Wanted (B&S)

by Kimberly Knight

  “It’s okay, Officer Hunter-Cogan,” Officer Martino said, letting my friends pass.

  Once again, my friends were embracing me after a tragic event. It felt just like when Christy had tried to kill me.

  “I swear to God, Spencer, I am buying handcuffs and you are to not be alone ever again!” Ryan said, hugging me to the point that I couldn’t breathe.

  “I’m fine, Ry.”

  “If Acyn wouldn’t have noticed you were gone for a while after his little performance, I’m not sure what we would have done,” Becca said, hugging me, too.

  I turned to Acyn and mouthed, “Thank you.” He nodded in confirmation with his hands in his pockets. I knew he wanted to hug me and I wanted to hug him to express my gratitude––but I couldn’t.

  After everyone else had hugged me and made sure that I was okay, Jaime walked Brandon and me over to a police car and rode with us to the station. “Where are we?” I asked.

  “We are in San Jose, Babe.”

  “They took me all the way to San Jose?”

  “Yes, that’s why I didn’t get to you sooner.”

  “Brandon, I’m sorry. I know you want to tell her everything, but you can’t. Not yet,” Jaime said, turning around in the front seat to us.

  Exhaustion finally kicked in, so during the short ride over, I slept on Brandon’s shoulder as he held me close. In the past year, my life had been put in danger twice because of Brandon, but there was still nowhere I would rather be than at his side.

  During the interview, Brandon clenched my hand as I recounted the evening. I told them everything from the first time I saw Michael in Vegas when he told me his name was Trevor to him telling me that he was one of the accomplices who was with Christy when she tried to kill me five months prior.

  After I gave my interview, I sat with Brandon as he told the detectives how he knew Michael. Everything that Michael told me was true except that Brandon didn’t know he was buying Michael’s gym. Although he knew Michael’s real name, he had never put two and two together. Michael Smith was such a common name and it had been twelve years since the last time he saw Michael.

  The sun was starting to rise as we finally left the police station a little before six. I left my car at the Westin and we arranged for Jason or Becca to pick it up for me. I wanted nothing more than to just go home and crawl in my bed and sleep.

  “How did the cops know? How were you there?” I asked Brandon as we drove up Highway 101 towards San Francisco.

  “Babe, just get some sleep. We can talk about this later,” he said, bringing my hand to his lips.

  “I can’t sleep, please just tell me.”

  “Okay––Becca called me around ten o’clock last night saying that you went out for ice and never came back. They searched everywhere. They even went down to the valet and were told that you didn’t leave with your car. I used the app Find Friends and saw that you were in San Jose. We all panicked.”

  “I ruined Ryan’s Bachelorette party,” I said as the tears finally started to fall.

  “Babe, you did nothing wrong.”

  “I know, but she had to cut her party short.”

  “Ryan is happy you are alive. You know she isn’t mad at you, right?” Brandon reached over and wiped a tear from my cheek.

  “Yeah,” I mumbled. “Keep going.”

  “So we all knew something was wrong. We all kept trying to call you, but you wouldn’t answer. Jason, Max and I jumped in my car and we drove here and told Becca and Ryan to call us when they were close to San Jose so we could meet up. Just as we were almost to downtown, I got the video from Michael. Luckily, Jason drove because I wanted to keep trying to call you. If I'd been driving when we got the video, I think I would have wrecked when I saw a gun being held to your head.”

  “I’m okay,” I said, needing to reassure both him and myself.

  “I called 911 as soon as I was done watching the video. They said they would send a patrol car over to check it out. Just as we pulled up to the house you were at, the cops pulled up, too. I showed them the video and they called for back-up. Jason and Max had to physically hold me back from going in the house to get you. If the cops weren’t already there, I would have. I would have killed him with my bare hands.

  I reached over and rubbed Brandon’s leg. “I’m glad the cops were there and did their job, he had a gun.”

  “I still want to kill the Mother Fucker.”

  “Me too, Babe, me too. I didn’t hear any gun shots or anything, though, when I was in the bathroom.”

  “I couldn’t see what happened in the house, but five cops went in and a few minutes after that, they walked out with Michael and Colin in handcuffs.”

  “I am so glad this is over,” I said, sighing.

  “Me too. I can’t believe that all along, Trevor was Michael. He purposely made it so I wouldn’t see him. I am surprised Becca didn’t recognize him that day outside the gym.”

  “She didn’t see him and neither did Ryan. He probably ran off as soon as he saw Becca.”

  We finally arrived at home after the hour and half drive. I walked up our stairs and headed straight for the en suite master bath, stripping off my clothes as soon as I stepped in the bedroom. Brandon followed behind me and we both stood under the hot water, washing everything away. Flashes of everything ran through my head. Not able to hold it back any longer, I turned in Brandon’s strong arms and cried into his hard chest, my body shaking as my tears washed away with the shower water.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The next few weeks were tough. Brandon insisted on me seeing a therapist because each night I had nightmares. I took a week off from work and once again, Brandon worked from home to take care of me. My parents drove up from Encino and stayed with us, but my dad needed to return to work, so they left after only a few short days. The trial for Christy, Michael and Colin was scheduled for July and they were all denied bail. Even though I knew they couldn’t hurt me anymore, I still had flashbacks and I couldn’t be alone.

  “Come on, get dressed,” Brandon said, walking into the living room.

  I had turned into a homebody. I didn’t want to go anywhere but to work. Brandon drove me to and from work every day and even missed his weekly poker nights so he could stay home with me every night. Ryan and Max stopped by a few times, but they were busy finalizing everything for their wedding. Becca had stepped up and was helping Ryan with last minute things that were supposed to be my duties, like making sure the flowers were going to be delivered on time, that all the bridesmaids had their dresses and whatever else Ryan was freaking out about.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Remember I promised you could get a dog?”

  “Yeah?” I forgot that I had asked Brandon if we could get a dog when we found our new place until just then.

  “Well, let's go get a dog.”

  “Now?”

  “Yep, now,” he said, taking my hand and leading me up the stairs.

  I changed out of my PJs and into jeans, a black tank top, and black flip flops.

  “What kind of dog should we get?”

  “Not sure, let’s see what they have.”

  “Okay,” I said, finally smiling.

  I was so excited to be getting a dog. I never had one growing up. I wasn’t sure why, we just never had one. We drove to the SPCA and walked around looking at all the dogs. My heart breaking that we couldn’t take them all. We finally settled on a six month old Golden Retriever.

  “What do you want to name him?” Brandon asked as I held him in my lap in the front seat.

  “How about…” I thought for a moment, “Niner?”

  “Niner?”

  “Yeah, he is gold and their colors are red and gold.”

  “But I like the Cowboys,” he said, laughing.

  “Well I like the Forty Niners and you are in San Francisco now.”

  “Niner, huh?”

  “Yeah, Niner.”

  “Jason is going to kill me,” he said, laug
hing again.

  *~*~*

  Becca picked me up from work the Wednesday before Ryan’s wedding. I told Brandon that I would be fine and insisted that he play poker with the guys. I had Niner and Becca to stay with me and we had plenty of wedding stuff to keep us busy. Becca and I ordered pizza and vegged out while we printed programs for Ryan’s wedding and put a picture of her and Max in wallet size picture frames for the favors. I desperately wanted to help my best friend with her wedding and I was not going to let them win.

  I had finally started to feel like my normal self. I still wasn’t able to be alone because I envisioned myself getting kidnapped again. My nightmares finally stopped and I was getting full nights of sleep now.

  “So, I have news,” Becca said.

  “Jason is telling Brandon now but––we are finally pregnant!”

  “Oh my God, I am so happy for you!” I said, jumping out of my seat to hug her. “How far along are you?”

  “Eleven weeks. I think it finally happened on Valentine’s day,” Becca said, chuckling. “My doc wanted me to wait until we are thirteen weeks, but I couldn't wait that long to tell you both. We aren’t telling other people, though.”

  “I am so, so happy for you two.”

  *~*~*

  The day before Ryan’s May wedding, we all met at the wedding site to have the rehearsal. Ryan and Max were getting married at the Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park. After the rehearsal, the bridal party went to dinner with Ryan and Max’s close family members.

  After dinner, Becca, Ryan, and I said goodnight to our men and stayed the night in a room at the hotel where the wedding reception would be held the following evening. Ryan and I drank champagne, while Becca sipped apple cider. We sat around shooting the shit and just having a relaxing night. Becca ended up telling Ryan that she was pregnant after Ryan voiced her suspicions about Becca not drinking. Ryan was just as happy as I was for Becca and promised that she would babysit for her. As we sat around the dining room table in our suite, I realized that I was finally becoming my old self again and it felt good.

  *~*~*

  “Ryan, you’re finally getting married today!” I shouted when I woke up and saw that she and Becca were awake as well.

  We screamed and jumped around until we exhausted ourselves from the excitement. Ryan’s mom and Ryan’s Aunt Brenda joined us for breakfast in our room. We all couldn’t believe the day was finally here. I could tell that Paula was trying to fight back tears the whole morning. Her baby girl was finally getting married. Ryan had a younger brother who was already married, but I think when it’s your little girl, it just hits you differently.

  After breakfast, Ryan’s other bridesmaids joined us and we each took turns getting our hair and make-up done by a few stylists who Ryan had hired. Time was getting close as soon as the last person was done getting beautified. We all dressed in our bridesmaid dresses and then helped Ryan get into her white lace A-line dress with the rose pink sash.

  Ryan’s brown hair was pulled up into two French braids on each side of her head that met and were knotted and pinned to the back of her head. After Paula buttoned the back of Ryan’s dress, Ryan slipped on cream heels with two pink roses that ran up the strap over the top of each of her feet.

  “I think I am going to cry,” I said to Ryan as she stood in front of the floor length mirror.

  “No crying. If you cry, I cry,” she said, looking back at me through the mirror.

  Becca got out her camera and snapped pictures of all of us as well as the photographer who had shown up while we were getting ready. Even though Becca was not in the wedding, she was a part of our group. I loved how we had all grown so close over the last few months and Becca was a perfect third to our two.

  “We better get going to the garden,” Paula said.

  With one final look in the mirror, we were all ready. Ryan’s wedding was due to start at four o’clock and I could imagine that people were already arriving at Shakespeare Gardens. We all climbed into a stretch white limo and sipped on champagne as we rode to the garden.

  “You doing okay?” I asked Ryan.

  “Yep, why wouldn’t I be?”

  “I don’t know, some brides cry.”

  “I’ll be fine. This is Max.”

  “I know,” I said squeezing, her hand.

  We pulled up to the garden and all of us got out of the limo except Ryan and her mom. Ryan’s dad, Bart, climbed in to join them and I spotted Brandon near the gates. Just like in Seattle, my heart stopped when I saw him dressed up. He was dressed in a black tux with a white shirt, green tie and a pink napkin peeking out of the pocket.

  Our eyes met and he flashed me his heart-stopping smile that I would never get tired of. When I gained my composure, I walked over to him, giving him a light kiss on the lips.

  “How’s Max doing?”

  “He’s here, so he won’t be running.”

  “Stop it,” I said, slapping Brandon playfully on the arm.

  “And I take it that Ryan is in the limo?”

  “Yep, hopefully it doesn’t drive off,” I said, laughing with Brandon at our cold feet jokes.

  We stood around and chatted with the others as people found their seats along the garden path. Ryan and Max had decided that she would walk down the brick walkway to the center of the garden where a minister would be. The wedding guests lined each side of the walkway and the bridal party was to stand on the opposite side of where Ryan would walk in. There were speakers placed near the front row of chairs near where the minister stood. The white paper lanterns from Ryan’s bridal shower hung in the trees along the walkway and it was breathtaking.

  The minister approached us and told us that we were ready to begin. Brandon was a groomsman, but not the best man so I didn’t get to walk down the aisle with him. Max’s best man, Joe, walked Paula down to her seat, and then returned to my side. Max stood in the center of the brick pathway and we each walked down just like we had practiced. I smiled at Max as I walked passed him and he gave me a little nod.

  Once we had all walked down the aisle, we stood waiting for Ryan to get out of the limo. Finally, the door opened and Bart stepped out, taking Ryan’s hand and the piano started playing Back at One by Brian McKnight. Everyone turned in their seats to get a glimpse of the beautiful bride.

  Once Brian started singing about how Ryan and Max should be together, Ryan started walking down the brick walkway with Bart. Ryan’s eyes were fixed on Max and they both smiled at each other and stayed like that until Ryan handed me her bouquet as Brian sang how things work themselves out.

  I took the flowers from the teary-eyed bride and fought back my own tears. I couldn’t believe that we stood here at Ryan’s wedding when eight months ago, they had broken up and were trying to figure out which path to take in life. It’s funny how things always work out in the end.

  The music slowly drifted away in the background and the minister started to speak. Tears flowed throughout the crowd and amongst the wedding party. As soon as I saw Paula crying, I lost it. Ryan turned to me to grab the ring for Max and as soon as she saw me crying, she teared up more. I handed her a tissue and she turned to Max to exchange the rings. They promised to stand by each other’s side through thick and thin.

  The minister declared them husband and wife and cheers erupted as Mr. and Mrs. Max Evans kissed for the first time as a married couple. Tears started to dry up as the married couple made their way back down the aisle, hand and hand, kissing all the way.

  *~*~*

  After we took pictures, we all drove back to the Wyndham for the wedding reception. The DJ announced our arrival as everyone stood around the white linen covered round tables that displayed tall black vases with magenta, light pink and white flowers. Black Chiavari chairs rounded the tables; each table setting had magenta napkins to accent the black chairs and black picture frames that were the favors set in front of the plates. Magenta lights displayed up the walls and gave the ballroom a club feel. This was definitely a weddin
g Ryan planned.

  We each walked to the head table as our names were called. After Mr. and Mrs. Evans made their grand entrance, we all wined and dined on the catered meal. Ryan’s parents had splurged and sprang for an open bar, which we were all enjoying tremendously.

  Joe gave his speech to the happy couple and then it was my turn. I was extremely nervous. I never liked speaking in front of people. I tried to envision them naked, but I was too nervous and it didn’t work. Finally I took a deep breathe and tried not to speak too fast.

  “I met Ryan ten years ago when we were freshmen in college. When I heard Ms. Shea take attendance and Ryan raised her hand as she called out ‘Ryan Kennedy’, I was shocked. What are the odds that in the same class you have two girls with boy names? When Ms. Shea called my name a few students later, Ryan’s eyes shot to mine and it was love at first sight.

  “Since that day, we have been pretty much inseparable. We have both kissed our share of frogs and I am so happy that she found her prince in Max. I couldn’t picture Ryan with anyone but Max and believe me, there had been a few who I wanted to disappear from Ryan’s life.

  “I am truly honored to call Ryan my best friend. If anything, she is more like a sister to me and now, she has made Max my brother. I wish the happy couple a long happy life together and may we all grow old together.”

  I sat down next to Brandon, my nerves finally calming as the clapping descended.

  “Great speech, Babe.”

  “Thanks,” I said, heaving a big sigh.

  Ryan’s dad gave his speech and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. After his speech, Ryan and Max danced their first dance while we stood around the dance floor watching the precious scene. Ryan then dance with her dad and Max with his mom before we all joined in to dance the night away.

  After a handful of songs, I needed to sit down and rest. Becca was feeling the same way and Brandon and Jason followed us to our table.

  “Hey, I need to go to the bathroom, want to come with me?” I asked Becca.

  “Sure.”