomas Ryan and his dad dropped the charges. Violet claimed you did save her and the bruises on her neck were enough proof of the attack,” my dad tells me.
“Tell me Thomas is going to pay for what he did,” I growl.
My dad doesn't say anything, and glances off behind me. The bastard is going to get away with this.
“Dad, he could've killed her and he gets to walk around free?” My teeth clench down so hard, I think they might shatter.
What the fuck?
“Part of the deal of him dropping charges against you was to let this incident go. Thomas’ father promised to have him stay away from Violet and get some anger management classes.”
“What abo
ut her? Could she press charges?”
“Her mother wouldn't let her. It's over now, let's get you home. You still have school today.”
Unbelievable.
I notice Violet by her locker right before lunch. I wish I had talked to her before yesterday. She's smoking hot and all I’ve been thinking about this week. I hope even after the mess yesterday, she's still my girlfriend.
She tucks a strand of her strawberry hair behind her ear as I approach her, and closes her locker. Her shoulders slump and she stares at the red door, unmoving. I tap her on her shoulder wanting to grab her attention from her mindless staring. As soon as my finger makes connect with his shoulder, she jumps with a loud shriek.
Fuck that was stupid, Reid; just come up behind her at the scene of the attack.
“It’s me,” I say gently. Her trembling body sags with a deep breath before she turns around to look at me. The panic quickly vanishes from her eyes when she looks me over and a bright smile lights up her face.
“Cooper! Thank god.” She wraps her arms around my neck, pushing her body flush with mine as she hugs me tight. “I’m so glad you’re alright. I was so worried.”
“I'm fine. Thomas dropped the charges. How come you didn't press charges? You have the proof written on your neck.” I gently outline her bruise on her neck.
She moves away from me and looks down at her feet. I'm already missing her touch.
“My mom didn’t want me to. I saw her talking to Thomas’ father and I think she made some private deal with him.”
“That’s bullshit!”
“What’s even worse is my mom wants me to stay away from you.” She frowns, crossing her arms tightly around her body.
“Why?”
What the hell did I do? I saved her and now I have to stay away?
“She was talking with your mom or something. She thinks you would be nothing but trouble,” she mutters sadly. My heart races and my palms sweat, wondering if she’s going to tell me it’s already over. Though, I’m quickly put at ease when she wraps her arms around my waist, resting her head on my chest. “I guess your mom said something about this not being your first fight. Then your mom said something about me causing trouble for you and they thought it would be best to stay away from each other.”
I Found You Page 6
