On the Ropes

by Dania Voss

  Just as the men finished their amens, Hannah stepped in. “Okay, we’re ready for you to take your places.”

  “All right, gentlemen, I’ll see you up front. Before I go though, Luke, I was hoping I could ask you a favor.”

  “Sure, Pastor.” Luke speculated on what Pastor Jenkins was going to ask. And he had no problems with it.

  “I was hoping after the ceremony is over if you wouldn’t mind just saying a quick hello to my boys? It would mean so much to them. They’re—we’re huge fans.” Pastor Jenkins looked at Luke with pleading eyes.

  That was it? Luke would do them one or two better. “I’d be happy to, Pastor. In fact, my uncle keeps team gear and pictures in his trunk. Good thing because I was in a rush today and didn’t bring anything myself. I can sign a few things for them too.”

  Pastor Jenkins’s mouth fell open. “Luke, that’s so kind of you. My boys will love that! Thank you.”

  “It’s my pleasure, I’m happy to do it.” Luke would do anything for his young fans. He got a lot of satisfaction from working with the Cobras Children’s Foundation too. He could relate to a lot of the kids in need, losing his parents so young.

  Pastor Jenkins nodded with a huge smile on his face and left, leaving Hannah waiting on them.

  Jake went to his garment bag and produced a black top hat, grinning like an idiot. “Luke, you’re not the only one who wants to changes things up.”

  “I thought Cassie didn’t think a top hat was necessary,” Heath commented.

  “I know, I just wanted to have a little fun,” Jake replied as he put the top hat on.

  Hannah froze in place, a panicked expression on her face. “Changes? Other than the top hat, which doesn’t look half bad, by the way, what changes?”

  Luke led Hannah out the door with Jake and Heath in tow. “Nothing too crazy, Hannah. No need to worry.”

  Chapter Five

  Abbey waited in the church vestibule with Leah, Cassie, her father Phil, and Leah’s five-year-old cousin Amy who was the flower girl. She smiled over at Amy. The little dark-haired girl wore her hair down in loose waves. Her little white lace dress was accented with a cornflower-blue sash around her waist. The white lace-trimmed basket Amy held was filled with white and cornflower-blue rose petals.

  Leah gently stroked Amy’s hair. “You know, Miss Amy, it’s not right to look more beautiful than the bride.”

  Amy giggled and blushed sweetly. “I’m not more beautiful than Cassie.”

  Cassie acted as if she was giving Amy a thorough once over. “I don’t know, you look like a much cuter little bride. I sure hope Jake still wants to marry me after he sees you drop your rose petals down the aisle.”

  Amy didn’t miss a beat and rolled her eyes. “Jake’s my cousin, silly, plus I’m not getting married ’til after I’m an astronaut.”

  “I think that’s very smart thinking, Amy,” Abbey’s father added.

  The calming sound of classical music wafted through the vestibule doors. Abbey took a few deeps breaths to calm the butterflies fluttering around in her stomach.

  It’s going to be all right. It’s your reboot weekend. Go with the flow and have fun.

  Two more deep breaths and she felt some of her stress drift away. She smiled to herself. It would be fine. Her sister was getting married, she was going to be an aunt soon, and she’d find another job. A better job. OSG would regret letting her go.

  Abbey turned at the sound of heels clicking on the slate vestibule flooring, Hannah rushing toward them.

  Hannah came to a stop in front of Cassie. “I hope you don’t mind, but there’s a little last-minute change in the procession.”

  Before Cassie could ask what the little change was, Abbey saw Heath and Luke striding toward them. The butterflies in her stomach took flight and her heart raced.

  Ten years. It had been ten long years since she’d seen Luke Stryker. He looked exactly the same but different. Gone was the young twenty-year-old boy she’d lost her heart to, and in front of her stood a tall, blond Viking. Luke stood at six-foot-four, compared to the six-foot-two when they last saw each other. His shoulders were broader and his body had filled out and strengthened into the hunk of a man she was now looking at. Thick, wavy, blond hair, sparkling baby blue eyes, and that smirky dimpled grin made her weak in the knees every time. God, he looked delectable in his tuxedo. She could feel her nipples tighten and her pussy get wet. This was not good.

  All those old feelings resurfaced as if they’d been in hibernation for the last ten years, waiting patiently to be set free again. Feelings of love, betrayal, and sorrow filled her, nearly overwhelming her right where she stood.

  How the heck did she think she would be to handle a reunion with Luke with calm, cool, and confidence when all she wanted to do was screw his brains out and scream at him for breaking her heart so many years ago? She stared at him, dumbstruck.

  Snap out of it! Get it together. You’re calm and confident. Seeing Luke again is no big deal. Weekend reboot, remember?

  Abbey stood there silently and watched as Luke and Heath shook her father’s hand.

  “Good to see you, Luke. We missed you at rehearsal.” Abbey’s father had always been fond of Luke. Abbey hadn’t told her parents the real reason they had broken up ten years ago and made Cassie promise her she wouldn’t either. For some stupid reason, she hadn’t wanted to her parents to think any less of him.

  Luke had the decency to look embarrassed. “I know, Mr. Jayne, I’m sorry. It couldn’t be helped. But don’t worry, you’ve got me for the entire weekend—at least.”

  That surprised Abbey as she assumed Luke would be on a red-eye tonight or an early flight Sunday morning, off to another city to pitch another game.

  Abbey’s father smiled, looking pleased. “That’s great. So you’ll be joining everyone for brunch tomorrow morning at the Fairchild?”

  Luke smiled wide, his sexy dimples on full display, and nodded. “I’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it.”

  Luke was staying the entire weekend? At least? What did that mean? What was going on? “What’s the little change in the procession, Hannah?” Abbey asked before Cassie could.

  Luke turned to Cassie, smiling brightly. “We thought it might be nice for Heath and me to walk the bridesmaids down the aisle rather than have them walk down alone. What do you think?”

  Cassie smiled back at Luke and nodded. Before Abbey could object to Luke stepping in and taking over, Cassie said, “I like that idea.” Cassie turned to Abbey and Leah. “What do you two think? Wouldn’t it be nice to walk down the aisle with these two handsome men?”

  “I think that’s a great idea!” Leah looked over and Heath and flashed him an enthusiastic smile.

  Just great. If Abbey refused, she’d seem like a total bitch. She would not be that petty, not on Cassie’s wedding day. And not in front of Luke after seeing him for the first time in ten years. “Sure, Cassie. That’s a great idea. Very traditional.”

  Cassie shot Abbey a knowing smile and winked at her. She rolled her eyes. Obvious much?

  Abbey’s father clapped Luke on the shoulder. It was slight but she could have sworn Luke winced.

  No, you imagined it. Luke’s fine and he’s not your problem. He’s got Brenna Sinclair to take care of him now. Reboot weekend.

  “Great idea, Luke. I like it,” Abbey’s father said.

  Luke beamed back at her father and she wanted to roll her eyes again at her brown-nosing ex. “Thank you, sir. I thought since the men are in traditional black tails today, escorting the ladies down the aisle would gel with the classy vibe Cassie and Jake put together for the wedding.”

  Abbey’s father, God love him, wholeheartedly agreed. Two peas in pod, those two. Always had been. “I agree completely.”

  Luke kneeled down in front of little Amy and kissed her cheek. The sweet little girl giggled. Was Luke laying it on thick or what? “Look at you, Amy. You’re even prettier than the bride.”

  “Yeah, well, she’s n
ot getting married until after she becomes an astronaut,” Abbey blurted out. She needed to pull herself together. Fast. Was she jealous of a five-year-old getting Luke’s attention?

  Luke tilted his head to the side and frowned at Amy. “Is that true, Amy? You’re going to make me wait until you’re in the space program to marry me?”

  Amy giggled and blushed back at Luke. Abbey had to admit, their interaction was adorable. Luke was really dialing up the charm. “Yes. You’ll have to wait.”

  Luke kissed the little girl’s forehead. “I can respect that. You’re a smart girl to want to want to get your career all set up before you marry me. I’ll try real hard and be patient and wait for you.”

  Amy thought a moment before answering Luke. “You don’t have to wait for me, Luke. Maybe I should marry another astronaut so we could go to Mars together one day.”

  Abbey snickered. Take that Mr. Charm. If the tabloids were right, not that Abbey cared, not really, Luke and Brenna Sinclair had recently gotten married in secret and would announce their marriage and Brenna’s pregnancy at the premiere of her upcoming film in the next few weeks.

  She needed to get over the sting of Luke not loving her enough or of her not being enough to be the one he wanted to marry. She needed to get over not having the fairy tale wedding with the designer Bellatoni couture gown that Luke would drool over her wearing. Yes, there had been a time where Abbey had been foolish enough to believe she and Luke would go all the way. She had secretly put together ideas, clippings and the like to prepare for what she knew would be their amazing wedding day.

  Look how well that turned out.

  With renewed resolve and determination, Abbey stood up straight and pulled her shoulders back. She promised Cassie she would reboot this weekend and she would do her best to do that. Her interaction with Luke would not deter her from going with the flow and having her fun. There would be plenty of single men at this wedding. Abbey would take her fun where she could. With whomever she wanted. And if it felt right, she might take someone back to her hotel room tonight too.

  So what if Luke was gorgeous? Abbey could still look her fill like all the other ladies attending the wedding would. It didn’t have to mean anything.

  Luke rubbed his jaw, seeming to contemplate Amy’s suggestion of marrying another astronaut rather than him. “You know, I think you might be right, even though you’re breaking my heart right now.”

  Poor Amy believed Luke and started tearing up. “Um … well, you could marry Leah or Abbey?”

  Leah, who been openly drooling over Heath, chimed in. “Sorry, Luke. No offense, but I’ve got someone else in mind.” She winked at Abbey and Heath blushed, shaking his head slightly. Apparently it was on.

  Good luck, Heath. You’re going to need it.

  Luke stood and turned to Abbey, those baby blues nearly able to see into her soul. He regarded her briefly and turned back to Amy. “That’s a wonderful idea, Amy. Thank you so much for helping me heal my broken heart. Maybe you could be mine and Abbey’s flower girl when we get married?”

  Amy’s eyes widened in excitement. “Okay! It’s a deal. Thanks, Luke.”

  Abbey felt herself blush. The thought of marrying Luke had her skin feeling tight, her nipples pebbling, and her pussy getting slick. She would need to change into a new pair of panties if this kept up. She chided herself for getting excited. Luke was full of it. It would be easier on her emotionally to be angry at him this weekend. It wasn’t like she didn’t have good reasons to be.

  Before Abbey could speak up and inform Amy and Luke she wouldn’t marry him even though this was all a ruse, Hannah stepped up and addressed them all.

  “All right everyone, we’re just about ready. Let’s get you all in your places. Leah and Heath are first.” Leah eagerly led Heath by the hand to their place in front of the vestibule doors and hooked her arm around his. Huh… Heath shot a heated glance Leah’s way before he turned his head to face front.

  “Next we have the best man and maid of honor.”

  Luke took a hold of Abbey’s hand, his hand so big and warm, and led her behind Leah and Heath. Holding onto his strong hand brought back too many memories and had Abbey getting aroused all over again. She pulled her hand out of Luke’s and scowled at him. The jerk had the nerve to smirk at her.

  Hannah placed Amy behind her and Luke. “Okay, Amy, after Abbey and Luke take their place up front with Leah, Jake, and Heath, you’ll walk down the aisle slowly and sprinkle your rose petals along the way. Just like we practiced at rehearsal, remember?”

  Amy nodded her head. “Yes, I remember. And when I get to the end the aisle, I’ll go sit with Mommy and Daddy.”

  Hannah nodded to Amy and proceeded to Cassie and her father. “All right, Cassie, Phil. After Amy takes her seat with her parents, that’s the cue for the bridal march to start. When it begins playing, then you both start down the aisle. I’ll be behind you to make sure your train looks beautiful, just like you do. Then after you’re in place up front, I’ll poof it up.”

  Cassie and her father both nodded. Hannah and her assistant each took their places by the vestibule doors, waiting for their cue to open them.

  “You know that was a real asshole move to change up the procession on Cassie like that,” Abbey whispered to Luke. “And what was that shit about asking Amy to be our flower girl? You can’t say those kinds of things to kids if you don’t mean them.” Luke hooked their arms. The heat emanating from his body seeped into hers.

  He shrugged. “Tsk, tsk, princess. You shouldn’t swear in church, you know.”

  Abbey’s heart ached a little at hearing Luke’s term of endearment for her. When they had been together, she felt like a princess. What the heck was wrong with her? He was probably married to Brenna Sinclair and was calling her a princess? Abbey grew angry all over again.

  Luke continued, “First, the procession changes weren’t a big deal to Cassie, your father, or Leah. Second, who says I didn’t mean what I said to Amy about being our flower girl?”

  “Oh really? Don’t you think your wife Brenna might have something to say about that?” Abbey countered. She felt Luke stiffen beside her. Ah ha! She knew it! Luke was married and flirting with her. Did he think she’d be his little piece on the side or something? What nerve!

  Luke glared at her. “Don’t believe everything you read, princess. You should know better.”

  So if Luke and Brenna weren’t married, they were still dating at least. That meant to Luke, Abbey was nothing more than some easy piece of ass. Nope, she wasn’t going along with his two-timing plans. He’d have to find someone else to cheat on Brenna with. It didn’t matter that the thought of Luke hooking up with someone else made Abbey’s stomach clench up in knots.

  “Whatever, Luke. Whatever game you’re trying to play, I’m not interested.” Abbey saw Hannah and her assistant touch their earpieces and nod to each other.

  Pachabel’s Canon in D started to play and the vestibule doors opened. This was it. No time to argue now.

  Abbey watched as Leah and Heath walked down the aisle. She and Luke stepped up, waiting for their turn. Abbey’s heart swelled with love at the sight of the church pews filled to capacity with friends and family sharing in Cassie and Jake’s special day.

  “Smile pretty for the cameras, princess,” Luke whispered.

  “Shut up, jerk,” Abbey snapped.

  Abbey elbowed Luke in the ribs and Hannah indicated they should begin down the aisle. Abbey did her best to smile pretty as she and Luke made their way down the aisle. Luke, being used the spotlight, had no problem flashing his sexy dimpled grin and nodding to several ceremony attendees, acting as if he owned the place. Jerk.

  Abbey smiled at Jake and Heath as she and Luke arrived at the front of the aisle. Jake was wearing a black top hat?

  Luke held on to her arm a little too long. “You can’t get away from me, princess. Don’t even try it.” Luke let go of her and took his place beside Jake. Abbey stood there, stunned for a mom
ent before taking her place beside Leah.

  Leah leaned in close to Abbey with an amused look on her face. “What was that? And oh my God does Luke look hot in his tux. Not as hot as Heath of course, but still.”

  Abbey glared at her. She didn’t want to think Luke looked hot in his tux. Her body had other ideas, though. Stupid traitorous body. “It’s nothing. Luke’s just being a jerk. I don’t care how he looks or what he does. I’m going to enjoy this weekend and he can go suck it for all I care.”

  Leah giggled and glanced at Heath, who was staring right back at her with lust in his eyes. “I’d like to suck a few things on Heath, that’s for sure.”

  Abbey chuckled quietly. “Shhh … we’re in a church”

  “Makes no difference to me. I’d suck Heath in a church, near a church…”

  Abbey turned her attention to the open vestibule doors. Little Amy had begun her ascent down the aisle, smiling brightly and sprinkling white and cornflower-blue rose petals along the way. Folks ahhed and oohed over Amy and chuckled as she waved and said hi to some people she knew in the church pews as she walked past them.

  When Amy reached the end of her journey, she turned to Luke. “See, Luke? I’ll be a good flower girl for you and Abbey.”

  Luke winked at Amy and nodded his head. Abbey wanted to throttle him for putting that idea in her head. She prayed only the few people close to Amy heard. Amy took her seat with her parents, beaming with pride.

  Abbey glared at Luke. He had a smug expression on his handsome face and had the nerve to mouth the word smile at her.

  She was about to stick her tongue out at Luke when the music changed to the bridal march. Everyone stood and Abbey focused on Cassie and their father at the end of the aisle, ready to take their place up front. She smiled, but not because Luke told her to. Because she loved her sister, and because she would be an auntie soon, and because she wished all the love and happiness in the world for Cassie and Jake.