The tattoo artist had drawn up matching art for both of them. Something small, not too flashy. Something meaningful for both of them, and something unique.
'I gotta tell ya,' the guy said. 'I've had a lot of requests for ink, but I've never had anyone ask for a picture of a belt before.' 'Good,' Leah said.
She was getting hers low on her hip, where it would only show when she was naked. But Brandon was getting his around his bicep where anyone could see it any time he took off his shirt. Not that just anyone would be able to tell what it was, since the design was clever enough to hide the buckle and make the whole thing look like a simple band of colour.
You both ready?'
'This is so romantic,' Brandon said dryly. 'Getting this done at the same time. How come she gets the cute girl? 'Because that cute girl's my old lady,' said the tattoo guy with a grin, 'and I don't think you want her getting all flustered and messing up your ink, do you?'
Leah laughed. 'We certainly don't.'
It hurt worse than she'd expected, even though the design was simple and the entire process for both of them took less than an hour. They had just enough time to get back to the hotel and get ready to go. Riding up in the elevator, she couldn't help grinning at the sight of them in the mirror.
'We definitely look like we've been out all night.'
Brandon looked, too. 'You look hot. All messed up and rumpled.'
'Slurry,' Leah said.
'I wasn't going to say so, but. . . yeah.'
She arched a brow, is that a fantasy of yours, Brandon?'
His grin gave her an answer. Leah contemplated the reflection again as the elevator doors opened on their floor. 'Hmm. Maybe we'll fuck first, before the shower.'
Then she stepped out with a grin, not looking back as he stumbled out behind her, and she led the way back to the suite.
Chapter 21
You're totally rocking the best-friend thing with this party.' Kate waggled her brows at Leah, who sat across from her sipping a margarita as the assembled women chatted and laughed.
Leah raised one shoulder casually. 'Least I could do for you. You'll be all Mrs Dixon and stuff. Plus I'm next and I didn't want you thinking I'd be satisfied with punch spiked with soda and games involving potential baby names and stuff.'
Did you see my planner? You're totally ruining the surprise like the selfish bitch you are. And I'll have you know Bingo's mom says her punch is better because it has orange sherbet and pineapples in it. Just for that, you only get pineapples. That'll teach you. I won't even let you have the cool I'm Getting Married, tiara she sent me the link for.'
Leah snorted a laugh, i may have in-laws who own a BeDaziler but you have a crazy ex-wife. That's worse. My mother-in-law lives a few states away.'
Kate gulped the last of her drink and hooted when the next stripper came out onto the stage. 'You wound me, Leah. You really do. Now shut up while this boy earns his college tuition.'
The bendy, pretty hot, moderately legal male stripped and undulated as he danced, grinning the whole time. I've gone to several strip clubs with Dix. Male strippers are just way more fun.'
You two are total deviants. This one,' Leah said, craning her neck sideways as she watched the show, 'seems to enjoy his work.' Always a plus. Being a deviant too. Charles is quite good at it. Of course, I have shoes in my closet older than he is. Not Charles, this happy little stripper.'
Good thing you don't need to wear him on your feet then.' Leah smirked. 'Or do you?'
If it amused me to, I totally would. And he'd love it. I'd leave his arms free so he could do his homework and stuff'
Another snort from Leah, but that died in the din of hoots and squeals as college student stripper guy writhed on the stage and dropped to the ground, heading straight for their table and Kate as the bride to be.
'If anyone gets goo on me, I'm gonna put orange sherbet in your punch. I'm just sayin',' she hissed to Leah. 'Hi there, you must be Katherine. I'm Travis.' Cute stripper was even cuter close up.
He didn't shake her hand, but he did get his very flat abdomen in her sight. Nice. 'Hi there, Travis. Aren't you pretty?' He rolled his hips, the line of his cock pretty close to her face. But he was careful not to get any of whatever he had greased all over his muscles onto her. Such lovely manners.
Kate yelled over the music. 'Grab a seat. I'm getting married, flatter me and chat with us.'
He laughed in that self-confident way any attractive twenty-three-year-old male has. But he plopped down in a chair at the end of the table. Leah shoved another margarita at her and moved closer.
Few people loved strippers more than Leah, so Kate sat back and watched as Leah turned on the charm. Travis responded right away, like they all did, and Kate wished she had some popcorn to eat as she took them in.
'What's your story, Travis? What I really want to know is, can you move your body like a cyclone?' Leah asked with a smile.
'I totally can. Wanna see?'
'Dear, sweet Travis, with your washboard abs, of course we want to see. That's why we're here.' Kate winked at him.
'Good point, Katherine.' Leah's voice was dry and the other women with them all leant in and eyed him. 'We'd all love to see.'
Sweet baby Travis had not lied. No, he leant back and rolled himself, rippling his abs and his nice, albeit hairless, thighs. Then he did some move where he whipped his body around, artfully sending his hair around his face all coy like.
When he finished, the entire table clapped and cooed over him. Leah grinned over at Kate, who laughed out loud.
Baby Travis became their own personal stripper for the rest of the evening, flirting with everyone, giving a few up close and personal dances, flattering, making sure drinks were ordered and sucking up all the attention and tips.
There weren't too many other ways Kate wanted to celebrate her upcoming wedding than to hang out with Leah and pretty boys as they drank margaritas.
Kate wagged her finger at him as they prepared to leave. 'Good evening, sweet baby Travis. Don't let me hear you've blown off school for another quarter. Just go back, even if it's part time.'
He grinned, very fetching and sort of naughty if she went for men young enough to not understand a single cultural reference she made.
I know, I know. You two should come back in again so you'll know for sure. I'll be your arm candy any old time you need it.' He kissed her cheek. 'Congratulations again on the upcoming wedding. Make sure he behaves.'
Kate laughed. 'Ha. He's not one for behaving. It's part of his charm really. Don't tell him I said that, he gets away with enough as it is.'
Travis laughed as he kissed Leah's cheek and she told him something that made him blush. Dude, you can make a stripper blush,' Kate told her as they got into the limo outside. Leah buffed her fingernails on her blouse front. 'I still got it.'
You sure do.' Kate hugged her briefly. 'Thanks again. For tonight and for being my maid of honour and stuff.' Enough thanks to get some sherbet in my punch?' Tfft, we'll see if you deserve it by then.' They got into the limo, laughing.
One thing, on the wedding day, you have to be on Pickles watch.'
Leah looked up from her iPhone where she'd most likely been texting Brandon something dirty, and raised an eyebrow. 'Am I gonna have to bring brass knuckles?'
'If you do, I'll give you twenty dollars to use them on her. After I do of course.' She shook her head as they glided back towards Kate and Dix's house. 'She's just being her usual self, which seems to be a one-woman wrecking crew on her family. It upsets Dix and that upsets me.'
Kate stewed over that statement she made in the limo for a week until the latest incident came up. As Kate had guessed, making Eve go through her to get to Dix had frustrated her ability to yank him around. This pleased Kate mightily. Until Eve simply began to use the girls to do her bidding instead.
'Hi, Kate,' Kendall greeted her when she came through the front door. The girls lived with them in the new house on weekends and, true to Kate's promise
to Dix, they all lived in his old house every other Wednesday and Thursday so the girls could stay there and go to school. It hadn't been perfect, but it was how things worked best and it was Kendall's last year of high school anyway.
'Hey there. Hope you guys are up for Chinese for dinner. Your dad just called to say he's bringing some home.' Kate looked up and smiled. 'Yes, you can invite Jimmy.'
Kendall grinned at the mention of her boyfriend. Jimmy and Dix had come to an uneasy truce. Kate liked the boy, but Kendall wasn't her daughter so it was easier for her than Dix. It had been pretty wonderful when Dix had listened to her and took her advice about the Jimmy situation and invited him around. Kendall would have boyfriends and Dix had to accept it. Keeping his daughter close gave him a far better chance of keeping a good relationship with her.
'I'll call him in a minute.' Kendall sat on the couch next to Kate, tucking a foot beneath her and snagging a sip from Kate's diet soda.
Kate rolled her eyes. 'Get your own, girl. You're way younger than me and your joints are in shape enough to take the rest of you into the kitchen to land your very own diet soda. By the way, where's Adrienne?'
Doesn't taste as good if it's not yours.' Kendall snorted and then a serious look replaced the levity. 'Kate, listen I have to tell you something before Dad gets here.'
'That sounds like I'm going to hate it.' Kate turned to face her fully. 'Go on.'
'You are going to hate it. I'm sorry. Adrienne isn't coming this weekend. She doesn't want to be in the wedding.' Kate knew Dix's younger daughter didn't like her. It hurt more than she wanted it to, even if she understood it. But this, this was on a whole different level. This would really hurt Dix.
'She what? Why? What's going on? I take it that since you've told me this before he got home she hasn't told your father about it.' 'She hasn't talked to Dad. I'm trying to talk her out of it. But . . .' But Eve. Eve, that fucking bitch, was written all over this. 'Your mother,' Kate said flatly.
'I'm sorry. I know it's not fair.' Kendall wrung her hands.
Kate shook her head with a sigh. She squeezed Kendall's hand. 'No, I'm sorry. I know you're caught in the middle and it's not right. I told your father we should wait until you and your sister graduated to get married, but he wanted to go ahead now.' Such a stupid and carefully intimate dance they did around the whole Eve issue. Kendall was a smart girl, but it wasn't fair for Kate to address the situation, no matter how protective she was of Dix.
Kendall made a face. 'Of course you should go ahead now. My dad loves you. You love him enough to love us too, and to take a lot of crap from my mother. I see it, you know. It's embarrassing and I wish she would stop. I've told her to stop. She's a good mother, she is. But this isn't right. How she's acting isn't right. It's just this blind spot she has about him and I don't know why. He was never going back to her. Even when I was just a kid and he left, I knew that.'
Kate smiled, but she wasn't going to address any of those comments about Eve. 'I do love your father. Very much. Enough that it hurts to see him hurting — and this will hurt him. But this is not your fault and, whether I like the decision or not, your sister has every right not to participate in the wedding if that's her choice. If you want, I can clear out for a while when your dad gets here. Or you know what? Why are you stuck with telling him? Who's idea was that?
What's up?' Dix called out when he came into the house through the garage.
Kendall squeezed her hand. 'Will you stay when I tell him? I don't want him to hear it from my mom.'
Kate nodded. Not that he would hear it from Eve as long as Kate had anything to say about it. We're in the living room,' she called out and his thumping steps neared until he came into view.
'Lookie here, two of my favourite women on the entire planet.' He swooped down and hugged Kendall and then Kate. 'Hope you're hungry. I got extra kungpao.'
'Sit down a sec'
'Uh oh.' He sat on the low table and Kate swallowed back her annoyance that he didn't use the chair or couch. 'You didn't run off to some state where you could get married underage or anything, right?' He turned his gaze on Kendall who exhaled and rolled her eyes.
'Ew. Dad, I don't want to be married. I'm only seventeen.'
'Thank God for that. Go ahead, I've got some good Scotch for afterwards, this has bad news written all over it. You're not pregnant?'
Again, Dad, ew. I know what birth control is.'
Kate put a hand on Kendall's leg and one on Dix's. 'Let's stop that now, your father is going to have a stroke if we keep talking about your sex life. Or lack thereof.'
Dix shot her a look, both grateful and annoyed.
'Dad, Adrienne doesn't want to be in the wedding. And she's not coming over here this weekend either.'
Kate's heart nearly broke at the look on his face. Rage flushed through her system. This had that bitch of an ex-wife written all overit.
Why are you telling me, sweetie? This isn't fair for you.' 'I didn't want Mom telling you.'
He bit his bottom lip and Kate barely wrestled back a comment about that. This blended family stuff was complicated and tiring at timesDix heaved a sigh and stood. 'You two eat, I'm going over to deal with your sister. She's at your mother's?
Wait. Can I speak to you a moment before you go?' She stood and then looked back to Kendall. 'Honey, call Jimmy.'
Kendall hugged her dad and moved quickly from the room.
I'm sorry about this. But it's her choice, Dix. Let her make it. As for Eve? I'll be back.' She grabbed her purse and her keys. 'This is mine to handle.
Bullshit it is. It's mine because she broke the rules about dealing with you through me. This is not about you, it's about me. It's high time this shit ends. Now, eat with your daughter. Eve and I need to talk.'
He sighed. 'I used to think I had the perfect divorce, friendly and good for our kids. But... I think I actually hate her. I never would have thought she'd have been capable of this.'
'But since I came into the picture, not so much. Listen, I could just walk away right now if that's what you want.'
'Don't be stupid. That would be her winning and what would it solve? I love you and I'd hunt you down anyway.'
'Good.' She kissed him and headed for the door. 'Don't worry, I won't do anything in front of Adrienne. You should probably call her later to reassure her that you still love her and you're not mad.'
I am mad, Kate. This is not how she was raised.'
Kate laughed. 'Dix, they've got your will. You can't get pissed that she's a teenage girl who hates her dad's girlfriend. It's like one of the five stages of teenage girldom.' Don't get arrested.' I'll try not to.'
Kate pulled in the driveway at Eve's house, blocking Eve's potential retreat.
Eve had a sparkle in her eye when she opened the door. So satisfied with herself. Bitch. It made Kate want to hit her square in the face and she had to console herself with the idea that she might have to later. 'Is Adrienne here?' Kate didn't waste time on pleasantries. No. And you're not going to yell at her.'
She shoved past Eve and into the house. 'Please. As if I came here for that. Shut the door, Eve. You and I have some talking to do.' 'I have nothing to say to you. Adrienne has made her choice. You drove her to it.
'Like I fucking care if you have something to say to me. As it happens, I've got a few things to say to you. Adrienne has a right not to participate in our wedding. I respect that and so does Charles. No, the issue here is that it's not what Adrienne wants. It's her selfish, crazy mother who is wrecking her child's relationship with her father because she's petty. Bravo on the parenting job. I think you should send this little gem of a story to one of those women's magazines. You know, "I Was a Selfish Cow Who Turned My Children Against Their Father Because I Couldn't Get Laid". Or something like that.' Kate threw herself onto a nearby couch.
'Get out. I only want to deal with Charles.'
Yeah, about that. Tsk tsk, you know the rules. Charles is off limits to you. Oh, and do kindly fuck off with you
r demands. Sit your ass down, bitch, you and I are having a Come to Jesus and you're getting saved.'
Who do you think you are?' Eve moved from foot to foot like the nervous little bunny she actually was. Right about that moment, Kate felt like a wolf@ 'I'm what you might call self-actualised. Imagine that. A whole nation of women who aren't all whiny and dependent on men, especially those who dumped us, for our survival. We can open our own jars of pickles and everything. You see, I'm not here to use a pillowcase filled with bars of soap to beat some sense into you. Even though it's mighty tempting. I'm here because I pity you and I figure, if another woman pitied me because I was a hag and a loser and couldn't let go of a man who clearly didn't love me, I'd want to know so I could stop being pitiable.
You're alienating your kids in this odd crusade of yours. Sure Adrienne is backing out of the wedding and that pleases you to bring chaos into our lives. But you're destroying her relationship with her dad. Why would you want that? It only hurts her. In the end, you're going to drive one daughter away from you and the other away from her father and you still won't have Dix. He's mine now. That's not going to change and you know that. You don't have to like me. I sure as hell don't like your worthless ass. But if you have any dignity at all, any true maternal love for your daughters, you'll swallow your self-pity and stop involving them in things that don't have a thing to do with them.'
Kate stood and looked around. God the place gave her the willies.
You don't know anything about it.'
'I know all I need to know. You're a mother, why don't you act like one? All you're doing is hurting your kids. It's not going to change anything with Dix except to drive him even further away. This isn't a contest. They're your children. They love you and their father both. But he doesn't love you, nothing you do will make that happen. Ten years from now, he still won't love you. Even if I walked out on him now, he still isn't coming back to you. So what I'm saying is, all you're doing is being a shitty mother and driving a wedge between your kids and their dad. Eventually between them and you because they can't trust you to put them first. And you'll have nothing then. Let go and move on. Be happy, Eve. Open your own fucking pickle jars and find a man who wants you as much as you want him.'
Megan Hart and Lauren Dane - No Reservations Page 21
